This is a great page at the Autism Society of America about signs of autism, possible causes, and prevalence. The ASA is a terrific resource for families. -- Sandra Sinclair

I know that as parents we can sometimes feel like we don't know enough to challenge the established ideas and structures out there, even if they don't feel quite right to us. But guess what? We can.

Because we are in a unique position as parents to know our children better than anyone else, and because we know that every benefit our children receive is from the past effort of parents. Everything from finding out what methods work on up to changing legislation -- every single change has been spearheaded by parents challenging the status quo, and so it goes, as long as we continue to learn new information. 

So if someone says you must do things a certain way....well.....maybe that's true....for someone else's child.

For instance, a very old and tired adage .... "you must be consistent with these children.." It sure sounds good on paper, doesn't it? Maybe that works for some. But for our child, too much consistency equals disaster. Besides, in my view, how can we teach flexibility if we're inflexible ourselves?

Again, this is my truth. It may not be yours. But one thing I have noticed is generally  more rigid = less knowledge.

The lid needs to be blown off these old ideas about what individuals with autism are thinking, feeling and needing - like they're living in another world, or they don't have feelings, they want to be alone, or any of the other ideas people just accepted based on something someone told them once.

If you ever wondered how people with autism really feel, go to www.askanaspie.com . It's a website for University of Chicago students with Asperger's, and they answer lots of different questions from parents about their experiences and perceptions being autistic. It's an eye-opener. 

I've got to do a radio podcast on this topic of old rigid ideas. I've got too much to say to write it all here. -- Sandra Sinclair

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

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MP3 File

What does "There is No Cure for Autism" really mean? This radio show podcast covers what this phrase really means and why we as parents don't need to get tied up in a pretzel about it anymore.

Also, what does the future hold for our children? What do we have to do to insure our children grow into their potential?-- Sandra Sinclair, www.autismvoice.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

If you would like to help with the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, one of the ways that you can help is to make a donation to the Red Cross or similar disaster relief agency. Whatever agency you choose, just be sure they have an excellent record of getting relief quickly to needed areas.

One way you can help is go to the Red Cross website or call 1-800 HELP NOW. You can select the Hurricane 2005 fund, or one of any of their other relief funds. --Sandra Sinclair 

 

Adelle Tilton has a great series of articles and information about autism on About.com. This particular article was written in honor of Father's Day - "Someone Special is a Dad" - an interview with a father of a boy with autism -very candid and moving. -- Sandra Sinclair