Asperger Help

SPOKANE - It's a sobering statistic: This year doctors will diagnose more than 25,000 children in the U.S. with autism, which is more than new pediatric cases of AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined.

There are so many myths and questions about autism and one Post Falls woman admits that living life with an autistic child isn't always easy but she wants other parents to know life certainly doesn't have to end.

Thirteen-year-old Jimmy is like any other young man. He likes animals, reads books and has a sense of humor that can keep you laughing for hours.

"He's extraordinarily interesting. His thought process is fascinating," Jimmy's mom Sharon Link said.

By all appearances Jimmy is a typical kid although his mom says she feared at a young age Jimmy suffered from autism. At age eight Jimmy received an official diagnosis.

"It was devastating when I first understood what was happening," she said.

Suzanee Wright, the co-founder of the group Autism Speaks, urged the United Nations to name Tuesday the first World Autism Awareness Day. Wright says with one in 150 people now diagnosed with the disorder, the world needs to come together to encourage support and find a cure.

"With the U.N. awareness, the global awareness, we need global collaboration and the entire globe to come in and find the cure because this is a global epidemic," Wright said.

Sharon Link says she now has to consider Jimmy's future.

"It's an adventure in a lot of ways. It's scary in others," she said.

Since Jimmy's diagnosis Sharon has studied autism extensively, earned her Ph.D and now helps counsel other parents with autistic children, encouraging them to seek therapy at the earliest signs and offering constant reassurance...

"It's going to be OK. I want parents to understand that it's OK," Sharon said.
Living with autism

Visit KXLY for more great stories around the Northwest Rockies
Posted: April 2, 2008 06:50 PM
Raising awareness about autism
Story by:
Karina Shagren / KXLY4 Reporter

I was deeply moved by Mark Rosen's rousing testimony about the experiences of individuals with autism and the potential implications for parental discovery and educational applications. I applaud him for his courage in sharing his story, and also his bout with depression. I caution everyone to remember the underlying anxieties that individuals with autism express and the resulting impacts of depression. I was reminded again that I need to be watching for any signs of potential anxiety or depression in my own adolescent son. We must embrace understanding as a key factor in creating a "system of diversity" which honors and values the differences of others and their contributions.

It is so easy at times to become frustrated with the challenges of raising a child with High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome, particularly during the onset of adolescence. We are beginning that process at my house. We are seeing mood swings, higher levels of frustration and anxiety, and  the inability to successfully focus is becoming more pronounced - or so it seems. Organizational skills are also becoming a stronger area of focus for us as parents. I think because we are trying to hold Jimmy more accountable, because at this age, we are starting that short stretch to adulthood. These are times that require a little more stamina as a parent.  The stamina that is required is always present, and I keep thinking the demands will decrease, but I don't think any parent is ever prepared for the next bend in the road with this disorder.

This particular bend is driving me toward a deeper deliberation in terms of my own organizational skills. Check lists, reminders, filing systems, getting ready in advance, and PATIENCE are all the vehicles getting me around the curve. If anyone has words of wisdom or advice for this particular milestone, please feel free to post. Let's help each other.

S.

Thank you to everyone who participated in my workshop presentations at the OSPI and WASA conferences. My gratitude for your contribution to my learning is very much appreciated. I am attaching a copy of A Portrait of Molly as a slideshow presentation. Please contact me at SharonLinK@myway.com with questions or comments.

 Sharon

test

One of the central themes unveiled during data collection and writing my dissertation is the theme of maternal stress during pregnancy. Every single participant interviewed for my study experienced stress during gestation. Of the six women participating in my qualitative study, every single woman experienced stress during pregnancy.

Four of the women experienced an unplanned pregnancy and were not married at the time of conception. Each of these women noted that they experienced extreme anxiety due to this factor. Two of the mothers noted inadequate prenatal care was a negative factor during gestation. One mother experienced the tragic and unexpected death of another child during her sixth month of pregnancy. Another woman experienced trauma during the birth process itself and shared her experience of being told the baby's umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck at birth. She further noted that she sensed "something wasn't right" with her son, because the act of maternal bonding "seemed troubled."

In my own research, since discovering a potential risk factor, I am adding articles on maternal prenatal stress and negative outcomes to this website. To my knowledge, no study has been conducted connecting maternal prenatal stress and autism related conditions. However, we are societies ravaged by stress. In my own pregnancy, I experienced my own stress, including falling down a flight of stairs in my eighth month of pregnancy. I was deeply traumatized by this experience as well as others during gestation. My pregnancy was not planned, and I experienced stress due to this experience. I am also adding a poll asking you about your maternal stress during pregnancy. Please respond, as I need at least thirty individuals to participate in the poll. Also, I would be interested the story behind your stress. If you would be willing to share any part of your story or if you would be willing to be part of a qualitative study regarding this topic, please feel free to contact me via the contact page.

Thank you.

Steve Irwin will be missed. Jimmy loved Steve and collected all of the Crocodile Hunter toys and action figures. The Crocodile Hunter hooked Jimmy on reptiles and sea creatures. As a result, Jimmy would eventually fixate on aquariums and reptiles. We acquired six fish tanks (including a salt water aquarium as well as fresh) and a snake and turtle. The love for these animals and conservation of nature makes Jimmy wise beyond his years in unusual areas.

It was a dream for Jimmy to visit Australia Zoo and meet Steve in person. Terri is from the Pacific Northwest where we live and it just feels like this hits close to home. Steve Irwin will be missed for his passion and enthusiasm and the way he touched our lives and brought animals into our home. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Terri and her two children, who will now live without their Dad. Croc's Rule!

I have been working diligently on my dissertation. The purpose of my study is to explore the experiences of mothers of children with Asperger Syndrome. After interviewing other mothers and looking through an educational and systems lens, several themes have developed through this research. These themes include maternal stress, grieving and loss after the diagnosis, maternal advocacy, systems failures including medical incompetences, educational shortcomings, family impacts. I am looking forward to publishing my dissertation on this website when it is complete. The process of writing it has been cathartic for me as a mother.

Thank you to all of the mothers who are participating in my doctoral study. I am collecting potentially ground breaking data in terms of the maternal experience and raising a child with Asperger Syndrome. Today, I interviewed a lady who has a daughter with Asperger Syndrome. Her story is amazing. These children are all different and unique. I have found several themes already that will make a tremendous impact educationally, socially, and in the connections that we will build together as we continue to take this journey of mothering a differently abled child. These moms are truly a testimony of faith, resilience, and patience.

If you want to share your story, I am still looking for a few more participants. If you would be interested in this opportunity, please send me an e-mail. All names and identities will be protected.

Thank you again for your consideration.

To all mothers living the journey of parenting a differently abled child, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day.
Sharon