Nothing hostile in your post, just frustration and pain, but if it were hostile, I would say you have every right.

It's a pretty sad state of affairs. I had access to "the best" private facility in Michigan, and, while overall pretty good, some aspects were really lacking. I could certainly tell which staffers were dedicated and which were phoning it in, especially the attending physician who was a completely useless idiot.

do you have an ARC near you? they might be able to give you some help with your son. I volunteer for an organization that tries to mainstream children with disabilities into recreational programs, finding that it helps them to associate with other children of varying abilities, one of their partners is the ARC and they do a great job with autism.

Is there a thread here where people can support you? I post on a board where we try and help each other with our problems, giving advice or personal experience to help. I know so many people who struggle with their children's or their own problems,

With the internet, we should never have to suffer alone.

I hope your daughter is better and that there is someone who can help with your son. Life is not fair and some people get the short stick, but there should always be support.

I would have to say in the past 3 months we have made more progress than in 14 years. We qualified for the McKay grant, and enrolled him in butterfly effects. They send an aid out 4 times a week sometimes at school, sometimes at home. They help him with social skills and school work. It is a godsend.

Our daughter got out of Coastal Harbor in Savanah November of last year. We moved up there temporarily to be with her from Florida. She did have a minor setback a week ago when a boy in her school grabbed her and started stroking her hair. The boy didn't mean any harm but she regressed a little. Through therapy and support here at home she is becoming what a 16 year old girl should be.

As far as the Internet goes, I just started utilizing it for help. The more I search the more I find, like this place. I wish that wasn't the case. In a more perfect world we would all walk in to an office and 30 brochures would be placed in front of us for options of help and support. Butterfly effects and the McKay grant were all there for the taking after jumping through some hoops....and after actually finding out that they existed. I will now also be checking out what ARC is. Thank you for that.

After edit: just checked out their website. None here in Tampa but it looks like there could be some good resources on the website. Thanks again.

I know the difficulties, My aunt had a down syndrome child about 60 years ago and everyone told her to institutionalize her child but she refused, I was very young then, but I understand now how much it meant to her and how hard it was. I think she would have many more resources now.

I wish you and your family the best.