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Autism Affects 1 in 110 Children – $25 Helps a Family During the Critical First Months
When a child is diagnosed with autism, his or her parents are often left feeling overwhelmed and confused about what to do next and where to turn for help. Autism Speaks’ 100 Day Kit is a valuable tool for these families and helps make the first few weeks and months after diagnosis a little less daunting. In order to defray the cost of the 100 Day Kit and provide it to newly diagnosed families, we need your support. Each kit costs $25 to produce.
Please support this very important initiative, which directly assists families affected by autism NOW.
- Make a gift of $25 to provide a “100 Day Kit” which will aid a newly diagnosed family today
- Join the Official Autism Speaks Cause on Facebook
- Use your Facebook status to ask your friends to donate to this project and spread the word
The 100 Day Kit includes information about autism and dealing with the news of a diagnosis. The personalized kit lists local service providers, support groups, recreational activities, sources of legal information, conferences, local autism organizations and information about the local chapter of Autism Speaks. It provides insight into getting services for a newly diagnosed child and explains various available treatment options. A week-by-week action plan helps walk a family through the steps they need to take to ensure that they are on the right track. The kit also includes a safety plan and a list of recommended books and informational websites. In March, Autism Speaks launched a separate Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Tool Kit.
Families whose children have been diagnosed in the last 6 months may request a complimentary hard copy of the 100 Day Kit or the AS/HFA Tool Kit by calling 888-AUTISM2 (888-288-4762) and speaking with an Autism Response Team Coordinator.
Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with autism. When families first get the diagnosis of autism, it can be difficult. Our hope is that the “100 Day Kit” will provide families with a greater sense of hope, with resources, and information that will help make those first few months just a little bit easier.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support.
Books for Newly Diagnosed Families
Recently, we asked our Facebook community, “What books about autism do you think are most helpful for newly diagnosed families?” We received nearly 300 responses. Below are some that we chose to pass along to you.
- Sherri suggested “the new one by Tony Atwood (The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome). My son is newly diagnosed at 20. My husband and family have found it very helpful.”
- Geri said “The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder is very informative … I would highly recommend it.”
- Laurel’s favorites are “Thinking In Pictures by Temple Grandin, Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet and, my current top pick, Toilet Training for Individuals With Autism or Other Developmental Issues by Maria Wheeler, M.ED.”
- Martha thinks “a good one for young kids who have Asperger’s Syndrome is All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome by Kathy Hoopmann.”
- Patty really likes the book There’s a Boy in Here by Judy Barron and Sean Barron. “It really helped me to understand my son. Sean Barron is actually the child who has autism in this book and he remembers all of his behaviors from when he was about three years old and on and explains why he did the things he did.”
- Dan recommends Fred R. Volkmar’s latest book, A Practical Guide to Autism: What Every Parent, Family Member, and Teacher Needs to Know.
- Christina praises Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm. “It has explained more in the 72 pages I have read than every professional has in the last six months.”
- Alischa agrees that “Louder Than Words by Jenny McCarthy really helped, especially the ‘non-accepting daddy’ part. It was reassuring that it (autism) happens to everyone, not just ‘us common folk’.”
- Shelley believes “there are a lot of great amazing books to get you started. I think I started with Let Me Hear Your Voice. Lee Ann Whiffen has an amazing book – A Child’s Journey Out of Autism. My advice to new parents is read everything you can get your hands on because knowledge is power. But one of my favorite books ever written on autism is by Portia Iverson – Strange Son. It’s brilliant.”
- Judith agrees with many members of our community. “Especially for the initial months, Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope That Can Transform a Child’s Life by Lynn Koegel. I call it my bible, and constantly refer back to it. The understanding it gave me for getting through the beginning was priceless; I would recommend this book immensely. It speaks plenty on recovery and overcoming symptoms, and how to achieve the victories.”
For a longer list of books, visit the Resource Library on autismspeaks.org
