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AUTISMINFO.COM©
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Important
Web Links:
Autism
Network
Resources for Physicians
Autism-Resources (John Wobus' Site)
Autism Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
Autism Network for Dietary Intervention (ANDI)
Center for the Study of Autism
Database of Successful Treatments Being Used by Parents
Developmental Delay Resources (DDR)
Etiology of Autism, Marie Bristol-Power, Ph.D., NIH
GFCF Diet Parent Support System
Holiday Letter for Friends and Family
IDEA 97 (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997)
Leichtman, Lawrence G., M.D., Ph.D. (Secretin Summary)
Reed Martin, J.D. Special Education Law
"Imagine you were in a foreign, noisy and crowded city at night, not understanding the language spoken, recognizing a few words but not really comprehending situations taking place around you, wanting to express a need for help but not being able. This experience may begin to help you relate to what a child with autism feels on an ordinary day."
Gihan Ramadan, Arab News
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Action Plan for Parents with Newly Diagnosed Kids 1) Testing, Testing, Testing The more the better. Test early to get a baseline picture of where your child is. A clear picture of your child's biological condition can facilitate the proper vitamin and mineral supplementations, and provide a roadmap for treatments and therapies to follow. This will aid in recovery. See Dr. Jeff Bradstreet's site for a comprehensive list of tests. Dr. Jeff Bradstreet's Site 2) Learn and read as much as possible as quickly as possible. There is an enormous amount of information available. There are many websites and books. Immediately get a second phone line and a fax machine so you are able to have uninterrupted access to the internet. Try to keep an open mind and do not focus on one intervention or therapy exclusively. There are many autism treatments and therapies out there. All of them work for certain individuals, however none of them work for everyone. Search until you find the right combination for your child. See the following links: Booklist:
Links
to other websites: Begin
to research yourself, the information is very complicated, however
the more you read and learn, the easier it is to understand.
After a while the complicated medical information will begin to
make sense. This is like putting together a huge puzzle. 3)
Set up an ABA program in the home. ABA is a full-time endeavor, but it produces results. Start a program, and stick with it. It will pay off! 4)
Consider a restricted diet for your child.
A wheat-free (gluten) and dairy-free (casein) diet has helped many
children and adults. This is another challenging endeavor
but well worth the effort. In addition, it is complimentary
with other therapies (particularly secretin therapy.) The
following links are excellent: 5)
Start your child on a vitamin and mineral supplementation based
on the results of the medical tests.
Consult with a nutritionist and your pediatrician. Try to
find both who have expertise in autism. There are many wonderful
doctors and nutritionists who specialize in autism. Find good
ones you feel comfortable with and trust. They may end up
providing services long-distance. (One family I know lives
in Atlanta, consults with a physician in Florida and a nutritionist
in Washington DC.) Try this excellence source:
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6) Begin speech, occupational, and physical therapies where necessary. Try to get an occupational therapist who specializes in the area of sensory integration. These are "mainstream" therapies and are generally covered by one funding source or another. 7) Immediately begin investigating financial assistance which may be available. You must continually pursue avenues of financial aid. These are generally available at the county level for children under the age of three. Apply for Medicaid requesting the "Katy Beckett" deeming waiver. Autism will quickly drain your resources, however there is funding and assistance available. You must ask for assistance. I was amazed at the amount of help I received. If you do not ask, you cannot possibly receive. You need to pursue it. In addition, try to keep financial records as best as possible. Anybody who is providing funding to you, may possibly want a reasonable accounting from you from time to time. Reed Martin, J.D. has an excellent website, and has excellent resources available. Reed Martin, J.D. 8) Consider major lifestyle changes including a change of jobs or downsizing of your home. Autism will drain your resources. Sacrifice in the short-term for your child to benefit in the long-term. You may have to give up golf on the week-ends and make other personal and professional sacrifices. These personal sacrifices are a major hurdle for many parents of newly diagnosed kids to overcome. If you are lucky enough to have a spouse or significant other, support each other and establish a division of responsibilities. Autism treatment takes sacrifice, but the hard work will be worth it in the long run. 9) Try to occasionally get out and relax. This many times becomes the ideal setting for plotting future strategies for treatment and therapy. Keep the faith (whatever faith you believe in). 10) Be the moral booster ("cheerleader") for your doctors, therapists, teachers and family. By having a positive attitude, others will become invigorated and will want to help your child and your family. A positive attitude is infectious! Continually provide those in a position to help, with the most up-to-date information possible. Educate your doctors and encourage them to read about autism and autism research. Read
this now for a bit of motivation and support
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Sign
Our Guestbook Searchable Databases: Combined Health Information Database (CHID) Online Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects (CRISP)
Crash Course in Autism; Holiday Letter about the challenges autistic individuals face during the holidays. New eLearning course; What is Autism? From The Autism Society of America. Significant statement on the incidence of autism in the sixth edition of Child Neurology-2000, Menkes & Sarnat. We Cured Our Son's Autism by Karyn Seroussi Helpful Hints for Persons with Autism (This can be posted in a school or other public place) Tips for Dealing with Doctors and Labs Tips for Families with a newly Diagnosed Child Dr.
Jeff Bradstreet's Excellent 74 Page Biomedical Summary (PDF
format, may take a minute to load!) Autism
Recovery Network's excellent Resource
Guide. A great start for families of newly diagnosed kids.
(PDF
format, may take a minute to load!)
Click
here to get Adobe Reader. New! California Special Education Statewide Enrollment by Disability Category 1985-1999; (illustrating a dramatic rise in the rates of autism.) New! Autism Card That may be Displayed in a Public Place. The Autism Society of America's position on the relationship between vaccinations and autism. (PDF document)
Houston Nutraceuticals Digestive Enzymes
Misfortune sometimes a blessing in disguise. Star NFL Quarterbacks and their special-needs kids. Article: Autistic student, parents realize a dream. "It's
not easy living with these kids(with autism), and anything that
makes their lives better makes the family's life better," Living
as an Autistic (a 1st-person account) Site
Awards: Autism Society of Florida Member's Choice for helpful websites Featured on Newstalk 920 am Melbourne, Florida |
