Q. A recent column featured a letter from a parent of an autistic 5-year-old who was searching for support and information. Please print the address of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). It will help people like that parent.

Not everyone has access to a computer or the Internet. For a small fee (which is waived in cases of hardship), NORD will forward valuable information about rare diseases and disorders, including support groups and places to go for more help.

A. Thank you for your excellent suggestions and the address of NORD: National Organization for Rare Disorders Inc., 100 Route 37, P.O. Box 8923, New Fairfield, Conn. 06812-8923.

Another good source of information for parents of autistic children is the Autism Society of America, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 300, Bethesda, Md. 20814-3015; 800-3-AUTISM; www.autism-society.org.

Questions or comments should be addressed to Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, care of the New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10168. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; Dr. Brazelton regrets that unpublished letters cannot be answered.

Pub Date: 03/07/99