**AUTISM / ASPERGERS SUPPORT GROUP**

[doll*obsession]

A safe place for all members with friends or family with ASD

Come and have a cuppa, share your joys, and vent your problems with other people who understand.

[azureline**]

Yes, he is fantastic! I read a lot of his stuff and it can be very useful. I suspect I like it because it is given in such a down to earth way, easily understood.

[azureline**]

http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/my-three-year-old-autistic-child-is-one-of-the-lucky-ones/

Interesting article.

I have also been told about blood tests being offered to parents of newly diagnosed ASD children, for risks of ASD in siblings.

Still trying to find info on this makes sense...and is recent.

[bella_again]

Good article Azure....

Three out of every four autistic kids are boys.

That made me smile because it must therefore be highly unusual to have 3 girls in a family on the spectrum. I do agree though that there are times when kids are over  diagnosed with ASD's in order to obtain funding.  There are clearly other issues but nothing distinguishable as such.  ie a child displaying trauma can have several ASD type behaviours or traits that sometimes obtains that label in order to obtain some funding or early intervention.

It's sad though because it shows that we are no where near close to supporting children adequately with special needs in this country.

[kool_skool_666]

anyone have any experience with adult family members who have aspergers?

[krazy.kiwi]

My husband is not actualy diagnosed, but we both realise he has it, as does his father and grandfather.

[kool_skool_666]

@krazy.kiwi, same here, my husband has been 'unofficially' diagnosed, he is a very difficult man to live with. Has progressively gotten worse over the years......

[islandretro]

My son is 19 now, so an adult. Having had targeted support since he was diagnosed at age 7, and ongoing support at school and now university has made a huge difference to his outcomes, compared to his father, who is undiagnosed and has struggled all his life.

Is there anything in particular you wanted to know?

cheers

Rae

[kool_skool_666]

Hi Rae, I have googled for information, but there is very little that I have found relating to adults who weren't diagnosed as children. My husband has felt 'different' all his life, and has struggled with relationships, has had trouble holding down jobs and has anger management issues. Do you know any good sites?

[azureline**]

http://www.aspia.org.au/newsletters/2009/ASPIA_Newsletter_May_09.pdf

[islandretro]

work_at_home, years ago I used to read this forum a lot, it was very supportive. My ex and I have been separated almost 10 years so I haven't been there for a long time, but it looks like it is still flourishing!

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/main.asp?webtag=ASPartners&nav=start&prettyurl=%2FASPartners&gid=50...

cheers