A friend - whose parenting journey also has not been typical
- said that libraries have been invaluable on their journey.  Were they helpful for us?  Resoundingly, YES.  And there is one in particular to which I am
forever indebted: the Center for Disability Information & Referral, or
CeDIR:  (http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=34).  
This library is part of the Indiana Institute on Disability
and Community, which also houses the fabulous Indiana Resource Center for
Autism.  http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=32
We lived a few miles away from this incredible resource when
T was first diagnosed, and in those early days of his diagnosis, I would drive
to this library after dropping him off at school and sit in the stacks, pouring
through books.  I would check out several
books and videos at a time, devouring as much information as I could while he
was at school for 2 ½ hours each day.  
Looking back, we were so incredibly lucky to have lived so
close to this resource.  This being a
library dedicated to information on disabilities, it had and incredible amount
of scholarly books & videos that I simply would not have had access to
elsewhere.  And I didn’t have to pay a
cent for them.  So much of my early
education in autism happened because of the CeDIR.  
Psst…for those interested...here’s the beautiful thing: they
will MAIL you their materials if you don’t live nearby.      

 
 
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