Autism support groups?

Question

my son is three years old and recently diagnosed with autism. I have him in speech occupational and behavioural therapy but how do I find a support group for parents? I find myself feeling alone alot of the time because of the fact that I cant take him many places and I get really disscouraged and thought it would help if i could talk to some people that are in a similar situation. I am in Billings Montana, any idea on how to contact one?

Answer 1

Montana may be a bit thin when it comes to having needed resources for you  because of the small population.  Three resources in your area are:

Mental Health Association of Montana:  (406)  442-4276

Lincoln County Help line: [phone]

Montana Regional Mental Health Center:  ask Help Line for the phone number - it was not available on line.

Good luck.

Answer 2

try websites like autismspeaks.org or cureautismnow.org. also check with your local chidren's hospital.

Good luck!

Answer 3

go to autism search on the internet and they will post lots of groups and you will find a group in your area.

When my son was diagnosed at 3 we loked up autism wisconsin groups and found groups in our state too help us

Answer 4

You can contact the website called Meetups, to get together with others interested in Autism near you.

You can go to www.DailyStrength.org

to meet online with other parents & get info & support, free, 24/7 from nice people with lots of help & suggestions & caring!

You can contact the local Special Ed. Local Plan Area (SELPA) to see if other parents want to get together.

You can contact your local regional center for the developmentally delayed & inquire there about parent support groups, too.

You can contact the Autism Society of America about local groups in your area.

Answer 5

Go to the websites for autism groups like Autism Now, National Autism Association and check for links to local groups.  Also, the ARC will have information.  You can also check with your local Easter Seals society to see if they know of anything.  Finally, ask the special ed co-ordinator for the schools..they often know of places and groups.  The school psychologist and your pediatrician may be helpful as well.  Montana may be tough, so you can also check online for groups...Yahoo groups has hundreds of autism groups, there are autism groups on MySpace and Cafe Mom as well,

Answer 6

I am the mom of an 11 y/o boy with autism who who was diagnosed at 2y/o. I have been a member of an online support for almost 8 years through yahoo groups called Parenting Autism. The women and men there have become like a family to me. We share our children's struggles and triumphs , we lift each other up when we are down and laugh when we need to laugh. here is a link http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/par...

Hope to see you there :)

my yahoo ID for messenger is haleigh_anna4u if you need an ear. Good luck!!!

Answer 7

The school district I work for has birth-3, pre-school, and special needs kindergarten. Try your local school district, they will eventually be educating him anyway. They may know of other resources as well.