My mom sent me an email today acknowledging for the very first time (that I am aware of) that she experiences symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. I would like to write the best response that I can to her, with some links or information about possible next steps. I don't want to screw this up, please help me help her! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 30, 2009 - 8 answers

My grandmother died this morning. I'm going home to help out the family, but I would like to make a list of things I might not remember before I leave so that we don't forget anything. [more inside]
posted by Unicorn on the cob on Aug 12, 2009 - 23 answers

My friend and her ex-boyfriend got in a fight, he got violent and beat her up pretty bad. She got in the car with their baby and fled cross-country to stay with her parents. There is a hearing next month to determine custody of the child, and she doesn't want to lose the kid to what is likely going to be an abusive father. Lawyer up, right? Problem is, not a lot of money. Can you point me to any organizations in California that provide pro-bono / sliding-scale / low-cost legal aid services for abused women? [more inside]
posted by sergeant sandwich on Jun 28, 2009 - 10 answers

My grandfather recently passed and left me as the co-owner of a house with my VERY irresponsible uncle. How can I protect myself from liability and how do / should I attempt to save my uncle from himself? What kind of professional should I talk to? [more inside]
posted by jlowen on Mar 25, 2008 - 17 answers

What can I do to help my mom in her new role as the full-time caretaker for my ailing step-dad? [more inside]
posted by greta simone on Feb 17, 2008 - 11 answers

Situation: 16.5 year old son, ripe with hormones. Also ADD & PDD-NOS, as well as depressed, which make him impulsive, resistant to authority, and Not So Good at social cues. He's sending sexually explicit text messages to a girl, who's apparently willing to go right along. Even if we we permissive [I am, his bio parents aren't] he's not ready for it. How do we talk to him? [more inside]
posted by eridanis on Sep 18, 2006 - 45 answers

Help save my brother's life. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Coffeemate on Jul 29, 2004 - 78 answers