AUTISM SUPPORT NETWORK

Parents - For resources you've got your child's doctor, psychologists and psychiatrists, teachers and support staff at the school and perhaps you are lucky enough to have a network of parents who get together for support and sharing of experiences every so often. Get-togethers aren't very often and sometimes you can't attend group meetings because of the time.

Children with Autism - At school you might be grouped with other autistic children as well as peers with other unrelated challenges. You are in a school setting and it's not really the place for chit chat about life with autism, not that you want to discuss it anyway. Communication isn't your talent in life. You'd rather be on the computer or creating a masterpiece of artwork.

Adults with Autism - Perhaps your Austism or Aspergers isn't too severe. You live with your parents still or perhaps you are independent and on your own. Intellectually you know there are other people "out there" with the same issues but emotionally you feel alone. The opportunities to meet are few and far between. You would just assume avoid face-to-face talks anyway.

Everyone - A very important health and wellness organization to know about is the ASN, Autism Support Network, which has a wonderful website allowing people touched by Autism, Asperbergers, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders to connect with each other.

The ASN's community for online autism support is comprised of doctors, parents, people with autism and their loved ones from all over the world - USA, Canada, England and India.

There is a great sharing of information, chats, blogs and links to helpful resources. You can visit their website any hour of the day, whatever is convenient for you. No face-to-face, socially difficult situations. It's easy squeezy!

The ASN is a great supplement to your current health care and education resources. Please check them out at http://www.AutismSupportNetwork.com/.

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ADHD - My Daughter's Experience

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When my daughter finished kindergarten her teacher told me she was "young" and worried that she might have trouble getting tasks completed in 1st grade, even eating lunch in time. As the years went on my daughter continued to be "young" and did indeed have difficulty meeting deadlines and time limits with her assignments.

In 4th grade her school started handing out letter grades and report cards. I helped her study for tests and quite honestly she sometimes seemed like an airhead. I'd tell her a fact, then immediately ask her a question to which the fact was the answer and she'd guess something else. It was frustrating. In 5th grade she confused this information with that information. Most of the facts were in her head, but they were a jumbled mess, not organized at all. She's been tested by several experts and her teachers in 4th and 5th grade filled out questionaires.

She now sees a psychologist once a month and psychiatrist for ADHD and anxiety twice a month. And she's on Adderall- I noticed a difference right away with the meds. Most of the airhead stuff is gone and she's on top of things.

In 5th grade she received D's on her report card. This year is starting out with A's and B's. I had fights and frustrations with the 4th grade teacher (didn't want to make sure homework was written down or books were brought home) and with the 5th grade teacher (everything under the sun he refused. he even told the school counselor no on her requests! )

My fingers are crossed that with alot of hard work, maturity and med's my daughter succeeds in school from now on.
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