Groundswell
Awards 2008 Entry for Social Impact:
Autism
Support Network
The Autism Support Network
connects families and individuals touched by ASD with each other, provides
support and insight, and acts as a resource guide for treatments, strategies and
therapies.
With 1 out of every 150 children today
being diagnosed with ASD, autism is becoming an issue with great social and
emotional impact in our country.
Parents with children with ASD are often overwhelmed with the needs of
their children, finding assistance for them, and find a universe of data,
therapies and “cures” being marketed to them with little clear path or
guidance. For those that have
autism, particularly adults with autism, there are a whole host of other issues
including securing and retaining employment, the more complex social
interactions with others and, at times, stigmas associated with autism.
The Autism Support Network provides
one-to-one and one-to-many social networking tools wherein members can find and
receive support, answers and guidance from each other in a setting that is
embracing, and understanding.
As one of our members wrote, “I'm glad this site exists so that we can
share our thoughts and frustrations and even our good moments with people who
understand EVERY feeling and at least you know you’re not
alone.”
Though the Autism Support Network has
only been open to the public for two months, pages viewed have grown from 21,800
in the first 30 days to 52,300 with average time spent on site increasing from
4:07 to 5:03.
Our mission to help others connect
with each other gives us great joy as individuals who wish to help and who daily
live with ASD ourselves.