Online communites are popping up everywhere!

The advance in technology during the past decade has made it possible for people all over the world to communicate with one another. Online communities consist of groups of people communicating to one another through the use of a computer. A number of online communities exist, anywhere from Jewish teen groups to Ultima Online, a communication game in where thousands of people may play at any given time. Groups ranging in size from a few people to thousands or even millions of people are forming communities in cyberspace. Online communities are a great way for people to communicate to one another. People have the potential to learn leadership, communication patterns, group boundaries, cohesion, alliances and subgroupings. Online groups are quite different than in-person groups. The fact that communication is through the use of text only, hiding or altering ones identity, and equalization of status are all unique benefits to joining an online community. Children with learning or developmental disabilities are areas of extraordinary interest. I

currently teach a first through third grade class for the learning disabled at a local elementary school. Recently, a six year-old boy who has Autism has been enrolled in my class. His mother has been struggling, and has had much difficulty in raising him on her own as a single mother. Because Julian has recently been diagnosed, his mother is confused, and needs much support from her sons school and the surrounding community in which she lives. The tears of sadness in which poured from Juians mothers eyes, is what led me to want to dedicate my time as a teacher, joining support groups and chatrooms, to gather all of the resources I can to help Julian and his mother. My search will include participating in conversations with parents who have children with disabilities and other people in the community who might be able to provide some information and advice as well as various resources to, hopefully create a positive change in Julians life.

Autism is a disorder in which I do not have an abundance of experience with. My knowledge of autism is unique to each child, and that brain scans will show up abnormal, where the chemicals in their brains will appear to be different than that of a healthy child. I am also aware that children with Autism have many behaviors that may be exhibited, such as repetitive behaviors where a child may repeatedly touch his or her head or different parts of the body. Without the use of the internet, it would be almost impossible for me to know where to begin my search for information about Autism. I do not know anybody who has personal experience with this disorder. Entering an online community, where people have knowledge of Autism and personal experience from their own children, it is hopeful that I will aquire information, and be lead along many directions for the continuation of my search.

My online community research began in an Autism Chatroom. There I met a few women who I chatted with for a few hours. They were both very helpful, and also knowledgable about Autism. Both women have sons who have varying degrees of Autism. Abbies son was diagnosed with a mild form. Droras son has been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, which is included in the spectrum of Autism. It is also a mild form of Autism, but is characterized by a severe lacking of basic social skills as well as the occurence of obsessions. Not only did I learn a great deal about Autism, but both women provided me with many web sites to continue my research.

Last week on the televsion show, Primetime Live there was a special program on Aspergers Syndrome, a form of Autism. I was referred to this site where I could learn more about it, and wthe story that some families shared. According to the stories reported on Prime Time Live, Aspergers syndrome is a devastating neurological disorder that makes it nearly impossible for children to keep friends, carry normal conversations, or feel a full range of emotions. "These are kids who have a strong desire to make relationships, who want to fit in, who want to have friends.... and who over and over again have the repeated experience of failure, because they are not able to bring it off, s"ays Volkmar of Yale University. Aspergers Syndrome, with many similarities to Autism, affects a persons ability to interact socially, to develop communication skills, and understand emotions. Experts estimate that one in several thousand children live with the condition. Intense obsessions are also a symptom of Aspergers syndrome.

For example, "Chad Mearhoff is literally mesmerized by trains. Mikki Herbert is obsessed with washing machines and dryers, while Derek Preuss thinks life is a game show, where he is the host and anyone within listening range is the contestant. Though these boys are unable at this time to have healthy interaction with peers, there is no reason that anyone should give up hope for them. People with Aspergers Syndrome can learn to work on their social interactions. One man who grew up with Aspergers Syndrome says, Its almost like learning to play a keyboard instrument. You dont have the instincts, you just have to watch other people, and eventually youll get it right.You might have to make ten times the mistakes.... whereas somebody else might do it naturally.... I have to think about everything I do. "

Fred Volkmar, one of the leading experts in Aspergers Syndrome, from Yale University, is studying the genetic components of Aspergers Syndrome and the brains of people with the disorder. One thing that was found, is when children were shown pictures of human faces, the part of the brain that most people would use was not activated. Instead, the people with Aspergers Syndrome were more likely to look at faces with the part of their brain that most people use to look at objects. In other words, the rich but silent language of the face, is all but lost on a child with Aspergers syndrome. Many children with Aspergers Syndrome will also have delayed speech.

Experts say, the best strategy to deal with children who have this disorder is to use words. It is important for adults to help children talk their way through their problems. Experts feel that' if a child with Aspergers Syndrome is going to receive their schooling at a mainstream school, it is important that they have the right kind of supports available. It is reccommended that parents visit many schools before they choose one for their child. It is essential that the chosen school is willing to learn about the difficulties they and the child will face. Rosalyn Lord, of the Asperger Syndrome Coalition, also suggests, that the school secure the aid of Special Support Assistants, for a number of hours, each week in order to help the child with school work and in the development of a social setting in the classroom.

Through chatting in the Autism Chat room, I was led to primetime Live, a very important resource, in which provided me with a great deal of information about Aspergers Syndrome. Without this type of communication in the chat room, it would have been very unlikely that I would have become so well informed about Aspergers Syndrome. Other online communities will be discussed as well, and will offer a tremendous amount of assistance and support in my search for information about Autism. Talk City. is another online community, which offers support to parents who have children with learning or developmental disabilities. The chat room I participated in is known as Parents who Support Children With Disabilities. It is a room where people come to vent their feelings, or to just have fun and talk about life. The people in this chat room seemed to be quite friendly, and were quick to answer all of my questions. Many people were parents of children with Autism. Speedro has a son with severe Autism and also Mental Retardation. He shared with me some advice as to where to begin in helping Julians mother.Everyone that I chatted with agreed that the first step Julians mother must take, is in self- education, educating herself about Autism through the use of the internet and online communities. She should also consider joining some internet support groups, like that of "Parents who Support Children with Disabilities, "at Talkcity.com.

According to the women I chatted with, It is difficult to find people who are educated about Autism. People we meet in everyday life are unlikely to have knowledge of the characteristics of Autism. Even if people were educated, the Autism spectrum is extremely broad. Each child wiGth Autism is unique, and displays particular needs. Parents are more likely to know the symptoms and behaviors of their own child, but not always others. There are an immeasurable amount of good resources on the internet, that will most likely fulfill a parents needs. The group that I chatted with also feels that it is important for Julians mother to acquire an advocate, someone that will help her become aware of what her rights are, and to make sure her son is receiving the services he both needs and deserves.

Some time later, I spoke to more people in the chat room, "Parents who Support Children with Disabilities "at Talkcity.com. Again, they were very helpful in acquiring resources for me and introducing me to what is known as a message board. A message board is a place where a person can post any kind of message or question about a specific topic. People can respond to the message at any time, and are usually notiified by e-mail when there is a message board response. During my search for Autism message boards, I came along an Australian message board for a site known as an Autism Australian Forum. I posted a question, and it reads as follows:

"Hi. I am doing a research project on online communities for a class. I am looking for some information about your forum and how it works. I also have a six-year old student with Autism. His mother lacks resources in coping, so I am trying to help her gather some information. If anyone has good information, please share! "

A few days later, I received an e-mail notifying me that there was a response to my message. Someone known as "dad "replied to me by giving me quite a few addresses to different sites that were related to Autism. He also explained that at the forum people participate in group meetings. There also speakers who often come and talk about different aspects of Autism.

While conversing inside Talkcity.com, there came a time where I felt that I had actually played a role in altering the vibe of the chat room. People were discussing things that were completely off the subject of Autism. At the exact moment I voiced the desire for some advice in how to assist my student Julian, the entire mood of the chatroom had changed. Everyone began to offer their assistance. People were looking up sites and resources for me. At that time, I began to feel some kind of connection with my new-found friends. I never thought that talking on the internet to people I do not know and will never see could bring me so much personal fulfillment.

Cookie proclaimed," Ilevoeming here- not only can I get help and support regarding my kids, but I can also kick back and have fun, and try to forget all of my problems and headaches for a while."

Fairy spent the next half- hour in her search for resources for me. She gave me addresses to many message boards, and also what she felt to be reliable web sites for Autism.

Before having any experience with online communities, I have to admit wondering how and why people would spend so much of their time exploring the internet. Lets take my brother for example. He hides himself away in the garage everyday, only for me to find him constantly lost in cyberspace. Every time I come into contact with him, he is on the internet. There is hardly a time where he is actually socializing with real-life people.

Now having gained some experience with chatting online, it is easy to understand how people can form social relationships in cyberspace, except that it is a different type of interaction. Some people, like my brother consider the computer an extension of their mind and personality. Having chatted with a handful of people, I too began to experience the feeling of forming a social bond. I wanted to see what everyone looked like, and also to probe deeper into their personalities. A relationship online may be different than that of an in-person relationship, however I realized that it still can be a powerful one. When it was impossible for me to see the person I was talking to on the other side of the computer, I also found it difficult to go into the conversation with pre-judgements. My character seemed to become altered while online because chatting on line is such a new experience for me. I felt restraind in the beginning, but as time passed I was able to free myself more. While chatting, I was solely viewing different personalities and to me that was quite powerful.

Before beginning my research on online communities, I knew that there was a wealth of information stored in the internet, and had an idea of how to go about searching for it, but I learned that a search for information is much easier, when I let experienced people share their resources with me. I never realized just how much information existed online, along with chat rooms, forums, etc. I guess that is why the internet is also known as cyber space or another world. Sometimes when there is an overwhelming abundance of information, it is better to rely on people for some extra assistance.

Before spending my time doing research on Autism, my knowledge of the subject was limited. I learned so much about what Autism and Aspergers syndrome are and the spectrum of disorders in which they both include. It is now fair for me to say that I have some knowledge of Autism. Though I am not a doctor, I feel that I have a more clear view of how to assist Julian and his mother. Spending more time with Julian, and talking with many people I have come to realize that I do not believe Julian actually has any form of Autism or Aspergers Syndrome, contrary to what I believed before I began the research. Though Julian has mild obsessions, sometimes loses control of his actions, and has poor social skills, he is quite able to form bonds and relationships with people. Julian may show some of the symptoms of Aspergers to a very slight degree, but he can also be very manipulative in his actions. Julian is often quite aware of his actions and behavior. He chooses whether to participtate or not to participate in activities when he wants to. His mother however, believes that his problem is soley physiological with no emotional components. Julians mother took him to a psychologist on one occasion, and was thought by the psychologist to display Autistic like behaviors.

My personal feeling is that Juian does not have Autism. He may have something else going on, such as emotional and psychological problems, but not Autism. I believe his mother feels relieved with putting a label on him, because now she feels she can find some help for him, but its not that simple. Julians mother is in denial that he has any control over his actions. She wants to believe that he has no control. It is very important that Julian be taken in for comprehensive testing to be re-evaluated for an official diagnosis. It will be difficult to help Julian if nobody really knows what is happening with him. Before doing any research on Autism, I went from a very limited amount of experience, to becoming knowledgable about the disorder. Searching through, and chatting in online communities has been very beneficial for me. Not only have I gained experience in online communities, but I was also able to form relationships through chats, and to collect an abundance of information on Autism in order to help Julian and his mother. Online communities are great resources, and will absolutely be a large part of my future use and exploration.