Flour Power plans cooking classes for kids with special needs

Susan Caldwell, the Raleigh mom of two and owner of Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio, will launch a new program for kids with special needs.

Caldwell's son Cameron is her inspiration, she tells me. Cameron has severe autism and is non verbal.

"I know how difficult it is to find accepting programs in the Triangle for special needs children," Caldwell writes on her website.

Flour Power will offer the classes monthly at its Falls River location, which opens April 3, and at its Charlotte location. The fee is "pay what you can." Caldwell will donate the money collected to a childhood charity, starting with the Autism Society of North Carolina.

Because space is limited, just one adult can attend the class with each child. Upcoming topics include pizza, crescent roll treats and lemon cupcakes.

Caldwell said she hopes to grow the program over time. She'd like to see other businesses do the same.

"I'm hopeful more local business owners will follow and offer classes for special needs classes in our community," Caldwell tells me. "It's just so hard having a child and not being able to participate in general programs like other kids can."