Support for Autism

There are some great on-line resources for Autism. My 7 year old is autistic (mildly) so I can see from your post that it is autism.

here's some links to check out.
www.autism-pdd.net
www.bbautism.com
www.autism-society.org
www.support4home.com/autism

I've got a few hundred more, but these are the big good ones.

And H., you're obviously a good person for being so supportive of your friend.

H.R. Crystal

I think the best advice I could give to you is to support your friend as much as you can. I use to babysit for a woman who had a 13 year old daughter with autism. It was very hard on her I was 17 years old and almost her only friend. She was shuned by her family because they were "embaressed" by her daughters actions. I feel this was because they didn't understand. She was very knowledged about it and also was willing to give advice to any listening ear. She even gave me a few books to read and last I had talked to her she had an autism support group through the internet. I think your already off to a great start to helping her by reaching out and asking for advise. Look online for support groups, read some books about autism, and stay by her side. She'll thank you in the end.

Hi,

I also have a friend who has a child abt that age. He is slightly autistic too. Does your friend have other children? Sometimes siblings can really help. She gets through it because she is a great Christian woman. She really looks to God for support and strength. I do know that there are schools, and that they give financial assistance at times. One thing I can say is, continue to be a good friend. It sounds like you are very loving and supportive. That is so important! Remaining positive and optimistic will only help. Also, she can research autisim as well. Knowledge helps us feel more secure abt going through something. As long as he keeps hearing them talk and be positive, he should come around. My friend's son is fairly quiet too. Hope this helps...

K

H., good news! I'm surprised none of the professionals working with your friends son haven't told them about the state's requirement to provide an education for all children. They have to support an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
which has to start before 6 so that the child is ready for school.

The parents should contact the Multnomah County Educational District Office.

My grandson was not talking at 3 but he was very social. They, the school district, diagnosed a speech disorder and he is enrolled in Head Start so that he can get speech therapy. He is not otherwise eligible for state assistance because the household income is too high.

He is now talking some which is encouraging. And his classroom teacher, the speech therapist, and a social worker all talk with his mother at regular intervals.

You can learn about this program on the Internet. It's federally funded. I think that I googled IEP or spelled it out even. You can also learn about autism on the Internet. If you can't find anything send me a message and I'll search again.

Autism is a scary diagnosis. But it is not hopeless. These therapists should be able to talk with his parents and relieve some of their fears. The pediatrician most likely isn't able to diagnose autism. He relies on the specialists.
I am encouraged that their son has made improvement. And it's good that they have already begun to provide him with professional assessment and therapy.

My grandson is now 3 1/2 and his speech is still very difficult to understand. I'd guess he's mostly at the 1 year old stage. He says as much a two words and sounds like he has an accent but we are hopeful that he will continue to improve and be ready for school by the time he's 6. He didn't speak at all when my daughter had an evaluation done last spring.

And the school has to help these children with difficulties. It's the law.

I can realy understand their despair if your friend's son doesn't interact with his parents. And I don't know if that can be improved. The professional people with whom they work should be able to respond to that concern.

Send me another message if you have questions. I may be able to help you. Your friends are so fortunate to have you as a friend. M.

Hi H.,

I am the mother of an 11 yr old autistic boy, and there is hope.

Please have your friend look to find the nearest Regional Center in her area. They can offer resources, and other services to her, and her child. Some of the things that they offer are free, and then there are some that if you make a certain amount of money they may ask for some type of payment, but not the whole amount.

She can also get her son into an autism special class. They can really make a huge difference. Hopefully, she can find a good support group, and they may have all kinds of resources.

One of the most important things for her and her husband, or signifigant other is to remember to take time for themselves. There is nothing easy about Autism, but it isn't the end of the world. It's just the beginning of a very different life. They need to be prepared to stick together and to maintain that a united front because it is a long road, and that's the best way they can support their child. Good luck!

I have 2 children ages 8 and 5 that have autism. Your friend needs to get ahold of the Early Childhood Intervention program in your area. They can start and IEP for him and see where he needs the most help ect. Also she can apply for SSI. This is a good website http://www.oregonautism.com/ All hope is not lost, my advice is read read read. Find anything you can on autism and just read up on it.

hi..my 8 yr. girl has autism...i was forunate to get help...i lived in los angeles and moved to the dublin area last june and found an awesome elementary school in the area..she gets all the help she needs there..they specialize in autism there...she used to get therepy at home when i lived in L.A. and now she gets it at her school...i felt all hope is loss in los angeles because my daughter was no progressing but this school now has help her alot and she's talking alot more..i don't know what area your friend lives in but she should looking into public schools for programs for children w/ autism.

Go to TACAnow.com A great website that covers just about everything regarding autism.

Hi,H. my name is A. and i have a 6 year old brother with autism. Tell your friend it will get better it just takes time and patience. He needs to be in school in a autistic class and i think he'll progress from there. My brother has learned so much from school and has come a long way since being diagnosed. I am going to get some websites and more info for you. Hope everything works out and i will get back to you.
1-29-07. hi, its me again the website is www.featonv.org. hope it helps and the other ladies advice about early childhood is really good advice.

Many pediatricians wont approach the subject of autism until a child is 3 or older. Some just dont want to "overreact". Does that really help anyone though. NO. But The schools will do a free screening and offer support and your friend may quailfy for social Security help too which automatically gets medicaid. It sounds like your friend already has most of the best supports going with her son so that is really good. She can also contact developmental disabilities in your area and see what they can offer. Speech, OT and developmental preschool are all some of the best approaches for his age. There are also diets some people think help have her look into GFCF (Gluetein Free Caseian Free)Sp? some parents really think this helps. But each child is different. SO It is really great for you to be such a good friend they will need all the support they can get.