my son has autism is there any parents web site for families with autism?

Answer 1

Here are a few that may help.

Answer 2

I have worked with children with autism for 9 years now. If your son is under the age of three there are Early Start programs that will provide the needed help. If he is over the age of three then the school district is responsible for providing these services and they should be contacted ASAP so that an IEP can be held and there they will offer you services. I live in California and can tell you about the resources here, but I'm not sure where you live. E-mail me with any questions.

Answer 3

do a google search and you'll find more than enough sites and information

Answer 4

Please for the sake of your child and your own sanity look at the following, don't just glance but read it:

The following is from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM IV):
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR 299.00 AUTISTIC DISORDER
A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at
least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3)

(1) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

a) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction (most adults have this problem)

b) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to
developmental level (once again)

c) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people, (e.g., by a lack of showing,
bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people) [good chance the child isn't materialistic]

d) lack of social or emotional reciprocity ( note: in the
description, it gives the following as examples: not actively
participating in simple social play or games, preferring solitary
activities, or involving others in activities only as tools or
"mechanical" aids )

(2) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:

a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language
(not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)

b) in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others [some people are just BORING]

c) stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic
language [rap]

d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social
imitative play appropriate to developmental level [we used to have problems before where "make believe" wasn't normal.]

(3) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior,
interests and activities, as manifested by at least two of the
following:

a) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in
intensity or focus [so far everything is stereotyped or abnormal, but to who?]

b) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional
routines or rituals [once again it is a child]

c) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole body movements)

d) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects [really watch out for this one, you just may have an engineer in the makings.]

B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:

(1) social interaction -- please now, this is before the age of 3, what is this child supposed to do, go out drinking with the guys?

(2) language as used in social communication -- once again this is prior to age 3, age 3!!

(3) symbolic or imaginative play -- this is really getting ridiculous

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder -- and finally if you can't pin this on the child make up something else so you can further retard the children of the world.

Answer 5

http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu:8000/lib_autm.htm