My mother was a special education teacher for a local junior high school. When I attended college, I frequently volunteered in her classroom. In addition, for several years, I chaperoned her class at the Texas Special Olympics. My neighbor has a child with Autism. Often, her parents will ask me to stay with her or to accompany her to the park while they tend to their other child who does not have special needs. She feels safe with me and my family. I'm comfortable taking her to the park and to have a meal at a restaurant. I know it helps her to make connections with her surrounding environment and with other.