Autism - Apple Valley, CA

I think every parent of an autistic child needs support. I have 3 year boy/girl twins as well as 5 year old boy. My son who has autism is the 3 year old. My other 2 children are typical. I often feel so misunderstood by other people, usually because they do not know what it is like to parent a child with autism. I'm all for supporting each other.

Hi L.,
My name is D. and I have a 16 yr. old son with autism. He was diagnosed when he was 3 yrs. old,was put into a special ed pre-school right away and is now thriving in a public high school(some spec.ed classes,some regular).
I'm assuming you either have an autistic child or know someone who does.....What do you want to know?
I'm an open book!

Nice to meet you, L. ...

I'd like to suggest that you take advantage of a FREE membership with a site called "Cafemom". There are several groups you can participate in with moms whose children are autistic.
I'm certain you'll find lots of listening ears, warm hearts, sound advice based on firsthand experience, and open arms.

Give it a go!

M.

Hi L.,

I don't have an autistic child but I am the secretary of a non-profit organization in Las Vegas that has focused its attention on autism and autistic children. The organization is called "For Kids Now" and our next fundraiser is our annual spring fashion show and buffet to be held Sunday, May 4th at Palace Station Hotel/Casino. The proceeds will be going to the Autism Enlightenment Clinic which is run by Dr. Nancy Sylvani. If you know of anyone in the Las Vegas/Henderson area, please pass this info on to them. Tickets are $42 per person and includes the fashion show, buffet, raffle and table prizes as well as a silent auction to be held. Please take a moment to visit our website at www.forkidsnow.org. ThanX for any help you can give.

Also, it has been found that music helps an autistic person. We have been lucky to have on our board the brother of a man who has put together a set of CDs that are wonderful. It is called MusiCure. You can email me at ____@____.com and I can get more info to you. We are the only area distributor of this music.

I am probably not being much support to you and feel like I am the one asking for help but my thoughts and prayers are with you because I can only imagine what you go through each day. More strength and power to you. Most people do not know and cannot even imagine what the parents of an autistic child go through daily.

D. C
Secretary
For Kids Now
Las Vegas, NV

Hi L.,
I don't have a child with autism, but I work daily with kids/adults who have severe autism. So, although I don't have the 24 hour a day issues, I have learned a lot about and from these awesome students. So much so that I decided to share my knowledge in the form of children's books for "typical peers" in order to better inform them to facilitate interaction, discussion and unique friendships.

Not sure if my particular experience with autism would be a support or if you are strictly seeking a mom, but I'm here if you have questions or just need to vent. I've had about 8 years working as an instructional aide directly with various ages, challenges and abilities.

Kids and adults with autism are very dear to my heart.

J. K-V
www.AisForAutism.net
Just for fun, you can check out a video summary of my book at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbnppZp6jxA

L., check out the website http://www.autismspeaks.org/ they have a chat group that will allow you to vent, and find help that you might be looking for. Yes there are laws to protect our special needs children. I am a descrete trials facilitator in a different school district than yours. I work with autistic children applying ABA/DT to their daily schedule to help them learn.

I have a 7 year old daughter with Aspergers. She is in an inclusive classroom. We got alot of help by calling Child Find here in Vegas and then got involved with Nevada PEP. With the two of those we were able to get her a great IEP set up. We are also involved with the Lil Claire Foundation. Lots of great resources here, just have to know where to look for them.

The San Diego Chapter of the Autism Society of America website (www.sd-autism.org) has many resources to help parents, including listings of support groups around San Diego County.

http://www.schoolmoves.com/
I don't have autistic children. But the woman who runs that site is Debra M. Wilson. Her daughter was born with severe delays, was told she'd never speak, etc... She began researching and has created her own way to help sensory integration (brain & body talking to each other) and her simple exercises are used in schools in Northern California - and the scores schoolwide shoot up.

Her daughter is now a chatter box (although very small) and doing very well. I read her website and research it. Perhaps you can buy the books and do some of the exercises at home with your daughter. I swear to you they are easy to do and they can't hurt. I've attended 2 of her workshops in Thousand Oaks. She'll be speaking here again in April.
http://www.conejo.tec.ca.us/parenting/teachertalk.htm

Hi L.
I do not have a child with Autism, but with ADHD and Celiac Disease. A couple of weeks ago one of my son's teachers (High School) told me about the Feingold Diet, Have you hear of it?
If not you can check out www.feingold.org. I am also in a group that supports this diet (yahoo groups). Hope this helps.

Hello, although I am not near you I do know the school district is responsible for helping yu with all these matters. If your daughter is not potty trained and does not speak you should have an IEP that has goals for these things to be worked on at school and request for these things to be worked on at home with a trained ABA Applied Beavior Analysis paraeducator. Your school district is facing cuts like every other district but as long as you have an IEP that states the need for these services in no way can they be taken from you.

There is a good book from PAI Protection and Advocacy that has all the laws and special ed codes in Q & A format for the state of California. It is free, they ask for a $20 donation. The # is (800) 776-5746. This has helped me when I filed a compliance complaint, wanted ionfo on the right amount of services RE: speech, OT, etc.

My 8 yr. old has autism. We have worked with ABA professionals (the district calls them IBI Intensive Behavior Interventionists) since he was 4. We have been to 5 schools in Long Beach Unified and I have had to obtain a lawyer to get those traied aides with him all day because he was lost at school 2x. We also belong to a regional center that provided services. Is your daughter a regional center client? They can help advocate for you or be able to provide services. They paid for my son's diapers until he was finally potty trained at 6 1/2 yrs. old.

Things will always be difficult but you have to look at the happy moments too. My son hugs me and just recently started telling me he loves without me prompting him to say it. usually he just tells me the lines from his movies. Let me know if you need any advice. A.

Hi L.,I have a autistic grandson(5yrs old)I'm raising and he doesnt eat veggies either.I've tryed to make it a game to get him to try one bite in hopes that he would like it and want more.There was a few things he ate a few times but would once again refuse them.Its a endless battle.I did find a multivitiman that he will eat but it took me awhile and several different types before i found the one he'll take everyday.So, how old is your child? What will He or she eat? The only good things he likes that is good for him is watermelon and one brand and only lemon yogurt.the rest is chesse pizza,french fries, colored fish crackers and ice cream. My little guy has come a long way with working with him and he has a owesome school program and 3 teachers that are outstanding,but eating is still a problem.I'll just keep trying.That seems to be the only thing I know to do.In time he has come around on things.Believe me I could go on and on about him and how wonderful he is and all the things hes learn to do with time, patients, love and never stopping.Anyway, hope to hear from you again.D. in Big Bear

L.,
I am a Special Education Teacher in Vista. Have you heard of the group for parents of children with austim called P.A.C.E.S.?
They meet the second Wednesday of every month at Empresa Elementary group in Vista. They provide dinner and activities for the kids so that parents can meet and talk. I can get more information to you after Spring Break. You can also call Empresa Elementary and ask for the RSP room and Julie Frederickson-Strong who is involved in the planning of the meetings. Hope this helps. Also check out ldonline.org for good info.
T.

Hello there L.

I'm G. , I have 2 autistic children david 4 mild autism and alanis 6 aspergers syndrome , and a 12 year old typical child .

here is my myspace page if you are interested but then you can always e mail me as well
____@____.com

http://www.myspace.com/stargate_3000

many blessings

G.

I have two autistic children,10 and 6. I know it is very hard. At our public school we just had to fight for the programs and the one on ones to stay with the children who really need the help.

Good Morning L.. I am a mother of two in South Orange County, and not only have a son who was misdiagnosed with Autism, but have an ever-growing pool of friends whose children are either on the spectrum, or exhibit Autistic-like tendencies. Due to the nature of my son's initial diagnosis, I have been in touch with, or invested in quite a few of the therapies currently being used to help children with ASD function - even thrive in the community. Are you looking for help or referrals?

Hi L.,

I have an 8 year old son with Asperger's Syndrome. I am very plugged into lots of support and I would love to help you as well as share info! I have a great poem too! We mothers of Autism have to stay connected because it can be a lonely journey!! enmail me ____@____.com! Are you familiar with TACA?

L.,

I have a 4.5 y.o. boy with autism. Things are going well. Waht sort of info are you looking for?

T.

my sister just moved back here from Florida because her marriage fell apart and she needs some help on where and what can she get my nephew and my niece into for autism therpy she had heard that all the funding for it is gone is that true

Our organization has an office in Apple Valley. Our name is the L. Center. We have a Facebook page for more information. Our contact information is below:

16000 Apple Valley Road, Suite C-5,
Apple Valley, CA 92307-7815
###-###-####

L.,
Excuse me for taking so long to respond. I have a 10-year old son who is high functioning autistic. We discovered he was autistic when he was 3 years old. We are fortunate to live in Los Angeles and he goes to a special needs school. Fight for the speech therapy - it is important and ultimately will save the State money when your child learns to speak that child will be more functioning. These are the important years - it has been proven that early intervention makes a huge difference. I would be happy to support you in any way I can. Let me know how I can best support you.
Best wishes,
K.

hello,my name is C. Hernandez and my daughter Emily has autism. She is 4 years old in preschool and her class are all autistic. I found out that Emily was autistic when she was 2 in a half. She only spoke on word untill she start preschool even when the early development program came out to teach her she only spoke a few words. She does pretty good with speech but her behavior is my problem. She all over the place and you have to watch her or she will run off or get into something she doesnt need to be in. I get so fustrated and sometimes i just want to scream out loud why my daughter? I just wish she wasnt autistic and life was easyer. I'm a single parent with two other kids that need my attend too. But Emily get most of my attend so my other kids get pushed to the side . I wish that I could give my kids equal attendence.But autism is a big part of my life and I need support from someone who know what I'm going threw. Thanks for listening hope to hear from you soon.

I live in Hesperia Ca, and I have a 16 year old daughter who is autistic. The resources here in the high desert are very few. Until recently, we did not even have a pediatric neurologist in the area. We still go down to Loma Linda for most of our medical needs. My daughter does not speak, and is not potty trained. She attends special education through the public school system. Frustration is always at the top of my list. I would like to start a support group for parents of autistic children. There is a support group that meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month in Victorville at the community center on Hesperia rd. If there are any other parents out there in the high desert who would like some support, or simply a place to vent those frustrations, feel free to contact me my email is ____@____.com Thanks for letting me share.... T.

I am not familiar with services in your area but the LA FEAT group may be able to help you with support and your rights if that would be helpful.

I have a 7 year old son with autism. Living with him is a daily challenge. He's in a special ed class which is a big help so I can have time to do things during the day. What exactly are you looking for?

I live in Victorville and I am trying to find a good school for my son. He is five does not talk is not potty trained. I don't have a good vibe about his school I don't care if I have to drive him. I just want the best for my son. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi L.:

My daughter's son (2 1/2yrs) was diagnosed 6 months ago. She and her husband are very much on top of the situation but I know she's having a hard time coping with all this and she is pregnant, due in June. I have run out of encouraging thoughts and words, what else can I tell her?
Christi

Hi L.

I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter with autisic traits. she goes to special ed school...I'm curious as to why you are asking?

D.

Dear L., My name is J. and i have a 12 year old daughter who is moderately autisitc, with limited speech. what would you like to know, any specific questions. My daughter Jamie was diagnosed at age 3 1/2 years old. She is now in 7th grade and is in a autism class at a regular public school. We just had her iep and she is making great progress. Please contact me. J.

I have a son. He is 6yrs. HE has aspergers. You cen e-mail me @ ____@____.com