Age of Autism Comment of the Week: 1/23  - Henderson is our commenter of the week on the post, Anne Dachel On The Rising Autism Numbers.    A 13-year-old boy was taken into custody on Tuesday night in connection with the shooting death of his father in the Town of Delton. Sauk County investigators said that the boy, identified as Michael Crisafulli, admitted to shooting his 55-year-old father, Angelo Crisafulli. The boy is being held on a first-degree homicide charge.

Are Today's Kids Damaged?  - Recently, a regular commenter called Barbaraj wrote a long response to a blog post; in part, this is what she had to say:  These elderly people don't understand, they think we've become lax in discipline, overused television, in general have been bad parents, they see more than autism, they see a generation of behaviorally, socially, strange kids. This is new, don't be fooled into thinking those NT children we refer to so often are normal, they aren't, most kids seem somewhat affected. After the autism count, start counting those that are on various "mind altering drugs" for their ocd, depression, add, adhd..there are so many damaged that we should be screaming for answers not infighting over whether this is a "new" problem.

Are You Envisioning Your Autistic Child's Future?  - Every now and then, a therapist or other professional has told me I need a vision for my son's future. Without such a vision, they say, it's impossible to set up goals and know if you've reached them. For example...   Will he live at home, in a supported group home, or independently?

Asperger's documentary Feb. 6 at Upstate Films  - The documentary "The Asperger's Difference: For and About Young People With Asperger's Syndrome" will be featured at 11 a.m. Feb. 6 at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck — for the second time since its premiere in November 2009. The screening, which is free and open to the public, will be followed at 11:30 a.m. by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and young adults featured in the documentary. "The Asperger's Difference" debuted at Upstate Films on Nov. 21 to a sold-out crowd of more than 150 people.

Autism: A healing, not a cure - It's a windswept, freezing January afternoon on a remote beach in Scotland, and I'm watching four horses, each with a child on its back, plodding across the pebbles. Eight-year-old Rowan Isaacson is standing beside me on the beach. Like the other children, he is autistic: unlike them, he can carry on a conversation, speaks clearly and is toilet-trained – but only since 2007. ­According to Rowan's father, Rupert, his extraordinary "recovery" from some of the most difficult aspects of autism came about through his love of horses – a love ­affair that culminated in a month-long, ­adventure-packed trip to Mongolia.

Autism Speaks responds to recent publications citing autism clusters in California  - However, demographic factors, alone, may not explain the increased numbers of cases in these clusters. The authors propose that other factors, including environmental exposures, may play a role but warrant further investigation to understand their contribution to autism etiology.

Author recalls growing up with undiagnosed Asperger's  - In elementary school, he was a film noir and opera buff. By middle school, he'd written and directed his own films. Before he was a teen, he was the subject of a documentary, "A Day With Timmy Page."  Growing up in Storrs, Conn., Page consistently flunked math and science, and never fit in socially. His words were sometimes accidentally cruel. He didn't understand human social cues. He even read an Emily Post book to learn why people did what they did — and how to respond appropriately.  "I don't think I ever thought I was like other kids," Page says.

Boy was tangled in web of issues: Family woes led to police intervention  - The 13-year-old boy accused of shooting his father to death Tuesday was tangled in a web of legal and custody battles between his parents that at times required police intervention. Michael A. Crisafulli was 5 years old and the youngest of seven children when his mother filed for divorce from his father in September 2002 after 20 years of marriage, according to court records. Although the divorce was finalized a year later, court disputes in the family case continued for more than seven years and often involved the custody of Michael — who is now facing a first-degree intentional homicide charge as an adult.

Could We Have Ignored Autism in the Past?  - If autism is on the rise, then there are far more children than adults with the disorder. If it isn't on the rise, then the numbers should be more or less consistent over the years. Certainly there are far more children than adults with the diagnosis. But since the diagnostic criteria have changed radically since I, at least, was a child, that information doesn't help us much. And large studies, so far, seem to suggest that there both ARE and ARE NOT as many adults as kids with the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.

Profiles in Counter Intuition : Temple Grandin on Working from the Inside  - Temple Grandin's life and her career are counter intuitive on several levels. First, she is arguably the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. She has a Ph.D. in animal science and is a professor at Colorado State University. She is the author of the classic memoir Thinking in Pictures, about to be released as a film starring Claire Danes. Secondly, as an animal lover, she has carved out a specialty for herself in the highly oxymoronic field of humane animal death.Today over half of North America's cattle are handled in systems she designed.

Dealing With the Financial Burden of Autism - WHEN Jeff Sell’s twin sons were found to have autism 13 years ago, he, like so many other parents in the same situation, found himself with a million questions: Will my children be able to function? What are the best treatments and where do I find them? How will this affect the rest of my family?  And besides those monumental worries, Mr. Sell kept asking himself another fundamental question as he began the long string of doctor and therapist visits with his sons: “How in the world am I going to pay for all this?”Autism trends, treatments and therapies routinely make headlines. Often overlooked, though, is the financial burden for many families with autistic children.

Desperate carers failed by system in crisis  - HUNDREDS of disabled and mentally ill Victorians are languishing on supported-accommodation waiting lists as their desperate carers find themselves unable to gain access to respite facilities due to huge funding shortfalls, a parliamentary inquiry has found.  The report paints a picture of a system in crisis, with elderly parents forced to provide 24-hour care for their adult children because they cannot find a residential place for them.

Discontinued autism therapy prompts California class-action lawsuit - The Eastern Los Angeles County Regional Center alerted over 100 families that their children were loosing the DIR therapy model, which stands for “developmental individual difference, relationship-based”, late last summer. The therapy was cut as a result of state budget cuts, which now has parents in an uproar. The California Legislature cut over $300 million in services in experimental treatments, recreational activities, and nonmedical therapies for the developmentally disabled. The therapy is part of a popular treatment called “Floortime,” where a therapist follows a child’s lead while playing to help to build communication and social interaction skills. DIR was cut because “it doesn’t meet the rigors of science.” Even though there are no known controlled scientific studies on the DIR treatment, in 2001 the National Research Council determined that the treatment “had enough in common with other proven methods, which can be considered a valid model for treating autism.” The lawsuit contends the therapy cut “threatens to condemn our clients and this group of children to a bleak future under institutionalized care.”

DOJ Joins Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson Over Kickbacks for ...  - Federal prosecutors have intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, accusing the company of paying kickbacks to Omnicare, a nursing home pharmacy supplier, to push its antipsychotic drug Risperdal onto elderly patients.

Father Develops Autism Software After Son's Diagnosis  - It was nearly 13 years ago when Karl Smith noticed that his then-2-year-old son had lost his speech and was not learning. After his son started responding to an intensive, 40-hour-per-week ABA program for autism, Smith aggressively sought after computer-based learning programs for his child to learn at least some of what he needed to know on his own time. Smith attempted to use other computer learning tools, but found the products to be ineffective in helping with his son’s behavioral and educational development. As a result, he put his engineering and artificial intelligence background to use and developed the DT Trainer and Activity Trainer, two highly robust special needs software programs for children with autism and other special needs.

I think my child may have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). What do I do? - Getting a diagnosis - if indeed a child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - as early as possible is important because research shows that early intervention is the best intervention. Yet, not all pediatricians recognize the early signs of a possible ASD. Although diagnosis rates of autism are up, this does not mean that all doctors or medical professionals are aware of the different signs of autism in different types of babies and toddlers. A diagnosis is made by observing the behavioral characteristics in three areas : communication, social interactions, and imaginative play or thought. As there are no physical characteristics that are shared by those in the spectrum, and there is a wide range of abilities and disabilities - it is not always easy to identify.

Is There an Autism Epidemic?  - A couple of slap dash blog pieces appeared today both on the same subject – the so called autism epidemic. First off is Harold who writes about a series of interviews with David Kirby. David says:  It’s crazy that in this debate, we’re still debating whether autism numbers are actually going up or not, which is insanity to me. It’s people desperately clinging to this belief that autism is genetic, that it’s always been with us at this rate, that we’re just better at counting it, better at diagnosing it.  Harold claims David has ‘hit the nail on the head’ with this quote. I disagree with Harold and I disagree with David. Its far from insanity to examine a perfectly valid hypothesis. More later.

Judge may be asked to help Bountiful murder suspect become competent  - For possibly the first time in Davis County, a judge may be asked to order forced medication to restore a defendant to competency. Jeremy Jacob Hauck, 21, is charged with the first-degree murder of his mother, Laura Hauck, 51, on Aug. 4, 2006, in Bountiful. Hauck is accused of shooting his mother twice, slitting her throat and then putting her body in the freezer, where it was found Aug. 7, 2006. "We will probably hold another hearing asking the court to force medication," Deputy Davis County Attorney Steve Major said Thursday after a review hearing in 2nd District Court.

Lack Of Facilities Poses Challenges For Autistic Adults  - The shortage includes everything from daycare to a permanent residence for adults with autism. "For young kids, there are a lot of treatments and interventions. For adults, it becomes limited," said UPMC's Dr. John McGonigle.
Jeanne Akbay told Wright that her son, who is 6 feet, 2 inches and 254 pounds, is becoming increasingly difficult for the single mother with health problems to care for.

Pseudoscience in the Ascendency, or It's a Lousy Time to Be a Former Debater  - ...For example, the Los Angeles Times' On the Media column tells of the aftermath of Amy Wallace's article debunking the idea that autism is caused by childhood vaccinations. For stating what seems to be a common sense proposition, she endured all manners of threats and name-calling.

Raising a Lost Boy - And Girl - from Neverland  - I decided to take a break from my business articles to speak closer to the heart.  You think about a boy that never grows up. I have one of those. Indeed, I have a girl, as well. In truth, I have six children. They are all fantastic. But my two youngest are very unique and deal with autism. As a father, that's where the adventure really begins.

Response to 'Looking in on the autistic brain'  - The Minnesota Daily’s article “Looking in on the autistic brain” barely covers the issue of vaccines. It merely states that “With scientific evidence lacking, many parents blame vaccines for their children’s autism.” Parents may only see this line and turn to other studies. It would be wise to assure the reader that there is no link. The claim that vaccines and autism are linked has been thoroughly refuted by many studies. These have been conducted by multiple agencies including the FDA.

Restraint, Seclusion, and Kids with Autism  - In recent months, more attention has been paid in the media to abusive practices in special education classrooms.  Kids with autism are especially vulnerable, since they are relatively likely to tantrum or display aggressive behaviors, and relatively unlikely to communicate with their parents about abusive treatment.  Disabilityscoop, a blog which reports on topics related to all sorts of disabilities, urges parents to be alert and aware of their rights:

Scientific Learning's Fast ForWord Software Approved by Australian Government ...  - Scientific Learning Corp. (NASDAQ:SCIL) today announced that the Australian Government’s Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has named the Fast ForWord® family of products as an approved intervention for children under age six who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).  

School proves Asperger's syndrome doesn't have to be a life sentence  - Knowing when to laugh, knowing when someone looks angry or sad and interpreting everyday non-verbal social cues is something that comes naturally to most people.  But to people with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, that all-important non-verbal communication is a huge challenge and one that can cripple their ability to work, pursue higher education, live independently and have friends.  “Often these young adults can be very bright, but lack street smarts,” said Fred R. Volkmar, director of Yale Child Study Center and one of the world’s leading experts on Asperger’s syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders. Volkmar said some with Asperger’s will do math equations in their head “just for fun,” but “can’t walk into McDonald’s and order a cheeseburger.”

Schizophrenia gene may reduce cancer risk  - People who inherit a specific form of a gene that puts them on a road to schizophrenia may be protected against some forms of cancer, U.S. researchers say. Researchers at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, N.Y., led by Katherine Burdick, analyzed 21 single-nucleotide polymorphisms for 173 patients and 137 healthy controls. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, said the results add to growing evidence suggesting an intriguing relationship between cancer-related genes and schizophrenia susceptibility.

SOCIAL MUSIC GROUP CLASSES  - Social Music Group is an interactive class where music is used to improve the social skills of people diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. This program is targeted for citizens diagnosed with intellectual disabilities such as autism, pervasive developmental disorder, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays. This innovative program is based on the principles of music therapy, the evidenced-based use of music to improve a person's skills by a trained professional. Music has been found to successfully teach a variety of fundamental social skills because of its ability to capture attention and motivate. These social skills include cooperation, sharing, turn-taking, and verbalizing social greetings. Singing, instrument playing, moving to music and song writing activities are developed to engage individuals and promote appropriate social behavior. Musical instruments and props are adapted so that people with different physical abilities can all be involved. In addition, members of the group interact with each other and are a model for appropriate social behavior. Members become a support for one another by giving encouragement to others in the group. As a result, social skills are learned enhancing the quality of life for those participating.

Temple Grandin premiers Feb. 6  - On Feb. 6 at 8 p.m., HBO will premiere an original film based on the inspirational, true story of Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes. Temple Grandin paints a picture of a young woman’s perseverance and determination while struggling with the isolating challenges of autism.  Grandin became a successful doctor in animal science through her unique connection to animals and is now a world-renowned consultant in the field. She is widely recognized within the animal welfare and livestock-handling industries as a pioneer in the ethical treatment of animals. Grandin is the best-selling author of “Thinking in Pictures,” “Animals in Translation” and “Humane Livestock Handling.”

Temple Grandin to Speak at Special Preview of HBO Films' Temple Grandin  - HBO and Barnes & Noble will host a special event on New York's Upper East Side on January 25, featuring a book signing and discussion with Temple Grandin, best-selling author, animal scientist and autism advocate. The event will take place at 1:00 PM at the Upper East Side Barnes & Noble in Manhattan (150 East 86th Street at Lexington Avenue). It will include a preview from HBO Films' moving biopic Temple Grandin, which is premiering February 6 at 8PM (ET/PT) on HBO.

The Cost of Autism  - In today’s Patient Money column, Walecia Konrad focuses on the financial impact autism has on families. She writes:  Autism trends, treatments and therapies routinely make headlines. Often overlooked, though, is the financial burden for many families with autistic children.
Treatment is extremely expensive. Direct medical and nonmedical costs can add up to as much as $72,000 a year for someone with an extreme case of the disorder, and even $67,000 a year for those on the lower end of the spectrum, according to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health.

The Effectiveness of Special Diets in Autistic Disorders  - Painful digestive problems can trigger problem behavior in children with autism, however an expert panel led by Dr. Timothy Buie of the Harvard Medical School states that there is no evidence that these digestive problems are more common in children with autism, or that special diets work. The report is published in the January issue of Pediatrics.

TIME Magazine on Epigenetics and Autism  - Our community rightly spends a good deal of time pointing out errors in media stories about autism, but it’s so much more enjoyable to write about mainstream articles which get the scientific issues involved in autism right.  The cover story in TIME magazine last week is entitled “Why Your DNA Isn’t Your Destiny” (HERE) by John Cloud.  I was amazed at what a great job the writer did with a very complicated subject.  And yes, it touches on autism.

Why Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny  - You have had a long-standing deal with biology: whatever choices you make during your life might ruin your short-term memory or make you gain weight t or could hasten death, but they won't change your genes — your actual DNA.  The answer lies beyond both nature and nurture. Bygren's data — along with those of many other scientists working separately over the past 20 years — have given birth to a new science called epigenetics. At its most basic, epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation.

A new take on genius  - Calling someone “a genius” is often little more than subjective hyperbole, but when it comes to the likes of Newton, Beethoven, or even Nobel Prize winners like John Nash, most people would accept that there is also a major element of objective truth in the claim. Clearly, some people are gifted to an extraordinary degree, and calling them geniuses seems appropriate, however you define the term. Psychologists, philosophers, and biographers have struggled to offer general definitions, but until now no one has been able to include genius in a model of cognitive development that also embraces normality and pathology. But however that may be, genius emerges naturally from and resolves a major paradox in the imprinted brain theory.  You could call Peek a genius, and he certainly was in certain respects, but savant seems the  most accurate term, implying as it does outstanding knowledge in limited areas, rather than the broader originality and all-encompassing creativity that we associate with the true genius of Newton and Beethoven. In a previous post I have pointed out that, if there are autistic savants, then the symmetry of the diametric model predicts that there should also be psychotic savants with the exact opposite configuration of skills (that is, outstanding mentalism with mechanistic deficits), the twentieth-century paradigm being Freud. 

A New Twist on No Child Left Behind  - While debate continues on the pro’s and con’s of the well publicized “No child left behind Act”, a small, privately funded Center for Children has maintained a quiet, unwritten policy that no child will ever be left behind or turned away because of a family’s inability to afford tuition.  For the past five years the Neuro-Linguistic Learning Center in El Dorado Hills has been helping children, teens and adults overcome the effects of ADHD, Autism and other learning disabilities. While the profound successes of their students have been well documented, their quiet policy of never turning a child away solely for financial reasons has remained an important part of their commitment to the Sacramento Community and to the children and families they serve. “Says Gerald Hughes, Director of the NLC, “As the parent of several children who previously struggled with learning challenges, I feel I have a profound appreciation for the importance of the work we do. If a family is committed to getting help or their child, we will do everything we can to assist them--regardless of their financial situation.”

Another chance for the "UFO hacker"  - The decision of the British Ministry of the Interior to "UFO hacker" pass into the hands of U.S. authorities, will again be reviewed by the court. The London tribunal, the High Court accepted the application submitted in this case by Gary McKinnon and his defenders. 43-year-old, who threatened extradition, so received another chance and some time - to be heard by the High Court. According to the media coverage it is expected in April or May this year. A British citizen has the answer by the U.S. court for breaking into U.S. government computer systems.

Are children with ASDs more likely to have GI problems?  - In 1998 Andrew Wakefield suggested that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine produced enterocolitis, injuring the gastrointestinal lining of children who would subsequently develop autism. One clear implication of this suggestion was that children with autism should have more gastrointestinal problems than children who are typically developing. A recent study strongly suggests that this is not true. Medical researchers from the Mayo Clinic have shown that children with autism are no more likely to have diarrhea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux, or abdominal discomfort than their typically developing peers (Ibrahim et al., 2009). This finding supports earlier research conducted by Black, Kaye, and Jick (2002) who found that children with autism were no more likely to have signs of irritable bowel disorder than their typically developing peers.

Autism Speaks again calls upon the federal government  - As the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports on the actual decline in U.S. biomedical research funding, Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, again called on the federal government to immediately step up its efforts – and dramatically increase research funding – to address the growing national autism public health crisis. The American Medical Association report, U.S. Funding Biomedical Research, 2003-2008, reprinted in JAMA, January 13, 2010 finds that overall funding for biomedical research in 2008 decreased, when adjusted for inflation. Nowhere is the need for increased research funding more evident than for those individuals and families whose lives are impacted by autism. According to the AMA, during the period of 2003-2007, nation-wide biomedical research funding across the full spectrum of healthcare needs and diseases, increased 14%, with a compounded annual growth of 3.4%. In 2007, the highest year of funding, the US spent approximately 4.5% of its health care expenditures on funding biomedical research and approximately 0.1% of the expenditures on health services research with industry providing the majority of funding (58%), and the government contributing only one-third of funding (33%).

Baby boy takes part in autism study  - A baby boy has taken part in a brain study to help psychologists understand how autism develops. Four-month-old Matai Reid was monitored by scientists at Durham University to see how he responded to different moving images on a television screen. Matai, from Durham, was fitted with a cap with sensors attached so his brain activity could be recorded. Dr Vincent Reid, a psychologist at Durham University, said: "We don't yet know enough about how the brains of very young babies develop and how they react to things. "It is vital we know more so we can identify problems and developmental delays much earlier which could lead to earlier diagnosis of conditions such as autism."

Blue Brain Project can save the planet  - What could become the world's first fully conscious, artificial human brain is taking shape in a supercomputer at a Swiss university - thanks to a pioneering scientist from Kuruman in the Kalahari.  South African Henry Markram has gone from a childhood in the red dust of the Northern Cape to fame as one of the foremost neuroscientists in Europe.  Now he is leading a multimillion-dollar race to be the first to build a computer model of the brain that would revolutionise the treatment of diseases from autism and Alzheimer's to psychosis and schizophrenia.

Call to reconsider McKinnon move - Home Secretary Alan Johnson has been urged to "see the writing on the wall" after computer hacker Gary McKinnon was granted a judicial review. A High Court judge is now set to rule on whether Mr Johnson was wrong to allow the hacker's extradition to the US. Tory David Burrowes (Enfield Southgate), Mr McKinnon's MP, called for a Government statement on the decision, saying: "Surely the Home Secretary should see the writing on the wall of the court's decision - that he was wrong to ignore the compelling medical evidence and wrong to allow his extradition given his perilous mental state." Commons Leader Harriet Harman replied: "I think the situation is that this is now going forward for judicial review." The exchange took place in the Commons during questions on upcoming parliamentary business. Mr McKinnon's lawyer Karen Todner said she was "delighted" there would be a judicial review of Mr Johnson's decision. A hearing is likely to take place in April or May.

Compulsive Hoarders  - Piles of newspapers stacked in the living room, leaving only a narrow path to the kitchen. Dozens of cats living in filthy conditions in a tiny house. Debris spilling out into the yard, prompting complaints from neighbors. All of these are signs of compulsive hoarding.  Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) does not list compulsive hoarding as a disorder, as we've reported in the past, this type of behavior traditionally has been viewed as a subtype of obsessive obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). About 25 percent to 30 percent of patients with OCD—or 0.4 percent of the U.S. population—develop hoarding behaviors.

'Crowd Pleaser -- Autism: The Effect on the Parent': Single Mom Finds Challenges, Joys in Raising Autistic Son   - Faith Parker initially thought her son, Hunter, was deaf, because, by the age of 2, he'd not uttered a peep, and failed to respond to her when she tried to get his attention - instead covering his ears, screaming. Her dearest friend and confidant, Frank, advised her to seek professional help. During the summer, Faith painstakingly meets professionals to collect documentation for Hunter's diagnosis. Fired from her administrative position for being chronically late and under-performing, Faith haphazardly finds temporary employment as a carpenter's assistant, a dog walker, and even the title of landlord. The evaluation from professionals concludes that Hunter is in the autistic spectrum. In this dramatic novel of devotion, love and determination, "Crowd Pleaser -- Autism: The Effect on the Parent" (published by Trafford Publishing), Veronica Gillotti pens a tender story of the challenges faced by a single mother who meets the world of autism spectrum through the eyes of her young boy. Overwhelmed by the diagnosis, angered by the dog walker, and distressed by her roommate, Faith searches for Hunter's biological father. Unfortunately, he is in a supervised time-out. Frank and Faith work with Hunter on his education and therapy and delight in his progress learning words and basking in being the center of everyone's attention in this fun-to-read glimpse into one woman's challenges - and rewards.

Families Sue After Provider Discontinues Autism Therapy  - A group of families is filing a class action lawsuit after a state-funded services provider in Los Angeles stopped offering an autism therapy some consider experimental. The Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center, which provides state-funded autism therapy for children residing in specific Los Angeles neighborhoods, stopped offering a therapy known as “DIR” or Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based treatment last year. The change came after a California law went into effect last summer barring state-funded centers from using “experimental treatments.” DIR is the basis for a technique called Floortime, whereby therapists follow the child’s lead to encourage socialization through play.

FDA says it's unable to regulate BPA  - U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials say they are powerless to regulate BPA, although they have declared the chemical to be a safety concern for fetuses, babies and young children.  A quirk in the rules allows BPA makers to skirt federal regulation. "We may have to go after legislation to change it," Joshua Sharfstein, the FDA's principal deputy director, told the Journal Sentinel. The newspaper has been investigating the government's lack of regulation regarding BPA for three years.

For a Child with Autism, How Much Help Is Too Much Help?  - I've noticed that when you offer a person constant help and support, even when he doesn't need it, he will stand back and let you do all the work. It's just human nature: why work hard when someone else will do it for you? Of course, kids with autism need more help and support than the average child - sometimes a LOT more help. But how do you know when it's time to stand back and let your child (or a child you're teaching or supporting) stand on his own two legs?

Forum helps others understand Asperger's  -As a child, Stephen Shore was diagnosed with "atypical development with strong autistic tendencies." As a kindergartner, he was messy, quiet, bullied, and a self-described "social and academic disaster."  On Tuesday, this man, who now holds a doctorate in education from Boston University, drew a crowd of about 80 educators, social services workers and medical professionals from across the region to a conference at Cranwell Resort & Spa in Lenox.  The presentation, "Understanding Asperger's Syndrome and Self-Advocacy and Self-Disclosure," was sponsored by local businesses to benefit the Student Educational Development Fund. The fund provides financial aid to the College Internship Program, a Lee-based national organization designed to support post-secondary students who are autistic, dyslexic or have other learning differences.

Give Them What They Need  - Like most boys his age, 10-year-old Gabriel likes to ride scooters and tricycles, play catch, roll things back and forth, even play on his parents' treadmill. Unlike most children his age, though, he has severe autism, which has an affect on his verbal skills and his social and peer interaction. Like most children his age, he simply likes to play—and more often than not, toys are part of that play.

Imaging May Help Identify a Biomarker of Autism Study finds autistic children have delayed responses to auditory frequencies - Autistic children have right-hemisphere delays in their response to a range of auditory frequencies, suggesting abnormal maturation of the auditory system, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in Autism Research.  Timothy P.L. Roberts, Ph.D., from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and colleagues used whole-cortex magnetoencephalography to compare the frequency dependence of superior temporal gyrus 50 msec (M50) and 100 msec (M100) neuromagnetic auditory evoked field responses in 17 typically-developing children and 25 children with autism spectrum disorders.

McKinnon: The longest ever game of pass the parcel  - Pentagon hacker Gary McKinnon has won breathing space in his long-running fight against extradition, with news on Wednesday that judges have granted a further judicial review. This time it is to consider whether the Home Secretary was right to disregard medical evidence that he might harm himself or even commit suicide if extradited to the US. McKinnon's lengthy battle looked to be entering the endgame when Home Secretary Alan Johnson rejected psychiatric advice on McKinnon's mental state in allowing extradition proceedings against the UFO conspiracy theorist to proceed back in November. The move restarted the clock on extradition proceedings, sparking fears from the 43-year-old's family that he might be hauled off to face US trial and likely imprisonment, possibly even before Christmas.

Mining chemical or autism treatment?  - An industrial chemical developed to help separate heavy metals from polluted soil and mining drainage is being sold as a dietary supplement by a luminary in the world of alternative autism treatments.  Called OSR#1, the supplement is described on its Web site as an antioxidant not meant to treat any disease. But the site lists pharmacies and doctors who sell it to parents of children with autism, and the compound has been promoted to parents on popular autism Web sites.

More evidence that autism is a brain 'connectivity' disorder  - New research has added to a growing body of evidence that autism is a brain ‘connectivity’ disorder.  Senior investigator Mustafa Sahin, MD, PhD, of Children’s Department of Neurology, Boston, and colleagues added to the findings suggesting rare disorder tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), commonly associated with autism, is linked to defects in axon guidance.  The team gave evidence that mutations in one of the TSC’s causative genes, known as TSC2, prevent growing nerve fibers (axons) from finding their proper destinations in the developing brain.  Sahin said: “People have started to look at autism as a developmental disconnection syndrome – there are either too many connections or too few connections between different parts of the brain.

More than therapy  - The examples that Fido is man’s best friend seem endless. There’s Timmy and Lassie, for example, Snoopy and Charlie Brown, Turner and Hooch. But the bond between Shakespeare Aristotle — a dachsund-spaniel mix — and 55-year-old CarolAnn Edscorn of Jaffrey is even deeper. Edscorn grew up without friends, didn’t read until she was in the 4th grade and didn’t speak until she was four. In 1994, she was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome after her husband read an article about Temple Grandin, an animal scientist who has autism. Asperger Syndrome is one of several disorders on the autism spectrum, which also includes classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and cases of “not otherwise specified” pervasive developmental disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Moving day  - Equipped with colorful scarves and a live pianist, students of the special needs movement class at the Children’s Dance Foundation gather weekly to tap into their creativity and self-expression. Whether they’re "freezing" on the spot in their chosen shape or moving through space, the students make movement decisions using their own form of creative expression. Socializing, working in groups and following directions are some of the skills reiterated in the class. Plus, they just get to be kids. "He (Parker) is able to be with his peers and be just as successful as everyone else," Sharon Slay said of her son. Parker has Asperger’s syndrome, a high-functioning autism, and has attended the class since June. Parker responds to the music, Slay said. "It calms him." She even catches him humming the music from class throughout the week. Often, the children like the rhythm and predictability of music, teacher Blakely Cottle said. "They can move and have a good time with it as well."

MUM'S MMR JAB VICTORY  - A FAMILY has made legal history after they were awarded government cash to fight for compensation for their son who it is claimed developed serious brain ­damage after the triple MMR jab.  The case is expected to open the doors for hundreds of other parents.  Mother-of-three Jackie Fletcher, 52, has fought for 17 years over her son Robert’s injuries that developed after a measles, mumps and rubella injection. Until now it has been virtually ­impossible to succeed with claims because parents could not afford legal support.

NJ signs autism bill into law  - Autistic adults and children will be protected from discrimination because a bill championed by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean of Westfield was signed into law today. The bill amends the state’s law against discrimination so that autism disorders are recognized causes of disabilities. “Autistic residents will now receive the same protections as other disabled citizens from discrimination in access to housing, employment and public accommodations such as theaters, stores and restaurants,” Senator Kean said.

Olmsted on Autism: I Know, Michael, Footnotes are No Fun.  - I’ve written a couple of times about Michael Specter’s book, “Denialism – How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives.” One chapter makes short work of people like us, nutcases who simply refuse to bow to established scientific wisdom that all questions about a link between vaccines and autism have been “asked and answered.” You’ll probably recognize that as a Paul-Offitism, both pithy and profoundly wrong, and one of my points about Specter’s book is that – inadvertently, I’m sure – he copied a large text block straight out of Offit’s attack on the Vaccine Court decision in the Poling Case.

Parallel Play: Growing Up with Undiagnosed Asperger's  / New Book - Tim Page, who splits his time between Los Angeles and Baltimore, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1997.  The Pulitzer board called his work as classical music critic of the Washington Post “lucid and illuminating.”  Three years later, at age 45, Tim Page was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a mild form of autism.  He’s written a personal chronicle of his early life and called it:   Parallel Play:  Growing Up with Undiagnosed Asperger’s. He talks to Sheilah about growing up and finally being diagnosed.

Play depicts life of autistic 13-year-old boy  - The lights go up and Jacob Huskey, 15, is kneeling alone on the stage, meticulously arranging green plastic toy soldiers into neat rows. He refuses to move until all the soldiers are in their proper place.  Jacob portrays Stephen, a 13-year-old with autism, in “Window Pains,” presented by the group Performing Arts in Children’s Education. The purpose of the play is to spread autism awareness, said director Angela Howard. Local playwright Hartley Wright wrote the script. Howard approached the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and asked if anyone would be willing to read through and correct the script so it would be an accurate portrayal of autism. Associate Director Stephen Kanne agreed to help.

Robert K. Holliday: A granddad's observations on autism  - Autism is a neurological disorder usually identifiable during the first three years of life by deficits and abnormalities in communications and social development.  This complex disability occurs an unbelievable one out of every 110 births nationally and is four times more frequent in boys than girls. The strict form may include severe self-injurious, highly unusual and destructive behavior. Special education programs using behavioral methods have proven to be the most accommodating treatment.

Scientists crack brain's codes for noun meanings  - As one slice of the observed brain image from a human participant (left) and the theory (right) shows, the theory makes precise predictions, particularly about the twoshelter-related coding areas in this slice (circled), where brighter red indicates more activation. Credit: CarnegieMellon University Two hundred years ago, archaeologists used the Rosetta Stone to understand the ancient Egyptian scrolls. Now, a team of Carnegie Mellon University scientists has discovered the beginnings of a neural Rosetta Stone. By combining brain imaging and machine learning techniques, neuroscientists Marcel Just and Vladimir Cherkassky and computer scientists Tom Mitchell and Sandesh Aryal determined how the brain arranges noun representations. Understanding how the brain codes nouns is important for treating psychiatric and neurological illnesses.

Special Needs Student Allegedly Abused  - Marshall County teacher Pamela Williams has been charged with two counts of battery after she allegedly physically abused a special needs child at Sherrard Jr. High School.  If convicted, Williams could spend a year behind bars. Williams, a Cameron resident, appeared Thursday in Marshall County Magistrate Court for a pretrial hearing on two counts of battery. The charges stem from an alleged altercation on Oct. 8 at Sherrard Jr. High School that reportedly involved Williams and an 11-year-old boy who suffers from autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disorders. Williams, who was 57 years old at the time of alleged battery, pleaded innocent to the charges.

Studies of Internal Brain Connections Point to Cause of Autism  - The underlying physiological causes of autism continue to remain a mystery, but new research is helping to narrow down the field. Scientists at Children's Hospital Boston have been studying the brains of humans and mice with tuberous sclerosis complex, a rare disorder related to autism, and have discovered that during axon formation the nerve fibers seem to have difficulty in finding correct connection points to link to in the brain.

Teenager gets probation for setting fire to local business  - A defence lawyer representing a psychologically troubled youth who helped to cause a fire that razed a Keswick manufacturing business told a court his client needs help, not punishment. Judge Julian Dickson sentenced the 14-year-old Douglas boy Thursday to 24 months of probation on a Sept. 11 charge of arson. The teen - who can't be identified as per the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act - previously pleaded guilty for his role in setting a fire that destroyed Oak Ridge Manufacturing Inc., a cabinet and countertop manufacturer.

The Hunt for an Autism Drug  - The Weakley family lives in Dover, Pa., about 30 miles south of Harrisburg. Their two-story house sits on a mostly treeless tract of land, across the road from a big white barn. Seated at the dining table, Beverly Morgart-Weakley is describing the recent changes she's seen in her 21-year-old daughter Jennifer. Once unable to form words, "she keeps saying 'mama', and she's starting to say the beginnings of other words. You'll hear something that almost sounds like a sentence and you can figure out what she's trying to tell you."

The Tech-Aid Institute Releases HIV/AIDS Prevention Software for Women with Intellectual Disabilities - The Tech-Aid Institute, the award-winning software group gaining national recognition for its unprecedented work, has released another interactive CD-ROM for people with intellectual disabilities: Live Safe(TM): Preventing HIV/AIDS for Women with Intellectual Disabilities. With AIDS being the fifth leading cause of death among people aged 25 - 44 in the United States, this interactive computer program helps women with intellectual and learning disabilities, autism, and down syndrome understand the potentially life threatening dangers of HIV & AIDS as it reveals the facts and myths about how HIV is transmitted. Intended for mature viewers because of its frank sexual discussions, users are also taught the importance of HIV testing, risks associated with unprotected sex and prevention strategies that include abstinence. The program also demonstrates proper use and storage of condoms, and includes a guide with teaching points so users, parents, and care-givers can follow the program content.

There's a path to success for people with autism  - Thank you for sharing John Horton's wonderful Heroes 2009 article (Jan. 4) featuring Patricia Cole, a 24-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome, a condition under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorders. Cole shines when working with children, particularly those with developmental disorders. The article highlights how volunteering benefits everyone involved: the agency, its clients and the volunteer.  An individual's strengths and interest areas are strong indicators of a potential employment path. Fostering those strengths through volunteer and employment opportunities should be the focus of the transition years for students with disabilities. Transition planning for life beyond school is required for students on individual education plans beginning at 14. Parents may be unaware that their children may be eligible for services from their public school through 22. They should talk with their child's IEP team about eligibility.

Turning ideas into law  - Hello again, everybody! It is two weeks from the start of the 2010 session of the Oklahoma Legislature, but we already passed one of the session’s toughest deadlines.  All bills had to be introduced by last Thursday. It was the culmination of months of work beginning with lawmakers visiting constituents to learn what issues the people would like to see addressed. After listening to the people, research begins to turn ideas into law. If lawmakers agree with an idea and the subject is one on which the Legislature can have an impact, work begins to put that idea on paper.

Why Would a Principal Call the Police to Arrest a Special Needs 11 Year Old?  - Why would an elementary school Principal call the police to intervene in the case of a special needs 11 year old boy who was having behavior problems in school? Why would the police then charge the boy with second degree battery? (See the arrest report, HERE.) Reading, writing and arresting?  I have been in contact with the grandmother of Zakhery Price, of Fort Smith Arkansas. She explains that Zakhery has a host of diagnoses and that schooling him has been fraught with difficulty for some time. She, his mother and step-father are trying to ensure that the child receives a proper education. We, as parents of children on the spectrum, know all too well that sometimes families and schools are at loggerheads.

A Mom's Wish for Inclusion and Understanding  - My wish for the New Year: I never have been a person to write Christmas letters telling what my family did this year. I have decided, however, to ask that you help me make my New Years Wish for 2010 come true. You see, it will take many people changing their mindset for this to happen.  There are many theories about Autism-what causes it, how it is viewed, how best to treat it, and so on. No one, including myself, has these answers. What I know for sure, though, is that Autism is a disability, and a disability, and having a disability makes you different form the rest of society. I have found, when looking back over my life, that I have learned the most from the people who were the least like me. So far, the people who top that list are the people I know with disabilities. They, as well as their parents, are faced with fighting for things that the rest of society takes for granted. Attending their home school right down the street, receiving a free and appropriate education-these are things that are not taken for granted and are not a given.

Age of Autism Comment of the Week: 1/9/10  - Dr. Caroline Traa is our winner for her comment on the post, Polly Tommey on Dr. Wakefield in Autism File Magazine: "Fantastic piece Polly! Your courage, integrity and truthfulness say what so many people want to have heard.... Yesterday I had to clear out my daughters bowel. I do this almost every month. Why? Because it doesn't work properly. It works a whole lot better now than it used to, thanks to Andy Wakefield and his courageous colleagues at the Royal Free before they were silenced..... We are the 'lucky' ones! To get a diagnosis of bowel disease we had to come to the States from Scotland, thank you Arthur Krigsman.... She is 12 years old and at 3 am I was changing nappies, dealing with diarrhoea sprayed all over her bedroom carpet, and lying awake all night beside her. For those of you that believe bowel disease doesn't exist, come spend a weekend in my home. Our family owe a debt of gratitude to Andy and all the other Autism parents, practitioners, advocates, too many to mention. We won't shut up because it all happens to be true and we really don't want another generation of children, and their families, to suffer like ours have. Truth can never be silenced. Fight on.... All Our Love Caroline, Harry, Rebecca & Cameron Traa Scotland xx."

College-educated parents likely to have autistic kids  - Washington, Jan 9 : Highly educated parents are more likely to have autistic kids, finds a new study. While analysing data on about 2.5 million births in California in a five-year period, researchers identified 10 autism clusters, or geographical areas in which there was a higher than usual incidence of children diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disability that's marked by impaired social and communication skills, and repetitive behaviors.

Father running two marathons in two days to battle autism  - When Sam Felsenfeld runs in the BankTrust First Light Marathon Sunday, it will be his third marathon this year.  As incredible as it seems, it's even more incredible when you consider he plans on doing 60 marathons this year to raise funds for Train 4 Autism through a charity he created -- Operation Jack -- named for his 6-year-old son, Jack, who was diagnosed with severe autism at age 3.

Independent Minds: Temple Grandin  = Unable to speak until age four and diagnosed with autism in the 1950s, Temple Grandin went on to defy expectations, becoming a renowned author, activist and expert in humane livestock design. Join host David D'Arcy on a journey into the mind of this self-described 'anthropologist on Mars.' Examine the world from a perspective that was once thought impossible.

'Mom or dad cannot fix this'  - Connor Coulter is curious, fearless and energetic.  One minute he's chatting, the next he's running in 10 different directions.  About a year ago, the six-year-old was diagnosed with autism, a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviour.  For Connor's parents, Perry and Kim Coulter, of Richards Landing near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., the diagnosis began a roller-coaster of emotions.  At first we were told there is no rhyme or reason why Connor, and not Faith (his twin sister), has autism, nor why autism strikes four times more boys than girls," Kim said.  Autism in a twin is unusual."

Monthly Sensory Friendly Films made for kids with autism  - I had every intention of heading to a Sensory Friendly Film screening of “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” this morning, but woke up feeling crummy and like hanging out in a movie theater could end badly for me and all the kids there. The good news is that my colleague, Jill Vejnoska, wrote last year about these screenings. I couldn’t find the story on AJC.com, so it’s republished below. The screenings were designed for families with children who have autism. The lights stay up a bit, the sound is turned down and the ads are cut out. More importantly, nobody is annoyed or unkind if a kid starts to sing or walk around.

New Tool For Diagnosing Autism  - New research shows a brain imaging technique may help doctors diagnose kids with autism. Doctors at the Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia had more than forty kids undergo this scan called magnetoencephalography or "meg" for short. It's non-invasive and can detect the magnetic field associated with brain activity. Researchers found kids with autism had an average delay of eleven milliseconds in their brain responses to sound.
They think spotting this delay could become a standard for diagnosing autism. The findings appear in the journal "Autism Research." The researchers believe the delay suggests autistic childrens hearing may be slower to develop and mature compared to others.

Scientists Learn Why Fido Circles the Bowl  - Ever wonder why your Doberman circles five times before sitting down or eating? So did the researchers at Tufts and UMass.  Obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by time consuming, repetitive behaviors, and it affects about 2 percent of humans. You may not even be aware that your dogs actions could be governed by a similar disorder, the equally distressing canine equivalent "canine compulsive disorder," or CCD.  The corollary: You also may not care about the disease, which target certain dog breeds, especially Dobermans and Bull Terriers. But scientists at the Tufts and the University of Massachusetts were willing to spend a whopping $70,000 of their universities' general funds to learn more about the bothersome plague that's sweeping through our nation's pets -- well, 2 to 5 percent of our pets.

Unusually High Autism Rates in Some Areas Not Tied to Environmental Causes  - Researchers have found clusters of autism in 10 areas around California -- but with no suggestion of a link to local pollution or other environmental exposures, they said.  Researchers have found clusters of autism in 10 areas around California -- but with no suggestion of a link to local pollution or other environmental exposures, they said.

What's ahead in health? Longer lives, focus on obesity.  - You might call Dr. Axel Meisen a fortune teller. As the chairman of foresight with the Alberta Research Council, he has the task of predicting issues of importance to the province 20 to 30 years down the road. And when it comes to medicine, Meisen sees changes ahead. Here he lists the 10 health trends we're most likely to see by the end of 2019. "This all sounds really magical and (like) far-out medicine," Meisen says, "but I think it's coming and is within reach."

Another study finds no MMR-autism link  - A new study provides further evidence that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is not associated with an increased risk of autism.
Concerns that the MMR shot could cause autism were first raised a decade ago by British physician Andrew Wakefield, who, based on a study of 12 children, proposed that there was a link between the vaccine and bowel disease and autism.

Apple of knowledge - Teachers and administrators from districts near and far can come to a local district to see how technology can create a modern learning environment for students of all abilities.
Kaitlynne Knapp, a senior at Dana L. West High School in Port Byron, works on a project during a Photoshop class Monday afternoon. Port Byron Central School District was recently designated as an Apple Exemplary Program for its use of Apple Inc. computer products in its schools. Apple Inc. chose the Port Byron Central School District as an Apple Exemplary Program for the 2009-2010 school year. This means the district will need to have its doors open to representatives from other districts interested in seeing Apple products used in the classroom setting. This recognition is reserved for school districts that have used Apple products to “illustrate 'best practice' qualities of a 21st century learning environment,” according to a letter to Superintendent Neil O'Brien from John Couch, vice president of education at Apple.

Book Review: Skating Forward by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz  - Skating Forward is not only a delightful book to read; it is also uplifting and inspirational as well. Author Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz has collected tales from 16 amazing young women who used their electrifying feats on ice to overcome great physical and psychological setbacks. Their courage to persevere through personal tragedies will inspire readers to do likewise.  There is 16-year-old Molly who knows her father has Muscular Dystrophy. Molly has a 50/50 chance of developing this disorder in late adolescence and adulthood. MD results in a degeneration of the muscles in the lower arms and legs, and the muscles of the neck and diaphragm. After visits to orthopedists and podiatrists resulting in months of frustration, Amanda White finally receives a diagnosis for the crippling pains in her wrists, knees, and feet. She must battle rheumatoid arthritis.

Brain Imaging Technique May Help Diagnose Autism  - Researchers at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report that a brain imaging technique may help in the diagnosis of autism. The reason this is possible is that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) process language and sound a fraction of a second slower than children who do not have autism, and magnetoencephalography (MEG) allows clinicians to detect this difference. There has been a flurry of news recently about autism spectrum disorders, and among the reports are those indicating that the neurodevelopmental disorders are more common than originally thought. A study published in the November 2009 issue of Pediatrics, for example, notes that among children ages 3 to 17, slightly more than 1 percent have autism or a related disorder, which is significantly more than the one in 150 statistic that experts have been using since 2003. More recently, researchers found a cluster of higher autism prevalence in California that has yet to be explained.

Brain Scan Could Allow Autism Diagnosis In Infancy  - Brain scans detecting a sound processing delay common in children with autism could lead to earlier diagnosis of the developmental disorder, researchers said Friday. In a study of children with and without autism, researchers monitored brain activity while the children listened to various sounds. They found that it took children with autism an average of 11 milliseconds longer for their brains to respond, researchers report online Friday in the journal Autism Research. “This delayed response suggests that the auditory system may be slower to develop and mature in children with ASDs,” said study leader Timothy Roberts of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “An 11-millisecond delay is brief, but it means, for instance, that a child with ASD, on hearing the word ‘elephant’ is still processing the ‘el’ sound while other children have moved on.” The finding is significant because it could lead to a single, measurable tool for diagnosing autism as early as infancy, researchers say. Currently autism is diagnosed using clinical observation and the disorder can take years to manifest. If diagnosed at younger ages, experts say treatment could be more effective.

Brain Imaging May Help Diagnose Autism  - Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia report their findings in an online article in the journal Autism Research, published January 8. "More work needs to be done before this can become a standard tool, but this pattern of delayed brain response may be refined into the first imaging biomarker for autism," said study leader Timothy P.L. Roberts, Ph.D., vice chair of Radiology Research at Children's Hospital. ASDs are a group of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders that cause impairments in verbal communication, social interaction and behavior. ASDs are currently estimated to affect as many as one percent of U.S. children, according to a recent CDC report.

Clinic uses stem cells to relieve joint pain  - There seems to be no end to projected stem-cell therapies today, with reports of cures for conditions ranging from diabetes and autism to heart and Alzheimer's disease.  But for common orthopedic conditions the leap from study to practice has arrived. "It's a valid medical procedure right now," said Dr. Christopher J. Centeno, medical director of the Centeno-Schultz Integrative Pain Management Clinic, 403 Summit Blvd. in Broomfield. Though, "We still accept some patients to research various methods - something you may want to tweak this way or that way."

Defining "Real" Autism  - Throughout the time that I've been the About.com Guide to Autism, this question has arisen again and again: what is "real" autism? There are, of course, many ways to answer the question. There are historic answers, philosophical answers, pragmatic answers. Often, people disagree vehemently on the definition of "real" autism, leading to major splits within an already disparate community. To get an answer to the question "what is real autism," I went to a top autism diagnostician, Dr. Susan Levy. Dr. Levy is Director of the Regional Autism Center, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, and a prolific researcher, writer and speaker.

First responders to learn more about people with autism  - Work is quickly proceeding on a plan to better train first responders so they have the knowledge they need when they come into contact with someone with autism. “We have a three-prong strategy that we’re pursuing now with the municipality and a committee I sit on provincially,” Michelle Gardiner, executive director of the Autism Society of Cape Breton, said Thursday, after a meeting with Chief Myles Burke of Cape Breton Regional Police. The move comes in the wake of the recent death of James Delorey. Search and rescue teams spent two days in early December searching the woods in South Bar for the seven-year-old, who had autism and could not speak. He was found huddled in the fetal position in brush about one kilometre from home on Dec. 7, but he died of hypothermia several hours later at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

Lawsuits Allege Antipsychotic Medications Caused Noticeable Breast Growth in Men  - According to 10 lawsuits recently filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, boys and young men who took the antipsychotic drugs Risperdal and Invega suffered from serious side effects including rapid weight gain and the growth of large breasts up to a size 38D.  The attorney, Mr. Stephen Sheller, who filed the suits stated that he plans to file at least 20 to 30 similar cases in Philadelphia in the next two months against Janssen, a division of the Ortho-McNeil-Janssen pharmaceutical company, which is also affiliated with Johnson & Johnson. Sheller also alleges that doctors may not have taken some of his clients seriously when they complained of their breast growth because of simultaneous weight gain.

Lawsuits Target Makers Of Risperdal, Invega Over Extreme Side Effects  - The makers of antipsychotic drugs Risperdal and Invega are facing a series of lawsuits after boys taking the drugs grew breasts as large as ‘D’ cups. The patients who were prescribed the antipsychotics for conditions ranging from attention deficit disorder to Tourette syndrome and disruptive behavior, experienced quick weight gain and breast growth to the tune of a size 38D, in some cases, the lawsuits say.

'Mom or dad cannot fix this'  - Connor Coulter is curious, fearless and energetic. One minute he's chatting, the next he's running in 10 different directions. About one year ago, the six-year-old was diagnosed with autism, a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviour. For Connor's parents, Perry and Kim Coulter, of Richards Landing, the diagnoses began a roller-coaster of emotions, with countless thoughts and questions for which there were no answers or blame. What causes autism? What does the future hold?

Movie Review | The Horse Boy Equine interest prompts journey  - What do you do when your autistic son is unresponsive to treatment yet inexplicably soothed by the proximity of horses? If you are Rupert Isaacson and his wife, Kristin Neff, you take him to a country where horses are as essential as water: Mongolia. The Horse Boy is a record of that extraordinary journey, a grueling weeks-long trek across the plains of Mongolia in search of shamanic help for Rowan, their 5-year-old son. Plagued by inconsolable tantrums, chronic incontinence and severe dissociation, the boy is no one's idea of a congenial traveling companion.

Mysteries of Autism Clusters  - Although children of highly educated parents are no more likely than other children to develop an autism spectrum disorder, they are much more likely to be diagnosed.  Ten locations in California have been identified where the incidence of autism is higher than surrounding areas in the same region. Most of the areas, or clusters, are in locations where parents have higher-than-average levels of education. The other clusters are located close to major autism treatment centers.

Public urged to mark Autism Consciousness Week  - THE Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is inviting the public to participate in the observance of 14th Autism Consciousness Week, which is celebrated every third week of January. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Giant Leaps….Transcending Boundaries,” focuses on promoting awareness about the problems of autistic persons. Presidential Decree 711 stipulates that every child with autism should be provided with appropriate education, health and social services as well as equal opportunities and adequate protection to prepare him for his role in community development.

Research and Markets: Transdermal CNS Therapeutics: Indications, Demand Factors, Strategies and Forecasts Report Features Transdermal CNS Drug Product Demand To 2012 - Unlike several other disease segments, progress toward curative medicine for neurological and related central nervous system disorders has remained elusive. The result is a therapeutic segment that relies heavily on control of symptoms and palliative care. This disappointing picture is being exacerbated by disease trends that are increasing the morbidity and mortality associated with CNS ailments in the general population. These trends include the growing incidence of neurological disorders associated with longevity and aging, and significant increases in the number of children diagnosed with autism. Because diseases of the central nervous system often result in compromised cognitive and/or motor skills that can increase the level of involuntary non-compliance with therapeutic protocols, transdermal delivery of drugs targeting CNS disorders is generally viewed as a method that can increase patient safety and improve outcomes. In addition to the handful of FDA-approved transdermal CNS products, more than a dozen companies are currently pursuing a range of APIs in transdermal delivery systems that target neurological and CNS conditions.

Solving the Autism: Rising Numbers Point to the Growing Problem of Environmental Toxicity - As many as one in 90 children are today being diagnosed with autism--and autism research continues to focus almost exclusively on genetics. In its January/February 2010 issue (posted now at: www.emagazine.com), E-The Environmental Magazine looks at another factor that may be driving up autism rates--environmental toxicity. Richard Lathe, Ph.D., a molecular biologist who wrote Autism, Brain, and Environment says that since the 1980s, autism rates "have gone up at least tenfold. It indicates that it can't just be genetic--it must be environmental."

Sometimes it Doesn't Matter What the Data Says  - Recently I found myself in a disagreement with a Special Ed teacher whom I like and respect. I had trained one of the aides in her classroom (as a consultant to her school system, this is one of the things I am asked to do) to not forcefully turn an autistic child's head when he does not respond to a request for eye contact. "But then we are training kids to ignore us," she said, passionately. "The data doesn't support what you are saying." But in truth, both of our points are secondary. There is a something that is much greater than getting eye contact/interaction from a child with autism: building a relationship based on trust and predictability. It is from this relationship that eye contact, listening, communication, physical contact all emanate fromI responded by talking about requesting eye contact when the child is motivated so he will be more likely to look when asked. She had to get back to her class, so the disagreement ended there.

Steven Higgs Interviews David Kirby for The Bloomington Alternative  - Two days before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its newest data on U.S. autism rates, author David Kirby consented to a two-hour, videotaped interview in his street-level brownstone apartment in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. The government, the former New York Times reporter said, always drops its worst news late on Fridays, assuming the attention-addled mainstream media will forget it by Monday, when people actually pay some attention.

US Mom Janice Cox highlights Autism Sunday on American Television  - Autism Sunday was mentioned on primetime television news in Massachusetts when campaigning Mom Janice Cox was recently interviewed by 22 News.Autism Sunday is on 14th February 2010 and churches around the world are marking what has become a key autism date in the year. Janice Cox told the media that she wanted to focus on Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome - she had also written a poem detailing the struggles and the joy of looking after her 7 year old son with autism. Parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome are using Autism Sunday to campaign at local and national levels.

Autism numbers go up, autistic children grow up  - The image of autism is changing. Autism is no longer depicted by the adorable curly haired toddler sitting quietly in the corner, stacking blocks in perfect order, while his peers engage with each other in a whirlwind of interaction and activity. Unfortunately, now, it’s time to put a few more toddlers in the corner. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) newest numbers released in December reflect one in 110 children have been diagnosed with autism, including one in 70 boys. The figures also represent a startling 57 percent increase in the rate of diagnosis from a four-year study (conducted from 2002 to 2006), and a whopping 600 percent increase in the rate of diagnosis in the past 20 years.

First responders to learn more about people with autism  - Work is quickly proceeding on a plan to better train first responders so they have the knowledge they need when they come into contact with someone with autism. “We have a three-prong strategy that we’re pursuing now with the municipality and a committee I sit on provincially,” Michelle Gardiner, executive director of the Autism Society of Cape Breton, said Thursday, after a meeting with Chief Myles Burke of Cape Breton Regional Police.

Musings on the intersection of science, medicine, and culture - As we mentioned earlier, Barbara Loe Fisher, founder of the infectious disease promotion group NVIC, is suing a bunch of people for "defaming" her. Today she posted a piece at Age of Autism entitled, "2010 Needs A Fearless Conversation About Vaccination." She is suing a nationally-known vaccine expert, the reporter who interviewed him, and the magazine which ran the story about vaccination.

Reel or real?  - Bollywood has begun to go beyond the surface of plastic love made in synthetic designer bedrooms, exotic locales and simulated action scenes. With their eyes firmly fixed on the ticket counters at the multiplexes and single-screen theatres, the filmmakers have decided to poke into minds that matter. Is this a healthy sign? TWF correspondent Shoma A. Chatterji takes a look. The media is awash with stories and pre-release promos of Shahrukh Khan’s new film My Name is Khan. Other than its backdrop of terrorism set in the US and the love story of a Muslim boy and a Hindu girl, another point of emphasis the film zeroes in on is that the hero, Rizwan Khan, portrayed by Shahrukh, suffers from Asperger syndrome.

SON WHO PLOTTED TO MURDER HIS DOTING PARENTS IS JAILED  - A SPOILT son was detained indefinitely yesterday after recruiting an assassin to murder his doting parents to stop them pampering him.  Computer geek Christopher Monks, 25, felt “trapped in a cage” by his parents’ fussing over his personal life and wanted them dead. ...At Preston Crown Court yesterday, Monks, who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism, was imprisoned under a hospital order while Skarnes, now 20, was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection. Both were found guilty of conspiracy to murder by a jury.

Accommodating Autism  - All the glassware in the Alpine Suite at the Clinton Inn Hotel in Tenafly is unbreakable - the wine glasses, the water tumblers, even the glass in the cabinet doors. The furniture has rounded corners with soft bumpers. A round table has replaced a square one. Flower vases and other decor have been glued down. The iron is stored behind a safety lock and the windows are locked. The television is fixed securely to the wall, instead of sitting on a credenza, as in other guest rooms. Everything in the suite has been designed to give peace of mind to guests who have children with autism.

Behavior-Proof Hotel Room Puts Special Needs Parents At Ease  - In what is believed to be a first-of-its kind hospitality experience, a New Jersey hotel is offering guests an autism-friendly suite. The so-called Alpine Suite at the Clinton Inn Hotel in Tenafly, N.J. features unbreakable glassware, furniture with rounded edges and a door with a high lock that beeps when it unlatches. What’s more the television is secured to the wall, the windows are locked and the room’s iron is tucked away. A private dining room is also available for guests of the special suite.

Demand Now That IOM Includes Autism As Adverse Vaccine Event  -  Please email IOM demanding that autism is included in the list of adverse vaccine events, otherwise, it is likely to be left out. Submit your comment to the project e-mail at vaccinesafety@nas.edu.  Review of Adverse Effects of Vaccines.  Click (HERE) to review the complete info at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) website about this request for comments.

Editorial: Autism report shows there's no substitute for science  - The call for reason, and to look for reasonable science, was made stronger this week with news of a report that special diets appear to have no effect on the cause or treatment of autism. In the medical journal Pediatrics, a consortium of researchers agreed there is no reliable evidence showing that autistic children have any special gastric maladies, or that special diets affect their gastric health or the autism itself. The notion that autistic children suffer from so-called “leaky gut” syndrome was created by a discredited report by British doctor Andrew Wakefield. In his report, Wakefield tied some forms of autism and gastric maladies to a combined measles vaccine.

Five key facts every parent should know about MMR  - With the numbers of measles cases on the rise, it's vital parents and carers have all the information to make an informed choice.  In the early 2000's, media reports led to widespread public concern over the safety of the MMR vaccine. Parents were understandably worried, but with the number of children catching measles on the rise, it's crucial to make an informed choice.

Journal Says No Proof Special Diets Help Autistic Children  - New research was released today about children with autism, and it’s sparking a fresh round of intense debate. The report from a panel of experts finds no scientific proof that digestive problems are more common in children with autism and no evidence that special diets work. The research, published in the journal Pediatrics, has been met with controversy -- many parents say that restrictive diets have helped their children by combating symptoms and behavior problems of autistic children. Actress and activist Jenny McCarthy’s son was diagnosed with autism, and tonight she tells ABC News that she and many others have seen positive effects from wheat and dairy-free diets.

Katie Wright: About that CDC Autism Press Conference Right Before Christmas  - It felt strange googling my doppelganger. My real name is Catherine Wright. However, my doorman knows to accept any deliveries for Katie Wright, Cathy White or Catherine Rice. I answer to all of them. In a city with hundreds of different languages, I’m not going to split hairs with my pizza delivery guy. Like many of you I listened to Dr. Catherine Rice’s ridiculous Centers for Disease Control (CDC) press conference on the FRIDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE CHRISTMAS about the dramatic rise from 1 in 150 to 1 in 100 American children affected by autism. This devastating information was read like a product warranty- laboriously and without interest. And what is with the timing of CDC/ autism press conferences? Always a Friday afternoon…hmmm…I wonder why? And the length of the question period is absurdly brief.  About 4 members of the public are allowed ask questions during the Q &A. While Dr. Rice spends an inordinate amount of time talking, the question asker has no time to respond and then whoosh- time’s up and she HAS to go.

More Toddlers, Young Children Given Antipsychotics  - The rate of children aged 2 to 5 who are given antipsychotic medications has doubled in recent years, a new study has found. Yet little is known about either the effectiveness or the safety of these powerful psychiatric medications in children this age, said researchers from Columbia University and Rutgers University, who looked at data on more than 1 million children with private health insurance. "It is a worrisome trend, partly because very little is known about the short-term, let alone the long-term, safety of these drugs in this age group," said study author Dr. Mark Olfson, a professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University in New York City.

MMR: a mother's story  - As a journalist, Jo Payton knows the power of a good headline. But when the time came to have her son Eliott vaccinated, she couldn't blame other mothers for feeling apprehensive.  Like epidurals, breast feeding and controlled crying, I didn't give much thought to the MMR debate until I got pregnant. In 2001, when Dr Andrew Wakefield questioned the safety of the immunisation programme, I was three years away from motherhood. I read the reports, but the constant, nagging fears that accompany parenthood weren't yet on my radar. I put it down to media hype and imagined the storm would calm by the time I had my own child to immunise.

Paul Offit, Amy Wallace, and Conde Nast being sued by anti-vaccinationist  - Thanks to the always vigilant eyes of Liz Ditz, Ratbags.com is reporting that pediatric immunologist and vaccine developer Dr. Paul Offit, writer Amy Wallace, and Condé Nast (publisher of Wired magazine) are being sued for libel in US District Court by Barbara Loe Fisher, founder and acting president of the so-called National Vaccine Information Center. Readers will recall that Wallace's article on Dr. Offit and the fear and misinformation propagated by anti-vaccinationists was the centerpiece of a feature in Wired magazine aptly titled, "Epidemic of Fear."

Pediatrics GI recommendations -- first step to guidelines for children with autism  - Autism Speaks applauds the consensus statement and recommendations for the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) released online in Pediatrics as one step in advancing physician awareness of unique challenges in the medical management of children with autism. "We are pleased to see the publication of these consensus recommendations. Autism Speaks' current efforts will take this further by creating evidence-based guidelines for physicians. The goal is to develop a comprehensive care model that will guide physicians in addressing a wide range of medical issues, including GI problems, that many individuals with autism suffer from, "commented Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., Autism Speaks chief science officer.

Study finds no MMR-autism connection  - In the early 2000s, the media reported wildly on a British study finding a link between autism and the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Ever since some parents have hesitated to get their children the MMR jab. A few even forgo the vaccination altogether.  The majority of experts have since widely disagreed with this study's claims, and questioned its methods. The study led by Andrew Wakefield was based on only 12 children, and didn't have a control group.

Study Identifies Autism Clusters In California - UC Davis researchers have identified 10 locations in California where autism has been found to occur at a higher rate than in the region's surrounding areas. Most of the areas, or clusters, are in locations where parents have higher-than-average levels of education. For more on the findings click here.

The Search for Autism's Missing Piece  - Autism cases are on the rise. Or so the most recent data would have us believe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 1 in 100 children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—up from 1 in 150 in 2007. A study in the journal Pediatrics in October 2009 revealed similar numbers—parents of 1 in 90 children reported that their child had ASD. With boys, the rate of ASD was 1 in 58. Without a doubt, autism is the country’s fastest-growing developmental disability, affecting more children than cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. Still, in dealing with a childhood disorder that ranges from “highly functioning” to uncommunicative, and such a long list of potential triggers and treatments, even the numbers themselves are subject to questioning.

Asperger syndrome and criminal behaviour  - The importance of considering antisocial behaviour among people with autism-spectrum disorders is apparent from the significant number of case reports and case series describing criminal behaviour of people with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. The evidence so far does not support a specific association between the syndrome and criminal offending. However, a small yet significant number of offenders with autism who engage in illegal behaviour find themselves socially excluded or detained in secure provisions for prolonged periods. This article gives an overview of the scant empirical evidence relating to criminality within the context of Asperger syndrome, and offers suggestions for managing the syndrome in mentally disordered offenders.

Autism Exploited: WTF, Spectrum Magazine?  - Recently, Spectrum Magazine attempted to gain publicity in what is now being viewed by many as too desperate of an attempt. The popular autism info magazine published a photo of a cell phone screen that boasted a common and easily offensive acronym. Many are left to wonder, “was that really necessary?”

Autism in fiction and autobiography  - Many memorable characters in Western culture could be viewed as having features of autism or Asperger syndrome. In spite of the familiarity of autistic stereotypes such as Star Trek’s Mr Spock, more completely described characters with autism are still unusual. In recent years there has been a growing interest in autism, mirrored by an increase in depictions of autism in popular works of fiction and autobiography. In this article I will outline the issues that have preoccupied writers and the techniques they have used to demonstrate autistic difference. Some writers have illuminated aspects of the autistic triad of social impairment, abnormalities of language and need for sameness. Other writers have opened our eyes to the autistic world view in its strangeness and richness. Still more have started to examine prejudice, disability rights and the implications of an international autism community. As in other areas of mental health, literature can help inform, entertain and question our attitudes and values.

Autism increase may reflect greater awareness  - When developmental and behavioral pediatrician Raun Melmed, MD, started in the field 25 years ago, autism was a relatively unusual diagnosis. Today, his Scottsdale, Ariz., practice sees two to three new cases of autism spectrum disorder each week. Like many physicians, Dr. Melmed isn't sure what has driven that rate upward. But he thinks broadening the definition of autism "accounts for at least half of new cases identified, and maybe more."

Autism is a MIND Matter  - For the more than half a million Filipino families dealing with autism, imagine the following scenario happening in the Philippines: ...

Autism Resolutions: New Routine, Path & Hope  - It’s the last day of our Christmas holiday. Ronan is sucking on his RevitaPop while playing with his new Leap Frog toy. The baby is entertaining herself with a stacking game while three heads are huddled around the first video game we’ve ever had in the house.  We’re about to start our new year with new routines and new paths of hope.  Am I ready?

Evidence lacking for special diets in autism  - An expert panel says there's no rigorous evidence that digestive problems are more common in children with autism compared to other children, or that special diets work, contrary to claims by celebrities and vaccine naysayers. The report's lead author, Dr. Timothy Buie of Harvard Medical School, said pain or discomfort because of bloating or stomach cramps can set off problem behavior, further complicating diagnosis, especially if the child has trouble communicating — as is the case for children with autism.

'Evidence of Harm' revisited, Part 1  - Two days before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its newest data on U.S. autism rates, author David Kirby consented to a two-hour, videotaped interview in his street-level brownstone apartment in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. The government, the former New York Times reporter said, always drops its worst news late on Fridays, assuming the attention-addled mainstream media will forget it by Monday, when people actually pay some attention.

Nearly 1 percent of US children have autism – report - Roughly one of every 110 children in the United States has been diagnosed with autism, with boys at least four times more likely than girls to suffer from the developmental disorder, according to a federal study released yesterday that served as a rallying cry for scientists and activists. The new estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were based on a painstaking review of the 2006 medical and educational records of eight-year-olds in parts of 11 states and produced the most comprehensive portrait of the disease’s impact.

PBS Presents "This Emotional Life." Asperger's Segment Included.  - This Emotional Life airs January 4 - 6 on PBS. Check your local listings. From PBS:  How can we all lead more emotionally healthy and fulfilling lives?   What’s the secret – and is there a secret – to emotional and mental well-being, and happiness, according to those who study it and those who experience it?  It turns out that connecting with others may be a huge part of it.   But for many children and adults who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders – including Asperger’s syndrome – connecting with others can be a constant challenge. 

'These amazing people ... I love them'  / "You're happiest while you're making the greatest contribution." -- Robert F. Kennedy - I hadn't met Tera Evans before our interview, but she reads me and noted my obsessive if not hackneyed penchant for including famous quotes or lyrics from songs at the beginning of each column. She had RFK's above quote all picked out for me.  Evans, 37, is a graduate of Griffith High School. She lives in Valparaiso with her husband, Alex Evans. They've been married for two years. Both work for Opportunity Enterprises in Valparaiso.

They call this grad 'Mr. Information'  - Just call Adam Robertson “Mr. Information.” Robertson, 21, of Murfreesboro, was one of nine graduates in computer information systems last month from the Tennessee Technology Center’s Information Technology Program where he achieved Microsoft certification. The graduates implement networks that make businesses operate. But what gave Robertson the title was his ability to answer any question about any computer-related topic, said instructor Stan Dribble, who has been in the computer information systems business for 47 years. “He’s helped me come up with answers I couldn’t find,” Dribble admitted. Dribble is especially proud of Robertson who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which is high functioning on the autism spectrum. Asperger’s Syndrome is described as a neurobiological difference in how the brain processes information.

Age of Autism Award Child of the Year: Sam Debold  - On this New Year's Day, we invite you to take a look at autism recovery. Sam Debold performed for us last May at Autism One. Sam, you're our "Child of the Year." Thanks for the beautiful music. Below is the post we ran about Sam's performance after the conference, including Vicky Debold's explanation of her son's experience. Happy New Year, everyone.

Age of Autism Award Couple of the Year: Ed and Teri Arranga  - We'd like to honor Ed and Teri Arranga as our couple of the year. Ed and Teri run Autism One. Sounds simple enough, until you delve into everything Autism One offers families facing the challenges of autism from an online community, to blogs, to resources. Plus there's Autism One Radio and the Conference held each year in Chicago.  This year the conference is called The AutismOne & Generation Rescue - Autism Redefined 2010 Conference and takes place Monday, May 24 – Sunday, May 30 at the Westin O’Hare Hotel, Chicago, Illinois. In addition, Teri is on Voice America and is USA Editor for Autism File magazine.

Autism Activists and Science Denialism  - In waging war against disease, modern medicine augments the evolutionarily derived defenses of the human immune system and saves millions of lives.  Despite this fact, medical science continues to be plagued by denalism, particularly in regards to the condition known as autism. Through hundreds of millions of years the process of biological evolution has, through trial and error, refined the vertebrate immune system to an astonishing degree. However, despite these great successes, humans continue to be susceptible to the attacks of bacteria and viruses, as well as to assaults from blunders in our own internal physiological processes.  Luckily, through the process of science, which includes clinical evaluation and peer-review, modern medicine augments the natural fortifications of the human immune system as it opposes illness.  In the evolutionary arms race against disease, medicine is an essential armament and doctors are very much needed arms dealers.  Unfortunately for those on the front lines, not all arms dealers are equally sound.

Autism Clusters Found: areas with high incidence of autistic children  - Researchers at the U.C. Davis MIND Institute has discovered regions in the state of California that have notably higher autism incidence. But the story is more complicated, and more sad, than one might think at first. Instead of indications of an “autism epidemic”, these clusters point to the fact that minority and poor children are much less likely to receive autism diagnoses.

Autistic brothers go the distance  - Asked to spell their last name, Jerome Hopkins IV and younger brother Jerome “BJ” Hopkins V take turns, each saying every other letter. They do that sort of thing a lot, said John Kaup, a teacher and coach at their school, Nathan Hale Middle School. The boys, both autistic, like to dress alike and always call each other “bro.” When they were young, they often communicated in a language no one else could understand. Now, when they play video games, it’s two against the computer or game console. Their father, Jerome Hopkins III, recalled that when his sons were diagnosed with autism, “We were told all of this stuff they can’t do.”

Mormon grandma: Special kids = special photos  - When Heidi Lewis tried years ago to get a portrait of her 1-year-old baby, she was disappointed when the photographer was put off by her son's physical condition. He had a rare tissue disorder that made it so he couldn't sit up. Some joints were fused. His eyes were sunken in his very round little face, and patches of hair covered his scalp. The photographer's reaction, and Lewis' distress, led to the creation of a non-profit organization that trains photographers to take good pictures of special needs children. "She didn't want to take the time with us that was needed," Lewis said. "It was traumatic because we had really made a lot of progress during that year and we wanted to celebrate that progress with a picture.

New Year, New Laws - Well, so much for a happy new year. As the year 2010 rush in, so did numerous laws took effect. There are 40,697 new legislatures passed by the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Some went in effect during New Year’s Day, January 1, in about 30 states.
Some of the laws are serious while some are open for “interpretations”. Here are some samples:

Rain Man left a legacy  - This is to commemorate the life of Kim Peek, the inspiration for the character in the movie Rain Man who died at age 58 in Salt Lake City on Dec. 19.  Apparently NASA scientists had been studying him to somehow understand his mental genius. So NASA must be thrilled to know that autism, which was once one in 10,000, has increased in some areas of the world to 1 in 67. There should be plenty of vaccine-damaged savants in the world for them to carry on, and perhaps they'll figure out while they are at it why we allow such inhumane damage in the first place.

When Your Child Was Diagnosed with Autism: Share Your Story  - About.com recently launched a new tool to enhance community involvement on this site.  It's called "Show and Tell," and its purpose is to provide readers with the opportunity to share experiences, insights, hints and tips.  For the autism community, Show and Tell promises to be a great asset: once you tell your story and it's approved, your story becomes a permanent part of the Autism.About.Com website.