abbykorinnelee

I am a 32 year old mother of four children and currently one child is on the Autism Spectrum and is 9 years old.  My oldest son, 12 years old is in gifted education and just scored in the 100th percentile in Math.  I was born and virtually raised, in California and call Canoga Park in the San Fernando valley my home. I currently changed residence to the state of Wisconsin to live near my family.

I graduated with honors from Canoga High in 1997.  My passion was always the military.  I was born on an Army base to an enlisted soldier mother and enlisted turn officer father in the Navy.  My father spent roughly thirteen years in the Navy and we lived in Japan and Scotland by the time I was seven years old.  I attended Cal Poly Pomona briefly before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps where I was enlisted for a brief three months.  Discharged due to unknown condition of asthma.

 I married a Marine and was a marine wife for six to seven years at the Naval Base in Lemoore.  I pursued my education in psychology at the Community College then later at Ashworth College.  With over 80 college units I still do not have my degree.  Next year I will be going back to work when my youngest child starts school and also attending college online. I will be finishing my Psychology Associates and pursuing my Bachelor's in Special Education.  Due to the extreme need nationwide for educators experienced with Autism Spectrum Disorders; I will be also attending another online university to obtain certification in Autism and education.

My second child, who is 9 years old, is diagnosed with High Functioning Infantile Autism that we believe is actually Regressive Autism caused by childhood vaccinations and other environmental factors; Sensory Integration Disorder and perhaps a Conduct disorder. He is mainstreaming with much difficulty into third grade currently. My son has never been medicated but because of his age now and the violent meltdowns we are reconsidering.

I was a very active parent advocate at the elementary school on post in Fort Stewart for special education with emphasis in ASD, ADHD, conduct disorders, LD's, and other related disorders.  I provided information to teachers, parents, and the community and have shown one voice does make a difference.    I have advocated online for Autism as  far as Korea, Germany, and India due to my belief parents are a main expert and can offer more sometimes to other parents and I do this free of charge. I believe by doing it because I want to and not for profit makes my advocacy more genuine and shows my passion in helping in any way I can.  I had an in depth case at Fort Stewart school in person and attended all appointments, worked hand in hand with the parents, the health professionals that I have become well acquainted with the staff at the school. I helped with a diagnosis after it was misdiagnosed and overmedicated of my godson working with his clinical psychologist and helped managed medication with his child psychiatrist.  I email resources all over the country through all social netorks and email sites.  All of it is volunteer based.

I have branched out into basic military family advocacy as well and either provide the information or act on their behalf if needed.    I enjoy helping the families that are sacrificing just as much if not more then the military service member. I helped an Air Force spouse in Dover, I have helped several soldiers and their families with deployment, relocation, getting necessary services for special needs and providing sources and information of programs unknown to most of the military through the utilization of Operation Autism Research and their military guides (that I highly recommend and can help provide information on obtaining).  I am currently a non-military dependent for the first time in over 30 years but want to provide the same help and resources as I did as a dependent.  The civilian world is different and its scary for me so I am looking for ways to gain information on adapting for myself and my Autistic son.

I also have advocated mental health disorders in children and teenagers and have extensive abnormal psychology and childhood developmental disorder or psychological illness education and self educate daily. I have extensive knowledge in Bipolar Disorder Simplex 1 and 2, Rapid cycle Mania, extreme depression, Post partum depression, anxiety disorders, conduct disorders, some forms of schizophrenia, early onset disorders in teens and children, domestic violence, child abuse etc.

I am hungry for knowledge and if I don't know the answer I will find the answer for myself or for someone else in need of it. I have not failed to provide what was needed yet and hope that others can help me in expanding the network of adovcacy for any issue that is felt strongly about or in need of information.   I tend to have a big mouth and am loud about things I stand for but if it helps someone in any way its worth the stares and its worth whatever it takes to help that one person.

  I was a mentor for newly diagnosed Autism Spectrum families in Germany before relocating back to the states.  I have been stationed in Atsugi, Japan; Ct Cyrus Scotland; Navy Air Station Lemoore in California; 32nd street Navy base in San Diego; born in Fort Ord California in Monterey; Mannheim, Germany; Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Stewart, Georgia.

My son's teacher stated it perfectly.  I am lucky for in some way God blessed me because I speak Autism.  I hope that I can help in some way to those that need it.  Even if you just need a friendly ear.