FAMILIES WITH AUTISM: A PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
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FREE SEMINARS!
Members of Orange County's professional
community have come together in a truly
amazing show of support for
"Families With Autism."
Click on "meeting schedule" on the
navigation bar to discover meeting times,
location and speakers.
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But hope awakens us like a
light shining in the darkness.
-Dwan J. Young
Hope is the anchor of our souls.
- James E. Faust
A LITTLE ABOUT US
When I took the picture shown at the top of this page, I was entranced by the beauty I saw there. But I
had no idea how much the sun light shining through the dark foreboding storm clouds would come to
symbolize my journey from despair to hope.
I snapped this incredible photograph on a day trip our family took to San Diego. My husband and I have
four children; three boys and a girl. It is our youngest son, Tanner who has been diagnosed with
Autism. At the time of this trip we had just recently received the diagnosis. Tanner had just turned
seven, and had been misdiagnosed several times over the years before we finally found out what was
really causing all his symptoms.
Those were definitely days of grief. The dark clouds really had gathered, and I mourned the death of the
dreams I had borne for my child. It took a while for the clouds to part so I could see the rays of sun
light that had been there all along. The clouds had obscured the sun, but not destroyed it. The sunlight
shone through. It came with words of wisdom from my Mom and Dad and other family members. With
support from my husband and children as I ran Tanner from school to Occupational Therapy and other
places, making dinner often late and thrown together. But most of all, It came as I took my grief and
longing to my Father in Heaven. For a long long time I could not think too deeply about it without
weeping, or at least getting choked up. It didn't happen over night, but now, all of that sadness has been
converted into action. And hope.
This support group is a manifestation of that hope. I hope that I can help others while at the same time
helping Tanner. I hope that Tanner can find happiness and fulfillment. And I have hope in a loving
Heavenly Father who is always there for us.
Special Thanks to Dennis and Helen Griffith for so
generously providing the meeting place.
We can never thank you enough!
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Who We Are and What We Do
Families With Autism is a parent support group started by the parent
(me) of an autistic child. Frustrated in my efforts to find a support
group near enough my home to make attending regularly a
possibility, I finally decided (with a nudge here and there by others),
to start one myself! So, with lots of help and support, Families
With Autism was born!
Our goal is to provide support to parents at no charge!! We believe
all people deserve to have someplace to go where there are others
who understand and sympathise. Here you will find parents helping
parents, and professionals from the community who donate their
time and expertise. We do not charge dues to attend our meetings,
or fees to attend our seminars. We invite you to come visit and see
if our support group is what you have been looking for.
-Jami Leavitt
Families With Autism meets the
second Thursday of each month
(unless otherwise noted)
from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
For the address and a map, click on
"Meeting Schedule" on the navigation bar.
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ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS
FOR DISEASE CONTROL ONE IN
EVERY 150 CHILDREN IS ON
THE AUTISM SPECTRUM.
To learn more about Autism and its
characteristics double click on this box or click
on "About Autism" on the navigation bar to
the left.
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