| Having an autistic child or dependent adult is very | | | | Another major function of an autism support |
| draining on both caregivers and relatives. Knowing | | | | group is to offer positive support to the autistic |
| how to advocate and care for you your loved | | | | child, and their caregivers by providing an |
| ones, while increasing general awareness, and | | | | atmosphere of encouragement and a safe |
| caring for yourself are essential day to day | | | | environment to vent and express one's emotions |
| necessities that require your immediate attention. | | | | without fear of reprisal or judgment. This positive |
| The best resource to help you cope with an | | | | support will help break down barriers, and allow |
| autistic child or dependent adult is an autism | | | | positive accomplishments to flourish and be |
| support group. These groups bring together | | | | recognized. |
| professionals that are experts in the field of | | | | All the positive support in the world will accomplish |
| autism and those who interact with autism on a | | | | nothing without building a solid foundation for |
| day to day basis. Together they use this forum | | | | education and the support group must promote |
| to swap ideas, and encourage, and educate each | | | | educational programs to increase the knowledge |
| other. An autism support group to be effective | | | | of its members and prepare them with the |
| must play five critical roles on a day to day basis. | | | | information needed to be able to care for and |
| Partnership and Comprehensive Support | | | | support their loved ones. As an educational |
| An autism support group must help bring people | | | | resource the support group becomes tasked with |
| together and aid in the formation of partnerships | | | | the responsibility for disseminating information |
| to encourage interaction and growth between all | | | | about the disability, its symptoms, and |
| involved. This support will provide a foundation | | | | treatments, and to provide support for the |
| upon which the groups members will grow and | | | | families with autistic dependents. |
| participate in the educational opportunities that are | | | | Advocacy |
| available and help match the needs of the autistic | | | | The final and most critical function of an autism |
| dependents with the needs of their families and | | | | support group is their role as an advocate to |
| caregivers. The support group should also provide | | | | protect and educate those that do not |
| Comprehensive support that is directed towards | | | | understand autism and often neglect the needs of |
| the objective that all autistic dependents receive a | | | | the autistic patients as a result. An autism support |
| complete or traditional education designed | | | | group must represent the autistic community and |
| specifically to the needs of the autistic. | | | | push for the needs of the autistic community at |
| Positive and Educational Support | | | | large... |