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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Students With Autism Get Team Effort – State grant trains teachers, others to target special needs.

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.

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.

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.]

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]

Free Information and Update On Autism Tissue Program – The Autism Tissue Program (ATP) has come a long way since it was first launched five years ago. The program, which is a joint effort of the Autism Society of America Foundation, the National Alliance for Autism Research, and the MIND Institute, provides a registry of individuals who have agreed to donate their brains to science after their death.

Allowed to be Odd – The hero of a best-selling new novel is a 15-year-old boy with autism–but that label never appears in the book. Christopher John Francis Boone, the 15-year-old narrator of the new novel “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” knows lots of stuff, including the capitals of all the countries in the world and every prime number up to 7,057.

Newsweek: Girls, Boys and Autism – Is this mysterious and sometimes devastating condition just an extreme version of normal male intelligence? That’s one provocative new theory. Behind autism’s gender gap.

Book Review: “Who Took My Shoe” – Bringing abstract ideas into focus: Mom writes book to help autistic son relate to his world.

IL Employee Benefits Plan Administrator Acted Irrationally in not Covering Autism-Related Therapies – A health insurance plan administrator acted arbitrarily and capriciously in denying coverage of autism- related speech, integrated sensory, and occupational therapies for a plan participant’s son , the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ruled July 21, 2003 (Wheeler v. Aetna Life Insurance Co., N.D. Ill., No. 01 C 6064, 7/21/03).

Autism: A $50,000 Cure – Slender and blond, 4-year-old Jared Dick picks up a game controller to play what he calls “monkey ball” and slips into his self-absorbed Nintendo heaven.

Autism now diagnosed early; Therapy for toddlers makes ‘huge difference’ – Two-year-old Nathan Katzman seemed different ”from the moment he was born,” says his mom, Nicole. ”Looking back, I think it was something about eye contact.”

MI Pushing Play: Richard Solomon’s Groundbreaking Work is Changing the Lives of Autistic Children – In his darkened office in the University of Michigan Health System, Richard Solomon, M.D., pops a videocassette tape into the VCR and pushes “play.” Instantly, the screen is alive with the colors of American childhood.

RI Model School Aids Autistic Preschoolers – For Louis, who is autistic, the simple exchange is another reinforcement of his lessons in social interaction. He’s learning something other children pick up with little effort — how to say good-bye.

The ARC: What is a Positive Behavior Plan? – View Sample Plans and Download Training Materials.

U.S. Congressman Dan Burton’s Letter to President George Bush Requesting a National Summit on Autism – “Mr. President, you have made the statement many times that we should leave no child behind. Unfortunately, there are a growing number of our children who are in serious danger of being left behind because of the devastating scourge of autism. Thus, I am writing you today to urge you once again to convene a White House Conference to confront the National problem of autism…”

Autism, vaccine link considered – An epidemic of autism and other brain problems in American children is linked to vaccines, say doctors, activists and one member of Congress who met in Chicago over the weekend to discuss the disease. (May 2003)

From a parent: I have found the following books to be very useful: Here is a review from Amazon.com – “Autism/Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle” by Steven E. Gutstein. This book explains the RDI model, and there are two more that are more specific on how you implement it (RDI). This is the one for younger children (through grade school): “Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children: Social and Emotional Development Activities for Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD and NLD” by Steven E. Gutstein, Rachelle K. Sheely. There is also one for adolescents and adults. I think the books are pretty good. He has a website at: http://www.connectionscenter.com/ [RDI = Relationship Development Intervention].

Raising Justin: For the parents of an autistic child, coping is an ever-changing challenge. The imaginary play that comes so effortlessly to Faith is anything but instinctive to Justin, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 and had not yet begun to talk. The stimulation he seeks helps him cope with a chaotic world of sights, sounds, tastes, and smells that his brain cannot easily separate into foreground and background information.

U.K. Doctors’ Children Avoid MMR – Critics claim it shows that doctors and nurses are more worried about the possible health risks of the triple vaccination than they are prepared to admit in public.

MI Autistic kids get a real treat – They get free reign of a Fenton theatre.

Discipline and the Child with Autism: Tips on Parental Discipline – How do we handle the aggressive behaviors that many children with autism exhibit when they are disappointed or frustrated? This is an age old question that was brought home to me today, when Jonathan smashed a drinking glass in the kitchen sink because he was upset at being told “no”. Are there good ways to handle this problem, or are we as parents left to fend for ourselves?

A Child’s Best Friend Part 1: Considering a Service Animal?
A Child’s Best Friend Part 2: Self-Training a Service Dog

ALERT: Genetic Link to Autism Found – Duke University Medical Center researchers have announced the discovery of a genetic link to autism. The center’s findings will be published in the March 2003 issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics. The study included data collected from families in which more than one child is affected by autism and whose children exhibit repetitive activities and have extreme difficulty with changes to their daily routine. The researchers discovered a strong link to a gene on Chromosome 15.

Autism Proof Your Home: Making A Secure Environment

MI Autism rate up 1,500% in state – “Only a small fraction of autistic kids recover because only a small fraction of parents follow this procedure,” Rimland said. “Traditional doctors will tell you that’s nonsense, but that’s because they’re ignorant.”

Study showing mercury in vaccine not harmful to infants draws mixed reactions – Drug companies and the US medical establishment welcomed a new study that found infants who received vaccines containing mercury were unharmed but some children’s health advocates discounted the report insisting mercury in infant vaccines was responsible for autism and other developmental disorders.

U.S. Lobbyists target Burton – Rep. Davis (R-Va.), chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, has ended a dispute over what to do with his predecessor, Rep. Burton (R-Ind.), and has decided to give him a subcommittee chairmanship.

A New Approach to Autism – MIND Institute Sees Parents as Essential to a Cure; According to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism is now 10 times more common today than it was 10 years ago. Guest host Paul Raeburn and guests look at the science of autism. What’s behind the rise in the autism rate? Are we just diagnosing the disease better? [source]

Making Their Way: Despite Critics, Autistic Youths Still Typing – Autism is like a heavy curtain between its sufferers and the outside world, and when facilitated communication was introduced, it seemed like the curtain had lifted and autistic people were at last able to reveal themselves.

Breaking Through: Boy Sheds Light on Autism Mysteries – Tito’s mother had somehow found a way to communicate with her autistic son.

Debate over vaccine amendment – Last-minute addition to homeland security bill shields makers.

Five Early Signs of Autism – Timmy was the perfect baby. Quiet and complacent, at 10 months he could play by himself for hours, allowing me to read the paper or do the housework. Unlike our friends’ children, Timmy was so much less demanding of our attention.

Study: Autism in Rhode Island by Dr. Ed Yazbak – Read the report from Dr. Yazbak on his findings during this study in Rhode Island. “It was sad to write. I hope that it increases awareness….”

PA “Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention Services For Children with Autism-Related Disorders” (pdf version) results from statewide hearings held throughout Pennsylvania to identify areas in which services should focus to bring about positive results for young children with autism-related disorders.

This Marino miracle is a victory over Autism – Mikey is about as normal a 14-year-old boy as there is. But it’s his normalcy that’s the miracle.

U.S. American Academy of Pediatrics Will Look for MMR/Autism Link

FL When Law And School Safety Collide: Autism Backlash? – Mainstreaming problem students can cause difficulties for others.

 

KS Differences bring girls together – Autistic girl and others learn life skills in special troop.

OH School for the Autistic Is Part Of New Study

MI “Oral Health & Autism – What Parents Can Tell Dentists” – Call for Volunteers to Participate in a Focus Group.

MA Allegations resurface at unique school for autistic children

MI MIRS 9-19-02 Mercury Thermometer Ban Goes To Governor

Mom’s Question: Does Drug Trigger Autism?

Light at the End of the Tunnel Parts 1-4: A Story About Hope And Recovery And Autism

Autism May Be Linked to Immune Reactions

Transcript of BBC Coverage of Autism in California – “A ten year study into possible links between autism and environmental pollutants and vaccinations is now under way. Meanwhile the case load continues to swell. With ABA, the treatment of choice, costing $50,000 per child, per year, the budget for special needs is already stretched.”

Vitamin B6 (and magnesium) in the Treatment of Autism – click here to read the article from the Autism Research Institute.

We would like to invite everyone to view the new website for “Autism Arts”. Their project is collecting artwork from children and adults on the spectrum. They are hosting an “Essay Contest” for a chance for someone to attend the first Inaugural World Autism Congress in Australia. The project is very cool, as is the site! Enjoy… Please feel free to pass on the information to others – be sure to visit Autism Arts for more information.

Latino Group Bridges the Barriers of Autism – Support: After son’s diagnosis, couple found little data in Spanish. Now they share facts.