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Scholarship helps families learn how to interact with children on Autism spectrum

Unicorn Children's Foundation offers scholarships for early intervention programs
Posted at 7:11 AM, Jun 09, 2022
and last updated 2022-06-09 08:34:05-04

For many parents, understanding how to interact with their young child can be a daunting task.

The journey is especially difficult for those with children who have developmental disorders.

The Unicorn Children's Foundation is hoping to help change that by offering scholarships for early intervention programs.

"We noticed that he wasn't talking much, and he really loved to play by himself," Michelle Buist said about her 3-year-old son Cade.

The Buist family was awarded the scholarship late last year.

Buist said it was a lesson she'll be forever grateful for.

"You feel lost as a parent," she said. "You want to help your child, but you just don't know how because you've never experienced this experience before. When we found this, really, it was just really very, like, light at the end of the tunnel."

The parent-child coaching program takes place inside the home and costs about $4,000.

The Unicorn Children's Foundation is offering scholarships worth about $3,600.

"It's empowering parents with the tools and strategies that they need where they can turn their everyday routine into learning opportunities," Unicorn Children's Foundation CEO Sharon Alexander said.

The program is available for children ages 12-48 months who have either been diagnosed with autism or are pending a diagnosis.

"That's why this was so wonderfu,l because I felt like I just didn't have the tools on how to connect with Cade and be his successful playmate," Buist said.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is June 15. Click here to learn more.