October 24, 2005

Autism Education Network launches first online parent directory

The Autism Edu-cation Network recently launched its flagship online resource known as Parent Directory. It’s a free searchable database for parents and families of children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The database acts as a matchmaking service for families searching for answers and assistance to deal with the complex issues of raising a child affected by autism.

“Until we find a cure for autism, education is our best hope,” said Michele Waterman, Executive Director of the Autism Education Network. “Using technology and the power and accessibility of the Internet, Parent Directory will revolutionize how families connect with and gain support from other families.”

The first-of-its-kind Parent Directory is free and can be found on the Autism Education Network’s Web site www.autismeducation.net. After clicking the link for “Parent Directory” users can create a personal and secure profile including biographic information such as city, school district, age and diagnosis of the child. The database allows users to define each search based on any of the profile criteria.

“As a mom of 15-year-old twins with autism, I know the frustration and anxiety that builds managing their daily needs while juggling the responsibilities of special education programs and attending to their medical issues,” said Janet Lishman, Outreach Director of AEN and Cofounder of The Bay School in Santa Cruz. “Our hope is that the directory enables parents throughout the country to locate families in their community to not only gain support but to maximize the use of local resources.”

“The Parent Directory is customized to help parents of children with autism connect with other parents and search biographical data specific to autism,” said Gene Austin, CEO of Convio, the software provider that developed and maintains the database used for Parent Directory. “Our technology solution will enable families to better educate themselves about autism and also provide important support to one another, improving the lives of children affected by autism and advancing the Autism Education Network’s mission.”

Experts say reported cases of autism are on the rise, which makes the need for the Parent Directory more pressing than ever before.

“Autism diagnoses are increasing rapidly,” said Gary Goldstein, M.D., a scientific advisor for Autism Speaks and President of the Kennedy Krieger Institute. “No one’s sure whether the increase stems from increasing incidence, better diagnostic methods, or a combination of the two, but in any case, it’s obvious that many people are interested in this issue now and want something done to improve understanding and treatments.”

As many as one in 166 children have autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up from 1 in 2,500, in 1995. Autism affects more than 1.77 million Americans making it more prevalent than childhood cancer, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis combined.

The disorder affects the way children learn, communicate and interact with others. Families have struggled for years to understand how they should approach treatment. Support services in the autism community have been fragmented at best.

“This Parent Directory is a breakthrough,” said Peter Bell, CEO of Cure Autism Now. “As a parent of a child affected by autism, this convenient and user-friendly platform of connecting parents will be incredibly helpful.”

“If you are a parent of a child with autism, you have to be an educator, an attorney, a doctor and a politician too!” Waterman said. “No family should have to trudge the road of autism alone and now they don’t have to. As a centralized online support database, Parent Directory makes it possible to unite millions of parents and families affected by autism to leverage our collective knowledge, to find strength and to give hope.”

For information, visit www.autismeducation.net or call (408) 558-9404.