Community Support A Big Help For Frustrated Families With Autism

[Guest guest]

Community Support A Big Help For Frustrated Families With AutismContent Provided By Autism Support NetworkAutism

Support Network (ARA) - A child's autism diagnosis often leaves parents

overwhelmed. Reactions similar to the grieving process start - shock,

denial and eventually acceptance - and during this process parents

desperately seek answers to their many questions.These

questions are wide-ranging and include issues like the challenges of

the educational system and special needs programs; how one addresses

puberty with a child with autism; personal safety concerns for those

children who may have no concept of personal danger or when they are

being taken advantage of; and what kind of job opportunities may exist

beyond graduation. And the two biggest questions: How will my child

learn to be able to live on his own as an adult and how will my child

fare in the world once I am gone?Once parents start digging

into all the information available for families with an autistic child,

it becomes difficult to narrow it down to what they specifically need

for their family. There is a lot of information available, and it's

hidden in different locations depending on the government agency

providing the information, and the very nature of autism, which creates

a broad range of needs depending on the severity of the case.Three

years ago Field's son was diagnosed with autism, and he and his

wife were overwhelmed by the massive disconnection between families

looking for answers and the resources, guidance and autism help readily available. " We

were handed our son's diagnosis, and were in shock, " says Field. " And

then, well, that was it. We now had a stack of papers and virtually no

direction for a 'next step.' If we were having such problems and needed

such support, doubtless others did too. " He co-founded the Autism Support Network as a free peer-to-peer network that provides autism education

and guidance for families, professionals and even those who themselves

have autism and are looking for connection with others. Through

www.autismsupportnetwork.com, families can find free resources

available in their area, learn about autism-related events happening

locally or virtually, search for grants and news and connect with

thousands of other families and individuals around the world to share

encouragement, stories and information. The network aims to keep

frustration to a minimum and help families feel connected, rather than

isolated. Buckholtz, president of Aid for Autistic Children

Foundation, Inc. has called the network " the MySpace for the autism

community. " Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that

inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social

relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. The

disorder can be very mild to very severe, and affects all ethnicities

and all economic groups, although males are four times more likely to

be diagnosed, according to the National Institute of Neurological

Disorders and Stroke. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in

110 children in the United States. The prevalence of autism increased

57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis, for

which the cause and cure remain unknown.April is National Autism Awareness month, and April 2 is recognized as World Autism Day.Visit

the Autism Support Network to get the latest autism news, find other

families to share your experiences with or discuss new information, get

autism support and find resources in your area. " When

your life is touched by autism, it can be frustrating, overwhelming and

isolating. Connecting with a community of people who are in the same

boat helps address these needs on so many levels, " Field says. " There

is a lot of information out there, and having it accessible in one

place with plenty of feedback from those who are going through what you

are makes all the difference in the world. " http://www.ksat.com/family/22735342/detail.html