What is ASD-DR?
My name is Dawn Marcotte and I have a daughter who was misdiagnosed with ADHD in Kindergarten. she was correctly diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome in 2nd grade but only because of a chance conversation I had with another parent.
We didn't have any idea where to take our daughter for a diagnosis and treatment so we just got a referral from our family doctor. The specialst we were sent to did not specialize in Autism Spectrum Disorders and so did not diagnose our daughter correctly.
Unfortunately this problem is all too common. There is no national database available for parents to search to find doctors, therapists or clinics in their area that specialize in Autism. Some states have a partial database available, but it can be hard to find.
I want to change that by creating an online searchable databse of specialists. I want this database to include contact information, specialties and recommendations by families who have actually used that clinic, doctor or therapist. I am thnking of something similar to an Angie's List, but specific to Autism health providers.
This is a huge undertaking and I need help to make the website a reality.
What Do I Need From You?
I need 3 things right now:
1. Donations - See the list below of specifics
2. Help getting recommendations. I can only recommend the doctors and therapists we have used for our family. I need lots of people to send me their recommendations. Here is a link to a form where people can submit their recommendations. http://eepurl.com/AVoY1
3. Spread the word. If you can't donate I understand. I know how finanically draining raising a child on the spectrum can be, however you can share this project with others who may benefit from the website.
My goal is $2000 so that I can:
Pay a programmer to create the website - $540
Puchase the domain name - $15
Pay for WebHosting for the first year - $800
Pay to crowd source gathering specific information - $460
Pay a graphic artist to create a logo - $100
The items are listed in order of importance. If I don't get all of the money I can still launch, it will just take longer for me to gather the information myself.
If I happen to raise more money I will use it to purchase needed items for our local school - they have a fabulous program and I want to ensure it continues.
This website is so important for families with kids on the Autism Spectrum. It will save them time and effort - 2 things these families don't have a lot of. The website will also have lists of web resources for families. Often parents feel isolated and alone - we are not alone, but having other adults who understand the difficulties is essential to staying sane. I want to create a database that lists support groups and social media sites.
I also plan to provide links to resources recommended by parents and families.
This is a website that has been needed for a long time.
The Impact
As a contributor to this site you will help ensure that these kids get the help they need sooner. Studies have proven that Autism can be treated and early intervention is key. Delaying a correct diagnosis may mean no access to services. A delay of even a year can make a huge difference in the life of these children and their families.
We are one of the lucky families. We happen to live in a city with some of the best Autism specialists in the country. While our daughter was not diagnosed correctly until she was in 2nd grade she was recieving services through the school in Kindergartend and firts grade. The autism program in our school is fantastic (Thank You Miss Courtney) and our daughter learned a lot. However we were not able to get her into additional therapies until we had that medical diagnosis.
Once we did we added some additional social skills, behavioral therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and sensory integration therapy to her schedule. She has blossomed into a smart, funny, loving 14 year old who is looking forward to a career as a fiction writer.
This is my first campaign to raise funds as I have self funded my other website, www.thingstodowithkidsmn.com
Please help me make this a successful campaign.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please share this campaign with others on your social media of choice, through email or just telling a friend.
It is vital to get the word out to as many people as possible, not only to help fund the site, but to get as many recommendations as possible to help parents make the most informed choices about medical care for their children.
Thank you so much for your help.