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Family: Who’s in your
family? - My wife, Julie, and I recently went to her annual "Johnson
family reunion." We showed a video there that we'd produced about several
generations of family history using interviews and old photographs. We included
a story about great-grandfather Rommie trying to drive his new Model T Ford for
the first time. When it abruptly started forward and he couldn't remember how to
stop it, he clung to the steering wheel yelling, "Whoa! Gee! Gee! Haw!" as if he
was driving one of his mules. His oldest son jumped up on the car's running
board and got it stopped.
Legos Can
be Building Block to Teach Children with Autism - The Lego raft carrying
the Lego castaways approached the Lego island, ''chased by raptors.'' Lewis
Roberts, a 12-year-old from Medford, N.J., moved the raft an inch, then another
young filmmaker snapped a digital camera. A third boy consulted their script.
''Quiet on the set!'' In the sudden silence, the boys let out a raptor-like
''ROAR.''
CA
Sacramento Doctor Takes
Unconventional Approach to Autism - In the controversial world of autism
treatment, mainstream medical doctors are increasingly pitted against
alternative providers in the quest to figure out causes and develop treatments.
SC
Mom Wins Fight for Autism Insurance - Ryan Unumb just turned 7 years old.
He has about 100 words in his vocabulary, even if they are difficult to
understand. He's potty trained. He loves playing with water. He follows
instructions, he asks for food when he's hungry, and he gives lots of kisses.
The law named for Lorri Unumb's son, Ryan, doesn't apply to him. Their family is
self-insured. He's not where a 7-year-old should be developmentally, but for a
child with severe autism, his parents are thrilled with his progress.
A New 'World' for
Autistic Children - Deanna Ballard developed educational DVDs for her
son, Zachary. He now talks, and parents around the country are trying the
program.
MMR-autism Link Doctor Andrew Wakefield Defends Conduct at GMC Hearing -
The doctor at the centre of the controversy over the MMR vaccine has denied
committing serious professional misconduct, saying it had been his "duty as a
physician and a human being" to investigate potential links between the jab and
autism in children.
Gov. Charlie Crist, Dan Marino Back Mandatory Insurance for Autism -
"They're making record profits," Crist said of insurance companies at a press
conference. "If they can't suck it up a little bit to help some kids, there's
something really wrong with that corporate ethic."
Autism No Longer an Obstacle For Students Seeking College Degree - If
college were purely academic, 16-year-old Cullen Kappel would have no worries.
But the mostly straight-A student who studies astrophysics just for fun knows
his challenge at college will be in what happens between classes.
Popular YouTube Video Draws
Attention to Active Autism Community - Amanda Baggs, 27, who has autism,
is using YouTube to explain how her own repetitive behaviors allow her to
interact with her environment. Baggs' YouTube video, meant as a political
statement, has garnered more than 300,000 hits.
Library Journal Review of
"Understanding Brothers and Sisters on the Autism Spectrum". color. 94 min. Dan
& Julie Coulter, Coulter Video, 1428 Pinecroft Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27104;
336-794-0298; http://www.coultervideo.com.
2007. DVD $39.99. HEALTH. "The Coulters have produced a great resource for
families who have children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and siblings
who are neurotypical (NT). The DVD is divided into four programs, three geared
toward children of various ages and one for parents. The filmmakers brilliantly
use interviews with NT siblings and parents to document the issues that exist
among family members. The sections geared toward children are hosted by Jessie
Coulter, who does a great job of explaining and framing sibling issues with
segments of those interviews. The programs geared toward children provide
excellent modeling behavior, especially when discussing the negative attention
that comes with having a sibling with ASD who is seemingly behaving poorly in
public. These NT high school-age interviewees show maturity beyond their years
and provide pointers and coping mechanisms that will help viewers better
understand their siblings. The section for parents is particularly useful, as
they are forced to strike a balance between the child with special needs and
those without. This program is strongly recommended for all libraries."—Corey
Seeman, Kresge Business Administration Lib., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Vancouver Couple Show Autism, Romance Can Coexist -
Emilia Murry Ramey and Jody John Ramey met through a mutual friend.
They soon discovered they had more in common than their friend. Both were
students at Portland State University. And both have autism.
Adults With Autism Are Getting Help With Life Skills - Above Jonathan
Ross' computer is taped a list of his long-term goals: Lose 200 pounds. Get a
job. Become more socially active. Next to it is another note that says, "I
believe in myself," written five times. "So have you been saying it?" asks
Caitlin Kenny, his life-skills coach, referring to the "belief" note.
ONE BOY'S
STORY: Music, sports have helped teen break out of shell - When he was
younger, doctors predicted the best Nick Krishnan could hope for was an
institutional life, something his mother, Shari Krishnan, never accepted. Today,
Nick, 15, "has about as normal a life as anybody with autism as severe as his
can have," Shari Krishnan of Bloomfield Township said.
Autism
Rates Rise, But So Do Hopes - The increase in autism cases is creating
challenges for public schools across metro Detroit that are charged with
providing a free education to all children. And the schools are searching for
new approaches to reach them. "This is not a disability identification that has
a lot of outside agencies, even doctors, who have the wherewithal to address
it," said James Boogren, associate director of the Burger Development Center in
Garden City Public Schools, the largest center for children with autism in the
Midwest. Wayne County school districts have put tens of millions of dollars into
Burger, which has 330 students ranging in age from 3 to 26 with various levels
of impairment -- from students who can't walk or talk to those who can spend
part of each day in a regular classroom. The school accepts students from all
over Wayne County, with each student's home district paying their way.
'Autistic Diet' Getting a Second Look - When he
was 3 years old, Matthew Sebastian was diagnosed with autism. Four years later,
he began having seizures, which are much more common in autistic children than
in the broader population. Doctors told his parents that by the time their son
reached puberty, his seizures would get worse and he would have to wear a helmet
to protect his head.
Researchers to Create Autism Databank - Scientists at the University of
Michigan and 10 other universities will use an initial $10 million gift from a
New York-based charitable organization to create a databank of DNA samples from
3,000 autism patients that they hope will identify different kinds of autism and
develop treatments.
The Age of Autism: 'A Pretty
Big Secret' - But thousands of children cared for by Homefirst Health
Services in metropolitan Chicago have at least two things in common with
thousands of Amish children in rural Lancaster: They have never been vaccinated.
And they don't have autism. "We have a fairly large practice. We have about
30,000 or 35,000 children that we've taken care of over the years, and I don't
think we have a single case of autism in children delivered by us who never
received vaccines," said Dr. Mayer Eisenstein, Homefirst's medical director who
founded the practice in 1973."
Introduction to Relationship Development Intervention
(RDI) - Relationship Development
Intervention is an ongoing program of clinical development and
research begun is 1996. The primary goal of RDI is to remediate
the recognized core deficits of ASD. RDI provides individuals
with ASD the cognitive, emotional, communicative and social
tools that are geared towards remediation rather than
compensation.
Grandparent Power!
How Extended Family Can
Enhance the Lives of Kids on the Autism Spectrum - If you're a
grandparent of a child with a disability and you're close to the family and
providing lots of support, bless your heart! You're probably already tuned in to
what we're talking about here. If you're a grandparent who's been separated by
distance or other factors and you'd like to be closer, here are some steps you
can take to build bonds with your grandkids.
MI
Film Camp Gives Children With Autism Chance to Shine - Jake Skelly is a
natural ham. Ask him what he likes best about film camp, and he'll tell you it's
the moment before classes begin, when each student has a moment in the
spotlight. "I have a cool move. See, look," Jake said, demonstrating the
"Macarena" groove he performed earlier to "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire.
"Hidden" Disabilities Provoke
Rude Comments - I have a beautiful 6-year-old granddaughter who is in the
autistic spectrum. Because she looks "normal" we, as her family, have to endure
some rude looks, stares and occasional comments from people who think she is a
spoiled brat when she has an occasional meltdown. It is hard enough to raise an
autistic child, dealing with all the various issues she has on a daily basis,
without the blatant rudeness of people who these days are quite vocal about
saying things they seem to think they have a right to say.
Researchers Find Fewer
Neurons in the Amygdala of Males With Autism - Researchers at the
University of California, Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute have discovered that the
brains of males with autism have fewer neurons in the amygdala, a part of the
brain involved in emotion and memory.
New Autism Resource Available - The 44-page booklet, developed by the
Academy's Autism Expert Panel, was written to answer the questions of parents of
children who have ASD or used as a resource for health care professionals to
provide to parents upon their child's diagnosis. The booklet defines ASD,
discusses the clinical features, and describes the full range of interventions
commonly used with children with ASD over the lifespan. The booklet also
addresses special concerns in the teen and adult years as well as financial and
legal planning. Finally, a list of recommended books and web sites is provided.
Autism: An Epidemic
is Finally Acknowledged - The year 2005 will be
a year to remember in the autism epidemic: The debate came to a head between
parents of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) children and the federal government,
which has long denied an autism epidemic exists.
'Hug Machine' Helps
Children With Autism Cope - About one in 160
children are diagnosed with autism each year. Many of these children live in a
world all their own -- not talking to or touching other people. Now a simple
machine may help these special kids cope by giving them hugs. WAVE 3 Medical
Reporter Lori Lyle explains.
Autism Is More Than Family Affair For UPS Worker, Father, Volunteer - Ten
years ago, Tony Flores learned the disappointing news that his 2-year-old son
Joey had autism. Not much later, Tony and his wife, Sandy, were told their older
child Sammy had the condition as well.
MI
Summer Club Helps Child
With Autism Enjoy Friendship - The white, sudsy foam oozing from a North
Muskegon Fire Department fan-turned-foam-maker covered the grass within minutes,
and before Stacy Burns had the chance to hide prizes, 20 preteen kids were
slipping, sliding and rolling around in it. It's part of an effort to create
friendships between the students.
Autism - Cut The Crap
- In their public statements, officials within the FDA and CDC are always
claiming that researchers and scientists who conduct studies, not funded by drug
companies or the government, are making unfounded claims about a link between
thimerosal-laced vaccines and autism, and other neurological disorders, which
could lead to reduced vaccine coverage, resulting in preventable outbreaks of
disease affecting the entire planet. I say cut the crap.
Autism Figures May Be Wrong
- Government figures that have been cited to prove that autism is rapidly
increasing in the United States are not reliable and thus unsuitable for
tracking the disorder, according to a study published in the July issue of
Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Debate Over Vaccines, Autism Won't Die - Seven years after it began, the
debate over vaccines and autism just won’t die. In fact, it appears to be
finding new life. Several churches have started a grassroots movement to rid
vaccines of mercury. A new book on the issue is getting attention. A Kennedy has
entered the fray.
MI
New Program Helps
Find Missing Child With Autism - A Kalamazoo County family is thankful
for 21st Century technology. A simple transmitter helped them find their
seven-year-old son, who is autistic, after he disappeared.
NY
Manhattan Charter School to
Serve Children With Autism - Two Manhattan women have won approval to
open a charter school for autistic children in New York, the first public school
in the city dedicated to providing the expensive therapy that can transform the
lives of autistic children and their families.
In Autism, New Goal is
Finding it Soon Enough to Fight it - For years, autism was rarely noticed
before the age of 2, its symptoms overlooked by busy parents or so subtle that
pediatricians missed them. But in the last two years much has changed. Propelled
by an explosion of public awareness and growing evidence that early treatment
with behavioral therapy can improve a child's chances, scientists have set out
to diagnose the disorder as early as possible, and slowly, more children with
autism are being identified before they turn 2.
Parents Claim 'Victory Over Autism' - Logan Mathieu entered The Victory
School for children with autism in 2001, barely able to speak and certainly not reading, said his father, Ron Mathieu of Weston. "When
Logan was 3 years old, doctors told us he had pervasive developmental disorder in the autism spectrum and that the best-case scenario was
that Logan would always be two to three years behind in school," Mathieu said. Today, Logan, who is now 7, is an honors student in
second grade at the American Academy at American Heritage School located in Plantation.
MI
Students With Autism Get Team Effort - State grant trains
teachers, others to target special needs.
CA
Acceptance
Reigns Along With a King - David Mason crossed
his fingers and squeezed his eyes shut as he listened to the announcement that
confirmed his dream: This Culver City High School senior, an autistic youth
enrolled in the campus' special education program, was named homecoming king
after a landslide vote.
Parents Work to
Acclimate Autistic Children to Normal Routines
- It is a relentless, labor-intensive and harrowing task,
overwhelmingly performed by mothers, that tests the strength of
marriages, the resilience of siblings and the endurance of the women
themselves.
A World of Their Own
- One by one, autism — with its rocking, its garbled words
and its obsessions — has visited an extraordinary five of six children
in one Austin family. [Login/registration
required.]
Autism Incidence, 2003 School Year Data - Fighting Autism has
updated their graphical display of Autism Incidence in the United
States public school system to include the recently released 2003
school year data. You are able to select any of the 50 states and
display the following graphs: Autism Incidence, Autism Incidence
Cumulative Growth, and Autism Incidence Annual Growth.
How Do We Keep
Him Safe? - Many things may run
through a parent’s mind after he or she reads about certain tragedies.
In the past month, you may have heard of three people with autism who
died after wandering from their homes. One died as the result of being
hit by an automobile; two drowned within a short distance of home. How
do we keep Andrew, our 3 1/2-year-old son, safe? How does anyone keep
his or her child safe?
Lost Boys - Autism
and My Son - They used to be thought of as loners, misfits,
even geniuses. Now they're being labeled "autistic." But here's the
scary part: The diagnosis may boil down to an excess of maleness.
How Krishna Broke Free of Autism - When Krishna Narayanan was
four years old, his mother showed him an apple and repeated, "Apple...
apple..." He knew not only the word 'apple', but many, many other
complicated words. He wanted to cry out to his mother that he knew all
of them, but no words came out of his mouth; just a garbled sound.
Mercury in Humans Hunted - The potential risk
posed by mercury in seafood like swordfish and albacore tuna is already a
controversial subject. Now, some doctors are responding to concerns about
mercury in a way that is sparking more debate: They are offering screenings that
tell patients how much of the toxic heavy metal has accumulated in their bodies.
Drum Song - He was born "bright and beautiful," a child
who started talking in complete sentences when he was only 8 months
old. But when he was 18 months old, Nicholas was taken hostage,
silenced by autism, a neurological disorder that stole his language,
affected his agility and coordination, and robbed him of all his
social skills.
Rainbow Maker
- I have to share with you a story about the happiest journey I've
ever taken. This story was made possible thanks to my sweet son,
Nicholas, who has autism.
PA
Officials Fight for Stronger Controls on Mercury Pollution -
People who enjoy some species that contain trace amounts of mercury
may be doing more harm than good. But if 11 states -- including New
Jersey and Pennsylvania -- have their way, strict federal regulations
would significantly reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power
plants and trash incinerators.
Mind-boggling
Therapy - The little boy's greeting
came as a shock to Bradley Habermehl. "He smiled, looked me in the eye
and said, 'Hello, Dr. Habermehl, how are you today?' " the Genesee
Township optometrist says. That may seem like no big deal except the
boy, Eric Callahan, diagnosed as having mild-to-moderate autism,
hadn't looked people in the eye and said hello before. This was a
child who had flapped his arms, walked on his tiptoes and had terrible
tantrums - a boy who didn't like interacting with others and who
wasn't very verbal. But those behaviors were now gone; Eric was a
different child.
Practicing
Social Skills - When's the last time you got frustrated because you told
your child not to do something, and two minutes later he or she is doing it
again? I think of this as "Teflon Shelf Syndrome." If you consider the brain as
a storehouse with shelves, some kids seem to have some shelves that are coated
with Teflon - and are tilted so things slide off easily. So...maybe it's not
your son's fault that his finger strays to his nostril. It's not your daughter's
fault she doesn't make eye contact when you speak to her. Maybe it’s the way
their brains work.
Autism Linked to Birth Problems - Autism is linked to problems
at birth, new data show. Around the age of 2 years, a child's brain
undergoes explosive growth. That's when the mysterious combination of
genes and environment that causes autism seems to hit with tragic
force.
'Toxic
Dust' on School Computers Linked to Disease - The dust found on many computer processors and monitors used today in
schools and other locations contains chemicals linked to reproductive and
neurological disorders, according to a new study.
Autism and
the Pew Lady - I'm writing on behalf
of the mother of a five-year old girl with autism - and for me and my
son. If you're not familiar with autism and you've ever wondered what
you might do to help, here's a heads up. I ran into the mother I
mentioned at the Autism Society of North Carolina annual conference in
Raleigh. She described how her autistic daughter had become upset in
church and caused a small disturbance.
ASA Launches Spanish
Section on its Website - The Autism Society of America
(ASA) today announces the launch of a Spanish-language section
on its award-winning Web site, responding to the ever-growing
needs of the Hispanic community to deliver bi-lingual
information on autism spectrum disorders.
U.S.
CDC's
Unspoken Acceptance of Vaccine Additive Raises Furor
- Federal officials have added the flu vaccine to the
routine immunization schedule for children, but will remain silent
about whether parents should request a mercury-free version of the
shot. Critics blasted last week's decision, particularly in light of
government warnings about other types of mercury exposure.
Prognosis Varies Among Autistic Children -
Through the 1970s, many autistic people were labeled
mentally retarded and institutionalized. Some autistic children are
still institutionalized today, but the many success stories over the
years have shattered the hopeless stigma that once surrounded the
disorder.
OH
Disabled Pupils Learn to Focus in Sensory Room
- The bright colors, dazzling lights and textured gizmos in
the new "sensory"
room at a school for students with developmental disabilities actually
have a calming effect. [Free registration/login required to view this
article.]
LA
Lost Boy Found - What if for 10
years, your son was seemingly lost to you, unable to speak clearly,
often unresponsive to conversation, and then one day, he began to talk
to you as if for the first time? It happened to a Metairie family who
gave their 10-year-old son Ben Alexander a computer keyboard, and
discovered that the autistic child had very much to say.
Floortime and
Integrated Play Groups
Dr. Stanley Greenspan’s Floortime Foundation
http://www.floortime.org/index.htm
The Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders
http://www.icdl.com/index.htm
Autism Institute on Peer Relations and Play Center for Integrated Play
Groups
http://www.wolfberg.com/
Play Time: An Examination Of Play Intervention, Strategies for
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/SocialLeisure/playtime.html
Out of Darkness:
A Family's Desperate
Effort to Save Their Boys From a Life of Isolation - Marc and
Sophia Augier were overjoyed when their dream of a big family quickly
became a reality five years ago with the birth of son Marcel and
little more than a year later, twin boys Christophe and Henri. Their
lives, in the suburbs of Cleveland, seemed to be a normal and happy
blur, as they went about the business of raising three young boys. So,
Marc and Sophia didn't know what to think when, at age 2, Marcel
suddenly started behaving strangely. The boy who seemed to be
developing normally, who was starting to talk, suddenly stopped
talking, stopped responding to his parents.
U.S.
Lawsuit Charges EPA Ignoring "Lost" Mercury - A lawsuit filed in February
against the Bush Administration asserts that the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is failing to protect the public health, and violating the Clean Air Act,
by ignoring tons of unaccounted for mercury emissions each year. The suit, filed
by Earthjustice on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and
Sierra Club, asks the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to review a recently
published EPA rule on mercury because it fails to address "lost" mercury
disappearing from a handful of chlorine plants around the country.
Inside the Edge: A
Journey to Using Speech Through Typing - Inside the Edge is a
documentary written and narrated by Jamie Burke, a 15-year-old high
school student with autism. In this video, he tells of his personal
experiences with the use of facilitated communication, developing
speech, and inclusive schooling. Jamie has used FC since his
pre-school days; during the past few years, he has become independent
in his typing, has learned to read out loud what he has previously
typed, and is increasingly able to speak meaningfully without
previously typing his words. This video artfully combines images of
Jamie with his narration, letting us join him on his journey. (Running
time: 18:00) To view a snippet of the video, go to
http://www.breaking-the-barriers.org, click on "Personal Stories"
and then click on "Jamie Burke".
New Tool Helps Primary Care Physicians Diagnose Autism Early -
A primary care physician caring for approximately 1,000 children in a
general practice should expect that approximately three to seven of
his/her patients will demonstrate signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
ASD appears to be more common than once thought. The reason for this
is not yet clear but probably relates to a number of factors,
including broader criteria, increasing professional and public
awareness of the symptom spectrum, better ascertainment and perhaps a
true rise in prevalence.
NY
As Autism Cases Rise, Parents Run Frenzied Race to Get Help -
When Phyllis Lombardi lets her 6-year-old son, Joey, play in her yard
here, she cannot take her eyes off him because he is autistic, barely
speaks and might bolt into traffic. But a fence costs more than the
Lombardis can afford since they moved to this Westchester County
village last year. Ardsley has state-of-the-art autism programs, but
also real estate prices that have forced the family into a rental just
a block from the Saw Mill River Parkway.
MI
Michigan
Democrats Unveil Mercury Initiative Package - Manufacturers and
consumers in the state could face tighter restrictions on mercury use
and disposal, according to a group of Democrats who unveiled a mercury
phase-out package Wednesday.
Vaccine
Additive Linked to Brain Damage in Children -
Mercury-based preservative tied to autism, ADHD, U.S.
researchers say. After assuring parents that additives in vaccines
don't cause brain damage, scientists have found what they believe
could be a "smoking gun" linking these additives to autism and
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
CA
Districts Put To The
Test - At her Clarksburg home,
Karlin Merwin and a team of tutors have spent four years teaching her
9-year-old son, Jackson, how to live. Today, they are testing to make
sure he knows the emotions. Sarah Post, a tutor, shows Jackson a photo
of a boy about his age who looks worried.
U.S.
Government Mapping Out a Strategy to Fight Autism
- Propelled by the skyrocketing number of diagnoses of the
perplexing brain disorder autism in children, federal officials have
for the first time mapped out a long-term, interagency plan to deal
with the problem. The plan includes objectives like the development of
teaching methods that will allow 90 percent of autistic children to
speak; the identification of genetic and non-genetic causes of the
condition; and adequate services for all afflicted children in the
next 7 to 10 years.
Occupational Therapy Practitioners:
Behavioral Interventions for Autism - Interventions may be
effective for some children with autism and mental retardation.
The Oakland
Press Series on Autism:
Agency helps adults with disability live on their own
- Troy resident Aaron Freed panicked when he
discovered a notice in his apartment on a recent Friday.
Autism doesn't keep family down -
West Bloomfield Township resident Sue Hodess, who has two autistic
sons, has done well to maintain an ironic sense of humor.
"I used to laugh because I'd think: 'There's not a lot of
pressure here. I just can't die,'" the 41-year-old mother said.
Parents rise to autism challenge -
Visit the Autism Society of America's Web site at
www.autism-society.org
or the Autism Society of Michigan's website at
http://www.autism-mi.org.
To learn more about Oakland County
resources and services for people with autism, visit the ASA Oakland
County Chapter's Web site at
www.asaoakland.org.
FL
Jacksonville
Electric Authority (JEA) Faces Suit Over Mercury
- Parents of more than two dozen Jacksonville children plan
to sue JEA, claiming mercury discharged by coal-burning power plants
contributed to their children developing autism. In each of the 26
instances, the children were healthy at birth and progressing fine
into their second year, said Alan Pickert, an attorney representing
the families. Yet when the children reached between 18 and 24 months,
parents started to notice them regressing, Pickert said. [source]
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