Sometimes, people must take matters into their own hands.

In the case of children with physical or learning disabilities, institutional support is often inadequate.

While schools and other community organizations attempt to provide sufficient aid, some issues are simply beyond their reach, many parents say.

Now, a pair of local mothers has made it their mission to

tackle the problem on their

own.

“Parents Jam Session” is a group recently created by Carolyn Sayko, of Borodino, and Andrea Alexander, of Skaneateles, both of whom have children with disabilities.

The group held its first meeting at Creekside Books & Coffee in Skaneateles earlier this month.

The organization is still in the planning stages, and meeting times and locations have not yet been decided, Sayko said prior to the gathering.

“The Jam Sessions are something Andrea and I have been wanting to do for over a year now,” she said.

Sayko's 13-year-old daughter, Victoria, suffers from autism, and Alexander's son, Liam, has a learning disability that hinders his cognitive processing skills.

“Most schools use a pretty traditional system of learning, and our kids just don't fit that mold,” Alexander explained. “(Students) with special needs have rights, at both the federal and state levels, and we want parents to be aware of them.”

Sayko hopes the group will support parents on a variety of levels.

“We want to be able to provide information and help people to have any resources they need right at their fingertips,” she explained. “If they have something to get off their chest, or they just need a shoulder to cry on, we'll be there for that, too.”

In addition to the other difficulties with which families of children with disabilities are presented, Sayko said, keeping a strong will is often tough.

“In the beginning, when a child is first diagnosed, parents have fears that are difficult to overcome. They usually have to go through a sort of grieving process before they can face the problem head-on,” she said.

Wednesday's meeting was attended by a handful of parents who spent much of their time discussing a resource manual for families of children with special needs.

The handbook was published last year by Exceptional Family Resources, a nonprofit organization based in Syracuse, and includes contact information, available programs, and helpful hints for raising a child with a disability.

“We hope that any parent with questions or concerns will not hesitate to give us a call,” Sayko said.

Learn more

For additional information on “Parents Jam Session”, call Carolyn Sayko at 673-3550.