'Time Out' for Parents of Autistic Children

HOUSTON - Divorce has been called a common side effect of autism. 80 percent of couples with autistic children get divorced, according to the National Autism Association. One Houston-area couple is trying to change that.

Chances are that adults are aware of putting children in 'time out,' but one couple wants parents to serve their own version of 'time out.'

This is a good 'time out' though. It gives parents of children with autism a much needed, all-expense paid 'date night' out without the children.

"It's a free dinner, transportation and child care, if wanted, from trained professionals" says Scott Jackson.

"That, I think, is the biggest thing. You don't know who can handle the load that you take on everyday. These are things parents do 24-7 and they're concerned that someone can't do it for two hours" says Ashley Jackson.

Scott and Ashley Jackson's five-year-old son Tyler was diagnosed with autism in 2007. Jackson, then an offensive lineman for the Houston Texans, started the Tackling Autism Foundation.

The Jacksons also hope to tackle the high divorce rate among couples with special needs children. Their foundation is giving away free date nights, once a month, to parents who have a child with autism.

"This is a good time to just kind of sit back and relax with your wife and remember before all this happened, you were friends, you fell in love, you got married," says Scott Jackson.

"Just get a chance to talk to each other. Enjoy one another's company. Kind of leave all that behind," says Scott's wife Ashley.

Part of the package includes a free family portrait with photographer Alisa Murray. Photos, however, can be difficult for children with autism.

"It's hard. A lot of times the children that have autism are difficult and the families don't want to go out in public, to the studio, and do that. For me, I've had several clients that have autism and it's never been an issue. I always take my time to get the shots anyway, so they feel comfortable seeing me. It might take three hours, but we're going to make sure we get the shot" says Murray.

The Tackling Autism Foundation gives free date nights once a month for parents of children with autism. Anyone interested in registering for a chance to win a "time out for two" can visit http://www.tacklingautism.org/ .