Messages posted by: LuckyTwice

I live in central PA. We get medical assistance and my two boys get SSI, and so far whatever assistance and services they've needed have been covered... everything from medical to counseling and therapy, and classroom aids. It has not been an easy road, though. It has taken years of doctor visits and tests, and they had various diagnoses of ADHD, PDD, etc., until they actually found a doctor who confirmed the long-suspected Aspergers diagnosis. We've been fortunate in that there was an autism support group here and enough interested people to form an autism school. I think it really takes the parents working to make a united effort for the children to get them what they need, and it's been this sort of grass-roots change that's making such a big difference. How things differ from state-to-state may change once more parents find out what works best and push for uniformity or standards that can be met and made available to everyone.

My sons attend public school and have switched from regular to special education classes with IEPs. While hesitant to make the change at first, I've found the academic classes they attend are better geared toward their needs and are smaller than regular-ed classes, and they participate in regular classes for music, gym, etc. They are also fortunate enough to attend an autism program after school two days a week {"Stepping Stones") that is held at the autism school in our city. The school was specifically created and is staffed with educators and counselors trained deal with autistic students, and is a very positive and learning place. Although my city's public school system does not send students there, it serves the county and does welcome students from other areas. The boys will be attending their summer program, which is usually segregated by age. In this way, they do interact with other students like them, and who get along and are with people who understand them.

Hi, I have two sons ages 12 and almost 14 diagnosed with Aspergers so having a place like this to touch base with other parents is great. There's an autism support group here, but I have yet to attend one meeting. I have an older son and a younger daughter without ASD. I'm interested in sharing my info and experiences for research and to help other parents, and also to gain some insight as to what will happen as my sons get older and...eventually...make their own way. Somehow, age 18 has taken on a whole other meaning.

Hi, I'm brand-new to the forum and will be eagerly and extensively adding my information via the various questionnaires I've seen. My initial question has to do with how the IAN project is handling information gathering for those families with more than one child having ASD? I have two sons diagnosed with Asbergers and am willing to share as much info as I can to help others/ do research, etc. In my case, despite a 20-month age difference, a lot of info is similar. I anticipate having to enter the data two separate times, but is there (or will there be) research breakdowns showing how many other families with ASD have more than one affected child?