[GypsySoul22]

I don't know if I am allowed to 'promote' here but my husband and I are starting up a group so anyone who has a AS child can get together and support each other. Basically we are just parents *not experts* but we'd like to see if any other parents want to come and discuss their own issues in dealing IN A POSITIVE WAY with AS.

We want to help others and meet people who also want to focus on what these children CAN do not what they can't...

Kids with AS have a hard time socializing with their peers. We're hoping to meet a few nice people and eventually take this to a level where the kids and adults may be able to get together and become friends.

It helps when someone can relate to your issues. Maybe it will help their self esteem to know 'they are not alone.'

Anyhow, we are not running a business (the meetings are free) so you could say this is 'not for profit.'

If you live in the Upper Valley and may be interested, send me a PM w/your email address and once I get the 'information letter' going, I can give you more details of where and when we will meet.

[pabear]

Gypsysoul, this is a great opportunity that you are presenting for parents of children with AS. We have a son with a diagnosis of PPD-NOS / ADHD and anxiety related issues (all in the "spectum"). I actually work in the human services field and know how fustrating different issues can be for individuals and family. Having someone to talk with makes a world of difference, you know your not alone Here is a question. Do you know how readily available medical care is for children with ADHD in the general Southern Region? This has actually crossed my mind a couple of times recently as we are most likely headed in that direction in the future. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Pabear

[GypsySoul22]

Pabear,
I don't know anything about that, I'm sorry. We don't medicate, we just treat our child 'normally' but gear things down slower for him.

What kind of medical care are you talking about? Maybe you can contact the school district's special ed. dept for help.

[pabear]

Actually a pediatrician that specializes in ADHD would be perfect...but with that said a great pediatrician that doesn't specialize would work too We have tried the med free version of treatment but finally gave in after self esteem issues came into play. My hat is off to you for going the med free route. I know in our case we were very against any meds at first, trying behaviour modification with possitive reinforcements but no matter how hard we all worked at finding solutions we were coming up empty handed. He has an IEP at school which helps a lot with getting him the additional one on one that he requires. Our son, now 11, is doing great! We are so proud of him. Meds are not the answer for everyone, I totally respect that. In our case it has made a world of difference. Thank you for the suggestion of contacting the schools. I'll be looking into this further.

[FourWands]

pabear, just a heads up. Child psychiatrists in the state of Vermont (this goes for the whole country but especially so up here) are an endangered species. We have an AS daughter and we were told when we moved up here (near Montpelier) there is ONE doctor handing children between Burlington and Dartmouth. She happens to be a great doctor but if you are looking for a choice, it's not here.
I recommend you check out Home / Join Group and the yahoo group by the same name for good ped recommendations.
Good luck.

[pabear]

Thank you for the heads up. I will keep doing my research. It is not just a VT thing, we have issues alike, here in PA. Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by FourWands

pabear, just a heads up. Child psychiatrists in the state of Vermont (this goes for the whole country but especially so up here) are an endangered species. We have an AS daughter and we were told when we moved up here (near Montpelier) there is ONE doctor handing children between Burlington and Dartmouth. She happens to be a great doctor but if you are looking for a choice, it's not here.
I recommend you check out Home / Join Group and the yahoo group by the same name for good ped recommendations.
Good luck.

[jlstark]

Could you put me on your list? I am a teacher in the Upper Valley and am very interested in supporting children on the spectrum as well as their families. I would love to meet you and see how I can possibly help:-)

Jennifer Stark
603-728-8318
nangobi@gmail.com

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

I don't know if I am allowed to 'promote' here but my husband and I are starting up a group so anyone who has a AS child can get together and support each other. Basically we are just parents *not experts* but we'd like to see if any other parents want to come and discuss their own issues in dealing IN A POSITIVE WAY with AS.

We want to help others and meet people who also want to focus on what these children CAN do not what they can't...

Kids with AS have a hard time socializing with their peers. We're hoping to meet a few nice people and eventually take this to a level where the kids and adults may be able to get together and become friends.

It helps when someone can relate to your issues. Maybe it will help their self esteem to know 'they are not alone.'

Anyhow, we are not running a business (the meetings are free) so you could say this is 'not for profit.'

If you live in the Upper Valley and may be interested, send me a PM w/your email address and once I get the 'information letter' going, I can give you more details of where and when we will meet.

[oconnorcm3]

And I'm interested in moving to Vermont, from overseas, and am interested in services for children with special needs. I've been doing a little research and there are so many cuts, everywhere. My son would be in his final years of public education (until age 21) and is severely disabled. After they turn 21, what happens in Vermont? That is my worry. I would love to see you post information and applaude you for starting up a support group. I wish that I could attend!

[QuestionsInVermont]

I'm in central VT. My 7 yr old son has behaviors that seem like AS and his teachers have suggested I get him screened for AS and ADD.

Dr. Stephen Contompasis was recommended to do the evaluation; he works for the VT Child Development Center. Does anyone have any experiences with him?

It seems to me and others that my son may fall into a "gray area," where it may not be AS but it has the "flavor" of it. Anyone out there with experience with kids in this gray area?

Thanks for your insight and advice!

[KE123]

GypsySoul22,
This group sounds like a great idea and a wonderful resource for parents and kids to use to network what works, doesn't, etc. Navigating systems blind is so difficult, so getting the inside scoop from different people who may already have gone through it, been there is a great idea. My husband and I have an almost three year old who was diagnosed on the spectrum last year. We live in Massachusetts and have been getting intensive services which are about to end. We have been more seriously contemplating a move to Vermont, but are concerned about the disparity between different school systems and what they offer. Any inside advice? We are really looking at the central part of Vermont and Northeast Kingdom towns right now. Hopefully something that is commuting distance to White River Junction (within 1 hour), and that has a great school system with special ed. I would really appreciate any tips you can give.
Regards and good luck with the group. Once we get to Vermont, we'll definitely look you guys up!