|
|
| How does this site work? What is it about? |
"Other people don't understand". Not true. Other people DO understand. However, you have to find the right people. Autism-Network.com is one way of trying to find right people. It's a way of connecting parents with autistic children together. It's a network of people with REAL experience regarding Autism (including PDD, Aspergers Syndrome, and other related mental health diagnosis). It's a way for parents to ask questions, share experiences, methods, joys, and frustrations.
This site is free and should be easy to use. Here's how it works:
- To browse the discussion forum, click the "Discussions" link at the top of any page. You do not need an account to browse the forum.
- To post a message to the forum (a new message or a response), you need to have an account, and you need to be logged in. The membership is free and confidential (autistic parents have enough bills to pay). See membership information regarding accounts, why they're needed, what their used for, etc.
- In the near future there will be a live discussion forum. Basically you'll be able to discuss issues with people who are logged on to the system at that instant. This will feature will be coming soon.
- That's it!
|
| Why do I need an account? What's it for? |
To post messages on Autism-Network.com, you need to have a membership/account. Your first name is the only piece of personal information displayed in the message posting. You can feel safe here.
Below are some reasons why we require an account on Autism-Network.com.
- Accounts are necessary in tracking your postings and responses. Without an account this would not be possible.
- By requiring an account, we can ensure this site has appropriate information. We don't want "spammers" posting non-relavent and inappropriate messages to this site.
Creating An Account
- Click the "Membership" link at the top of any of our pages, fill out the form, and submit.
- After you have saved your information, a verification/activation e-mail will be sent to your supplied e-mail address. The activation e-mail contains a link that you either must click on, or past into your browser. Once activated, you're set to go!
|
| How do I log into Autism-Network.com? |
To log into Autism-Network.com click the "Log-in" link at the top of any of our pages (upper left-hand side). Provide your e-mail address and password in the fields provided. Then click the "Log In" button. You will automatically be logged out when you close your browser. Below are some common reasons why login attempts fail.
If you have any other issues loggin into the system, please feel free to contact us.
|
| How do I post a message? |
Posting a message is easy to do. Just follow the steps below.
- If you haven't already done so, create an account.
- Log into the system.
- Enter the discussion forum by click the "Discussions" link at the top of any of our pages.
- Click the "Post A New Message" button at the top of the page to post a new message (Try to keep the discussions around Autism, PDD, Aspergers Syndrome, or other related mental health issues).
- To reply to a particular message, click the "Post Reply" button on the side of the page (must be viewing the message in details for the "Post Reply" button to be visible.
|
| How do I change/edit my message? |
You can change any message that you have posted in the past (including responses to others). To edit/change your posted message follow the steps below.
- Log in to Autism-Network.com
- Browse the posted messages.
- Find the message you wish to change (Choose "My Messages" from the "Display" list box on the left side of the page and click the "Re-Filter" button).
- Click on the message you wish to change.
- Click the "Edit Message" link.
|
| How does the search work? |
To search for matching postings, enter your search keywords, and click the "Search" button. Here is how the results are determined:
- Your entered search keywords are compared against all messages (the message body) posted to the site.
- The filters you have selected from the Discussion forum (State, Category, Dates, ...) are also included in the search.
- All messages posted to the site are compared against your supplied keywords. All messages that contain text "Like" your supplied keywords are returned. The message that has the most matches is listed first.
- Any keyword you type that is less than three characters is eliminated from the search (due to the number of matches that would occur).
- To discontinue searching, click the "Re-Filter" button on the left hand side of the page.
|
| What is the Buddy List? |
The Buddy-List is a way to create a group/network of your friends. This can be useful when you want to contact someone directly via e-mail. Please be advised that your e-mail address will be available to anyone in your buddy list. You accept the risk that is involved by doing so.
- Here's how it works
- You can request another member to become your buddy; or another member can request to become yours.
- If the request is accepted (and only if accepted), both members will be added to each others buddy list.
- You will be able to view the e-mail address of all members of your buddy list, and contact them directly through that channel.
- E-Mail addresses of your buddies will be available in the "Whos-Where" and "Buddy-List" sections of the site.
- The Buddy-List is a two way agreement. If someone is your buddy, then you are theirs, automatically. If one member decides to terminate the buddy-list, then the other is terminated automatically.
- Only accepted buddies, that have logged into the system, can view your e-mail address, and hence contact you directly.
- How do I request someone to be added to my Buddy-List?
- You must be a member, and you must be logged in, to add someone to your buddy list.
- When browsing the discussions, you will notice that the creator of each message is highlighted with a green link. Click the link to view the poster's details. Another link, in the member's details, allows you to request them to become your buddy.
- The Whos-Where section of the site will show you all members, and their "About Me" information. There is also a link to request the member to become your buddy.
- Enter up to 200 characters of text, in the supplied form, that will be sent to the desired buddy. That message will be sent, via e-mail, to the desired buddy.
- The requested buddy must click an "acceptance" link located in the e-mail, to accept the request.
- How do I view/change the status of my Buddy-List?
- To view/change the status of anyone in your buddy list, log in, and click the "Buddy-List" link at the top of any page.
- All members of your buddy list will be displayed. Click the "Status" column of the desired buddy to alter the status (terminate, activate).
|
| About the creator of this site |
My son was diagnosed with PDD NOS when he was 3 years old (although his signs were visible when he was 2), and was later re-diagnosed with Autism (which is fairly common with early age diagnosis). Like other parents with Autistic children, my wife and I spend endless amounts of time doing research, communicating with all of our son's wonderful educators (schools, therapists, etc.), and doing the best we can to improve our son's future. Our son is one of our prize possessions (his 17 month old sister is the other), and is worth every struggle we go through. This site was designed/created during my free-time (what little I have), and is dedicated to him. The site's purpose is to open a better communication channel than currently exists (in my opinion) for busy autistic parents. I hope this site becomes a rich source of information for others, as I am convinced that the people who know most about Autism, besides autistic people, are the parents of Autistic children.
|
| Contact Information |
Please feel free to use the link below to send any questions, concerns, input, etc for this site.
E-Mail: questions@autism-network.com
|
|
