Posted by unregistered user at 7/7/08 11:46 p.m.

My husband is now a full time stay at home dad and has been for the past 8 years because our son has Asperger's Syndrome. Our son is now 16 and doing much better now and is now mainstreaming back into regular classes, but his early school years were really tough. We were always in school working with teachers and councilors that did not understand Aspergers. At one point we were told we may have to home school our son because they were not prepared to meet his needs.
Now my husband has been out of the workplace so long it is very hard for him to get a job. There is an unsaid discrimination when he tells them he has been a stay at home dad for the past few years. So I have to agree with your article. It has been tough financially with only one income.

Posted by Missoz at 7/8/08 8:40 a.m.

We have four children, one of which is not on the spectrum. Our youngest is in that "limbo" with early evaluation. Our oldest child is twelve and has a full diagnosis, or rather receives LTC services. On average, every two weeks there is an appointment, or a rough day.
It creates grief for fathers of ASD children at work, it is a very tough thin to explain, it is not as tangible or accepted.
When it is not a a specialist appointment, or an "all hands on deck" day, there is utter fatigue. My husband and I hope to switch spots, I am working towards a degree now, so he can rest at home with the children. I applaud anyone who is single with children on the spectrum, you have our prayers, support, and a huge cheering section.

Posted by unregistered user at 7/8/08 11:26 a.m.

This article is on target for our family. I am a physician who had to cut my hours to 20 a week and my spouse had to cut his job to 80% with a concurrent loss in medical benefits as we just can't get support or childcare. We lose all around as our child is very expensive and we never get to go out. Wrap around is spotty and inconsistent and when present allows me time to clean up messes made by our autistic child. Obama-I support you but "The churches will do more to help those in need????" for who. This entire community is struggling and the world is turning the other cheek.

Posted by unregistered user at 7/8/08 5:44 p.m.

My husband and I work different hours and only see each other on the weekend to accomodate the school board who whine far too often to pick up our son throghout the school year.

In addition we are unable to find "qualified" before and after school care for our son during the school year.

It's discrimination as far as I see that schools offer working parents services for typicial developing children and throw u to the curb if you want similar - typical response - go find your own worker and the child cannot stay in the classroom - only in Canada - pity!

Posted by Missoz at 7/9/08 9:43 p.m.

Dear Previous Poster,

(that sounded better than "unregistered user':))
I have personally gone through at elast six IEPs per year for two boys. For children who are on the spectrum, it is like teh school is silently adhereing to
Kant's Kingdom of Ends... in pure strait forward English, in order to be considered part of our student body you must be "normal" in their definition,( I am generalizing about Public schools not yours)
THe Key, the "pass go and collect two hundred :
HIlight your child's needs, or, Court Federal Rulings(C.F.R.s) and the school's inability to meet them. Their whining about money does not excust them from providing a Free and Apropriate Education(FAPE) for your child. The tactic? get very familiar with No CHild Left Behind. Use that to back your child's needs. Contact the Americans with Disabilities Association,(ADA) you can find a sample leter that staes you are asking for further testing. They will back pedal, they may even pale visibly. This sends the message to the IEP "team" that you have taken the time to really get into the law, how it is written and what exactly your child is entitled to. Yes, this is mom and Dad homework, look around at local support groups in your area for an advocate, as a parent it is very easy to become emotional and irrational, that will not get the results you want in an IEP. An advocate is someone who is well versed in the CFRs and education laws, who is safe guarded against the emoitonal thing. THere are some good schools out there. A needs based school will most likely be on the same page as you adn your child's tailored education.
I wish you and your family the absolute Best!

Posted by unregistered user at 7/10/08 12:25 p.m.

When my son was 16 and starting high school I thought I could return to work (as a teacher). I was fortunate enough to work right next to his school so I was close. I only lasted a short time though - it was just too hard to take time off for appointments, tests, IEP meetings, etc. Being a parent of a special needs kid is a full time job! Besides all the shuffling, scheduling, etc. the stress was just too much on the whole family! I was also wrong in thinking that since my son was getting older and was in regular classes that things would "get better". His high school years took more of my time and finances than when he was little.