Articles

• Autism articles from PubMed of the National Library of Medicine.  The articles listed here tend to be highly technical research papers, but careful searching of the articles can often uncover important and useful information.  Type the topic in the search box on the PubMed Web site. 

Forums

If you join one of these support groups, please mention that you found their group through Medconsumer.info.

• Ac-glbt · Queer AC's, partners, family, friends.  "This mailing list is for people who have autism, aspergers or a related condition and are also gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or questioning.
  
  Supportive partners, friends and family are also very welcome..
  
  Also gay, lesbian, bi or trans parents of children on the autistic spectrum and vice versa, may find this list helpful in some way." Yahoo! group.
• ADHD_Avision4Kids · ADHD /ADD ,ODD, OCD.BiPolar, Autism, Aspergers, Dysgraphia, Attention Deficiton, Bi Polar,Gifted,dyslexia,ETC.  "ADHD, ADD...This list is a Vision for our children, together we can support each other in any matter involving them..Advocate for them..even if just a bad day, new diagnosis, school problem, getting an IEP, 504 Question, questions about meds, knowledge about the IDEA99 the law that protects our children's educational rights and helps them get services needed, working together to ensure there future from preschool thru college. A list where we do not have to be afraid to say or ask anything. A list we will own together. It is up to us as Parents to work together so that we can educate the schools in educating our children. So that we can educate newly diagnosed families to get services they need. To take the knowledge we get from others and use it to help others. It is up to us to help all the children as Parents..we are the ones to give our children Vision...one child at a time...We can do it...join us in our quest for making the world learn to accept our children..help us share the vision we have for our children..
  
  Professionals are also welcome on our list...
  
  We are here for all learning disorders as well as behavior and neurological disorders such as, ADHD, ADD, ODD, OCD, ADHD and Learning disabilities, ADHD and Gifted, Bipolar, Autism, Aspergers, Dysgraphia,SID,anxiety, Depression, seizure disorders,hearing and eyesight disabled (deaf and /or blind. We are open to help all parents with Vision for there Special children. Please don't Spam our list with quack solutions. We take all our children very serious here and we advise any medical treatments be under your DR's care. We also have a fairly big link and file section please check it out.."  Yahoo! group.
• ASD-MS · Autism-Mississippi or ASD-Mississippi.  "Support Group for Parents and Family members of children diagnosed with Autism/PDD/Aspergers Disorders in Mississippi."   Yahoo! group.
• Assgonline · ASSG online - Supporting families touched by Autism,AD/HD etc.  "This club offers support to families, friends and relatives, who have children touched by any condition in the spectrum inc Autism, Aspergers, AD/HD, Tourettes, Dyspraxia, ODD, LD etc.
  
  We have grown to become a great family of friends who support each other and share the joy and heartaches our special kids can bring. If you are looking for a friend, a shoulder or a place to share your thoughts and experiances then this club is for you."  Yahoo! group.
• Aspergers HighFunctioning Autism.  "Asperger, Pervasive Developmental, HF Autism network."  Yahoo! group.
• AspergersUK.  "There are many lists now available offering help and support for parents,families and carers of children and young people with Aspergers Syndrome/Autistic Spectrum Disorder. These are great places but I have felt the need for a UK based list - So many methods of diagnosis and forms of intervention exist outside the UK that we are not always familiar with...so my aim is to provide a place where anyone dealing with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder can get together with others and share experiences, knowledge and support."  Yahoo! group. 
• Autism_Adolescence.  "Their is not a whole lot of research on the net about Autism Spectrum Disorders and adolescence. I am the Mother of a two sons. My oldest son has Aspergers Syndrome, and is 14. My youngest son is 12 and is classified as Autistic. I am hoping to connect with parents who have Pre Teen, or teenaged children. Though all are welcome here. Please free to share your stories, advice, woes, rants, tears, and especially laughter here with us.
  
  THIS IS A HIGH VOLUME LIST....we share a lot of different topics here, and some have absolutly nothing to do with autism. As the group owner, I happily agree to this because sometimes with the stress of living with an autistic child, you need to cut loose and laugh once in a while. However, I assure you that when support or just a friendly ear is needed, you will find that here..
  We look forward to getting to know you."  Yahoo! group.
• Autism_Maryland · List created for parents or professional.  "For families in Maryland with a family member with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the professionals who work with children and adults with ASDs. The list was created to encourage exchange of information between parents and professionals working with children with autism, Autism Spectrum disorders, including Pervasive Development disorder, Sensory Integration Dysfunction and Aspergers Syndrome. Ideas, concerns, support, resources, difficulties, strategies are discussed. Together we can accomplish what alone we could not."  Yahoo! group.
• Autism-Mercury.  "To discuss current issues related to the increasing incidence of autism the potential link between excessive mercury exposure via thimerosal in infant vaccines. Topics include: mercury detoxification ("chelation"), mercury-related issues/news, and vaccination-related issues/news. Most members are parents of children with autism, aspergers, ADD, ADHD, PDD, PDD-NOS, SID, oppositional defiance disorder, apraxia, speech disorders, and/or other related symptoms. There are many labels: you are welcome regardless of particular label(s). In addition to mercury, we also discuss other heavy metals (for example: arsenic, antimony, lead). Many parents here are in the process of chelation, with a child. This process is discussed in detail. Also welcome: mercury poisoned adults; other disorders/issues related to mercury poisoning; other biomedical treatments for ASD."  Yahoo! group.
• Autism-aspergers.  "This list is for parents and caregivers of kids with autism and aspergers, and any other duisability. I am the mother of 4 special needs boys, and I created this list to share stories, ideas, treatments, therapies, advice and support. It's a list where we can all make friends and have fun."  Yahoo! group.
• Autism_aspergers_chat · Autism/AspergersChat.  "This group was created to give to those who are on the autistic/"aspergic" spectrum a home where you can be celebrated for being yourself without the coercion to change and become something you are not or to take part in activities of no interest to you. Here there is no glass wall between you and others who are not on the spectrum and do not understand ... Here you can be yourself without prejudice or pressure. Please remember to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Spectrum humor is welcome, spectrum attacks are not. Share your hopes, dreams, loves, dislikes, interests, talents, fears, and wishes with us. In all probability, we have the same ones. Pull up a chair and feel right at home. Let's BE on the spectrum and BE our own cultural community. Who needs pretense anyway? Reality is always soooooo much better.. ( Above Artwork by Spectrum Artist "Aisling" who wished to share the two-fold meaning of Autism Awareness : 1) as it pertains to those looking into the spectrum needing to REAL-ize the fact that the Spectrum Personality is as much a whole person as everyone else and 2) The Awareness that dawns on the Spectrum Personality looking out of "The Invisible Window" allowing them to accept and BE who they *ARE* without regret or fear of rejection..."  Yahoo! group.
• Autismfamilycircle · Autism Family Circle.  "A place where families with autism and other special needs can come for resources, advise, encouragement. This Group was founded by a mom with 4 children on the Autism Spectrum; a daughter with Aspergers Syndrome, and 3 sons ranging from Aspergers to severely Autistic. Please feel free to ask and answer questions posted on the message board."  Yahoo! group.
• Autism-Lead · Autism-Lead Poisoning.  "Plumbism and Autism Network (PAN): To discuss current issues related to the increasing incidence of autism and the potential link between autism and metallothionein dysfunction and excessive lead exposure or exposure to other heavy metals as a trigger for autism. This group includes detailed discussion of lead detoxification, news about lead-related issues, and other heavy metal-related issues. Most members are parents of children with lead poisoning and autism, aspergers, ADD, ADHD, PDD, PDD-NOS, or related symptoms. Although the primary focus is on lead poisoning, we also discuss other heavy metals (for example: mercury, cadmium, arsenic, antimony). Much of the discussion on the list is about lead detoxification ("chelation"). Many parents on the list are doing lead chelation with a child. This process is discussed in detail. Other biomedical interventions for ASD are also discussed, to some degree. Lead poisoned adults are also welcome. Other disorders and issues related to lead poisoning are also welcome. Plumbism is the medical term for lead poisoning but the definition used by The LEAD Group Inc, Australia is intended here, ie a blood lead level above 10 micrograms per decilitre."  Yahoo! group.
• AutismMiddleSchool.  "This group is for parents of middle school age children on the autistic spectrum (includes autism, aspergers, pdd). We will discuss topics relevant to inclusion, behavior and education of children at these ages, and support each other. With all of us helping each other, *** IT WILL BE OK ***."  Yahoo! group.
• AutismRecoveryNetwork · Autism Recovery Network in Central Florida. A biological support group supporting diet, secretin, and other biological issues.  "Welcome, AutismRecoveryNetwork@YahooGroups.com is a list for Autism Recovery Network Members and others in Florida to discuss primarily biological issues in autism spectrum disorders. Topics include, but are not limited to GFCFDiet, secretin, research; immunological issues including vaccines; allergies; Florida doctors and therapists: Florida resources, national and state conferences and seminars: legislative alerts: governmental services and their providers; and all resources available to those with autism, PDD, PDD-NOS, Aspergers, HFA, ADHD/ADD etc. young or old." Yahoo! group.
• Australian Aspergers/Autism Group-Tarran.  "I wanted to start a mailing list in Australia to help other families like myself who have children with Aspergers/Autism and other related disorders.
  I know how difficult it is for familes to talk to someone else..
  
  Perhaps together we can learn to support and comfort each other through the trails and tribulations of special needs children.
  
  Come join our family and talk to us, we would love to hear from you no matter what creed, colour or country. We laugh, cry, question and vent but more importantly, we listen.
  
  Meg."  Yahoo! group.
• BeingSick · A global community of loving people who understand what its like to be sick or care for a loved one.  "We are a community of loving supportive people who understand what its like to be sick. We live with illness, injury, disability, or care for those that do. This group is a place where you are free to be yourself. Share your frustrations about being sick, friendships, family, and just about anything! We are the family who understands when no one else does! We live your life too! You are welcome to post in HTML, colors, send links, web pages, poems, inspiration, e-cards, jokes, chat in our chat room anytime! We are non-denominational, welcoming all races, ages, religions and cultures. We know how tough life is being sick, and we care. There is support for you here anytime you need us. You are not alone."  Yahoo! group. 
• Disability_Survivors · penpal group for the disabled.  "this pen pal group is dedicated to very special people around the US that has cerebral palsy, aspergers syndrome, ADHD, blindness, muscular dystrophy, albinism, waardenburg syndrome, treacher collins syndrome, tourettes syndrome, brittle bone disease, dwarfism, stickler syndrome, spina bifida, williams sydrome, apert syndrome, crouzon syndrome, spinal cord injuries, kline-felter syndrome, klippel feil syndrome, alopecia, multiple sclerosis, ataxia, polio, usher syndrome (deaf/blind) ohdo syndrome and other rare diseases or disorders."  Yahoo! group. 
• HomeschoolingExtraordinaryKids · Thinking Outside the Box.  "Is your child gifted in one or more areas but also has a learning difficulty?
  
  Do you have to "think outside the box" when it comes to creating curriculum to meet your childs needs?
  
  Are you having a difficult time finding "specialized" items for your child or resources for Gifted, LD or Gifted-LD kids?
  
  This forum will address all these issues. There is an ever growing database filled with information to help you! Database weblinks include topics such as curriculum, enrichment, summer camps, virtual field trips and international sites. The Links section covers local support groups in your area. This is a positive, forward-looking international forum with members from around the globe. It is not designed to hinder us with negative attitudes about how difficult things can be, but instead to stay positive, and find solutions to help ourselves and others!
  
  Keywords: Gifted, G/T, LD, Learning Disability, Learning Differences, Gifted/LD, PDD, Aspergers, Autism, NVLD, ADD, ADHD, CAPD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Bipolar, 2E, Twice-Exceptional, Creatively Gifted, Mathematically Gifted, Visual-Spatial, Home Schooling, Home Education."  Yahoo! group.HS-Plus · Homeschool/Unschool - Plus.  "This list is for families who are Home-Educating special needs children. We are here to support, encourage and learn from one another as we share our experiences, our struggles and our successes. We discuss many aspects of our lives here and little is considered "off-topic".
  
  Some diagnoses found here are Tourette Syndrome (TS), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD - ADHD), Bipolar Disorder (BP), Autism, Aspergers (AS), Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID), Dysinhibition Syndrome, various Learning Disorders (LDs), Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), Dyslexia, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD) and PDD-NOS (Not Otherwise Specified), Schizoeffective / Schizoaffective Disorder, Mosaic Down Syndrome, Anxiety, Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (JPA), Borderline Personality Disorder / Personality Disorder, Klippel-Feil Syndrome, Dandy Walker Syndrome, Seizures, Epilepsy and more..."  Yahoo! group. 
• Medconsumerinfo.  "Medconsumer.info is your starting point for searching the Web for medical information. This forum exists for you to discuss, ask questions, and answer questions about any aspect of health, healthcare industry, and any aspect of being a patient. Please take whatever advice you receive through this forum to your doctor before changing or initiating any medically-related behavior."  Yahoo! group. 
• rdibayarea · RDI Bay Area.  "The "RDI Bay Area" group is for parents &/or professionals involved with RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) for people on the spectrum of autism or aspergers. This list is to provide support, help share ideas of what works & does not work, answer questions for eachother, etc. As usual - it is not to debate methodolgies. Most of us are located in the San Francisco Bay Area (Northern California). For more info on RDI - see http://www.rdiconnect.com."  
• SIDCHINA2.  "Welcome to our group. It is open to adoptive families, primarily those who have adopted internationally. Our focus is on sensory integration disorder (SID) and other learning and behavioural issues that are very often present in conjunction with SID in post-institutional/ post-adoptive children. We hope, therefore, to look at SID, possibly in relation to ADD/ADHD, autism (including Aspergers syndrome), learning disabilities, PTSD, and speech and language delays too. We want to discuss what therapies our members use in conjunction with their professional therapists and we want also to discuss alternative therapies. We welcome families with children of all ages, because we feel that it is only as our children grow older that the full set and dynamics of their issues and disorders may emerge. We hope to help families not to self-diagnose, but use our list and our discussions to scaffold home-work and perhaps add to our children’s therapists’ thoughts on our children."  Yahoo! group.
• SoCal-Autism · SoCal-Autism Connection for families.  "A place for Southern California residents to exchange information about resources and events of interest to those with a connection to autism/PDD/Aspergers's etc. occuring in the Southern California Area. Please post about any event, meeting, service, program, or resource that you think will be of interest. This is not the place for arguments or theoretical discussions - just a centralized information source.  Yahoo! group.
• SpecialEdMom.  "I am the mom of a son, born 6/91, with hyperlexia/autism/Tourette, and a son, born 8/92, with Aspergers. I am an advocate for Special Ed. and ESOL children, a board and founding member of The Maryland Autism Recovery Coalition (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarylandAutismRecoveryCoalition),  editor of Outcry (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Outcry) and a current or former board member of several disability organizations in my area. I volunteer in my sons' schools, and successfully fought to place my hyperlexic son in full inclusion. He moved to his "home school" with his brother in 1999. This list is for anyone with an interest in special education, advocacy, and disability, who has questions to ask or experiences to share."  Yahoo! group.
• TASK-Tennessees-Autism-Spectrum-Kids.  "Everyone is welcome to join the list...even if you don't reside in Tennessee, you can find valuable information, links, and the latest research and news concerning autism, Aspergers Syndrome, Pervasive Development Disorder, Attention Deficit/Hyper Disorder, and Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
  
  While resources discussed will focus particularly on Tennessee, this list was designed to share information, offer support, and help connect people across the Southeast, particulalry in rural areas, whose lives have been touched by the autistic spectrum. THIS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR YOU TO LIST YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER'S CONFERENCES, MEETINGS, and EVENTS.
  
  Membership is open to everyone, and may include parents, family members, teachers, therapists, and adults on the spectrum. Topics for the list are flexible so long as they are related to the wide spectrum of autism. Autism articles and media alerts concerning upcoming autism events will be circulated to list members. Other topics might include therapies (speech, OT, PT, ABA, floortime, sensory integration), communication (FC, PECS, sign language), evaluations, behavior, diet, medication, education, funding, early intervention, TennCare, conferences, articles, book recommendations, siblings, etc. Humor used to lift spirits is also encouraged (it's great to laugh while we learn)."  Yahoo! group.         

News

• Autism news from Google News.

Organizations

• Autism Society of Alabama.  "Mission: To improve the quality of life of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families through education, advocacy, and support."

Photographs

• Autism photographs from Google Images. 

Videos

• Autism videos from YouTube.com. 

Web Sites

•   RDI.  Relationship Development Intervention.  "The RDI™ Program is:
  • a parent-based clinical treatment program where parents are provided the tools to effectively teach Dynamic Intelligence skills and motivation to their child.
  • about the joy in connecting: a path for people on the Autism Spectrum to learn friendship, empathy, and a love of sharing their world and experiences with others.
  • about changing neurology: a way for people on the spectrum to become flexible thinkers and creative problem solvers who enjoy the challenges of change and who desire to expand their world.
  • based on over 20 years of research by world's experts on typical development as well as scientific studies on people with autism.
  • developmental & systematic: a step-by-step program that focuses first on building the motivations so that skills will be used & generalized; followed by carefully and systematically building the skills for competence and fulfillment in a complex world.
  • realistic: a program that can be started easily, and implemented seamlessly into regular, day-to-day activities to enrich the life of the whole family.
  • precise: a method that measures and begins at the edge of each person's capability and then carefully but continually raises the bar.
  • effective: within 18 months, over 70% of children in our initial study improved their diagnosis based on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). The majority of children also moved from a special education to a regular classroom without needing an aide."