We also wish to convey our understanding of anyone who may be frightened or upset—and now leery—about anyone who has Asperger’s syndrome or is someone with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  We offer training and classes to help neuro-typical people understand, in some small way, what it is like for our brothers and sisters on the autism spectrum.

We do not wish anyone to fear or put these children and young adults into one category because of the events of December ... Read More »]]> http://aspecialspace.org/a-time-to-grieve-a-time-to-learn/feed/ 0 http://aspecialspace.org/a-special-race-for-a-special-space-2/ http://aspecialspace.org/a-special-race-for-a-special-space-2/#comments Sun, 07 Oct 2012 22:46:49 +0000 Bonnie http://aspecialspace.org/?p=1437 A Special Space opened in Charles Town on Aug. 22, and is a before-and after-school center for children all along the special needs spectrum. Zampino, the president and founder of the center, said that she has heard from many parents who are interested in her program, but are unable to attend due to financial constraints.

“I have been approached by moms who are homeschooling their special needs child, and they would love for their kids to be able to come to A Special Space for socialization, but cannot afford it,” Zampino said, adding that many parents ... Read More »]]> http://aspecialspace.org/a-special-race-for-a-special-space-2/feed/ 0 http://aspecialspace.org/ultra-marathon-for-autism-support-rob-and-a-special-space/ http://aspecialspace.org/ultra-marathon-for-autism-support-rob-and-a-special-space/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:48:50 +0000 Bonnie http://aspecialspace.org/?p=1411 Hello,

Every year, I run races of various distances around the eastern part of the country. So far this year, I have run a 12-hour ultra-marathon in Charleston, SC in order to help raise awareness of Autism with permission of Autism Speaks.

My son Aidan has been directly affected by autism. Aidan struggles every day with a condition that has forever changed the fabric of his life. This cause has been near and dear to me since “Bugga” was diagnosed with autism 3 years ago. He is five now and doing great…thank God. I am so very  blessed in every way that I thought I would take the insanity of running long distances and put it to good use.

I am going to run my next ultra-marathon in the beautiful mountains of the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC. The race is the Qu’est-ce que c’est? Aux Montagnes! 12 Hour Run on Saturday, October 27, ... Read More »]]> http://aspecialspace.org/ultra-marathon-for-autism-support-rob-and-a-special-space/feed/ 0 http://aspecialspace.org/celebrate-a-special-space-whag-news-coverage/ http://aspecialspace.org/celebrate-a-special-space-whag-news-coverage/#comments Sat, 01 Sep 2012 23:56:42 +0000 Bonnie http://aspecialspace.org/?p=1394 CHARLES TOWN, WV — Charles Town has opened A Special Space, a therapeutic child care center that helps kids with special needs and their hard-working families. It’s a special space for special kids, just like third grader Brendan Zampino.

“I really care about people,” says Brendan Zampino, a third grader.

“He’s amazing, I mean he’s my hero,” says Bonnie Zampino, the founder of A Special Day day care in Charles Town.

There was no day care around town made just right for kids with Autism until his mother, Bonnie, founded one herself.

“In order for success, you need to find a need and fill it and that’s what A Special Space ... Read More »]]> http://aspecialspace.org/celebrate-a-special-space-whag-news-coverage/feed/ 0 http://aspecialspace.org/a-special-space-center-take-a-peek/ http://aspecialspace.org/a-special-space-center-take-a-peek/#comments Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:26:14 +0000 Bonnie http://aspecialspace.org/?p=1377

Our dedication and open house of A Special Space Center for school-aged children will be held from 10 am until noon.  Food, tours and a chance to network with others in the community will make this a morning to remember!  We are looking forward to seeing you there.

A Special Race for A Special Space will be held on October 6, 2012 at Sam Michael’s Park. Same-Day registration begins at 7:30 AM with the race starting at 9:00 AM.

The 1st annual Special Race for A Special Space 5k Run and Walk is designed to be an uplifting community event. The Run/Walk benefits children enrolled at A Special Space Centers located in Charles Town, WV.

We have established this event to contribute to and raise awareness of children with autism spectrum disorders and other special needs during National Disability Awareness Month.

Registration is now open on active.com here: http://www.active.com/running/shenandoah-junction-wv/a-special-race-for-a-special-space-2012.

Register now and help us raise awareness and support for our children!

So at this time, it appears that my job will end on August 22nd.

This was a very personal and poignant reminder of why I started A Special Space.

Parents of special needs children have a very hard time holding a full-time job.  Employers are not aware of  and often not interested in the special challenges present in the lives of families with special children.

I have been the HR Professional at my company for 3 1/2 years.  During my tenure, I have had my hours cut and been demoted solely due to my son’s autism and the mental and medical care he requires.  My story is not unique.

A study, published in the March 19 ... Read More »]]> http://aspecialspace.org/the-special-needs-of-special-needs-parents/feed/ 0 http://aspecialspace.org/help-us-create-a-special-space/ http://aspecialspace.org/help-us-create-a-special-space/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 00:21:52 +0000 Bonnie http://aspecialspace.org/?p=1185 Dear Friends,

A Special Space, Inc. is a non-profit therapeutic child care and development center for children with autism, other special needs, and their typically functioning peers.  As the first childcare center to design and tailor an environment and program for children with developmental disabilities, the mission of A Special Space is to offer children on the Autism Spectrum and other special needs children the opportunity to participate in before and after school care and summer programs in an environment tailored to their special sensory, social, educational, communicative and recreational needs alongside typically functioning peer models.

We will be opening our doors on August 22, 2012 at Zion Episcopal Church in Charles Town, WV for school-aged children, ages 5 through 12, for before/after school care, school closures and summer programs.

We are in great need of classroom items for A Special Space Center.  ... Read More »]]> http://aspecialspace.org/help-us-create-a-special-space/feed/ 0 http://aspecialspace.org/our-grants/ http://aspecialspace.org/our-grants/#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 04:17:30 +0000 John http://aspecialspace.org/?p=1159

We wish you all the best in the year to come and hope that our level of support and commitment will enable your organization to achieve the goals you have defined.

A Special Space thanks CVS Caremark for their support for the mission of A Special Space and the community we serve!  Because of their support, we will be able to purchase technology and learning software to help our children learn and develop social and motor skills.

To learn more about CVS Caremark and their grant programs, visit them at their web site: http://info.cvscaremark.com/community/our-impact/community-grants.