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• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Liz - Interview 2 >> Liz thinks it is important for parents to be part of a support group in order for their voices to be heard.

Liz’s son, Jonas, aged 11, has been diagnosed with epilepsy, ADHD and Asperger syndrome and Raphe, the youngest son, has Downs Syndrome. Jonas attends the local mainstream primary school but Liz is worried about the move to secondary school.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Dot - Interview 9 >> Dot describes how she put an advert in a local paper asking if parents of children with AS wanted to meet up and forty people turned up.

Dot’s son Joe was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 7 years old. He attends a specialist Asperger Unit which is on the site of a mainstream secondary school and he is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Katrina - Interview 11 >> Katrina describes how lovely it is not to have to excuse her son’s behaviour when she meets up with support group members.

Katrina’s son, Callum was diagnosed with atypical autism when he was four years old. Callum has been home schooled for the past couple of years after negative experiences in the education system. He is having cognitive behaviour therapy to help him overcome his fears and anxieties.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nicki’s group have put forward their views about sports facilities for disabled children to the local council.

Nicki and Mark’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. He attends a special school and they are delighted with his progress.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Karen - Interview 23 >> Karen started a support group as the existing one was for parents of pre-school children.

Karen’s old daughter was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 10 years old. She has since been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and her mother has removed her from school because appropriate support was not provided.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Jane and Dan - Interview 57 >> Jane's involvement in a campaigning support group has been a positive outcome of the experience.

Jane and Dan’s son was diagnosed with autism six months ago. He has a sleep disorder and has some difficulties eating food.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Amanda - Interview 29 >> Amanda has found joining a support group “essential” for her family.

Amanda’s two children have both been diagnosed with autism. They attend a special school for children with moderate learning difficulties which they both enjoy.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Amanda - Interview 29 >> Amanda has been helped by a supportive partner, family members, a support group, yoga and wine.

Amanda’s two children have both been diagnosed with autism. They attend a special school for children with moderate learning difficulties which they both enjoy.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Amanda - Interview 29 >> Amanda recommends support groups because it “brings a bit of normality to it for you”.

Amanda’s two children have both been diagnosed with autism. They attend a special school for children with moderate learning difficulties which they both enjoy.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Nick and Vikki - Interview 34 >> For Vikki, the support group as a “comfortable way of sharing information”. For Nick it’s a group of women gossiping.

Nick and Vikki’s younger son, Peter, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was five years old. He attends a specialist resourced provision attached to a mainstream primary school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Jeanine describes how support groups are not helpful to lone parents who work full time.

Jeanine’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and has made good progress at school.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Bobbi - Interview 30 >> Bobbi’s friends are “spread all over the place” but she is in regular contact through the internet.

Bobbi’s younger son, Charlie, was diagnosed with autism when he was five. He attends a local primary school with support and is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Mike - Interview 22 >> Mike’s support group organises a week in Pontins each year for over 100 people.

Mike’s youngest son, Andrew, was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. He moved to a specialist residential school a year ago, after spending a year excluded from school because of challenging behaviour.

• Topic
• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Support groups >> Support groups

Support Groups

• >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Support groups >> Support groups

Support Groups

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Caron - Interview 15 >> Caron describes the two different groups she goes to.

Caron’s son, Leo, was diagnosed with autism when he was three. He attends a mainstream primary school but Caron worries that he is not receiving appropriate support.