| There
is so much information to sift through. Here
are a few places to get your feet wet.
First
Steps
Here
are some things you can work on while you are
in shock.
someone
to lean on.
Educate
yourself. As has been noted before,
knowledge is power. There is so much
information, though, please don't feel you
have to master every aspect of the diagnosis
and treatment... especially not all at once.
Maybe you are most interested in
communication or sensory issues. Then, start
there.
Find
a good book. See below for some suggestions.
Locate
services. Even if you are not sure that your
child has Autism, look into getting your
child evaluated. There are federal programs
in each state to identify children with
special needs.
-
Call
your local school system and ask for the
"Child Find" office. If your
child is 3 or older, Child Find will be
able to set up evaluations and help you
get services.
-
If
your child is under 3, check out the Local
Links
page for your state to locate the phone
number of the Part C program there. The
programs vary in name and structure, but
have one huge thing in common: they are free
to parents! Everything from evaluations
to needed therapies are covered at no
cost to you.
If
you have difficulty navigating the
systems designed to provide your child
services, you are not alone. Parent
Training and Information (aka Parent
Resource) Centers are another
Federally Mandated part of the
system. In many states they are
staffed solely by family members of
folks with disabilities, and offer
training and support on issues related
to Special Education.
First
Sites
Autism
Society of America
Get hooked
up. It will come in handy to know other people
in your area working through the maze of
resources available for People with Autism.
Indiana
Resource Center for Autism
We know
this site is based in Indiana... but they will
send you a packet stuffed with information.
Call them and tell them what information you
need and they will do their best to provide
it! When your packet arrives, read what you
can absorb, and file the rest for later.
Do2learn
If you
have seen the price of Boardmaker, you will
love this site just for the picture cards.
Take a look around and see what else you can
use.
The
Welcome Packet A
Guidebook for Parents and Professionals.
Prepared by FEAT of Chattanooga. (This
link originally went to the FEAT website.
It has been down recently, so we mirrored the
content of the Welcome Packet on Untangle
Autism! until they get their great site back
up and running.)
Your
Child Has Autism……What Next? A
14 step list of things you can do from
Unlocking Autism.
S.
I. Network
The
Sensory Integration Resource Network site. A
fairly comprehensive site filled with articles
and links.
Local
Links
Part
of Untangle
Autism!
Look here for resources in your area.
First
Books
Children with
Autism: A Parents' Guide
Forward by
Temple Grandin, Edited by Michael D. Powers
includes chapters on diagnosis, adjustment,
treatment, daily care, child development,
special education, legal rights, and advocacy.
A well-rounded guide for the uninitiated. Many
parents recommend this book as the first book
you should read after diagnosis.
The Out-of-Sync
Child
by
Carol
Stock Kranowitz is about Sensory Integration
Dysfunction.
Thinking
in Pictures: And Other Reports from My Life
with Autism
by
Temple Grandin takes a look at Autism from the
inside out.
Important
Disclaimer
This
site as well as many others linked to it are
produced by laypeople who are concerned about
Autism and Autism's impact on our loved ones.
We are not physicians, attorneys or
therapists. We do not endorse any product or
therapy, and no link on this site should be
considered such an endorsement. Please take
proper care in evaluating any advice or
information you read on this site or anywhere
on the net. Check with your doctor before
trying any new treatment, and keep in mind two
things: 1) All People with Autism are
different and respond to various treatments
accordingly, and 2) The person giving the
advice, although sincere in their intent, may
be wrong.
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