FM Special Needs Support Network
Non-profit organization
Meet the admins:
Danielle Kolp:
I live in West Fargo and am the mother of two amazing children. My son has nonverbal autism and was diagnosed at two and a half. My daughter had a speech delay until the age of four but overcame it with the help of early intervention, speech therapy and ECSE.
At the time of my sons diagnosis we didn't have family by us, our friends had no idea what we were going through nor did some of our family. We had no idea where to even start to get information on how to help our son. I started attending a few autism support groups where I met other parents who offered support and shared resources to get me started on the right path to getting services he needed.
Two years later I experienced early intervention for the second time but with a different agency. i saw parents that were where I once was looking for resources, support, and encouragement. I wanted to be a part of the FM Special Needs Support Network to connect parents. We learn the most from each other.
Brianna Schjei
I live in Fargo with my husband Nathan our son Evan and our family dog Mya. Our son was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 15 months. He has seen countless specialists and our journey has taken some tough turns. However, I have meet some amazing people along this crazy path.
My reason for being a part of the FM Special Needs Support Network Group is because I did not want anyone to feel as lost and alone as I did when our family started out. I did not know who to turn to with questions, I did not have friends who had experiences with a special needs child and I needed some direction. I am thankful for the connections I have made, the resources I have found or been told about and the support team I now have. Our journeys are not all the same, our child's diagnosis may be different but our fears, celebrations, and questions are similar.
My son is full of life, happiness, and love. He has taught me how to except, be patient, be kind, and love without expectations. We celebrate the simplest things and love doing so.
I am have my associates degree in Early Childhood Education ( Special Needs) and I have my bachelors degree in Human Services. I have been a Program Coordinator with Easter Seals since April of 2019. I love looking working with families not only through our group but also as a professional and owe it all to my son.
Rachel Stotts
I live in Moorhead, MN with my husband, Rick. We have four children: Bailey(&Coleman), Reese, Annika and Addyson and one granddaughter, Thea. Our son Reese is almost 24. He began having seizures at the age of 2 months. As he grew older, he seemed to develop some "quirky" interests. Reese was diagnosed with a communication delay at 14 months and Autism at four years. He has had numerous years of therapy and support people who have made our "village" pretty great!
I am a Speech Language Pathologist by trade. I have run the FM Autism Support Group for about 17 years and now am happy to combine and work together with the FM Special Needs Support Network.
Our whole family feels blessed to have Reese in it, and we have learned so much from him. It is so important tha parents support parents in the unique journey because we all need a "village!"