I have an son with AUTISM in Massachusetts....People moved in with ten dogs next to him.ACO is no help(HELP!)?
454563
Iam very sorry that you're son has autism. The very best that you or your son can do is build a sound proof wall on the side of the house with the dogs. You also said that they escape sometimes, so why not put up a fence, although expensive, it can help.
777533
it takes some work, but its worth it. I explain to the kids that he was born different, and its hard for him to have a conversation, but he loves to play just like them. I keep my eye on the situation so if he or the other kids are getting frustrated I can step in and smooth things out. I have found that its better to let him play with kids just a little younger than him , they are usually closer to the same level. It helps to have them play with multiple use toys, like blocks, sandboxes, cars etc, rather than toys with specific uses that autistic kids may not want to do. Find a parent who is understanding too, kids pick up their attitudes to those different from themselves from their parents. IF you can find a support group you may find families with sibling without autism, and they will be used to socializing with autistic kids. Good luck.
730256
You most ceratinly have rights under the law in this area.  A consultation with an attorney is a must.  But, if it costs $100 or so, it may be worth spending.\n\nThere may be free legal help in your area if low income or senior.  It may help to contact the ACLU.\n\nGood luck.
1187392
2 dogs?  in 1 room in a house?   sounds like a bad situation to me... can't you leave them at a friends house?   I don't think you will be able to stay long with two dogs...I'm sure they are not happy about that - why be an irritant? \n\nCheers!
406087
Oh, No, NO, NO!!! Do NOT take his string away!!!  Do NOT try to break his habits, until you have gotten training in how to do it without making him withdraw any further from the world!\n\nAutism is a very tricky problem. He is responding to the world the way he really does see it. How would you like it if, every time you did anything, you were not allowed to do it?  No, you can't scratch your itches, no matter how much they hurt... No, you can't look at anything pretty or interesting? No, you can't do anything you enjoy doing?\n\nYou may not understand what he sees in that string, or what he feels that cause him to have his other behaviors.\n\nThere are special programs designed, through research and through the comments and suggestions of those intelligent autistics, now adults, who are able to communicate effectively, to help your son learn new ways of seeing his world, and learn new behaviors.\n\nHow old is he? If he is under the age of 22, he (and you) should be receiving specialized Autism programming through the public schools, with home training services linked through the school social worker.  If he is under the age of 3, you are eligible for service support in your home (Individualized Family Service Program). If he is age 3 or 4, he should be in a specialized preschool program. If he is ages 5 through 21, he should be getting specialized programming through the nearest public school.\n\nSee these links:\n\nhttp://www.autismweb.com/\nhttp://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/autism.html\nhttp://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer\nhttp://wwww.spedusource.org/
561582
Here is the best resource out there for tenant rights in Colorado:\n\nhttp://www.hud.gov/local/co/renting/tenantrights.cfm\n\nBut chances are that the limit on dogs in that rental house is based on the lease you signed when you moved in.  I would reread your lease and see if it states in there what the maxium limit for dogs allowable is.
892534
My apartment building burned to the ground on January 26,2003.\nApproximately 30 people including myself lost every thing they owned. I lost my car when the building collapsed and managed to walk away that morning with just my daughter, my dog and my purse. \nPeople from all over the county came together to make sure every family in that building had a place to stay that night.\nChurches and civic groups arranged to have furniture and housewares donated by merchants in the area, families donated \nclothes, housewares and more furniture.  Total strangers donated $ to a fund set up to help each family get into a new apartment and to make sure their utilities were connected.\nI worked at a car dealership @ the time and the owner of the dealership gave me a car to drive until I had saved up enough $ to pay for it.\nI had $96.00 in my bank account and an 8 year old daughter to support and was left with absolutely nothing due to something beyond my control and total strangers chose to help me and make sure that I had everything my family needed to get on with our lives.\nI have a completely new understanding of what people's kindness can do. I want to be able to make people realize that you can start over, all you may need is a hand.
503260
Hi.  My son is autistic.  He's twelve now, but was diagnosed at age 2 and a half. There are a few steps you can take.  If he was evaluated and diagnosed with autism, you should get a copy of the evaluation, as well as a copy of the official diagnosis.  I don't know when the child you want to assist was diagnosed, or how high functioning he is, but the very first thing you should do is try to get state funding for the various services offered.  You call your local agency necessarry for funding, and get an appt to do the whole application process. Where I live, the place I get funding from is called The Dept of Developmental Disabilities. Once you have funding, you will be assigned a case worker, who will talk to you about what services your child will need, and the best ones available. If you have the money to pay for these services yourself, that's ok, but it gets very expensive. Then go from there.From the way you described this child, I'm guessing you would do well with habilitation.(teaching lots of different things, mainly acedemics, some social behavior. Lots of public schools now have programs desined just for autistic kids. Look into that, because they learn so much in the classroom. For household activities, depending on what you are trying to teach him, I think you, and whoever lives with him, are the ones who need to teach that stuff. You need to be able to read his every thought, and act accordingly. If it's something he doesn't want to learn, he will resist and then he will associate that task with horrible feelings.  Know what he likes for rewards, and use a LOT of encouragement and positive reinforcement.General motor skills will often go for a physical therapist, and maybe an occupational therapist.  (one who specializes in the senses, and eases them into the various degrees of our senses) I know it's a lot to think about, and I'm sorry if I overwhelmed you. Good luck.
1071742
I used to work for a company (best in the USA) that worked with individuals with Autism.  I can tell you in the time I was there I worked with hundreds of individuals and thier family's . Each day I was in amazement in how these parents coped. such as the home I went into who had 2 twin boys age 2-3 (during the time I was there) I was in awe how the parents kept it togather these boys were second stage Autism and had some speach and were able to commuicate a little. however there textile needs were out of hand. The family had to literaly bateen down the hatches everything was nailed down or tied shut or latched in some way or another in the almost 2 years I worked with this family and children they actually had calmed down enough to make eye contact keep thier cloths on say a few words and one actually potty trained. They sat at the table to eat and no longer climbed ontop of EVERYTHING. Everday I went to work knowing and hoping I made a difference in someones life ( I visited and average of 10-30 individuals a week) and that a milestone might be met that day (milstones maybe he sat and put his hands on the table for five seconds, or that he made eye contact, or followed directions from a parent. I would go home everynight glad that I had normal healthy children yet sad for the parents I had to leave each night to deal with thier battles, many of nights I would cry on the way home wishing I could do more for them all. \n  There is a great sight you can go to that has everything you could ever imagine on Autism no matter what you are looking for it is there. "More atusim related links than you can shake a stick at"  www.isn.net/~jypsy/autlink.htm\n    Good luck with your surve and what you might do is contact your local organization that deals with these indiviuals and ask them if you could have them hand out a questionaire prepared by you, espeially if this is for a school paper or something of the sort.
458770
Check with national autism parent support sites like\n\nhttp://www.autism-society.org\n\nor\n\nhttp://www.php.com/\n\nGood luck!
776497
I don't believe that they can evict him, AND require him to pay the balance due on the entire lease, unless the rent was listed as a total yearly amount, on which he was making installments.  I would have him contact an attorney, or Legal Aid to find out what his rights are.  He could always contact the Department of Children and Familes to see if he qualified for some subsidies, but getting the government involved can be risky too.  You have to be willing to let them into your home.
677279
I'm trying to understand your question...  I'm not sure what a PCA is (some sort of home care giver or helper?).  I'll go with that assumption.  There are tons of qualified & trained people out there looking for work.  You don't have to settle for third-rate help!  Fire this person.  I'm not understanding the whole poopy pants thing--- twice a week!  But anyway... that should be washed out EVERY TIME they're pooped in... not a few times a week!\nI realize that your son is autistic and how difficult that has to be (especially depending on the severity).  My grandson is also autistic (high functioning).  He was finally potty trained at 4 years and he's been accident free ever since!  Keep working with your son; don't give up.  I know it's not easy!!  \nYou have enough on your plate.  Fire your worker, and keep trying new ones until you find one who does things the way you want/need them done!  Good Luck!
177527
I am a parent of a child with mild to high functioning autism. I have tried some support groups online and am not happy with them. Feel free to email me anytime at sbirch5@yahoo.com. I know what you are going through. I would love to hear about your child.
861070
I have been an advocate for my brother for the past 35 years and have taught and worked with families with special needs kids and have a child of my own with special needs.  I live in PA so I don't have specific contact info for your state, but here are a few ideas:\n\nGet your facts together and practice having a calm and patient attitude with the people you contact - this will go a long way to getting what your child needs.  \n\nAs your child's best advocate, you need to have all the info about the child's diagnosis, and specific current needs that you & all the people working with the child have discovered.  Take notes, ask for info in writing, and be able to summarize the most important info for new people you contact.\n\nYour first resource level is the people who work directly with your child -- ask them for their ideas about what services your daughter needs most & how to get these services.  Could the therapists work with your daughter during the period before or after the 1/2 day kindergarten so she does not miss classroom time?  Schools are ususally good at accomodating therapists and should have some office space set aside for this.\n\nThe next level is the special education coordinators from your school & district.   If the IEP calls for programs they cannot provide directly in your local school, they can pay for your child to get these services at another school or district.  (you may have to weigh the impact of a longer bus ride on the child).\n\nIf the district cannot answer your questions, you need to find out about resources at the county level - the county office of your state's department of education.  \nTalk to your State Representative - they usually have district offices, and their staff helps constituents (voters like you) solve problems with state government offices.\n\nDoes your school district have an organization of special needs parents?  Meet with these parents, especially the ones who have older kids and have been through all this, they are really good at helping you advocate in an effective way while keeping on positive terms with your shcool staff.\n\nIf several other parents are facing similar difficulties and have not been satisfied, you may have more of an impact if you approach the school administration together and calmly but firmly discuss alternatives to legal action.  Letter writing and showing you are serious and united in your concerns may get things moving.  \n\nRemember not to get negative or confuse issues like ESL classes (not all Spanish speakers are illegal),  The more prepared and calm you are -- the more you will be taken seriously.  Over the years I have seen so many parents successfully guide their special needs kids and I have seen so many improvements and accomplishment  -- all the meetings and appointmnets and seminars and time spent with special kids really is worth it!  God bless you & yours with plenty of love & patience.
625463
This is one source of this story http://www.oregonlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1146882329307730.xml&coll=\n\nThe army only investigated after this story was in the newspaper. The parents contacted the recruiter and were told, " He is a man, he doesn't need his mommy making his decisions." They offered to bring his medical and school records as proof of disability and were blown off. The newspaper article was their only recourse to keep their disabled son safe. Shame on the this recruiter! I hope he is dicharged and severely reprimanded.\n\n\n\n**** As for holding jobs YES an adult with autism IF CAPABLE should hold a job to have some sense of accomplishment, to have something they can be proud of. The military is NOT the place for adults with autism. There are laws that prevent the disabled from being harassed by recruiters for a reason. There is a BIG difference between Xbox games showing military ops and the real deal. Severe anxiety, sensory issues, communication delay's and social delay's are just a few symptoms of autism and make it impossible for an adult with autism to serve in the military.
529486
My daughter and son are both adopted (daughter's parents still living, son's father still living) so I understand what you are going through.  What seemed to work was explaining to our kids that you can love lots of people lots of different ways.  There's Bio-Dad and Mom love, and Adopto-Dad and Mom love, and Big Sister love and Little Brother love, and kitty-cat love, and puppy-dog love.  And, just because they played differently with the kitty-cat didn't mean they didn't love the puppy dog,and vice versa.  They loved both of them, but loved them diffrently, and that was OK.   Using the dog and the cat as examples was more expressive to them and helped them grasp the concept of it being OK to love different things differently and not feeling guilty about where (and to what/whom) their attention was focused.  What you do need to be careful about is any jealousy your ex-husband undoubtedly has, because any subliminal expression of this could add to your son's guilt of loving a new dad. It would also help if you could possibly get your ex to explain that it is OK to love his new daddy.  I think one of the things that also helped both the kids through that was they were both in the same boat so they did have each other as support mechanisms.  Perhaps there is a support group or other parents and children who are going through similar adjustments that you can connect with, as it may help your son to know he is not alone and other kids are going through the same thing he is.    Good luck...I'm glad you and your son found a good man.
893832
I assume you have a Psychiatrist.\nThis is only adding to your disorder - the stress.  Ask him/her for help.  There ARE people and/or places who will take animals for a "vacation."\nDo NOT avoid getting the help YOU need because of this.  As you said - you're no good to your pet (what's a chi?) in your condition.  What would happen if you were not here to be with him?\nAlso - Hospital social worker should be able to help. There are a lot of good people out there who would take him for awhile for little if any cost.\nDo you have a Social Worker with Adult Protective or Social Services?  Someone will help!!  First - you must help yourself!!