This website can be a blessing. I have found much help here in the short time I have been a member. I don't post often, but I read a lot!
Depression is surely a natural phase for a parent to go through when hearing the diagnosis of any kind that "labels" your child as different. We all want only the best for our children and it is frightening to think that our child may have life long hardships to deal with.
Just knowing there are so many others out there dealing with the same types of issues your child is going through is a great support in itself! You are on the road to finding help by researching on the internet. I'm certain there are many, many sites that have information. Here are a few that I have learned about here at this site: (You'll probably have to copy and paste)
http://www.autism-society.org
/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis_
home
http://www.reedmartin.com/
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your son is nonverbal, the PECS system can be a blessing! We learned that preschoolers who are introduced to the PECS communication system often begin speaking in a year or two. (Oh, how wonderful THAT would be!) Their website is:
http://www.pecs.com/
Also, we are looking into the types of "natural" treatments (i.e. cod liver oil) that Jack's Mom writes of on the thread that you introduced yourself on. We have not started them yet, but are doing some research.
I found a book called: The Hidden Child - The Linwood Method for Reaching the Autistic Child to be EXTREMELY helpful! (It is by Jeanne Simons and Sabine Oishi, PhD) Mainly because, for me it was validating the things I was doing to try and help Conor instinctively. Which brings me to my main reason for responding to your post.
I am not the parent of an autistic child, but have been a child care provider for nearly 20 years. I knew relatively nothing about autisim 10 months ago, but when a friend asked me to help care for his 4 year old son who had been diagnosed with autisim I could not say no. It has been a very challenging experience, but I know that I am committed to helping this child in anyway I can for as long as I am needed. I hope that Genaya's child care provider feels the same. : )
Ultimately, I thank God for every change I see in Conor. He can help you help your son. He will give you the strength and patience you need to reach out to that precious little boy every day. : ) Don't forget that!
We can reach our autistic children and help them be able to reach out into our world. I will pray for you. : ) ↓
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