Parents Connect To Cure Autism

By Lori Eller
Wednesday - December 08, 2010 Share

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By Lori Eller, Volunteer
Talk About Curing Autism

At 18 months old, Kai Chorman had very little language. By 24 months, his verbal skills had not improved and his behavioral issues began. There were temper tantrums that could not be controlled followed by periods of unresponsiveness and limited eye contact. By the age of 3, Kai had been diagnosed with a form of autism called pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Daily life was a challenge, and his future looked bleak.

Fortunately his parents Tommy and Tina Chorman found other families with children on the autism spectrum and made valuable connections. Sharing resources, tips and stories, the Chormans were able to find and implement effective interventions to reach their child, who seemed hopeless. Today, at age 7, Kai is completely mainstreamed in a second-grade classroom without support. His teacher didn’t even realize he had an autism spectrum diagnosis (ASD).

Recognizing the important role parents with ASD keiki can play in supporting other ASD families, the Chormans and others formed the Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) Hawaii Chapter in 2008. TACA’s mission is to provide information, resources and support to families with children affected by autism.

Nationwide TACAserves almost 20,000 families, and with no paid local staff, TACA Hawaii still manages to support more than 300 families in the Islands.

Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless speaks to parents at a recent TACA-sponsoredd seminar

Anne Kauffman never misses the monthly TACA support group meeting held at Kaimuki Christian Church.

“Once I found TACA, I never felt alone again,” she says.

Hiromi Toyokama benefitted from TACA’s Autism Journey Seminar: “This all-day parent-led meeting left me feeling empowered to help my child. I appreciated that the parents were able to share from their personal experience without commercial influence.”

Like all nonprofits in a challenging economy, TACA Hawaii’s biggest challenge is fundraising. To contribute, please visit firstgiving.com/tacahawaii.

For more information on TACA, visit tacanow.org/hawaii or call 387-6338.

Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to dchapman@midweek.com.