Autism Support Group Focus on Parents' Needs

Sania Veal, left, and her mother
Carmen.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- When Carmen Veal's daughter Sania was diagnosed with autism at age 4, Veal's entire life became dictated by the disorder.
"I was stressed. I was depressed," says this single mom, a lifelong resident of Hartford. "I completely isolated myself and my child from the outside world, family included."
After a period of soul searching and reaching out for help, she learned to accept autism and pull herself out of her self-described funk. But she has met many other mothers and fathers who are struggling to cope every day. So she has created a new kind of support group, an innovative concept that highlights the needs of the parent.