GreatGrandparents for Autism Advocacy, AK. Anchorage

Welcome

Our desire is to create awareness and support for families of children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders such as Autism Spectrum and Asperger's Syndrome. PDD is an ''umbrella term'' for a group of disorders that includes Autism, Ausperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS and others.

These Disorders are not physiological in nature or caused by psychological factors, they are neurological disorders that affect a child's ability to communicate, understand language, play and relate to others.

Autism is referred to as a Spectrum Disorder--the symptoms can occur in any combination and with varying degrees of severity.

Aperger' s is considered as a Syndrome Disorder where the patient may not have All the associated signs and symptoms.

With both Disorders, NO two patients or diagnosis are the same.

The prevalence of Autism today is 1 in 166 births. It affects boys 4 to 5 time more than girls.

We are not experts, just two Great Grandparents and Legal Guardians of a 14 yr old 8th grade young man. We are willing to share our experience in parenting, special education and other information gained over the three years in Middle School and 11 years prior as aware Great Grandparents looking on.