This is an awesome website. I've referred to them many times when my son was newly diagnosed. They were the catalyst that helped me kick off this interesting journey. www.taskca.org

Hi Everyone, I was hoping that someone out there would be able to tell me if there are services available for our Aspie child for after school help? I know if I leave our district the scholarship money follows. But what about being able to utilize some of it now somehow. My son struggles in reading comprehension and spelling. I would love to be able to obtain a tutor after school but have it incorporated into the IEP and provided by the school. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Sonja

I read about a 6 yr old autistic boy being charged for assulting his teacher. One he was placed in with the NT children. And to me it sound like she is not qualified to be instructing a child like him. Being an aspie I am very angry for this child. I found 2 web sites one for the governor and the other for the school. I have emailed them both. I pray that others do the same. We need to stand up for our rights. Just a new way to bully us. www.governor.ky.gov/contact.htm and www.braken.k12.us/education/district/district.php you can go to www.wcpo.com and click on most popular or go to www.autismvox.com to read more about this boy. It is an outrage that it is even going to court. I am also trying to get an adddress from the tv station so that we can send cards and letters to the family.

I loved the show. It was very informative and uplifting. I just had one question. What's with the name 'autistic' that make Mom's shutter like nails on a chalkboard? My son is autistic. He has autism. I don't see the difference between these sentences? Can anybody clear this up for me .. I've never had it referred to as a negative. I don't see anything wrong with calling my son autistic? He was dx. in '95. He's doing great now, very high functioning, 'normal' if you will. The other thing I heard was "curing" autism. I don't think my son is 'cured.' He will always have deficits due to his autism. Even though he is extremely active in sports, he clearly has a deficit in his neurological function. Is putting the word 'cure' out there .. false hope? Everybody wants to find a cure, but it seems to me, there isn't one .. yet. I've seen many families swindled out of their homes and what not trying to pay for the new 'miracle' therapy that works. I focused on his academics and social behaviors. I wanted him to be accepted socially. It's long hard work. Fighting the school district was a labor of love. It is not an IEP Team, it is Us against them. Financially we were able to afford two advocates and a lawyer for Raymond. I could write a novel on my triumphs and pitfalls dealing with that circus. Jenny touched on the "Medical" aspect of hypocricy. She hit the nail on the head. I did manage to find awesome doctors, educators, aides, and coaches. If you fight hard at first, the rest of the years should run smoothly, at least that's our experience. Once the district knows that you are educated and well backed, they will usually abide by your wishes. Their lawyers would show up at our IEP meetings .. talk about a "team." Like Jenny said ... 'that's a whole different show!' ... For all you Mom's out there struggling .. stay strong and remember, you are your son or daughter's only voice. Just a quick background on Raymond. He was born in 1993, dx in 1995. He was also diagnosed as extremely ADHD. His hyperactivity caused him to be a danger to himself. He didn't understand running in the street, etc. He wasn't potty trained until he was 4.5. He could understand 2-3 word sentences, but anything other than that, you'd lose him. He destroyed anything he came into contact with. Emptied the Refrigerator, ripped down curtains, bit, hit, kicked, etc. I never came across another child like Raymond, I searched the world over for a child like him that had recovered and was leading a normal life. The autism community wasn't as big as it is now. I decided I would just take this bull by the horns and do what I could to help my son. He is now 14. He is an athlete, and all that that implies. He took to it like a duck to water. I cannot tell you how proud I am of my son when I see him getting ready for his games .. putting on his uniform and pacing around waiting to get out there and 'crack someone' as he puts it. God is good. ~~ Michelle, Southern California (Lakewood)

Did anyone get the chance to watch Oprah today as she interviewed Jenny McCarthy and Holly Robinson Peete about their sons with autism? If not, you can see it on Oprah.com by clicking http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200709/tows_past_20070918.jhtml If you did get to watch the program, what was your reaction? Would love to hear what folks thought..... Shannon

My adult son is so different than he was as a child. He would not speak with anyone outside our immediate family, and would not participate in any community activities. In the special high school he attended, he finally decided to play on the softball team, and enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, he was pretty good. He joined Special Olympics, and the sports made a positive difference in his life. He talks non-stop now, is very social, and participates in most sports. He still needs some reminders, but he lives in his own apartment, cooks for himself, and works part-time two or three days a week. There is much hope for Autistic children today. When my son was a child they did not even know about Asperger syndrome. He did not receive any social skills training. But, I encouraged him to participate in whatever was available back then. He would play video games all day, if I'd let him (he was the expert at these in our house). Althogh Autistic children do not talk, they absorb everything that's happening. My son tells me about things that happened when he was 2-3 years old, and he was basically non-verbal at that time. I am so happy to see all the supports that they offer for children today. They will have an easier time transitioning into adulthood than our adults had.

Just a reminder: Jenny McCarthy - actress, comedian, model, mother, and author of three NY Times bestsellers can add one more title to her name and career: TACA mom. Her son Evan, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2005, will be the focus of her upcoming, 4th book: Louder than Words - A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism out on September 17, 2007. Jenny McCarthy will be making appearances on Oprah, Good Morning America, Larry King and ABC's 20/20 with Dr Jerry Kartzinel. Jenny is promoting her new book about her recovered son and hoping to give much hope to parents of children with autism! http://www.tacanow.org/jenny/jenny-mccarthy-press-tour.htm

well this is my first blog on foggy!! I look forward to getting to know alot of families going thru the same issues. I have alot of experience with Aspergers, ADD/ADHD, Sleep disorders and medications, ABA (applied Behavioral Analysis)and Educational IEP's. Kelly

I have several questions on various issues concerning Autism. Some of them include evals. for 3rd, 5th and 7th grades for Homeschooling. How can you have an eval. done for progress in homeschool academics for a boy who is non-verbal, hyperactive, has ADD, OCD and ADHD because of severe Autism? Anyone know how DPS and/or Child Find goes about this? And how I would talk to them about it? Also, dentists? Exams, mercury fillings, etc. Also, I am always looking for talking/musical toys, magazines, catalogs, books, videos, etc. that would be of benefit and more so, interest to Christopher, he is 10 years old. Any ideas? Thanks. Denise

Hi again- I would love to get your opinion on my latest bright idea: I think it would be great to have different folks in the field/world of autism to share with us their thoughts, opinions and experiences in a regular column here on Foggyrock. For example, I have asked a well-known author (who I can't name because she has not committed yet) to allow Foggyrock to publish a short column each month based on her knowledge of autism and the information that she has compiled in her series of books. I also got my mom, Nancy Cale, to agree to write a monthly column about all the interesting people she meets as the VP for Unlocking Autism and hotline answer-lady (sorry Mom, I didn't know your official title at the time of publication and can't seem to find my phone under all the laundry on my kitchen table to call you!)for Autism Research Institute. What do you think? Will that be something that would be helpful and interesting to you as a member? Okay, now I need you to brainstorm and think of other folks who might be willing to write a monthly column. It can be anyone--really...the only criteria is that they need to have an intimate understanding of the ASD community and they need to be able to write well. Just let me know your suggestions. I'll call on anyone! Being the parent of a child with autism has cured me of any pride issues---I'm not too proud to do anything for my kid...our kids. So you send the names and let's see what happens! Thanks- Shannon Johnson Editor in Chief

If you read the recent post from About.com, you may be fantasizing about a dream school for your child with autim like I am. I would love to hear your thoughts, your dreams....the sky is the limit! Shannon