ADAM - I can appreciate what writer / director Max Mayer (directed an episode of "The West Wing" and "Alias") was trying to do in the Fox Searchlight film ''Adam''. The title character has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism and lives alone in his huge apartment that was left to him when his father passed away. This is a rich character to explore as there are a handful of handicapped characters that are portrayed in film and many of the actors who play them go on to win Oscars, as Ben Stiller's character in ''Tropic Thunder'' thoroughly explains.

Autistic people better at problem solving than non-autistics: Research - New research suggests that autistic people are 40 per cent faster at problem solving than non-autistics. Researchers from Universite de Montreal and Harvard University said the results will offer more effective ways to teach people with autism. "I hope the finding will convince people that autistics have a higher intellectual potential," said lead author Isabelle Soulieres, a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard who completed this experiment in Montreal. "That way, people will expect more and give them more opportunities to learn."

Book on Dating a Man with Aspergers - Your Opinion Requested - Bonny Albo, the About.com Guide to Dating, just alerted me a review she's written about a book called 22 Things a Woman Should Know if She Loves a Man with Asperger Syndrome.   Bonny gave the book four stars, though she notes that it's written entirely from the point of view of just one woman (author Rudy Simone).

Bruno Bettelheim: Satan in Drag, by Cornelia Read / Bettelheim’s The Empty Fortress: Infantile Autism and the Birth of the Self – once revered as the authority on autism but now highly discredited – is one book this author and parent refuses to read. - This is a review of a book I have not read.   The book in question, titled The Empty Fortress, was written by Bruno Bettelheim. I bought a copy of it in hardcover two years ago, and it sits on the bookshelf in the living room, in a stretch of books on the same subject. All the rest of these are well-thumbed; some I know nearly by heart. The Empty Fortress, however, has remained untouched by me.  I plan to read it, but I cannot utter the more familiar phrase that "I would like to." I detest this book and its author so intensely, in fact, that I could only bring myself to buy the book used. I had to be certain that no money of mine would benefit even Bettelheim’s estate, now that he is, thank God, deceased.

Charlotte man given life without parole for a double killing in 2007 - A sentence of life without parole Thursday for a Charlotte man charged with a deadly shooting inside a Dilworth restaurant nearly two years ago. The emotional pain of the October 2007 shooting at the Moe's Southwest Grill on East Boulevard was brought to bear again Thursday for the families of Vinnie Farens and Jeff Maher when their admitted killer, Derrick Gregory, addressed the court before heading off to his plea-bargained sentence.

Commons protest as 'Nasa hacker' court date set - A new date has been set to decide if self-confessed Nasa hacker Gary McKinnon should be extradited to the US, or tried in the UK.  High court judges Lord Justice Stanley Burnton and Mr Justice Wilkie will hear an application for a judicial review on 14 July, according to reports. McKinnon, accused of the "biggest military hack of all time" by the US, faces a stretch of up to 60 years in a maximum security prison if extradited, according to his solicitor. His MP (Tory David Burrowes) today called for further debate on whether McKinnon's diagnosis with autism should have a bearing on the case.

Common Treatment Ineffective for Autism - The growing prevalence of autism worldwide has parents and clinicians searching for effective treatment options. Though not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of autism, a common class of antidepressants is often prescribed to treat the symptoms of autism in children. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most widely used drugs for autism treatment, even though the effectiveness to date has been questionable. A new study published in the June issue of Archives of General Psychiatry reports that, not only are SSRIs ineffective, they may actually cause unintended side effects.

'Designer' Babies: Where to Draw the Line? - A new study has highlighted traits for which people believe it is acceptable to screen embryos for.  As reported on health website H+, Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center found that an overwhelming 75 per cent of parents would be in favour of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for mental retardation, while a further 54 per cent would screen their embryos for deafness, 56 per cent for blindness, 52 per cent for a propensity to heart disease, and 51 per cent for a propensity to cancer.

How medication can help and hurt the symptoms of autism - My penchant for interest in scientific study regarding medication is not relagated to vaccine therapy. Blind studies are imperative for all pharmaceuticals and how they are prescribed.  A article in the Naturalnews.com SSRIs Prescribed for Autistic Children Make Them Worse highlights the recent criticism about the drug Celexa and SSRI being utilized to diminish repetitive behaviors in autistic adolescents and teenagers:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increasingly popular option for autism - Hyperbarics, or the use of comressed air in a pressurized chamber, is well-known for improving the healing of wounds. But, does this therapy offer hope to thousands of children diagnosed with autism? The discussion is one that led us to the newest hyperbaric chamber in Northeast Arkansas not associated with a hospital.

Man says cops used excessive force by shooting son 12 times with stun gun - The father of a severely autistic man has sued the city and three police officers for Tasing his son 12 times when they arrested him last December after a disturbance at a Parc group home.  "They used excessive force against someone who was unable to respond to their commands or understand what they were saying," said David Washington Jr., the father of David "Davy" Washington III.

Mother's antibodies may contribute to autism - While a mother of an autistic child is pregnant, she develops an immune response to her fetus's brain. As part of that immune response, her body develops antibodies that can attack the fetal brain. Now, in new research in mice, scientists have discovered that the mother's fetal brain antibodies are circulated back to the fetus through the placenta, possibly triggering inflammation in the brain that could eventually result in autism.  At the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Harvey Singer and colleagues took antibodies from human mothers of autistic children and injected them into pregnant mice, exposing the unborn mice pups to the antibodies as they circulated through the placenta. A second group of pregnant mice was injected with antibodies from mothers of non-autistic children. A third group of pregnant mice got no injections at all.

Move the Energy and Heal Yourself - We have already established that everything is energy, and that energy and matter are interchangeable. That's what the most famous equation in the world is all about: Einstein's E=MC2 . Energy equals the Mass times the Speed of Light squared. All this is really saying, is that energy can turn into matter and matter can turn into energy.  There is now a great movement in the medical community to draw an association on how the energy moves in your body and disease. This, of course, is not new information. The Chinese have believed for thousands of years in this flow of body energy and it's relationship to heath. By removing the blocks in the energy, they know that the body can heal itself...it's called Acupuncture. In the Metaphysical world, there are many holistic health practitioners that believe there are several energy centers, or vortexes, in the body. They call these Chakras . The same theory applies here as well...if one of the Chakras is not functioning properly, then the flow of energy is disrupted and the body has a physical reaction. I would suggest looking into both of these areas as an alternative healing method.

Much Touted 'Depression Risk Gene' May Not Add To Risk After All - Stressful life events are strongly associated with a person's risk for major depression, but a certain gene variation long thought to increase risk in conjunction with stressful life events actually may have no effect, according to researchers funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study challenges a widely accepted approach to studying risk factors for depression.

NW Ohio family knows long road of autism diagnosis - These are the new faces of autism: Children born into a world they can't touch, but a world that at least knows what autism is. It's a world at least trying to reach out. There is another lost generation. Adults with autism who live at Bittersweet Farms. They are carefully protected on the grounds of a world renowned facility. It is still one of the only of it's kind in the world.

Protest over hacker extradition move - Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith "chose to disregard" the impact of a computer hacker's mental health problems when she approved his extradition to the US, an MP said today.   Tory David Burrowes' constituent Gary McKinnon, who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, is accused of hacking into US military networks and could face a US trial after Ms Smith decided to order extradition last October.

Researchers find first common autism gene - Researchers have found the first common genetic link to autism and said on Tuesday it could potentially account for 15 percent of the disease's cases. Three studies, two in the journal Nature and one in Molecular Psychiatry, suggest changes in brain connections could underlie some cases. While the findings do not immediately offer hope for a treatment, they do help explain the underlying causes of the condition, which affects as many as one in 150 children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Reflections on Autistic Pride Day by Someone With Asperger's - Today is Autistic Pride Day.  I was not aware of this until this morning, when I went to look on Wikipedia for something and saw it highlighted under "On this day...", located on the right-hand side of the page.  I had absolutely no clue of this day's existence, like many days set aside during the year, whether by statute or national organization.  Now that I know that today is set aside for the purpose of educating the public about autism spectrum disorders, I feel that it is my duty as someone with Asperger's Syndrome to comment on it and to share a personal anecdote or two.

Talking in colour - Karrie Karahalios can show a child with Asperger's Syndrome when he's lost in a conversational riff or a taciturn spouse when he doesn't speak very much. Their voice appears on a computer terminal as vibrant colours -- red, yellow, blue, green -- the image growing in size if the voice gets louder, overlapping another colour as it interrupts or abruptly narrowing with silence.

Video Shows Dynamics Of Molecule Implicated In Autism - A protein called neuroligin that is implicated in some forms of autism is critical to the construction of a working synapse, locking neurons together like "molecular Velcro," a study lead by a team of UC Davis researchers has found. Published online in the June issue of the journal Neural Development, the study is accompanied by groundbreaking images that are the first to show two neurons coming together using neuroligin to construct a new synapse.

Whatever Happened to Simon Baron-Cohen's Study of Adult Prevalence? - Has the British government buried an important study into the prevalence of autism in adults?  In his latest response to Anne Dachel, Simon Baron-Cohen’s first remark is puzzling. He writes:  I agree we need a good prevalence study of ADULTS with autism spectrum conditions, and I haven't seen a study like this! (HERE)  At this stage of the game, and given people’s concerns it is indeed  a surprising omission, but what is even stranger is that Baron-Cohen was supposed to be engaged in just such a study at the present time according to this announcement from Eurekalert (PR arm of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science) in May last year:

10 brainy ideas - IT IS amazing how much scientists know about the brain, yet how little we take this knowledge to work in our schools and in our lives.  recently braved the swine flu scare at its peak and traveled to Washington, DC, to attend the 23rd Learning and the Brain Conference.

A Prom Night to Remember for Teens With Autism and Other Special Needs -  Dance Lessons at The Help Group Teach Students All The Right Moves.  For the students of The Help Group's Bridgeport School, prom night was an evening to remember -- filled with friendship, fun, music and dance. Students with autism spectrum disorders and other special needs lit up the dance floor with energy, excitement and confidence.

About what it is to be me (a self-identified Aspie) - This is a response to these comments.  Asperger's Syndrome was first identified in 1944.  In four boys, he identified a pattern of behavior and abilities that he called "autistic psychopathy", meaning autism (self) and psychopathy (personality disease). The pattern included "a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversation, intense absorption in a special interest, and clumsy movements." Asperger called children with AS "little professors" because of their ability to talk about their favorite subject in great detail. It is commonly said that the paper was based on only four boys.[who?] However, Dr. Günter Krämer, of Zürich, who knew Asperger, states that it "was based on investigations of more than 400 children"

Another look at the citalopram trial - A recent study shows that Citalopram doesn’t control repetitive behaviors in people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The failure of a drug trial usually leads to harsh criticism of the medical establishment from the biomedical community, but I haven’t seen much so far. Instead, Kev has already discussed this and made his opinion crystal clear. (As an aside—anyone who thinks bloggers here are somehow paid by pharmaceutical companies may want to read Kev’s post.)

Autism and the double standard of discrimination - Did you hear the news recently that told of the business executive -- at his company for 12 years -- who goaded his (white) co-workers to ostracize the single African-American employee and have her separated from the other workers? Of course the executive was discovered for what he’d done, senior brass brought in, and the executive was quickly fired for discrimination in the workplace. Justice was served, and onlookers breathed a sigh of relief. Well, that story was just a generalized example, one of many such incidents that occurs – whether racial or sexual discriminatory in nature. Here at the beginning of the 21st century, we almost expect such a perpetrator to get caught at this point. But swap out “African-American” from this story and replace it with “autistic” and all bets apparently are off.

Autism and "typical" siblings - We all know that living in autism-land adds stresses to our lives. What is sometimes forgotten is how it affects parents and siblings .There’s an interesting new study out that shows a biological effect on mothers of autistic children. Apparently, they have low levels of the stress hormone Cortisol. It also effects siblings in day to day life.

Autism Vaccine Debate - The notion that vaccines cause autism has triggered heated debate. Now one expert says, for the safety of our children, it's time to move on.  Pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit said blaming vaccines for autism only puts children in more danger, "Because not vaccinating them, not, doesn't lessen the risk of autism, it only increases the risk of vaccine preventable disease and it's enough. It's got to stop."  He believes people are exploiting the disease and misleading families looking desperately for a cure.  "I think there's a lot of profiteering and a lot of quackery frankly that surrounds this and these to me are the false prophets of autism," said Dr. Offit.

Autism Hangout's Dr. Emily Willingham shows 'the wisdom to know the difference' - Gazing over the special reports that are offered on Autism hangout, one video title jumped out at me this evening. Strangely enough, even though there are many contributors to the hangout, this was presented by the same person whose work I took a look at a few days ago, Dr. Emily Willingham. The title of this presentation is Fixers and Accepters. Knowing when to be which.

Couple alleges false imprisonment in sex assault case involving teen daughter - Julian and Thal Wendrow were arrested and jailed in December 2007 on charges that Julian sexually assaulted their 14-year-old autistic daughter and that Thal had allowed it to happen.  Prosecutors dropped the case nearly four months later after admitting that they did not have the evidence to proceed.  Now, in a federal lawsuit that is likely to test the limits of governmental immunity, the Wendrows of West Bloomfield have sued former Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca and 24 other defendants, including the West Bloomfield Police Department. The lawsuit alleges malicious prosecution, false imprisonment and more than 50 other counts.  Defense attorneys say governmental immunity will be the defense for nearly all of the defendants.

Do OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and Autism Go Together? - Earlier today, I blogged about a young boy with autism who has an intense interest in trains. I suggested that his parents find ways to build on that interest through social, academic and hands-on activities related to trains. Jonathan, an adult with autism, responded:

Family has come to accept autism through children's experiences - Strangers in stores have tried to shame Renee Hardy's son. They make comments or glare at her and her son, Nathan, because he doesn't behave like they think he should. Once an elderly man came up to them and started mimicking Nathan, Hardy said. Nathan's socially unaccepted behavior is caused by autism spectrum disorder, but the people who watch him do not know this. He doesn't look like a child who has autism.

Girl with autism 'leaves a mark on your heart' - Julie Hansen is an 8-year-old with a sweet disposition and a heart made of true grit.  But when she was 2, the diagnosis was autism. Julie withdrew, hid under tables and avoided eye contact. Frustration made her run in circles.  The help she needed was found at home and in school.  "Autism will always be a part of what she is," said Julie's mother, Kathy Hansen, chief cheerleader. "But she is so high-functioning she doesn't need the extra support."

Human hormones, chemicals a bad mix / Research about everyday chemicals that may harm human health is piling up. Some people say government regulators have handled the situation irresponsibly. Others say more study is needed. - First organic food -- free of pesticides -- had the spotlight. Then consumers learned about buying cosmetics without parabens. Just last month Minnesota banned the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) from baby bottles and sippy cups. The mounting health cautions might seem tedious -- does every little thing cause cancer? -- but a common thread weaves through the concerns. Numerous everyday products are made with chemicals that may disrupt people's endocrine system, which is also known as the hormone system.

'If not us, who?': Catholic couple recognized for autism advocacy - When Nicholas Giangregorio, 8, was first diagnosed with autism before his second birthday, his family found it difficult to convince society to accept them. The town pool wouldn't let the family in because they didn't want the child's stroller -- his safety net -- near the water. An usher at their Long Island church shut the back doors on the family because of the noise he made in the vestibule. But since Bob and Suzanne Wright founded Autism Speaks in 2005, the Giangregorios have noticed a collective increase in awareness and understanding about the disease, which is a complex brain disorder affecting abilities to communicate and develop social relationships. They learned how to approach the town and are now allowed to bring Nicholas to the pool, stroller and all.

Jury finds ex-judge guilty of sex assault - A Dunn County jury took 30 minutes Friday to convict a former Colfax municipal judge and retired teacher of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old mentally challenged man in November 2007.  Eugene E. Dunagan, 72, formerly of Colfax, was found guilty by a Dunn County jury of felony second-degree sexual assault of a mentally deficient man.

Merck admits the vaccine Gardasil, can cause faints and seizures. - Due to the high volume of reports of young girls fainting and having 'non epileptic' seizures after the Gardasil vaccine, Merck have conceded to include these side effects to their packaging and labelling as from 9th June 2009.   "On June 9, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a revised label for Gardasil, a vaccine to protect against cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. In the new label, information pertaining to syncope (fainting) is now also included in the Warnings and Precautions section, and this section has new information noting that individuals who faint sometimes have tonic-clonic (jerking) movements and seizure-like activity. The addition of syncope to the Warnings and Precautions section emphasizes that healthcare providers and consumers should be alert that fainting may occur following vaccination with Gardasil, sometimes resulting in falling and injuries. To prevent falls and injuries all vaccine recipients should remain seated or lying down and be closely observed for 15 minutes following vaccination."

Musings on the intersection of science, medicine, and culture - It's just disgusting.  Autism spectrum disorders are an important health problem (although not the "epidemic" claimed by some).  While real scientists and clinicians (and parents) are looking for causes and treatments based on evidence, fake experts are pulling "answers" out of their backsides.  Studies of families with autism have shown specific genetic defects associated with autism, and while this applies only to a small percentage of cases, it is an example of a good lead.  Even if a minority of people with autism have similar genetic defects, these findings can lead to more generalizable concepts.

'MY SON IS NOT A CYBER-TERRORIST' - GARY McKinnon is facing extradition for what has been described as “the biggest military computer hack of all time”. His mother JANIS SHARP argues that his treatment by the authorities is cruel, unnecessary and totally unjust.  I used to be a foster carer; one of the few that could accommodate large sibling groups and was happy to be able to help keep families together. Yet now, in a cruel twist of fate, my own family is being ripped apart. My son, Gary, 43, was arrested in 2002 for hacking into American military computers. I’m not sure I can ever fully explain the shock of that day.  

Nasa hacker petition tops 4000 - Over 4,000 people have now signed a petition that people with Asperger's Syndrome should not be extradited, directed at the Prime Minister's Office.  The petition directly refers to Gary McKinnon, the man accused by US prosecutors of "the biggest military hack of all time." McKinnon was diagnosed with Asperger's, a condition on the autism spectrum, last summer, and faces extradition to the US to face hacking charges.

Neutralising the toxicity of vaccines - I have been corresponding with the Union Health Minister and his department on this subject since 2006. Neither the Minister nor the Ministry have any answer to these points.. Even when Dr Abdul Kalam, then President, raised the subject based on my inputs there was no sincere attempt to clarify the position. I have since then continuously educated the doctors on the subject. I have also written to the current President, Vice President, PM, Sonia, the NHRC, NCPCR, CM's of various states, MP's of various political parties and all the medical institutions I can think of. I have also written to the WHO, GAVI, UNICEF & PATH, premier institutions that promote this highly controversial medical intervention . You will agree that there should be a public debate on vaccines, otherwise the unfortunate children do not stand a chance.

Oregon judge commits disabled teen for murder - A mentally disabled teenager has been committed to state care after a judge ruled he killed his father's girlfriend. Coos County Circuit Judge Martin Stone said the testimony of 34 witnesses was enough to convince him that 18-year-old Henry Cozad posed a danger to others. Stone ordered Cozad to a secure group home in Salem for at least a year and placed him in the custody of the state Department of Human Services. Stone said he is convinced that Henry Cozad "is a danger to others," noting that that Cozad has shown aggressive behavior since elementary school. "There is a history of kicking. There is a history of pulling hair. There is a history of choking and a few instances of inappropriate sexual conduct."

Parents of two autistic sons vaccinated one but not the other - Punch drunk as I am, required to read every alert regarding vaccine injury, I was struck by the facts issued on WKRG.com News 5. Reported by Kesshia Peyton, who interviewed Dr. Paul Offit, there is a surge of parents who are very angry at the diversion that anti-vaccine activists have created.  Tina Brown, mother of 2 boys with autism, decided not to vaccinate son Dylan because his brother Dalton had  been inoculated and was subsequently diagnosed with autism. Sadly, even in the absence of vaccines Dylan demonstrated symptoms of autism at 4 months of age.  (video interview is below).

Prof. Simon Baron Cohen Expands Comments - I'm sincerely grateful to Simon Baron-Cohen for engaging in this dialogue with me.  He sent me yet another response: ...

Secrets of Psychotherapy (Part 3): What's Your Psychological Type? - Swiss psychiatrist C.G. Jung formally introduced his theory of typology to the world in the classic text Psychological Types (1921). People are sometimes surprised to learn that Jung's book is the basis for the popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and the less well known Gray-Wheelwright Test and Singer-Loomis Type Deployment Inventory (SL-TDI). While these Jungian systems of type testing can be interesting--formulating complex permutations of introversion, extraversion, feeling, thinking, sensation, intuition, judging and perceiving--as a psychotherapist, I have always found Jung's primary notions of introversion and extraversion to be the most clinically useful.

SPD: Inclusion and theraplay @ Home - The best of intentions can become a ‘wisp of a notion’ when a practical, tactical, game plan isn’t put in place. In my estimation, Occupational Therapists are the ones who lay the ‘tactical ground work’ when a teacher has her intentions set on successful inclusion of a special needs student in her classroom. When I dealt with children on the autism spectrum in my early childhood classrooms, the OT was my ‘very best friend’, and I was never afraid to say, “I don’t know what to do here!….How can I help?” This, I feel, was one of my greatest strengths while teaching….being quick to admit when I needed a professional to guide me through therapy techniques…and then consistently using them!

Treating childhood autism - WHEN Ingrid Kelly¿s four-year-old son first started banging his head repeatedly against a wall, she knew something was wrong.  Despite battling cerebral palsy and a vision impairment, Jake had never exhibited such challenging behaviour before.  It was another two years before the little boy was finally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Understanding autism - Autism is a lifelong developmental disability - find out more about the condition that affects over half a million people in the UK.  Autism is much more common than most people think, affecting one in 100 people in the UK.  Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition which has a profound and sometimes devastating impact on individuals and their families.

What happens now? / Many parents of disabled children who are due to leave school say they will have nowhere to go as a result of health spending cuts, writes CARL O’BRIEN -  BREDA PURCELL feels a gnawing sense of worry every time she thinks of her son’s future. Emmet, 18, is autistic and suffers from behavioural problems. He’s made great progress in recent times at the day-school he attends in Lisnagry, outside Limerick. He’s able to communicate properly for the first time by using sign language and picture exchange. He’s happier in himself and less frustrated and his occasional violent outbursts have almost disappeared. Yet now, for all the progress he has made, he’s facing a cliff-face drop.

Adult Stem Cell Research Helping Autism / A woman from New York has written an open letter to President Obama saying that stem cell research using Adult Stem Cells has helped her daughter’s autism. Judy DiCorcia is reporting that her daughter, Lauren, a 10 year old girl with autism has improved significantly after the stem cell treatment and therapy in Germany in January 2009. - A woman from New York has written an open letter to Obama saying that stem cell research using Adult Stem Cells has helped her daughter’s autism. Judy DiCorcia is reporting that her daughter, Lauren, a 10 year old girl with autism has improved significantly after the stem cell treatment and therapy in Germany in January 2009.

Attorney building national chamber for disabled entrepreneurs - Pete Schoemann wants to build a bridge between the business and disabled communities. The Orlando attorney is part of both worlds: A partner in the law firm Broad and Cassel, he has two sons with autism. He founded the Chamber of Commerce for Persons with Disabilities Inc. two years ago and is now looking to expand the organization's regional focus to a national one. The Chamber hopes to be an umbrella organization for groups across the U.S. that promote the disability community and help disabled entrepreneurs get businesses off the ground. "Instead of pulling in all different directions, we're deciding to just pull together," Schoemann said.

Autism activists overjoyed - Parents and professionals who work with autism say they're overwhelmed with joy over today's announcement at the National Assembly.  The Justice Minister says more professionals will soon be allowed to formally diagnose kids with the disorder.  Montreal has the longest waiting list in the province when it comes to getting a diagnosis...there are 600 children on waitlists in the city right now.  Most wait more than a year just to see someone who can tell their parents what is wrong with them.

Autism: Starting a dialogue on ability vs. disability - Dr. Emily Willingham, Autism Hangout reporter, had just returned from a parent teacher conference with her son TH's grade report. Like many parents of children with autism, she's questioning whether TH should be made to conform to standards that to him may be meaningless. If you've a similar story, please leave it in the discussion forum of Autism Hangout for others to discuss and consider.

Beware of Autisms - There’s a new fad in some quarters of the autism world. Frustrated by their lack of progress in pinning down the biology of autism, many scientists have begun planning a retreat, a way to avoid owning up to their failures and to keep doing what they want to do in autism research despite the fact that little of it has been working. Some have been trying out an innovative branding concept. Instead of using the familiar label “autism”, they’re proposing to change the name and the message by adding a single letter, an s at the end of the word. Changing the name of the disorder we know as autism to “autisms” may seem like a small matter. It may even seem intriguing and attractive: a way to recognize the diversity and individuality of our children. But beware of scientists bearing semantic shifts. There is more to autisms than one additionals.

Dear Professor Baron-Cohen, - OPEN LETTER TO SIMON BARON-COHEN, Professor of developmental psychopathology at Cambridge University and director of its Autism Research Centre, Cambridge University...

Doctors claim earlier treatment yields better results for autistic ... - Autism has grown into a common diagnosis in children in this country. It's estimated that about one in 150 children appear on what's known as the Autism Spectrum.  Some doctors say the earlier you treat the syndrome, the better the outcome for the child. That's something a West Hartford, CT, mother found to be true.  "He's really come so far, almost more than we could have imagined," said Noreen Simmons. She first started noticing something was not quite right with her son Weller when he was just a baby.

Dr. Baron Cohen Responds - Managing Editor's Note: Thank you to Dr. Baron Cohen for responding to Anne Dachel's open letter to him (HERE). We need to be able to discuss the future of our kids with the experts and professionals who wield tremendous influence. We might not always like it. We might strongly disagree. But we'd darn well better keep talking - for the sake of our kids who are hurtling toward adulthood.  Thank you, Dr. Baron Cohen. And thank you, Anne.  Here's the response from Dr. Baron Cohen: 

From confines of autism, artist shines - Omoro Ralls is 32 years old, has been diagnosed with autism and doesn't communicate with others easily -- sometimes not even speaking.  But "Moe," as he is known to his family and friends, is one of the most successful artists at the MacDonald Training Center in Tampa, where they work with people with disabilities in the Tampa Bay area. When Moe came to the center, he was classified "with most profound challenges," said Rita Hattab, Community Relations Coordinator at the center. But now, people get into bidding wars over his artwork.

Genetic link in ongoing autism riddle - RESEARCHERS have found many people with autism share common genetic variations, a discovery that may improve diagnosis and offers the promise of developing treatments for the frustratingly mysterious disorder. Their findings, published in the journal Nature, compared the genomes of thousands of autistic people to those of thousands of people without the disorder. The genome is the complex system of DNA coding that builds and runs the human body.

Man accused of killing son has second sanity check - ... On Sept. 11, 2008, Allen Grabe allegedly shot his son nine times as the boy was sleeping in his bed. Grabe fired several shots at his son, walked into a hallway and told his wife, “I had to kill him because you were ruining him,” according to an arrest affidavit. He then walked back in his son’s room and fired more rounds, the affidavit said. Jacob Grabe had been treated for Asperger’s syndrome, a neurological disorder similar to autism.

Magic charmed by good-luck anthem singer - The Orlando Magic's "sixth man" in the NationalBasketball Association Finals is actually a girl.  The Magic have found a good luck charm in Gina Marie Incandela. Orlando is 7-0 when the 7-year-old grammar student stands at center court in Amway Arena and belts out the US national anthem before each home game. Her stirring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" sends the more than 17,000 fans into a frenzy and gives the players the comfort of knowing they are at home. "We know she doesn't have a direct impact on the game but she's the spark that gets the energy going," Magic guard JJ Redick said of Incandela, who suffers from a form of autism.

Mirroring Behavior - Eighteen years ago, in a laboratory at the University of Parma in Italy, a neuroscientist named Giacomo Rizzolatti and his graduate students were recording electrical activity from neurons in the brain of a macaque monkey. It was a typical study in neurophysiology: needle thin electrodes ran into the monkey’s head through a small window cut out of its skull; the tips of the electrodes were placed within individual neurons in a brain region called the premotor cortex. At the time, the premotor cortex was known to be involved in the planning and initiation of movements, and, just as Rizzolatti expected, when the monkey moved its arm to grab an object the electrodes signaled that premotor neurons were firing. And then, neglecting to turn off their equipment, Rizzolatti and his team got lunch.
Nursing Science & Autistic Behavior - For most of us, flexibility is essential to problem solving and managing our daily experiences. But flexibility is a foreign concept to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), who often rely on predictability and routine to manage daily events.  In some circumstances, the child is afraid of making the wrong choice, may not be able to control, and therefore predict, the outcome, or doesn't understand how to manage uncertainty.

One family thrives on humor to combat autism - Raising multiples holds a certain tenor that provides a mystique for those who marvel at the situation.  I have always answered that "You're given in life, what you can handle". Certainly I did not invite autism into our world, when reflecting on life with quadruplets. Autism is not simply a condition one can "handle". It's more like tackling jello.  Perhaps we rise to the occasions that life presents, challenges included. Humor must be escorted into each day, for without that inclusion we wither in despair.

One mother addresses the needs of autistic adults - When I consider “Addressing the Needs of Adults on the Spectrum” it nearly suffocates me. A therapist once noted that "these kids are cute at 3, but what happens when they grow up." Those are hardly threatening words, but the significance can suck the air out of a room. Compliance is the operative word when trying to reach our children of autism. We insist on invading their space, procuring language and appropriate behaviors. These are the keys to assimilation and acceptance. However, what happens when that very same acquiescence is used against them?

Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal-intelligence autism spectrum disorders - Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often display symptoms from other diagnostic categories. Studies of clinical and psychosocial outcome in adult patients with ASDs without concomitant intellectual disability are few. The objective of this paper is to describe the clinical psychiatric presentation and important outcome measures of a large group of normal-intelligence adult patients with ASDs. Methods: Autistic symptomatology according to the DSM-IV-criteria and the Gillberg &Gillberg research criteria, patterns of comorbid psychopathology and psychosocial outcome were assessed in 122 consecutively referred adults with normal intelligence ASD. The referrals consisted of 5 patients with autistic disorder (AD), 67 with Asperger's disorder (AS) and 50 with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS).

Processing and accepting a child with a disability - This weekend Sarah Palin spoke at an Independent Group Home Living Fundraiser. This New York non-profit organization provides much needed support for those who are living with developmental disabilities. She is open about the fact that she feels blessed to have a child with Downs Syndrome and will continue to support and advocate for those with disabilities.  She also participated in a walk to benefit Autism Speaks along with her nephew who has been diagnosed with Autism. Her husband, daughter and sister also walked with her.  While it took Palin and her husband time to process the disability that their youngest son has, they have come to accept the disability and even embrace it as they have become strong advocates for the disabled community.

Rain Man's Curse - Autism is both MR/DD and Einstein. Long ago before "designer new age autism" autism was largely UN diagnosable unless it was a severe case.Many of its people came out very well! Only after the advent of the hit move Rain Man and the autism epidemic to follow did Autism become the issue it is today. Autism was once filled with odd geeks, strange kids and most of us were tutored nightly or in special education and yes, occasionally on the honor roll if things fit just right. Many of us were in two grades at once one above grade level and the other struggling in our less than easy subjects. Sounds like Einstein doesn't it? He too started out "dumb".

Sarah Palin thanks Obama for allowing autism research - Our Autism Speaks walk on Sunday was a great success. Thousands walked to promote research and awareness. Sarah Palin's choice to walk with us was prompted by her sister Heather, who has a child with autism.  Lucky for me, my friend Carol who is a fellow parent of autism, taped the speech with her camera. Listen to Governor Palin's words "autism is a non partisan issue" (my daughter thinks she borrowed a piece of my column). She also thanked our "President and members of Congress who are working hard to allow funding for the research that we need for autism".

Scots hacker 'could kill himself if sent to US' - A Scottish computer expert who is sought by the US for hacking into the Pentagon and other secret institutions could commit suicide due to the stress of being extradited and should be tried in the UK, a court heard yesterday. The claim was made by legal counsel for Gary McKinnon, who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, at the High Court in London during a last-ditch bid to avoid him being sent to stand trial in the US. Mr McKinnon is wanted by the US authorities to stand trial for allegedly hacking into 97 US government computers, which included the top-secret military headquarters and others belonging to the US Navy and Nasa, from his London home.

Someone 2 Know: Lisa Rogers - Lisa Rogers is a mother of six. Although she didn't give birth to one of them, she knows her children better than anyone else. Over the past 18-years, Rogers and her partner, Diane Monohan, have adopted five special needs kids and they're the foster parents of another. I'll quickly run down why many consider Rogers a guardian angel.

State Child Advocate Investigates Autism Abuse Case - Georgia's Child Advocate is getting involved after 11Alive's investigation in an autism abuse case.  Tom Rawlings says his office has launched an investigation after a judge ruled that 11-year-old Stefan Ferrari was abused by an adult at his school.  Stefan is non-verbal and attended a facility run by the state funded agency Metro RESA. Stefan attended the school at the recommendation of Atlanta Public Schools. He is an APS student.  Rawlings says his office will look at how DFACS, Atlanta Schools, Atlanta Police and MRESA handled the family's accusations of abuse. Rawlings said the possible recommendations to Gov. Sonny Perdue could include legislation or clarification of how abuse concerns should be handled within the educational system.

Study begins to sort out melatonin use in ASD insomnia - A low dose of melatonin could help solve insomnia problems for children with autism spectrum disorders, Vanderbilt researchers reported at a sleep conference. Physicians said some parents are giving melatonin to their children because they perceive it as a natural treatment. A variety of formulations has made it difficult to determine the best way to use melatonin in ASD children. Medscape (free registration) (06/10)

Technology exposes boy to world of sound - CindyLee Banks still remembers the first time she experienced the thrill of music.  “I remember that first day in band. The harmony with all the instruments together was phenomenal,” she said. “I love music. I love sound.”  For CindyLee hearing that harmony was a powerful moment. Her family believes a bout of mumps during childhood decreased her hearing capabilities but was never able to specifically trace her loss to the illness. She got her first hearing aid when she was 11 and her second at the age of 15.

To explain or not to explain - If you have a child with autism, you’ve probably been in one of these situations. You’re at a store, and your child is acting up and behaving badly. Or maybe he’s actually being thoroughly charming, and people come up to him to try to engage him. No dice. You get the strange look – the “what’s wrong with your child?” accusatory look. Do you explain this, or do you ignore it and move on? Perhaps the neighborhood kids think that your child is strange, and they shun him or her. Do you let it go, or do you try to address it?

The Autism Diaries: An Anti-Meltdown Tool - The meltdown is a universal term for those in the autism community and yes, the nuclear implication is dead-on. It happens at home, the store, school, a french horn lesson...the meltdown is indiscriminate.   Autism as a disability is not always apparent to the passer-by, and the parents share that common bond of anonymous disapproval ranging from the spoiled brat variety, to the more old school ass whoopin' if that was my kid model. But when you're living with autism the emotional reserves are rarely flush, hence the learned skill of judiciously picking battles.

UFO-obsessed British hacker fights extradition to US - A Briton accused of hacking into NASA computers should not be extradited to the US due to his mental health, a lawyer said Tuesday, adding that he was eccentric and "passionate" about UFOs. Gary McKinnon, 42, could spend life in prison if convicted by a US court of gaining access to 97 computers in 2001 and 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. McKinnon says he was only looking for evidence of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) when he hacked into the US Navy and NASA space agency computers. And his lawyers said Tuesday that McKinnon -- who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism -- could commit suicide or suffer psychosis if extradited and could easily be prosecuted in Britain. McKinnon was "an eccentric person who has passionate views about UFOs," his lawyer Edward Fitzgerald told the High Court in London, adding that extradition was "unnecessary, avoidable and disproportionate."

What is Scientology's position on medical care? / There has been a misrepresentation of what Scientology doctrine is when it comes to illness or physical problems like epilepsy or seizures or "autism". The following are two answers from the Church of Scientology, defining the Church’s position - The Church of Scientology has always had the firm policy of not diagnosing or treating the sick. However Scientology policy is adamant that no true spiritual progress can be expected if underlying medical conditions remain untreated. Medical doctors are trained to deal with the physical aspects of illness and injury. A Scientologist with a physical condition is always advised and supported to seek and obtain the needed examination and treatment of a qualified medical professional. Separately and once under medical treatment, a Scientologist then can address his illness or injury with Scientology counseling to handle any spiritual trauma or other factors connected with the physical condition which may have predisposed him to illness or injury. There are also many medical doctors who are Scientologists themselves.

With high functioning autism, it seems the easier it gets the easier it gets the harder it gets -  When Tom was three, four and five years old he spoke almost entirely in memorized scripts from TV shows. When he was upset, he winged heavy toys across the room. Once, he broke a window. More than once, he hit a parent - hard. He wasn't potty trained until he was close to five years old. Given all those issues, it wasn't really surprising to us or anyone else that he needed extra support. Clearly, he wasn't able to process verbal information at typical speed, play symbolically, or think well about implied rules of conduct. He needed extra help.

Alex 'wants to be part of this world now' - Her son's autism diagnosis came at age 3 1/2 . But well before then, Pamela Camille knew something was wrong. The boy was fascinated with running water and patterns on floors. He walked on his toes, ate almost nothing but rice and freaked out over routine noises. "If he got a drop of rain on him, the day was done." Once diagnosed, Alex Amirkhosravi's parents looked for help, quickly realizing, "whatever the teachers do, whatever the therapists do, has to be followed through at home," she said. Alex first attended Seminole County public schools and made good strides in their autism program. The family thought a private school might be best for first grade. They enrolled him in one, but eventually the staff suggested another option: the new Paragon School.

Amid obstacles, Justin is 'just a delight' - Carol Tucker started her own school for autistic children in 1996 for personal reasons: Her newly adopted 3-year-old son had the disorder, and she couldn't find the right program for him. Justin, adopted from foster care, didn't walk or talk and was still fed with a bottle. He had to wear a helmet because he often hurt himself. The public-school program was not intensive enough to address his disabilities, complicated by cerebral palsy, Tucker said. "He needed immediate help," she said. "They wanted to wait and see." So Tucker, who had taught for years at the Catholic Diocese's special-needs school, worked with another teacher to start a new private school focused on autism.

Autism poses unique set of challenges - Boys are four times more likely than girls to be affected. More children will be diagnosed with it this year than diabetes, cancer and AIDS combined. Autism among children is growing exponentially, but still remains largely a puzzle. As the number of cases continue to rise, so do concerns about how this population will be served in the future. Early intervention is one of the most effective tools in dealing with the behaviors associated with autism, but the child must attend school by around the age of 5. The challenge is that every case seems to be different, requiring a wide array of teaching methods.

Autism: Understanding the complex disorder - Autism is a complex developmental disability that delays and interferes with communication and social skills. About 40 percent of children with autism do not speak. The disorder strikes boys four times more often than girls.  The signs are apparent by age 3 and often by 18 months. Youngsters with the disorder can show a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, and can be gifted intellectually or be very mentally challenged.

Autistic boy, 9, subject of 16-hour search, found - A 9-year-old boy with autism who disappeared from his California City home Friday afternoon was found about one-mile from his home Saturday morning.  The boy wandered about 25 miles in the desert, naked, before being located by search and rescue crews according to California City Police Lt. Eric Hurtado.  The boy was suffering from hypothermia, because it was an abnormally cold night in the desert, and taken to a hospital for treatment.  The child's mother was helping to bathe the child who disappeared out a sliding-glass door when she left the room briefly to get him a change of clothing, police said.

Autistic children deserve better - By insisting that autistic children be diagnosed only by a physician, Quebec is creating a situation of great unfairness where children are left for years on waiting lists to be diagnosed and then to receive treatment. Deprived of the chance to be treated as early as possible, children with autism spectrum disorders cannot reap the now-proven benefits of early intervention. This means that children who might have learned to speak and interact socially are instead left to an uncertain future without these skills. In Montreal alone, more than 600 children are waiting for a diagnosis. With one in 166 children in the province estimated to have an autism spectrum disorder, this is a problem in urgent need of a solution.

Best Way to Prevent Autism - Get Your Child Vaccinated - For as long as I can recall, this has been one of the clarion calls of the autism/antivaccine/pro-disease groups – that the only way to know if vaccines cause autism is to do a ‘simple’ study of vaccinated vs unvaccinated populations. Indeed, Generation Rescue carried out an ill-fated phone survey that in reality meant absolutely nothing so badly was it put together and carried out. But even if it had been well designed and carried out the results were not good for pro-disease anti-vaccine autism believers:

David Kirby on HuffPo: Top US Panel Agrees On Vaccine Safety Research - Click HERE to read and comment on David Kirby's latest HuffPo.  On Tuesday, the Federal Government's leading immunization advisory panel unanimously approved a sweeping list of vaccine safety research recommendations for the US Department of Health and Human Services, including several that are directly or indirectly linked to the vaccine-autism debate. The endorsement, from the highly influential National Vaccine Advisory Committee, will surely intensify the argument.

Does autism take a biological toll on parents? - An article in ScienceNews says that mothers of teens and young adults with autism produce less of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol helps people deal with stress and threats. Stress also usually causes people’s cortisol levels to increase.  The article states:  It’s still not clear whether low cortisol activation in mothers caring for autistic children represents an adaptive response that makes it possible to handle prolonged stress or a maladaptive response that fosters physical problems down the road.

Effort for others - A WEST End business owner’s bid to help autistic children at Marsden has been hailed a success, with efforts closing in on the proposed target. In February, Thuy Nguyen set out to raise $2000 to buy sensory items for children at Marsden State School through events such as chocolate drives, raffles, and high tea events at her coffee shop Lettuce Eat Gourmet, Fast Food, and Catering. Ms Nguyen said as a business owner, she wanted to give back to the community by organising a special autism support and awareness project. “I thought it was time to make a difference,’’ she said. “I was talking to a friend who worked at Marsden and she shared with me how the children’s quality of life at the school could be improved.’’ Ms Nguyen held a family information day at Marsden State School last month which attracted more than 60 people.

Equine edge / For more than 15 years, children and adults with special needs have benefited from CANTER, a local equine assisted therapy program. And now Cochise Area Network Therapeutic Equestrian Resources has added a new member to its team. Ann Alden, who has been named head riding instructor and program director, comes to CANTER with a background that spans 17 years as a certified advanced NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped) instructor. Alden is one of the first 30 people in the United States to be certified by the independent Certifying Board for Equine Interaction Professionals as an equine facilitated learning educator. She serves on the NARHA Health and Education Advisory Group, which reviews and updates standards of practice for the NAHRA manual.

'Hands of Love': Trials of son's autism draw Christian parents ... - Gifts from God don’t always initially appear that way. Sometimes they come wrapped in disaster. When autism began to afflict Rachel West Kramer’s 15-month-old son about 10 years ago, erasing his progress in language and social development, the Christian singer — who is starting to get national airplay on Christian radio stations — did everything possible to restore him to normality. But soon she and her husband, also a musician and songwriter, found themselves exhausted and at the end of their rope.

It is committing professional suicide to be anti-vaccine! - There are three rules to being a good honest professional when it comes to vaccines and they are,a) See no evil, b) Hear no evil, c) Speak no evil.  Break any one of these rules and you are on a slippery slope to professional suicide. Not only will big pharma try to destroy you, so to, will every newspaper known to man, your governing body and even your own friends and colleagues. Play to the rules and you will become rich and successful. So why is it that there are some professionals, who despite being discredited, professionally dissected and left on the scrap heap by the medical profession and their peers,still continue to speak out time and time again against vaccines and the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture them?

Misconceived criticism - BOB Carr's criticism of a proposal for an Australian Human Rights Act ("So, whose rights reign supreme?" Comment, 5/6) is completely misconceived on two grounds. Carr argues that under the model act (of which I am the principal author), the Australian Human Rights Commission is given a role in "effectively striking down laws". Nothing could be further from the truth. The commission's only role is this. It notifies the Commonwealth Attorney-General that a court has found it impossible to interpret government legislation in a way that is consistent with the rights set down in the act.

'Neuroscience heading towards a unified theory of speech function' - Speech is one important faculty that distinguishes humans from the rest of the animal world. Insights into how speech is hardwired into the brain began with Paul Broca’s discovery in the 19th century that the left cerebral hemisphere is primarily involved in the speech process. Over the years, various researchers have found several pathways that explain aspects of speech, but neuroscience now seems to be heading towards a unified theory of speech function in the brain.

Oprah defends her 'experts' accused of talking nonsense - Today on the Oprah Winfrey show: balderdash, superstition and a dose of iffy medical advice from some New Age healthcare "gurus" who certainly haven't been recommended by your doctor. The world's most influential chat show host has been thrust to the centre of a heated debate, following allegations that she has abused her legendary influence to help peddle alternative treatments that are ineffective, expensive and dangerous. Ms Winfrey, below, whose advice on fashion, literature and pretty much everything else is treated like gospel by tens of millions of Americans, was last week forced to speak out against criticism of the doctors and health "experts" who preach from her billion-dollar sofa.

Proper diagnosis helps youth understand, cope - It's 3 p.m. on a Tuesday and Donia West sits nervously on her porch scanning the crowds of junior high school students sauntering past her Elder Street home. Squinting her eyes, trying to focus on the groups, she looks like a nervous parent waiting for a third-grader who's walking home from school alone for the first time. By 3:15 p.m., the Vacaville mom is starting to wonder where her 14-year-old son is. School let out a half hour ago, and they only live about a block from Willis Jepson Middle School.  "I'm happy he has friends to stay after school and talk with, but I get nervous," she says as her husband Richard joins her on the porch. "Where is he?" Within minutes, her son Devin casually strolls up the sidewalk, oblivious to the worry and concern his tardiness has caused his parents. After showing off a two-liter soda bottle his class turned into a rocket, he heads into the house for a snack. Devin suffers from Pervasive Development Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD NOS) with Asperger tendencies. Both PDD NOS and Aspergers are under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Summertime Treats for Gluten-free Eaters - Summer is underway, and eating 'gluten-free' is a hot topic, within and, increasingly, beyond the Celiac and gluten-intolerant community. For 21 years, Pamela's Products has successfully provided baking mixes and finished packaged cookies that focus on great taste so that everyone from Celiacs to wheat-eaters can enjoy equally and together. To that end, the award-winning leader in the gluten-free arena salutes Celiac Awareness Month with involvement in multiple events, and also offers a variety of interesting savory and sweet recipe variations (www.pamelasproducts.com) for family and friends to enjoy on Father's Day, picnics and more.

Teachers: Electronic chalkboards transforming classrooms - "Jay," a 12-year-old student with autism at Northfield's Spaulding Youth Center, walked up to his classroom's SMART Board one recent Monday. He began drawing a picture of a car. The car had a flat tire, and there was a man outside the car with a jack trying to fix the tire. "Up high, up high," Jay said as he drew the picture, the entire time looking directly at his classmates and teachers.  That weekend Jay's family had been driving when they got a flat tire. Jay returned to school Monday and wanted to share the story of his weekend with his peers.  For many students it's common to return to school and tell friends about your weekend. But in Jay's case, the occasion was remarkable.

The Autism Diaries - News Roundup - Everyone who is disabled differently-abled due to autism accesses areas of their brains that are foreign to those who are neurotypical. The key in many cases is finding the areas of strength, which can be challenging due to the inherent communication deficits.  There are sometimes cases where the area of strength is unmistakable, particularly in those who we refer to as savant, such as Derek Paravacini, who is featured in the clip below.

What My Mother Means to Me - Everyone thinks his/her mom is special in many different ways. I consider my mom is not just a caring mother; she is also my best friend, teacher, and coach for life.  Doctors delivered the dreariest news to my mom when I was three years old. "Autism Spectrum Disorder." They predicted I will never be able to catch up with my peer group, academically or socially. That broke my mom's heart. Fortunately, mom never let those words stop her from helping me to achieve my highest potentials. For years, I was reading without comprehending.

When language can be the 'key to success' - “Conspiracy of nature” is Sadaf Shahid’s response when asked why she chose to become a Speech Language Pathologist. Sadaf is one of the handful of pathologists working in a country where more than 20 million people suffer from communication related disorders requiring the services of 40,000 pathologists. Sadaf, who did her Masters in Speech Language Pathology from University of Karachi and has attained a diploma in Clinical Autism and Neurological Disorders acquired sufficient practical training before attaining her degree in 2007. It was a few months after the birth of her son in 1989 when she learnt that he had hearing impairment and she decided to develop his language skills instead of isolating him from other members of the society.

Autism care takes biological toll on mothers - Mothers with teenagers or young adults living at home face plenty of stress. If the young home-dwellers have been diagnosed with autism, the emotional intensity of caregiving surges dramatically in the mothers and may undermine the functioning of a critical stress hormone, a long-term study suggests. Over a five-year span, women who had children with autism living at home reported many more challenges in their daily lives than women caring for typically developing teens and young adults, reported psychologist Marsha Seltzer of the University of Wisconsin–Madison on June 4 at the annual meeting of the Jean Piaget Society. Moms of children with autism spent nearly all of their time on caregiving activities, experienced an inordinate amount of daily fatigue, often got into arguments at home and at work, and reported having negative feelings far more often than positive ones.

Defense raises questions about Barrall's fitness to stand trial - One of the attorney's for Neil Barrall wants more specifics on Judge Micheal Kiley's ruling concerning the fitness of Barrall to stand trial for the October 2007 murder of Michele Cavaletto of rural Centralia. Attorney Matt Vaughn is asking the judge to enter a specific finding that Barrall is presently unfit, but may be rendered fit with special provisions or assistance. Vaughn also wants the judge to make a specific determination and finding as to whether there is substantial probability that Barrall will attain fitness within one year. 

MMR vaccination scheme bullies parents - The latest scheme to bully parents into giving their children the MMR vaccination is to bar kids from school unless they have had the measles, mumps and rubella jab. How grotesque is that? Parents who decline the MMR jab are not thoughtless, stupid or uncaring. They are unconvinced. Privately, some doctors admit that the MMR jab can probably do harm to children with pre-existing conditions, although on balance these doctors – or at least the ones I have spoken to – still recommended the jab.

Researchers Identify Novel Autism Candidate Gene Analysis of 17q11 chromosomal region implies CACNA1G plays role in condition's etiology - The calcium channel subunit gene, CACNA1G, may be a novel candidate gene for autism spectrum disorder, according to a study published online May 19 in Molecular Psychiatry. Samuel P. Strom, a graduate student researcher at the University of California in Los Angeles, and colleagues typed both parents and one affected son in 302 male-only trios. They selected 2,042 single nucleotide polymorphisms for genotyping in 17q11-q21, a chromosomal region which had previously been linked to autism spectrum disorder. The researchers identified markers within the interval containing the gene CACNA1G that were significantly associated with autism spectrum disorder.

The Normal One  / A Brother's Memoir By Karl Taro Greenfeld -  In the 1970s, when autism was a rare diagnosis and accounts of raising a child with the disorder were far less common, Noah Greenfeld, the subject of several well-received books by his father, Josh, was “probably the most famous autistic child in America.” Or so claims the journalist Karl Taro Greenfeld, Noah’s older brother. His new memoir supplies plenty of anecdotes to prove his point — a “60 Minutes” crew moves into the Greenfeld house; Karl’s juvenilia about Noah “ends up” in The New York Times and Esquire. Yet for Karl, living in a family that was “one of the public accounts of autism” was shaming. He became “locally famous,” as he puts it, “for nothing more than having a retard brother.”

Two Fathers Show Support For Autism Awareness Through Racing - Not only will Marc and Jeff be working together on the track for a good result in this weekend’s Mazda Formula X event at New Jersey Motorsports Park, they will also be working together to raise funds and awareness for autism. Both racers are fathers of a child with autism, giving them added motivation to promote something that is near and dear to their hearts. 

Antidepressant not for Autism - Following results of a new study, researchers question the efficacy of the antidepressant, citalopram, for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in children with autism. Citalopram is in a class of antidepressants know as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), designed to interfere with the way the brain regulates serotonin. "Despite the relative dearth of evidence supporting their use, SSRIs are among the most frequently used medications for children with autism, partially because of their perceived safety," the study authors write.

Art imitating life: Emotionally fragile children find voice in art class - Kyle, at 16 a friendly kid with a beard who towers over his peers, shows a visitor around his art class in an office building on Madison's east side. "We make a lot of good stuff here," he says, pulling out a collection of miniatures he fashioned from clay. "This is a dead leg," he says. "Here's a squid, a tree, and an overflowing toilet. A dead beached whale. A dog cleaning itself."

Autism lecture: 'recovery is possible' - A two-hour free lecture about autism will be held June 16 at 7 p.m. at the Diamond Ballroom at Minerals Resort and Spa. Sponsored by Healthy Thymes of Vernon along with Enzymedica and the Autism Treatment Center of America, the talk will feature Raun Kaufman, who is described as having “recovered from autism” and is now the CEO of the Autism Treatment Center of America, plus Kristin Gonzalez, director of Autism Education for Enzymedica and the mother of a 6-year-old with autism.

Autism may be missed in schoolchildren - One primary school child in every 64 may need help because they have some form of autism, but have not been diagnosed, according to a new study Researchers who surveyed children aged five to nine in Cambridgeshire say the findings should help education, health and social services prepare for the future. Their figures, published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, confirm that one per cent of primary school children have an existing diagnosis of autism, but also suggest that there may be many more currently undiagnosed.

Autism-Mitochondrial Study: Participants Needed - ASD Centers, LLC has expanded the clinical study started in the Dallas, Texas area to include other locations. This study is designed to examine mitochondrial dysfunction and how L-carnitine supplementation affects behavior, cognition, muscle strength, and health/physical traits in those with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Can kids with Special Needs ever fit in - Lisa Jo Rudy (Informal Education Examiner) published an article today that asked the question “Can a kid with autism every fit in?” I think this is a question a parent of special needs kid always asks themselves, regardless of the actual diagnosis. Whether your child has mental retardation, Down’s syndrome, bipolar, reactive attachment disorder, autism, attention deficit disorder, et al. we all want our children to succeed in life. Part of success can be measured by happiness. Humans are considered happier when he or she has friends. And therefore, parents want their children to have friends and to “fit in.”

Childhood vaccinations should be compulsory, says former head of BMA / Children should not be allowed into school unless they can prove they have had their vaccinations, Sir Sandy Macara, a former chairman of the British Medical Association has said.  -  Immunisation rates plummeted after research linked the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination to bowel disorders and autism.  Experts now fear another epidemic is likely as measles and mumps have made a resurgence, despite the research being discredited and vaccination rates beginning to rise again.

Crumlin family pay tribute to 'gent who loved Dr Who' - THE FAMILY of a 26-year-old man who died tragically at his Crumlin home said he will be remembered as an “impeccably dressed gentleman” and for his love of Star Wars and Doctor Who.  Seb Neale, who was diagnosed with asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism, at the age of 18, died at his Oakland Terrace home on Sunday, May 17, after banging his head.  The former Crosskeys college student, had been at a barbeque with friends the night before and went back to his flat with a friend.  The friend left as he had work the next day and Mr Neale’s last Facebook entry was made at 4.50am.  His mother Jennifer Neale said the cause of his death has not yet been confirmed and she does not know how he cut his head.

Former counselor gets year sentence for showing child porn to to youth at Oregon computer camp- A former camp counselor has been sentenced to a year in custody for showing child pornography to a 13-year-old camper.  After he pleaded guilty to encouraging child sexual abuse, 35-year-old Aaron Leonard Munter was sentenced Tuesday to a half year in jail and another six months in a work center.  Munter was a counselor at a 2-day computer camp at Corban College in July. Prosecutors say he invited a 13-year-old camper with an autism spectrum disorder to look at a video that showed sexual contact between two boys.

GFree Eases Gluten-Free Living with Delicious, Inspired Meal Plans and Tools / GFree (http://www.GfreeCuisine.com), an innovative gluten-free recipe and menu planning service, provides practical plans and tools to prepare healthy, easy gluten-free dinners. Subscribe now and receive a free bag of the new Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Cornmeal.  - Dinner doesn't have to be a chore anymore. GFree (http://www.GfreeCuisine.com), a gluten-free recipe and menu planning service, provides practical meal plans and tools to prepare healthy, easy gluten-free dinners. Launched in 2008, GFree is the only gluten-free recipe website to offer an automatic grocery list. The service is used by scores of celiacs, parents with autistic children, and those looking to feel better without wheat.

Lakeland teen accused of stealing identity of autistic friend ... - A Lakeland teen has been charged with 24 felony counts in an alleged identity theft and fraud scheme involving a vulnerable adult — a childhood friend.  James Michael Staricha, 19, racked up more than $35,000 in debt — by way of credit cards, loans, bank accounts and cell phones — using his friend's name and Social Security number, investigators said in a criminal complaint filed in Washington County District Court.

Mounties learn difference between autistic and troublemaking behaviour - Distinguishing between distressed people in a panicked mental state and genuine troublemakers is not easy, but North Vancouver RCMP officers are giving it a try.  “We had input from the public expressing concern about what to do about people who don’t appear normal, such as those with adult-autism,” Const. Michael McLaughlin said Tuesday.  “We want to be proactive before it turns tragic.”  Almost 100 front-line officers are getting training this week in recognizing the differences between drunks looking for trouble and people with “sensory overload” from sirens and lights.  “Those people can be mistaken for combative drunks,” said McLaughlin.  “It might be someone with a genuine disorder, someone who’s in crisis.”  Police will be trained to spot a combination of behaviours which indicate adult-autism, such as repetitive motions, underdeveloped upper bodies and a fixation with bright objects.  “We can turn the lights off, talk calmly and restrain them in a safe way if necessary,” he said.

NO MMR, NO SCHOOL - A health expert has called for children to be barred from school unless they can prove they have had the MMR jab. Former British Medical Association chairman Sir Sandy Macara wants the vaccine, which guards against measles, mumps and rubella, to be compulsory. The number of children having it plunged after studies wrongly linked it with increased risk of autism. The drop in take-up has been blamed for measles outbreaks across the country that have sparked fears of an epidemic. Sir Sandy said: "Attempts to persuade people have failed. The suggestion is we ought to consider making a link which would make it compulsory for children to be immunised if they are to receive a free education."

No proof vaccine led to autism, court rules - A special U. S. court has ruled against three families who claimed vaccines caused their children's autism. The Vaccine Court Omnibus Autism Proceeding ruled against the parents of Michelle Cedillo, Colten Snyder and William Yates Hazlehurst, who had claimed that a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine had combined with other vaccine ingredients to damage the three children.  "Unfortunately, the Cedillos have been misled by physicians who are guilty, in my view, of gross medical misjudgment," Special Master George Hastings, a former tax claims expert at the Department of Justice, wrote in the 183-page ruling.Overcoming Autism - It's estimated one in every 166 kids will be diagnosed with autism.The great majority will stay that way for the rest of their lives.But new research is showing that a small percentage of kids who once had the condition have ecovered from it and are no longer considered autistic.Manuel Gallegus reports.Jake Exkorn is like any 12 year old.He talks to friends online... and likes sports more than school.Jake says, 'Right now I'm in sixth grade, I'm in middle school, I have a lot more tests and homework.'When you see Jake today it's hard to believe.... he was once autistic.

Organic food contains less toxins - For those of us who eat organic foods regularly, we know that our food contains less toxins. We believe this to be true because the food, water and soil were not treated with chemical toxins. But now there is scientific data to support this knowledge. What is almost more striking than the facts in these studies is that they are not very new and yet seem to get no national media coverage.

piano phenom; women's chorus turns 10; reviving a local classic ... - Sixteen-year-old New Hampshire native Matt Savage brings his venerated piano talents to Portsmouth on Sunday, June 7. The Matt Savage Trio makes its first Port City appearance at St. John’s Episcopal Church beginning at 3 p.m. A resident of Francestown, Savage began making waves in the jazz world when he was only 8 years old, playing for Dave Brubeck and jamming with Chick Corea. In subsequent years, he would play with a number of other living jazz legends, including McCoy Tyner, Clark Terry and Jimmy Heath, as well as soul goddess Chaka Khan. He has performed live on the “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz” on NPR.

Rave Reviews for New High Tech Thriller “The Five” by Thomas Roberts / If book reviews are an indication of how well a new book is being received by readers, then The Five is deserving of the red carpet treatment. The following excerpt might explain The Five's phenomenal success. - "Although listed as science fiction, I believe it to be highly enjoyable to even those not usually drawn to the genre. Typically this classification brings to mind aliens and monsters from outer space...you get my meaning. The writing style in this book is very reminiscent of great authors that we know today. Take the late great Michael Crichton. Two of his works, Jurassic Park and the Lost World, both explore scientific advancements that may not be that far away on the horizon. Both the story and technical aspects were sound and thoroughly explained. Author Thomas Roberts accomplishes this within his work as well. I look forward to seeing more from this emerging talent. For more information on the author, visit fivethebook.com. Happy reading..."  Review by: Science Fiction or Science Fact?, May 14, 2009  By G. Reba (Panama City, FL)

Rock climbing wall for autistic kids - "Gives them a chance to practice their fine motor skills and able to fine tune what their hands and their feet are doing," says Shannon Jenkins, parent. Shannon Jenkins is talking about a new rock climbing wall, specifically designed for autistic kids. "They think they're playing and yet they're learning at the same time," says Lindsay, an autism teacher. Learning things like trust. "If they fall they will be held and then they also have to listen for directions." And how to follow directions. "Orange path, they'll start here and depending on their ability level we'll have them go straight up and touch all of these orange up there on the top." "I was pretty hesitant at first," says Jenkins. But Shannon's six-year-old is a pretty active kid, so she quickly realized this might be just the thing for him. "Gives him a chance to get away from academics and a chance to refocus and regenerate," says Jenkins. "Children with autism have a lot of sensory needs and if they are moving while they're learning, they'll actually retain more, then if they're just sitting at the desk and just hearing it or seeing it."

Scoop Essentials: Disclosing Disability, Tackling A Dicey Proposition - Whether you’re out in public or in the company of family, talking about a disability and what it means to you or a family member can be tough business. But with the right approach, talking about a disability can go from stressful to meaningful, says family therapist Diane Smith, who herself has a child with a disability. Check out what Smith has to say and then submit your own questions to her by clicking here.In this installment of Scoop Essentials, Smith helps you find the right words and a healthy approach to explaining a disability to family, friends or even perfect strangers.

Seven-year-old Huddersfield girl acts as voice for her autistic sister - SHE’S only seven but Charlotte Jones is a true champion. She’s proving a vital, essential help to her autistic little sister, at home and at school. Charlotte’s sister Sarah, six, has severe autism and is virtually unable to speak. Sarah, who was diagnosed with the condition aged three, is prone to wandering off, climbing, and putting herself in dangerous situations. She finds it difficult to communicate and will sometimes use German words, learnt from her German mother Elisabeth. But Charlotte is on hand to watch her and get help when her little sister wants something. The sisters, two of six siblings, share a bedroom at their home in Ravensknowle Road, Moldgreen, and are close in every way. Both sisters attend Moldgreen Community Primary School where Sarah receives much-needed special help from the staff at the special autism unit.

Simple change in diet makes big difference - A sold-out a seminar is being held in Gates this It didn't take Eaton long before she had assembled all the help she thought Marius would need. But even with the right doctors and intense therapy, Eaton says Marius wasn't talking and he was extremely aggressive. Eaton began to change her son's diet. “I will tell you what...with our little boy, aggressiveness came down, much less aggressive, we could get him to focus a little better and his speech started developing.”  evening is focusing on gluten-free products Its focus being gluten-free products.  When Deirdre Eaton's two-year-old son Marius was diagnosed with autism, she was shocked. “My first reaction was he can't have that. I didn't know what it was but I know we were not having it.”

Tech tools are helping busy moms stay in sync - at's for dinner tonight? Check your recipe iPhone app and your electronic shopping list. Free for a play date next week? Sync your kids' schedules on Google calendar. Looking for ideas on potty training? Sign on to a virtual community and see how other moms handle it. While previous generations of mothers handled all these tasks in chats in the car-pool lanes and playgrounds, through books and magazines, now you find them juggling it all with smartphones. Modern moms have embraced the communications revolution to make parenting easier and richer, said Maria Bailey, whose Pompano Beach, Fla.-based BSM Media specializes in marketing to moms. She calls it Mom3.0, the title of her new book on the trend.

Technology exposes boy to world of sound - CindyLee Banks still remembers the first time she experienced the thrill of music.  “I remember that first day in band. The harmony with all the instruments together was phenomenal,” she said. “I love music. I love sound.” For CindyLee hearing that harmony was a powerful moment. Her family believes a bout of mumps during childhood decreased her hearing capabilities but was never able to specifically trace her loss to the illness. She got her first hearing aid when she was 11 and her second at the age of 15.

Teen killed by gang after family move for a better life / A teenager whose family relocated from another part of the country for a better life has died after he was attacked in the street.  - David Cox, 18, was left seriously injured in the attack in Bessacarr, Doncaster, on Monday night. His life-support machine was switched off yesterday afternoon. It is understood he suffered from autism and dyspraxia and had a mental age of eight.

The Autism Diaries: A Smile that Lit Up the Galaxy & News Roundup - Version cross-posted at The Autism Diaries.  This may be a true story. At an autism event, I met a mother and daughter. The girl was 13 and profoundly autistic...non-verbal, occasional grunts, squeals, etc. All outward appearances gave the impression that the girl was oblivious to surrounding conversations. Her mother showed me a laminated card with the alphabet on it, a letterboard, which looked similar to these:

Three men arrested over death - Three men have been arrested following the death of an autistic teenager in a street attack in Doncaster. David Cox, 18, had been playing football with his sister when he was attacked at a shop. The victim's father, Clive Cox, said: "We moved from a really rough area of Leicester because we thought Bessacarr would be a nicer place."

Why it bothers me when people say I'm a good mom - (This diary has been sitting in my draft folder for about a month. I don't remember exactly what inspired me to write it in the first place, but some comments in a thread have inspired me to publish it. Then I am off to the dentist. If there are any comments when I return, I'll reply to them then!) It took me awhile to figure this one out myself. Why would it bother me when people say things like, "You're such a great mom," or "Your daughter is lucky to have you," or "I admire you so much, I could never do what you do" or the one that aggravates me the most, "God wouldn't have given you this challenge if he didn't think you could handle it."?

YOBS KILL BOY IN 'SAFE' AREA - A DISABLED teenager whose family moved house to give him a better life died after yobs punched him to the ground outside his new home.  David Cox, 18, suffered from autism and the learning disability dyspraxia and had a mental age of just eight.   He was left brain dead and his anguished family made the decision to turn off his life-support machine on Tuesday night.