Welcome

Whether you are just starting your journey through the world of autism or you are part way along, we hope this site will be a place for you to find information, resources and support that is current, relevant and useful to your family.

New to Autism Spectrum Disorder?

If you are new to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you are embarking on a steep learning curve, with lots of new words to learn and concepts to understand. We will try to help.

ASD is an umbrella term for a collection of developmental disorders that have some things in common – may exhibit unusual or repetitive behaviours, and impairments in the areas of communication and social interaction. ASD impacts each person differently – some less, some more.
Each person with ASD will be assessed at a point on a scale, which is determined by the severity of impairment in each area, ranging from high-functioning to severe. This is why autism is a “spectrum” disorder – everyone has impairments and abilities unique to them. For this reason, any intervention has to be tailored for that person individually.
There are many wonderful websites that can give you specific information on the common facts of autism - like Autism Speaks Canada

"Autism is a one hundred piece puzzle, each of us possess 10 pieces, the rest have a little more or a lot more." Dr. Tony Attwood

Autism Statistics

Health Canada currently gives the incidence of ASD as 1 in 150 or 160 children.
The U.S. Centre for Disease Control says 1 in 110 children in the U.S. have ASD. Some studies have put the rate of autism at 1 in 70 children.
Boy are 4-5 times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ASD, although the reason is unknown.

Research is underway in many countries of the world to find possible causes, better methods of early diagnosis, and more effective interventions.
Many organizations are now collaborating together or sharing data in order to expedite research into this mysterious disorder.

Why this website?

Receiving a diagnosis of ASD for your child can be devastating. We know – we’re parents of ASD children.
Misty has a son with Asperger’s Syndrome (and a neurotypical sibling); Cheryl has a son with classic autism (high functioning).
We remember the emotional rollercoaster of feeling shock, grief, despair, guilt, anger. With the help of other ASD families and professionals, we are muddling through. We want to extend a helping hand to anyone confronted with ASD in their family. We have learned that:

ASD is not a death sentence.
ASD is not contagious.
There is no “magic wand” to remove ASD.
Acknowledging that your child has ASD does not make you a bad parent.
Ignoring ASD will not make it go away.
Having ASD does not mean a person is stupid (many people with ASD are gifted, witty, responsible citizens that lead productive positive lives).
You have to play the cards you’re dealt. We didn’t ask to have ASD in our lives, but we choose to do our utmost to help our children fulfill their entire potential.
For some, ASD is simply a different way of being – one that should be accepted and embraced just like a physical impairment.