"The condition of autism has a lot to teach us all." Tara McClintick

I had the privilege of interviewing an author, poet, teacher,loving wife, mother and outstanding resource for parents,teachers, and the community. Her name is Tara McClintick and I encourage you to visit The Books by Tara website. She took time from her day to answer questions, including our question of the week,
"What do you think is the #1 problem facing the Autism Spectrum Disorders community?" I will post the results of our poll next week, so please vote.

So it's my pleasure to introduce to you Tara McClintick!

MSAAF- What do you think is the #1 problem facing the ASD community?

Tara- One lack of good resources- trained people, finances to afford the programs that there are, and knowledgeable health providers, etc. By "Good" I mean qualified and effective.

MSAAF- And what do you think the community as a whole can do to help?

Tara- There are many ways the community as a whole can help if they are more aware of the issues...I'll list a few.

MASSF- Thank you!

Tara- One: Realize we are all in this together. 1 in 100 kids, these kids are the future. The condition of autism has a lot to teach us all. Two: Educate themselves through books and talking to families living with autism. No excuse with the Internet, we're everywhere now. Mainstream media is shaped by the funding. We have to start thinking of people and health.
Read, learn like we parents are doing. Besides, autism is in good company. The "incurable"
conditions abound, it's a matter of daily choices and taking responsibility!

MSAAF- We need to find ways to share our aspirations, ambitions, and goals for our loved ones with ASD...with our community.

Tara- Because kids with autism can be helped, but they require an enormous amount of support. We all can pay now or later...If we don't support the kids' develpment, and they are dependent their whole lives, that's a lot of kids society will be supporting. Three: Reach out any way they are comfortable. [Spend] time with kids, financially, politically...ask families what they need.

MSAAF- What we all get by means of TV, we should use like a hand in the dark; with a bit of light we should drop the hand. That's why I started The MSAAF Inc, to find help for people, by people who have been there.

Tara- I agree... Thank You! What about you, are you finding the same obstacles across the
country from me? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

MSAAF- Yes, we are. I have talked to people who don't have a loved one with autism. [They] tell me about a false sense of involvement that they get from some companies...they don't feel it's real (autism), they don't feel like our loved ones are real...It's sad.

Tara- You have my full support, shoot your ideas at me any time. I'll do my best to help. Our kids have things to say to the world.

MSAAF- Thank you for your support. I don't know what would be best, I don't think we will know till we try! But I do know that we will never stop looking! We need to keep hope in our minds and love in our souls.

Tara- Definitely , I am all about trying. Trying is more important than succeeding; because if we don't try, we won't succeed!

Thank you so much for doing this interview for The MSAAF Inc.