How do I find help for my autistic godson, and his Mom in Western upstate NY?

Question

He is 3 years old, and his Mom has a pretty bad learning disability. She wants to know what she should be doing to help him; she needs to talk to other parents of autistic kids so she doesn't feel so alone. Any help or information would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

There are a few things that she can do now if she has not done them yet to help her son. It is excellent that he got diagnosed at a young age because it will help him reach his maximum potential.

A great resource is to get involved with the local chapter of the Autism society. They offer support groups along with current research about the field.

Second, if she has not already, she should get involved with the special education system in the school district. There is a special education preschool program either offered by her school district or the county intermediate unit. She needs to request in writing an evaluation for services.

Third, she should sign up for the Katie Beckett waiver with the state. It is a health insurance program for disabled children. It will cover programs and therapies not covered by typical health insurance. The registration form should probably be found at the county welfare office.

Finally, always be there for her. One of the best assets a parent of a disabled child is friends and family who are supportive.

I have included some readings and resources to help you and his mother.

http://www.specialchild.com/archives/dz-006.html
http://www.autism.org/
http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/
http://www.autism-society.org/
http://www.autismwny.com/resources.html
http://www.nichcy.org/stateshe/ny.htm
http://www.autismhelp.info/main.htm
http://www.autismhelp.info/htm/printfiles_index.htm
http://www.autism-pdd.net/
http://www.aba-materials.com/
http://www.maapservices.org/

Answer 2

Hi,
I have twin 3 yr. old boys with autism. Here are some websites that you or your friend might be interested in:
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=17&jump=Jump+to+Board
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

As far as therapy for your godson, contact the school system. Once kids reach 3 yrs. old the schools provide care for special needs children. I would also check with the local department of social services. Was the godson's mother given any helpful information by the person who diagnosed the boy? Also, she should apply for medicaid and social security disability for the child. My sons receive 30 hours per week of autism therapy called ABA/Floortime and it is paid for through the state medicaid. How the therapy works differs greatly by state. I don't live in NY, so I can't give you specifics.
One of the most frustrating things about being the parent of a child with autism is that you have to weed your way through tons of choices and therapies with virtually no road map. A mom with a bad learning disability makes it even harder.
It is so nice that you are trying to help your friend and godson.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Call the school district office, specifically the child find liason. Since her son is 3, he is entitled to get service through the public schools. They can start him in speech, OT, PT and the like. All parents are entitled to bring in anyone they choose to IEP meetings, so she can bring in you or anyone else she feels comfortable with to help her go through all the paperwork and planning. Remember, she doesn't have to sign anything she doesn't understand. She should make it clear to the district reps she has learning disabilities and meetings may take longer so they can alot extra time in the schedules (trust me, they will appreciate the heads up). Also, she may bring in a recording device. However, she must give the schools at least 48 hours notice if she intends to so they have the chance to get a device of thier own ready to go as well.

As for finding other parents, the best place to start is the web.
www.autism-society.org and www.nationalautismassociation.org are the home pages for two national sites. Both of these will have locator features that will let you find local groups and orginizations. Your school department is another good place to find parent resouces, as well as the peditiricians office and many local churches. I always advise families I advocate for to stay with the large sites first. Many of the smaller private sites can be a bit overwhelming to a parent who is still getting used to a diagnosis.

I hope these help. Please feel free to message if you have any other questions or I can be of any help.

Answer 4

Have her contact her local school district. He is entitled to a free evaluation, and early intervention. The school district should be able to connect her with local support groups. There are also excellent groups online. Please let her know to seek sources that are run by doctors (pediatricians, neurologists, Mayo clinic, etc.) Also, govt. sources such as NIMH. I'm glad she wants to seek help. I have an older child with an autistic spectrum disorder...and understand the importance of support. By the way, autism is on the Pervasive Developmental Disorder spectrum. There are varying degrees of autism/autistic behavior. If you do a web search under PDD, not just autism, you will find many resources. Best of luck to all...
Sher

Answer 5

First of all, tell the MOM to go to the closest school to her home and ASK them to help her fill out the paperwork so that her SON can be EVALUATED for Special Education Services --

At 3 years old, he should already have had this evaluation from the schools -- but in case she did not request these services, then she needs to start that process now.

There are plenty of options at his age. They will most likely start him in a pre-school setting for children with Autism -- and it will most likely occur in a magnet school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Answer 6

OK you need to call your local school district's special ed. department . regardless of the child's age. They have so many resources to help you. They can help your daughter learn more about her child's disability its severity , his learning style etc. most states also have support organizations for children with special needs. These organizations offer legal help, help with learning the special education process, IE: ieps , rights,testing,child's best interest, and much more . Also most states have programs for pre k starting at 3years and up . good luck!

Answer 7

first of all, outline "upstate." in case you advise Albany, it is no longer upstate. important long island. Syracuse or Rochester? Western long island. Or the "Snow Belt." Do you advise the first hour or so outdoors of NYC (around the Hudson River section?) it truly is the Hudson Valley. in case you flow in course of Plattsburgh (i do not comprehend in case you comprehend the position it truly is or no longer, it is an outstanding 3 or so hours instantly north of Albany) then that section is the Champlain Valley. commonly, the most Northern counties in long island (Franklin, Essex, Clinton, St Lawrence, and...i visit't bear in mind the different) are maximum typically called the "North united states" by technique of those who stay there. pretty Franklin/Clinton/St Lawrence.

Answer 8

Annie has hit the nail on the head here...
I could not have stated it better myself.

The key thing here is to get an advocate to assist you.
the school systems are natorious for shorting you on appropriate hours of education.

Check the sites that are listed ...