Do you have a support group you can turn to? I mean a group of other parents who are dealing with the same issues you are. For instance, I belong to an Aspergers group, and there are autism groups out there. I don't go to the autism group because many of the parents are dealing with factors that are more severe, and we in the Aspie side often have a totally different set of issues (for instance, some kids with autism don't talk. Our Aspies tend to talk too much!).

If so, how did you find your group? Has it helped? Have you referred others?

Did it help you to feel less alone?

I've recently been able to meet some of the moms face-to-face that I've been talking to online. It's so nice to have other Aspie moms really understand the challenges we face, and to see other kids with my son. These kids are soooo smart, and they simply don't judge each other. No bullying, they seem so relaxed together! It's amazing.

Then, through the group, I have discovered that there's a support group for dads of Aspies! That's huge because men like to pretend it's not there because they only like to deal with what they can fix, and we can't "fix" this. It takes men longer, it seems.

I googled and googled looking for a group in my area, but it was through therapy that we found this one existed. It's so worth looking into!

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This is the closest thing I have to a support group. I tried a few near me but they were so depressing. I would like to one day find a group that saw that even though our kids are different, they are going places. I am happy that DS only sees the good in people right now because he has enough to deal with. It may not be the best but what if we all were like that.

I am involved with a few support groups. Some of them are online and one is an actual group where I can talk to actual people. I do refer people to them all of the time because the one thing that I craved when I found out that Tommy would be born with heart defects was look for others going through the same thing. Unfortunately, I didn't find any for several months.

I'm working to change that. I am now heavily involved with the CHD support group here in SC, Palmetto Hearts. I am their parent match coordinator. Just yesterday, when Tommy was at his cardiology appointment I was spreading the word to others in the waiting room.

I find having several support groups especially helpful for me. I have an online message forum (similar to this setup) for kids with trachs. I'm on a few yahoo groups, but I don't find those as helpful. I've also found support on, of all places, Myspace! I have about 100 other "heart" families on my friend's list. Our main goal is to raise awareness about CHDs. It's very powerful and meaningful to write a blog or bulletin about Tommy and have it reposted over and over, knowing people all over the world are reading his story and praying for us.

Honestly, if I didn't have the internet to find these groups and other forums like this one, I'd be lost. Thank goodness for modern technology!

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There are more than 40 different types of congenital heart defects. Little is known about the cause of most of them. There is no known prevention or cure for any of them.
My Blog:Musings of a Heart Family

I have had a hard time finding a support group for my son's needs. Alot of things here are geared toward "special needs" and group everyone all together. I don't know any other parents with kids like my son; I know they are out there, but I haven't met any.

When ds was a baby I belonged to a very active online forum for parents of preemies, which was a lifesaver. I would love to find something like that for me now that ds is older.

i would love to find any kind of support for my daughter (hearing impaired) but nothing yet. i once saw a mom at my local rec center with a little boy with hearing aids on and i almost jumped on her i was so excited and in need of talking to someone...i think i freaked her out.

so im back to nothing and seriously bummed about it.

I would love to find a support group. I don't think they have any for children with anxiety issues.

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Anxiety is something that is very, very common in kids with Aspergers. I'm thinking that if you see if there's an Asperger or autism group in your area, or just drop in on some online forums, they will definitely be able to give you some support and ideas, even without your child being an Aspie or autistic. I've found these communities to be very helpful to all. A lot of these parents have been through it and love to share info. You can be up front and say that your child isn't on the autism spectrum but he deals with anxiety issues. Our Aspie kids literally obsess over something that you or I would just brush off, and the anxiety leads to physical symptoms....right now, my son vocalizes strange sounds, and it gets worse under stress. If he needs a gift for a birthday party that is in 2 weeks, he'll obsess and worry that we'll forget. Very afraid of failure.

__________________
Make someone's heart smile today.

I have a Boo Boo!

Oprah says, "Baby, I'm a-whaunt you!!"
Click here:http://mommysavers.com/boards/announ...tml#post787291to be on Oprah!

No, I haven't found any support groups for parents with children that have apraxia. In fact, I haven't found many people at all with children that have apraxi...

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Jen

I don't have a formal support group. Quite honestly, my son doesn't fit into any real category and while I could probably benefit from some of the aspbergers type groups and such, I don't think I would truly fit in. Instead, I rely on my friends. I am not ashamed to let others know that my son has some difficulties. I don't try to hide it, but rather bring it up matter of factly. It has really helped me to deal with it in a positive way.