About Amy, the Leader of NWILASG

Welcome to our Web site!

I started the group almost two years ago. I was looking for a support group to ask parents how they were handling the everyday challenges of raising a child with autism. What worked for them when it came to disciplining, working with the schools, what resources were out there to help parents get relief and help. When conferences or workshops were being held in the area. I got tired of asking people who didn't have kids with autism because they didn't understand what I was dealing with everyday and were sometimes judgmental on my parenting skills.

The whole thing about the group was to help parents network with other parents who understood and could give some words of wisdom, an insight to the future and a sense of hope.

I wanted parents to not look high and low for help and resources. Connecting the group to Easter Seals has been helpful for some but for those who still don't know, I wonder why, when we send our flyers to all the schools all over the place.

The mission for the group is to bring awareness to the community. Maybe someday we could have a Walk for Autism right here in Rockford. We as the group I feel that if more people attended our group meetings and learned more about Autism, visit our website and learned more, people would be more educated on how to handle individuals on the spectrum and be more supportive with the parents who deal with these everyday challenges.

For the future, I'd like to get the group registered with the State so when a major bill comes up or they want our input on how it may affect families they will come to us.  I want our voices to be heard.

Amy