A Bench, a Bond, and the Beginning of OCA

In 2003, two teachers found themselves working closely together, connected both by their classrooms and by Silvia’s young son, Matthew, who has autism. Silvia had just moved to the area with no support system and an urgent need to find the right services for her son. Margaret, who specialized in working with neurodiverse children like Matthew, began working with him a couple of days a week at home, building daily living skills, communication, and confidence.
 
Spending that much time together created a deep bond between Silvia and Margaret, and with that, a shared looming concern.
 
One afternoon, after years of working with Silvia’s son, Margaret gently asked the question so many families quietly carried: What was Matthew’s long-term plan? Silvia answered honestly—at the time, keeping him home felt like the only option.
 
As Margaret moved into community work, she became frustrated by just how limited the choices were for individuals with special needs. The turning point came when she sat down with Silvia and her husband and asked, with urgency, “Where is Matthew going to live?”
 
The question caught them off guard.
 
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