Autism Support Network & Parenting Special Needs Magazine Form International Alliance

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan 13, 2009 -
Autism Support Network and Parenting Special Needs Magazine today announced an alliance to help foster support and greater guidance for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).    The agreement syndicates Parenting Special Needs Magazine’s content to the thousands of members from around the world actively engaged in Autism Support Network’s free online community.  

Brian Field, co-founder of Autism Support Network, stated “Our members constantly seek additional direction and guidance in navigating the often difficult pathways of raising a child with autism.  The practical tips and real-life lessons -- shared from others that have gone through it -- that Parenting Special Needs Magazine is able to deliver to our members will provide valuable insights across our community.”

“We are proud to be associated with Autism Support Network and its broad global audience,” said Chantai Snellgrove, founder and editorial director of Parenting Special Needs Magazine.   “Our hope is by bringing together the ‘world-wide’ parenting special needs community, we will become stronger, using one voice to raise awareness and advocate for our children. Gaining tolerance and acceptance for all individuals with different abilities is a key mission of ours.”
 
Today 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism, with a new case diagnosed every 20 minutes and is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States today.  More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.  Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.  Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS).   Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

About Autism Support Network
Autism Support Network (www.AutismSupportNetwork.com) is a free global online community – rapidly growing with thousands of members around the world – connecting families and individuals touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with each other, providing support and insight, and serving as a resource guide for treatments, strategies and therapies.  

About Parenting Special Needs Magazine
Parenting Special Needs Magazine (www.parentingspecialneeds.org) is a free online subscription publication acting as a resource for parents, friends, caregivers, and siblings to “connect” with each other as well as to help with the many aspects that come into play when dealing with individuals with special needs.