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November 2025 AUTISM. I apologize in advance for writing something pithy whenever it might be expected that something light hearted and uplifting should appear in this column. However, I believe anyone who might take the time out of a busy day to read this column is likely, like me, to be concerned about those who have severe intellectual disabilities. The issue of autism has gained a lot of public attention since the advent of the current presidential administration and more particularly, the work of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. There seems to be an explosion of identified instances of autism in young American children. Not all of it can be attributed to the possibility of better diagnosis. Something is awry. Hopefully, the focus the HHS Secretary is bringing to the matter may help reverse this explosion. However, too many politicians are overlooking the elephant in the room. What can society do to assist individuals with severe autistic characteristics and the families struggling to manage their care? Many states are moving away from residential care treatment for individuals with intellectual disability. Tennessee is among them. In my lifetime I have noticed a pattern whenever society awakes to a problem. It then demands that it be addressed. For too long individuals who could otherwise thrive in less restrictive residential settings were offered only large institutional options. Hence, all of the public institutional settings were closed. Now there is a reluctance to consider treatment for severe autism in a dedicated residential option. In the 1980’s there was a popular movie made titled, “Field of Dreams”. The tagline in the movie was “if you build it, they will come”. Sadly, it would seem, the tagline for dealing with severe autism is, “if you do not build it, they will not come”. This is not a working policy. It likely will lead to a knee jerk reaction to return to large institutional settings. As there is a spectrum of autism there needs to be a spectrum of services based on individual needs. Ralph
Fraizer has worked in the mental health field for 30 years! Before moving to Nashville, he worked at Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institution for 10 years. Fraizer shares, "I came to TFS and they gave me an opportunity to work in a field I enjoy doing and 20 years later I'm still here and enjoy every day of it. Like people say if you find a job you like, you will never work."
Fraizer says his favorite things about working with people with ID/DD is making a difference in their life by making them part of the community, showing them respect and modeling that for others. He shares an added bonus working at TFS is the many people he works with and the many friends he has made along the way - it’s like family.
Fraizer has two daughters, Taryn and Tiera. He has three older sisters Rhonda, Karen and Helena. In his spare time, you can find him hanging out with friends and family, traveling and enjoying life.
Chandy Michon, TFS' Consultant of the Year AND winner of the Teaching-Family Association Gary Timber's Guardian of the Model Distinguished Consultant Award! In her own words...
Background/history: I have worked with a staffing agency and then I worked with foster children in administration before finding my purpose at TFS. After leaving there I took two years off to go back to school for general studies. I believe God led me to TFS and this is where I am supposed to be. After finishing my general studies, I was online searching, and to be honest, applying for any jobs hiring at the time and TFS was one that called me for an interview. I did my research and knew it was the job for me where I would have rewarding work, helping others like I had before, so here I am. Length of time in the IDD filed: I have worked in this field for 13 years Family/pet info: I grew up in Nashville all my life and bought a house in the same neighborhood I grew up in. I have four siblings that all still live around Nashville. I am a mother of three (Deionna 28, Jalen & Jadyn 20) and MiMi of three (Ryleigh 10, Brylon 3 & Sayge 18 months). I have a pitbull named Nova that will be 6 on Halloween. What is/are your favorite things about working with people with ID/DD? I love being a voice for the people I work with, not only being that voice but also making sure the voice is heard, and things are followed through for them. I love being a part of their everyday life and seeing their accomplishments. I love teaching them how to be as independent as possible for themselves. It brings me joy when I see the excitement on their faces when they accomplish or even just try new things that they had never tried or things they didn’t believe they could do. Favorite leisurely activities: I like to go shopping with my girls, going to eat with my son (he’s not much of a shopper) and spending time with the grandbabies, doing different activities like playgrounds at parks, movies and holiday festivities. What sets the TFS apart? With TFS their mission statement is not just a statement, it truly is what TFS is about. The part about “helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities lead safe, stable and personally fulfilling lifestyles” is the true meaning of TFS. The people at TFS are not just bodies filling spaces, they are family.
TFS Administrative Team
Amanda Whiteaker - Administrative Assistant, Andrew Howard - TFM Associate Director ICF/Event Management Coordinator, Basiru Konta - Family Teacher/Staffing Coordinator, Brad Bellew - Maintenance, Brittany Terwilliger - Director of Programs/QA, Cassi Carpenter - Assistant Office Manager, Chandra Michon - TFM Consultant, Christy Wood - ADON, Daniel Bellew - Maintenance, Elaine Palmer - RN, Joyce Gilton - Family Teacher/Staffing Coordinator, Jules Wilson - Business Manager, Lexi McLaughlin - Assistant Program/Medical Coordinator, Lindsey Wisniewski - Hub Nurse, Lori Mills - Auditor, Makala Smith - Administrative Assistant, Michele Callahan - Office Manager, Naomi Thomas - Human Resources Director, Quintin Perkins - TFM Associate Director SL, Ralph Kennedy - CEO, Sarah Napper - RN, Shelly Hall - Executive Director, Tameria Dale - QIDP
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