ONLINE FORUMS

Online Forums or Discussion Boards are websites where you can post your own messages on, or join in other peoples topics. Usually, anybody is welcome to become a member, this requires you to register and agree to abide by the forum rules, and you are required to login and enter a password each time you wish to post. Most also have a section where you can read the profiles of other members, although you only share information about yourself that you feel comfortable with. All forums have moderators, who ensure that members stick to the forum rules. Forums can be a very useful way to share ideas on subjects such as behaviour management, education, special diets or medications, and they can also to some members be like an online support group.

Listed below, are some Australian and international Autism Forums, the only one based in Victoria seems to be the Gateways forum but that appears to have not really been well supported.

Australian

http://www.aspect.org.au/forum/default.asp  NSW Autism Association Forum, probably the broadest Autism Forum in Australia so far, although the membership is understandably NSW based.

http://forum.asperger.asn.au/   Asperger Syndrome Support Network in Queensland, mainly for persons with Aspergers, but also sections for carers/parents.

http://www.gateways.com.au/htm/service/forum_indexp.htm  Gateway Support Services Forum, Victorian based but doesn't seem to have got off the ground.

International

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/default.asp  Large US based forum with over 2000 members, covering a broad range of topics, seems to have mostly US based membership but open to people worldwide.

http://www.autismtalk.net/  US Based Autism Forum, but with a worldwide membership, and a real support group type feel, with members who are both carers/parents as well as persons on the Autism Spectrum, covering a broad range of topics.

http://www.paains.org.uk/autism_forum/  UK Based Paains Autism Forum, a great place to be for information, help and support. It is for Parents, Siblings, Teachers, Carers and YOU.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/asandpartners  This is a semi-private forum for people with Asperger's Syndrome (or those with related issues) and their Partners to try learn from each other how to cope, support and to better our relationships. Whether it's marital, girl/boyfriend, or just friendships all related topics are welcome!