Matthews Center Reaches Out to Special Needs Children

In honor of April being Autism Awareness Month, the Matthews Center in Manassas opened its doors this week for Tea and a Tour.  Since 2000, the Matthews Center has provided services for children with a wide variety of developmental and physical delay,s as well as children on the autistic spectrum from the mild diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome to more challenging variations of the illness.

“Our goal is to provide the best education and vocational skills for the students here,” said Betsy O’Dell, Matthews Center Director. “And then move them back into a mainstream environment so that they can take part in their community.”

Currently, 25 students are enrolled in the daily program at the Matthews center, 12 attend after school programs, 12 enjoy summer camp there and another 64 children receive in-home care from center support staff.

“Of course, we would love to have more space for students, but to keep to the 2:1 student teacher ratio mandated by the state of Virginia, we must keep the maximum capacity at 25,” said Kerry Brooks, development director. “We work every day to give each student the best possible experience here.”

The center is at capacity and a few young people are on the waiting list. Area schools from Northern Virginia all the way out to the Shenandoah Valley send students to the Matthews Center to fulfill the specific needs of each child.

“Many of our students come to us when they enter into middle school or high school,” said O’Dell. “Most elementary schools offer a wide variety of support for special needs students, but the services start to taper off as the children get older.”

O’Dell and the staff at Matthews strive to provide an educational program as well as vocational training. Former students of the Matthews Center go on to work at the local food panty, bookstores, hotels and small businesses in the Manassas area.

“We love the Matthews Center; not only have they helped curb our daughter’s behavior, but each child has an educational program geared toward their needs,” said Deanna Ebert, who’s daughter Amanda attends the Matthews Center. “Staff at the center continues to change the students' programs as often as needed until family and staff can meet each child’s needs.”

Not only do staff and parents take part in daily activities, but outside volunteers come into the center with specially trained animals or to do music therapy and other activities.

 “We are always looking for volunteers,” said Brooks. “During the summer we want our kids to have the same experiences that every other child has. The kids go to the water park, the zoo, theme parks and we even go to the movies.”

The Matthews Center is also in need of donations including, sporting equipment, old treadmills, electronics and soft toys.

“Everything here gets used until we can’t use it anymore,” said Brooks. “The kids like to give a lot of love to the toys and the treadmills are constantly in use, especially during the winter.”

Now that Autism Awareness month is coming to an end, there are a few things that staff and parents of the Matthews Center would like the public to know: Not to judge parents or children too quickly, be patient and try to give everyone a chance.

 “These kids are locked in their own little world,” said Ebert. “What you see is not necessarily what’s going on in their heads. Places like the Matthews Center open up a whole new world to children who might not otherwise get the education they need.”