Autistic Residents Getting Support From City Officials

Leaders from across the region, including Lake Elsinore, are coordinating efforts to help autistic residents.

The Regional Autism Task Force, which included nine local elected officials, including Lake Elsinore City Councilwoman Melissa Melendez, met last week at Temecula’s Civic Center.

“My stated purpose is for all the regions to know what each other are doing,” said Temecula Councilman Mike Naggar, who created the task force. “As long as we’re all talking, we’re getting information across city limit lines and autism knows no boundaries.”

Mary Mollway, a executive director of New Vision Children’s Services, has created a Facebook page to quickly get information out to families in the region.

Also, Mark Anselmo, the head of Our Nicholas Foundation, unveiled the “Exceptional Diners” program, which is in the pilot phase. The program will give families of autistic kids a card that lets them get a fast appetizer to help keep a child calm, Anselmo said at the meeting. The card will also have the child’s allergy information on the back.

Anselmo has been talking to restaurant owners in an effort to get them on-board, he said.

“It’s a win-win,” he explained, because families with autistic children can get out more, and the restaurants get business they would otherwise not get.

Some who sat in the audience during the meeting said it was nice to see leaders taking action.

“It’s apparent the panel here cares. You’re being pro-active, and that’s visionary,” said Blanche Cook, the site coordinator for Azusa Pacific’s Murrieta Campus. “It takes a village to raise a child. I see the village is right here.”

“This topic hits very close to home,” said David Sester, 17, a Temecula resident who said he has autism. “It never gets any better unless you have support.”

The meeting brought hope to parents of autistic kids who struggle to help their children achieve. As Sester spoke, a woman began quietly crying in the audience.

“I have a daughter and I hope she can be like that. It gives me hope,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

For more information on the Exceptional Diners program, e-mail Cheryl Stark at ONFCheryl@gmail.com.