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ST. GEORGE — Kim Deverall said life as a mother raising a child with autism is hard to describe.
"Chaotic generally. Unknown. You never know what you're going to get," she said.
At about 3 months old, Deverall noticed her son Kai wasn't following objects.
"He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS which is also on the spectrum when he was 18 months old," she said. "And then he was diagnosed with severe autism when he was 3."
Kai has intense therapy every day to help him learn. Deverall said it may continue for the rest of his life.
"When I look at my child I can just see him crying out for help, and it's not here," she said.
There were resources for families with autistic children in Salt Lake, Logan and Ogden. But not nearly enough near the Deverall's home in Southern Utah.
"I went to an autism conference up north because there aren't conferences or educational classes about autism in St. George," she said.
I wanted to bring that escape and that chance to breathe and laugh to other moms of kids with autism.
–Kim Deverall
She met with the founders of Big MAK's, Moms of Autistic Kids, a group of mothers who rally around and encourage each other.
"I wanted to bring that escape and that chance to breathe and laugh to other moms of kids with autism," she said.
So Deverall started the Big MAK's of St. George. They meet once a month and talk about anything from medication, to eating habits and personal space.
"Children one through four, I figured I had it figured out," Angie Excell, a member of Big MAK's of St. George said. "And number five came along and he was like an alien. Spinning, flapping, doing weird things I didn't understand."
Excell's youngest son is severely autistic, and has elopement disorder.
"These ladies have ideas and experiences that can help me try different things to keep him safe," she said.
Veronica Ibarra is also a member of the group.
"Most people don't understand why you'd have to tell your 5-year-old to put pants on all the time. And why your 5-year-old isn't potty trained," she said.
Ibarra's son is 5 and high functioning, but her family still faces challenges.
"It's great to have other moms that get it and we can come and talk about it and get ideas too," Ibarra said.
For Deverall, the group and living with autism has opened her eyes.
"It's helped me to understand other people and be more accepting and loving toward them," she said.
"We help each other deal with our circumstances and move forward with where we are instead of just trying to survive," Excell said.
Despite the challenges that come with autism, Deverall said the group buoys each other up to make it through them.
"There's also very small victories," she said. "Hopefully daily, that helps us and brings us joy."
For more information, visit the Big MAK's of St.George Facebook group.
Contributing: Stace Hall Email: ebench@deseretnews.com Twitter: @EmileeBench
