Choosing a profile picture produces undue stress as I wiggle through the tail end of my midlife crisis. In searching my files, I saw this photo that my son took after arranging the scene. I chose it because, at the time, I had to take a deep breath and allow his nine-year-old self to follow his own lead as he thought outside the box. I had to let myself go there and see things in a new way. I'd like to think that embarking on this journey, with Brian calling encouragement from the cyber sidelines, is about letting go of convention and considering alternate possibilities. This photo represents that. Glad to be here.:-)

Brian, I have invited some friends from Facebook. These people are on the Spectrum and  most are against much of the research being performed on the so-called behalf of Autistics. I need to know that this is a place for people on the spectrum. Or is it for the family members of people on the spectrum? Because many of us do not believe that autism is a negative, rather we embrace it and help each other with the real difficulties as we see and define them. 

 

Hi Brian,

I have to agree with your discission to stop the e-newsletters. As much as I appreciate what you have to say, by the time I get to your emails, my eyes are crossed and I can't bear to read one more!. Its a lot easiar to keep my eyes peeled for your comments on FB and to visit here.

Steve K.

My good Friend Rhonda Crowder recomended you to me. I have a 18  year old senior at high school having the worst year ever. He always had his bad days and then some very good days, But this years it's been  rollercoaster, please help. I'm a single mom and am at the end of the rope. And when he is mad at me for things going on. It makes it tough. Last week at a breakfast ceremony at west high he yelled in the microphone that he hated and he wanted to kill me. This is not Jon. He is a a sweet loving guy,don't know what to do.

I wanted to let you know about a new petition I created on We the People, a
new feature on WhiteHouse.gov, and ask for your support. Will you add your
name to mine? If this petition gets 25,000 signatures by November 05, 2011,
the White House will review it and respond!

We the People allows anyone to create and sign petitions asking the Obama
Administration to take action on a range of issues. If a petition gets
enough support, the Obama Administration will issue an official response.

You can view and sign the petition here:

http://wh.gov/2D7

Here's some more information about this petition:

Fund research on the causes of Autism and stop the growing epidemic of
children being diagnosed with Autism.
Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with
autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and
pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and
tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. Government statistics
suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually.
There is no established explanation for this increase, although improved
diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered.
Studies suggest boys are more likely than girls to develop autism and receive
the diagnosis three to four times more frequently. Current estimates are that
in the United States alone, one out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism.

Sent from my iPad

thank you for your welcome to group - I am reading for my 3 yr old daughter who has autism.  just for more information.  hope that is ok - thank you Brenda Yost

hi brian king.  can this be a private communique ?  i come at one of my best and my worst moments.. more the latter, seems.  not rating high on frustration tolerance presently.. can't see your latest article (something, nothing).. public computer "K-9" block.  I thought 4 sure i'd signed up prior ..it's your dang slogan reverbing in mine cranium.  ..can't shake it.  "..confidence to create the lives.."  What the heck !  Everybody has confidence issues, y should asd's be different !  ..indeed.. i'm here to quest.. y/how is it different ?  when i'm not such a growly butt, I'll want to actually ferritt out some answers.  for now, i'm rather impressed i'm managing to type, to make sentences, and a bit consistent with a certain language; English, and to navigate a website.. or this far anyway. 

: P

 

thanks for being here Brian King

 

We offer services, events, and support to families with special needs children in Orange County, CA :)

Hi Brian,

I am so thankful that Cindy Schultz contacted you on behalf of my son Matthew! As a women with mild Aspergers. advocating for a son with ASD that is severe, and has many behavior/ adaptive issues can be quite difficult. I lack many skills needed to be appropriately "confrontational," and I also take care of my brother who is 31 years old with high-functioning Autism & Schizophrenia. My father has Aspergers and is one of most intelligent individuals I have ever known. I feel our family is special and unique, we all have a mutual understanding & a consciousness of kind that is unlike any other cohesion I have seen in typical familes.

I am struggling with our school district that let go an educational assistant that was the missing I had ever seen.

I thank you again for your network and your story is inspiring.

Thank you for giving ALL of us a voice; we deserve a voice!