DailyStrength Provides Support, Advice for Caregivers of Those Affected by Autism

Los Angeles (PRWEB) April 24, 2008  As April marks National Autism Awareness Montha nationwide effort addressing the continued need to improve the lives of those affected by autisma range of new online resources has become available for people looking for support and help. DailyStrength is one such resource, a health-focused social networking site that serves as a home for support for families and caregivers of individuals with autismpart of more than 600 communities that provide real help and support for a broad range of health, social and personal issues.

In DailyStrength's popular Autism/Autism Spectrum support community, parents and caregivers discuss their challenges and successes in caring for autistic kids, share advice, and report on the effectiveness of therapies.

One Mom's Story

One mom, Trudy, got married last year at the age of 44 to her high school sweethearta man with a five-year-old autistic son, Adam. Trudy had never heard of autism before she met Adam, and was faced with "taking a crash course in autism" to learn to deal with a boy whose behavior was initially shocking to her. Desperate for help, she looked online and found DailyStrength, where she immediately connected with other parents looking for, and offering, support and advice. Trudy embraced the help she received and quickly became Adam's advocate. Adam was recently chosen to receive a $500 grant from Buddyball, an organization in his hometown of Clarksville, TN, that sponsors sports activities for kids with special needs. Adam has learned to bounce, dribble, and shoot a basketball, making three out of five shots, reports Trudy.

"DailyStrength's autism site has literally saved the life of a child who was in desperate need of help," says Trudy. "The members of DailyStrength have held my hand every step of the way, and the progress my stepson has made is unbelievable. In fact, Adam was just re-diagnosed from moderate autism to high-functioning autism due to his major progress in the past year. I have benefited so much from the guidance and advice of parents who live with autism every day. They truly are a group of genuine, caring people who I am proud to call my friends!"

More than an online support group, DailyStrength provides a place for users and caregivers, on a 24/7 basis, to meet others with similar challenges, share advice about treatment options, recommend doctors, explore local support resources, post photos and videos, develop wellness journals, state and track their health goals, and send "virtual hugs" to others.

About DailyStrength

DailyStrength offers hundreds of free online support groups [http://dailystrength.org/ for people seeking information, advice, and inspiration from others facing similar challenges, be it depression, divorce, grief, weight loss, breast cancer, parenting, HIV, or hundreds of other issues. Community members share experiences with thousands of treatments, recommend doctors, explore local support resources, post photos and videos, maintain wellness journals and send each other virtual hugs. In the words of one depression support group member, "This what the Internet should be used for. A real global community, supporting and caring for our fellow beings. Absolutely inspired and inspiring."

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