Autism Family Online is a private, member-only, resource for those interested in supporting individuals with ASD and their families.

 What is the vision of Autism Family Online?

Autism Family Online is more than an online community...it is an extended Family where people connect, share what they know and gain information to build on their present understandings. We all have a common goal...helping individuals with ASD become participating family members at home, successful students and adults whose needs and desires are met.

 Who is a typical Family member?

It takes a lot of Family members to make Autism Family Online a success. Parents, Teachers, Psychologists, Psychiatrist, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Behavior Therapists, Autism Consultants, Social Workers, Doctors, Dieticians and many more. Each has training, experiences and information to help us understand some of the mysteries of autism. No one discipline has all the answers.

 Tell us a little about yourself or what is your background?

I am Linda Hodgdon, the publisher and founder of Autism Family Online. For more than 30 years, I have been working on the frontlines as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Autism Consultant. The majority of children with autism are visual learners. One of my goals is to teach people to use visual strategies to help these children understand better.  An equally important goal is to help others become better communication partners with these individuals.

 Why did you start Autism Family Online?

To interconnect everyone involved in helping individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The puzzle piece is a symbol that represents the mysteries of autism. But another way to think about those puzzle pieces is how they link with each other to create the bigger picture of the autism spectrum. But here is the caution. Reading a book or attending a workshop will give us some useful information. But that is just a piece. Each of us cannot presume then to know everything. We need to share with each other our understandings from our professional disciplines and our personal experiences with this population.  I want to learn more about what you know. I want to teach you what I have discovered. And if we link our understandings . . . think of the possibilities.

 How did the vision for Autism Family Online come about?

For me, Autism Family Online is a matter of the heart. It has been my mission to find the most successful parents and educators of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and learn their secrets. Realizing there was no single treatment program or one best answer to meet the variety of individual needs, I surveyed educators, families, therapists and related ASD specialists. The feedback was conclusive - the need for a central location where people could quickly get their questions answered and find relevant information they could use immediately.  That is how the vision for Autism Family Online was born.

What are the benefits of becoming a Family member?

Families and schools are strapped for time and resources. Autism Family Online provides practical, easy-to-find information on a variety of topics in one location at an exceptional value. From downloadable one-page articles to short video and audio clips, it is full of short, sweet things in useable bites. 

 What content is available on the website?

Autism Family Online contains one-page articles, short video and audio clips, reviews of educational tools, Q&A forum, expert interviews, picture libraries, case studies, advice from professionals and parents, and product ideas - all from the view point of current educational best practices.

 How often is the content updated?

New content is updated at least weekly on Autism Family Online. Each month includes a special segment that targets specific topics for parents, grandparents, therapists, and educators.

 Who provides content for the website?

Autism Family Online is advised by a board of professionals and Family members with extensive experience in ASD educational support. Contributors include specialists in autism, communication, Asperger's, sensory integration and parents.

There are so many websites and non-profits already providing information. Why is there a need for Autism Family Online?

Think about a puzzle and how the pieces connect. Each piece has a unique color and shape. Its shades and designs are distinct and different. When you hook many pieces together you begin to create a different picture.

That is a model for how we need to work together for solutions to the challenges in autism. Each member of the Family brings unique information and understandings. The interactive part of the site is very important.  It offers the opportunity to share what you know and to learn from others.