Timmy 15 | Autism PDD

Thank you. I have printed out both material. Let's see if I can get some help or new resources in my area.

Heres a link to massachusetts reps.... http://www.unlockingautism.org/repfinder2.asp?state=MA&a ction=1

Stephen M Shore	(617) 277-9653
Lynn Dwyer	(413) 796-9938
Jenifer M. Prince-Moughan	(978)-388-5263
Anne Ferioli	(508) 528-3487
Suzanne Messina	(978) 626-1199
Jerry Silbert	(781) 592-9193

ALSO heres a link to Massachusetts yellow pages for resources http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/ma.htm

and a link for Respite Service Locator

I hope some of this will help you! hang in there we know it can be rough!

I'm a mother of a 15 year old son Tim. My son was diagnosed at the age of 8. He had other medical problems we were dealing with so the austism was looked over. I hope someone can help me with some issues I'm having.

I can not take him out in public.

The trip to any doctors office is always a full blown out burst before we can calm him down.

Family and neighbors don't understand when he is having a bad day.

Some days I just cry all day because my husband and I have no life. Tim is our whole life.We can't go to any function with him and can't even get a babysitter so we can go out to eat. Thank god we play cards, watch movies and enjoy each others company.

I have tried to get help through the Commision of the Blind and even the Austism foundation that is 1 hour away from us.

I know I'm just rabling, but I hope someone out there has a child aroung 15 or older that can ease a mothers pain.

Tim's mom.

iam sorry for the difficulties that you are having. i have a 19 year old autistic son. it is true when they get older they sort of set what they will and won't do. my son easy to take out fortunately. don't know what state you live in but can't you get some behavior modification therapy for your son. we also cannot leave our son alone and find it difficult to get out alone. we have some family that will watch him at times and his brother has been watching him but is moving away to college. when we go out i tell my son he will receive some sort of reward if he behaves. this works well with him. sorry i con not be of much help but i understand the shut in feeling.

Thank you for replying. We have tried behavior modification therapy. It lasted about 3 months, then the grant ran out. I live in Massachusetts. The neurlogist has told us that he is going through the change and will last until he is 17-18 years old. He is on a clonidine pill and catapres patch to keep the out bursts down. I love my son very much and he is a lot of work when he has those bad days.

Best of luck to your son who is off to college.

I just wanted to say Welcome to the board and I hope the parents who have teenagers and older childeren can help you... *smiles* I'm of no use as Zach is only 3... but I'm a good listener and have a nice comfy shoulder to cry on *smiles*. Thank you. I hope I can get some relief that I'm not the only parent.Not sure where you are in ma. but here's awebsite www.arcmass.org , click on resources and then onto autism resources and you'll find local support groups and activities, perhaps you'll find a respite care provider so that you and your husband can get a much deserved break. Blessings to you and your familyThere is no funding or people available for respite. There was even a place close by that sent us a check for 0.00 to help pay for a family member to come in and watch Tim because they don't have any people. I was insulted. I have notified the DMR and have registered Tim, but again there is nothing out there or funding. No after school programs that take austic children. There is a place an hour away that will take Tim once a year for a weekend. I have been trying to find help and groups for almost 3 years. There is nothing close by. It's very frustrating.

I searched for one of Michelle's links and came across the parent2parent network. You could try calling them and see what resources they can hook you up with. I have never called them myself but I am sure there are people on the board that has. Here is the link:

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=168& KW=parent2parent+network

Tammy

You're Welcome. Good Luck Let us know how things go!Welcome Tim's Parents! I empathsize with you!! I can relate somewhat to your situation although my 16 year old is quite high functioning and doesn't have this problem.....my 8 year old has kept us at home and out of social functions for years although is getting better! Have you sought out social functions with other parents of kids with autism? We started a support group in our small town for families with special needs kids....we have families coming from surrounding towns up to an hour away. It is good to get involved with others who are accepting and understanding of our kids odd behaviors......they aren't considered odd in this setting. Don't limit your self to families only with autism.....you may find other families with disabilities can relate to us as well.

I know how lonely this can be! I hope you can find a good social out let for your family! God Bless ! bonnie

Thank you all for your help and support. I subscribe to the austism connection in our area. I receive this monthly. The have stories and up coming events for the summer. The problems is......all the events and support groups are in West Boylston..which is an hour and 1/2 away from us. I'm going to try and get a hold of the local parent 2 parent rep in MASS. for more guidance.

Currently, in the paper..our governor is cutting funds for special needs and closing down most state schools that house them and trying to put them in a more home setting which there isn't many around in Massachusetts.

I've been plugging away for 3 years trying to get the best for my son. Thank god I only have him and I can put all my energy towards him.

God bless all of you who are just beginning this journey with your little ones.