Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Struggle to find autism schools in the UK

BBC News - 'Struggle' to find autism schools

Almost half of parents of children with autism are having to wait more than a year to get their children into the right school, a survey carried out by the National Autistic Society has found.


Airport Security, Autism, and Vagus Nerve Stimulator

Airport Security, Autism, and Vagus Nerve Stimulator

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Anti-Psychotics for Autism Set to Flood the Market | Autism Key

Anti-Psychotics for Autism Set to Flood the Market | Autism Key

In my ongoing research of autism treatments, I have been delighted to find that some of the most effective means of addressing autism involve reconnecting with the natural world, the physical body and the creative self.

Heartening results have been reported from a vast array of activities including yoga, gardening, dance, horseback riding and art therapy. Fun, engaging and non-invasive, these activities produce real improvements in the functionality and level of well-being of individuals with autism.

This is especially important to bear in mind in light of a disturbing press release I read yesterday addressing the “underserved” market of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by the pharmaceutical industry. A rush of enthusiasm to market atypical anti-psychotics for irritability in children with autism owes to these stated facts ... More @ http://www.autismkey.com/anti-psychotics-for-autism-set-to-flood-the-market/


Autism Spectrum Disorder: Treatments: Lupron Revisited

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Treatments: Lupron Revisited

autism's gadfly: U.C. Davis study results may rankle neurodiversitites

autism's gadfly: U.C. Davis study results may rankle neurodiversitites

Here is a story about a new study coming out of U.C. Davis, suggesting that mothers who consume prenatal vitamins during pregnancy reduce the risk of having an autistic offspring.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Deltona man charged after autistic boy, mother assaulted | The Autism News

Deltona man charged after autistic boy, mother assaulted | The Autism News

A man angry that an autistic child entangled his fishing pole as he packed for a fishing trip hit the child with the rod, deputies said.

Grandfather Knows Best

Grandfather Knows Best - NYTimes.com

OPENING THE DOOR
By Susan Senator

When I first told my father about my oldest son Nat’s autism, Dad said, “Well, he’s still our Nat.” Our Nat. I remember being stunned by the simplicity of that response, thinking, “does he really get what I just said?” even though he is an intelligent man. For some time after that, I took many opportunities to rub his face into the rotten places autism took me to. But his reaction was maddeningly the same: basically, that Nat was just great, and what was I complaining about?


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Autistic Cavemen Revisited



Autism Jabberwocky: Jabberwocky of the Day : Autism an Advantage for Cavemen

Did you know that autism might have been an advantage for hunter-gatherers in prehistoric times?

Speaking through computers



Speaking through computers - NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida

FORT MYERS, FL -

Whether it's due to autism or a physical impairment, there are many people who simply can't speak.

But that doesn't mean they can't learn to communicate.

When you think of speech therapy, what probably comes to mind is verbal skills

"Articulation therapy, how you physically produce sounds, is one area in speech language therapy that I think is the best known," says Valerie Rodriguez-Adhikari, a speech therapist with Lee Memorial Health System.

In reality speech therapy covers the whole spectrum of communication.

An option for many who are non-verbal is to learn to converse using A-A-C or augmentative and alternative communication.



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38 Apps for Autism

38 Apps for Autism

Geeks cause Autism?

The Geek Syndrome and Autism: Revisited | Care2 Causes

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

More I.T. - More Autism?

Diagnosed autism is more common in an IT-rich region, study finds

A new study from Cambridge University has for the first time found that autism diagnoses are more common in an information technology-rich region.


Autism Parents sue Philadelphia School District

Four parents of autistic children sue Philadelphia School District | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/21/2011

Four parents have filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of their autistic children, alleging that the Philadelphia School District is illegally moving the children from school to school based solely on their disability.

At issue is the district's Automatic Autism Transfer Policy, which mandates that students with autism move to another school at the end of third and fifth grades. Non-autistic students do not have to move.

The four plaintiff parents, whose suit was filed Monday in federal court, claim the district is violating state and federal law by transferring students simply because they are autistic.



Monday, June 20, 2011

Autism bill passes with UNANIMOUS vote

Autism bill passes state Legislature unanimously | SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A bill that would provide health insurance for screening, diagnosis, treatment and therapy for individuals with autism passed the state Legislature unanimously on Friday, a crucial step for families seeking enhanced care for their children, said a Grant City mother.

"As a parent of a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the passage of the autism insurance bill into law in New York state is not only critical to our family's quality of life but to all of our Staten Island families," said Melissa Schneider, whose 10-year-old son is autistic.



Vineland Developmental Center Closing Generates High Emotion

Emotion high over NJ plan to close disability home - BusinessWeek

Karen Lee Colletti has severe autism, speaks only a few words and needs a diaper. When she was 27 and her parents felt they couldn't care for her at home any longer, they moved her to the Vineland Developmental Center, which cares for women with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

That was 29 years ago. Now, her 80-year-old father, Vito Colletti, fears the state's plans to close the center by 2013 will happen, pushing his daughter out of a place that he thought she could live for the rest of her life. It's discomforting for a man who's come to rely on the care she gets at the state institution. After a hard time difficult adjustment from a move last month from one part of Vineland's campus to another, he fears a longer move to one of the state's remaining institutions would "drive her bananas."



Friday, June 17, 2011

Rethink Autism Reader: Famous "Autism Dad" Quiz

Rethink Autism Reader: Famous "Autism Dad" Quiz

Father has been found guilty of abusing his son with autism

Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Edmonton Father Guilty of (Severely) Abusing Autistic Son

A 59 year old Edmonton father has been found guilty of abusing his autistic son. He was convicted of unlawful confinement, failing to provide the necessaries of life, assault with a weapon and assault. Alexandra Zabjek of the Edmonton Journal reports that the son's situation came to the attention of police when his two older sisters returned home to visit after having left the family home a few years earlier. They found him unresponsive, emaciated and chained in a room with a urine soaked mattress.


Joe's Crab Shack Autism

Joe's Crab Shack Assists Families Affected by Autism

The National Autism Association (NAA) announced today a partnership with Joe's Crab Shack restaurants across the nation. Beginning in June 2011 and each month thereafter, look for selected dates and locations to EAT AT JOE'S and up to 20% of food sales will be donated to NAA.

Restaurant guests will need to print off the flyer provided and give to their servers indicating that a portion of that food sale will go to NAA. Each month, additional Joe's Crab Shack locations will be announced along with the specified dates that the program is in place.

"This partnership with Joe's Crab Shack is one that will allow us to reach beyond the autism community for much needed support for individuals and families impacted by autism," says NAA's Executive Director Rita Shreffler.

In addition to the direct support provided through this campaign, NAA is also pleased to be working with a restaurant that offers a full gluten-free menu as well. A gluten-free diet has been shown to be an important part of treatment protocol for many individuals diagnosed with autism.

"Joe's Crab Shack is delighted to work with the National Autism Association to raise awareness of a disorder now affecting one in 110 children in this country," says Marketing Coordinator Tara Loper. "We hope many families will join us on these dedicated dates throughout the year and help support the autism community."

The West Coach Launch dates are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, June 15 and 16, 2011 and will cover Joe's Crab Shack locations in the states of California and Washington.

About Joe's Crab Shack - Joe's Crab Shack serves buckets of crab, a wide variety of steampots, fish, shrimp, burgers, chicken and festive vacation-style drinks amid a carefree atmosphere. For more information about Joe's Crab Shack or to find a restaurant near you, visit www.joescrabshack.com. Joe's Crab Shack is owned by the Houston-based Ignite Restaurant Group www.igniterestaurantgroup.com.

Visit www.nationalautismassociation.org/joescrabshack.php to find locations and eligible dates.

About NAA - The mission of the National Autism Association is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential. Since 2003, NAA has created and implemented direct-assistance programs for the growing number of families affected by autism. Along with these services, NAA provides autism research funding, ongoing advocacy, support and education. A parent-led non-profit organization, our objectives and resources focus upon strengthening families affected by autism through support in obtaining therapy and medical services, and funding impactful research aimed at real progress for our children and all individuals affected by autism - www.nationalautism.org




Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Governor Chris Christie Appoints 4 to Autism Council

Governor Chris Christie Appoints Four Members to State Autism Panel - Berkeley Heights, NJ Patch

Governor Chris Christie named four new members to the Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism. The Council, charged with creating a Center for Excellence, will coordinate research and apply and advance best practices in the understanding, prevention, evaluation and treatment of autism, enhancing the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, they awarded $5 million in basic science research grants to study the causes, triggers and treatment of ASDs. The Council's membership is made up of representatives from academic institutions, autism and healthcare organizations and includes individuals with autism, or family members.



Beware What TV May Be Teaching Your Special Needs Child! :: Help! S-O-S for Parents

Beware What TV May Be Teaching Your Special Needs Child! :: Help! S-O-S for Parents

When parenting your first child it’s natural to cautiously approach each new experience. There are so many decisions to make with regards to media and as a parent you are tested.

What TV shows are permissible? What music will you allow? How much time on the computer is OK? Can your child have a Facebook account? The list goes on and on.

When child number two comes along, things seem a bit easier. You have already been there, done that. You made decisions and you learned from them. Now that you are wiser, the second time around is a piece of cake.

But wait! What if the child has special needs?


Child with autism found wandering interstate

Child with autism found wandering interstate

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Special Needs at the Airport: TSA - We suck at dealing with special needs and we know it, sorry, our bad.

I can see this being a problem for individuals with autism for sure. Many would never have even given up the toy hammer or it would be meltdown city.

Dr. David Mandy: Special Needs Son Harassed by TSA at Detroit Metropolitan Airport

we have to review how we deal with special needs individuals. Obviously, he (said), we're doing a terrible job," Mandy told us. "It made me feel that there is still hope, that there is still justice and that there's still somebody who listens to people's problems (in) the federal government.

Autism - Google News

The Autism Retort: 25 Newest Blogs Posts


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