Customize your website

  • Print
  • Send to a friend
  • Comment (6)

Reader-submitted Article :
 Struggling with ASD





Published on October 3, 2009
Published on October 3, 2009
Tricia Muldoon

I would like to start off by telling you a little about myself, My name is Tricia Muldoon and I am the mother of an 11 year old boy who lives with a condition called Aspergers syndrome.  Every day is a struggle for us from school to home to finding activities outside of school that can accomodate my son, he is a bright, funny, energetic young man who faces challenges on a day to day basis.  I am finding that as his mother I face challenges as well, my husband and I work very hard to provide a safe place for our family and yet it feels that every direction we turn we are let down in some way.

I have been eagerly searching for some sort of support group for the parents of ASD children and keep coming up empty handed.  If you or someone you know is feeling the way that we are I would like to know, in hopes that we could pull together as a group and offer each other some sort of support and maybe even just some time to sit back and relax a little, a break from the everyday challenge. 

If you are interested in such a thing I would like it very much if you would contact me at triciamuldoon@hotmail.com and let me know.  Maybe we together as a community can help one another to understand that we are not alone in this world full of chaos.

Thank you for your time and understading

Sincerly,

Tricia Muldoon

Comments

  • Username
    connie
    - December 9, 2009 at 16:34:30

    This is a VASTLY misunderstood disorder; no two children with this disorder are alike, i.e., it is a spectrum disorder. A one-size-fits-all treatment simply does not work. Everyone that works with these "amazing" children need to be more knowledgeable, better educated, and better trained about this complex and hugely misunderstood disorder. These "amazing" children can and will flourish with our understanding and compassion (and it goes without saying, with the appropriate educational and medical services).

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Wanda
    - December 9, 2009 at 16:24:31

    I empathize with you, as I have a daughter with Asperger's. However, her life has been one of turmoil involving the social services dept and the police for many years for behavioural issues. She was not diagnosed until she was 14. I envy those parents that can go out in public without being frowned at for their child's behavious. Who children get invited for sleep overs and birthday parties. Whose children don't have to continually follow up with social workers, mental health workers, child protection services, etc. She is an amazing human being, and I am going to advocate for her to the end. To all of you with 'normal' children, give mine a break, would ya?

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Cheryl
    - November 24, 2009 at 11:00:26

    Tricia, I truly understand how you are feeling. My oldest son is 7 and is in the process of being tested for Aspergers and a son who is 5 and has ASD. The YMCA on 7th and Hall just opened up and there are counsellors there that work directly in the ASD feild and are working on programs. If you drop in you can speak with someone about some help like possibly a respite program if you need a bit of a break. As for after school programs we have our 7 year old in violin with the Moose Jaw Youth String Orchestra and they are very accommodating and your son may do well as ours is.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    prairiegirl
    - November 17, 2009 at 19:13:41

    There is an Autism Consultant at the Five Hill Health Region in MJ -- according to her job qualifictions she should be able to provide or referr you for services for your child. If you are let down once again, contact the support network that meets at the Union Hospital every Third Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m. These parents have been through the same thing that you have been experiencing -- you will find understanding, support and information from these parents.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    connie
    - October 22, 2009 at 16:45:46

    Tricia, you are not alone -- every parent is experiencing the identical problem that you are in that every direction they turn they are let down in some way. Something is terribly, terribly wrong when parents are consistently let down. Perhaps a letter writing campaign is needed to alert Sask. Learning and Sask Health that you are being let down no matter what you do and how hard you try to get services for your child. I hear this from parents over and over, again and again. Something is terribly wrong.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    A Parent
    - October 5, 2009 at 09:02:52

    There is a local parent support group in Moose Jaw. They meet on the third Sunday of every month at the Union Hospital at 2:00 p.m. Since October is Autism awareness month the support group will have an awareness information table at the Town & Country mall on Oct. 31. Please contact aspergerssupport@sasktel.net to get involved.

    Submit a Comment

Submit a Comment

Submit a Comment

This form is NOT used for emailing the article to a friend. Please use the "Send to a friend" link at the top of the page for that purpose.

The Moose Jaw Times Herald is not responsible for posted comments. Please be polite and confine your comments to the subject of the posted story. If you have an account, please sign on to it..

(we keep all emails private)
Agreement

We ask that users remain courteous. You may not post insulting, discriminatory or inappropriate content, which may be removed at our discretion. We are not responsible for user content and opinions. Use of this site as well as content submission & ownership are governed by our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.

Member organizations should be non-profit in nature, and promote legal activities. Any organization found promoting illegal activities or commercial products or services will be deleted from the site.

I agree with these conditions.

Advertising

Services

SmartEdition logo smart

Newsletter

Please enter your email to receive our free newsletter

Subscribe to news alerts

Expert bloggers

Warriors Notebook
Blogger
Matthew Gourlie
Warriors notebook

More bloggers here

Ad Finder

Advertising