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What are Some Good Sources of Autism Support?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

Good sources for autism support include communities of people who either have autism or have a close relative or loved one who is autistic. There are communities on the local, state, national, and international level that provide a variety and range of types of support. A local autism support network may simply be a group of parents of autistic children who live within driving distance of one another. Or, perhaps, parents within a certain school district might join together to create an autism support network. There are also national autism support networks that offer information, lists of resources, information on support groups, recommendations for reading materials, and blogs or web boards where members of the network can post news, discuss topics, and ask questions.

In addition to a number of resources for people either dealing with autism or for people who have autistic family members, there are also autism support groups that specialize in people who are dealing with a certain kind of autism or the autism of a specific person in their lives. For example, there are autism support groups for people who are dealing with Asperger syndrome, which is a syndrome that is part of the autism spectrum. There are also support groups specifically for parents who have autistic children. As public knowledge of autism has grown, so have the numbers of resources and kinds of support that are available for people dealing with autism.

Many children and adolescents who have Asperger's syndrome are highly intelligent.
Many children and adolescents who have Asperger's syndrome are highly intelligent.

Doctors often can provide another kind of autism support. There are quite a few people in the medical community who specialize in autism. Although they clearly cannot see every person with autism, they may publish papers or even write books on their findings. These can be useful resources. People can look for doctors in their communities who are very knowledgeable about autism and can offer support to people who are dealing with it.

Occupational therapy is often used to help children with autism to improve their ability to move their bodies so they can use scissors, ride tricycles and catch balls.
Occupational therapy is often used to help children with autism to improve their ability to move their bodies so they can use scissors, ride tricycles and catch balls.

Finding the right kind of autism support is a process of researching the support networks that are out there and then choosing the ones that seem the most tailored to one's needs. Then, try to find a community of people who can offer various kinds of support. This may include doctors, teachers, friends, family members, and people who are dealing with the same issues. In fact, some people even go so far as to found their own local autism support network.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Discussion Comments

Heavanet

Parents with children with autism may also find resources through churches in their area. Many religious organization are involved with helping children in many areas, including those autism.

Ocelot60

Because autism is so common these days and touches the lives of so many families, most communities have fundraising events for autism. These events often include informational fairs, 5K walks, and awareness activities. They also usually have professionals on hand to help parents, and provide a venue for families to network with each other.

If you have a child with autism, attending one of these events in your community is a great way to meet others who are going through the same problems that you are. you may also find ways to work together to help your children thrive with autism.

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    • Many children and adolescents who have Asperger's syndrome are highly intelligent.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Many children and adolescents who have Asperger's syndrome are highly intelligent.
    • Occupational therapy is often used to help children with autism to improve their ability to move their bodies so they can use scissors, ride tricycles and catch balls.
      By: g215
      Occupational therapy is often used to help children with autism to improve their ability to move their bodies so they can use scissors, ride tricycles and catch balls.
    • Rage tends to emerge quickly in a person who suffers from autism.
      By: olly
      Rage tends to emerge quickly in a person who suffers from autism.
    • Parents may seek out support for disciplining children with autism.
      By: sneksy13
      Parents may seek out support for disciplining children with autism.
    • People with Autism might engage in different creative activities as a form of therapy.
      By: Photoman
      People with Autism might engage in different creative activities as a form of therapy.