Hi Moms...
My four year old son has just been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and now I start my journey of research and getting him the help he needs. I've been doing some research on the internet and have received information from the doctor; however, everything I see costs a lot of money (help). Does anyone know of either free group or low cost group. The doctor suggested "social intervention" type groups for him. I've looked at Michelle Garcia Winner's website, which was referred as well, but the cost is exorbitant.
My son's "diagnosis" is not severe, but he starts kindergarten next year and we want to get him prepared. He is in preschool currently and the teacher has experience with Aspergers, which I am grateful.
Any suggestions of groups?
Thank you to all who replied to me. Although it has been emotionally draining, we are making progress. I have my first class at Parents Helping Parents this Saturday to become educated in all that I need to do to be my son's ADVOCATE. I keep affirming that he is whole, healthy and bright... and taken care of. Life is good.
Thank you all!
Check with Parents Helping Parents- good resource for help
Go to your school/school district, present them with the diagnosis (make copies) and tell them you want to talk about services provided by the district. Make sure you get a copy of Parents Rights, make sure it is up to date and complete. There specific time frames in which schools have to do certain things, by law, but they may not provide this info, and you can look it up for yourself.
They may want to do their own assessments. Some districts try to evade the special education laws (I have experienced this first hand) and will make all kinds of excuses to stall or convince you help is not necessary-- anything that will save them from having to pay for services. My son's school took about 6 months to do something that is required to be done in 2 or 3 weeks! We had to threaten a lawsuit to get their attention.
Talk to Parent Helping Parents (php.com) and they can help you.
Above all, don't worry too much about the future---your son does not have a "severe" problem, as you said, and his life will be fine, with some help and love.
In addition to the support that the school district gives, California's Dept. of Developmental Disabilities has "regional centers" that take care of children and adults with disabilities such as Autism. In Santa Clara County it is the San Andreas Regional Center.
It's hard to say if your son would qualify to be a client of the regional center -- I've heard it go both ways for Apserger's Syndrome. (Autism and Downs Syndrome are automatic "ins")
Contact Parents Helping Parents www.php.com in San Jose. They can help you figure this all out.
Good luck!
Parents Helping Parents has several support groups and trainings that would be helpful. They do regular IEP trainings to teach you something about the special education system and yours and your child's rights. They have a great program called "Sharing the Journey" which is a 6 week program that meets once a week to help parents connect with resources and support eachother after a child's diagnosis. There is an Asperger's Syndrom Support group that meets once a month and a great resource directory that has all sorts of great information. Make the call there. When I did the same, over 15 years ago it changed my life.
there are also lots of interesting conferences and things. I know it may feel overwhelming like there is so much you need to learn. Take little steps and keep moving in the right direction.
Sometimes the bravest thing a mom can do is ask for help so you've already made that first step.
Best to you and your family
HI, T..
I ditto everything Rae just said. The public school districts are required to offer services once a child turns 3yrs old and has a diagnoses. I believe they have 30 days to respond to you. Yes, they may want to do their own assesments but they'd have a hard time fighting your documentation. They may offer different things from a Special Day Preschool (to help get him ready for K) or to a non-intensive session once or twice a week for an hour or two. If he needs speech or occupational therapy they'll have to offer that too. Definatly, contact Parents helping Parents. They can help you through the steps and may even have someone to go with you to meetings to help you. You need to be strong and be your son's advocate, which means that you may have to push for services that they may be hesident to offer...or don't even mention. They are supposed to offer what is in the best needs of the child.
I work in a Special Day Preschool as an Instruction Assistant and have for a few years. Contact me if you have questions regarding this type of placement, though each school district is different.
M.
Try using EFT. http://www.emofree.com/ It has helped me with many different conditions and may be very helpful to you and your little boy. The manual is free and there is no cost to use the techniques.
This link tells about success in using EFT for someone with that condition - http://search.emofree.com/search?q=Asperger%27s+Syndrome&...
G. luck!
S. G.
Laurie Levinson-Belfer PhD at Stanford runs groups for young children diagnosed with Asperger's. I'm not what ages she includes in her groups. Contact Psychiatry intake at Stanford, ###-###-####, and they can give you the child psychiatry number. I don't know the fees, or if it's covered by insurance.
