The Autism Spectrum Parenting LiveJournal Community

Being a parent is often challenging, but parenting kids on the austism spectrum (autism, aspergers, PDD-NOS, etc.) presents special issues. Many of us are also on the spectrum. This community is for autistic and non-autistic parents of spectrum kids, and is intended for discussion and mutual support. A few ground rules:

• Cures: There's no single known cause of or cure for autism. Some of us don't even think the word "cure" is meaningful. So please don't use this community to advocate for "curing autism now".
  
  
• Manners: Many people with autism find social skills to be challenging, so please do your best to be considerate in your posts, and try not to take offense should someone post something you find objectionable. We need patience as much as our kids do.
  
  
• Non-autistics: Non-autistic parents of autistic children are welcome, but please be aware that there are plenty of other places you can go for support as well, and not as many places for those of us on the spectrum.
  
  
• Undiagnosed Parents: Occasionally, a parent might be unaware of or unwilling to admit to their own place on the spectrum. If you think you see one of these, please be gentle. Unsolicited armchair diagnoses are not usually helpful.
  
  
• Non-parent or non-spectrum: If you're not a parent, or your child has non-spectrum issues, there are other communities you may be interested in, such as:
  

  asperger		Asperger Syndrome Community
  asd_families		Family of individuals affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorders
  aspecialparent		For parents (only) of special needs children
  autism		Autism Awareness Community
  teaching_autism		Teaching Children with Autism
  aba_vbt		For anyone interested in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and/or Verbal Behavior Therapy (VBT)
  altparent		the Alternative Parenting Community

  
  
• Membership: This community has open membership (you don't have to be approved). Once you're a member, you can create new message threads. Please post an introductory message sometime after you join. Non-members can't create new message threads, but may post comments, which will be screened.
  
  
• Animated icons and blinking text: Please avoid these in your posts to this community. Some folks find them to be overstimulating.
  
  
• More information: You may find some of these links helpful:
  Celebrating Autistic Parents
  Resources by and for persons on the autistic spectrum
  Autism Network International
  Moggy's Autism Spectrum Links
  

Community maintainer redlami is an aspie parent of three kids at various points on the autistic spectrum, and is not a therapist or practitioner of any kind.