Support group creates community for neurodiverse children and teens

Local volunteers provide education and hope for teens and parents

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

In Crittenden County, a group of passionate parents and professionals is changing the landscape for children and young adults with special needs. The organization, known as E3/Little-e, provides critical support for neurodiverse individuals, including those with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and other conditions.

Founded three years ago by Erin Nave, an occupational therapist and mother to a daughter with Asperger’s, the program was born out of frustration with the limited resources available for neurodiverse children. “We started this because my daughter has Asperger’s, and I got frustrated with the quality of services. They seemed to focus only on one-on-one therapy, but I felt for her to really grow, she needed a group,” Nave explained.

Rather than waiting for change, Nave took matters into her own hands. “If you want it done, you’ve got to do it yourself,” she said. “I got together with other people who were passionate about working with teens on the spectrum. We knew if we created a community, we could address all these skills in a real-world, chaotic environment where life actually happens.”

E3 meets every Wednesday evening from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of West Memphis, focusing on individuals from 7th grade to age 26. The program emphasizes life skills like _nancial literacy, conict resolution, etiquette, and even preparing for a driver’s license. Students also participate in real-world excursions to apply what they’ve learned.

For younger children, Little- e offers a similar support structure for pre-K through 6th grade, meeting on Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m. Here, kids engage in play-based activities, develop social

See SUPPORT, page A3

Myra Long, a speech therapist and one of many professional volunteers, teaches the value of social etiquette. Long is also teaches the teens how to drive and prepares them for their driving test.

Photo Submitted SUPPORT

From page A1

skills, and participate in everything from soccer games to theatrical productions.

“We try to take some of the burden off the school district because there’s no way they can address all these needs within an academic day,” Nave said. “Our goal isn’t to replace what’s happening in schools but to complement it. Life expectancy for people with autism is only about 35 years, and we want to beat that statistic.”

For Nave, this work is personal but extends beyond her own family. “I didn’t just want to focus on my daughter – I wanted to help other parents,” she shared. “What’s the purpose of living if you don’t help others? That’s what makes life worth living. I feel I have a skill set that allows me to do that.”

The organization’s name, E3, re_ects its mission: Empower, Educate, and Embrace neurodiversity. Supported entirely by generous donations from businesses, church members, and the community, E3/Little-e operates as a nonprot with a growing impact.

“Our professional volunteers work with students to build a culture of inclusion and respect,” Nave said. “We focus on strengths, not decits, because children – especially around middle school – struggle with social situations. This is even more true for neurodiverse kids.”

Whether you’re a parent looking for support or a community member interested in helping, E3/Little-e welcomes involvement. “We’re just a bunch of stubborn women (and men) determined to make a difference,” Nave said with a smile.

For more information, you can reach out to Erin Nave at (901) 598-7077 or stop by Tark’s Storied Brew in Marion – just ask about E3, and someone will be happy to share more.