Hello!  

      My name is Nicholas Gaither Sr. my wife and I are starting a new type of community center that will cater to the needs of the family members of those with neurologically based developmental disorders. There are many services that are in place for our children with special needs; however, there is little professional care for the rest of the family.

      I have a son with moderately severe autism spectrum disorder. I have seen the effects that having a loved one with a special need can have on the family as a whole. I have watched countless families like mine fall apart, and the siblings get lost in the shuffle. Fortunately, my wife and I have been blessed, and have not only overcome the challenges thus far, but we have a strong desire to help other families like ours.

      That is why I went back to school to get a masters degree in counseling psychology. To help families that may be struggling. All marriages have rough patches, and all children go through hard times growing up, however these issues are often amplified or added to by the pressure of providing for a loved one with special needs. The additional time money and energy that goes into special care can be exhausting and leave a family depleted and feeling disconnected.

      Divorce rates are out of control amongst our families, at between 85%- 95%, and our typical children are three to five times more likely to get into some sort of trouble with the law by their 18th birthday. These stats do not mean that there is something wrong with our families; they simply mean that some times the added strain gets to be too much. We need a support network outside the home. That is where we come in.

      I have heard some say that they ”tried the support group thing“ and It wasn’t for them. Some say that support groups only turn into pity parties, and others say that they are just provided random information. Well, that is where we are different. Our groups are professional support groups that are led by professionals and are specific to the information that you need. Our classes are the same way, with relevant and practical information that you can use to change and secure your future as a family.

       This is not just a recent whim, but a heart felt life pursuit. My team and I promise high quality professional care. The Special Place, Inc. is a community center that is in the early phases of development, and we are about to begin providing some of our services.

     Enrollment is now open for the professional support groups and life skills classes. These are just a few of the services that the center will eventually offer, but one needs to start somewhere. We will be holding our initial programs at area libraries and other public facilities until we are able to secure our own facility. We are very anxious to meet you and serve your family.  

Thank you for your time, 

Nicholas W. Gaither Sr., MA