Heathy grandchildren

I am so thankful that I have 3 very healthy grandchildren. When the boys were born we were sort of worried since they were almost 2 months premature. But thankfully they are very normal and healthy boys. I really can't imagine what a parent goes through when they have a child with autism I have never had any experience even with a child with autism. But from things I have heard it must really be a struggle dealing with that condition.

I just discovered that the Autism support network has announced that they have launched a free online support community which is now available. This network is growing in leaps and bounds with thousands of members from all around the world joining. This helps families and individuals who's lives have been touched by autism to connect with each other and form a support group (if you will) and also acts as a great guide for resource information such as treatments, therapies and various strategies which are available.

One of the features of this community will help match members who are seeking the same type of support as another member. They will be able to actually create appointments either virtually or in actual locations between members and other community groups to share information and support for and with each other.

The following facts absolutely blow my mind and I absolutely had no idea of this information at all. "Today 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism, with a new case diagnosed every 20 minutes and is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States today. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.Males are four times more likely to have autism than females."

To the parents of a child with autism and the adult who suffers from autism, my heart goes out to you.