Learning About Autism

Sorry things have been a bit quieter on the Blog than usual, we've had a big couple of weeks that have seen our little Bubble diagnosed with high functioning Autism.
While her diagnosis hasn't come as a surprise to us (we have been on the 'specialist merry go round' with her for a few years now) there is a lot to find out in terms of local services and where to go from here.
As I'm sure you have all worked out already, she is an amazing, clever, hilarious little person and all we feel at the news is relief in being able to move forward.
ASD is diagnosed according to a deficit in three main areas of development; social communication, interaction and imagination.
Autism is a spectrum disorder which means every child (or adult) can be vastly different to the next in terms of their abilities, traits and behaviours and the severity of how their condition affects them.
Before having my own children I worked for over 7 years with many kids with ASD, and meeting each child for the first time always redefined what my idea of Autism was.
As a family we are doing our best to embrace Autism, we just can't see it as a negative when it is what makes Bubble who she is.
Even before her diagnosis we marveled at the way she seemed to see and interact with the world; fearing things that didn't need to be feared yet showing no fear for other things that required caution, obviously wanting friends but not always knowing how to go about it, interests such as weather maps and solar systems at a very young age and reciting the alphabet before she could put two word sentences together.
Unexplainable melt downs and sensitivities to things we couldn't see or hear, seeming to be deaf when her hearing was perfect, a strong need for things to be in their correct place at all times and for daily activities to be done just so, picky eating habits that resisted all efforts otherwise and an amazing memory that astounded us constantly. She is surprising, intriguing and often frustrating all at the same time.
It's not all sunshine and lollipops of course, I hope that isn't the image I'm portraying. We are confident and positive about Bubble's future, but there have also been many tears and battles and there will be plenty more I'm sure. In fact I think I owe my sanity to a very supportive family, great bunch of friends, India Arie on low at midnight and copious amounts of chocolate :-)
There is no reason Bubble won't live just as long and happy a life as the next person and we are very grateful for that, as well as very aware that the situation is so much worse for many other families.
I am filled with admiration for any parent who handles these challenges because it does make an already difficult job (parenting) even more difficult.
I don't mean to lecture or go on, there is still so much I can learn myself, but I would love for anyone who wants to know more to have a look at some of the links listed below;

Autism Spectrum Australia

Autism Factsheet

Autism and Aspergers Support Group

Autism Advisory and Support Service

Fed Up With Additives -
different things work for different families, but we are big advocates of Sue Dengate.

Stuff With Thing -
a great Blog about everyday life living with (two beautiful) Autistic children.

The Toy Bug Facebook Home Page -
The ToyBug was created by the mother of a child with Autism who struggled to find fun educational sensory toys for his therapy. Lots of great information and links as well as great toys, and a very wonderful lady also.

I would also love anyone with their own experiences or links to post them here in comments or email them through if you'd rather not comment publically. Im very much an information gathering type person (ok, ok, a nerd ;-D) and don't believe you can ever know too much, especially about a topic as diverse as this one.
So please be patient with us while we adjust and get our groove back, we'll be back at the craft table with bells on (literally probably ;-D) very soon.