A Web Site

I've been trying to put together a website, directed at parents in my hometown. I want a place where people can find local information. When I first found out about Nathan's diagnosis, I wanted to find support groups, and people familiar with autism. I had all kinds of questions about what kinds of doctors to take him to, what daycares or babysitters work well with autistic kids, suggestions on how best to deal with his issues. I asked the review board at the school if there were books I should look for, and they told me "anything by Tony Atwood." They also told me to get that book "Can I tell you about Asperger's Syndrome?" (I do love that book.) I'm still wondering if there are music or art teachers that are good with Aspies, or Cub Scout leaders, or team sports coaches. I've heard that there may be schools in the area that might be better for autistic kids (at least middle schools).

Anyway, I tried to gather up all the info I had, and put it in one organized place. I even put all the sites I found for awareness merchandise. (I just realized I have inherited "a cause" now). I don't know if the website is all that helpful yet, but I hope it will be. I'm hoping the local autism community will contribute to it. I need information in there for services, for one thing. I'm still finding out about that stuff. I hope to have more info soon, too, about medical considerations.

I started this blog, with the idea of giving newly diagnosed families a familiar voice. I think it really helped me to talk with other parents, and to find out they deal with very similar issues. It helped to feel less alone, to connect with someone else who "gets it." I'm hoping other parents might share their blogs, too, or maybe even be willing to start one up as well.

One thing that became painfully obvious to me was that I have difficulty in relating to other mothers. While they are worried about their kids performance in the basketball game last night, and how much stuff they sold for the PTO, I'm worrying about ISPs and new physical therapies, or worrying about my son being beaten up on the bus stop. I just don't seem to have much in common with the other mothers, and it is a terribly lonely feeling. I guess I'm hoping a blog could be a place where another mom might find something she could relate to.

I was surprised at how much I could personalize this blog. I chose the puzzle piece background, because puzzle pieces are the nationally recognized symbol for autism. They symbolize the puzzling disorder we cope with. The multiple colors symbolizes the diversity of the people who deal with autism, and how no two children with autism are the same. So I used multiple colors for the blog as well, and incorporated the puzzle pieces. I used the same colors and patterns on the website I built.

I have it parked on my old website, but if the support group approves of the idea and the website, I will go ahead and purchase a suitable domain name.