The Beginning Road of Autism: The Queens Autism Meetup

Two and a half years ago, I heard those words from my daughter's child neurologist that changed my life forever: "Your daughter has Autism." Like any parent that has heard those same words, that day becomes a landmark in your life because it is the day you either make a choice to wallow in your self misery, or the choice to become something great!

I decided to become something great: an advocate for my daughter who has limited speech. I became her voice. Years before, I was a very introverted person. Always a follower, seldom a leader, then with this diagnosis, I found myself to be that voice and to be that leader for my child that I love so much.
Beginning your journey with Autism is very scary. It seems like you have been told to take a journey with no map, no compass, no tools! As the organizer of "The Queens Autism Meetup," I decided as much as I could, I would help those parents (in the Queens, NY) who were just receiving their diagnosis of Autism for their children by sharing the resources I have used and still use in my Autism journey.

For those parents in Queens, NY who need to know where to begin, if your child is not already in a special program, contact your school district. If you're child is age 2 - 4, you will be contacting the CPSE (Committe on Pre-School Special Education) department of the school district. (If you're child is 5 years of age and over, then you will be contacting CSE (Committee on Special Education) of the school district. Call 311 to find out what your local school district is. It is advisable for you to receive a formal diagnosis documented from your child's doctor in order to begin receiving all the programs and services that your child is entitled to. If your child is not already receiving E.I. (Early Intervention) services, he/she will undergo evaluations for gross and fine motor, speech, psychosocial, psychiatry in order to determine the best fit services and special program and class size for him/her. (The district will determine what evaluations your child needs to undergo.)