Hi

We are Lori and David. We live in Kansas with our 4 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 toads and numerous pond fish. We have been married 27 years and started having kids late. We have 14 YO twins, ( boy/girl ), a 10 YO son and an 8 YO daughter. We operate a business together so I do work, not quite full time but nearly.

Our 10 year old son has high functioning autism and was officially diagnosed this year..., but we always knew, even when he was a baby.

Thanks for having us,

Lori and David

I am so sorry about your son Lydia,  my name is Carolyn and I am new to this site.

We just found out my grandson who is 20mths old has autism. He does not speak and is VERY active.  At times my daughter is so overwhelmed.  I am looking into everything out there to help her and my grandson.  We live in S. Florida and on April 12th there is a walk for Autism which I will attend.  I believe in my heart there is a cure for this disease and we will find it!!! 

I have not been around much, lately it will be 1 year soon since i lost my son.  I am finally pulling myself together.  The one who really kept me sane is my grandaughter, she has asperger, her understanding/not understanding helped me.  She mirrors my emotions, there ore I have a  sight of my self. 

I LOST A GRANDAUGHER TO SIDS AFTER SHE HAD HER SHOTS. I HAVE A GRANDSON THAT WE ARE AFRAID, VERY AFRIAD OF GIVING HIM ANY IMMUNIZATIONS BECAUSE OF LOSING HIM ALSO.  HE IS ALMOST A YEAR. WE ARE SCARED. MY BEST FRIEND TEACHES KIDS WITH THIS DISABILITIES AND I SEE HOW MUCH SHE LOVES THEM. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE BEAUTIFUL KIDS AND I FEEL SO UNIMPORTANT AND USELESS THAT I CAN'T HELP BUT LOVE THEM....

ANI

Ronald, good to see you come to our group.  I believe that you will both teach us and learn from us with autism. 

Although I have two with autism, my son is seven and my daughter is four, I have never thought of entering them in any kind of Special Olympics.  I do not know if they'd be comfortable with such large crowds, especially my son.

Janice, we all learn something new every day.  Whether it is something we read, something we have been told, or from our own experiences with our loved one with autism.  I went from thinking 'autisitc' was how a New Yorker said 'artistic' to having done many hours of research, talking with teachers, therapists, parents, and even some with autism themselves, and of course, my own two children with autism.  I am by no means an expert, but I am MUCH more knowledgeable than I was four years ago when my son was first diagnosed (my daugher was diagnosed about a year after my son).

Dan, so good to see you again.  How are YOU?  It sounds as if your son is doing well.  I am so glad. 

Ronald, Janice, welcome.  Dan, welcome back.  Welcome not just to our group, but to our family.

KS

Hi C C!

Thanks for the invitation to your group! I have overcommitted to so many places here but you are one of my friends and I'll do what I can. BTW Vondi, whether you mentioned the subject or not, there is a reason you were drawn  here and, though you or I may not know what it is, know that there is a reason.

Hi y'all, I'm Ron, known as HarpMan1224, and I'm a 57-year-old grandpa with three grown children, 6 grandkids, 5 tarantulas and 1 "Holstein" cat. She's marked like a Holstein cow and so we named her a cow name, Bessie! My girlfriend, my former high school sweetheart whom I rediscovered online, has a physically- and mentally-challenged daughter who is two days shy of 22. Her Special Olympics friends are a terrific bunch of people, some autistic, some with Down's and the rest with a myriad of reasons for their disadvantaged situation. None of them are "handicapped", since they consciously overcome a variety of states that, in earlier unenlightened times, would have written them off to be institutionalized or worse. Of the autistic members of the team, they are all bright, productive and eager, some with physical gifts that belie their condition, as one of the boys holds the Florida Special Olympics record in Freestyle swimming!

I am primarily interested in autism because of my involvement in getting corporate accountability frm Big Pharma, which seems more interested in their bottom line than the welfare and safety of their customers. The studies that have been done in this area are a concern for me. Most of the studies done which exonerate the drug manufacturers of blame regarding thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative, have been financed or carried out under the auspices of the very companies being investigated! How impartial do you think they'd be? When I think of the millions of children (and adults) who are vaccinated every year, I get a cold chill down my spine. Many of these vaccinations are government-mandated as a condition of getting them enrolled in school, another major issue of mine, which is becoming scarier and more dire, considering how close the government and the corporate agenda have become. They do not have the best interests of our kids at heart. They seem to have no other motivation but greed in churning out drones and future servants to the Moneyed Few, witness the substandard education and instruction our kids are receiving thse days in taxpayer-funded public schools.

I am not as well-versed as the hosts about the "spectrum", the variations and sub-headings which fall under the autism banner. I think, besides the vaccine issues, there are environmental causes which have a genetic impact on previous generations of parents of autistic children. The emergence of so many chemicals and previously unknown pollutants in our atmosphere, water and land, I think, are responsible for hidden genetic changes in the population which translates into damage, mutations and unexplained alterations of the genetic composition. Even our food is being altered, genetically modified and changed from the original by substituting ingredients not present in the past. I'll try to contribute when and what I can C C and Kris. Y'all have a great day (TGIF!!) and I'll talk to ya later!

Hi Group, Thanks for the invite C.C. to this group.

Talk all you want.  That is why we are here.  Besides being on the hormone hell wagon, where is he in the spectrum?  My kids both are verbal, interact in smaller, familiar settings better, and do MUCH better when they do not have sugar.  My daughter just goes beserk when she gets sugar.  Actually, my son goes beserk, she gets obnoxious.

Anyhow, welcome.  Vent all you want.  That is what we are here for. 

KS

Hi All!

Thanks for the invite CC!

My son has Autism.... He is 15 and frankly we have been going through hormone hell... This is something I need.... I group I can talk to...

~hugs

~Michelle

I have two children on the spectrum.  My son is seven now, and he is just a dear.  He has been able to read since age two and a half.  He has come so far since his dx in May of 2004. 

My (youngest) daughter is four now, and she is PDD. She is very sweet, loving, funny, and PDD, which is on the spectrum.  We suspect she also can read.  She has been reading some signs that there is no way she could know what they say. 

Although I am co-host, it is C.C. who is the awesome spirit that moves this group into the excellent range that far surpasses other groups here at C2.  She keeps it positive, even when we are venting.  C.C., you rock, hon.

To all those that just joined, WELCOME!   Thank you for joining our group.  Tell your friends, those with or without a friend or loved one with autism. 

We vent, we tell of our successes, or regresses, we give moral support, post articles, and more, this is a family friendly place to be, so your kids who may have an autistic school mate can look at this group and find out more about autism and why thier mate is the way that they are...

Keep your introductions coming.

KS

to all who have joined this week Glad to have you all here & we look forward to getting to know you and assisting you with info. any way we can. Please feel free to add anything to the group

Peace, C.C.

Hi everyone,

I'm Vondi. Usually I'm most active on the Christian Faith and Bible Study thread, but someone sent me an invitation to this group.  I know very little about Autism and all that is the traditional 'sit in a corner and bang heads" kind of demonstrated behavior.  I realize there is a broad spectrum of behaviors but that is all I know or have been exposed to.

I have a friend who says that her son is autistic.  Truly I cannot see anything that represents any level of autism in his behavior, but I am willing to learn.   I'm here hoping that some of you can help me. 

Which of the topics here should I read first?   Unfortunately my time online is limited because of physical concerns so,  please, point me in the right direction.

And,  CC,  what in the world prompted you to send me this invitation?  I don't think I have ever mentioned autism in any of the groups!!!! 

Hi Everyone,
 I'm Lana, and I have a 6yr old son, who's on "the spectrum." I apologize for not introducing myself earlier, my computer time is very limited these days. It's nice to be a member of this very informational group, and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

HELLO C.C THANK YOU FOR MY INVITE,I KNOW ALL ABOUT AUTISM,BECAUSE I WORK ON A TRAVELLING HEALTH CARE AND RESPITE MOBILE BUS,WITH LOTS OF FREE INFO ....

SORRY FOR SHORT MESSAGE,I'M RECOVERING FROM A STROKE AT THE MOMENT AND WORDS ARE HARD FOR ME.....

!!!!!!!!! LEONIE XXXX

thank you for the invite,I want to help in any way possible.  I hope everyone has a good weekend....bright blessings to all

to all who have joined in my absence! I apologize for not being here, but, will be here now, health allowing

Peace & Prayers, C.C.

C.C. - thank you very much for this wonderful group!  It's so nice to be in touch again.  Please know how much I respect and appreciate you... even though my communications can sometimes be few and far between... God help us all!

You are forever in my deepest thoughts!  Many Blessings to all of our beautiful children - and much strength to the parents, families, friends, and professioanls!

Laura, Lydia...and also new members, Christie, Giles, Danielle and Barbara!! So glad to see all of you joining us.

Please excuse my recent absence, but, I will be working to update the group as best I can and I look forward to your thoughts, contributions, and stories.

Peace & Prayers, C.C.

to all those who have joined the end of 2006 and the beginning of this yr, plz. feel free to introduce yourself and join in or start new threads! We're glad you have joined us

Peace & Prayers, C.C.

Kiachu & Crystal! We're so glad you've joined us I hope you find helpful info. here, support of friends, and plz. feel free to ask any questions or contact me personally

Peace & Prayers, C.C.

Hello everyone   My 14 year old son was recently diagnosed with AS.  The same gal that diagnosed him says she thinks I have AS, also.  His diagnosis was in September, and it's been such a battle all his life...at least now we know what the issue at hand is.  We have a lot of information to absorb.  It's going to be a difficult journey for us, but I think I'm up for the challenge.  I'm 32, husband is Rick is 35.  Together we have his and her's when it comes to children.  Hers:  Anthony (my aspie son) just turned 14, and His:  Shay, turned 7 in September.  We homeschool him and have since before kindergarten.  We raise Boxer Dogs and currently have 5 of them....sheesh.  They are: Tasha (age 9), Princess--aka Sissy--(age 4), Romeo (age 4), Bones (age 1) and Bitty-Boo--aka Bitty-Boop, LilBit, MyGirl, Bitters--(age 1).  Tasha is mamma to Princerss and Romeo.  Princess is mamma to Bones and Bitty-Boo.  I think that covers the household....oh, and we live in the middle of the country on 3 acres. 

I hope you all have a splendid Thanksgiving and don't forget everything you're thankful for...my biggest thanks is my miracle baby, Anthony.

God bless all of you,

Crystal

Hello all!

I’m interested in autism, the mind, and the power of the mind. 

I’m married to a teacher for autistic children.  The kids she has in her classroom are severely autistic, nonverbal, and some have multiple disabilities.   She is very diligent in her work with them. 

Peace,

Kiachu Shen Ku

Lorelei!! We're so happy you've joined us. Together we can support one another, gain knowledge, and put the pieces of the puzzle together

Peace & Prayers, C.C.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITE CC. AS EVERYONE CAN SEE AT THE FRONT DOOR WHERE I POSTED A MESSAGE. I AM ON A MISSION TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR VACCINE RELATED AUTISM. I AM GLAD TO BE A PART OF THIS GROUP. TOGETHER WE CAN SHOW SUPPORT, GET BETTER EDUCATED, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PEACE AND JOY TO YOU ALL- LORELEI

Welcome to all those Members who have joined in my absence Plz. take time to introduce yourself when you have a moment. We are happy to have you as part of our Family

Peace & Prayers, C.C.

Welcome All to "AUTISM RRR"!!   

Plz take some time to introduce yourself, your family, pets, etc so we may all get to know each other better and form a 'solid' support system.

Peace & Prayers to All, C.C.