Facing Autism in New BrunswickFacing Autism in New BrunswickAutism news and commentary on autism related awareness, advocacy, public policy, treatment, health care, education and residential care issues. 
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Disgusting Autism News - Lunch Money Stolen From Autistic Student in Califo
2008-03-08 10:04:00 "We trusted this caregiver, the assistant teacher, with our child, the most precious thing we have, and she violated that trust day after day by victimizing her," Spitzer said. "And this was a victim that couldn't speak, that couldn't tell anybody she was hungry or that her teacher was stealing from her."- Shawn SpitzerShawn Spitzer was commenting in the LA Times, about the Teacher's Assistant sentenced to six months in jail for stealing lunch money on 57 occasions over a three month period from her severely autistic 13 year old daughter who cannot speak. Ms Spitzer had been puzzled by her daughter's behavior, heading straight for the refrigerator when she got home from school every day, even though she had always been given a lunch box of snacks and money to buy a hot meal. Using a hidden camera, police caught the assistant stealing her autistic daughter's lunch money twice over a three day period.autism More About: News , Money , Student , Lunch , Autism
Disgusting Autism News In The OC - Teacher's Aide Accused of Abusing Autist
2008-03-08 09:37:00 The ocregister reports that a teacher's aide has been arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse after two other staff members at Alton School reported that he had repeatedly hit a teenage autistic boy on the arm while he sat at his desk, twisted his am behind his back, and lifted him out of the chair to his feet. The aide reportedly told detectives that "he had "crossed the line" in dealing with the teenager."The aide is now being held in Orange County jail. I am guessing that he will not "cross the line" in dealing with guards at the jail.autism More About: News , Autism , Aide
Disgusting Autism News - Home Alone In Oregon
2008-03-08 09:09:00 Some times the news about severely autistic children can be scary such as when, as all to frequently happens, the story is of a child with autism wandering away from home. In Oregon though the story was much different. In Mother convicted of mistreatment for leaving autistic son home alone the Oregonian's Aimee Green reports the story of a Portland Oregon mother who left her 11-year-old severely autistic son alone at home so she could go to a local bar. A fire broke out and the boy was rescued by a fire fighter after a neighbor's 911 call. Fortunately, the boy is now in state custody.autism More About: News , Autism , Home
Autism and Wandering, Missing Autistic Girl Found Safe
2008-03-07 22:01:00 It is sometimes difficult to listen to, or read, statements by a few celebrity, high functioning autistic persons, and others who embrace their ideology, who claim that autism is just another natural variation of the human condition, a difference to be embraced, a joy in itself. I have never pretended to accept this view. At least not for those, like my son, for whom autism presents serious life restrictions and risks. One of those dangerous, even life threatening risks, is the tendency of some autistics to wander off, to get lost ... or worse. In some cases things end well ..... in others they do not. This story has a good ending:Missing Autistic Girl , 13, Found Safe , ... Janelle Halbrook had last been seen near Lake Center Middle School at Clarkman Street and Pioneer Boulevard around 4 p.m. Wednesday, Whittier police Officer Jason Zuhlke said. ... The mother told police that Halbrook has a tendency to wander whenever her routine is interrupted, as she did in a similar "wal... More About: Autism , Wandering
Autism and Maternal Antibodies On The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
2008-03-07 19:50:00 In Maternal antibodies may cause autism, published in the March 6, 2008, issue of The John Hopkins News letter Sam Ohmer discusses the recent study led by Hopkins pediatric neurologist Harvey Singer suggesting a possible connection between maternal antibodies and autism. The study focused on the role of the immune system in causing autism.Singer and his group found that, in some cases of autism, pregnant women's bodies actually raise antibodies against their babies, which sets off a series of events that slowed the normal development of the infants' brains. The team found that mothers of children with autism had heightened levels of certain antibodies during their pregnancies. "The presence of specific antibodies correlated with the presence of developmental regression in the affected child," Singer said. "About 40 percent of mothers with autistic offspring had significant differences on Western immunoblots," Singer said, referring to analyses conducted on fetal fluids to measur... More About: Autism , Letter , Johns Hopkins
More AutismPro Promotion But Where is the Evidence?
2008-03-05 20:34:00 New Brunswick media have been actively engaged in helping Virtual Experts Inc. promote AutismPro over the past 24 hours in New Brunswick. Not itself shy about tooting its own horn, see - Autism and AutismPro-Buzzwords Aplenty But Where's The Evidence ?, AutismPro - "Somewhat" Evidence Based or Not Evidence Based At All?, AutismPro and Autism Self Promotion , AutismPro has been actively promoted by CBC and the Telegraph Journal. Indications are that more feel good stories may be on the way from other media. The Telegraph Journal article reports the testimonial evidence of parents of an autistic child that the child made very impressive gains as a result of their use of AutismPro.The reality though is that every form of autism treatment or intervention known can offer similar testimonial support. But this is the weakest form of evidence. Therapies from facilitated communication to swimming with dolphins all can offer testimonial support. The serious reviews of autism interventi...
An Autism Message From BC for Alleged Federal Health Minister Tony Clement
2008-03-04 09:47:00 The Medicare for Autism NOW rally held in Burnaby was a huge success. The message is being heard across Canada. Autism is a medical disorder. A well studied treatment is available and it should be covered under Canada's medicare system. The Global News video which follows includes some commentary from dedicated autism advocates Jean Lewis and David Marley.The video also includes some nice footage of parents and the children they love; the children they are doing everything they can to help. Nothing will be done, though, unless our federal politicians, people like Prime Minister Harper and Alleged Health Minister Tony Clement can be convinced that it is in their political best interests to take action. "Health" Minister Clement prove you really are a Health Minister, take steps now to include medicare coverage for ABA, a proven effective treatment for autism.autism More About: Message
Conor Loves The Snow
2008-03-04 00:08:00 This is one of the hardest winters we have experienced in this part of the world for a long time. But Conor is not complaining about the snow. Heck no, the snow is no problem and autism is not an issue. Conor enjoys the snow, he loves the snow, just like so many other Canadian kids.autism More About: Snow
A Shout Out for New Blogger TJ Burke
2008-03-02 14:36:00 SAY IT LIKE IT IS is the title of the new blog by Fredericton-Nashwaaksis MLA and New Brunswick Justice Minister and Attorney General TJ Burke. I commend Minister Burke for stepping out from behind the curtains of office and layers of bureaucracy to communicate directly with the people of New Brunswick. It may not surprise too many here in New Brunswick that I have taken advantage of Minister Burke's venture into the blogosphere to comment on his government's Transformational Change agenda and how it might impact on the lives of persons with autism disorders in New Brunswick.Welcome to the blogosphere Minister Burke! autism More About: Blogger , Shout
Medicare for Autism Rally TODAY In Burnaby BC
2008-03-02 13:05:00 Sunday, March 2nd, 20082:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Shadbolt Centre for the Arts6450 Deer Lake AvenueBurnabyWhy should you attend?Despite a decade of lobbying, collaborating and litigating – autism treatment is still excluded from our universal health care system. Canadian families are still bankrupting themselves in order to provide treatment for their autistic children.The current and limited funding provided through the provincial government’s social services ministries could evaporate tomorrow with the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen. No legislation exists within these ministries to protect or enshrine our children’s medically necessary treatment.In 30 years of "advocacy", the only two initiatives which have achieved ANY success for our children and families has beenlitigation, and more recently, focused political action. Both were brought by the members of FEAT of BC – a 100% volunteer organization.Autism is an epidemic of staggering proportions, it now afflicts one in every 15... More About: Today , Rally , Medicare
"Medicare for Autism Now!" Rally, Sunday, March 2nd at 2 PM
2008-03-01 08:58:00 "Medicare for Autism Now!" Rally Sunday , March 2nd, 20082:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Shadbolt Centre for the Arts6450 Deer Lake AvenueBurnabyDon't forget the Medicare for Autism Now Rally tomorrow March 2nd in Burnaby! Medicare coverage of autism treatment, particularly ABA, would ensure that all autistic children in Canada receive ABA coverage without regard for accidents of geography. It would also help ensure that ABA services that are provided are protected from erosion or loss resulting from that minority, but still common, and often influential, type of bureaucrat who places his, or her, career agenda before the interests of the autistic children they are supposed to help.Come out and voice your support for Medicare for Autism NOW! Voice your support for autistic children and their right to effective, evidence based treatment NOW!autism
Where's Conor? Where Did Conor Go?
2008-02-27 19:39:00 Conor has autism disorder.He also has his own lively personality quite separate and apart from his autism. He is much more as a person than his autism. He is a lot of fun. While these pictures were being taken I was asking "Where's Conor?" "Where did Conor go?" (When my mouth wasn't covered).Conor enjoyed every second of our fun. And so did Dad.autism More About: Conor
FEAT-BC “Campaign Kick-off Rally”: Sunday, March 2, 2008
2008-02-27 13:36:00 FEAT-BC “Campaign Kick -off Rally”: Sunday , March 2, 2008 Vancouver, BC: - FEAT-BC [Families for Early Autism Treatment in BC] today announced it will be holding a “campaign kick-off rally” on Sunday, March 2, 2008, beginning at 2:00pm, at the Jack Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby. This rally launches the FEAT-BC goes coastal campaign, aimed at influencing the electoral outcome in more than a dozen targeted constituencies across Canada in the upcoming federal general election. “ In its Auton decision, the Supreme Court of Canada told parents of autistic children to ‘get political’ if they wanted to see their children no longer be orphans of the Medicare system,”states Jean Lewis, a founding director of FEAT-BC. “Well, we’re taking the judiciary at their word and launching a nation-wide campaign to elect MPs, regardless of which political party holds office following the next election, who will vote for legislation that enshrines... More About: Feat
Autism Disorder Versus Asperger's Syndrome
2008-02-27 11:43:00 The Autism Society of America has published a good overview of Autism Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome on TylerPaper.com. The article contains a basic description of both Autism Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome and helps distinguish between the two similar but distinct disorders: What distinguishes Asperger's Syndrome from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger's may seem just like a normal child behaving differently. They may be socially awkward, not understanding of conventional social rules, or show a lack of empathy. They may make limited eye contact, seem to be unengaged in a conversation, and not understand the use of gestures. One of the major differences between Asperger's Syndrome and autism is that, by definition, there is no speech delay in Asperger's. In fact, children with Asperger's frequently have good language skills; they simply use language in different ways. Speech patte... More About: Versus
Charles LeBlanc's Other Blog
2008-02-26 14:39:00 Fans of Charles LeBlanc's blog site "Charles LeBlanc Political ADHD Activist" have been surprised to see a blank white page where Charles' blog used to be located. Blog ger has been having problems for the past 24 hours but Charles speculates that there may be more to it in the case of his blog site. Time will tell.In the meantime anyone wanting to see Charles' pics, and read what he and his guests have to say, can still do so at Charles LeBlancs Other Blog.
Autism Likely Caused By Interplay of Immune, Genetic and Environmental fact
2008-02-26 02:55:00 Following is the link to an abstract of an article, Antibodies against fetal brain in sera of mothers with autistic children, published in the February issue of the Journal of Neuroimmunology and the media release translating it into ordinary language for us mortals which implicates the mother's immune system as a possible contributing factor in causing autism.Lead investigator Harvey Singer, M.D., director of pediatric neurology at John Hopkins Children's Center, stresses that autism is a complex condition caused by an interplay of immune, genetics and environmental factors. Further studies are needed to confirm that particular antibodies do indeed cross the placenta and cause damage to the fetal brain.Autism 's Origins: Mother's Antibody Production May Affect Fetal Brain BALTIMORE, Feb. 25(AScribe Newswire) -- The mothers of some autistic children may have made antibodies against their fetuses' brain tissue during pregnancy that crossed the placenta and caused ... More About: Environmental , Fact
Autism Treatment Quotes 2007-2008
2008-02-25 17:55:00 "If we had done what so many people told us to do years ago, we wouldn't have the child we have today. We would have written her off. Then what would she be today? We never would have seen she could write these things. Can you imagine? We would have never have gotten out of her how articulate she is how intelligent she is. Now, she tells us stories, she teases her brother. She just does it in a different way, she does it with her computer."Arthur Fleishmann, Carly's Dad, discussing his, and his wife Tammy's, decision to provide Carly with early intensive ABA treatment, CTV, February 17, 2008 The effectiveness of ABA-based intervention in ASDs has been well documented through 5 decades of research by using single-subject methodology21,25,27,28 and in controlled studies of comprehensive early intensive behavioral intervention programs in university and community settings.29–40 Children who receive early intensive behavioral treatment have been shown to make substantial, sustai... More About: Autism , Quotes , Treatment
Autism In Tasmania - Autistic School Children Are Being Denied ABA
2008-02-25 01:31:00 Autism activists in the Australia island state of Tasmania , Action for Tasmania's Autistic Children , are angry over the failure by the Department of Education to provide applied behavior analysis for autistic school children in Tasmania. As reported by ABC Tasmania, and in the ATAC Media Release of February 24, 2008, the group's secretary, Roger Law, claims that some aides for autistic children are being taken away and the department is avoiding providing ABA for the children:""The only effective treatment for autism is applied behavioural analysis and very intensive, and because it's costly the schools have avoided it"It seems that, no matter the jurisdiction, professional "educators" simply will not acknowledge that many autistic children need Applied Behavior Analysis to learn and develop. I would not be surprised if the Tasmanian "educators" trot out the old "one side does not fit all" cliché to justify their failure. autism More About: Autism , School
Autism Crisis In Scotland - Invisible Autistic Adults
2008-02-24 08:59:00 In Scotland Lacks Autism Services I commented on an article on healthcarerepublic on July 6, 2007 and the lack of services for people with autism in Scotland. That article, Call to find autism early in Scotland, focused on guidelines published by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) calling on doctors to look for signs of autism in children and adolescents, including problems with social interaction and play, speech and behaviours. The article also expressed the doubt of many professionals in Scotland that early diagnosis would make much difference because of the lack of autism services available in Scotland.In Revealed: ‘invisible’ adults living with autism, the Sunday Herald today reports, on an impending report by the National Autistic Society, the lack of services for autistic adults in Scotland, their dependency on family members for support and the isolation in which many spend their lives:"Issues in the report include limited access to diagnosis, with 5... More About: Crisis , Invisible
Senator Jim Munson Continues National Autism Strategy Efforts
2008-02-23 11:29:00 Senator Jim Munson is continuing his campaign for a National Autism Strategy . Senator Munson has been unrelenting in his efforts to help a constituency that Prime Minister Harper and Alleged Health Minister Tony Clement ignore - Canadians with autism. Speaking recently on Prince Edward Island Senator Munson stated that he would like to see the federal government take the lead in developing a National Autism Strategy to end the current patchwork of provincial programs" “It’s expensive but buying tanks is expensive too. “What we have now is a patchwork, scattergun approach to dealing with autism in individual provinces.” Senator Jim Munson, The Guardian, February 23, 2008autism More About: Senator
Autism Reality - Two Autistic Men Go Missing in Chicago Area
2008-02-22 09:37:00 The reality of autism is much more than heart warming feel good stories. The reality of autism is not a culture, or a life style choice, for many severely affected persons with autism and their families. The news is often filled with such stories of autistic persons, children and adults, who wander off, and get lost, unable to look out for their own safety and well being. Sometimes such stories have happy conclusions. Other times ... they do not. I have commented in the past of a terrifying personal experience when my son left our home while I was talking on the phone. In the Chicago area TWO autistic men wandered off, went missing, in the last week alone. In Family searches for missing man abc7chicago reports on 21 year old Jamaris Collins, who has the mental capacity of a young child, who had not returned several days after telling his aunt he was going for a walk to a nearby store. In Autistic man missing in Lyons the Chicago Tribune reported on J... More About: Reality , Autism , Missing , Area
Vote 4 Autism March 3 In Alberta Election 2008
2008-02-21 12:59:00 Residents of Alberta head to the polls on March 3 2008 to elect a new provincial government. The Autism Society of Alberta and FEAT (Famlies For Effective Autism Treatments) of Alberta are both urging Albertans to Vote 4 Autism on March 3! The Autism Society of Alberta has prepared an Election Paper list of autism questions for the candidates.Vote 4 Autism on March 3!autism More About: Election 2008
LDDI - Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Factors
2008-02-21 04:06:00 Immediately following is the press release from the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative about the Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Factors in the development of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders. Here are the links for the complete LDDI Scientific Consensus Statement and the executive summary.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWednesday, February 20, 2008CONTACTS: Elise Miller, MEd - (360) 331-7904; emiller@iceh.orgSteve G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT – (206) 527-0926; sgilbert@innd.orgCONSENSUS STATEMENT: http://www.iceh.org/LDDI.htmlLearning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI) Publishes Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental FactorsFebruary 20, 2008, Seattle, WA. The Collaborative on Health and the Environment’s Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative published today the Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (available at http://www.iceh.org/LDD...
Conor Is 12 Today. Happy Birthday Buddy!
2008-02-20 00:21:00 Conor turned 12 today. Happy Birthday Buddy !Below Conor enjoys his cake and relaxes with Mom.autism More About: Today , Conor
Carly's Writings - A Child With Autism Tells Her Story
2008-02-19 11:04:00 Carly's Writings - CTV News PhotoIn Girl's writings opening new window on autism CTV tells the story of 13 year old Carly, diagnosed with autism at an early age and non verbal, who can now communicate very well with a computer. Carly surprised her family and therapists when she began typing words and then sentences. Carly was believed to be intellectually challenged. She is able to describe the frustrations she endures because of being different, in some ways, then other children, and because of her inability to express herself verbally. At the same time she describes very ordinary feelings for a child, including having "crushes" and describing "yucky" siblings.The CTV article states that Carly's development of computer assisted communication abilities challenges conventional views of autism. That may be so, at least for some children with autism disorders. But Carly's story also challenges the anti-ABA, anti-treatment, ideology advocated by some prominent "autistics" and ... More About: Story , Autism , Child , Tells
Autism in Ireland - Fianna Fail Uses Old, Failed Logic, Tired Clichés, In
2008-02-16 11:14:00 It is sad to see that in Ireland today that old, failed logic and tired clichés like "one size does not fit all" are being trotted out by the governing Fianna Fail party to deny Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to autistic children in Ireland:Fianna Fáil's Peter Power appealed to the Opposition not to assume that those opposing the motion were 'anti-children', saying nobody was absolutely right, or absolutely wrong.There was derisive laughter from the gallery when Fianna Fáil's Margaret Conlon, a former teacher, referred to children with special needs demonstrating their abilities 'when they play their tin whistles as a group'.Concluding the debate for the Government, Minister Micheál Martin said the Government did not believe 'one size fits all', because autism is a continuum, and said the idea of a wide range of teaching methods was not a ridiculous suggestion.These rationalizations were trotted out a decade ago in New Brunswick and other jurisdictions in Can... More About: Autism , Logic , Tired
Autism and Mercury Revisited: DeSoto and Hitlan (2007) FAQ Site Updated
2008-02-15 18:10:00 The FAQ site for the DeSoto and Hitlan (2007) reanalysis of the Ip et al (2004) data has beenupdated. This FAQ site dispels some of the misinformation being circulated by bloggers about their 2007 reanalysis. Autism Street in particular has attempted to diminish the results and significance of the DeSoto and Hitlan reanalysis which: "documents a research finding that has been said to show there is "no connection between mercury and autism" was wrong; thus, some may have written off any connection too hastily. Certainly, if persons concluded that mercury and autism could not be linked based on Ip 2004 stated results, they would want to reconsider."If you have a non-faith based interest in this important autism issue, and your source of understanding of the DeSoto and Hitlan article is Autism Street, or other blog sites, you may want to visit the DeSoto and Hitlan updated FAQ site. The authors ask people to communicate with them directly if they hav... More About: Site , Mercury
Sundance Channel Features Autism Every Day on April 2, World Autism Awarene
2008-02-15 10:28:00 PR Newswire announces that The Sundance Channel will be airing the Autism Every Day video on World Autism Day, April 2. The neurodiversity movement, always angry at those who disagree with its "autism is beautiful" philosophy, has an irrational hostility toward the Autism Every Day video and its creator Lauren Thierry. But many parents of autistic children, including me, appreciate the video's honest portrayal of the challenges presented by autism disorders and the impact on the lives of the children with the disorder and the parents who love them and care for them. Lauren Thierry, Autism Speaks, Robert Redford and the Sundance organization deserve applause for presenting the hard realities of autism to the world.NEW YORK, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Sundance Channel will present the U.S. television premiere of Lauren Thierry's documentary Autism Every Day on April 2, 2008, which has been designated World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations. The film, which debuted at the... More About: Features
CBC Autism Overview and New Brunswick
More articles from this author:2008-02-13 09:56:00 (CBC Image)CBC has provided a good general overview of Autism Disorders in Canada in Autism Making sense of a confusing world. The overview includes a description of autism disorders, some autism history (Kanner and Asperger) and treatment. There is a good review of the funding and age restrictions for ABA services for autism in each province in Canada.There is one important omission and that is with respect to New Brunswick . Here we have a 5 year age cut-off as stated. But New Brunswick has begun to provide ABA intervention in our schools. This has been done by training Teacher Aides and Resource Teachers at the University of New Brunswick - College of Extended Learning Autism Intervention Training Program in Fredericton. A couple of classes of the UNB-CEL AIT have graduated, another is about to, and the government of Premier Shawn Graham and Education Minister Kelly Lamrock have committed to provide another 3 years of training for TA's and Resource Teachers th... More About: Overview 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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