There are any number of advocacy groups to help children with disabilities (diagnosis is crucial to gaining access to services). I recently went to a "Transition Fair" geared towards young adults who are moving from school to life and/or college. There were so many vendors - everyone from advocacy groups, parks & recreation, public transportation, social services, two or three colleges, Goodwill... It was overwhelming but I did come away elated because there are so many options out there for that stage!!! I was glad I went to the fair years before we actually need to know this stuff because I can go again next year and digest more information.

I would also recommend lessons and activities outside the home. It's easy to drown in therapy and doctor appointments. If you have some lessons and activities activities outside the home geared towards your child's strengths, then when you leave the house it's not always, "you need to work on this," - it'll be balanced with "You really rock at this!"

- Mother of an autistic teen