When the not-for-profit organization Allan Dobbin and his wife co-founded had to close its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he wasn’t sure how he’d be able to continue helping individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other exceptionalities.
As a parent of a child with disabilities, Dobbin knew the challenges families face finding resources. That was his driving force to create Bridges for Autism, which provided support to families in Canada and the U.S. looking for programs, education help, funding options and direction.
“We [had] changed our entire life around to give [our son] all the opportunities he is going to need, so we figured why not help others in the same process,” Dobbin said of starting the organization in 2013. “We are [already] doing it for ourselves, why not help others do the same?”
Dobbin, who will graduate from the Educational Assistant – Special Needs Supports program during NC’s June 15 morning convocation, said it made sense to go back to school to learn more about what he loved to do. When Bridges for Autism closed, it motivated him to do it.
It also set him up to pursue a career in which he could make a difference in the school system and how exceptionalities are perceived.
“Now I have that opportunity,” said Dobbin, who’s already working full-time for the Niagara Catholic District School Board at a high school in Niagara Falls.
The road to get there wasn’t easy, though. In addition to going back to school in his 50s, Dobbin said working around his son’s schedule often posed a challenge.
“My son’s education–him being at home because of Covid–meant a lot of time helping him stay on track. Ask anyone who knew me, [I was doing my] tests and assignments at 3 a.m. I had to wait until my son was asleep, I was home from work, and I had to try to spend time with [my wife].”
He also had to spend a portion of his time at NC learning online because of the pandemic. For that, he gives credit to the instructors who were “great and friendly people willing to help you succeed in achieving your goals.”
Despite all the challenges, he knows he was right to pick Niagara College to further his education.
“With the not-for-profit, we did a lot of co-op [placements], so Niagara College made the most sense to me,” he said. “As for the school leading me down a path to success, I would say yes. I learned that I can succeed in this world, tech isn’t scary, and age is only a number.”
Congratulations to Dobbin and to all graduating students this week!
