Autism – Resources for the Newly Diagnosed and Their Families

As many of my regular readers know, my one-and-only child is one of the millions of people living under the diagnostic description of “Autism Spectrum.”

Autism spectrum disorders are complex. No two people on the spectrum share the same characteristics. There are some more specific diagnoses, and some more general ones, under that umbrella, such as Asperger’s and, my favorite, PDD-NOS. Now with the new Diagnosis Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the names of these diagnoses will likely change, but the complexity of the issue will not. What remains true is that,

If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.

My nephew was recently given the diagnosis of severe autism. This is in addition to other problems that he has. No one was particularly surprised, but it’s a difficult time for the family nevertheless.

His parents (my brother and sister-in-law) live in Wisconsin, where there are (thankfully), good resources for them.

But I want to do more. And something that would benefit myself as well. Thus I make this plea to my friends and readers who have an autism spectrum diagnosis or that have children on the spectrum.

I am looking for links to useful resources, and resources to be avoided (but I already know about Autism Speaks – no need to snark on that).

I’d love to have links to personal blogs and writings of those on the spectrum, if only so that people like me can understand what the world looks like through the eyes of those on the spectrum.

I also wonder if there are special resources for the siblings of the autistic. My nephew has four older siblings, three sisters and one brother. They will undoubtedly have questions. Maybe some of you can provide answers.

I know there are such things out there, but I would like to compile them here.

My hope is to make a special page with listings of these things that everyone can refer to. I’m thinking especially of my brother and sister-in-law, but also for myself. There are so many things I don’t understand about my son, and reading what others on the spectrum have to say.

So please, if you know of some helpful resources or have a blog of your own, please leave me a comment here, or use the feedback form on this blog located here to send me a private message.