Comments on: A Little Hope

By: Goldie

Goldie — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:49:29 +0000

hmmm… at our group we offer simultaneous activities for the children. does that count? (some do NOT, as you know and the kids stay home) we try to help them have fun and maybe grow a little bit.

I will take your advice & see if sometimes we can do “family fun” nights.

By: jess

jess — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:57:39 +0000

Nigel, just as he is, can give some young parents hope for their child’s development, that’s something. That’s really something.

indeed it is, lady .. same could be said about his mom, you know

By: mama mara

mama mara — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:28:53 +0000

I’ve never heard of a family-centered autism group before — cooo-uhl! I gotta get me one of those. Thanks for sharing this!

By: Tanya Savko

Tanya Savko — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:39:16 +0000

Hi M,

Nigel surprised me, as he often does. There was a 19-year-old with Asperger’s there, and I figured Nigel would enjoy hanging out with him, since he was the closest in age of the attendees. Instead, Aidan played a game of Risk with the 19-year-old, and Nigel watched Finding Nemo with some of the younger kids. I guess I should have expected that from my Disney fan of a son. (Don’t ever play Disney Trivial Pursuit with that guy.)

By: Fearless Females

Fearless Females — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:33:35 +0000

I’m so jealous!!! I wanted to find a great group (like this one) and there was one advertised through the paper that I write for and the contact person NEVER called me or emailed me back It was designed for kids with aspergers and their parents to do “fun” things together… Thanks for reminding me, maybe I will search my files to look it for it.

I am so glad for you and Nigel to have such a positive and pleasant experience..

By: Casdok

Casdok — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:46:41 +0000

Glad you have found a support group that feels right.
Ive been lucky enough to hear Wendy Lawson and Donna Williams speak both helped me enormously.

By: M

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:38:35 +0000

I’m curious about Nigel’s impressions of it (if it’s okay to ask). Did he interact at all or just observe? Sounds like a really great atmosphere. I’ve been very conflicted about whether or not I would attend a support group, but we currently have none in the area, so that’s that for now. I want to cut and paste yours for our area.

By: Bonnie Sayers (autismfamily)

Bonnie Sayers (autismfamily) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:45:56 +0000

the autism twitter day is Tuesday.
I want you to share the puberty series and whatever else you have. When you tweet use #ASD in each tweet on autism for TUE and maybe follow me there – http://www.twitter.com/autismfamily

This meeting sounds like a good one. We did a support group that was weekly and funded by Reg Ctr, but kids in one room doing crafts while kids in another. Is there a website for this group? Would be nice to start something here in LA. I am up for secretary of the CAC with LAUSD tomorrow for elections. Have to catch up on reading during holiday break when less pressed for time.

By: Tanya Savko

Tanya Savko — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:45:15 +0000

Hi Goldie,

I think the other meetings didn’t feel right to me because the kids weren’t there. It felt so good to have them at this recent meeting, interacting with each other. The parents learned a lot that way, too. Everyone seemed to feel very positive about it. Maybe not all meetings should include the kids, but definitely some should.

By: Goldie

Goldie — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:19:18 +0000

Hmmm… I facilitate a support group at our church once a month. This past week was the first time I did NOT leave feeling BETTER. I couldn’t put my finger on WHY. Maybe it was less positive? We try and be REAL and support each other, but not wallow.
If you could maybe think of WHY those other groups didn’t feel right to you I would be REALLY interested to hear so that I can learn from it! =)