Alzheimers Signs and Symptoms

Where To Turn If Your Child Has Autism Spectrum Disorder

February 22nd, 2012

When we’ve got a child with Autism, it can often feel as if we are the only people in the world who experience this journey. The daily challenges can regularly make us feel lonely from other folks, and we will often feel as if nobody else understands the unique tasks we face every day to get our child to feel encouraged, progressing, and completely supported. Whether a parent, teacher of caregiver of a child with ASD, it’s sometimes overwhelming to take on our challenges alone, and vital to find folks who fully comprehend what we experience, and can lend a supportive shoulder to let us blow off steam from time to time.

Even though the method of caring for a child with ASD can feel like an isolating experience, in truth the opposite is correct. The good news is there are a wealth of resources out there to support us when we need someone else to talk to, and each year more sites, forums and organizations are being set up to acknowledge the difficulties we face, and put in place pro-active steps to reduce our isolation. As ASD becomes more famous and publicized, so people are beginning to recognise the fact that carers and folks of ASD kids need a powerful set of resources to support us.

Hence where do we start to have a look for fellow carers to talk to? Where are we able to go so as to get the latest research, tips, methodologies and tricks to support our kid to flourish, bringing out the absolute best in them? Here are simply a smattering of resources devoted to offering you the very best support online

OASIS and MAAP
The Net Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS) center has joined with MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome to create a single resource for families, individuals, and medical experts who deal with the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder/Not Otherwise Specified (PDD/NOS). The site offers caregivers, teachers and parents advice, articles, links to support groups, instructional resources and conference information. It also offers message boards where you can meet with folks and share your experiences online.

The Autism National Committee (AUTCOM/ANC)
AUTCOM and the ANC offer carers of children with ASD and other disorders a variety of support and resources. The council describes itself as the sole autism advocacy organization dedicated to “Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism” through a shared vision and a dedication to positive approaches. Founded in 1990, the organization was set up to guard and advance the human rights and civil rights of all people with autism, pervasive developmental disorder, and related differences of communication and behavior.

The Autism Society of America
ASA is one of the premier resources devoted to carers of people with ASD. The site features statistics and information regarding the condition, a national directory of resources for people to search for their ideal support, and information especially for parents of special needs children, teachers, advocates or pros supporting people with ASD. Founded in 1965 by Dr. Bernard Rimland, Dr. Ruth Sullivan and many other parents of youngsters with autism, the Autism Society has fronted countless pieces of state and local legislation, including the 2006 Combating Autism Act, the 1st Fed. autism-specific law.

Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Northern California
FEAT is a charitable organization of mothers and fathers, family members, and treatment professionals, created to help families with kids of all ages who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder, which includes Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Aspergers Disorder (AS). It offers a structure of support where families can meet each other to chat about issues surrounding autism and treatment possibilities. FEAT has a Board of Directors that meets monthly to talk about issues, establish priorities, and vote on the direction of the organization.

Lawrence E. Shapiro, PhD. is a renowned child therapy expert. He has written books and has developed hundreds of play therapy toys and tools for those who work with, and care for, special needs children, from ages 3 through 18.