40 MPs in plea to Barack Obama over computer hacker Gary McKinnon / More than 40 MPs have issued a highly unusual direct plea to the Barack Obama urging him to halt the "shameful" extradition of a British computer hacker to the United States.  - David Cameron, the Conservative leader, also threw his weight behind a campaign against plans to send Gary McKinnon, who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, for trial in the US accused of breaking into sensitive military networks.  It came as the 43-year-old lost an eleventh hour High Court challenge to the move claiming that it would worsen his condition and represent "inhuman" treatment.

'Adam' manages to spin Asperger's Syndrome with love and humility - Whenever a film is made that spotlights persons living on the Autism Spectrum, many of us in the community will come running.  Just look at all the folks over 20 years later who still use "Rain Man" as the best movie explanation for autism!

Autism: 'Art as an Early Intervention Tool for Children with Autism -  The longing to be recognized on the level of “being” is inherently part of the human experience. Creativity is fundamental to who we are. This creativity finds expression through various media and is it any wonder that music and art seem to be two of the most effective therapy tools. The process of creating and expressing is hooked into the very energy of our 'being-ness'.

Cyber terrorist or bumbling nerd? / A Londoner with Asperger's Syndrome hacked the Pentagon looking for UFOs and now faces a controversial extradition to the U. S. - Gary McKinnon describes himself as a "bumbling computer nerd." The United States says he is a cyber terrorist guilty of "the biggest military computer hack of all time." It is a charge Mr. McKinnon, 43, from London, does not deny. He admits hacking into the Pentagon website, the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Department of Defense, as well as numerous NASA computers.

Frustrated Parents Can Save Their Sanity with Tips from Allergy ... - Little Johnny has a hard time paying attention, forgets things, talks too much, fidgets all the time, has trouble taking turns, acts and speaks without thinking, is easily distracted and does not seem to listen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 4.4 million school-aged children suffer from these kinds of behaviors or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood states the CDC website. The Minnesota Department of Health, Children with Special Health Needs Fact Sheet, states "Parents of children with risk factors linked to developmental problems report greater frustration with their children's behavior than parents of children without such risk factors." Frustrated parents can find help in a new video and free tip sheet from allergy cookbook author, Lisa A. Lundy, which you can download free from her website at www.TheSuperAllergyCookbook.com.

House approves $8M for autism - U.S. Reps. Chris Smith, R-Hamilton, and Mike Doyle, R-Pa., announced that the House approved $8 million in funding for a research program to help military families with children who suffer from autism spectrum disorders.

Isn't he romantic?: A Personalities interview with Hugh Dancy on ... - Love is finally in the air at the cinema.  After weeks of bone-crunching action and fantastic effects, audiences were hungry for some love. The growing success of "500 Days of Summer," as well as the high concept romance of "The Proposal" and "The Ugly Truth" all hit a collective nerve at the box office for a reason.  Now, make room for "Adam." In a Personalities interview with the film's leading man, Hugh Dancy, find out why the film is no ordinary "boy meets girl" story.

Op-Ed Contributor Prepare for a Vaccine Controversy - A FEW years ago public health officials set up a time share in Pennsylvania hens. Under contracts signed with several farmers, the hens continued to lay for their regular customers until the moment this past spring when the federal government requisitioned their eggs to grow flu vaccine.

Profile: Gary McKinnon - As a teenager, Gary McKinnon was entranced by WarGames, a film about a computer whiz-kid who hacks into America’s military computers and triggers a national emergency. The film ends with the Pentagon praising the boy’s technical acumen and offering him a glittering future in computer science.

UK hacker loses bid to avoid extradition - Gary McKinnon, the self-confessed hacker wanted in the US for corrupting dozens of military computers, has lost his latest legal bid to avoid extradition from Britain to the US. The High Court on Friday refused to reopen his case on the grounds that he has recently been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a form of autism.

ADAM – Will Leave You Captivated - This New York-based romance tells the story of Adam (Hugh Dancy) and Beth (Rose Byrne) and their unlikely attraction.  Adam, comes to a difficult point in his life – he loses his job, his father passes away and he’s struggling to keep the home he inherited.  To make things more difficult, Adam has Asperger Syndrome, a cognitive disorder in the Autism spectrum.  Adam’s luck changes when he meets his neighbor, Beth, a grade school teacher who gets off from Adam’s sensitivity and need of guidance.

Asperger's syndrome in focus due to hacker extradition - A special type of Autism Spectrum Disorder called Asperger Syndrome is today in focus due to unsuccessful attempt by British lawyers to prevent hacker extradition to USA, who hacked 97 government computers.

Autism - Concerns on diet and exercise - Most parents of children with autism have concerns regarding eating habits or the amount of exercise that their child is getting. Even typical children do not eat right, especially if they choose the foods. It is also a fact of this current generation that physical activity is down for all children based on video games and internet/cell phone use. So, we do worry, and especially if we care for a special needs child.

AUTISTIC SOCIETY SLAMS GARY MCKINNON DECISION - A charity which supports people with autism has said it is greatly disappointed by the decision to extradite computer expert Gary McKinnon to America. The National Autistic Society (NAS) said it would continue to support McKinnon, who has Asperger's Syndrome, after the High Court decision to extradite him to America, where he faces trial for hacking into US military networks. The High Court ruling comes after two judicial review hearings examined whether the Home Secretary had been right in deciding to extradite the 43-year-old from Wood Green, north London, following his diagnosis with Asperger's Syndrome, and whether the Director for Public Prosecutions should have allowed him to stand trial in the UK. The NAS supplied evidence about Asperger's Syndrome during the judicial review process, urging that his condition be taken into consideration.

Cameron: 'No compassion' in hacker decision - Cameron said McKinnon, who has been accused of "the biggest military hack of all time" by US prosecutors, should be tried in the UK. McKinnon on Friday lost a bid to avoid extradition to the US, via high court judicial reviews of decisions by the home secretary and the director of public prosecutions.

Film says no to corporal punishment - Among his short films, director John Paul Seniel says his latest work “Latus” is the one closest to his heart as it tackles physical abuse among children, which is his personal advocacy. The short film, produced by Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights Inc., aims to affirm the urgency and importance of putting a stop to the physical and emotional punishment of children in the context of child discipline.

Gary McKinnon: Pentagon hacker's worst nightmare comes true / The autistic UFO conspiracy theorist has been extradited, charged with the biggest US military hack of all time. 'I sit up all night thinking about jail,' he says - For the past seven years, in bedsits in Crouch End and Bounds Green, north London, the Pentagon hacker and UFO buff Gary McKinnon has – according to his family and friends – been suffering one long anxiety attack. He's prone to regular fits of fainting and thoughts of suicide. He's written that he can't look himself in his eyes when he's shaving in case the sight of himself sets the spiral off. He jumps out of his skin if someone touches him by surprise. I've met him sporadically during these years and can vouch that he's a chainsmoking, terrified shell.

Hacker mother appeals to Obama / The mother of a British computer hacker facing extradition to the US has appealed to President Barack Obama to intervene in the affair. - Janis Sharp spoke after her son, Gary McKinnon, who has Asperger's Syndrome, lost a court bid to avoid extradition.

Halt this affront to British justice now - 'I have no doubt that he will find extradition to...the USA very difficult indeed. His mental health will suffer. There are risks of worse, including suicide.' So said Mr Justice Wilkie yesterday, in a High Court judgement fully accepting of the grave dangers faced by Gary McKinnon, should he be imprisoned in the U.S. for hacking into inadequately protected NASA and Pentagon computers from the bedroom of his North London flat. Tragically, the High Court's final ruling was that - under the terms of Labour's Human Rights Act - nothing could be done to halt the 43-year-old's extradition to the U.S., which is taking place on the orders of Home Secretary Alan Johnson.  

Holly Robinson Peete: Autism “destroys Families” - Rodney Jr, Holly, Ryan Elizabeth, Rodney, and Robinson at Zo's Summer Groove (Jul 11).  For actress Holly Robinson Peete, the subject of Autism hits close to home. Ever since one of her sons, Rodney Jr,11, was diagnosed with Autism several years ago, Holly has been quite outspoken about the developmental disorder. Though her family is well in tact, actress Holly Robinson Peete says that having a child with Autism can be quiet costly and can “destroy families”.

Judge Sues Blue Cross for Autism Treatment - An Oakland County Circuit Court Judge filed a lawsuit today against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. In her suit, Judge Cheryl Matthews alleges that Blue Cross wrongfully refused to cover the costs associated with the applied behavioral therapy provided to her son, who has autism spectrum disorder.This suit was filed approximately a month after another challenge to Blue Cross' wrongful refusal to pay for autism therapy resulted in Blue Cross paying $1,000,000 in damages. That case -- Christopher Johns v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan -- was the first successful challenge to an insurer's refusal to pay for applied behavioral analysis, and the families in that case were represented by Gerard Mantese and John J. Conway.

Learning from Aspergers - Dennise O’Grady also wrote to me after the first run of posts about autism appeared here. She is an educator in New Jersey who has written a series of personal essays, one for every year her son has been in Little League, which together she calls “Baseball and Autism: Reflections from the Bleachers.”   Henry (his middle name, to protect his privacy; her name has not been changed) is 10, and has Aspergers Syndrome. O’Grady says she more than understands the anger and despair expressed by the mother whose post started this conversation on Motherlode, but she says, “I also get the power of using what kids give you, even if what they give you seems like nothing. A smile in your direction? Use it. Squeezing your hand and looking right at you? My gosh, see it as a gift.” To that end she often finds herself mulling — as she did at the Little League game she describes below — not only how to teach Henry to live in her world, but also how she can learn some of the secrets of his.

McKinnon lawyers vow to take fight to US Supremes / Lawyers for Gary McKinnon have launched an impassioned attack on the UK justice system, following a decision to allow extradition proceedings against the Pentagon hacker to continue despite his recent diagnosis with Asperger's Syndrome. - Lord Justice Stanley Burnton and Mr Justice Wilkie dismissed McKinnon's claims for judicial review on Friday ruling that extradition was "a lawful and proportionate response to his offending".  The ruling follows review hearings by the judges on whether successive Home Secretaries acted properly in disregarding McKinnon's recent diagnosis with a mild form of autism in allowing extradition proceedings to continue and, separately, the decision not to prosecute McKinnon in the UK, despite his offer of a signed confession to hacking offences in the UK.

Mother of 'UFO hacker' asks Obama to stop his extradition to America - The mother of British computer hacker Gary McKinnon today appealed to US President Barack Obama after her son lost his High Court bid to block his extradition.

NASA hacker loses another appeal, few options remain - Gary McKinnon, the British hacker who broke into NASA and U.S. Department of Defense computers, has lost another appeal in his quest to avoid extradition to the United States.

New autism insurance rules put to test over special circumstances - It has only been one month, but service providers and families are beginning to run up against special circumstances that require clarification from the State.  The new insurance bill mandates private insurance companies must pay for medically necessary autism related services. 

Plight of hacker attracts support of celebrities - The plight of Gary McKinnon has become something of a cause celebre in recent years, attracting support from a number of high-profile people, including opposition politicians, backbenchers, actresses and musicians.

Review: 'Adam' - A sensitive film of much charm, "Adam" stars Hugh Dancy in the title role as a brilliant young electronic engineer. He's nice-looking but awfully uptight. Not long after the death of his father, with whom he shared a Manhattan apartment, Adam meets new neighbor Beth (Rose Byrne), who's beautiful and outgoing. Intrigued by Adam, Beth gradually attempts to break through his perplexing shell.

Tackling toxicology and environmental health - What areas would you like to see the institute zoom in on?  One of the things I’ve been really working on is to increase our interaction with various federal partners as well as trying to involve the larger community in our actions and our activities. Scientists need to do a better job of helping the general public understand what we do, why it is important and what it means to them. Many scientists take the attitude that what they do is too complex, and in fact, my response to that is, “Then you don’t really know what you are doing.” So I think that we need to meet with our constituents, understand what their concerns are, listen to them, learn from them and then help them to understand what our findings mean. The dialog has to be a two-way street.

Travolta vs. Scientology - John Travolta may be gearing up for a battle of intergalactic proportions against his beloved Church of Scientology: Dish has learned he may choose to leave the Church, and take his never-ending stream of money with him. The Church of Scientology is a mainstay in Hollywood circles, promoting a lifestyle of personal “clarity” and dictating severe regulations on conveniences such as narcotics, alcohol and even modern medicines. (Dish would never make it in that Church.) But the death of Travolta’s 16-year-old son Jett, who died after suffering a seizure that some say was caused by autism, has reportedly shaken his faith in the Church’s system of beliefs—which would not allow Jett to receive modern medical care for the condition.

autismone, Generation Rescue join forces to combat autism - Generation Rescue and AutismOne are delighted to announce their partnership to better meet the needs of the autism community in order to help children and educate parents and medical professionals.  Generation Rescue and AutismOne are delighted to announce their partnership to better meet the needs of the autism community in order to help children and educate parents and medical professionals.

Gluten Free 101: Gluten free play dough brands and recipes - A childhood favorite pastime is creating with play dough. The typical store brands are not gluten free and can be hazardous to someone with gluten intolerance. There are, however, several specialty brands that are gluten free. 

Judge Sues Blue Cross for Autism Treatment - An Oakland County Circuit Court Judge filed a lawsuit today against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. In her suit, Judge Cheryl Matthews alleges that Blue Cross wrongfully refused to cover the costs associated with the applied behavioral therapy provided to her son, who has autism spectrum disorder.  This suit was filed approximately a month after another challenge to Blue Cross' wrongful refusal to pay for autism therapy resulted in Blue Cross paying $1,000,000 in damages. That case -- Christopher Johns v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan -- was the first successful challenge to an insurer's refusal to pay for applied behavioral analysis, and the families in that case were represented by Gerard Mantese and John J. Conway.

Lupron: dangerous and unproven? - A previous article, "Miracle drug" for autism is "dangerous and unproven", contained inaccurate information, which I'd like to correct.  For that article, I used sources of information which should have been solid, but turned out to be very inaccurate and biased.

Sanity report delayed on accused murderer - Doctors at a state mental health hospital say they need more time to determine whether a Pear Park man was legally insane when he repeatedly shot his son in September. Allen Grabe, 52, will be evaluated and a report should be received locally by Sept. 18, attorneys said Wednesday. Grabe, who appeared briefly Wednesday morning before District Judge Brian Flynn, will be back in court Sept. 30. Grabe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in the slaying of his 13-year-old son, Jacob, the night of Sept. 11, 2008. The Colorado Mental Health Institute in June issued a report concluding Grabe was insane when he shot his son nine times as the boy slept in his room.

Temple Grandin Interview - Like a modern day Doctor Dolittle, Dr. Temple Grandin helps people understand animal behaviour. A Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, she travels the world to improve livestock handling facilities and teach large corporations and workers the correct procedures to follow in slaughterhouses and factory farms, greatly improving animal welfare.  However, for those individuals who wish to abolish slaughterhouses and the consumption of meat altogether, Dr. Temple Grandin is an enigmatic figure. For individuals who want to alleviate animal suffering at any cost – she is the ultimate heroine.

Vaccine Plan in US May Endanger Supply, Lancet Says - A U.S. plan to rely on swine flu vaccines without ingredients to stretch the supply would reduce the number of available shots just when other countries need them most, the British journal Lancet said in an editorial.

What Is “Real” Autism? - After I posted a guest essay last week, titled “The Unvarnished Reality of Autism,” about a mother’s daily struggles with her 6-year-old’s violent rages, I heard from a number of readers who had more to say than usually fits in the comments, asking to write their own guest posts. I put up one of those responses — from Sarah, an adult with autism, within an hour of the original post, and today I will be posting a few more.

A Clear Biomarker for Autism? – The Question of Alterations in Lipid Metabolism - The title may be long and confusing, but the findings are what many have been hoping to discover for years.  (Novel Plasma Phospholipid Biomarkers of Autism: Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Putative Causative Mechanism, Prostglandins Leukotrines Essent. Fatty Acids (2009) (HERE).

ABC Obsessed with Alternative Sexual Lifestyles - ABC news programs have featured 76 segments about sexual activity in the last six months. The majority of these reports were related to political sex scandals or crime cases that contained a sexual element, but 11 promoted alternative sexual arrangements such as men who become women, Web sites dedicated to helping married people cheat on their spouses and even people who carry on romantic relationships with objects like F-15 fighter jets and the Eiffel Tower.  ...I'm also finding out that quite a few of them have a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome or autism but not everybody. Host Diane Sawyer implied that "objectum ...

Adam: Movie Review By Lexi Feinberg - Adam is not like other guys. He's the smartest person in any room he enters, handsome without a trace of ego, sweet almost to a fault. But there's something else that sets him apart: He has Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning type of autism. Writer/director Max Mayer handles the topic with care in his second feature film "Adam," and doesn't aim to make the title character, played convincingly by Hugh Dancy ("Evening"), a walking punch line. He has high regard for his socially-impaired protagonist and sees to it that you will, too.

Asperger's documentary a hit for local filmmaker - Local filmmaker and musician Kaz Gamble didn't want to make the customary (i.e. bor – ring) corporate film for the Asperger's Association of New England. So he took … a gamble.   “I did a regular version, more the standard kind of corporate video style with talking heads saying, ‘This is what Asperger's is' and that sort of thing,” said Gamble, whose younger brother, Tom Gamble, was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome three years ago at the age of 30. “I also told them, at the same time, ‘I'd love to do one that's a more personal story, and if you guys like it you can use it, and if not, that's OK.' ”

Asperger's: Hollywood's new black? - If there's a problem with the way American movies depict people with Asperger's syndrome and other autism-spectrum disorders, it certainly doesn't stem from a lack of sympathy or from bad intentions. If anything, it's the other way around: Movies like the new indie drama "Adam," which stars Hugh Dancy as a newly orphaned adult man with Asperger's embarking on a tentative love affair with a non-Asperger's or NT ("neurotypical") woman, walk so gingerly through the minefield of representational politics, and take their educational function so seriously, that they don't have any time or energy left to be, you know, movies.

Autism and Gastrointestinal symptoms: two new studies - Autism and poop. You hear those two words in the same sentence a lot on the net. People have been asking for studies on whether autistics have a higher incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) problems for a long time. Well, two papers came out in the last week with answers…and many parents are not happy.

Autism 101: Parents argue with Mayo Clinic's denouncement of gluten-casein fee diet - Following the report: Autism 101: Does special diet therapy work for stomach problems  responses from  parents and families are duly noted.  Pat B. says "Quackery still abounds even at the Mayo clinic apparently. Of course diet has a lot to do with how a person behaves. The gastrointestinal system produces mode altering chemicals during the digestive process, how quaint for any so called scientist to announce publicly that simple biology is a hoax... what a politically correct twit. Maybe some one should check to see where his funding is streaming in from? You want scientific proof? My son was removed from all casein from dairy whole or as a derivative and a probiotic with a bifodus was introduced to balance the flora of my sons gut. In less then two weeks the improvement was so amazing that his kindergarten teacher asked what I was doing different. Diet did make a profound difference in my son’s growth and today he is an academic marvel. Forget just talking he took Children’s Spanish as an elective through the Commonwealth Connections a charter school here in Pennsylvania and he finished out fifth grade on the CCA Honor Roll."

Autism 101: where can someone find an ABA therapist in Indianapolis? - ABA therapy (short for Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy) uses behavioral methods to measure behavior, teach skills, and evaluate progress. This type of therapy has been found to greatly help children with Autism. In a later article I will examine exactly what APA therapy is and what it does for children on the spectrum.

Autism home safety 101 part 1 - When preparing for an autism emergency, home safety is a major concern. The home environment is like a classroom to the autistic person. The child with autism has an intense interest in how things work. Caution must be used to avoid any dangerous situations that autistic person may unknowingly get into. There are several interventions that can be used to help the child with autism to understand the home environment.

Autism Omnibus: Hazelhurst appeal denied - The Autism Omnibus Proceedings is, for better or worse, one of the big stories in the world of autism news. Hearings have been held, using the best science and arguments that could be brought to bear. The two theories were (1) does MMR cause autism and (2) does thimerosal cause autism. Each theory was tested using three “test cases”. Essentially, three trials for each theory, each discussing an individual child plus arguments on “general causation”.

Award-Winning Director Ash Baron-Cohen Hits tone with Two Big Projects this Summer ...  - Award-Winning Director Ash Baron-Cohen Hits Hollywood with Two Big Projects this Summer.  Oliver Stone called director Ash Baron-Cohen “a young British filmmaker who has undoubtedly flourished to become one of the most gifted directors of his generation.” Some people know him as the brother of Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of Autism at Cambridge University, and first cousin of Sacha Baron-Cohen (”Borat”, “Bruno”). But most people know him as a provocative, on-the-verge, award-winning director who has two prestigious Hollywood projects underway this summer.

Can Breastmilk Cause Autism? - Augh! Writing that title almost made me gag.  But a new article on the University of California, San Francisco site claims that neuroscientist Michael Merzenich has performed research that may make some leaning toward formula fulling tip over the edge.

Can stem cells curb ageing? - A PRIVATE clinic and a hospital are charging patients thousands of dollars for stem-cell treatment to counter ageing and heart disease. But here's the catch: Such treatments are far from proven. Dr Y. M. Wong, medical director of Clinique Suisse, claims that he has used stem cells - from sheep and from patients' own blood or fat - for "anti-ageing" treatment for the last 10 years. Following consultation at his clinic in Paragon Medical Centre, patients are flown to Switzerland, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur for treatment - at a cost of up to $30,000.

Children who can't cuddle- tips to helping the unresponsive child - From the beginning of his life Isaac seemed different than most limp cuddly infants. As soon as his mother Corinne (not her real name)  held him he stiffened and almost stood in her arms. He wanted to nurse but couldn’t do it well. Though he was fussy when Corinne held him and didn’t seem to wholly enjoy the experience he seemed downright panicky when Corinne put him down. She would finally get him to sleep but then he would only sleep an hour and woke up screaming and sort of stiff.

Cycling across America for Autism awareness - Mike Dickson of Idaho Falls and His cousin Paul Dickson are cross country touring on their bicycles to raise awareness for autism. Mike and Paul Dickson left New York pulling their BOB trailers towards Seattle. Mike Dickson is co-founder of “Riding For Autism”. The Riding for Autism website states: “Parents with Autistic children often feel helpless as they are either unable to afford special therapy for their child or are unsure of the ideal path of treatment.  The point of Riding for Autism is to raise money and awareness for Autism treatment through group bike rides and other events, with the goal that more kids, like Jackson, get a fair shot at a happy, normal life. “

Desire and Disability: An Engineer's Inner Battle - Playing a character who is mentally disabled can be a fast track to Oscar or to oblivion, and rare is the actor who can resist the statuette-winning, Hanks-Hoffman strategy of mannered tics and mechanical talk. And when you consider that not even Sean Penn could pull it off without making our eyeballs cringe, the performance of Hugh Dancy in the charming romantic comedy “Adam” is all the more impressive.

District defends autism-treatment plan for boy as appropriate - A North Carolina school district is defending its instruction plan for a 4-year-old boy with autism. The boy's parents sued the district, arguing that an Individualized Education Program devised for their son did not meet the standard of "free, appropriate public education." A state judge ruled in the parents' favor, but the district has appealed and released a document defending its reasoning. News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), The (07/28)

FDA Rules Mercury Amalgam Fillings Safe - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's long-awaited final regulation on the use of mercury amalgam for dental fillings issued Tuesday deems the material safe, while at the same time moving the material from the Class I (low risk) medical-device category to Class II (moderate risk). This allows for tighter control over its manufacture and use. The agency had been working toward the regulation since 2002; many dental professionals were concerned that the final ruling would impose restrictions on amalgam's use.

Generation Rescue and AutismOne Join Forces to Help Children - Generation Rescue and AutismOne are delighted to announce their partnership to better meet the needs of the autism community in order to help children and educate parents and medical professionals. Based on shared values and each organization's expertise the alliance will provide creative and innovative solutions to many of the autism, ADHD and chronic illness community's most pressing problems.

H1N1 and other flu viruses linked to autism, schizophrenia - Dr. Hossein Fatemi has been testing the H1N1 virus and its impact on fetal development for over 10 years. His findings provide an important link between viral infections in pregnant women and profound mental disease in their offspring.  The H1N1 swine flu that has been making headlines is but one species in an infamous H1N1 lineage that has circulated among human populations since 1917 - and the H1N1 lineage is one branch of numerous flu virus species. While flu viruses present themselves through the physical respiratory symptoms we have long associated with them, it is now apparent that their impact is more dangerous and profound than we had understood prior.

Hugh Dancy Is on His Way to Superstardom - Charm that isn’t forced and wit without contrivance are such rare ingredients in today’s so-called comedies that when I come across either, I tend to go overboard. There is plenty of both in Adam, a touching and engaging film about a likable and attractive young man who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome. Now there’s a fresh subject guaranteed to stir debate. And a riveting performance by the gifted Hugh Dancy in the title role is just the thing to shake and stir it.

Judge rules student can use service dog at school -  A Douglas County judge extended a temporary restraining order Tuesday requiring the Villa Grove school district to allow a 6-year-old boy to bring his service dog with him to attend fall classes. Nichelle and Bradley Drew of Villa Grove filed suit in circuit court to require the school to allow the dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Chewey, to accompany their son, Kaleb, to school.The court had issued a  temporary restraining order earlier this month to allow Kaleb to attend summer classes with Chewey.

Modern Insanity: What Really Makes Us Crazy - Last month, researchers found that schizophrenics were more likely to have been subjected to influenza in the womb than healthy individuals. Other common experiences can also drive away our wits, long after we are out of diapers.   In fact, the typical American lifestyle teems with risk factors for mental illness, says Stephen Ilardi, a psychologist at the University of Kansas and author of "The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs" (DeCapo Press, 2009). But we can protect ourselves by adopting the habits of our distant ancestors, he said.

Nerd's plot to murder his parents - A computer geek was facing life in jail last night for recruiting a hitman to murder his doting parents. Bisexual Christopher Monks, 24, felt "trapped in a cage" as his mum and dad fussed over his love life. So after striking up an online friendship with Shaun Skarnes, 19, he hatched a plot for his parents to meet "eternal rest" during a break-in. 

Neurological benefits of music therapy - Research has shown time and time again that music is In the June/July 2009 issue of Exceptional Parent is an article entitled "The Power of Music" which illustrates the latest advances in understanding music's effect on brain development in children with disorders such as autism or cerebral palsy. Music has been used as a therapeutic tool for centuries, but recently neuroscientists have learned it can actually change the structure of the brain and help children overcome disabilities. a powerful healing force for children with neurological disabilities. Unfortunately, disabled kids in Arizona have less access to this treatment than they used to.

New documentary reveals full impact of autism therapy waitlist crisis - A new documentary on the challenges of one child with autism in trying to access publicly subsidized autism therapy effectively captures the Ontario government's inadequate, harmful and discriminatory autism intervention policies, and raises fresh concerns about the ongoing and extreme neglect of all children with autism in Ontario waiting to receive this essential treatment.

No link between autism, abdominal disorders - Autistic children are not more or less likely to have gastrointestinal symptoms compared to their healthy counterparts, a new study finds.  Autism had long been linked to bowel movement patterns; therefore, restrictive diets such as gluten-free or dairy-free diets were prescribed for such children.  According to the study published in Pediatrics, there is no such an association between autism and gastrointestinal symptoms, adding that the overall incidence of such symptoms is similar in both groups.

Positive Relationships: Let's talk about ... Additional needs - Caring for children with additional needs, from speech development to sociability, is both challenging and rewarding. Annette Rawstrone asks childminders about their experiences  Q: What experience have you of working with children with additional needs?

Pregnant Women, Kids to Get Vaccine First - Pregnant women, children and health-care workers are among those who should be first in line to receive a vaccine for protection against H1N1 swine flu, a U.S. vaccine-advisory panel recommended Wednesday

Researchers discover how to "brain-read" through study - A study to be published in the Psychological Science journal later this year, involving 130 subjects has opened up the possibility of predicting what mental processing task a person is doing.  Findings from scientists at University of California, Los Angeles and Rutger's University in Newark have shown it is possible to peer into the brain to uncover a person's mental state.  Funded by grants from the U.S. Office of Naval Research, the James McDonnell Foundation recently awarded the scientists in question another $1 million for continued studies in the area of fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging).

Review: 'Adam' - A sensitive film of much charm, "Adam" stars Hugh Dancy in the title role as a brilliant young electronic engineer. He's nice-looking but awfully uptight. Not long after the death of his father, with whom he shared a Manhattan apartment, Adam meets new neighbor Beth (Rose Byrne), who's beautiful and outgoing. Intrigued by Adam, Beth gradually attempts to break through his perplexing shell.

Review: 'Adam' Starring Hugh Dancy And Rose Byrne - It's interesting, on the surface, that Fox Searchlight has released two films within two weeks of each other -- "(500) Days of Summer" and, now, "Adam" -- with the similar theme of "boy meets girl." Again, perhaps, on the surface. In reality, these films could not be more different. While "(500) Days of Summer" tugs at the emotions that everyone has felt at some point, "Adam" shows us what it's like to observe a relationship where one party does not quite even understand human emotion.

Study disputes theory of autism link to gastrointestinal disorders - Researchers examined 18 years of records on more than 100 children with autism and found no evidence supporting the common belief that gastrointestinal disorders are an underlying cause of the disorder. Many parents put children with autism on gluten-free or dairy-free diets, but the study indicates such diets might do more harm than good by leading to nutritional deficiencies. New York Times, The (07/27)

The Annie Lubliner Lehmann Interview - The daughter of two Holocaust survivors, West Bloomfield resident Annie Lubliner Lehmann's family is no stranger to tragedy and difficult circumstances. When her son, Jonah, was born with severe autism, Lubliner Lehmann's oldest child was facing a debilitating affliction at a time when national attention wasn't nearly as focused on the disorder as it is now. Lubliner Lehmann donates all the proceeds from her book to autism-related causes. "The Accidental Teacher: Life Lessons from My Silent Son," is her memoir that earned the Mom's Choice 2009 Silver Recipient: Special & Exceptional Needs Award. Lubliner Lehmann is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in the New York Times and the Detroit Free Press.

The (Not) Combating Autism Act in Action - This is an open letter to all the parents, families, teachers, therapists and others who worked so hard getting the CAA bill passed. Thousands of you called, e-mailed and wrote to your representatives. Dozens of families traveled to DC to meet with their Congresspersons and Senators and personally explain why autism research and services desperately need more funding. Some of you picketed the offices of non-supporters, my parents traveled to DC a dozen times and used every connection they had to make our families heard. It required Herculean efforts to pass a “single disease” bill but our community was relentless and determined.

Travolta's faith is unshaken - Despite reports to the contrary, John Travolta has been and will remain faithful to the Church of Scientology, "now and forever," according to his spokesman. The Daily Mail had reported Saturday that the actor, still mourning the death earlier this year of his son Jett, was looking to leave the religion. But Paul Bloch, Travolta's representative, told People.com that the rumors are "totally false." "There's no change in the relationship between the Church of Scientology and John," Bloch told People. "He is a member, and it's as it was, now and forever."

Yogi Cameron's ayurvedic view of the autism spectrum - My belief is that we are all seekers. We may not always be aware of the path, but I believe it is so. In the process of my own seeking I came across the yoga videos first, and then the yoga/ayurvedic website of Yogi Cameron. Here I found a wealth of mental, emotional, medical and spiritual material that I have not seen in many free access websites. How newly acquired information can assist the autism awareness community is a main focus for me, so as I was reading one of Yogi Cameron’s blog entries, I was suddenly intrigued to understand the way yogi’s, and ayurvedic practitioners, view the treatment of autism and autistic-like symptoms. My request was submitted for a set of interviews with the Yogi and was graciously accepted, for which I am truly grateful.

“We Need to Pull Ryan into This World” - In the previous installment of REDBOOK's Living With Autism series, Nicole Kalkowski was amazed and overjoyed when she began witnessing signs of progress in her little boy. After Ryan started speech and occupational therapy and went on a gluten-free, casein-free diet, a spark returned to his eyes and he regained some of the skills and habits that autism had stolen from him -- he began feeding himself and hugging his two sisters again. This month, we watch Ryan delve deeper into treatment as his family anxiously holds their breath, waiting, hoping, and fighting for more progress each day.

Essential Oils and Autism - According to AromaWeb, essential oils are “the liquid distilled from from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant.” Even though these are called oils, they are not really oily. Essential oils are not the same as those used in perfumes and soaps and the like. Essential oils have therapeutic benefits and some say that extends to those with autism.

Hacker Gary McKinnon will receive no pity, insists US / Gary McKinnon, the Briton accused of hacking Pentagon and Nasa computer networks, faces an increasingly hostile climate on cyber security in the US if his extradition is approved this week.  - American officials have made clear that they regard Mr McKinnon, 43, an unemployed computer programmer who has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, as a serious offender whose case must be pursued rigorously in the US courts.  Following a recent explosion of cyber assaults on US military, intelligence and government networks, the authorities say they are more determined than ever to prosecute national security hackers vigorously.

It's all in the vocabulary - When many newly diagnosed parents enter into the world of autism, they often have a hard time understanding the conversations.  And with good reason!  Just listen to how we talk:  Mrs. Smithee: I just don't know what to do about Anna's IEP.  Her sensory breaks are not nearly adequate for her sensory deprivation issues.  Ms. Fergus: Tell me about it!  Joaquim's stimming is so out of control lately that he really needs to see his OT four times per week, but the DEC only allows for two sessions.

More Adult Autism Resources - Clearly help is desperately needed for adults with autism.  A few autism organizations were contacted on the subject.  The results varied, the Autism Society of Pittsburgh never responded.  Autism Link said there were no resources for adults with autism despite the huge need for such resources.  The third agency, ABOARD, was much more helpful.  

Special needs kids 101: Autism myths - Autistic children can't change.  Some people believe will always be like a three year old even when they become an adult. For many autistic children, it is difficult for them to deal with new situations, or change their routines. This does not mean, however, they will never "grow up" and develop the same emotions and abilities as other adults.

'Spineless'Johnson snubs Gary's mother: Home Secretary says face-to-face meeting is inappropriate  - Alan Johnson has snubbed a heartfelt plea by the mother of Gary McKinnon for a face-to-face meeting to discuss the hacker's plight. The Home Secretary claims a personal meeting with Janis Sharp would be 'inappropriate' - even though he holds Gary's fate in his hands.  Mrs Sharp said she found it ' upsetting' that Mr Johnson would not discuss in person the case for halting the extradition of Gary, who suffers Asperger's syndrome. He faces 60 years in a U.S. jail on charges he hacked into Nasa and Pentagon computers.

Adam Barraclough, the £4bn teenage trickster  -A TEENAGER who conned aviation executives into believing he ran an airline also fooled people into believing that his bogus company had retail, property and modelling divisions, it has emerged. Adam Barraclough, a 17- year-old from York, ran a web of fabricated businesses using a variety of false names, fake websites and offices in different cities. He secured meetings with the directors of airports and airlines, while arranging modelling shoots and negotiating contracts worth up to £27,000 a month with a property company and a graphic design agency.

Care level query as an autistic teen died after he choked - A HIGH-needs autistic teenager, who died after he choked while no one was watching him, was meant to be receiving one-on-one care, the Coroner's Court heard during the week. Jesse Duncan-McGann was found lying on the floor at Peninsula Access Support and Training centre in Langwarrin in April last year.  He was blue in the face when he was found by a carer, who admitted she did not know what disability he had or have up-to-date first-aid training.

Disabilities 101:the most common invisible disibilities and emotional fallout - The overwhelming number of disabilities are neurological.  Neurological disabilities make up the majority of diagnosed disabilities in the world of special education.  Reading disorders, ADHD, central auditory processing, high functioning autism are the most common.  These children (and adults) look perfectly normal on the outside.  The inside is another story.  Neurological differences create symptoms that are misinterpreted by neurotypical people.  The neurotypical people include peers, other parents,school staff, passers by and even some medical professionals. 

Genetic Marker Linked To Problem Behaviors In Adults With Developmental Disabilities - A common variation of the gene involved in regulating serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain may be linked to problem behaviors in adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, new research indicates.  The findings were published in the July 2009 issue of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Including a sibling with autism into daily activities - It seems that life is tough enough just doing regular activities, chores and unexpected events without having to include a child with autism in the middle of them. However, taking the extra moment to make your child part of the activity, as long as it is safe and not an emergency, is both educational and fun for them and very rewarding for the entire family afterwards.

iPods stand in as inner voice for Asperger's kids - Sue Pederson knows that the teenage boys in her treatment program have trouble making conversation. They may not know what to talk about; or once they get started, when to shut up. That's one of the striking features of people with Asperger's syndrome: they struggle with the social skills that come so naturally to others. But about a year ago, Pederson, a psychologist, and her colleagues at the Fraser Child & Family Center in Minneapolis found a new way to reach these students -- right through their headphones.

Macalester grad sues over helmet incident; - Two nights before the first home game, Jacob Bond heard the national anthem and refused to take off his helmet. The next day, the college lineman was told to hang up that football helmet, never to play again. What started as a protest against the war in Iraq has become a three-year struggle between a Macalester College graduate who said his rights were infringed, and a school that stands by its decisions. Bond filed suit in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis this week, claiming the St. Paul college harassed him for exercising free speech and neglected its duty to deal with his Asperger's syndrome, a variation of autism that makes it difficult for him to interact socially. He's seeking more than $50,000 for each claim. The college said it acted appropriately and Bond's claims of harassment are inflated.

Medication used to treat bipolar disorder - There are three main types of medicine that is used to treat bipolar disorder: mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, and anti-depressants. Mood stabilizers do just that—the medicine stabilizes the mood swings so that the person is able to focus on the concepts learned in talk therapy. Anti-psychotics help with minimizing or eliminating the psychotic episodes during extreme moods such as auditory or visual hallucinations. The anti-depressants help elevate the depression felt by some people with bipolar disorder (and other mood disorders).  One or a combination of all of these types of medicines may be necessary.

Milk Protein Linked to Autism, Schizophrenia, Diabetes and Heart Disease  - (NaturalNews) Knowing about the health benefits of raw milk is not enough. In his book The Devil in the Milk, Dr. Kevin Woodford says we have one more lesson to learn: there is a link between the type of milk we drink and a range of serious illnesses, including heart disease, Type 1 diabetes, autism and schizophrenia. Epidemiological evidence from ten countries has demonstrated a strong association between high intake of milk from A1 positive cows and high incidence of these diseases, and has correlated very closely with World Health Organization data on the level of deaths from mental disorders.

Murder plot was a 'pet' project - ..."Prof Digby Tantam, a consultant psychiatrist and autism expert called by Monks' defence barrister, said he believed Christopher Monks had an autistic spectrum disorder and possibly attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) which may impair his understanding of the outcome of actions and of others' feelings. He said: "It makes it very difficult to anticipate consequences. You live in a short-term world really."

New Approaches to an Unmet Need for Adults With Autism Spectrum ... - We are beginning to see a new wrinkle in an emerging epidemic: young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) -- sometimes higher functioning -- who are presenting in increasing numbers to high schools, colleges, and residential autism programs. Sadly, there is a lack of effective services and treatments for these young adults who could potentially be making meaningful contributions to our society and to our economy, according to Dr. Eric Hollander, Chair, Advisory Board, Icare4autism.  Families are often left to fend for themselves, and to face difficult choices, such as sending their loved ones far away for residential care, or paying for an array of services that lack central coordination and do not have a proven track record.

Studies show increase in Autism cases - Australian officials currently estimate that about one in 160 children are diagnosed with autism, but findings from two new studies suggest it is much more common.  It is not clear whether autism itself is on the rise, or whether better diagnosis is inflating the figures. Jaidyn Sullivan was 18 months old when he was diagnosed with autism. His mother Toni says his lack of speech was the biggest clue. "He wasn't sort of engaging, he was just walking away and doing his own thing, and he did have quite major speech delay," she said.

The Story of an Eviction - At eight in the morning on Monday, ten Alameda County Sheriffsarrived in their patrol cars in front of the tan house on the corner of Tenth and Willow in west Oakland, the oldest African-American neighborhood in the city, and one of the oldest on the west coast. The renovated home is surrounded by an iron fence, and the sheriffs poured through its open gate and up the stairs. Tosha Alberty had just left for work, for her job as a transportation services coordinator for Alameda County. Her children were still at home, though.  Sheriffs told her adopted son Christian, a nine-year-old with autism still in his undershorts, to get dressed. Alberty’s daughter Sharquita rushed to collect the bottles and diapers she needed to take care of her nine-month-old baby Zmylan.

What Really Causes Autism? Thousands of Parents Still Blame Vaccines - "There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can’t compete academically, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks … to get back diagnoses that help explain away the deficiencies of their junior morons," actor and comedian Denis Leary controversially argued with patented flippancy in a chapter called "Autism Shmautism" from his 2008 book Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid. "I don’t give a shit what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you—yer kid is NOT autistic. He’s just stupid. Or lazy. Or both."

Who's Accountable For Medicaid Policy Changes? - A policy change by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid could leave thousands of children without therapy coverage.  That policy change was issued just this month, and unless parents and providers can show the medical need for why the children need help learning to speak, parents will have few other options. Four-year-old Alyssa has autism. She hardly speaks at all. The State Division of Medicaid now wants to know why it should pay for her speech therapy.

Why Asperger Syndrome is a Legal Disability - A comment under my previous article on Asperger Syndrome being a disability inspired me to write yet another article on the topic. The commenter, who was completely opposed to Neurodiversity (ND), said Asperger Syndrome is not a disability because it is not legally defined as such.  I am surprised that there is such a view out there in the autism community outside the ND movement that does not think Asperger Syndrome is a disability. Those who hold this view will claim that disability is a legal term. They will say that Asperger Syndrome is therefore not a disability because it is not covered by disability law. This view is incorrect. People with Asperger Syndrome are covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Act to receive accommodations in both work and in school. In contrast to some untruths I’ve heard, we also get insurance coverage; last summer I underwent speech therapy with another person with Aspergers to improve pragmatic language skills, covered by insurance. Some of us are also eligible for Social Security benefits for our disability, including Anne Dachel’s son: ...

A growing problem - Rhonda Crowder sensed something was wrong with her 18-month-old daughter. "She wasn't talking and threw extreme temper tantrums over the smallest things," said the St. Charles mom. At age 3, Kira Maese was diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Kira is now 9 years old and continues to make progress. "She talks," Crowder said. "She can answer questions and asks for things. Socially, she's way behind her peers. She doesn't understand social interactions."

Autism 101: Relationship Devlopment Intervention - One of the concerns regarding conventional behavioral therapy (ABA) is that it encourages robotic responses to stimuli. Consequently there is a rote type of interaction, not exactly reciprocal conversation.  Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) was developed by Dr. Steven Gutstein. It is a program that uses behavior modification, but stimulates social awareness. He uses dynamic intelligence to prove his theory. The world is ever changing and in order for children with autism to connect, it needs to be a family affair. Dr. Gutstein describes the 5 essential goals for RDI to be successful:

Autism and Adolescence 101: How do I teach my teen the concept of ... - It is extremely important that teenagers understand the different behaviors and conversations that are appropriate in public, and the kind that are meant to be private. For example, touching certain parts of your body in public is inappropriate, and can even get the eighteen and over adolescents in trouble with the law. Having conversations at school that are appropriate to have at the family breakfast table but are inappropriate in a peer lunchroom setting, can get a teen labeled weird at school and prevent friendships from developing.

Autism medical problem not a physiological one - In part two this week, Fouzia Khan writes about the vitally important initial stages of autism, the need for special autism labs and alternative treatment in the Kingdom, as well as important dietary changes parents of autistic children can implement.

Autistic boy beaten up by gang - A TEENAGER was beaten unconscious by a mob of 15 youths.  The autistic youngster has been left with severe facial injuries and stamp marks on his back.  His father, Ron Carter, claimed the assault was the work of an organised youth gang operating in the west Clacton.  He said the beating took place after Sean got into a row with another teenager who callefriends on his mobile phone to join in the attack.  Sean Carter, 14, had to be revived by paramedic staff after the attack.

Guilt-ridden John Travolta 'in constant distress' - John Travolta is so guilt-ridden by the death of his son he is considering severing his close connection with the Church of Scientology, a report claims. Travolta, 55, is said to be in a state of "almost constant distress" after plunging into a deep depression since 16-year-old Jett died six months ago, the Daily Mail reports.  The actor reportedly spends many of his nights alone, doing laps of his private airstrip in a golf cart.  "We often see John driving himself around at night," a neighbour was quoted as saying.  “We used to see him driving around on a buggy with his son … now it's just John by himself.

Research shows promise for autism treatment - Preschoolers who show mature brain development in their neural circuits may develop social reasoning skills earlier than children who don't, a new study suggests.  Mark Sabbagh, a psychology professor at Queen's University, published his research inChild Developmentjournal this month.  "One social reasoning skill, in particular, we develop is understanding that other people's external actions are because of other people's mental state," he said.  In other words, young children develop the ability to identify a person's beliefs and intentions as the cause of his or her behaviour.

Researchers Develop “Brain-Reading” Methods To Uncover A Person's Mental State- It is widely known that the brain perceives information before it reaches a person’s awareness. But until now, there was little way to determine what specific mental tasks were taking place prior to the point of conscious awareness. That has changed with the findings of scientists at Rutgers University in Newark and the University of California, Los Angeles who have developed a highly accurate way to peer into the brain to uncover a person’s mental state and what sort of information is being processed before it reaches awareness. With this new window into the brain, scientists now also are provided with the means of developing a more accurate model of the inner functions of the brain.

Special Needs Kids 101: How do I know if my child is speaking enough - One of the most exciting times for parents is when their child begins to make sounds. This is the start of oral communication, which allows for a much better understanding, on both sides, of needs, wants, and beliefs.  But how does one know if her child is learning to speak as he should? There are many baby books that give ideas.  The baby's doctor can provide some tip sheets. There is also the Child Development Institute, with it's Language Development Chart.

Asperger's And Me / A Belfast teenager goes on a journey to find what support is out there for young people with autism - Asperger’s and Me is a short documentary about a teenager’s search to find more support and information for young people with autism. JJ McQuade was inspired to make the film to get a better understanding of the condition which he and his family have fought hard to manage.

Asperger's expert to speak at SL meeting - A world authority on autism and Asperger's syndrome will address a Future Horizons conference today at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 255 S. West Temple. Tony Attwood of Brisbane, Australia, is recognized as one of the best clinical psychologists in his field, with more than 30 years of experience working with individuals with autism, Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders. At the conference, Attwood will discuss all aspects of Asperger's from childhood through adulthood, including possible causes, diagnosis and other topics.

Asperger syndrome impedes action anticipation - Researchers in Denmark and the UK have found that in a non-verbal test, adults with Asperger syndrome (an autism-spectrum disorder) do not spontaneously anticipate others' actions as do typical adults and two-year-old children. Their findings, published in the journal Science, contrast sharply with the observation that these individuals pass similar tests in a verbal form and suggest that people with Asperger syndrome can develop workarounds for certain neurological limitations.

utism emergency 101 - Information handouts for neighbors. Getting to know your neighbors. Local 911 call center 'red flag' information. GPS tracking device. These are all simple steps for families to take in order to prepare for an autism emergency.  Autistic children and adults are at high risk for wandering. Recently, the National Autism Association conducted an online survey to determine the risk of wandering in an autistic child. Replies indicated that 92% of autistic children were at risk for wandering. This presents a dangerous situation for that person. According to Autism Speaks' Autism Safety Project, one of the top safety risks for those with autism is drowning. A reason for this is that children and adults with autism love water, such as ponds, pools, and lakes. Unfortunately in autism, there is often a lack of appropriate fear of real dangers. Autistic individuals are drawn to water and do not realize or understand the potential dangers.

Autism and Vaccines: Is the Case Closed? - I'll be the first to confess that I wasn't a fully informed parent when it came to getting my kids their early immunizations. They got every shot on time without my weighing the risks and benefits. I barely glanced at the consent form except to note when to dispense Tylenol for crankiness or fever. Thankfully, they all sailed through with no more than a few tears. Then it was time for my 12-year-old daughter to get Gardasil, the vaccine against the cervical-cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV). I was a little worried because it was a new vaccine and, after talking with some experts, decided to delay getting her vaccinated until she was older.

Autism not linked to stomach problems - New research out of Britain is reporting that autism is not linked to bowel movement problems, despite a common theory that there is a tie between the two. Previous studies have suggested a link between gastrointestinal symptoms and autism. Autistic spectrum disorders are a group of developmental conditions that hinder people's ability to communicate and build relationships. However, in a study of 78 children recognized as having autistic spectrum disorders and 12,906 children without an autism diagnosis, that link was not subtantiated. The researchers described no major differences between the groups in such factors as stool color, consistency, the frequency of diarrhea or constipation, and of stomach pain during the first three and a half years of life.

Autistic Marine admits kiddie porn charge - An autistic Marine has admitted possessing child pornography and is expected to be freed from the Camp Pendleton brig near San Diego within days, officials say. Joshua Fry, 21, will receive a bad conduct discharge, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. But a military judge suspended all but a year of his four-year sentence, and he has already spent 359 days in the brig since his arrest last year.

Autistic twin is service missionary - Jonathan Miles of the York Pennsylvania Stake wanted to serve a mission like his twin brother, David. But Jonathan has a mild form of autism called Asperger syndrome that prevents him from service as a full-time proselytizing missionary. So when the two young men submitted missionary papers at the same time in 2007, David received a call to the Thailand Bangkok Mission while Jonathan got an entirely different kind of letter.

Best Books for Young Adults: Teen Feedback Session - The Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA’s) latest Best Books for Young Adults (BBYA) teen session took place on Sunday, July 12, at McCormick Place in Chicago as part of the 2009 ALA Annual Conference. After months of preparation, the teens were there—and ready.

Brain scans to help autistic - NEW testing being launched in Queensland may reveal how to teach autistic children new skills to improve their lives.  Associate Professor Linda Richards from the Queensland Brain Institute said new, more powerful MRI scans could evaluate if and how therapy was working. She said the fibrous connection between the two hemispheres of the brain, called the corpus callosum, was non-existent or not well developed in people with autism and disorders such as epilepsy.

Breakthrough study by Stanford University School of Medicine shows ... - The first-ever comparison of synchronization of brain signals in children and young adults helps explain why children are less adept at multitasking, emotion regulation and other behaviors that come with maturity, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The study, published July 21 in PLoS-Biology, offers unexpected insights into how the brain matures. It also lays the groundwork for understanding neurodevelopmental problems such as autism and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. "We were surprised to see that by the age of 7 to 9, the brain's overall basic architecture is already so well-formed,” said senior study author Vinod Menon, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and of neuroscience. His team demonstrated that school-aged children’s brain traffic is already organized along a general, efficient and fault-tolerant network plan found in adults’ brains. Their findings also uncovered new information about how signaling develops between distant brain regions.

Catch Me if You Can..! - Have you ever dreamed of running your own airline? The chance to travel free whenever you like, in the best seats? For one young enterprising teenager from Yorkshire, the dream became too much - and he set about convincing people he was the next Richard Branson. Using the pseudonym Adam Tait, the 17 year old convinced bosses at Jersey and Guernsey's airports that he intended to operate a cut-price Channel Islands airline servicing most of Europe.  But, just like a scene from the Hollywood blockbuster Catch Me if You Can, it all soon unravelled.

Computer hacker Gary McKinnon should not have to face prison term - The fact that the UK government is even considering the extradition of Gary McKinnon to the United Sates is appalling and indicative of Gordon Brown’s insensitive approach to the concept of a defendant’s right to a fair trial.  The defence of human liberty can affect us all. The Extradition Act of 2003 was passed into law to fight the ‘war on terror’ post 9/11. But Gary McKinnon, who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism), can hardly be described as a terrorist.

Create your own social network with Ning - Have you ever thought about taking your interests and passions beyond Facebook groups and pages? If so, then Ning may just be your thing!  The social networking site, Ning.com, lets users create and join new social networks for their "interests and passions." Ning, which is headquartered in California, already boasts over 1 million social networks and more than 27 million members.

Difficulty in diagnosis - As difficult as it is for adults to cope with a mental illness, the obstacles are multiplied when diagnosing and treating children, especially in a large, rural and sparsely populated state like Montana. An estimated 30,000 adolescents in Montana between the ages of 9 and 17 had a diagnosable mental health condition in 2006, with 16,500 of them experiencing a significant emotional disturbance that year. Yet the state had only 17 physicians who were board certified as child and adolescent psychiatrists, according to a 2008 Legislative Mental Health Study. These psychiatrists were located in seven cities, with none in Montana’s north central or eastern regions.

Genetic marker linked to problem behaviors in adults with ... - A common variation of the gene involved in regulating serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain may be linked to problem behaviors in adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, new research indicates.  The findings were published in the July 2009 issue of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and are available online at http://tinyurl.com/mw8baj.

How To Debunk A Health Myth - It isn't necessary to drink eight glasses of water a day. Flu shots don't cause the flu. And the idea that singles have better sex lives than married couples? Not true either.  When Dr. Aaron E. Carroll and Dr. Rachel C. Vreeman, both professors at the Indiana University School of Medicine, began examining more than 60 popular medical beliefs, they discovered that most were myths. The pair has catalogued these false or highly questionable claims in their recently released book, Don't Swallow Your Gum! Myths, Half-Truths, and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health.

How do I know if my child has a learning disability? - Children with a learning disability benefit from specialized instruction and accommodations in order to succeed in school and in life. How does a parent figure out if their child qualifies for these specialized services? In order to receive specialized services, a child must be diagnosed with a specific learning disability or other disability such as ADHD or Autism. Each disability has its own battery of tests that a professional must administer in order to qualify the child for services.

Is Aborted Fetal DNA in Vaccines Linked to Autism? - Just when the pharmaceutical industry thought the vaccine-autism controversy had been resolved, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee has recommended further study of vaccine safety. A perceived fear of the safety of the U.S. vaccination schedule has led increasing numbers of parents to opt out of full compliance. The numbers of children who are not fully vaccinated has now reached a point where "herd" immunity may be compromised, compelling the Centers for Disease Control to hold town-hall meetings and convene a Vaccine Safety Working Subgroup. Despite research ruling out mercury (Thimerosal) or the measles portion of one specific vaccine, autism continues to rise to a level of one in every 64 children in the UK.

I feel such contempt for the spineless mps who betrayed Gary ... - Recently, I took my seven-year-old son Henry to the park. It was a gloriously sunny day and the park is in one of those expensive parts of London where the cafe sells only organic sausages and the children are clad head-to-toe in Boden. Henry was happily playing on the roundabout. He was loving the thrill as it whirled around, gleefully calling out 'Faster! Faster!' as other children pushed with all their might. But I wasn't smiling. Because I could tell already that one child, a little girl with a mean smirk on her face, had already clocked there was something different about the handsome boy with fair hair who was flapping his hands with excitement. Half under her breath, and to his utter confusion, she started to mimic his giddy shouts and his almost imperceptible lisp. 'You can't talk properly,' she sneered. Henry, instead of ignoring her or insulting her back, asked earnestly and anxiously: 'What aren't I saying properly?' I could have cried for him. Then she started to kick him. I asked her to stop, and she ignored me. Finally, exasperated, unable to think of a way to get her to desist, Henry grabbed the girl's sunhat from her head and threw it on the grass.

It's Not a Romantic Comedy in Real Life – The Challenges ... / What happens when you fall in love with someone for whom love itself is an alien concept? Can people with Asperger Syndrome have meaningful, intimate relationships? The answer to these and other important questions can be found in Dr. Kathy Marshack’s new book. - Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism that creates difficulties in social interaction, is being portrayed in the new acclaimed romantic comedy “Adam”. What happens when you fall in love with someone for whom love itself is an alien concept? Can people with Asperger Syndrome have meaningful, intimate relationships? The answer to these and other important questions can be found in Dr. Kathy Marshack’s new book: “Life with a Partner or Spouse with Asperger Syndrome: Going over the Edge? Practical Steps to Saving You and Your Relationship” published by Autism Asperger Publishing Company (March 2009).  Interest in the subject of intimacy and Asperger Syndrome is growing, but the answers are scarce. In fact, so little is written on the subject of adult Asperger Syndrome (AS) relationships that Dr. Marshack received hundreds of emails from desperate people around the world—primarily women married to men with AS—after posting just one chapter of her book on her website. However, she’s also received hate mail from those that view her position as unfavorable to the Asperger community.

Jail for spurned man over attack on teenage girl - A MAN was jailed for nine months after threatening a teenage girl with a knife.  Michael Mayes had been in a relationship with the girl and they had been living together for several months when she said she was leaving him.  Chelmsford Crown Court heard Mayes admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm after the incident on March 23 last year, that resulted in the 21-year-old hitting her in the face and breaking her nose. ...“I am aware you have Asperger’s syndrome, but I have no choice other than to give you a custodial sentence.”

Judge orders Villa Grove to allow student's service dog - A Douglas County judge has issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Villa Grove school district to allow a 6-year-old boy to bring his service dog with him to attend summer school classes. On July 9, Nichelle and Bradley Drew of Villa Grove filed suit in circuit court to require the school to allow the dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Chewey, to accompany their son, Kaleb, to school.

Lost and Sometimes Found: Mothering My Autistic Son - If summer is a time for family reunions and visiting old friends, when you’re the parent of a child with autism, it’s also a time for taking stock and hoping to hear accolades from people who haven’t seen your child for a while:  I can’t believe how well he’s doing/how much he’s talking/how great he seems. Sadly, this summer, we haven’t heard too much of this.

Mom shares programs to help other autistic kids - Her son's autism diagnosis sent Sara Polito scrambling for educational materials she could use to help him develop to his full potential -- a natural reaction for a former teacher of children with disabilities.  "There was basically nothing; it was very minimal," Polito recalled of that time six years ago when her son, Mark Wilder, was diagnosed with the developmental disability that affects an estimated one of every 150 American children.

New Approaches to an Unmet Need for Adults With Autism Spectrum ... - We are beginning to see a new wrinkle in an emerging epidemic: young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) -- sometimes higher functioning -- who are presenting in increasing numbers to high schools, colleges, and residential autism programs. Sadly, there is a lack of effective services and treatments for these young adults who could potentially be making meaningful contributions to our society and to our economy, according to Dr. Eric Hollander, Chair, Advisory Board, Icare4autism.

Nobody's Normal AnymoreShould we blame overdiagnosis for rising health costs? - Healthy people, goes the popular doctors' joke, are simply those haven't gone through enough medical testing. Excessive diagnostic evaluations with fancy body scans or blood tests will always find something amiss. Call these searches what you like—defensive medicine to ward off lawsuits, useless procedures to line doctors' pockets, patient-initiated testing from the worried—but observers like Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, estimate they contribute a good chunk to the estimated $700 billion in wasted annual health costs.

Parents worry about who will care for their adult children with autism - As a chubby, smiling baby boy, Marlon Barton delighted everyone around him. Now that he is a strapping young man who flaps his hands and makes odd noises, no one knows quite what to do with him.

Raising a sensory smart child: The new edition is available for presale-Hits stores August 25th! - The new edition of 'Raising a Sensory Smart Child' is available for preorder and hits the book stores August 25! This invaluable tool for parents, therapists and educators is well worth reading, having and utilizing. This is not a resource that will sit on your shelf keeping many other autism books company. This is a resource that parents, therapists and educators will refer to on a daily basis for sensory integration techniques, tips, and tools.  In the world of special needs education, parents can sometimes get lost. They can actually be over looked, undervalued and sadly enough…. even belittled by educators who do not understand that (in the words of Glenn Doman, founder of the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential),” Parents are not the problem. Parents are the biggest part of any solution, and their child's best teacher." Parents will do virtually anything for their children. The trick is to supply them with the appropriate information as to how to move forward. As one who knows this to be true, imagine my joy to have early childhood professionals and authors contacting me, and voicing that same exact philosophy.

Recruitment Of Marine With Autism Under Investigation - A man with autism, whose recruitment into the Marines is now under investigation, pleaded guilty Monday to desertion and child pornography charges. Joshua Fry, 21, enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2008 while living in a California group home for adults with disabilities. He was encouraged to enlist by a Marine recruiter who knew about his disability and urged Fry to leave that detail off of his enlistment application, Fry’s lawyer alleges in court documents.

Scientists decode genome of deadly parasitic worm - Scientists have sequenced the genome of the parasite that causes intestinal schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia or snail fever), a devastating tropical disease that afflicts more than 200 million people in the developing world. - Najib El-Sayed, associate professor in the University of Maryland's College of Chemical and Life Sciences, led the transatlantic research team, along with Matthew Berriman of the UK's Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Their work is published in the July 16, 2009 edition of Nature and featured on the journal's cover.

Sometimes it's hard to be a man - Can you prove anything you want by statistics? You bet. But here's one case where there's no need to manipulate figures to prove a point. It's a straight, simple, indisputable fact that women live 5.4 years longer than men. So was the Almighty just unkind to men or is this problem the result of their own stupidity?   Male vulnerability starts early. The pregnancy of a male fetus is more likely to end in miscarriage or stillbirth. Even as infants, the mortality rate of premature boys is higher. They have a higher rate of developmental disabilities and autism, and are more likely to be born colour blind.

Speak Up: Your Guide To Self-Advocacy - There are lots of experts to help people with developmental disabilities succeed. But the best expert – and the most consistent one – is often found within. After all, no one knows you better than yourself.  There are lots of experts to help people with developmental disabilities succeed. But the best expert – and the most consistent one – is often found within. After all, no one knows you better than yourself. 

Teenage Con Artist Or Business Genius? - When describing the case of the teenage con artist Adam Tait, I was sorely tempted to describe the situation as a real-life Catch Me If You Can.  After all, Tait was able to scam the heads of airlines into believing he was a 20-something executive with a fleet of airplanes at his disposal.  Then I remembered that Catch Me If You Can was itself based on the real story of teenage conman Frank Abagnale, who scammed to the tune of millions of dollars while posing as an airline pilot, lawyer, doctor, and college professor.Tait was apparently very good at his game, though from the sound of things he had help from Malcolm Coupar and the upper managers at Guernsey-based airline Ausrigny. Turns out they were only too eager to join in with Tait’s proposed cheap airline.

Teenagers Tries to Sell Airplane Fleet / The case from the film ‘Catch Me If You Can’ has repeated in Great Britain – a teenager successfully tricked airline company bosses.  - Introducing himself as a businessman in his twenties, the 17 year old from Yorkshire managed to convince airline company chiefs that he is a ‘serious player’ in the airline companies, report the British media. Under the pseudonym Alan Tait, the teenager flew to Jersey and talked wit the director of the airport there, as well as with industry chiefs. He proposed the implementation of budget flights via the company Channel Islands, which would serve most of Europe. Just to show how successful he was at tricking them is the fact that he was called for another round of negotiations next week.

The new McCarthyism - I recently met Jessica, one of Jenny McCarthy's friends who was worried about the strong arguments against immunizations that Jenny has made on autism.  Autism, which encompasses many symptoms from very mild to severe, is a truly scary disease affecting a child's development and parents want to know answers as to what causes it.  Jenny McCarthy recently wrote in her book how her son was developing normally until he received his measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (at 15 months of age) and claimed this caused autism. She believes chelation therapy helped her son recover from autism. Chelation theory believes removing such toxins as the MMR components cures disease but this is a very contentious theory and not supported by scientific studies.

We can't make our son better - My son is beautiful. Green eyes, golden hair and tan skin, muscles taut from running and jumping, perfect teeth, an engaging smile and a laugh that lights up a room.  He also has significant cognitive impairments and autism. Now 6, he was diagnosed 3½ years ago, the last in a series of unfortunate events starting with a troubled pregnancy and an induced birth to allow surgery to fix his obstructed bowel.

What to do when your child is diagnsosed with autism - A simple explanation of autism spectrum disorder is a source. The solution is far more eclectic. When your child is diagnosed with autism, the emotional havoc is overwhelming. It is difficult to think in rational sentences and denial is a welcomed fortress. Whether or not your sorrow morphs into rage or possible depression, it is a waste of time. Remember, your heart is the conduit for action. Your passion will support every effort. It will be your guide.

What Really Causes Autism? Thousands of Parents Blame Vaccines - "There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can’t compete academically, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks … to get back diagnoses that help explain away the deficiencies of their junior morons," actor and comedian Denis Leary controversially argued with patented flippancy in a chapter called "Autism Shmautism" from his 2008 book Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid. "I don’t give a shit what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you—yer kid is NOT autistic. He’s just stupid. Or lazy. Or both."

A letter to Obama will ask him to abandon McKinnon extradition - The Scottish UFO hacker faces up to 60 years in prison.  The 43-year-old UFO obsessive, who suffers from Asperges syndrome, a mild form of Autism, carried out the 'largest military hack of all time' in 2002 - hacking into the computer systems of NASA, The US Army, Department of Defence and US Air Force. A letter to Barack Obama signed by MPs and Peers will call on the President not to extradite British hacker Gary McKinnon who faces up to 60 years in a maximum security prison if found guilty.  McKinnon, who was looking for proof of UFOs, was originally indicted in 2002 and in 2006 the UK agreed to extradite him for trial. Subsequent appeals to the House of Lords and European Court of Human Rights have failed.

A simple explanation of autism spectrum disorder-part one - Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit is a comprehensive and user friendly catalog of information that guides parents through the initial journey of diagnosis. Autism Speaks Video Glossary demonstrates typical and atypical behavior in toddlers and young children.Simply put, Autism Spectrum Disorder is qualified as Pervasive Developmental Disorder. It is a range of impairments that effects a total of 6 or more symptoms that don't meet developmental milestones.

Adult Autism II: After Diagnosis - You get diagnosed as having Asperger's as an adult, now what?  I guess that depends on your perception.  If you think, oh, this explains everything.  Great, well I like who I am and I don't mind being different, then maybe you don't want to do anything.  You just feel better understanding yourself better.  Maybe you would like to speak to others in your situation that would understand you.  Listed in the info section are a bunch of forums and groups where you can do just that.  It is so much easier to connect online than it is to talk with people face to face. 

Age of Autism Comment of the Week - "Disability" is not a literary term open to subjective interpretation.  It is a forensic, legal term defined in documents like the DSM-IV for the parsing of government entitlements and insurance compensations.  Asperger Syndrome is not defined as a disability.  Those with Aspergers do not get Social Security Disability benefits.  They are not entitled to most state entitlement disability programs and are not qualified to park in disabled parking zones. Those with Aspergers ARE disadvantaged and deserve support and our advocacy for them, but not at the same levels for the disabled. Let us stop interchanging the term "disability" with "disadvantage".

Animal, autism expert shares insight - A well-known animal behavior specialist spoke last Wednesday during a Tender Loving Canines fundraising event at the Del Mar Country Club. An audience of service dogs from Solana Beach-based TLC and dog lovers joined Dr. Temple Grandin, who discussed her efforts to make the meat industry more humane and about living with autism.

Asperger syndrome impedes action anticipation - Researchers in Denmark and the UK have found that in a non-verbal test, adults with Asperger syndrome (an autism-spectrum disorder) do not spontaneously anticipate others' actions as do typical adults and two-year-old children. Their findings, published in the journal Science, contrast sharply with the observation that these individuals pass similar tests in a verbal form and suggest that people with Asperger syndrome can develop workarounds for certain neurological limitations. Many adults diagnosed with Asperger syndrome are highly intelligent but have difficulties in day-to-day social interactions. Part of this difficulty stems from their seeming inability to predict what another person might say or do based solely on their knowledge of the other person's mental state (i.e. their knowledge and beliefs).

Asperger's syndrome: the eyes have it - People with Asperger's syndrome, a disorder on the autism spectrum, are well known to have difficulties with social interaction. The condition, though, has always had a puzzling side. It's often thought that the typical symptoms stem from so-called "mind-blindness" -- an inability to express a "theory of mind", or to grasp what other people may be thinking and intending. Yet adults and older children with the condition, who are often highly intelligent, routinely pass tests designed to evaluate theory of mind. 

Autism, Asperger's: Who is Truly Disabled? -  “A "Refrigerator Mother" Adult with Autism Speaks Out,” read the title of one post from an autistic perspective, which was actually “more of a cry for help than anything else,” according to the post itself. To anyone reading the post, however, it is clear that “a cry for help” is by no means an understatement. The post, written as a letter, is filled with horrendous health problems few can fathom. Perhaps what stood out most to me was “nearly dying of acute heart failure in my 20s.”

Autism Briefing Goes Over Big - A full house of about 80 people heard Mark Blaxill and David Kirby address the autism epidemic and its environmental roots Friday -- and one of the attendees was a member of the House who suggested their remarks may soon get even more attention. "The Energy and Commerce Committee should have both as witnesses," said Rep. Chris Smith, Republican of New Jersey, praising them for the quality of their presentations and citing the urgent health crisis created by the rising numbers of autistic children. He said he would speak with Rep. Carolyn Maloney D-NY, about setting up a hearing. Maloney sponsored the briefing but was unable to attend due to a committee hearing, but her chief of staff, Ben Chevat, introduced Blaxill, Kirby and Smith. (That's Rep. Smith on the right, speaking. David Kirby is in the background.)

Autism in Academia - Thinking back on history, maybe you've wondered how it was that American colleges and universities could ever have contributed to racist discourse. But Princeton and many other institutions kept out Jews, and "academic" defenses of slavery, segregation, and eugenics were commonplace until broader social changes rendered such views unacceptable. The sad truth is that dehumanizing ideologies are still with us in the modern university, although they take very different forms. Prime examples include the unacceptable ways we sometimes talk and think about the autism spectrum.

Autism: It's the Environment, Not Just Doctors Diagnosing More Disease - California's sevenfold increase in autism cannot be explained by changes in doctors' diagnoses and most likely is due to environmental exposures, University of California scientists reported Thursday.  The scientists who authored the new study advocate a nationwide shift in autism research to focus on an array of potential factors in the environment that babies and fetuses are exposed to, including pesticides, viruses and chemicals in household products.  "It's time to start looking for the environmental culprits responsible for the remarkable increase in the rate of autism in California," said Irva Hertz-Picciotto, an epidemiology professor at University of California, Davis who led the study.

Autism medical problem not a physiological one - Autism is a brain development disorder that begins at birth or within the first three years of a child’s life, and typically involves delays and impairment in basic social skills, language skills, and behavior. The illness currently has no cure although less severe cases may be diagnosed as a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or the neuro–biological disorder: Asperger’s syndrome – both of which are less severe versions of autism. Variable in its clinical presentation, the spectrum of autism – known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) – ranges from mild cognitive changes and behaviors to severe emotional withdrawal.

Autism: One mother's journey - Part II - FOX 21's Rachel Welte sat down with Rhonda Spellman, an expert on Autism, to talk about her journey dealing with the disability. Rhonda's nine-year-old son Tanner was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of three. Since that time Rhonda has worked to help her son deal with the disability. She details her experiences in a new book called "The Journey, Home From Autism."

Autism: Video report,'Transitioning to a higher education' - Well, Mark Wirbel does it again with his reporting of content that concerns the autism awareness community. In his latest video presentation, Transitioning to a Higher Education, Mark returns to share more information and insights that he picked up while attending the Autism One conference.  At Autism Hangout, the site where Mark’s video is posted, it says:

Autism: 'Worried Wendy Goes to School' is first in series for for author with autism, Jenna Lumbard - When an adult with autism becomes a published author, it is wonderful to be able to acknowledge that accomplishment. The notability of that accomplishment is augmented when we factor in that she is non-verbal, and with computer screen as her canvas, she paints pictures of her view from the inside of the autism spectrum.  ‘Worried Wendy Goes to School’ is the first in a series of children’s books by Jenna Lumbard, that addresses the fears that spectrum children and neuro-typical children share. In this process, Jenna writes in a manner that many spectrum children can easily relate to. Addressing these fears puts them soundly in their place and allows children to take their ‘personal power’ back as they experience these universal circumstances.

Autism Workshop: Adults On Spectrum Support Group - On Aug. 8, 2009, the Autism Society of America Chapter-Kern Autism Network of Bakersfield will present "Adults on the Spectrum Support Group," facilitated by Vickie Shufton. The group will meet at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office, 1300 17th Street, Main Floor Room 1A, in Bakersfield, from 10 a.m. until noon.

Autistic adults in the workplace - A computer company in Copenhagen has been giving people with autism more support to use their talents in the workplace - and it wants to do the same here in the UK.

Autistic film fans want full picture - A leading autism charity has welcomed the growing trend for "autism-friendly" film screenings, but called on cinemas to broaden the content beyond family-friendly fare, rather than marginalise adults and teenagers affected by the disorder. While hailing the upsurge in specialised autism-friendly screenings at a number of filmhouses across Scotland as a "great success", the National Autism Society's national director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Carol Evans, told the Herald that the tendency to screen only children's films perpetuated the stereotype of autism as a "childhood condition".

Autistic greenkeeper wins damages after boss forced him to wear a red helmet / A golf club greenkeeper who was ordered by his boss to wear a bright red helmet because of his autism has been awarded £78,000 in damages for unfair dismissal. - Andrew Beck, 44, happily worked at Davyhulme Park Golf Club in Manchester for 13 years until new head greenkeeper Nick Marner was appointed in 1999. He endured constant bullying from his manager up until when he quit the job in 2007, an employment tribunal in Manchester heard.

Brain scans to help autistic - NEW testing being launched in Queensland may reveal how to teach autistic children new skills to improve their lives. Associate Professor Linda Richards from the Queensland Brain Institute said new, more powerful MRI scans could evaluate if and how therapy was working. She said the fibrous connection between the two hemispheres of the brain, called the corpus callosum, was non-existent or not well developed in people with autism and disorders such as epilepsy.

Computer firm which recruits autistic workers targets Glasgow - A pioneering Danish computer company which has specialised in recruiting workers with autism could be on the verge of setting up its first UK branch in Glasgow within the next few months. Carol Evans, director of the National Autistic Society in Scotland and Northern Ireland, who has been instrumental in helping Specialisterne to map out their plans for a UK expansion, told The Herald she was now "cautiously optimistic" that the project would get the final go-ahead within the next few months.

Family files claim after 8-year-old girl with autism is arrested at school - An 8-year-old student with Asperger syndrome was arrested, handcuffed and taken to juvenile lockup for alleged battery against two instructors at an Idaho school. Authorities moved to dismiss the case, but her family filed a $500,000 claim for damages. School officials say the girl's safety plan included law enforcement backup, while family members say they never were told of such a plan nor would they have agreed to it. Bonner County Daily Bee (Idaho) (07/14)

Family says it must move so autistic child can flourish - Daniel and Ruth Faiella have made headlines for taking their son with autism, Matthew, to Costa Rica for controversial treatments. Now the Faiellas are packing up and leaving Central Florida in search of a better public education for Matthew. Next week, while Ruth and 8-year-old Matthew fly to Buffalo to search for an apartment, Daniel Faiella will pack up the couple's Central Florida home and prepare to drive a moving van to western New York.

FBI and IRS shut quack clinics - CARE Clinics, an autism clinic on Bee Cave Road that was being investigated by insurance companies over insurance claims, was raided by the FBI and IRS agents today. The clinic has been closed, perhaps permanently. Agents are removing dozens of boxes of documents, but they declined to say what they are looking for. They directed inquiries to Special IRS Agent Mike Lemoine, who did not immediately return a call.

Gary McKinnon extradition: Oh no, the Daily Mail is right / Britain should resist US attempts toNothing to do with McKinnon, then, but everything to do with him, too.  Were 59 Labour MPs right to vote yesterday to "abandon" the computer hacker Gary McKinnon?  Or were they spineless hypocrites to vote the way they did, as today's Mail thunders across page one?  Strictly speaking, neither. The Conservative motion, defeated by 290 votes to 236 after a two-hour debate, had called on the government to review the 2003 Extradition Act "in the light of a series of high profile cases" with a view to amending it.  Nothing to do with McKinnon, then, but everything to do with him, too.

Hispanic families form group to help cope with autism - Lizette Romero stood quietly by her mother's side pulling crayons out of their box to color with. After pausing a couple of times to stare blankly at different spots on the wall, the 6-year-old continued to focus on the paper, almost making a rainbow if not for the large gaps between the swatches of color. "My biggest frustration is that she still doesn't talk," said her mother, Magdalena, in Spanish.  Lizette was diagnosed with autism when she was 18 months old and the family was living in Fontana, Calif. Upon hearing of her daughter's diagnosis, Romero said she was lost.

Jenny McCarthy: making autism advocates the butt of comics - There are many reasons I have for being vocal about my objections to Jenny McCarthy. Public health, that’s obviously a big one. Making the rest of the world look at the “autism community” as a bit of a joke, well that’s another.

Judge orders Villa Grove to allow student's service dog - A Douglas County judge has issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Villa Grove school district to allow a 6-year-old boy to bring his service dog with him to attend summer school classes. On July 9, Nichelle and Bradley Drew of Villa Grove filed suit in circuit court to require the school to allow the dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Chewey, to accompany their son, Kaleb, to school.

Living with Autism: "Losing My Little Boy" - Nothing could have prepared Nicole Kalkowski for the agony of seeing her once-bubbly and affectionate son, Ryan, slowly slip away from her into the grip of autism -- a complicated and hotly debated condition that takes a heavy toll on every family it touches. Meet Nicole, her husband, and their children as they struggle to cope with one of the nation's fastest-growing developmental disorders.

Man shares story of living with autism - Travis Breeding, 24, wants people to know that people with Asperger's Syndrome aren't disfunctional, just different. "Asperger's is a disability, but it doesn't have to be. I think it becomes a disability because of how people treat you because you are different in social situations. That leads to rejection and depression," Breeding said. Growing up, Breeding knew he was different. He was awkward socially and didn't make friends easily. For years he struggled and didn't know why. It was in October 2007, at age 22, that Breeding got a diagnosis that explained his behavior. He had Asperger's Syndrome, which is a mild form of autism.

Marines Under Investigation After Autistic Man Allowed to Enlist - Joshua Fry's career as a Marine never should have been.  Fry, who has a history of being abused and neglected and has a criminal record, is sitting in a cell at Camp Pendleton on disciplinary charges as the military investigates why a Marine recruiter picked Fry up from a California group home for the mentally disabled and drove him to a recruitment center to sign him up. Now his recruiter and other military personnel who pushed the autistic 20-year-old through boot camp could face criminal charges.  "An investigation into the circumstances of Private Fry's accession in the Corps, could lead to subsequent administrative or criminal proceedings against those directly involved, if warranted, " a high-ranking Marine based at the Pentagon told ABCNews.com.

Mother: Gay Son Suffered Brutal Harassment at Camp - A mother from Jackson County, W.Va., says her teenage son was brutally harassed at summer 4-H camp because he's gay.  "He was unconscionable, he was, he could barely speak," says the boy's mother, Valera White. White said the language was so vile that she can't categorize what was said. In fact, she didn't find out what these campers said until the police report was filed. The catch is that police can not do much because there is no law that protects White's 15-year-old son from what happened. West Virginia does not include sexual orientation in its hate crimes law.

Mother of Gary McKinnon, the hacker facing extradition, fears she will never see him again / The mother of Gary McKinnon, the Briton facing extradition to the United States for hacking into the Pentagon computer systems, spoke last night of her "terror" that she might never see him again. - Janis Sharp, 60, is convinced that if her son is handed over to the Americans he will face a "show trial" and up to 60 years in a penitentiary if convicted. "As far as I am concerned Gary cannot go," she said at her home in north London. "He would never survive. We have to fight this and fight this." Mrs Sharp, whose son suffers from a form of autism, has appealed to the Prime Minister to intercede on his behalf. Campaigners want Mr McKinnon to face trial in his home country for breaking into Nasa and Pentagon networks, rather than sending him to America. She went on: "I'm terrified of Gary being extradited to the US because at my age I would never see him again if he went there. Even if he served only half the sentence I would be dead before he came out, and if he served a quarter of it I still might not be.

Mother Sues, Says YMCA Discriminated Against Autistic Son - The mother of an autistic child said the YMCA of Greater Louisville discriminated against her son by denying him access to the Child Enrichment Program.  The mother filed a lawsuit and said she's not asking for money if she’s victorious. Juliet Ensign-Neary wants the YMCA of Greater Louisville to change the way it enrolls special needs children in the Child Enrichment Program. She said the current enrollment practices break the law.

'Nasa hacker' case raised in parliament - The Conservative Party has championed the case of Gary McKinnon, the self-confessed Nasa hacker, in an opposition day debate in parliament. On Wednesday, the Conservatives called for the extradition treaty between the UK and the US to be reviewed to avoid injustice to those accused, citing the case of McKinnon as an example. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said that in cases such as McKinnon's, which could be tried in two jurisdictions, the UK "appears to be subcontracting justice to other countries" by opting not to prosecute at home. McKinnon, who has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, faces extradition to the US for what prosecutors there have described as "the biggest military hack of all time".

New genetic study of Asperger Syndrome, autistic traits, and empathy - Scientists from the University of Cambridge have identified 27 genes that are associated with either Asperger Syndrome (AS) and/or autistic traits and/or empathy.   The research will be published today (Friday) in the journal Autism Research. This is the first candidate gene study of its kind. The research was led by Dr Bhismadev Chakrabarti and Professor Simon Baron-Cohen from the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge. Sixty-eight genes were chosen either because they were known to play a role in neural growth, social behaviour, or sex steroid hormones (e.g. testosterone and estrogen). The latter group of genes was included because AS occurs far more often in males than females, and because previous research from the Cambridge team has shown that foetal testosterone levels are associated with autistic traits and empathy in typically developing children.

New research outlines autism genes - A new study conducted at the University of Cambridge has identified 27 genes that are associated with Asperger's syndrome (AS) and autistic traits. Dr Bhismadev Chakrabarti and Professor Simon Baron-Cohen from the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge led the study, which was published today in Autism Research and is the first research of its kind.

New syndrome for autism and apraxia discovered - Scientists have completed and published a landmark study through Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland that may change the way you look at autism. Up until now, verbal apraxia has been seen as a neurologically-based speech disorder, developmental in nature, not allowing the child to make certain mouth movements and sounds, no matter how much he wants to, without extra training and treatment.  But the study, conducted by Claudia Morris, MD,  a scientist and Pediatric Emergency physician at said center has identified a new syndrome, for at least some of the children afflicted by the condition.  This syndrome, which seems to be caused at least in part by food allergies/gluten sensitivity and nutritional malabsorption, sheds new light on the causes of apraxia (dyspraxia) and how to treat it.  The study, published in the July/August issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, involved almost two-hundrred amilies with children dealing with verbal apraxia/dyspraxia and malabsorption, as well as low muscle tone,sensory integration problems and  poor coordination.  In twenty-six of the children low carnitine levels, abnormal celiac levels, gluten sensitivity and vitamin D deficiency were present. Though the sample size is small, it is worth noting.

NIH Launches Human Connectome Project - The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research is launching a $30 million project that will use cutting-edge brain imaging technologies to map the circuitry of the healthy adult human brain. By systematically collecting brain imaging data from hundreds of subjects, the Human Connectome Project (HCP) will yield insight into how brain connections underlie brain function, and will open up new lines of inquiry for human neuroscience.

Parents of Children With Autism Report High Stress Levels -  Anyone who has tried to quell a 3-year-old's temper tantrum knows that dealing with small children can be stressful, but add an autism spectrum disorder to the mix and the likelihood of parental stress significantly increases. But a new study in the July issue of the journal Autism suggests that it's not the additional daily caretaking tasks that add stress, but the behavioral issues common in children with autism.

Podcast on Autism One Radio: David Kirby and Mark Blaxill At DC Autism Briefing Today - Click HERE for the podcast on Autism One Radio.

Prompts Help Asperger's Patients Overcome Common Problem / Many people with the disorder do not spontaneously attempt to read the mental states of others--but can when asked - People with Asperger's syndrome, a variety of autism spectrum disorder, characteristically have trouble perceiving the mental states of others, making social interactions difficult. But many adults with the disorder lead highly functional lives, leaving researchers to wonder how their brains differ from those of neurologically normal adults and children.  A report published online yesterday in Science shows that many adults with Asperger's who cannot spontaneously anticipate another person’s state of mind, can still correctly guess it when given a simple verbal prompt to.

Residents invited to Asperger's conference - Autism and Asperger’s specialist Dr. Tony Attwood, from Brisbane, Australia, is coming to Salt Lake City on Monday, July 20 for a Future Horizons conference.  Davis County residents are invited to attend the conference, which will focus on all aspects of the disorder from childhood to adulthood. Attwood’s work includes more than 30 years of clinical psychology and experience in working with individuals with Asperger’s and Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

Russell Collins: Why Men Just Don't Understand / Awareness of the neurological differences between men and women can help couples better communicate  - Sometime during the 1990s in Parma, Italy, a man reached for a banana (or possibly a peanut — history has lost the exact detail), and a discovery was made about human emotions that some have compared to the discovery of DNA in biology or the theory of relativity in physics.  The man was Vittorio Gallese, a member of a team trying to learn about something rather ordinary: how a monkey’s brain generates the movement to grasp a piece of fruit.

Social reasoning, brain growth and autism - People with autism seem to have special difficulty understanding false beliefs, but research may help understand this disorder, Canadians researchers say. The study finds electroencephalogram recording of brain electrical activity linked how preschool children deal with the sometime discrepancy between how people think about the world and the way the world really is to brain development.

Speaker Pelosi: Please Include Autism! - "Health reform that does not stop autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable."  CALL 202-225-0100. And call. And call. And call.  FAX 202-225-4188 with the message and a photo of your child. Don't have a fax machine handy? Autism Votes (www.autismvotes.org) has a form makes it easy just like sending an email. A fax machine is not required but once you press send a fax will be on its way to her office.

Study raises concern about autism medication - Arthur will go up to his bedroom and put all the books on the floor and flip through each page one by one. Caption For this 9-year-old boy with autism, the fascination isn't the story, but the turning. "He would go an hour, two hours, sometimes three hours," said his mom, Katrina. His repetitive behaviors are a hallmark of autism. They soothe him. But they interfere with learning.

Tactile exploration 101: what are some sensory stimulation activities? - The benefits of tactile sensory stimulation for individuals with autism, PDD (pervasive developmental disorder), SPD (sensory processing disorder) or  vision impairment are well documented. Parents and educators of children who live with these disorders are careful to supply opportunities for sensory stimulation, but the truth is that every child can benefit from tactile experiences.  Maria Montessori believed that all children learn and experience the world through their hands. Based on that idea, she created a system of educating children that focuses on providing them with opportunities to work with their hands. Her system withstood the test of time and Montessori schools can now be found all over the world. The following activities can help you to provide tactile experiences for your child.

Teenager wings it with a fake airline - A TEENAGE boy from Yorkshire succeeded in persuading British aviation executives that he was a tycoon about to launch his own airline. Using the pseudonym Adam Tait, the smooth-talking 17-year-old told airport and airline executives that he had a fleet of jets.  Tait, who said he was in his twenties, even flew to Jersey to attend a 1½-hour long meeting with the director of its airport. Their talks were considered promising enough for a further meeting to be arranged, which was due to be held next week.

The Heart of Autism - Jeff Reul and Doug Harrington have been friends since grade school in Kirksville, MO. As boys, they shared interests in exploring old buildings, collecting baseball cards, watching Garfield cartoons, and being Boy Scouts. Nobody ever told Jeff that his friend Doug had autism. It didn't matter to him. Jeff encouraged Doug's interactions and protected him from bullies. Doug's communication improved through his relationship with a kind, intelligent and patient friend. Doug could see that Jeff had something very important to offer, and he responded in kind.

The Male Brain: What's Really Going On in There - Is he truly incapable of putting down the toilet seat? Can he really have passionate sex and not even think about calling you again? We go exploring for answers.  The more science learns about how men are different from us (right down to the structure of their brains), the more we find ourselves hoping it will finally explain some age-old mysteries. For instance: Why do men keep their cars spotless but live like pigs at home—while for women it's the other way around?  According to Simon Baron-Cohen, PhD, author of The Essential Difference: Male and Female Brains and the Truth About Autism, men's neurological wiring tends to make them better at systems, while women are superiorly rigged for empathy. Which could help explain why—although the culture is changing—guys still take such pride in their machines, while women often care more about maintaining a clean home. Another clue comes from a 2007 study (conducted for BMW by a British team that included Oxford psychologists), which found that male drivers actually view their cars as extensions of themselves. Women, whose self-image is tied more directly to their bodies, are likely to think of their vehicles as separate entities, the authors suggest. But because men are less tuned-in to their bodies, they easily project their identity onto an object. If only that object were a sink full of dirty dishes.

Utah County Mom Again Rallies Parents Of Autistic Children - When the Utah Legislature failed to pass a law that would require insurance companies to cover treatment for autistic children, Leeann Whiffen and other parents who lobbied passionately for the "Clay's Law" were disappointed. Now Whiffen has joined a national effort in hopes of convicing the U.S. Congress to do what the Utah lawmakers did not do so autistic children across the country have insurance coverage. "It's discrimination," said Whiffen of the reluctance of insurance companies to provide coverage for autism. "If your child has a stroke and is prescribed speech therapy, it's covered. If your child has autism and needs speech therapy, he's not covered."

Why a firm wants staff with autism - A computer company in Denmark which has made huge strides in employing workers with autism is expecting to begin work in the UK soon. Specialisterne was started by a Danish man whose own son has autism.  Thorkil Sonne now employs more than 40 people with autism.  He is finalising plans to set up a branch in Glasgow in the coming months.  He hopes to hire 50 workers in the first three years of operating in Scotland.  Autism affects about 1% of the population across Europe.

A failure of common sense - It will be six weeks before the High Court rules on the judicial review of the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to prosecute the British computer nerd Gary McKinnon who has admitted hacking into 97 US military computers from his London home in the months following the September 11 terror attacks. Mr McKinnon, who has Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that leads to obsessive behaviour, claims he was looking for evidence of UFOs which he is convinced the Pentagon is suppressing. The US wants to extradite him to face a jail term of up to 60 years, which is why Mr McKinnon's lawyers want him tried in the UK.

Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder - There are a ton of resources for children with autism spectrum disorder.  In fact, there is so much information and resources that it's overwhelming.  However, what happens if you're an adult with autism spectrum disorder?  There isn't an abundance of information about adult ASD.  In fact, the psychiatric world seems anxious to slap all sorts of labels on adults, except autism spectrum disorder.  Meanwhile, it's the first label they like to put on children. 

Alzheimer's Gene Discovered - Duke University researchers say they've pinpointed a gene that appears not only to predict a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease but also when the person may start showing symptoms.  Researchers say the new gene and a previously discovered gene for Alzheimer's disease - could account for as much as 85 to 90 percent of a person's genetic risk. Duke scientists also say the gene could predict the age of Alzheimer's disease onset within a five to seven year window for people older than 60.

Are mothers of autism different than their peers? - Tara Parker-Pope of NY Times Health, conducted an interview with Ann Estes, the directer of the University of Washington Autism Center. The Stress of Autism. It is a catchy title, suggesting a variation on a weather- worn theme. Autism without stress is like thunder without lightning. It doesn't matter who you are.....everyone gets out of the pool.

Asperger's syndrome hacker 'should not be extradited' / Gary McKinnon, who hacked into US military computers, will suffer psychologically if imprisoned there, his lawyers say - "Humanitarian considerations" that have arisen in the case of Asperger's syndrome sufferer Gary McKinnon mean he should not face trial in the US for hacking into American military computers, the high court heard today. In a last-ditch attempt to overturn earlier court decisions that the 43-year-old "UFO enthusiast" should be extradited, his lawyers accused prosecutors of ignoring the "disastrous consequences" of facing trial and a possible lengthy prison sentence in an American "supermax" prison.

Autism, Asperger's: Who is Truly Disabled? -  “A "Refrigerator Mother" Adult with Autism Speaks Out,” read the title of one post from an autistic perspective, which was actually “more of a cry for help than anything else,” according to the post itself. To anyone reading the post, however, it is clear that “a cry for help” is by no means an understatement. The post, written as a letter, is filled with horrendous health problems few can fathom. Perhaps what stood out most to me was “nearly dying of acute heart failure in my 20s.”  There is no doubt much anger in what is written - at the doctors who were no help, at the psychologists who would blame the parents, and more recently at the Neurodiversity proponents who are using their ASD diagnoses to attempt to speak for everyone with an ASD diagnosis. Most of the NDs just have Asperger Syndrome, which would seem comparably trivial to others who either have or are parents of those with more severe ASD-related problems
Autism tied to autoimmune diseases in immediate family - In a recent USA TODAY article, Danish researchers believe they have found clues to determine why some children are diagnosed with autism.  The researchers have linked children with autism or related disorders with having a  family history of autoimmune diseases; ie, Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease.

Autistic licence / Suddenly, Asperger’s is the new ‘it’ disorder on screen and in fiction. - On a 2006 episode of House, Fox’s popular TV drama about the misanthropic medical genius played by Hugh Laurie, Gregory House has to solve the troubling case of an autistic child. Is the 10-year-old boy screaming because he has an untreated physical ailment about which he can’t communicate, or because, well, as most of House’s team believe, that’s what severely autistic children do? House eventually saves the day, of course, but the specific illness of the week was not the real plot point. That turned on the question, now unavoidable to House’s colleagues, on whether their resident savant—sarcastic, brutally blunt, virtually friendless and utterly devoid of social niceties as he is—was himself autistic: specifically, did he have Asperger’s syndrome, the best known of the diagnoses at the high-functioning end of autism spectrum disorders? ...

Behavior and consequences for children with autism - It can take a great deal of time before an autistic child recognizes a link between behavior and consequences. The child with autism can be just as precocious and just as adventurous as the typically developing child. Sitting still or paying attention at school is not always the highest priority. What makes the guidance of behavior so difficult when it comes to autism is the challenge of comprehension and explaining to them that certain behaviors are not acceptable.

British hacker keeps fighting extradition to US - A British hacker who has been fighting extradition to the United States for seven years today made an eleventh-hour appeal to a British court to be tried in the U.K. instead of in a U.S. federal court.  Gary McKinnon, 43, has admitted that in 2001 he broke into U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and U.S. Army computer systems. However, McKinnon has been using a series of legal maneuvers and appeals to fight extradition to the U.S. since he was indicted in November 2002 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on charges related to the computer hacks.

Damages sought over youngster's arrest / A claim for damages has been filed over the arrest of an elementary school student with an autism disorder who was accused of battery on school personnel. - The tort claim seeks more than $500,000 in damages from the Lake Pend Oreille School District and Bonner County for negligence. It was filed in 1st District Court on July 6.  The school district and the county could settle the claims or reject them, which would permit Charles and Spring Towry to pursue litigation against the entities. School district Superintendent Dick Cvitanich did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. Bonner County does not comment on pending tort claims.

Despite Autism, New Author Writes Children's Book With Universal ... - Everyone has anxieties, but none more than Worried Wendy who fears her first day of school in Jenna Lumbard's debut children's book "Worried Wendy Goes To School." While serving as the premise in the first book of the series, it also happens to be the story of Lumbard's life.   "'Worried Wendy Goes To School' is a very special children's story by a very special young woman," says Amazon's editorial review. "Charming and sweet… rhyming and lyric with bold illustrations, thinking about going to school just became fun."  A Camas, Wash. native, Lumbard, 21, was born with autism and could not always understand what was said around her. She never developed speech, but learned to read very quickly. Then, with the help of a computer and personal aide, she transcribed the stories and poems she created in her head to share with others.

Hacker Gary McKinnon may kill himself or become psychotic if sent ... - Gary McKinnon could kill himself if he is extradited to face trial in America for hacking into U.S. military networks, High Court judges were told today  The 43-year-old, who has Asperger's Syndrome, could suffer a psychotic breakdown if forced to be tried abroad and possibly jailed in an American 'Supermax' prison, a barrister warned.  Mr McKinnon, from Wood Green, North London - described as a 'UFO eccentric' - is asking the judges to overturn a refusal to put him on trial in the UK instead.

Lawyer: Extraditing UK hacker would violate rights - Lawyers for a British man accused of hacking into U.S. military computers say sending him to the United States would violate his rights because he is autistic and would suffer unnecessarily if he were extradited. U.S. prosecutors say 43-year-old Gary McKinnon broke into 97 computers belonging to NASA, the Department of Defense and several branches of the military soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. McKinnon says he was looking for evidence of UFOs.

Overcoming fear in autistic children- a success story - Isaac was faced with two alternatives. He could either stay inside all day every day or go outside and face the terrifying noises that arrived with the onset of summer; cicadas rattling, mosquitoes humming, and bees that buzzed at every flower. He weighed his options on the playground carefully. There were steam shovels that pushed dirt around, swings that carried you to the sky, and best of all, his scooter equipped with his space helmet. Yes, of all the toys, the scooter was the best alternative. At least it was fast and he could hope to fly past the alien invaders and their cruel sounds and threats to overcome him.

Peer mentors for autism - "No man is an island." John Donne 1624  The notion that man cannot survive in isolation is an essential question regarding the treatment of autism. Given that self insulation is the modus operandi for an individual with autism, the tug of war remains a difficult endeavor.  Public perception is vital. How does the outside world perceive those that have developmental differences? How does person with special needs perceive those that attempt to connect with them?

Prosecutions chief 'has failed hacker' over charges - A SENIOR government law officer has been accused of "failing to confront the human rights arguments" against forcing a Scottish "UFO eccentric" to face trial in America for hacking into US military networks. A QC told two judges that extraditing Gary McKinnon, 43, who suffers from Asperger syndrome, would lead to "disastrous consequences" due to his medical condition, including possible psychosis and suicide.

Review: Adam - PLOT: Adam has a very specific way of living. He has his clothes lined out and he eats the same meal all the time. He follows a very specific pattern which is threatened after the death of his father. Specifically, Adam has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of high functioning autism that makes his ability to connect with others nearly impossible. And once a new neighbor named Beth arrives, she begins to see Adam as someone unique and possibly even attractive. As the two continue to see each other, a romance begins, yet one that is a little more difficult than your average rom-com.

Scientist First to Characterize Novel Syndrome of Allergy, Apraxia, Malabsorption - A landmark study conducted by Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland is the first to reveal a new syndrome in children that presents with a combination of allergy, apraxia and malabsorption. Autism spectrum disorders were variably present. Verbal apraxia has until now been understood to be a neurologically based speech disorder, although hints of other neurological soft signs have been described.

School bullying out of control, say parents - Parents of bullied children and victims themselves have expressed both anger and hope on the newly formed Facebook group “Bully Free Howe Sound.” “I am so happy this group is here because I felt rather alone,” wrote the mother of one bullied boy, who has a mild form of autism. “Haven’t any of the incidents in schools such as Columbine shown that bullying has to stop? There should be a no tolerance policy in place and used to its fullest extent.”

The ABC's of the IEP, etc. - “A” is for ASD…And thus begins the little-discussed, acronymic pathway that parallels the Autistic Spectrum,  a maddeningly ironic, interminable flow of counterproductive alphabet soup,  necessatating needlessly tedious, time-consuming translations (“what does that stand for?” or “what does that mean?”) that provoke the inevitable, follow-up inquiries (I.e., "and what does that mean?") Sure, it's a minor detail in the overall scheme of things, but still, it rankles.

The Stress of Autism - Raising a child with any developmental disability or behavior problem is difficult. But is there something uniquely stressful about autism? That is the question researchers at the University of Washington Autism Center tried to answer in a study of mothers of children with developmental disabilities. I spoke with Annette Estes, associate director of the center, about the research and how it might make a difference for parents of children with autism. Here’s our conversation.

Tories force a showdown in bid to prevent computer hacker Gary ... - The Tories will force a vote in Parliament tomorrow over the fate of computer hacker Gary McKinnon. With Liberal Democrats and Labour backbenchers also opposing the Asperger's sufferer being forcibly removal to the U.S. for trial, the Government could suffer an embarrassing Commons defeat.  Today Gary launches what may be his final chance to prevent his extradition to the U.S. on charges of hacking into Nasa and Pentagon computers, which he did while looking for evidence of aliens. His lawyers are challenging what they call a 'flawed' decision not to prosecute the 43-year-old in the UK - where he would face a five-year sentence in a British jail rather than up to 60 years in an American Supermax prison.

UFO eccentric Gary McKinnon in bid to avoid extradition to the ... - SUPPORTERS of Gary McKinnon, the 'eccentric' Londoner who hacked into US military networks looking for evidence of alien life, are to launch a last-ditch bid to halt his extradition to the US.  Asperger’s Syndrome sufferer McKinnon, from Wood Green, north London, is accused by American authorities of "biggest military hack of all time", involving 97 government computers belonging to organisations including the US Navy and Nasa.

US filmmakers screen documentary - Bart Weiss and Tricia Regan, two American documentary filmmakers, screened their documentary – “Autism The Musical” – at the residence of the American Counsel General as part of their three day visit to Karachi. Directed, edited and shot by Tricia Regan, the documentary is about six children suffering from autism, and how this disease affected their lives and the lives of their families. Despite the 90-minute duration, the documentary sustained the attention of the audience through out. The absence of voice-overs and continuous talking heads gave the documentary a narrative feel, and added an aesthetic dimension for the viewers. After the screening, there was a discussion with the film makers in which they expressed their desire to listen to stories from the local perspective.

Autism: Helping our kids must be a priority - Just last month, our son Matthew celebrated his 18th birthday and our family celebrated the progress he has worked so hard to achieve as he courageously and tirelessly wrestles with autism.  While Matt has made substantial advancements over the years, he enters adulthood eating just a handful of different foods, sneaking into his parents' bed three to four nights a week, and entertaining himself with toddler-level movies and computer programs.

Autism: Autism Hangout's Craig Evans' interview with 'Imperative Picture's' Graham Streeter - Autism Hangout remains my favorite internet hub for all things ‘autism awareness’ primarily due to the fact that it sorts through may of the autism ‘fluff’ pieces that bombard the internet everyday and finds those items that bring current, relevant and thought provoking material. It offers ‘newbies’ and seasoned veterans alike plenty of opportunities to read, research, interact with other members, or sit back and watch video presentations of material which is of interest to the autism awareness community.

Autism may be caused by autoimmune diseases in family history - Danish researchers have found another clue to the mysterious causes of autism, according to a study published online this month in Pediatrics.  In a study of children born in Denmark from 1993 to 2004, doctors found that many children with autism or related disorders also had a family history of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, develop when antibodies that normally fight infectious organisms instead attack the body itself  In the study, doctors examined patterns of disease among children, mothers, fathers and siblings.

Autism meltdowns verses temper tantrums - On of the most misunderstood autistic behaviors isthe meltdown.  Frequently, it is the result of some sort of overwhelming stimulation of which cause is often a mystery to parents and teachers.   They can come on suddenly and catch everyone by surprise.  Autistic children tend to suffer from sensory overload issues that can create meltdowns.  Children who have neurological disorders other than autism can suffer from meltdowns. Unlike temper tantrums, these children are expressing a need to withdraw and slowly collect themselves at their own pace.  Children who have temper tantrums are looking for attention. They have the ability to understand that they are trying to manipulate the behavior of the others, caregivers and/or peers. This perspective taking or "theory of mind" is totally foreign to the autistic child who has NO clue that others cannot "read" their mind or feelings innately. This inability to understand other human beings think different thoughts and have different perspectives from them is an eternal cause of frustration.

Boys can have anorexia, too - If a practitioner sees an underweight adolescent female, she might be suspected to have anorexia nervosa. But what if that teenage patient is male? This is a woefully opportune time to discuss male anorexia: There is widespread speculation that Michael Jackson’s death was partly due to years of staying unhealthily underweight. Up to 15% of all people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia are male, and not all do it to make weight for the wrestling team. Some have the same psychiatric illness their “ano” sisters do, with unhealthy body images and warped growth due to malnutrition. They have the same potential for damage to the bones, kidney, heart, and liver, even death.

Children of autism approach adult world - The face of autism has always been the face of a child.  He is detached from his peers. He speaks little or not at all. He is troubled and troubling.   The image is as heart-wrenching as it is incomplete.  Autism is not a childhood disorder. It never goes away.  The child born in 1980 - the year the American Psychiatric Association first added autism to its list of known mental disorders - is now nearly 30 years old.

Mandeville teen missing since Saturday - An 18-year-old Mandeville man who suffers from autism has been missing from home since Saturday, according to Mandeville Police Department spokesman Ron Ruple. Collin Specht is believed to have left home in the Fontainebleau Subdivision off West Causeway Approach seeking a ride to Florida, Ruple said. Specht is 5 feet-5 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and was wearing a red T-shirt and khaki shorts and had a blue back pack. Anyone having information is requested to contact the Mandeville Police Department at 985.626.9711.

New genetic test to detect inherited diseases in embryos / A new genetic test to spot almost all inherited diseases, including cystic fibrosis, mental retardation and some types of cancer, in embryos fertilised in the test tube, could be available within a year, health experts said here Saturday. - A new genetic test to spot almost all inherited diseases, including cystic fibrosis, mental retardation and some types of cancer, in embryos fertilised in the test tube, could be available within a year, health experts said here Saturday. The Genetic MoT (molecular test), known as Karyomapping, will be available in the market very soon.  Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Societies of India FOGSI president Narendra Malhotra and leading in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) specialist Jaideep Malhotra, returned after participating in the 25th annual conference of ESHRE (European Society for Human Reproduction) in Amsterdam late last month.

New study may explain why children with autism are different in how they learn - A new study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, examined patterns of movement as children diagnosed with autism and those without autism learned how to use a new tool. The researchers, who were from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medical, wanted to see if children with autism learn new actions differently than do children not diagnosed with autism. The findings of this study suggests that children with autism relied more on their internal sense of body position (referred to as proprioception), whereas the children not diagnosed with autism relied more on visual information from the world around them to learn new movement.  The researchers also found that the greater the children relied on proprioception, the greater the child's impairment in social and motor skills, and imitation.

No More Playdates - Seeing him alone on the playground is the most painful part.  He is eight years old and was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at age three. We have tried chelation, social skills groups, occupational therapy, RDI and even a little voodoo magic. Still, he eats alone.  For years I tried playdates. I would thumb through the school directory with a sense of defeat, dialing the mother I imagined least likely to say no. Then in my cheeriest tone, I would bargain for a day from some kid's week of baseball practice and hockey team, trying not to sound too desperate or available. If I got a yes, the real frenzy would begin. You'd think we'd be having the president of the United States for company. The preparation was unbelievable! By the end of it, I was like a strung out circus clown.   I won't do play dates anymore.

Perspectives on autism: As a parent, where do you start? - Is autism really everywhere, or does it just seem that way?  It's a complicated question that will elicit many different answers. Just to start, do you want to know if autism is more prevalent or were you wondering if you just hear about it more now?  When my son was diagnosed in 1996 many people still had not heard of it. And while my wife and I were familiar with the term, we knew very little. With everything you read and hear today about autism, you might just take for granted that awareness is everywhere and it's always been this way. I'll tell you first hand that's not the case.

Teach Autistic Children Today (TACT) goal to aid families with children with autism - In today’s tight economic times, supplementing your child’s therapeutic needs can be extremely frustrating. There are limited, if any, state or federal programs available that do not have long waiting lists for services that children with autism need today. Some months, families are left with a decision between choosing one therapy over another due to financial considerations.  Unfortunately, some of these therapies have limited or no coverage for certain types.  Coverage varies depending on your private health insurance. It’s these types of therapies that may ultimately help your child communicate verbally or perhaps even ride a bicycle.

Was Michael Jackson Autistic? - Las Vegas doctor shares his experience of being called to MJ's hotel suite in Sin City back in November 2003 with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, claiming the pop icon had "classic signs of autism."

Graduation at Developmental Disabilities Institute - County Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor) was honored to speak at the Developmental Disabilities Institute’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 24, for their pre-kindergarten Starting Early program.  The ceremony took place at their Little Plains Road Campus in Huntington. The institute has six main campuses throughout Suffolk County, along with 26 residential and day habilitation sites, which serve more than 1,500 families through a number of programs.

Hyperbaric Chamber Lawsuit Filed Over Fire During Cerebral Palsy Treatment - The family of a child with cerebral palsy and his grandmother, who died in a hyperbaric chamber fire, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated the chamber. Francesco Pio Martinizi, 4, and his grandmother, 62-year old Vincenza Pesce were killed after being caught in an explosion and flash fire in a pressurized chamber of pure oxygen at the Ocean Hyperbaric Oxygen Neurologic Center in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida on May 1. Martinizi came to the United States from Italy to receive oxygen treatment for his cerebral palsy. Pure oxygen hyperbaric chambers are illegal in Italy and many other countries due to the risk of fire and explosion.

INQUIRY: Out of their class / Special schools or mainstream schools? The debate over teaching intellectually handicapped children has raged for decades. Now an IHC report has poured petrol on the flames, reports Debrin Foxcroft - Marian Bjerga could not imagine her son, John, in an everyday school. The 22-year-old wouldn't have coped. For John has Down syndrome, and not always the  cute, happy kind seen on TV ads. John is stubborn. He's obsessed with Winnie the Pooh. He is greatly loved by his family, but he can also be a lot of work. ''I could not, on any sphere, imagine him in mainstream education,'' says Mrs Bjerga. ''They would have labelled him as unteachable, but he's not. It just has to be at his pace.'' Luckily for John and his family, he could attend Arohanui, a special school in Te Atatu South. He was able to go to school, make friends and learn at his pace. But new research commissioned by the IHC questions the value of special schools. IHC is New Zealand's largest provider of services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The Insurance Industry Doesn't Want It!" Gov. Jay Nixon on Insurance for Autism - Watch this six minute video on Governor Jay Nixon of Missouri present angrily and eloquently on the failure of the autism insurance bill passage in his state. Paraphrasing, "We have coverage for Alzheimers..."  "The industry has survived other mandates. Mammograms, prostate screening."  If the video doesn't download on AoA for you, click HERE to go to You Tube. Thank you, Governor. And thanks for keeping the insurance industry and weak politician's feet to the fire.  Thank him yourself HERE.

Portable hyperbaric chambers: An expensive folly? - Over the years, Michael Jackson has graced more tabloid covers than any other celebrity, the ghost of Elvis included. One memorable tabloid photo from the mid-1980s showed Jackson lying peacefully in a hyperbaric chamber, presumably part of his plan to stay young forever.  Perhaps inspired by that iconic image, many health seekers have climbed into hyperbaric chambers of their own. The prospect of slowing or reversing aging is one big draw. Others hope the little extra air pressure and oxygen a chamber provides can cure their cancer or some other chronic disease. In recent years, a growing number of parents have sought hyperbaric therapy to treat their children's autism or cerebral palsy.

Some Families Deal With War, Autism - Tank company commander Andy Hilmes knows about loss. The hero bracelet on his wrist bears the name Steve Booker, a buddy who did not survive the Army's 3rd Infantry division's "Thunder run" through Baghdad.  "He was protecting his crew he was protecting his platoon and that's how he died," says Andy  Back home Andy Hilmes would suffer yet another loss, one even closer to his heart.  "I saw who my son was going to become and then just like that somebody switched a light switch and Drew began to regress, he started to lose his speech."  The diagnosis was autism.

A concise Q and A from an autism gene researcher - The Baltimore Jewish Times' interview with Dr.Don Arking is a comprehensive look at the genetic piece of autism. Dr. Arking is an "assistant professor in the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Arking, a Ph.D. geneticist, specializes in identifying genes in complex diseases."  Dr. Arking's pragmatic approach to the investigation of the causes of autism is thoughtful and specific. The genetic piece is a conundrum. Dr.Arking states:" It’s quite clear there are genetic factors involved in autism. Look at sibling studies, twin studies — the inheritability of autism is considered to be 80 to 90 percent. [But] there is not a single gene, or we would have found it a long time ago."

ADHD Genes Found - Pediatric researchers have identified hundreds of gene variations that occur more frequently in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than in children without ADHD. Many of those genes were already known to be important for learning, behavior, brain function and neurodevelopment, but had not been previously associated with ADHD [Molecular Psychiatry Online, June 23, 2009].

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology advertisement - Dear Dr. Garite:  I also understand the "all autism is caused by vaccinations" community can be very persuasive. George Bernard Shaw once said, "Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything." Perhaps Scientific American can change the minds of the "all autism is caused by vaccinations" crowd, although I doubt it, as Scientific American just ran a lengthy story on the autism and Vitamin D connection and the "all autism is caused by vaccinations" crowd replied vociferously that the Scientific American article was nonsense. I appreciate you taking the time to editorialize in print this month about the advertisement the Vitamin D Council placed in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG) in March 2009, and to explain why you refused to run our ad in April and May. As you stated, this was the first time AJOG censored an ad in its 100 year history.

Antibiotic Delays Aging In Mice - An antibiotic pill originally developed for preventing organ transplant rejection has been found to also help mice live longer, offering a way to fighting age-related diseases in people, U.S. researchers reported Monday. With the appearance of a new star in the field of drugs, the experiments on mice show the drug’s ability to delay aging in laboratory animals, and it is hoped it will help do the same in humans. The drug, called rapamycin or sirolimus found in the soil from Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean, is marketed by Wyeth under the brand name of Rapamune, and not only suppresses the immune system, but also fights inflammation that underlies cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and a range of other illness. It is already being used to suppress the immune system in patients undergoing transplant operations, including as treatment for certain cancer types.

Autism and Asperger's expert Attwood to address autism conference in Columbia - One of the world’s premier authorities on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome will be in Columbia on Monday for a Future Horizons Conference. Dr. Tony Attwood will discuss possible causes of the syndrome, diagnosis, effects on the individuals, social interaction and long-term relationships from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 13, at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. His books and videos on Asperger’s Syndrome and high-functioning autism are recognized as the best offerings in the field. He conducts workshops and training courses for parents, professionals and individuals all over the world. Dr. Attwood is available for interviews prior to his visit in South Carolina. For more information on the event, contact Teresa Corey at (800) 489-0727 or teresa@fhautism.com .

Autism knows no politics, religion or borders - Autism knows neither race nor ethnicity. Autism knows no bank account. It is no respecter of stature and it increasingly falls on the just and the unjust, just like the rains from above. Addressing the issues that align themselves with autism, to no surprise, prompts solidarity and promotes understanding. This could be one of the few positive outcomes from such a devastating condition that has afflicted so many individuals and families. (Certainly there are 'differences of opinion' on inner workings and details, some extremely important and some peripheral, but the ultimate intent to decode and make sense of the autism spectrum situation is core).

Charges expected against mother in death of South St. Paul boy - For several days, South St. Paul police have said single mother Patricia Ann Becht is the only suspect in the death of her 10-year-old autistic son, and the unspecified injuries inflicted upon her 11-year-old daughter and herself.  But police have given no clue as to how and why she might have snapped in their home Monday, doing unspeakable -- and to her own family members unbelievable -- things to the children they say she's always loved.

Difference In The Way Children With Autism Learn New Behaviors ... - Researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have collaborated to uncover important new insights into the neurological basis of autism. Their new study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, examined patterns of movement as children with autism and typically developing children learned to control a novel tool. The findings suggest that children with autism appear to learn new actions differently than do typically developing children.

Extraditing autistic Scots hacker 'would be a disgrace' - THE extradition of an autistic Briton accused of hacking into US military networks is a "disgrace", MPs heard today David Heath, for the Liberal Democrats, said Gary McKinnon was "being cynically handed over" to the US authorities as part of a "one-sided" extradition treaty between the UK and America. He called on Home Secretary Alan Johnson to block the extradition.  Tition of Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon, 43, from Wood Green, north London, to allow him to be tried in Britain. Former Labour minister Tom Watson (West Bromwich E) also weighed in, demanding Mr McKinnon should be tried in the UK as removing him would be a "brutal act".

Family Speaks Out About Tragic S. St. Paul Murder - It’s a difficult crime to understand—why would a mother killer her own son and possibly try to kill her daughter?  The family of a South St. Paul woman wants to help the public see what kind of person Patti Becht really is. Her oldest daughter Cara Freeman, 16, says she’s numb—her brother is dead, and she hasn’t been able to speak to her 11-year-old sister or mother since the incident on June 6.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Panacea or pure science fiction? - A centuries-old medical concept may be one of the greatest medical discoveries you've never heard of - or at least not in the conventional sense.  So is hyperbaric oxygen therapy a bizarre science fiction oddity or a medically proven treatment? As News 3's Sue Manteris and the Healthline Team dig deeper, you be the judge. When some think of a "hyperbaric chamber," they think of that picture of Michael Jackson, twenty years ago, inhaling oxygen while sleeping in a clear cylinder.

Is TV good for our special needs kids? - Some parents swear that watching TV ruins our kid's minds, but those parents out there with a special need child will tell you that in many cases, TV is what gets through to their kids.  Singing, dancing, bright colors and education without strain, pressure or peer pressure from classmates often unlocks the bar on a child with autism, aspergers or sensory integration disorder. By no means, is the TV the answer to the child's behaviors, but it is often a catalyst to learning a lesson or important idea, that teachers and parents can't seem to get across to the child. It has long been a trick for students to learn or memorize a set of facts by putting the information to a familiar song or tune. (just ask your grandparents) But for those with a learning disability and many other types of special needs, music makes the world make sense, or at least helps them remember something in the moment.

John Travolta May Leave Scientology Over Son's Death - Many former Scientologists suspect the fallout over his son’s death may draw John Travolta from out of the Religion’s fold (all apologies to those who do not believe Scientology earns the moniker “religion”). This belief is based on whether or not Travolta will ultimately blame his faith for the death of his son. Travolta’s son, Jett, suffered from autism and his demise was pinned on a seizure disorder. Scientology does not recognise autism as a medical condition and therefore denounces the use of medication (or medication for any psychological disorder: see Tom Cruise’s castigation of Brooke Shields for medicating her postnatal depression).

Keep your sense of humor while living with autism - The perfect world for parents of autism is designed with roller babies and joy. It is a fantasy, but hardly taken lightly. New parents might even be cautioned to "lighten up", while fearful of diagnosis. Seasoned parents are chastised for their tenacity. The pressure is overwhelming.

Let there be light - For years the sun has been considered public enemy number one, causing skin damage, premature aging, skin pigmentations and increased risk of skin cancer. But before you head for the shade this summer, consider this: Those nasty rays are needed in the production of vitamin D, and by blocking out the sun, you are risking a deficiency that could leave you open to all sorts of ailments. An increasing number of scientific studies are now pointing to vitamin-D deficiency as a factor at play in a catalog of illnesses including colds and flu, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, auto-immune disorders, depression, osteoporosis and numerous cancers. It has even been suggested as one possible cause of autism. At the root of the deficiency is the modern-day habit of shunning the sun, says the pro-vitamin D camp. Add to that lifestyle factors, such as city-living which mean we live a much more indoor existence than our ancestors did, and you have a population that is simply not getting enough sunlight to produce the vitamin D their body needs.

Molly's story of diagnosis and family support - Jamie Ryan explains, “With kids like Molly her senses don’t quite work the same way ours do.“ Signs of her daughter’s Asperger Syndrome, a mild form of autism could be seen as early as a month old. The family realized that, only after she was diagnosed at age 2.  Carilion Clinic Pediatric Specialist Dr. Colleen Kraft has been treating Molly from the start. She says, “The prejudice is always to say well something is wrong with that child she should be disciplined her parents really should do better with her… When in fact her parents are doing everything they possibly can.“

Overcoming fear- tips for parents of autistic children - Corinne (not her real name) breathed deeply trying to release the knot of tension she felt in her stomach. She didn’t know what to do. It was the fifth time that day she had come to the rescue of her son Isaac who was cowering in a corner in of the playground, fingers in his ears, stiffened with fear and incomprehensible. It was not a bully or a mad dog he was afraid of, it was the humming sound of a mosquito that was sending him over the edge. She had tried speaking calmly to him, tried getting him to count to ten, tried killing all mosquitoes within a ten foot radius, even at one point had tried yelling at him to try and get his attention, but the response was the same. She felt helpless as she watched her happy playful 5 year old gradually withdraw into an unresponsive cowering heap who had to be dragged outside to play.

Peace in the Music - When Kirkland Leach was diagnosed with autism, doctors told his mother, Danielle Spencer, that her son would never be able to speak, let alone function on his own. Pop singer, it seemed, wasn't in the cards. As a baby, Leach cried and screamed incessantly. His parents tried everything. When Leach was two, his father put a keyboard down and something clicked: The boy found peace.  After Leach's musical discovery there was little else he wanted to do. He would play for hours, sometimes refusing to stop even to eat. And while his mother noticed her son beginning to emerge from the casings of his afflictions, the behavioral problems persisted. Leach was kicked out of five schools by first grade. Certain words sent him into violent rages.

Single gene mutation may lead to catastrophic epilepsy - Catastrophic epilepsy – characterized by severe muscle spasms, persistent seizures, mental retardation and sometimes autism – results from a mutation in a single gene, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers in a report that appears in the current issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.  The BCM department of neurology team replicated the defect in mice, developing a mouse model of the disease that could help researchers figure out effective treatments for and new approaches to curing the disease, said Dr. Jeffrey Noebels, professor of neurology, neuroscience and molecular and human genetics at BCM and director of the Blue Bird Circle Developmental Neurogenetics Laboratory at BCM, where the research was performed.

Technology takes new step in search for missing persons - Technology takes a new step in the search for missing people today.  A new device promises to help authorities find those with conditions from Alzheimer’s to autism.  A device similar to one that is used to find stolen cars my soon be used in Central Massachusetts to find missing people.  If they go missing their caregiver or family member will immediately call the police who have search and rescue receivers and they will punch in the person locator code on the personal locator unit and they will go search with a portable receiver. The equipment was created by LoJack to help people with conditions that put them at risk of wandering or getting lost such as Alzheimer’s disease or autism. As long as the person has this wristband on, public safety officials will be able to track them down through the transmission of radio signals.