Messages posted by: tsylvester

Almeda, it is nice to meet you and I feel your pain with doctors telling you that you were over reacting with your son.

My wife & I faced the same thought processes as do many parents today. Our son will be 14 this year and his growth as a funtioning person has little to do with the "help" available in Maryland.

He did try to find Big Bird last week, gave us quite the scare. We found him five miles from the house, with all of his favorite things along for the journey.

A question for everyone and perhaps an area this study can look into.

As our children get older, the chance for them to wander off becomes real. Our son is very high funtioning, but also very conscious of our rules of the house. Yet his over whelming desire to live in his fantasy world over rode reality and off he went while we slept.

This got us thinking and researching for ways to keep track of him. As we all know, children with this and many other disorders are very particular about what they will wear. Today's technology allows us to put tracking devices, GPS, in most anything.

We have found a few companies making sneakers, watches, bracelts, necklaces and smaller cell phones with GPS built in.

Great ideas, all of them, but right now, not very affordable to the average family. We are hoping there will be a more cost effective way for all of us, from this disorder to others that affect the mind, can keep track of our loved ones.

How are you making out with your son? Is this an area that is a problem?

WE have locked every door an taken the keys out of the dead bolt and at night. We have alerted the police and alarm company that if the alarm goes off, him trying to get out might be why and are working with them to help seperate this from a possible break in.

Connecticut is taking steps to further help children with mental disorders. Last year they opened a grant to study to analyze what they are doing and what they can do to help families, my sister was selected to help in their development of programs.

The more ideas you can think of and post here, the more I can pass on to her & thus get real help going at least in that State.

Together we can accomplish a lot.

Dear Tsylvester. Of course I remember. In fact my wife and I still have a spoon that we bought for you on one of our trips overseas. Please call the office sometime so we can catch up -443-923-4148. I hope your family is doing well.

Da wife just rolled on the floor over the spoon! (yes she is still collecting them).

We will call next week..

Sometimes just being able to converse with other parents in the same situation is enough the stave off depression. I know almost 14 years ago when our son was finally diagnosed, there was no where to find help, let alone other parents in the same situation to discuss our son's condition.

When we did find a group, my wife & I were taken a back by the sheer hopelessness of the parents in the group. We had to quit the group it was so depressing. Today, life is not so bleak, knowing children have over come this disease and there is hope.

The States do not appear to want to help us, the parents. The insurance companies think just treating the child is enough, even though siblings need help dealing with a brother or sister with this disease. Left out is us- the parents- who try to balance life with all the time and energy needed to attend to our children with an Autism disorder.

Between the kids & work, there is barely enough time for one's self, let alone each other. Yes, depression sets in once the parents realize there is a problem with their child. Some parents shut down, others avoid the elephant in the room by over working, still others turn on each other, depression has many faces.

Knowing there is hope, having an outlet in the form of other parents in similar situations to converse with, will go a long way to keep the depression at bay.

Hey Paul, a blast from the past, how are you and the family doing? We are getting a long, if you remember, our son & your's used to be playmates. Thank you and Kiely for putting your knowledge into this field, we just found your website and look forward to using it. Keep up the hard work, we will be around.