By Aileen Kornblatt
On Thursday, June 20th, Ken and Maria Ward of Cassidy Transportation made their final 208-mile round trip journey from Budd Lake, NJ to Eden Autism Services day school in Princeton, NJ.
The married couple, who have been driving Eden student Matthew McEntee for the past 11 years, are emotional as their time with Matt, whom they have grown to think of as one of their own grandchildren, comes to an end as he graduates from Eden’s day school program.
“After 11 years, we have grown very close with Matt and his family,” says Maria Ward. “Matt is the longest student we have ever driven. Not only have we watched Matt grow up, we have seen his brother graduate college and his sister start college. The McEntee’s are just like family.”
Maria has been bussing students with disabilities for the past 14 years, her husband Ken has been in the business for the past 12. Matthew is the first and only student they have driven who has autism.
“He’s a very good passenger,” says Ken Ward. “Depending on traffic, the trip to and from Budd Lake and Eden can take up to an hour and a half one way and Matt is always a pleasure.”
As typical with many students who attend Eden, Matt cannot communicate verbally, but Maria has developed a special relationship with Matt and just by looking at him is able to understand Matt’s needs and wants. “It’s like she can read his mind when she looks at him,” says Ken.
One thing that worries the Wards is what is going to happen to Matt after graduation. After the age of 21 entitlement ends for students with disabilities and there is no guarantee for services for adults.
“At 21 years old, adults with developmental disabilities ‘age out’ out of eligibility for state-funded programs, such as those provided through the public education system,” says Tom McCool, President & CEO of Eden Autism Services. “It is imperative that we keep the need for adequate funding for adult services on the forefront.”
Lynn and Larry McEntee, Matt’s parents are very concerned for Matt’s future. Matt began early intervention services at Eden’s Wawa House just before he was 2 years old. He has been fortunate to seamlessly attend Eden throughout his education years. The Mt. Olive Township School District provided the bussing and the funding for Matt’s education from age 3-21, however, unfortunately, after Matt graduates that funding comes to a halt. “We are grateful to Eden and everything the staff has done for Matt and our family over the years. We would love for him to continue through Eden’s adult employment program, but we live so far, and the lack of state funding for transportation is an issue,” says Lynn.
Currently, plans are underway for Matt to attend an Adult Day Employment Services program about 20 miles from his home.
But for Maria and Ken, “this is not the end of the road for us; we will definitely keep in touch and see how Matt is doing.”
About Eden
Since 1975, the not-for-profit Eden Autism Services has provided early intervention, education, employment training and residential services for children and adults with autism. Eden offers both in-person and online support and training programs for families and professionals. Recognized nationally, Eden is headquartered in Princeton, NJ. For more information about Eden visit www.edenautism.org or call (609) 987-0099. Follow Eden on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

