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Autism Trek Update - Federal Health Minister Clement Passes the Autism Buck
2008-02-12 12:24:00
The Belleville Intelligencer continued its excellent coverage of dedicated Autism Dad Stephan Marinoiu's winter Autism Trek to Ottawa reporting on his greeting in Ottawa by long time autism advocate Senator Jim Munson and his meeting with federal "Health " Minister Tony Clement. Mr. Marinoiu described the challenges faced in Ontario where ABA service did not become available for his son. Unfortunately, as reported by Mr Marinoiu and the Intelligencer, alleged Health Minister Clement merely passed the buck for autism services, but not the bucks, to the provinces.High School political science students in this country are aware that the primary constitutional responsibility for health care rests with the provinces. But our history also shows that the provinces and the federal government have cooperated to provide a national health care system. There is nothing to stop the federal government from spending some of those surplus dollars taken from all Canadians to help provincial gov...
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More On Autism and Maternal IgG Antibodies From the UC Davis MIND Institut
2008-02-12 00:07:00
The UC Davis Mind Institute has issued a press release elaborating on its new study on maternal IgG antibodies and autism which found that "antibodies in the blood of mothers of children with autism bind to fetal brain cells, potentially interrupting healthy brain development" and that "the reaction was most common in mothers of children with the regressive form of autism"Some cases of autism may be traced to the immune system of mothers during pregnancyUC-Davis discovery could lead to prenatal identification and prevention (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – New research from the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute and Center for Children’s Environmental Health has found that antibodies in the blood of mothers of children with autism bind to fetal brain cells, potentially interrupting healthy brain development. The study authors also found that the reaction was most common in mothers of children with the regressive form of autism, which occurs when a period of typical development is followed ...
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Autism Trek Update
2008-02-11 10:44:00
In Blizzards no match for man on 450K walk for autism the Ottawa Citizen interviews Stefan Marinoiu, updates his gutsy mid winter trek to Ottawa to plead with federal politicians for a national autism strategy and describes some of the dangers he is facing on his trek:"The Ontario Provincial Police, who stopped him the first night for walking illegally on the highway, have kept an eye out for him, picking him up several times and driving him into the nearest community. "They told me I was gonna freeze to death," he said. "It has been so cold you feel like you are going to die the next second but I take the next step. I am walking for all the tens of thousands who are like my son. No matter what, I am going to accomplish this."" autism
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In Ireland Fine Gael Fights for ABA for Autistic Children
2008-02-10 22:41:00
Like many North Americans of Irish heritage I watch events in Ireland with enhanced interest. It is not just another country. Excessive romanticism or not, Ireland is where we are from. Ireland, even generations removed, is in our genes and, as everyone following the explosive development of genetic research into autism disorders is aware, genes matter. Following is a press release from Fine Gael detailing the FG effort to improve services, particularly ABA services, for autistic children in Ireland. 10 Feb 2008 FF Govt's Grossly Misguided Autism Policy To Be Overhauled by FG Motion Fine Gael National Press Office Press ReleaseFine Gael National Press Office Press Statement________________________________ _________________________________Leinster House Contact Brian Hayes TDDublin 2 Ciarán Conlon Education & ScienceIreland ...
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Michelle Dawson's Many Mistakes - Mistake #1
2008-02-10 17:39:00
Michelle Dawson is a well known "autistic" who expresses her views on a number of autism issues and individuals involved with autism advocacy. She has consistently advocated against ABA for autistic children, notwithstanding ABA's endorsement by such agencies as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the MADSEC Autism Task Force, New York and California health and education departments, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment and the office of the US Surgeon General to name the better known. She also indulges in personal criticisms of anyone who dares disagree with her "wisdom" on autism issues. But Ms Dawson doesn't alway get her facts straight. In the following post, copied from a blog site run by neurodiversity hub blogger Steve D, Ms Dawson wrongly claims that I hold the view that "some autistics just naturally are write offs": Also, there is no doubt that a lot of autistics are written off. But I disagree with Bill and with Mr Doherty that some autistics just natu...
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Environmental Causes of Autism
2007-12-17 23:18:00
One of the most succinct arguments in support of an environmental theory of autism can be found in a fact cited by autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre, Cambridge University : Autism and Asperger’s syndrome run in families. If there is one child who has a diagnosis on the autistic spectrum, the likelihood of another child also having a diagnosis is about 5-10 per cent, which is higher than the general population rate. Molecular genetic studies are focused on identifying the key genes that might play a role in increasing the risk of a diagnosis. Studies of twins have established that it is not 100 per cent genetic, since even among identical twins, when one has autism, the likelihood of both twins having autism is only about 60 per cent. This means there must also be an environmental component, but what it is remains unknown.Simon Baron-Cohen, Freedom of Expression, TIMESONLINE, December 14, 2007What are the unknown environmental components of a...
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An Autism Dad Thanks Dr. Harold Koplewicz
2007-12-17 09:31:00
Dr. Harold KoplewiczNew York University Child Study CenterDear Dr. KoplewiczI am writing as the father of a severely autistic boy nearing 12 years of age in New Brunswick, Canada. I started an autism blog site called Facing Autism in New Brunswick 16 months ago as a means of lobbying local and national government, educators and autism service providers. I also started it, in part, because of the lack of internet sites focusing on the real needs of autistic children and adults and their families. Much of the internet "autism" fare really reflects a subgroup of SOME high functioning autistic persons and a handful of parents who all have one element in common: they all glorify autism as something other than what it is, a serious neurological disorder which impairs the lives of autistic children and adults.For this group, as alluded to in the New York Times article, "harsh-upsetting" language describing autism is more upsetting than the harsh-upsetting realities of autism. It is ...

Autism and Translational Research at the University of Nebraska Medical Cen
2007-12-17 01:52:00
Translational Research is a term which not often seen on autism internet sites. For professionals, parents and other family members and care givers actually trying to help improve the outlook for autistic children and adults though Translational Research is an important element of what they are trying to do in helping their autistic loved ones and patients.The NIH Roadmap for Medical Research defines Translational Research:Translational Research Overview To improve human health, scientific discoveries must be translated into practical applications. Such discoveries typically begin at “the bench” with basic research — in which scientists study disease at a molecular or cellular level — then progress to the clinical level, or the patient's “bedside.” Scientists are increasingly aware that this bench-to-bedside approach to translational research is really a two-way street. Basic scientists provide clinicians with new tools for use in patients and for assessm...
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Autism and ABA Success Story From ARC Broward
2007-12-16 14:37:00
Priorities differ in the autism world like anywhere else. For some the choice of metaphors used to describe autism and autistic behaviors is the most important priority. For many parents of autistic children thought the priorities are shaped more by day to day, sometimes harsh and upsetting, realities. For these real world parents of children ending their autistic child's aggressive harmful behavior, to themselves and others, is by necessity the top priority in their autism campaign. In ARC Broward helps autistic boy improve behavior Sun-Sentinel.com reports a success story; the story of how the Travis family improved the aggressive and violent behavior of their autistic son Trey with the help of ARC Broward and Applied Behavior Analysis.Trey's behavior was defiant and sometimes violent and dangerous:"Trey stood on his head in public places, choked his older sister and defied almost every request his family made. They quit taking him to birthday parties, play dates and restaur...
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2007 Autism Blog of the Year - About.com Autism
2007-12-16 13:12:00
My personal pick as Autism Blog of the Year 2007 [excluding Facing Autism in New Brunswick ] is the About.com Autism Blog hosted by Lisa Jo Rudy. Ms Rudy's views often reflect the "neurodiversity" perspective; an autism perspective which I do not share. The neurodiversity emphasis can be quickly seen in the links on the related sites portion of the blog where links are provided to the neurodiversity network of alleged "autism" bloggers. Yet, Ms Rudy has clearly been trying to present all views on controversial autism subjects including the recent battle by the neurodiversity community which successfully bullied the NYU Ransom Notes campaign into submission. The parents whose concerns inspired the Ransom Notes campaign lost a voice with that defeat but the blame for that does not lie with Ms Rudy who tried to present all sides of the issue.Another example of Ms Rudy's attempt to present all autism perspectives is the recently posted series on autism treatments. Most of the t...

Autistic Man Found Safe in Indiana
2007-12-16 11:32:00
The South Bend Tribune reports Ryan Evans, 23, who is autistic, does not speak and communicates in writing or by signals, was found safe after wandering away for almost 8 hours. His mother thought he would seek out a familiar place which he did. " Shortly after midnight, she said, Ryan walked into the SpringHill Suites at Edison Lakes Parkway in Mishawaka and wrote a note to the clerks, asking them to call his family."News reports of autistic children and adults wandering off and getting lost are fairly frequent. Most parents will understand what the parents of the people involved must feel during the time they are missing. Each and every happy ending to such reports is worth celebrating.autism
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Autistic Man Found Safe in California - A Real Autism Feel Good Story
2007-12-15 22:04:00
While much of the autism news this week has revolved around the hysterical reaction in some quarters to the 'Ransom Notes' campaign a real autism story also took place in Ukiah California where Ted Daly, a 20 year old autistic man, unable to speak, capable only of communicating by hand gestures, ran away from school and was missing for 14 hours in below freezing temperatures. The Press-Democrat reports that "hundreds of people were looking for 20-year-old Ted Daly when he was finally found walking on Low Gap Road early Thursday morningFortunately Mr. Daley turned up safe. Other news stories of autistic persons leaving their homes and running in traffic or getting lost have not always turned out so well. The hard realities of persons with Autism Disorder are not helpful in telling the "autism is beautiful" story that the harsh critics of the 'Ransom Notes' campaign insists on selling to the world. Arguing about what metaphors are appropriate for use in describing autism did ...
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Autism Reality from Professor Simon Baron-Cohen
2007-12-15 13:00:00
I have not always been a fan of Professor Simon Baron-Cohen . He enjoys status as a world renowned autism expert, as the Director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University, who has actually worked with autistic children from across the entire autism spectrum matter. When Professor Baron-Cohen talks about autism the world listen. In the past though, I have been concerned that he was contributing to the trivializing of autism, a serious neurological disorder, by some public comments apparently supportive of the view that autism should not be cured, that it is a "culture", or "way of life". Whether my interpretation of those remarks was accurate or not I admit to being pleasantly surprised by some of the autism facts articulated by Professor Baron-Cohen in Freedom of expression published December 15, 2007 in the TIMESONLINE.In this article Professor Baron-Cohen addresses many of the myths and misconceptions about autism disorders and at the same time gently, but ...
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Autism News of the Year - 2007
2007-12-14 11:49:00
These are my personal choices for top autism news of the year - 2007Autism Research (Tie)Autism genome scan reported.Unified Theory of Autism published.Autism Health Care American Academy of Pediatric autism reports published:Identification and Evaluation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism Awareness (3 Way Tie)Autism Every Day Video screening at the Sundance Film Fesitval.Faces of Autism series published in the Vancouver Sun.World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, declared by United Nations.autism
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Autism Vox Tells The NYT PART Of the Autism Story
2007-12-14 09:53:00
In reaction to a provocative public service advertising campaign which highlighted some of the negative realities of autism and other mental disorders, Kristina Chew of Autism Vox did what she does day in and day out, she told part of the story of autism. In Campaign on Childhood Mental Illness Succeeds at Being Provocative Ms Chew gave the New York Times the "let's all feel good, say nice things, and sing Koombaya" part of the story of autism and she expressed indignation and outrage on behalf of parents of special-needs children, autistic adults, teachers, disability rights advocates and mental health professionals about the negative picture of autism presented by the campaign.At Autism Vox Ms Chew rarely mentions any of the negative realities that actually result in autism diagnoses or that impair the lives of so many autistic children and adults and the family members and caregivers who love and care for them. Any expression of those negative realities whether it be the...
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Canada's Autism Disgrace
2007-12-12 11:20:00
What is Canada's National Autism Strategy? The answer is simple; we don't have one. And as long as Stephen Harper's Reform-Alliance-Conservative government rules Canada with an iron fist we will not have a National Autism Strategy. My friends of Conservative background in Canada may not like it but that is the hard brutal truth. Canada will not have a real National Autism Strategy as long as Stephen Harper is Prime Minister of Canada.We certainly had the beginnings of a National Autism Strategy with the passing of the Andy Scott-Peter Stoffer motion in the House of Commons. And MP Shawn Murphy fought the good fight with his private member's initiative; defeated in the House of Commons by the alliance between the Harper Conservatives and the separatist Bloc Quebecois. Senator Jim Munson has continued his valiant efforts to keep the need to address Canada's national autism crisis alive in the media but even those efforts are becoming more challenging as the Harper-Clement...
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JAMA Article Highlights AAP Autism Reports
2007-12-12 02:20:00
The current edition, of the Journal of the American Medical Association , includes an article by Tracy Hampton, PhD JAMA. 2007; 298(22):2610 highlighting the recent American Academy of Pediatrics autism reports. In Reports Help Identify and Manage Autism Doctor Hampton highlights the recommendation for early, 18 and 24 month, universal screening and the early intervention, particularly early behavioral intervention. The most significant recommendation is to screen all children at age 18 months and 24 months. "This is the first time that the Academy has recommended universal screening rather than just when a parent is concerned," said co-author Chris Plauche Johnson, MD, MEd, clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. .... The second AAP clinical report, Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, highlights early interventions that are important for effective treatment. The report advises intervention as soon as...
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Flaws in N.B.'s new autism therapy system, say parents
2007-12-10 17:44:00
The CBC is voicing the concerns of some parents in New Brunswick about the agency system in place for the provision of pre-school autism services. Hopefully, the concerns of the parents will be addressed. I disagree, however, with parent Cindy Havens who feels that families would be better off without the agencies. Prior to the agencies there was a mess of service providers who were being paid to offer pre-school intervention for autistic children, there were no standards and no accountability. The agency system was introduced to address these issues and it has resulted in some great improvements, particularly in Fredericton. The province itself has provided audit information and has highlighted areas which need improvement.The biggest problem pointed out by the parents is the fact that hours are eaten up on non-therapy time and counted toward the 20 hours for which funding is supplied, at least in the Moncton area where the parents quoted reside. The abolition of agencies thou...
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Autism and ABA - The Testimony of Dr. Phillip Strain
2007-12-10 12:16:00
Michael Goldberg at Autism Bulletin has published an informative comment on the recent arbitral ruling in favor of a Colorado family which sought coverage for under their health insurance policy for Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for their autistic daughter. Mr. Goldberg noted the effort by the health insurance provider in media interviews to provide a narrow interpretation of the award and limit its use as a precedent in other cases. In his comment rebutting that effort he cited some of the testimony of Dr. Phillip Strain , who characterized ABA as broader than the original Lovaas methods and testified to its wide acceptance as an accepted autism intervention:According to Dr. Strain, instead of being investigational and experimental, ABA therapy reduces problem behaviors 80 to 90 percent and studies have replicated these results repeatedly. Finally, Dr. Strain testified that the ABA therapy received by Abby was endorsed by the National Academy of Sciences—the recognized autho...
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Autism and Learning - ABA Is Being Used To Help Autistic School Children
2007-12-10 09:25:00
If you read only the writings of a few hard core anti-ABA activists like Dr. Laurent Mottron and his colleague Michelle Dawson, or their followers in the Neurodiversity movement, you would think that Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is an oppressive violation of the rights of autistic children. You would not know that ABA is considered by thousands of autism experts, based on hundreds of studies over more than five decades of research to be an effective method of helping autistic children make continuing gains in learning, intellect, social and communication skills. Numerous responsible and respected agencies have reached the same conclusion, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, The US Surgeon General's Office, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, and state and provincial agencies across Canada and the United States, including the best known in Maine, New York and California.If you are a parent of a newly diagnosed autistic child I urge you to ignore...
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TAAAPP - Autism's Confused Anti-Cure, Anti-Parent Movement
2007-12-09 14:57:00
Despite the increasing body of knowledge revealing the neurological bases of autism, despite the fact that people who call themselves autistic either have, or are adopting by self-diagnosis, a medical diagnosis which defines autism as a disorder, despite the severe self inflicted injuries which threaten the health and lives of some autistic persons, despite the lives lived dependent on others in various dependent residential care facilities and institutions there are those, particularly on the internet who claim that autism is not a disorder and should not be cured.There are some in the autism anti-cure movement who acknowledge that it is a disorder, particularly when they are seeking disability accommodation from employers or the provision of government services, but who still say that autism should not be cured. Implicit in this perspective is an anti-parent theme which emerges fully when parents describe candidly and honestly the realities faced by their autistic children partic...
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Autism Christmas Gift From The Grinch
2007-12-09 11:34:00
We have an evening routine in our house.At 9 pm I say, or holler if necessary , "TV Off", and Conor will run from wherever he is in the house to turn off the TV, wash, brush teeth and get in bed. (If the TV is not on, I turn it on so Conor can come in and turn it off). Routine is important for any child, especially one with autism, or at least with Conor. Sticking to routine has helped keep Conor's sleep disrupted nights (and mine) to a minimum.Last night we abandoned the routine because at 9 pm (Atlantic) Ron Howard's movie version of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas was on television. It had already been a good night for Conor. We had done a lot of computer print offs from the PBS Kids web site and it was quiet in the house with his brother and mother off to see the Theatre New Brunswick production of A Christmas Carol. Conor sat down on the couch and watched the entire Grinch movie with Dad.Conor watched the entire movie, relaxed, and with focused attention. He la...
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Genetic Animal Model of Autism
2007-12-08 16:13:00
The following press release from the Craig M. Powellreports on a study led by Thomas Südhof, M.D., professor and chairman of neuroscience at UT Southwestern, another important step forward in the Autism Knowledge Revolution that one day may result in treatment capable of reversing autism or some of the signficant elements of autism. Study researcher Craig M. Powell, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, who authored the press release of the study was careful to stress that for now behavioral therapy remains of central importance as an autism intervention:“For now, the mainstay of autism treatment is still behavioral therapy. The earlier we can get patients involved with behavioral interventions, the better off people with autism will be.”American College of NeuropsychopharmacologyACNPEMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: Contact: Amy Levey (202) 745-51169:00 am (EST), Saturday, December 8, 2007 Sharon ...
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Autism Quote # 4 - The Most Accepted Hypothesis For Autism
2007-12-06 20:01:00
We show that if Cdk5 fails to facilitate CASK, then there is a very profound defect in synapse formation, .... The most accepted hypothesis for autism is that there is a defect in synapse formation," .... mutations of genes directly connected to CASK have already been identified as being associated with autism. Li-Huei Tsai, PhD, and Picower Professor of Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)autism
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Autism and ABA Conference: Issues and Recent Advancements in the Behavioral
2007-12-06 09:51:00
More details on the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)'s Second Annual Autism Conference from Friday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 10 in Atlanta:Second Annual Autism Conference Offers New Insight Into Treating Autistic Children; Distinguished Speakers to Address a Growing Challenge As many as 1 in 150 children have autism. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most scientifically backed methods available for treating autism. Leading ABA researchers will soon be gathering to present the latest developments in this life-changing science. Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) December 6, 2007 -- As many as 1 in 150 children have autism, a complex disorder marked by impairments in communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) ...
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World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, Designated by UN General Assembly
2007-12-06 04:19:00
The Gulf Times reports that the UN General Assembly Third Committee has approved a draft resolution, which was introduced by Qatar and co-sponsored by 50 member states, on the designation of the World Autism Awareness Day to be observed annually on April 2 beginning in 2008.

Autism and the Missing Protein
2007-12-06 02:48:00
The autism buzz in the news today arises from the publication in Neuron of a study led by Li-Huei Tsai, PhD, and Picower Professor of Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which suggests that a missing protein may be the key to autism. The brain protein helps synapses develop, the synapses through which neurons convey information, and which are the basis for memory and learning ability development.As explained by Debbie Halber, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT, in Missi ng protein may be key to autism, the study uncovers an enzyme, called Cdk5, that is a key to the activity of the missing protein. Cdk5 is a "kinase", an enzyme that changes proteins, and interacts with a protein called CASK, which is itself important for developing synapses. The absence of Cdk5 can result in the CASK not being present to perform its role:""Without Cdk5, CASK was not in the right place at the right time, and failed to interact with essential presynaptic...
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Hearing Impaired Man Tasered In His Own Bathroom
2007-12-06 00:51:00
The focus of this blog is autism but I have for some time expressed my concerns about the use of Tasers. One reason for my concern is that some people die after being Tasered. Another is that, despite the fact the very real danger faced by policer officers every day they are on duty, many Taser victims are stunned simply because they were "non-compliant" with verbal commands. In the Vancouver tragedy the gentleman who was non-compliant, (if he was, the video doesn't even clearly show non-compliance), did not understand English. Some autistic persons, with limited communication skills and behavioral deficits have also been Tasered. A recent episode involving a hearing impaired man in Wichita, Kansas again illustrates the tendency of police forces to Taser citizens for non-compliance.KWCH reports that Donnell Williams, a hearing impaired gentleman in Wichita, Kansas had just gotten out of his bathtub and was wearing only a towel around his waist when he saw police pointing Tase...
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Autism Challenges During The Holidays
2007-12-05 08:51:00
Autism does not take a vacation during the Christmas, or any other, holiday season. Autistic children can face additional challenges. In Autistic children face holiday challenges Dr. Alan Harchik chief operating officer of the May Institute, a nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral health care services to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health care needs, offers some sound advice for helping your autistic child, and you, during the holiday season with its many additional stresses.One of the many helpful points made by Dr. Harchik is one which I am emphasizing because I did not adhere to it last Saturday with Conor:Shopping: If your child accompanies you to the mall, supermarket, or department store, try to go early in the day or during the mid-week when it is likely to be less crowded.Last Saturday Conor and I went for a couple of outings early in the day to loc...
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A Parent's View of Autism in Columbia, Missouri
2007-12-04 11:02:00
"I want him. I want him to be able to tell his mom that he loves her. It's more than a full time job, it is a hundred hour a week job. And she does it without fail. There is nothing more important to her than that kid..and there is nothing more important to him than her. But he can't say it. It's hard."- Tim Miles, Father"I want him to go to a birthday party and not scream and cry when they say happy birthday and want to blow out the candles. And be interested in his birthday presents. I love Will's quirks. I love that he is obsessed with automatic doors. We make fun little games of all these things. I'm ok with Will not being like every other child. I would love to have a conversation with him. I would love for him to say, 'Mom I want a turkey sandwich today.' I want him to notice what is around him. I want him to be able to say, 'I love you,' to me to his grandparents to his Dad, give us kisses and hugs. That is what I want more than anything."- Deidre Miles, MotherIn A ...
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