Autism Research

I am brand new to this website, although I have accessed it often. I am a new grad (BSN). I have a prior degree in Public Health Science and a minor in Early Intervention. I worked for one year as an EI and came across many families with autistic children. These cases were always the hardest for me, as I did not know what to do for the families. That is part of the reason I became a nurse instead.

I would really like to go back to school to become a NP with a specialization in something related to autism. I have always known I wanted to work with special needs children, but I didn't know exactly in what way....

If has finally hit me!!!! I really want to research and provide care for families and children affect by autism, anywhere on the spectrum. Especially in the city I am from, I am not finding ANY true autism specialists. We have an autism division of our DDSNB, but they are overrun with families simply seeking an answer to WHAT is wrong with their children.

As a new nurse, with limited experience, and the economic downturn of society. I am seeking help as to how I can get more involved in autism research and care. I feel like the only want to really learn about these vastly different cases is to become involved with the families in some way.

I will move anywhere I need to, attend school again (I want to anyway), and truly want to devote my life to finding an acceptable solution for at least some families. I would eventually like to bring my research into practice back in South Carolina, where I live now. Does anyone know of any locations where I can get involved with these types of families and possibly start helping with research. Development Peds I know is where I need to be... I am just looking to get more involved.