Your Child and Autism

DailyStrength Provides Support, Advice for Caregivers of Those Affected by Autism

Los Angeles (PRWEB) April 24, 2008  As April marks National Autism Awareness Montha nationwide effort addressing the continued need to improve the lives of those affected by autisma range of new online resources has become available for people looking for support and help. DailyStrength is one such resource, a health-focused social networking site that serves as a home for support for families and caregivers of individuals with autismpart of more than 600 communities that provide real help and support for a broad range of health, social and personal issues.

In DailyStrength's popular Autism/Autism Spectrum support community, parents and caregivers discuss their challenges and successes in caring for autistic kids, share advice, and report on the effectiveness of therapies.

One Mom's Story

One mom, Trudy, got married last year at the age of 44 to her high school sweethearta man with a five-year-old autistic son, Adam. Trudy had never heard of autism before she met Adam, and was faced with "taking a crash course in autism" to learn to deal with a boy whose behavior was initially shocking to her. Desperate for help, she looked online and found DailyStrength, where she immediately connected with other parents looking for, and offering, support and advice. Trudy embraced the help she received and quickly became Adam's advocate. Adam was recently chosen to receive a $500 grant from Buddyball, an organization in his hometown of Clarksville, TN, that sponsors sports activities for kids with special needs. Adam has learned to bounce, dribble, and shoot a basketball, making three out of five shots, reports Trudy.

"DailyStrength's autism site has literally saved the life of a child who was in desperate need of help," says Trudy. "The members of DailyStrength have held my hand every step of the way, and the progress my stepson has made is unbelievable. In fact, Adam was just re-diagnosed from moderate autism to high-functioning autism due to his major progress in the past year. I have benefited so much from the guidance and advice of parents who live with autism every day. They truly are a group of genuine, caring people who I am proud to call my friends!"

More than an online support group, DailyStrength provides a place for users and caregivers, on a 24/7 basis, to meet others with similar challenges, share advice about treatment options, recommend doctors, explore local support resources, post photos and videos, develop wellness journals, state and track their health goals, and send "virtual hugs" to others.

About DailyStrength

DailyStrength offers hundreds of free online support groups [http://dailystrength.org/ for people seeking information, advice, and inspiration from others facing similar challenges, be it depression, divorce, grief, weight loss, breast cancer, parenting, HIV, or hundreds of other issues. Community members share experiences with thousands of treatments, recommend doctors, explore local support resources, post photos and videos, maintain wellness journals and send each other virtual hugs. In the words of one depression support group member, "This what the Internet should be used for. A real global community, supporting and caring for our fellow beings. Absolutely inspired and inspiring."

###

MORE ARTICLES:

Akaza Research, LLC Announces Implementation of OpenClinica for NIH's National Database for Autism Research
Akaza Research, LLC announced today that its OpenClinica clinical data capture product has been deployed as the clinical assessments component of the NIH's National Database for Autism Research.

Prejudice and disability
Disability is all in the eye of the beholder. If someone has lost a limb or has some equally visible sign of a physical problem, the reaction is usually sympathetic. But take away the more obvious visual clues, and how the general public will react becomes a lot less predictable. I am as blind as a bat without my spectacles but shortsightedness is socially acceptable. Not everyone with a disability is so fortunate.

'Picture Dialogue' Sets Help Spark Interaction in Children on the Autism Spectrum
New from Natural Learning Concepts, "Picture Dialogue" card sets are a superb tool to help promote conversation and socialization.

Did You Know These Facts About Autism?
There have been many conditions thought history that have been mistaken for something else, and before the human mind was understood, many with mental disabilities were placed in jail. They were deemed a threat and were then heavily medicated. Today, we have a greater understanding of what some people go through, and although different from everyone else, we know there is an underlying reason for it. We know do our best to help people like this instead of persecuting them. When looking back through the history of autism, it is obvious that though it was given a name in the early part of the 1900s, it was largely misunderstood by people for a long time.

Understanding Autism And Irrational Fears - 5 Ideas You Can Try Today
Part of supporting an autistic means understanding autism and helping autistics cope with their fears. An autistic may fear many things including sudden loud sounds, physical contact, the dark, strange smells, etc. In fact, many autistics fear things they have no control over. However, not every autistic person has the same fears. Therefore, you need to learn what upsets your child and find ways to help them cope.

The Help Group Summit 2006 Featured More Than 20 Leading Experts in Autism, Learning Disabilities & ADHD
Two-Day Seminar for Professionals and Parents Presented Cutting Edge Information in Research and Best Practices

Federal Disability Retirement and the Agency Cover of Accommodation
"A man who acts without knowledge is a man who merely acts." -- From "Compendium of Sage Verses"

Autism And Music - TeamVico CD About the Autism Journey Releases April 2nd
A family's journey of Autism and Recovery is told through original music on rock and roll concept album.

Autism and Developmental Disability Treatment Center to Celebrate Opening of New Facility with Open House on April 22, 2006
Horizons Developmental Remediation Center, a provider of premier autism and developmental disability treatment services, will hold an open house for families and professionals at their new facility in Caledonia. The open house will allow families and professionals from the community to explore the new facility, meet the staff, and learn about treatments available at the center. The mission of the Horizons center is to empower parents to achieve great things with their children. Comprehensive services are available, including RDI® consultation services, occupational therapy, speech therapy, tutoring, home consultation, and summer camps.