Parents of kids with autism rally together in Candler County

CANDLER COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The lack of resources for children in rural communities is hitting too close to home for Candler County residents who say they have witnessed one too many tragedies."

“It’s that town that you have never visited that is hurting, and we need to get help,” said Rev. Victor Carson, Metter pastor.

Reverend Carson and parents at Tremount Temple Missionary Baptist Church are fighting a problem that has deeply impacted their community. Five children with autism in Candler County and the surrounding area have lost their lives from various accidents in the past year.

Families blame limited treatment options and insurance access in rural areas.

“We need the resources to help a lot of children with autism because you are seeing that more and more,” said Patricia Dekle, member of Carson’s church.

This church congregation lost one of its own, a member’s grandchild with autism.

This is the same child we reported on in June who was found inside of a hot car after being lost.

“Maybe if she had the resources that could have also been avoided so we got that first-hand a tragedy first and at our church,” said James Brown, member of Carson’s church.

There is currently no applied behavior analysis therapy office in Candler County.

Reverend Carson and the local woman’s conference say they have had enough.

They reached out to Beyond the Spectrum ABA therapy, which is now planning to come and build the first office for Candler County.

“What ABA therapy centers are there? We find absolutely none,” said Ayo Fadeyi, BTS Director of Operations. “So, we are committed to come to the help of this community.”

Fadeyi says they are expected to open the new facility in the next few months.

“In today’s America we have children dying from autism, it should not be this way,” said Fadeyi.

Sunday, representatives from the therapy center will be at the church at an event open for the public to learn more about the new resources.