BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Autism Spectrum Disorders Looking for a friend

I have a 14 year old child that was just diagnosed with autism. It has, in fact, been a long hard road. I adore her and wouldn't change her if I could. BUT a mom needs someone she can brag/vent to depending on how the day is going. I am lucky enough to have some very close friends, but they just don't get it. I am sure you know what I mean. Hopefully this is the place to find that understanding.

My son is 14 and homeschooled. What state are you in?

We are in GA. Online friends is good enough for me. We have had all kinds of problems with the school system. I thought about homeschooling her for a while, but we have 5 other kids including a 2 year old and 2 more girls with learning issues so I don't think I could stick to a schedule. She really has to have things in order or she acts out. The teachers don't seam to understand how to deal with her and I don't get it. Aren't they trained to deal with special kids? School is about to start up here and I have such a knot in my stomach.

Hi MichelleAnn!

I live in GA, too! I'm in Flowery Branch, near the Lake Lanier Islands. My Asperger's son will be a Senior this year, and I have a 12 year old daughter and a 6 year old son as well.

I'd also like to let you know about a great local support group we have in the Gwinnett and surrounding counties called Spectrum. You can find it here: Spectrum Autism Support Group
and sign up for their Yahoo message group here: Yahoo Groups: Spectrum

I'm not trying to chase you away from here, because this is my 2nd home! But it is nice being able to talk to people and meet up sometimes with those who live just 15 minutes away, too.

I have a 7 year old son that was diagnosed with asperger's syndrome when he was 5. It is very difficult to deal with sometimes when you don't even get it yourself. We have spent the last 2 years trying to rework our family dynamics to make a more fun and fulfilling childhood for him and his siblings. He is on the high functioning end of the spectrum, (IQ 142, and excellent at communicating, considering everything) so that helps him cope, but at the same time makes it more difficult for others to cope with him because he doesn't look or act like a "special needs" kid. Unfortunately, this makes life much more difficult for him sometimes. Anyway, I am here too trying to figure it all out, and am looking forward to hearing others stories and sharing my own.

thanks for joining the forum as well. Does your son perseverate on anything specifically? HOw are his social skills? Nick is 14, HFA and talks on various species of animals constantly.

tttt Kayla is at the other end. Her IQ was 63 in 2007, accoring to the school, last year it was 42. How does one lose that many IQ points without an accident of some sort? LOL They said she couldnt answer a lot of the questions. She hardly spoke during the entire test. My question is she COULD'NT or WOULD'NT answer them? There is a differance. Plus we spent all last year preaching stranger danger, and they have someone she has never met test her. I suspect that is why she would'nt talk to them. The school has been a nightmare. I have knot in my stomach just thinking about them starting back. The teachers do tn'

Hi, I am a mother of a 14 years old daughter with ASC as well! I have 12 years research in autism spectrum conditions treatments, interventions and therapies and have used nearly every therapy and intervention going in some form or another with my daughter and she has made amazing progress of which even the professionals who new her at 2 and still know her now can not believe. I have always helped other parents and I am committed to do this in a more professional way as I have just been given a place at university to do an Masters Degree in Autism, which starts in September this year. I live in the UK in Bristol and at a time in the near future I am going to set up a centre here in Bristol for therapies, interventions and treatments to help other parents with children and people with ASC meet their full potential and live their lives as full as possible. I am a Baha'i and as a family,we had an amazing experience in Haifa 10 years ago and I will share that if anyone would like to here about it. I did write about it at the time in the Baha'i Journal and have wondered whether to give an up date now we are 10 years later. I would love to hear from anyone who wants to be in contact with me as I was thinking last night how great it would be to meet other Baha'is who are involved in Autism and share belief in Baha'ullah.

Hello. My son is much younger. He will be 3 in a few weeks but it has been very, very hard and stressful. He was diagnosed at 12 months old. He has now taken on the aggression phase where he hits, pushes, and bites. I do not have any friends or family who can relate or who understand what us parents go through. I hope that we can all lean on each other for advice and help