Yahoo 101

What is a Yahoo Group and why would I want to join one?

It?s an email based internet community where like-minded individuals discuss, debate and critique a particular subject. There are 1,300+ Autism related Yahoo groups. There are a few that are popular, drawing on experiences on many thousands of parents and carers.

Many of them have excellent resources at the group's internet based site including files, study papers, links to popular supplement suppliers and resources. Members often share pictures of their children in the photo directory.

Some groups you can simply join straight away, for others you need the Group Owners approval. You are often asked to state your reasons for joining - new here and need to learn is good enough for most :)

How would I join one?

In order to join any of the Yahoo groups you will need an email address. In some cases it will let you use your regualr address, in others such as AOL you need a new Yahoo email address.

It is easier to go to Yahoo and register there for an Email Address - you don't have to use it for email but you can use it to easily join Yahoo Groups.

Follow the instructions. Choose an Email address and password that you can remember easily - you are sometimes asked for this as a security check when logging on to the group site.

At the end you will be asked for an alternative email address. This is where you add the regular email you want to use to receive or send email to the group. (This may take a day or two to be processed. In the meantime you can go to your Yahoo emial and collect the messages there)

Once you have done this, it takes you to your new email account. Exit the Email page and go to this link, put Autism in the search box and see what grabs your fancy of the 1,300+ listed

Alternatively, click on one of the links listed under Yahoo Groups on the Links page of this site. Those links will take you to that group's homepage.

Read about the groups focus and background - if you decide to join you can simply click on the box 'JOIN THIS GROUP'

This will take you to a new page where you choose the settings that suit you best.

You will be given the option to VERIFY the email address you want to use - click on the link. This will active an email being sent to the address you are verifying with the title 'Please verify your email address' - when you get it click on the link inside. This is a security check to make sure you have access to the email address you supplied.

You can now choose how to receive the group mail.

Managing Your Mail

Large groups can generate in excess of 500 posts per week! You will be able to see how busy the group is once you have joined. On the group home page there is a grid showing how many emails have be sent per month. Decide how many you can handle, if you aren't sure, just try individual or digest and see how you get on.

If you can access the mail very day, you could choose individual mails, deleting the ones where the subject isn't interesting you right now, or just read what takes your fancy and fits the time you have available, then delete the rest.

You could have the mails delivered as a 'Digest'. This is essentially one or more big emails with 25 or so individual emails rolled into one long one.

If you choose 'no mail - I will read at the web' you will have to actually log on to the group?s site and read what interests you. Some people keep a note of the post number they last read, so they know where to start next time they visit.

These settings can be easily changed (by you) at any time. However, it does sometimes take 2-5 days for the effect to take place. If you have problems at all, post for the attention of the owner or moderators for help.

Remember to click on 'Save the Changes' and then go back to the group's home page.

You now have access to the files, photo's and links sections. Always worth checking these out - many groups have frequently asked questions files and other resources.

Be bold, post an introduction, and explain what you want to learn about or what help and support you need.

Most Popular Groups

Some of the most popular groups, discussing Biomedical interventions are listed on this site under Yahoo Groups on the Links page