For her years of service and dedication to the Cohen family and all those she serves, Rachel Barnard is the 2024 winner of the John and Claudia Roman Direct Service Award. This annual award honors a direct service employee of the Autism Society of North Carolina who demonstrates outstanding dedication to individuals with autism and their families.
“I consider Rachel almost as a second mom to my child,” says Christy Cohen, who nominated Rachel for this year’s Roman Award. “She has taught my son so many things and has helped to take him from a child who barely spoke to a child you can now hold conversations with.”
Christy credits the “huge progress” her son has made to Rachel’s ability to build rapport with him by sharing in his interests and encouraging him to follow those interests. “Rachel has always been so patient and kinds towards him.” She has also been very helpful to Christy always “willing to provide a listening ear and words of encouragement,” when Christy has struggled with IEPs and the school system while advocating for her son.
For the last three years, Rachel has worked with Christy’s son through the Autism Society of North Carolina’s Social Recreation program in Newport, NC. Described by his mom as very inquisitive, often asking questions about the why or how of things, she say Rachel always accommodates his curiosity and never makes it appear that what she is doing is just a job. “You can tell by how patient she is, and just overall how she speaks, that she is truly passionate about helping people,” says Christy. “Not only has she been awesome with my son, bringing in little things that they can do together that are along his interests, I have seen her do the same for other children at the Social Recreation center. She makes sure everyone feels included and has a genuinely kind and caring heart. I do not think I’ve ever met anyone who is so genuinely caring as she is. All the children at the center seem to pick up on that and love being around her. She is a true treasure for all of the children there.”