Autism
News
Network
Packet of Information for Parents New to Autism,
(on-line version)
(an on-going work in progress. Many parents have provided input
-
contact JFS , http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AutismNews/join
with info.)
This project preceded the broadband,
internet age. When I was writing the print edition of the
AutismNews, many parents would call for advice, and I would mail them a
printed package. We no longer mail out a monthly newsletter, nor
mail a printed package of the information listed on these pages.
We have included the contents on this web page instead. Keeping
the packet up to date has proved elusive, so if the information listed
on these pages is not current, your best bet is to contact the on-line
group.
There is help "out there" for
parents of newly diagnosed children.
One difficulty is that not only do you need to learn about many
different
therapies, treatments, and potential support services all at once, but
also have to decide what help to seek first - set up an ABA program or
do floortime? Try a special diet, or do an overnight EEG?
Arrange
for private speech and OT, or accept as sufficient what your local
school
offers? It helps to reach out to other parents, both on the phone
and in person, and the best place to find them is through a support
group.
I have listed here all I know of in Northern Illinois - do not hesitate
to call the person listed for each group for meeting dates and
times.
Most important: join the
on-line
list. If the information you seek is not on the page, then
some one on the 500-member list might know. You can most any
autism-related
question. You can choose from several delivery options, from
individual
emails as replies are posted, or get one daily digest. We like to
swap contact information for different therapists and therapies, and
pass
on promising research.
AutismNews.net
Important first steps
Support Groups
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Click to join AutismNews
| Algonquin |
Parent Support Group |
Bram |
847/352-7678 |
| Aurora |
Aurora East Child Service Center |
Karen Lotito |
630-966-9640 |
| Bloomington |
McClean County http://www.autismmclean.org/index.htm |
|
(309)
661-9440 |
|
| Bolingbrook - |
Far West Suburban ASI Chapter. |
Joanna: |
630/969-1094 |
| Chicago - |
Metropolitan ASI Chapter. |
Grace: |
773/233-4716 |
| Chicago - |
Illinois Masonic Parent Support Group |
Wendy: |
773/296-5677 |
| Chicago- |
Chicago South Side ASI Chapter |
Wanda |
773/778-5125 |
| Elgin |
Parent Support Group
at Easter Seals |
ext. 123 |
847/742-3264 |
| Elmhurst |
Parent Support Group Center Speech & Language
Disorders |
|
630/530-8551 |
| Flossmoor - |
Chicago South Suburban ASI Chapter |
Marie |
708/206-0379 |
| Freeport - |
Special Needs Parent Support Group |
Beth
Jody |
815/362-2410
815/232-1253 |
| Geneva - |
Spectrum Support Group. |
Shelley S |
630/208-8880 |
| Gurnee |
Northeast ASI Chapter. |
Eric |
847/543-4502 |
| Hickory Hills |
Parent Support Group |
Druanne |
708/599-0098 |
| Macomb |
Tri-State Autism Association http://www.homepage.macomb.com/~ropejer/ |
Peggy Roth |
(309) 837-5297 |
| Naperville |
Parent Support Group |
Bernie |
630/357-8569 |
| Oak Lawn |
Parent Support Group |
Amalia |
708/346-1356 |
| Oak Park |
Aspergers/High-Functioning Support Group |
Debbie |
708/383-1209 |
| Park Ridge |
Parent -2-Parent |
Eva: |
847/699-1223 |
| Peoria |
Parent Support Group |
Lauri |
309/697-3300 |
| River Forest |
Interdisciplinary Council on Development & Learning
Disorders |
Jane |
708/771-1918 |
| Rockford |
Northwest Illinois Autism Support Group |
Patty |
815/965-3379 |
| Romeoville |
Parent Support Group |
Miki: |
815/886-0080 |
| Schaumburg |
Northwest Suburban ASI Chapter |
Randee |
847/884-9194 |
| Skokie |
North Suburban ASI Chapter |
Michael |
847/541-9969 |
| Villa Park |
Parent Support Group |
Sharon |
630/620-4433 |
| Wheaton |
Advocacy 200 |
Brian |
630/690-6385 |
| Wilmette |
|
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there are also Sibling support groups listed below.
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First things: Since
there is a lot of stuff in this packet I have
**starred**
what to read or contact first.
Especially get on the mailing list for free StarNet and the
Illinois
Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletters and info.
I have loosely organized the following information based on type
(books,
articles, newsletters, therapies, etc). I should note that I am
predisposed
to favor information about ABA and checking for abnormal
overnight
EEGs. This preference is simply because those therapies help my
kid
- other parents have kids whose respond better to different therapies,
dietary treatments, etc. You will be able to access those parents
and find out more then I provide here about those topics by, again,
attending
support groups, and contacting the sources I do include in this
packet.
What therapies you invest your time, money, and hopes for
improvement
in you childís quality of life need to be carefully
considered.
Ultimately,
you will base your choices on what proves to help your child the most,
not on any doctor or therapistís charisma, or pressure from
other
parents
to do what they have found helps their kid. Given that caveat,
let
us proceed - the first book I wish to mention is one I
recommend
as a very balanced and objective overview of available treatments.
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