Autism
and Surfing the Net
The Internet is an amazing
source for information on just about anything you can
think of. For many people, their first attempt to find
information about autism can be a very confusing
process. How do you know which websites are reputable?
Where can you find accurate information? The Internet is
often used as if it were a library, to access
information. However, the Internet lacks the checks and
balances of a library where reliable and valid
information is available because of a review system
involving guidelines for acquisition and accreditation.
A recent study by Chowdhury et al. aimed to
qualitatively evaluate the content of the Internet as an
information source for families of children with autism
and concluded that: “the challenge to parent consumers
is the identification and accessing of valid sites”.
(see reference at the end of this fact sheet).
We are often asked about
where to go on the net to find out more about autism. We
list below some local and international sites that you
can visit for information that is accurate, up to date
and for the most part written by experts.
AUSTRALIAN WEBSITES
AUTISM VICTORIA
Autism Victoria is a
member-based not for profit organization and
describes itself as “the peak body for Autism
Spectrum Disorders in the state of Victoria”. Its
stated aim is to “improve the quality of life for
people affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders, their
family and carers”. Autism Vic also provides a range
of services to individuals and agencies with an
interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders, including
Asperger Syndrome and PDD-NOS.
Autism Victoria
acknowledges the importance of cooperative
partnerships between parents, services and
professionals. Membership is made up of parents,
agencies and professionals working together to
achieve the association's mission - quality
services, systemic acknowledgment and public
awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the
minimisation of the distress caused by Autism
Spectrum Disorders.
All projects
undertaken by Autism Victoria seek to enhance and
extend the cooperative partnerships between
families, carers and services.
http://www.autismvictoria.org.au/
AUTISMHELP.INFO
This site is an
initiative of Gateways Support Services Inc. funded
by the Department of Human Services Victoria
Barwon-South Western Region. For the past 15 years
Gateways Support Services has provided support to
children and adults with autism spectrum disorder
and their families with a focus on services that
support inclusion and participation in family and
community life. In 2000 the Department of Human
Services conducted a review of services to persons
with ASD in the region. One of the findings was the
need to provide user friendly and readily accessible
information about ASD to universal service providers
to assist such services better include persons with
ASD. With this in mind, the site was designed to be
easy to use, practical and informative. Sections on
the site contain practical strategies and resources
tailored to the needs of professionals working with
children and adults who have autistic spectrum
disorder.
http://www.autismhelp.info/
BETTER HEALTH CHANNEL -
AUTISM
A site with concise
information about Autism; provided by the Department
of Human Services, State Government of Victoria.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Autism
HEALTHINSITE - AUTISM
A list of resources
and articles on autism spectrum disorders, including
Asperger's syndrome; the site is an initiative of
the Australian Government.
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Autism
INTERNATIONAL WEBSITES
AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA
A comprehensive site
providing information about Autism and research into
Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
The mission of the
Autism Society of America is to “promote lifelong
access and opportunity for all individuals within
the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully
participating, included members of their community”.
Education, advocacy at state and federal levels,
active public awareness and the promotion of
research form the cornerstones of ASA's efforts to
carry forth its mission.
The growing membership
base of ASA encompasses a broad, diverse group of
parents, family members, special education teachers,
administrators, medical doctors, therapists, nurses
and aides, as well as countless other personnel
involved in the education, care, treatment and
support of individuals with autism. Recognizing and
respecting the diverse range of opinions, needs and
desires of this group, ASA embraces an overall
philosophy which chooses to empower individuals with
autism, their parents or caregivers, to make choices
best suited to the needs of the person with autism.
At the very core of
the parent choice philosophy is the belief that no
single program or treatment will benefit all
individuals with autism. Furthermore, the
recommendation of what is "best" or "most effective"
for a person with autism should be determined by
those people directly involved - the individual with
autism, to the extent possible, and the parents or
family members. Providing information and education
to help in decision-making are more highly regarded
at ASA than is advocating for one particular theory
or philosophy.
http://www.autism-society.org/
NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY
The National Autistic
Society (U.K.) exists to champion the rights and
interests of all people with autism and to ensure
that they and their families receive quality
services appropriate to their needs. This site
includes information about autism and Asperger
syndrome, and about support and services available
in the UK.
http://www.nas.org.uk/
AUTISM CONNECT
Autismconnect is a
non-commercial web site, providing news, events,
world maps, and rapid access to other web sites with
information on autism.
http://www.autismconnect.org/
NINDS - AUTISM
The website of the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke (U.S.A.); provides information about Autism
and links to current research in the field.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/autism.htm
YALE CHILD STUDY CENTER
This site contains a
considerable amount of information about Autism and
Pervasive Developmental Disorders in general;
including links to research, clinical information,
FAQ’s, publications, and web links.
http://www.autism.fm/
INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC
TOPICS
COPING WITH GRIEF AND STRESS
MANAGING BEHAVIOUR
COMMUNICATION
SOCIAL SKILLS
PLAY
SIBLING ISSUES
DIETARY ISSUES
TOILET TRAINING
SENSORY DIFFICULTIES
REFERENCE
Chowdhury, J.,
Drummond, J., Fleming, D., and Neufeld, S. (2002)
Content Analysis of Online Autism Specific Sites.
Journal on Developmental Disabilities, 9 (2),
157-165.
www.oadd.org
NOTE
Information and web
links were correct at time of printing. Time For a
Future takes no responsibility for changes made by
the organisations referred to above.
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