Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Fri, 4 Sep 1992 15:47:00 EST
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         "V70A::DOMINGUERR" <DOMINGUERR%V70A.decnet@NPT.NUSC.NAVY.MIL>
Subject:      RE: Need info help

Bary,
   the following is a post I received fro Jim Sinclaire the Coordinator
for ANI and an individual who has autism. I thought it might help.

Bob D.
_______________________________________________________________________
The only other autism-
related computer forums I know of are the Developmental Disabilities
section of CompuServe's Disabilities forum, and the Autism forum on
Disabilities Electronic Network (DEN).  The number to log on to DEN is
201-342-3273.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              ANI is Here!


Announcing the formation of Autism Network International, the only
autistic-run self-help and advocacy organization for autistic people.
The goals of ANI are as follows:

   1) ANI is an organization run by and for autistic people.

   2) ANI will be a vehicle for autistic people to share information,
   peer support, and tips for coping and problem-solving.

   3) ANI is developing a computer network for autistic people.  In
   addition to a computer bulletin board, autistic adults have been
   asked to participate in a Big Pals network which would match them
   with autistic children for one-on-one computer correspondence.

   4) ANI will help autistic people who are unable to participate
   directly by providing information and referrals for parents and
   teachers.  This will include a list of autistic consultants and
   speakers, and a file of first-hand accounts of treatments and
   therapies that members have experienced.

   5) ANI will advocate for appropriate services and civil rights for ALL
   autistic people at all levels of functioning.  This will include group
   lobbying and educational campaigns, as well as individual advocacy
   (e.g., an ANI consultant attending an IEP or IPP conference with a
   family).

Membership in ANI includes a subscription to the newsletter, Our Voice,
which  will be published either quarterly or bimonthly, depending on the
amount of material submitted by members.  The cost is $15.00 per year,
payable in U.S. funds.  Checks or money orders should be made payable to
Autism Network International, and sent to P.O. Box 1545, Lawrence, Kansas
66044.  Additional donations are welcome and will be greatly appreciated.
ANI plans to file for federal non-profit status; however, at this time
donations to ANI are not tax-deductible.



                 Additional information for autistic people

ANI is OUR organization, and that means it's up to US to get involved
and make it work.  There are several ways you can do this:

1) You can write a letter or article for the newsletter.  Please remember
to type articles and columns, or send them on computer disk or by
electronic mail (GOLEM@UKANVM.BITNET or CompuServe 71020,101).

2) You can receive and be listed in the confidential directory, which
will be sent only to other autistic people.  If you want to be included
in the directory, be sure to indicate this on your subscription form.  I
will not list anyone or otherwise release information about anyone
without written permission.

3) You can write a letter to your local newspaper, your local Autism
Society chapter, and independent living resource centers, and tell them
about ANI.

4) You can sign up to be a speaker or consultant.  A list of guidelines
for speakers and consultants will be sent to anyone who is interested in
becoming one.  ANI's guiding principle is: "We only use our own
experiences to validate ourselves."  People can already get information
about autism from the professional literature.  Many of us are familiar
with the literature, but we can give people something beyond what they
can find for themselves at the library.  We should give them the insights
that come from personal experience.  If you're interested in doing this,
please attach a note with your subscription form, describing your
experiences and the kinds of things you're interested in speaking about.

5) If you see information about autism, programs for autistic people, or
stories about autism in newspapers or magazines, you can send copies to
ANI so we can have a library of this information.

6) If you've had personal experience with any autism programs or
therapies, you can write about it: What was it like?  Did it help?  Did
it make things worse?  Would you recommend it to someone else?  This
information will also be kept in ANI files and will be shared with other
people who want information about that program or therapy.

7) If you have ideas about how ANI can generate publicity or raise money,
you can send your ideas to the coordinator or the newsletter.


It will take all of us working together to make ANI a success.  I hope
you'll get involved!


                                            Jim Sinclair, Coordinator
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU