| by Scott Campbell |
| Oct 31, 2008 |
| 1. 29 October- FCPS SPONSORED WORKSHOP on Monitoring and Compliance – Referral to Eligibility. Do you understand the special education process from referral to eligibility? Join us to learn about referral, consent, timelines, local screening, 504 and eligibility. It is on October 29, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the South County Center, Mount Vernon Room, 8350 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309. Topics will include student support, 504 screening procedures, timelines, parental notice and consent, private school students, private assessments and the appeal process. Please call 703-204-3941 or email prc@fcps.edu (and type “Monitoring and Compliance” in the subject line) to register.
2. 29 October- The PROACTIVE PARENTS support group of Special Education Partners, LLC PRESENTS: An Overview -- Measurement and Remediatiation of Your Child's Reading Deficits--testing, appropriate reading programs/services, reading goals, etc. SPEAKER: Maureen Nameroff, MS,; Special Education Partners, LLC, Educational Consultant. Maureen will draw from her experience implementing and evaluating educational test results to determine areas of deficit in reading, as well as from former experience as a Special Education teacher. In addition, as a parent of children with special needs and an active member of the ACSD (Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities), she has researched reading services/programs offered by FCPS as well as outside of the school system, and has even spoken with the creators of some of these programs. It is on Wednesday, October 29 from 7 to 9pm at the Kings Park Public Library Meeting Room. 9000 Burke Lake Road in Burke, VA. Please RSVP to beth@spedpartners.com. 3. 29 October- A special needs book club will begin in October sponsored by Parents Of Exceptional Children (POEC) at the Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnehaven Place, Oakton, VA 22124. The selected book of the Month is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. For more info and to RSVP, contact poec@poec.org. Check out the POEC Calendar at www.poec.org for more info. 4. 1 November- Feeding Management Workshop sponsored by DSANV at a Time and Location TBA. For more info, contact Noelle Holloman at noelleholloman@gmail.com. 5. 2 November- Eddie's Club workshop and respite care on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 2pm to 4pm at the Washington Irving Middle School, 8100 Olde Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152. Map is at http://www.fcps.edu/maps/irving.htm. An opportunity for youngsters, boys and girls ages 4 - 21 that have any form of special need, to participate in a supervised, volunteered based, social and recreation program. Parents Workshop: The Special Education Ombudsman: Parents Supporting Parents - Phyllis Cook. Challenged Moms room dedicated to moms that just want to talk among themselves. More info is at http://www.eddiesclub.org. 6. 3-4 November- POAC-NoVA Workshop by Tom Caffery, BCBA at the Annandale Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College on Managing Problem Behaviors in School and Home Settings. The requirements of every day life sometimes demand that children merely learn to comply with the directives that are given to them, e.g. its time to line up for music; no, you can’t have that toy now, etc. Teachers and parents who are unable to insure the compliance without problem behavior report dissatisfaction with this situation. Over the past 20 years an effective technology for reducing problem behavior has emerged within the field of applied behavior analysis. The literature on functional assessment within the field of applied behavior analysis has provided teachers and parents with effective protocols for reducing problem behavior once the function of the behavior is determined. Unfortunately, this technology is seldom applied in public school settings. The primary focus of this workshop will be on behavior reduction programs that address the most frequently determined functions: socially mediated positive and socially mediated negative reinforcement. The presenter will use video extensively to illustrate how the science is applied to address the most common problem behavior scenarios (transitioning from preferred to unpreferred activities and accepting no). More details will be put on the website of http://www.poac-nova.org soon! Directions are at http://www.nvcc.edu/annandale/annandalenew/directions.htm. 7. 6 November- Autism Workshop for military parents on "How to get the most out of Tricare" at Fort Belvoir, VA from 1830 to 2030 at the AFTB (Army Family Team Building)- Next to Dunkin Doughnuts----Left Side entrance—see posted flyer on door), 9651 Gunston Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. It was going to be in Building 200, SOSA Center; but that changed. This workshop will provide the latest details on increasing the monthly dollar limits for ABA therapy under the ECHO Program, extending that program to retirees, and the autism ABA Demo. RSVP to Marcia O'Connor, ACS EFMP Manager for Fort Myer at (703) 696-8467/3510. 8. 6 November- Understanding Educational Assessment workshop by Amy Fortney Parks, MA, LPC-R on Thursday, November 6 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Resurrection Children's Center 2280 N. Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311 (in the Church Library). Seating is limited, call to reserve your space! RSVP to RCC, 703-578-1314. Questions? Call Susan Keightley at 703-862-1123. 9. 6 November- Infant Mental Health Workshop by Cheryl Wietz, LCSW on Atypical Behavior Strategies for Early Interventionists on Thursday, November 6, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. It is at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House and Conference Center (Formerly the Holiday Inn), 2801 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 (540) 736-1006. Cost: $10 (includes continental breakfast, lunch, and conference handouts). Register early! Conference space is limited and registration is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration deadline: October 29. No On-Site Registrations. Cancellation/Refund Deadline: Friday, October 29 – 757-683-4333. Please make check payable to: “ODURF 800453” and mail check to: Infant Mental Health, T-TAC ODU, Old Dominion University, Child Study Center, Room 224. Norfolk, VA 23529-0164. For payment questions, please contact Jean Bondy at jbondy@odu.edu. Please use “Infant Mental Health” as the subject line. All T-TAC ODU workshops require pre-registration. Overnight accommodations, travel expenses and dinner the day of the conference are the responsibility of the participant. 10. 6 November- Special Event Hosted by ICON Community Services, Inc. On Thursday, November 6th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. ICON has arranged for Dale DiLeo, author, nationally known consultant and advocate to present at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in the Vesuna Auditorium. “Thirty years ago, as a young man working at a facility for children with autism, Dale DiLeo was shown a tiny, hot and smelly bedroom. Reserved for up to four young men with autism, those least trusted by staff, this room was locked—from the outside—all night long. It was named after Raymond, the room’s perennial resident.” Raymond’s Room makes a compelling case that today; people with disabilities are still locked away from the rest of society. They may not be necessarily housed in rooms like Raymond’s, but they are placed in facilities and programs run by a public monopoly unwilling to change. DiLeo describes the downsides to current practices in the field and then offers up proven alternatives. Registration fee is $15.00. For more information please visit www.iconservices.org. 11. 7 November- FCPS First Friday is a free monthly workshop for parents of children with special needs. Does thinking about your child’s homework, schoolwork, and projects make you feel like YOU are back in school? Join us for a parent-to-parent discussion of practical strategies to help your child “Do Homework Without Throwing Up!” We will view segments of this DVD by Trevor Romaine and explore proven strategies to help prevent procrastination, frustration, and the sense of being overwhelmed. It is on Friday, November 7, 2008 from 10:00 to 2:00 at The Parent Resource Center, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, Virginia 22027. Seating is limited. Refreshments will be served. Please call 703-204-3941 or email prc@fcps.edu (type “First Friday” in the subject line) to register. 12. 8 November- 14th Annual Arc of Greater Prince William Circle of Support Conference will most likely at Hylton High School in Woodbridge, VA from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Two workshop sessions are scheduled for 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Rich Villa on Collaboration for a Life Worth Living with at least 34 workshops, exhibitors and vendors, on-site childcare and sibshops. For more information, contact Jan Toone Russell at (703) 730-3124, 670-4800, or e-mail her at jrussell@arcgpw.org. The registration packet is available to download at http://www.arcgpw.org. 13. 8 November- Walk Now for Autism in DC on Saturday, November 8th, 2008 at the Washington Monument Grounds, Constitution Avenue at 15th Street on The National Mall in DC. Registration is at 8:30am and the walk starts at 10am. It is a fundraising event organized by Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism, and to advocating for the needs of affected families. If interested, please go to http://www.walknowforautism.org/site/c.otJUJ3MPIuE/b.3621145 or www.dcautismwalk.org. 14. 8 November- Exceptional friends and colleagues – we had some much fund with WALL:E that we’ve decided to do it again. Please feel free to distribute in the community. We have also enabled our website for online registration. Showing of "Madagascar - Return 2 Africa" for special needs families on Saturday, Nov. 8th from 9:30am to 12:00pm at Tyson's Corner, VA. Go to http://www.raymondjames.com/waddellgroup/ASpecialInvitation.aspx for more details and how to RSVP. 15. 14 and 15 November- The Howard County Autism Society proudly announces the Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Boot Camp on November 14th and 15th is open for registration. This is a comprehensive conference that covers special education law, advocating for your child and getting the education and services they need and deserve. Register now online at www.howard-autism.org. Registration fee is $145 for parents; $165 for professionals; and $175 for families. Subsidies are available to HCAS members. 1.2 Continuing Education Units are $18. Registration is due by November 7, 2008. The conference is at the Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville, Maryland from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Registration is at 8:00 on November 14th. Breakfast and lunch are served on both days of the conference. For more information, visit our website www.howard-autism.org or contact the Howard County Autism Society at 410-290-3466 or contact Info@howard-autism.org. 16. 15 November- POAC-NoVA Information and Support Group Meeting. The tentative topic is "How to fund your child’s interventions" by a number of speakers on how to fund and protect your child’s interventions through Medicaid waivers, special needs trusts and other financial planning tools. It is on Saturday, 15 November 2008 from 1 to 4:30 pm in the library of the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA (From the Capital Beltway (495), take exit 52A, (Little River Turnpike West; also called Route 236 West). The JCCNV is located on the right-hand side, 1.5 miles west on Little River Turnpike, at the intersection of Guinea Road). 17. The FCPS Parent Resource Center newsletter for October is at http://www.fcps.edu/cco/prc/documents/OctoberNewsletterprc.pdf. 18. FCPS link to Diploma Options and Graduation info is at http://www.fcps.edu/ss/StudentServices/Guidance/gdscogrd.htm. 19. Parenting Playgroups, Inc. Class for Homeschooling Families We are pleased to offer a new class for Homeschooling Families. We are opening our play space on Wednesday afternoons from 12:30 to 2:30pm starting on Nov. 5th. This class will run as a cooperative group with 1 preschool teacher and 2 parents working during each class time. This is a mixed age class for children 3 to 8 years old. The cost of this class is $24 per two hour session, $91.20 per month with a discount for sibling spaces. Your first class is a free trial. Reservations are required. To reserve a space please email rene@parentingplaygroups.com or call (703)922-0044. Also, Class for Children with Special Needs. We are pleased to offer a new class for Children with Special Needs. We are opening our play space on Thursday afternoons from 12:30 to 2:00pm starting on Nov. 6th. This is a class that parents and children attend together. There will be 2 preschool teachers to facilitate activities. This class is open to children 2 to 5 years old. The cost of this class is $24 per 90 minute session, $91.20 per month with a discount for sibling spaces. Your first class is a free trial. Reservations are required. To reserve a space please email rene@parentingplaygroups.com or call (703)922-0044. 20. "Sweetener Controversy Grows- Funding For Many Of The High Fructose Corn Syrup Studies Came From Companies With A Financial Stake In The Outcome" dated 1 October 2008 by Kim Lengle frm CBS News at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/01/cbsnews_investigates/main4491513.shtml. "Ads hyping high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for its similarities to sugar are hitting the airwaves - part of a major marketing campaign from the Corn Refiners Association meant to combat the bad rap that HFCS has gotten in the past years. The commercials feature products containing HFCS - a mother pouring a jug of juice and a woman feeding her boyfriend a popsicle. In both, characters question the health risks of consuming the corn-derived sugar replacement but can’t quite articulate what’s harmful about it. Critics say it contributes to weight gain and tricks your body into wanting to eat more. And a lot of health-conscious people think it’s a toxic chemical concoction that can’t be good for you. But the industry says it’s just fine. In fact, they make an interesting argument - HFCS is the same as sugar. Much of the debate surrounding HFCS focuses on the difference between old-fashion table sugar and the replacement, which is now common in the majority of processed foods. It prolongs shelf life of food, maintains moisture and is cheaper than sugar. “We want to correct the record,” said Audrea Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association. “Being led to believe that consuming sugar is better than high fructose corn syrup is not based on fact.” …" 21. "M.I.N.D. Institute Researchers Find Important Clue to Learning Deficit in Children with Autism- High-tech eye-tracking equipment reveals autistic children look at a teacher's face less than normal children" dated 10 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12255. "A study by researchers at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute has discovered an important clue to why children with autism spectrum disorders have trouble imitating others: They spend less time looking at the faces of people who are modeling new skills. The study was conducted using high-technology eye-tracking headgear and software that measures with precision the point at which a child is looking when learning a task. Researchers used an actor to demonstrate a task on a computer screen. “We found that the children with autism focused on the demonstrator’s action and looked at the demonstrator’s face much less often than did typically developing children,” said Giacomo Vivanti, a postdoctoral researcher at the M.I.N.D. Institute and the study’s lead author. "The typically developing children may be looking at the demonstrator’s face to check for information on what to do or how to respond appropriately, information that the children with autism are less inclined to seek. This is an important finding, because children with autism have difficulty learning from others. This might be one key to why that is so," Vivanti said. Imitation plays an important role in how children learn, as well as in how people interact socially, said M.I.N.D. Institute researcher and senior study author Sally J. Rogers, who has been studying imitation impairment and autism for more than 20 years. “This is a trait we see as early as we can diagnose autism, and it’s one of the traits that is present even in mildly impaired adults,” Rogers said. Impaired imitation leads to additional impairments in sharing emotions, pretend play, pragmatic communication and understanding the emotional states of others. For years, scientists thought that children with autism and related disorders had trouble with learning through imitation because they had poor motor skills or because they did not pay attention to the action being performed. The current study rules out these hypotheses. …" 22. "Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification for genetic screening in autism spectrum disorders: Efficient identification of known microduplications and identification of a novel microduplication in ASMT" dated 16 October 2008 by Cai G, Edelmann L, Goldsmith JE, Cohen N, Nakamine A, Reichert JG, Hoffman EJ, Zurawiecki DM, Silverman JM, Hollander E, Soorya L, Anagnostou E, Betancur C, and Buxbaum JD. in BMC Med Genomics at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18925931?dopt=Abstract. "ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: It has previously been shown that specific microdeletions and microduplications, many of which also associated with cognitive impairment (CI), can present with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) represents an efficient method to screen for such recurrent microdeletions and microduplications. METHODS: In the current study, a total of 279 unrelated subjects ascertained for ASDs were screened for genomic disorders associated with CI using MLPA. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and/or direct DNA sequencing were used to validate potential microdeletions and microduplications. Methylation-sensitive MLPA was used to characterize individuals with duplications in the Prader-Willi/Angelman (PWA) region. RESULTS: MLPA showed two subjects with typical ASD-associated interstitial duplications of the 15q11-q13 PWA region of maternal origin. Two additional subjects showed smaller, de novo duplications of the PWA region that had not been previously characterized. Genes in these two novel duplications include GABRB3 and ATP10A in one case, and MKRN3, MAGEL2 and NDN in the other. In addition, two subjects showed duplications of the 22q11/DiGeorge syndrome region. One individual was found to carry a 12 kb deletion in one copy of the ASPA gene on 17p13, which when mutated in both alleles leads to Canavan disease. Two subjects showed partial duplication of the TM4SF2 gene on Xp11.4, previously implicated in X-linked non-specific mental retardation, but in our subsequent analyses such variants were also found in controls. A partial duplication in the ASMT gene, located in the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) of the sex chromosomes and previously suggested to be involved in ASD susceptibility, was observed in 6-7% of the cases but in only 2% of controls (P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: MLPA proves to be an efficient method to screen for chromosomal abnormalities. We identified duplications in 15q11-q13 and in 22q11, including new de novo small duplications, as likely contributing to ASD in the current sample by increasing liability and/or exacerbating symptoms. Our data indicate that duplications in the TM4SF2 are not associated with the phenotype given their presence in controls. The results in PAR1/PAR2 are the first large-scale studies of gene dosage in these regions, and the findings at the ASMT locus indicate that further studies of the duplication of the ASMT gene are needed in order to gain insight into its potential involvement in ASD. Our studies also identify some limitations of MLPA, where single base changes in probe binding sequences alter results. In summary, our studies indicate that MLPA, with a focus on accepted medical genetic conditions, may be an inexpensive method for detection of microdeletions and microduplications in ASD patients for purposes of genetic counselling if MLPA-identified deletions are validated by additional methods." 23. "Fluorescent Facts" dated 16 October 2008 in a press release from Precision Abrasives & Tools, Inc. at http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/550876. "Joining forces with the mass movement to clean up our environment, Precision Cooperative Purchasing is beginning and developing a recycling program in the state of NJ for all mercury containing lamps or bulbs. It is a little-known fact that beneath the glass casing, fluorescent lamps contain from 5 to 50 mg. of mercury, usually exceeding the EPA's regulatory 2mg./liter threshold. The mercury, excited by an electric current, produces ultraviolet energy which is converted to visible light by a phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb. When these lamps are thrown into landfills and shattered, or at the very worst incinerated, mercury vapors are released that can travel up to 200 miles. Last year an estimated 600,000,000 fluorescent bulbs were disposed of in landfills, amounting to about 30,000 pounds of mercury waste. As most are aware, mercury is a highly toxic substance. Once absorbed, it is distributed via blood to all areas of the human body, wrecking havoc upon the nervous system and kidneys, among other areas. Its acute (immediate) effects include nausea, blurred vision, painful breathing, excessive salivation and pneumonitis, and its chronic (long-term) effects include memory disturbance, hypertension, vision problems, hallucinations, tremors and personality changes. In extreme cases, mercury poisoning has been shown to even cause death. Its effects are also of special concern to pregnant women as it crosses the placental barrier affects brain development. Several studies have linked mercury to cerebral palsy and the sudden prevalence of autism. …" 24. "Sensory Friendly Films Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You!- November 8 screening of "Madagascar 2" dated 16 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12199. "Don’t miss the next ASA/AMC Sensory Friendly Film on November 8! This month’s show is Madagascar 2. In order to accommodate the unique needs of the autism community, as well as those with other disabilities, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced. Families will also be allowed to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks. Did you go to one of our previous Sensory Friendly Films? Tell us what you thought! Sensory Friendly Films will take place at AMC theatres across the country at 10 a.m. local time on November 8. Price varies from $4-$6 depending on location at AMC White Marsh 16, 8141 Honeygo Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 21236; AMC Columbia Mall 14, 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, Md. 21044; AMC Tysons Corner 16, 7850 Tysons Corner Center, Mclean, Va. 22102; AMC Potomac Mills 18, 2700 Potomac Mills Cir., 886-F3, Woodbridge, Va. 22192; and AMC Rio Cinemas 18, 9811 Washingtonian Ctr., Gaithersburg, Md. 20878." 25. "Pediatrician Looks Past The Blame" dated 21 October 2008 by Sandra G. Boodman from The Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/17/AR2008101702689.html. "Kathy Rivers thought she had become accustomed to the jaundiced judgments of other people. A pediatrician by training, she knew that friends and some fellow physicians thought she was somehow responsible for the perplexing illnesses of her three children. Even so, Rivers said, she was taken aback when a pediatric neurologist at Johns Hopkins accused her of exaggerating, or fabricating, their symptoms, which included migraines, seizures, vertigo, severe digestive problems and chronic infections. "He basically said he thought I had a psychological need to have sick children, that I was making it up and that I didn't need to come back," Rivers recalled of the 2004 appointment, which left her stunned, then resigned. "Too many other docs had already blown me off, or thought I was crazy or medical-attention-seeking," but none had been as unvarnished in their views. Rivers decided she needed to stop dragging her kids to doctors searching for a why and focus instead on coping with what was. Ironically it was the specialist's accusation -- for which he later apologized -- that proved to be a turning point in a largely fruitless, decade-long quest. After Rivers told the children's trusted pediatrician, Marcia Schwartz of Columbia, about the incident, Schwartz asked her a question: Would Rivers take her children to one more doctor? The Ellicott City mother reluctantly agreed to see Carol Greene, director of the pediatric genetics clinic at the University of Maryland Medical Center. It was Greene who played a pivotal role that led to a definitive diagnosis for Emily, now 16, the most severely ill of Rivers's children, and revealed a likely cause for the baffling medical problems that affected 9-year-old John and his older sister, a college sophomore who has milder symptoms. Emily's diagnosis raised questions in Rivers's mind about some of her own problems -- including migraines, vertigo and muscle pain -- that had originated in childhood. …" 26. "Why Barack Obama is Best for People with Disabilities" dated 21 October 2008 by Kareem Dale in a press release from Obama for America at http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/kareemdale/gGg3Mv and at http://www.barackobama.com/issues/disabilities. "There has been a lot of discussion about personal connections to the disability community. I wanted to make sure you knew that Barack Obama has multiple personal connections to our community, which will help guide his policies and plans to improve the lives of all Americans with disabilities. Accordingly, I am posting the following op-ed written by Mike Strautmanis, a long-time close personal friend of Barack and Michelle as well as the former Chief Counsel in Barack’s Senate office. Mike has a son who is on the autism spectrum. I think this op-ed will help crystallize that Barack Obama is the candidate for all Americans with disabilities, not only because he has a detailed four-part Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities, but also because he understands the barriers that need to be broken down to level the playing field for people in our community and is personally committed to the government breaking down those barriers. …" 27. "McCain Senior Policy Advisor Responds To Autism Questionnaire" dated 23 October 2008 by Rebecca Estepp from the Age of Autism blog at http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/10/mccain-senior-p.html#more. "From: Douglas Holtz-Eakin on Monday, October 20, 2008 6:35 PM- Rebecca: Sorry to send these to you so late, but I have been traveling and this is the first open window. 1) With regard to question number one as to whether or not Senator McCain will issue an Executive Order banning the use of thimerosal in vaccines for children and pregnant women: In July 1999, the Public Health Service agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure. Concerns about the use of thimerosal in vaccines and other products have been raised, and because of these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration has worked with, and continues to work with, vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from vaccines. If elected, Senator McCain will work with all Public Health Service agencies to ensure that we take all necessary steps in an expedient manner to ensure safe vaccines for every American family. 2) With regard to question number two as it relates to the current schedule: John McCain believes the key to health care reform is to restore control to the patients themselves. Families should be in charge of their health care…and have more control over care. In light of this, John McCain believes in the right for individuals and in the case of children, parents, to make informed health care decisions, and does not support pre-empting these prerogatives. John McCain is very concerned about the rising incidence of autism among America's children and has continually supported research into its causes and treatment. He has heard countless stories about families' hardships in obtaining a diagnosis for their child's autism, accessing quality medical treatment, and receiving appropriate education services. …" 28. "McCain Addresses Vaccine Safety, Obama Silent" dated 23 October 2008 by Rebecca Estepp from the Age of Autism blog at http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/10/mccain-addresse.html#more. "I'm a registered independent voter. Since autism blew into my life with the diagnosis of my son, Eric, I no longer subscribe to either party. Autism affects the children of Democrats and Republicans equally. Autism affects Americans. My party affiliation is now autism/vaccine safety. While there are many other issues facing our country today - our economy, global warming, alternative energy and fighting two wars among them- autism/vaccine safety is my issue. For the 2008 election, I am a one-issue voter, and I am not alone. Many voters are concerned about vaccine safety. (HERE) As the wife of a Marine who has served three war-time deployments overseas over the last five years, you would think the war would be the most important issue to me, but it's not. This war will be over at some point, but the effects of vaccine damage will last for generations. I am extremely concerned about babies that are being injected on a daily basis with neurotoxins that are causing countless medical conditions and stealing their potential for a full life. It weighs heavily on my heart. This is the precise reason I took it upon myself to challenge the Presidential Candidates to issue two executive orders that, if implemented, would begin to address vaccine safety. VIDEO (HERE) …" 29. "Special Education Attorney on Palin's Record" dated 23 October 2008 by Jennifer Laviano from the Age of Autism blog at http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/10/special-educati.html#more. "As we near the Presidential election in just three weeks, I have been asked by many of you to comment on my thoughts on Gov. Palin and what she can and will do for special education students. As an attorney whose practice focuses exclusively on the representation of children with disabilities, I always investigate candidates' positions and records on this very critical moral and financial issue. One of my clients recently suggested that I share with others what I have learned, and so here it is. When Gov. Palin first came to my attention, I was, as I am sure all of you who care about this issue, intrigued to have someone on the national platform who talks about children with special needs. Since hearing her say this repeatedly in speeches, I have been waiting, and waiting, to hear some specifics on special education reform. Most of all, I want to know what her stance is on the IDEA, the federal statute that governs special education. The IDEA is up for reauthorization by Congress in 2010, and it is crucial that it reflect the policies and funding structure necessary to protect and appropriately educate our children with disabilities. I needed to know what Gov. Palin thinks about the future of special education legislation in this country. I know where the other three on the tickets stand; Senators Obama and Biden have issued position statements on the IDEA to various parent groups, strongly supporting full funding for the IDEA and the rights of children with disabilities and their parents. The Obama-Biden website has a direct link to the ticket's position on disabilities. Senator McCain's website does not have such a link and neither he nor Palin have provided those positions on the IDEA to parent advocacy groups. Senator McCain does have a supportive position on the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) which has been published. I was, however, extremely disappointed in his discussion on the Senate floor regarding the Reauthorization of the IDEA 2004, in which he expressed his concerns that parents of children with disabilities who have to sue to secure appropriate services for their children under the Statute and win against districts shouldn't have their attorneys' fees covered. This is not just a matter of self-interest for me, it is the difference between families, especially poor families, being able to vindicate their civil rights or not. But I knew those things, I did not know where Palin stood, and I wanted to find out. …" 30. "Vote 4 Autism in 2008- Election Day is November 4" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12268&JServSessionIdr001=iv4up66qs4.app26a. "For far too long, people with autism and their families, have not had a voice in the electoral process. ASA is working to change that by educating candidates about issues directly affecting the autism community, offering solutions to our nation’s challenges and empowering the autism community to make informed decisions. But ASA isn’t the one in the booth pulling the lever—we need YOU to go out and VOTE! Election Day is only a few weeks away—be an informed voter this November 4 and familiarize yourself with the candidates’ plans for autism. Read John McCain’s plan for Combating Autism in America and Barack Obama’s plan for Supporting Americans with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Both candidates also wrote to the Autism Society of America and the National Health Council this July for our town hall meeting on health care—their statements are both available on ASA’s Vote 4 Autism page. And don’t miss the chance to show off your advocacy stripes this election season with ASA’s new Vote 4 Autism t-shirt! Also newly available are ASA logo and ASA ribbon t-shirts. Check them out here. ASA is working to make sure your voice is heard—now it’s time for you personally to speak out on behalf of our cause in the voting booth! ASA does not endorse any candidate or party and encourages all candidates to seek solutions to improve the lives of all affected by autism." 31. "Research Shows People with Autism Make More Rational Decisions- New U.K. study suggests altered emotional processing" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12269. "People with autism-related disorders are less likely to make irrational decisions and are less influenced by gut instincts, according to new research. The study adds to the growing body of research implicating altered emotional processing in autism. Previous studies have shown that our response to a problem depends on how the problem is posed—the so called “framing effect.” A surgeon who tells a patient that there is an 80 percent chance of surviving an operation is more likely to gain consent than one who tells the patient there is a 20 percent chance of dying, even though statistically these mean the same thing. Now, in a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers in Professor Ray Dolan's group at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at University College London (UCL) have used the framing effect to study decision making in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Participants in the study performed a task involving deciding whether or not to gamble with a sum of money. For example, they would be given £50 and be presented with two options: option A was to keep £20 and option B was to gamble, with a 40 percent chance of keeping the full £50 and a 60 percent chance of losing everything. This version was known as the “gain frame.” At other times, the participants would be presented with the “loss frame,” the only difference being that option A was phrased in terms of losing money. In other words, when given £50, option A was to lose £30 of their initial amount and option B was the same as above. Despite option A being essentially the same in both gain and loss frames, the researchers found that the “control” participants—those without ASD—were more likely to gamble if the first option was to “lose” rather than “keep” money. For participants with ASD, this effect was much smaller, suggesting that this latter group was less susceptible to the framing effect—in other words, they were less likely to be guided by their emotions into making inconsistent or irrational choices. "During social interactions a lot of information must be processed simultaneously, making this a very complicated computational task for the brain,” explains Dr. Benedetto De Martino. “To solve these complex problems we rely on simplifying heuristic—gut instincts—rather than extensive logical reasoning. However, the price that we seem to pay for this ability is that sometimes irrelevant contextual information leads us to make inconsistent or illogical choices.” …" 32. ""Fun with Messy Play"- Ideas and activities for children with special needs" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12271. "Funny smells, sticky hands and squishy textures are all part of the way in which children develop sensory awareness. Fun with Messy Play is an activity book that heightens the sensory perception of children with special needs through the imaginative use of everyday messy materials like baked beans, condensed milk, jelly or glue. The activities in this book are fun for children and can help to improve their coordination, communicative and cognitive abilities, as well as their self-esteem and social skills. Each exercise focuses the child on a movement or sensation that they will later be able to apply to everyday life. Allowing children to explore their senses while having fun, messy play provides a relaxing therapy that encourages sensory responsiveness without placing stressful expectations on the child. This is an easy-to-use, practical resource for parents and professionals. It includes ideas and examples from practitioners, along with helpful suggestions for different types of equipment that can be used. Learn more or purchase the book at Amazon.com." 33. "New Book Offers Suggestions for Asperger Couples- "Asperger Counselling for Couples" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12276. "Asperger Counselling for Couples provides a complete model for counseling couples where one partner has Asperger Syndrome (AS). The book, published in the U.K., provides details of the seven different stages of the model and includes anecdotal evidence from clients who have used it. The author explains the importance of initial separate counseling and describes the co-counseling process using case studies to demonstrate useful strategies. The book offers valuable advice on improving communication and cooperation, and includes activity sheets. Based on considerable experience, this book will be invaluable for counselors treating couples where one partner has Asperger Syndrome. Its insight into the world of AS will also benefit such partners who may not have access to counseling, but still wish to use for themselves the many and varied strategies it contains. Parents with children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as teachers and other professionals working in this field, can also benefit from it. Learn more or purchase the book at Amazon.com." 34. "New site for Developmental Disability News- DisabilityScoop.com" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12279&JServSessionIdr001=362dy26yk3.app20a. "Disability Scoop is a new Web site created by two professional journalists, Michelle Diament and Shaun Heasley, which gathers articles from across the Web and publishes original content on the issues affecting everyday life. The site focuses on five core coverage areas: Education: Everything from IEPs to transition, college opportunities and life-long learning. Health: Big-picture topics like research and Medicaid down to the everyday nitty-gritty like hygiene, medication and dealing with doctors and therapists. Law: Tackling IDEA, ADA, Medicaid waivers and more, plus a focus on legal rights and advocacy. Life: From dealing with a diagnosis and social acceptance to relationships, independent living and finding support. Money: Examining how to pay for treatments, Social Security, finding employment and estate planning. Learn more at http://www.disabilityscoop.com." 35. ""Rules" by Cynthia Lord- 2007 Newbery Honor Book about autism" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12277. "Cynthia Lord gives new voice to families struggling with the day-to-day realities of autism in her candid and witty debut novel, Rules, which was awarded the Newbery Honor and was also named the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, which honors books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Rules is now available in a paperback edition, with extra “After Words” bonus features. The impact that a disabled child can have on the normally-abled siblings in a family is a topic not often realistically explored in fiction for children. Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants to fit in and be accepted by her friends … but that is very difficult to do because she has a younger brother with autism whose special needs always seem to take precedence. She’s spent years trying to teach David the rules—from “a peach is not a funny-looking apple” to “keep your pants on in public!”—in order to head off his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprisingly new sort of friend, and Kristi, the next-door friend she’s always wished for, it’s Catherine’s own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal? Learn more or purchase the book at Amazon.com.' 36. "Learn Occupational Therapy at Home- TRP Wellness launches new DVD series for children with special needs" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12281. "Occupational Therapy (OT) benefits children with autism by attempting to improve their quality of life through meaningful experiences. OT activities are done in a playful, tactile and safe environment, which is fun for children of all ages and aids them in improving their social, organizational and behavior skills. Private OT sessions can cost well over $125 an hour. This is a luxury that many simply cannot afford. Jackie Olson, founder of TRP Wellness and mother of a son with autism, created the OT in the Home DVD for families without access to an occupational therapist as well as those who want extra information and guidance. The OT series can be used in addition to a child’s individualized plan. The DVD takes you through an entire day with children with various special needs. With an introduction and story time with Rachel Hunter, chapters include: Morning Routine—how to make the morning mad dash a bit more manageable; Day Activities—projects and games that are fun and help with both fine and gross motor skills; Homework—how to make it less of a battle; Organization of Behavior—teaches children to regulate their bodies so that they may function at their optimum; Aquatic Therapy; Expert Interviews and Q&A. Learn more at http://www.trpwellness.com." 37. ""Beyond the Dragon"- New book tells the story of a young man with Asperger's Syndrome who plays soccer" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12278&JServSessionIdr001=gwsaxa70u3.app26a. "In the new book Beyond the Dragon by Christopher Tremblay, nine-year-old Robbie Stanley would much rather stay inside playing on his computer and watching TV rather than go outside and interact with the neighborhood kids—that is, until one afternoon when he happens across a soccer game while flipping through the TV channels. Immediately, Robbie is transfixed upon the dragon adorning the Greensboro players’ uniform. At that defining moment, he decides that he wants to play soccer. While this may be a rather routine task for any other child, Robbie, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), finds that playing soccer sets him on a course on which he has never embarked before. Although Robbie is excited about his new adventure, his mother is unsure how her son will react in situations to which he is not accustomed. Of more pressing concern is how other children will act toward him. Learn more or purchase the book at Amazon.com." 38. "Autism Nutrition Expert Publishes Biomedical Autism Intervention Guide for Parents & Pediatricians- Book suggests ways to improve the symptoms of autism through diet and supplements" dated 23 October 2008 by Carin Yavorcik in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12282. "Julie Matthews, a Certified Nutrition Consultant, is an autism nutrition specialist who is putting recent scientific research about diet and autism to work in her practice. In an effort to help families heal their children and gain access to vital biomedical science and nutrition information, Julie has published a groundbreaking guide for parents, pediatricians and autism clinicians entitled Nourishing Hope for Autism: Nutrition Intervention for Healing Our Children. Julie is proving one family at a time that the symptoms of autism can improve with diet and vitamin intervention. Julie recommends cleaning up children’s diet and avoiding gluten and casein (wheat and dairy) because these foods can create a brain response similar to morphine, leading to foggy thinking and food cravings. Foods with artificial color, chemicals and preservatives should be immediately removed from the diet. Next, she introduces foods that are easy to digest, rich in good bacteria, and packed with nutrients such as homemade broths, naturally fermented foods and pureed vegetables hidden in meatballs, as well as supplements such as cod liver oil, probiotics (good bacteria), calcium, magnesium, B6 and zinc. Learn more from the Nourishing Hope Web site." 39. "10 Myths About Autism- Experts Examine Misconceptions About Autism" dated 23 October 2008 by LARA SALAHI and RADHA CHITALE from ABC News at http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFluNews/Story?id=6089162&page=1. "As the number of Americans diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders climbs, so, too, does the number of questions surrounding this disorder. Namely, what is autism, and what is causing a rise in autism diagnoses among adults and children nationwide? Amid these questions, television shows and magazines feature a barrage of stories and imagery -- families rallying for and against vaccines, debates between medical experts pointing to both genetic and environmental causes, and images of individuals diagnosed with autism who struggle to speak and function independently, while others can interact with others and are able to hold jobs. For many, these competing messages may make this already complex condition even more confusing. Fortunately, doctors and researchers are learning more about the causes and characteristics of autism. The following are answers to 10 common myths, that may help us better recognize the range of symptoms we call autism spectrum disorders. Myth: Autism is an emotional or mental health disorder. While physical or social behaviors of individuals with autism may suggest that they have a psychological disorder, autism is actually a biological illness that affects the brain's growth and development. "In the case of autism, the parts of the brain that are most affected seem to impact three areas of functioning," said Michael Alessandri, executive director of the University of Miami's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. "Social behavior, communication and restricted and repetitive rituals and routines are ways that the child or the adult with autism interact with the environment." …" 40. "Parents, doctors air vaccine worries at hospital forum" dated 23 October 2008 by JOHN CHADWICK from North Jersey.com at http://www.northjersey.com/news/Vaccination_conference_draws_large_crowd.html. "One speaker told the wrenching story of a 19-month old girl, Hannah Poling, who was given five vaccinations during a doctor visit and later developed autism. “She was a perfectly normal girl,” said David Kirby, a journalist. “She is not doing well. Her parents are extremely worried about her.” But after Kirby spoke during a conference today at Hackensack University Medical Center, a prominent doctor responded by showing excruciating pictures of sickly, pock-marked children —the consequences of not getting vaccines. “Many, many people in this country now … have elected to stay outside the vaccination program,” warned Dr. Jeffrey Boscamp, chairman and physician-in-chief of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. “I think that we have an obligation to understand what the implications are to society as a whole.” The conference, hosted by the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology, was aimed at airing all sides of an emotional and growing debate about the safety of vaccines, and whether the ingredients in vaccines contribute to autism. The event drew more than 200 people and hundreds more online, organizers said. Those in attendance included Heather Howard, commissioner of the state Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as numerous medical professionals and parents. Howard, who spoke briefly at the start of the conference, said she fully supports the state vaccination program but added that she appreciates a constructive dialogue with critics. “There is a lot of confusion out there now, and I really want to credit Hackensack for educating folks,” she said. …" 41. "The Love That Shines Through" dated 23 October 2008 by MICHAEL WINERIP from The New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/nyregion/long-island/26Rparent.html?_r=1&oref=slogin. "IN the beginning, Brian and Jaclyn Rattner were focused on what their oldest child, Jarrett, could not do. He could not talk, could not walk, did not play with toys, did not take to toilet training, missed most developmental milestones. Hoping for a diagnosis and cure, they took him to research centers at Harvard and Yale. Thinking it might be some rare genetic disorder like Tay-Sachs, which disproportionately affects Ashkenazi Jews, they had his blood shipped to Israel for analysis, and flew to England to meet with more specialists. Ten years ago, at age 3, he was given a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome, which is characterized by mental delays, jerky body motions and a good deal of smiling and laughing — Jarrett has a sweet disposition. “But then they undiagnosed him,” Mr. Rattner said. “They didn’t know what it was, but it wasn’t that.” And so the Rattners began focusing on who Jarrett was and what he could do. When he wanted a ball, he would pound his chest until he got it. “Sometimes, he wants to communicate so badly, you can hear him from the other room pounding his chest,” Mr. Rattner said. “There’s a lot of emotion there.” He is good at making eye contact, and his mother noticed that if she asked what he wanted for lunch — turkey? tuna? chicken? — he would say yes by blinking his eyes and then holding them closed an extra second. “Figuring out his signs, it’s like watching a third-base coach,” said Mr. Rattner, who’s a lawyer. “When you’re dealing with Jarrett, you’re dealing in current time,” he said. “You can’t say, ‘This is what we’re doing three days from now.’ You can’t discuss what you did a week ago. It’s an interesting way to live. We just dwell on each day right now. There’s a lot of pressure to make each day a great day.” Jarrett has his passions. “He treats every meal like his last,” said Mr. Rattner. …" 42. "Kingswood Teacher Charged With Abusing Student" dated 24 October 2008 by JOSH POLTILOVE from The Tampa Tribune at http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/24/242119/kingswood-elementary-teacher-charged-abuse-after-s/. "Kingswood Elementary School teacher Robert Nicholson was arrested today, charged with child abuse in an incident involving a student in his music class, Hillsborough County School District spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said. A 10-year-old boy accused Nicholson of grabbing him from behind Wednesday, wrapping arms around the boy's upper torso, near the neck, lifting him and carrying him about six feet to where he wanted the boy to be, Cobbe said. The boy said it was difficult to breathe. The boy didn't have visible injuries. Treshena Dixon said she reported the situation after the school tried to minimize the situation involving her son, a fifth-grader. Dixon wrote in an e-mail to The Tampa Tribune that the sheriff's office "seemed reluctant" to arrest the teacher, who "was stating how sorry he was about the situation." Nicholson has been placed on paid administrative leave while the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office investigates. The veteran teacher has been investigated by the district twice before and was not disciplined either time. In 1997 at McLane Middle School, a student accused him of grabbing her by the arm. In 2001 at McLane, he squirted a student with a water pistol, Cobbe said. Nicholson, 52, of Riverview, was arrested at 11 a.m. today at 3102 S. Kings Ave. His bail was set at $2,000. He has been released." 43. "Palin wants more funding for special-needs kids" dated 24 October 2008 by DAN NEPHIN from The Associated Press at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_el_pr/palin and http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/10/24/184513palin_ap.html. "Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin pledged Friday to shift billions of dollars to programs for children with special needs and assured their families they will have a friend in the White House if she is elected. Palin herself has a special-needs child, a son born six months ago with Down syndrome. She did not cite which federal programs might be called on to give up $45 billion over five years to meet her proposal to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. "We've got a $3 trillion budget, and Congress spends some $18 billion a year on earmarks for political pet projects," Palin told an audience that included families with special-needs children and service providers. "That's more than the shortfall to fully fund the IDEA. And where does a lot of that earmark money end up? It goes to projects having little or nothing to do with the public good." However, Republican presidential candidate John McCain has said that ending the use of earmarks — special funding requests placed into bills by lawmakers for back-home projects — would be a tool for balancing the budget. Palin has criticized earmarks as a vice presidential candidate, but as governor she has requested $750 million in such special funding. Palin said she has long been an advocate for special-needs children and their families and called the mission to advocate for them from the vice president's office "especially close to my heart." "The law requires our public schools to serve children with special needs, but often the results fall far short of the service they need," she said. "Even worse, parents are left with no other options, except for the few families that can afford private instruction or therapy." Palin said she would work to strengthen the National Institutes of Health so it can provide families of special-needs children with more information. "Early identification of a cognitive or other disorder, especially autism, can make a life-changing difference," she said. Programs and community centers that focus on school-age children should also focus on infants and toddlers, she said. …" 44. "Palin Details Special Needs Policies" dated 24 October 2008 by Juliet Eilperin from The Washington Post at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/24/palin_details_special_needs_po.html?hpid=topnews. "GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin outlined for the first time today how she and John McCain would aid children with special needs if they occupied the White House next year. In a speech in Pittsburgh, Penn., Palin pledged that a McCain-Palin administration would fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, exempt disability programs from the domestic discretionary spending freeze they plan to institute next year, and will provide school vouchers so families can send their special needs children to the school of their choice. "Too often, even in our own day, children with special needs have been set apart and excluded," said Palin, whose infant son Trig has Down syndrome. "Too often, state and federal laws add to their challenges, instead of removing barriers and opening new paths of opportunity. Too often, they are made to feel that there is no place for them in the life of our country, that they don't count or have nothing to contribute. This attitude is a grave disservice to these beautiful children, to their families, and to our country -- and I will work to change it." While the Alaska governor has spoken repeatedly on the stump about how families with disabled children can expect her to be "a friend and an advocate" if elected next month, she had not outlined what policies she would pursue as vice president until today. Palin's pledge to fully fund IDEA would direct billions to the program over the next few years, though her proposal would not immediately cover the entire gap in funding that exists now. …" 45. "Palin Outlines Plan To Help Special Needs Children" dated 24 October 2008 from KDKA News at http://kdka.com/politics/Sarah.Palin.Coraopolis.2.847801.html. "After a campaign rally on Thursday night at Beaver Area High School's football stadium, Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin is back in our area today. Palin addressed an audience in Coraopolis this morning outlining a plan to help special needs children. At Thursday's rally, Palin stuck to the campaign speech she had given earlier that day in Ohio, criticizing Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama's downplaying of running mate Joe Biden's remark that the new president would be tested with an international crisis early in his presidency. She said McCain has the experience to confront a crisis. She also said she wants a president who spent 22 years in uniform defending the country. This morning, Palin unveiled her first public policy speech. In her address, she offered a commitment to special needs children. "John McCain and I, we've talked a lot about the missions that he would like me to focus on should I become Vice-President. and our nation's energy independence and government reform, top of that list, very, very important to focus on that. But there is another issue that is especially close to my heart and that is to help our families with children with special needs." Palin said her plans include offering more choices to families with special needs children, as well as to focus and reform. Also, she said a McCain administration would fully fund The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Also, Palin says she would allow parents of disabled students to choose which school is best for their child and increase funding to states in order to improve services to families with special needs infants and toddlers." 46. "REMARKS BY GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN ON THE MCCAIN-PALIN COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS" dated 24 October 2008 in a press release at http://www.ageofautism.com/files/remarks_by_governor_sarah_palin_on_the_mccain.doc. "Governor Sarah Palin today delivered the following remarks as prepared for delivery in Pittsburgh, PA, at 9:00 a.m. ET: Thank you all very much. I appreciate the hospitality of the people of Pittsburgh, and I'm grateful to all the groups who have joined us here today. The Woodlands Foundation, the Down Syndrome Center at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Autism-link, the Children's Institute of Pittsburgh: Thank you for coming today. And, above all, thank you for the great work you do for the light and love you bring into so many lives. John McCain and I have talked about the missions he'd like me to focus on should I become vice president, and our nation's energy independence and government reform are among them. But there is another mission that's especially close to my heart, and that is to help families of children with special needs. And today, we'll talk about three policy proposals that are going to help us fulfill our country's commitment to these children: more choices for parents, fully funding IDEA, and efforts to reform and refocus. Too often, even in our own day, children with special needs have been set apart and excluded. Too often, state and federal laws add to their challenges, instead of removing barriers and opening new paths of opportunity. Too often, they are made to feel that there is no place for them in the life of our country, that they don't count or have nothing to contribute. This attitude is a grave disservice to these beautiful children, to their families, and to our country -- and I will work to change it. …" 47. "On autism, McCain does get it" dated 24 October 2008 by Rhonda Swan from the Palm Beach Post at http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/10/24/a12a_swancol_1024.html. "Sen. John McCain may or may not be our next president, but to me he'll always be the first politician who made autism part of the national agenda. It's one of the few things Sen. McCain seems willing to spend money on. During last week's final presidential debate, Sen. McCain brought up autism, a neurobiological disorder that affects physical, social, and language skills, to sing the praises of his running mate Sarah Palin: "She understands that autism is on the rise, that we've got to find out what's causing it, and we've got to reach out to these families, and help them ... " I disagree with Sen. McCain on a lot of issues, but on this we're in sync. So I'm going to overlook the fact that the only reason special-needs children are getting so much attention in this race is because it takes the focus off all the other things Gov. Palin doesn't understand. Like Gov. Palin, I have an autistic nephew. A handsome toddler, he has the biggest eyes, the brightest smile and the muscle tone of a bodybuilder. That's a good thing, except that he likes to hit. Hard. With his fists, drumsticks, or any object he can find. It's one of his idiosyncrasies, or repeated behaviors, that are symptomatic of many autistic children. …" 48. "NVIC Says Government Denies Gardasil Risks- Vaccine Watchdog Group Calls for Transparency" dated 24 October 2008 in a press release from the National Vaccine Information Center at http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081024005429&newsLang=en. "The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) is calling on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to publicly release the study design, data and names of principal investigators involved in a statement this week maintaining that Gardasil vaccine is safe with no serious side effects. NVIC will also be calling on the newly elected President and members of Congress to remove the nation’s vaccine safety monitoring system from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and place it in a separate entity reporting directly to Congress to restore trust in the nation’s public health laws based on federal mass vaccination policies. The CDC and FDA are alleging that the vast majority - if not all - of the approximately 9,000 HPV vaccine adverse events, including 27 deaths, reported to the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) are not causally related to the Gardasil vaccine based on internal analysis, including review of medical records of girls and women vaccinated in HMO's participating in the federal Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) Project and other closed government operated databases. “Transparency in government is essential to trust in government and replication is the hallmark of good science,” said NVIC co-founder and president Barbara Loe Fisher. “Parents of young girls and women cut down in their prime - some of them paralyzed or dead within hours or days of getting Gardasil vaccine - deserve better answers than a whitewashing of this vaccine’s very serious side effects. Until there is an independent confirmation of these unverified findings by individuals and companies without financial ties to the government or industry, it is not credible.” …" 49. "Accounts of abuse inspire parents to form group" dated 24 October 2008 by LISA BACKUS from The New Britian Herald at http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?dept_id=10109&newsid=20176046. "Outraged parents of two autistic children allegedly abused by their special education teacher demanded changes to the school system Thursday just minutes after the teacher pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from the incidents. Michele Campbell, 36, of Plantsville, is facing seven felony counts for incidents involving three autistic boys ages 5 to 7 in her classroom at Chamberlain School, police said. A warrant for her arrest has been sealed by the court until today. A spokeswoman for a newly formed advocacy group described allegations against Campbell that included locking an autistic 6-year-old boy in a dark closet, pouring water down a student's nose until the student choked and tying a child to a chair and screaming in his ear. "The incidents were discovered in May and likely were happening all school year long, yet parents weren't notified until after the state Department of Children and Families did an investigation in July," said Lisa Nkonoki, of Ps & Qs - Parents and Quality, formed after the allegations surfaced. "Since then not one parent has been called, and one of the parents still hasn't been told their child was abused because they have since moved out of the school system," she said. The group is calling for better parental notification and more support for special education students. Nkonoki said the school system has yet to offer any help for the parents or children dealing with the aftermath of abuse. Arelis Kinard, a parent of the one of the students involved, said her 7-year-old son is nonverbal but has been having behavioral problems that may be attributed to abuse. "I'm angry, I'm angry at the school, I'm angry at the system," she said during an often tearful press conference on the steps of New Britain Superior Court. …" 50. "Autistic student's zest for learning trumps disability" dated 24 October 2008 by Joe Lacdan from the GateHouse News Service at http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/batavia/news/x635410412/Autistic-students-zest-for-learning-trumps-disability. "When it comes to his quest for knowledge, Matt Farag doesn’t let much slow him down. After school, the senior from St. Charles East High will hit the books but not to do homework. Instead he will browse the encyclopedia and history books in his St. Charles home, memorizing notable facts and dates on history, dinosaurs and insects. Matt also can name each of the presidents and vice presidents in order and their middle names. “He has an unusual ability to memorize things,” his father, Talek Farag, said. But sometimes, those interests divert him from regular class work. Farag said his son often can forget about class work as a result of autism, with which he was diagnosed at age 6. The learning disability is a developmental disorder that can impair learning. “The impact was severe on him,” Farag said. “It was difficult for us to follow him or help him or eliminate or reduce the effect of autistic behavior on his future.” Matt hasn’t let the learning disability deter him. His parents enrolled him in a special District 303 program that set a special curriculum agenda and monitored his academic progress. He has posted a B average each semester and plans to study pre-medicine in college. He also is an active member of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Burr Ridge, and attends many East athletic events. “He is a very inquisitive young man who knows about a range of subjects,” said St. Charles East guidance counselor Geri Shouba. “You can talk to him about politics and literature and he is very well read and informed in all those areas.” Matt said his interest in science and history came from stories from his father, a former nuclear engineer and military officer in Egypt. Farag said he began telling stories about the political unrest in his home country when Matt was 5, spurring his interest in social studies. “I like reading about science and social studies,” Matt said. Matt recently completed his Eagle Scout project and participated in the Geography Bee while attending Wredling Middle School. “Matt is a very outgoing young man who has really blossomed over the last four years,” Shouba said." 51. "Flu Vaccine: Right To Know!" dated 24 October 2008 by Jim Thompson from the Age of Autism blog at http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/10/flu-vaccine-rig.html#more. "Our SD delegation in congress sent their staff to hear David Kirby and Mark Blaxill at Rep. Maloney’s office. Next they received all the follow-up information including: David Kirby’s slides; a response refuting Rep. Waxman’s Dear Colleague letter; a request to the IACC to post warnings about the risk to pregnant women and children from mercury in flu shots; and several emails about mercury toxicity with references from the USEPA, FDA, and AAP. So while congress works on a national solution, and except for those 5 or so states that already ban it, do we just sit by and watch the massive continued use of Thimerosal in flu vaccines for pregnant women and children? No! The next step is to talk and inform people within arms reach in our own communities. During the past week after talking to a nurse, special ed teacher, parish priest, UPS driver/mom, plumber, and employees at five retail stores – and asking if they knew about their right to know about mercury in vaccines and the right to ask for mercury free vaccines the response was “No.” But for all those asked to please post a one page bulletin with that information - the answer was an enthusiastic “Yes!” Will you please consider posting the following bulletin with this information in your community? This is a one page bulletin (Click here) that explains that there is mercury in the flu shot. While we continue the necessary work with congress to act on a national basis, please ask yourself this: How many children might be spared right now by this simple act? …" 52. "Stomping Through A Medical Minefield- The author of a new book about autism says exactly what he thinks about vaccines and other hot topics." dated 25 October 2008 by Claudia Kalb from the NEWSWEEK at http://www.newsweek.com/id/165644. "Paul Offit—salt-and-pepper hair, wire-rimmed glasses, Phillies fan—hardly seems like the kind of guy who'd receive a death threat. He's a father who likes to hang out with his teenage kids, a doctor who wears khakis until they're frayed. But Offit, chief of infectious diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the nation's most outspoken advocate for childhood immunizations, is at the center of a white-hot medical controversy. He believes passionately in the safety of vaccines; his enemies, many of them parents who blame these shots for their children's autism, do not. Offit says he's been harassed in public, and received threatening letters, e-mails and phone calls. One August morning, his wife, Bonnie, sent him a message before he spoke at a New York press conference promoting vaccination. Worried that protesters rallying outside the event might turn violent, she warned: "Be careful." Immunologists were hardly the target of such wrath when Offit, 57, entered the field almost 30 years ago. But today, frustrations and fears about a mysterious brain disorder that strikes up to one in 150 kids have given rise to the most angry and divisive debate in medicine: do vaccines trigger autism? Offit, a vaccine inventor, says "no." His critics, who vilify him routinely on autism Web sites, say the question is still very much open. They think he's arrogant and a mouthpiece for Big Pharma. One recent post: "Offit should be prosecuted for crimes against our children." After the death threat—a man wrote, "I will hang you by your neck until you are dead"—an armed guard followed Offit to lunch during meetings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the scientist refuses to back down. In his new book, "Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure," Offit takes on his critics full-force, challenging them to prove the science wrong. Fearing for his safety, he isn't doing a book tour. "People think of me as this wild-eyed maniac," Offit says. "If I sat down with them for 10 minutes, they'd see that my motivation is the same as theirs. …" 53. "Bumps Abound When Students Become Their Own Advocates- Special Needs Can Make Transition to College Tricky" dated 25 October 2008 by Susan Kinzie from The Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/24/AR2008102403825.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR. "After a decade of worrying about her son's attention-deficit disorder, meeting with teachers, calling around to get lost homework assignments and getting advice on SAT test accommodations, Lori Spinelli-Samara is facing this simple truth: Next year, in college, Nick is on his own. The Olney mother knows he's plenty smart enough. But will her son, a senior at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, get to the assignments due in three weeks without his parents, teachers and cross-country coach keeping tabs on him? Keep his focus during lectures? Lose afternoons playing Guitar Hero instead of studying? "If you have ADD," she said, only half laughing, "how do you remember to take your medication?" A generation of students accustomed to receiving help for special learning needs is entering college. The percentage of students identified with learning disabilities who graduate from high school and go on to four-year colleges jumped from one in 100 in 1987 to about one in nine last year. And those who go on to any kind of post-secondary education went from a third to almost three-quarters by 2003. But some are finding that the transition isn't easy. Many students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia or memory troubles have had years of education shaped by intense parental support, involved teachers and legally mandated school safety nets. And many colleges, including American University and Montgomery College, have programs to assist students with the transition. But what colleges must do is far less defined legally, and professors and administrators at some schools seem to remain skeptical about the needs that students might have. Schools must provide assistance to students, but only if the students disclose their disabilities. …" 54. "Feds warn Carter's baby clothes may cause rash" dated 25 October 2008 from CNN at http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/24/baby.clothing.rashes.ap/index.html. "The government is warning parents about Carter's Inc. baby garments with tag-less labels after about 400 babies who wore the clothing developed rashes on their backs. The warning applies to the fall 2007 line, which includes about 110 million garments, said Mary Drayna, a manager for the Atlanta, Georgia, company. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday that children should stop using these garments if they develop a rash, but the agency did not announce a recall of the product line. Drayna said the affected clothing includes knit items such as body suits, shirts and pajamas. She said the items have prompted about 400 reports of baby rashes, but she could not comment on how serious any of the rashes were or if any required hospital visits. The garments were made in various foreign countries, and they were sold at Carter's retail stores and at department and national chain stores, according to CPSC. The clothing appeared on the market in fall 2007 and could still be on retail shelves, although Carter's has released other products since then, Drayna said. For More Info, Consumer Product Safety Commission or Carter's Info Line: 888-282-4674. The company's online announcement said it had received reports that some babies with sensitive skin could be allergic to the heat-transferred, or tag-less, labels used in baby clothing. "It appears that a very small percentage of children can be allergic to one or more ingredients in the labels. The solid, rather than stenciled, background on the fall 2007 labels appears to have produced a more pronounced and noticeable reaction among those children who are most allergic to the ink," the announcement said. Also, the company's internal review of the product found "no indication that the labels contain any known skin irritants or abrasive chemicals, or that such a rash is anything beyond a rare allergic reaction to an otherwise safe product." 55. "Vaccine slashes diarrheal illness in kids" dated 25 October 2008 by MARILYNN MARCHIONE from The Associated Press at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081025/ap_on_he_me/med_childhood_vaccines. (NOTE: This is a very rosy article on this vaccine from the CDC, but it has also been responsible for a number of reactions, including deaths.) "A vaccine against rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhea in infants, has led to a dramatic drop in hospitalization and emergency room visits since it came on the market two years ago, doctors reported Saturday. A bonus: the vaccine seems to be preventing illness even in unvaccinated children by cutting the number of infections in the community that kids can pick up and spread. "We're a little surprised by the degree of impact given the coverage we've achieved," said Jane Seward of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only about half of young children had received the vaccine and very few had received all three doses when the studies were done. Results were reported Saturday at an infectious diseases conference in Washington. Before the vaccine, more than 200,000 U.S. children were taken to emergency rooms and more than 55,000 were hospitalized each year with rotavirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea, mostly from January through May. Worldwide, the virus kills 1,600 young children each day. Since Merck & Co.'s Rotateq came out in 2006, hospital visits and stays due to the virus have dropped 80 percent to 100 percent, studies by the CDC and several other groups show. Last winter, rotavirus cases started and peaked two to three months later and were much less extensive than in previous years, CDC scientists report. Hospitals in a network that tracks these cases for the CDC saw more than an 80 percent drop in admissions from them, one study showed. Another study, by Merck, found a 100 percent drop in hospitalizations and ER visits during the 2007 and 2008 rotavirus seasons compared to previous ones. The study was based on a review of health insurance claims for about 61,000 infants and diagnoses by doctors in routine clinical practice. Rotateq is an oral vaccine given at two, four and six months of age. In June, a second rotavirus vaccine came on the market — GlaxoSmithKline's Rotarix. It requires only two doses, completed by four months of age. …" 56. "Aggressive vaccine effort could cut cervical cancer" dated 25 October 2008 by Julie Steenhuysen from Reuters at http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081025/hl_nm/us_cancer_hpv;_ylt=AmBVlEv8FOhe4d_B5ViJalOWSbYF. "An aggressive strategy of vaccinating older women against cervical cancer could deliver a crippling blow against the disease, cutting rates for that type of cancer in half for women through age 45, U.S. researchers said on Saturday. Using a mathematical model, they showed that vaccinating women in the United States by ages 12 through 45 against the cancer-causing human papillomavirus, or HPV, could reduce cases of cervical cancer by 85 percent for 12-year-olds and up to 55 percent for 45-year-old women. It could lower rates by 34 to 67 percent for 25-year-old women, Warner Huh of the University of Alabama told a meeting in Washington of the American Society for Microbiology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The model assumed 100 percent vaccination rates, which would be difficult to achieve in the United States. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus. Merck and Co's Gardasil vaccine is designed to protect against HPV types 16 and 18, which are known to cause about 70 percent of all cases of cervical cancer. It also is designed to protect against HPV strains 6 and 11, which cause genital warts. Gardasil is approved in the United States for use in girls and women ages 9 to 26, but Merck is seeking to expand its use to older women. The thinking has been that girls must be vaccinated before they are sexually active, because HPV is so common. The vaccine does not protect anyone who has already been infected with one of the strains of HPV. Huh's calculations included clinical trial data on GlaxoSmithKline's Cervarix vaccine, which is not yet approved for sale in the United States but which is approved in Europe. …" 57. "Legislature sends cuts for Sanford's approval" dated 25 October 2008 from The Associated Press at http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/102508/met_480789.shtml. "Gov. Mark Sanford has until Thursday to decide whether to veto any of the $488 million in budget cuts the Legislature sent him Friday. The cuts in the state's $7 billion budget carve deeply into health care and college spending, with health-related programs giving up $160 million and universities and technical colleges losing $123 million. State sales tax collections have fallen short of expectations and legislators returned to Columbia on Monday to put spending back in line. House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell sent the bill Friday to the Republican governor, who already has misgivings about parts of the plans the Republican-dominated Legislature approved. Mr. Sanford's biggest worries so far involve the Department of Health and Human Services, Commerce Department and Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. At the human services agency, legislators mostly spared the state's poorest children from losing coverage in an expanding Medicaid program. Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said lawmakers left the agency with too little freedom to decide where it should cut spending by not allowing it to reduce rates paid to health care providers. "That limits Medicaid's options to two: cutting people or cutting services," Mr. Sawyer said. …" 58. "Autism services an unnecessary evil?" dated 26 October 2008 by Maurine Meleck in a letter to the editor of the Augusta Chronicle at http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/102608/let_480856.shtml. "It is not surprising that autism services in South Carolina are being mentioned as the first to go in this economic crisis. Any services for these children have been hard to come by from the beginning. Gov. Mark Sanford and his staff are discussing eliminating the expanded South Carolina program for 300 autistic children. In addition, Medicaid could also be cut. What they don't realize is that cutting these programs that are helping so many children will only come back to slap all of us in the face later. When these tens of thousands of autistic children all over the country don't receive early intervention and they reach the age of 18, the taxpayers are going to be hit with monumental costs to help the state pay for their care. We are talking trillions of dollars. What this all says to me is that services for autistic children are still considered an unnecessary evil in South Carolina and this country as a whole." 59. "Hacker is 'too sick' to survive US extradition" dated 26 October 2008 by Jamie Doward from The Observer (UK) at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/26/computer-hacker-human-rights. "The Home Secretary has backed the extradition of a UFO-obsessed computer hacker, despite hearing expert argument that it would be in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. Lawyers for 42-year-old Gary McKinnon from north London, who was arrested for hacking into US military computer systems to look for evidence of aliens, said his recent diagnosis with Asperger's syndrome would have profound implications for his mental health if he were put in a high-security US prison. One of the world's leading experts on autism, Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of developmental psychopathology at Cambridge University, was commissioned, along with other experts, to assess McKinnon. The evidence was presented to the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, last month as McKinnon's legal team sought a judicial review of a House of Lords ruling approving McKinnon's extradition. But Smith has now rejected the assessment. 'We're upset and disappointed with the Home Secretary's decision, as she has clearly not given proper consideration to Gary being diagnosed with Asperger's,' said his mother, Janis. According to a fresh legal challenge by McKinnon's team: 'There remains a real risk of the claimant being detained pre-trial and thereafter being imprisoned at a high-security institution, despite suffering from Asperger's syndrome, which would violate the prohibition on inhuman treatment protected by Article 3 of the Convention.'" 60. "First-born children of older parents are more likely to be autistic- A major US study has provided the strongest evidence yet that older mothers and fathers are more likely to have a child with autism." dated 26 October 2008 by Roger Dobson from the Telegraph (UK) at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/3260060/First-born-children-of-older-parents-are-more-likely-to-be-autistic.html. "First-born children of older parents were three times more likely to develop autism than later children of younger parents, researchers found. "The results provide the most compelling evidence to date that autism risk increases with both maternal and paternal age, and decreases with birth order," according to the research team, whose study was funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings could help to provide an explanation for the recent increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism, which has coincided with a trend towards parents having children at an older age, and to smaller family sizes. The researchers say in their paper, reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology: "The increase in autism risk with both maternal and paternal age has potential implications for public health planning and investigations of autism." In the study, the researchers examined records of 240,000 children born in 1994, and identified 1,251 as having autism. After taking into account a range of factors, both maternal and paternal age were found to be independently associated with autism. For mothers aged 35 or over, the risk of having an autistic child was 30 per cent higher than for mothers aged 25 to 29. Mothers under 20 had a 30 per cent lower risk than those aged 35 to 29. Fathers aged 40 or over had a 40 per cent higher risk of having an autistic child than fathers aged 25 to 29. Many western countries have seen a trend for women to have their first child later in life, while the decline in average family size means that a higher proportion of today's children are first-born. There is no clear explanation for why parental age increases the risk of having an autistic child. The researchers speculate that older fathers could be more likely to pass on gene mutations, while older mothers may be more prone to age-related chromasome changes or pregnancy complications. Older parents are also more likely to have undergone fertility treatment. …" 61. "Autism link to firstborn of older parents" dated 26 October 2008 by Liz Longden from The Scotsman (UK) at http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Autism-link-to-firstborn-of.4630550.jp. "FIRSTBORN children of older parents have three times as much chance of being diagnosed with autism than later born children of younger parents, new research has revealed. A study of 240,000 teenagers carried out by researchers in the US has found a strong link between the likelihood of developing the condition and a higher age of parents. Mothers aged 35 and over were cited as having a 30% higher risk of having an child than mothers in their twenties, while for fathers in their forties and over the risk was estimated to be even greater at around 40% higher when compared with fathers aged under 30. The study also suggested that later born children were less likely to be afflicted with autistic disorders than firstborn offspring. The research team behind the study has claimed their work provides "the most compelling evidence to date that autism risk increases with both maternal and paternal age, and decreases with birth order". The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, has been hailed as a possible explanation for the apparent increase in incidence of the condition in the western world, where social trends mean increasing numbers of couples put off having children until later in life, and tend to opt for smaller families – meaning a higher proportion of babies are firstborn or only children. There is no clue to suggest why parental age should increase the risk of a child being autistic, but the authors suggest the sperm of older fathers could be more likely to pass on genetic mutations, while older mothers might be more susceptible to chromosome alterations. Another theory suggests that older parents may be more likely to spot developmental difficulties in their children, and therefore more likely to seek help and a formal diagnosis. Firstborn children are also more prone to suffer from other childhood disorders, including type I diabetes. One theory to explain the phenomenon is the "hygiene hypothesis", which suggests that first-time parents are more protective and expose their children to fewer infections in early childhood, making them likely to develop autoimmune diseases." 62. "Obama Team on Disability Responds To Palin Speech" dated 26 October 2008 by Kim Stagliano from the Age of Autism blog at http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/10/obama-team-on-d.html#more. "Kareem Dale, National Disabilities Vote Director for the Barack Obama campaign sent out this letter yesterday. I will add that he has taken time to email many of us within the autism community and is listening to our concerns. Thank you, Kareem. Please keep your comments relevant to the information in this post. While we need to inform our readers of the information coming from both campaigns, we don't need to lose our sense of community by getting ugly with each other. We will delete comments that sound like if you were speaking in person, your face would be red and you'd be poking your finger into someone's chest. I promise you that there are many within the biomedical autism community working hard to make sure both candidates understand our unique perspective on disability and our need to protect and care for our children. I think the Autism One interview with Heather Bruce is a prime example of the benefit of the groundwork by parents and advocates for our kids. We are on the radar screen. And we're not going away. Thanks, everyone. Here's the letter: As advocates for, and parents of, children with disabilities, we appreciate the visibility that Governor Sarah Palin has brought to our community. We understand that it will take strong leadership to build a world free of unnecessary barriers and discrimination for people with disabilities. …" 63. "Candidates' positions on disability issues" dated 26 October 2008 by Karen Meyer from WLS TV News at http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/disability_issues&id=6469553. "A variety of issues have been debated during the campaign, including issues pertaining to voters with disabilities. With 40 million Americans with disabilities eligible to vote, many are looking at the candidates' positions on disability issues. "Obama has supported community choice and things that McCain didn't support or didn't co-sponsor. McCain co-sponsored the combating Autism Act and Obama didn't co-sponsor that, although he voted for it," said Beth Finke. ""The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which is the mainstay of special education funding, Senator McCain has continued to vote against increasing that appropriations, Senator Obama, in his policy statement, well, one historically has voted for increasing it," said Allan Bergman. Senator McCain's plan really addresses issues that are specific to autism. Autism plays just a small role in the needs of people with disabilities. Senator Obama's plan includes a number of issues that are very important to people with disabilities, and that is education, housing and employment," said John Voit. Finke, Bergman and Voit are just a few people who are concerned about the future for people with disabilities. Bergman has spent more than 40 years working on behalf of people with disabilities. He also has a daughter and stepdaughter with disabilities. He says health care is a major concern. "Senator Obama is proposing universal health care, which would certainly take care of the 40 million uninsured people, but for people with disabilities, he's particularly going to target no more pre-existing condition exclusions," Bergman said. "Senator McCain is taking a very different approach, which is to provide, for the first time, a tax credit of $5,000 and, in addition, to give disincentives for employers to continue to provide health insurance by taxing the benefits to the individual employee." Health insurance is Finke's biggest concern. She is legally blind from diabetes. "They both have healthcare reform, but Obama's really pushes that if you lost your health insurance, another insurance company can't deny you because you have a disability," she said.. …" 64. "Diet may help autism" dated 26 October 2008 by STEPHANIE SANCHEZ from the Yuma Sun at http://www.yumasun.com/articles/help_45373___article.html/face_autism.html. "Gwen Conner gently held her son's face between her hands in hopes that he would make eye contact with her. His eyes avoided looking at her until she could almost could no longer see his pupils, she said. She remembers he would rarely cry or make any baby sounds. Whenever she would come by him, he didn't acknowledge her. Conner noticed that there was a problem with bonding. Conner's son was diagnosed with autism when he was 2-1/2 years old. Children with autistic disorder can display a wide range of deficiencies in moderate to severe communication skills, social skills and behavioral problems, according to "The Autism Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment, Coping, and Healing" by Karen Siff Exkorn. The three most common early symptoms of autistic disorder are a lack of eye contact, a lack of pointing and a lack of responding. After doing extensive research, Conner learned about how a casein/gluten-free diet can help improve symptoms in autistic children. That same day, she said, she emptied out the fridge and restocked it with gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) foods "because it is harmless and because it is worth a shot." "I say that one never knows whatever this diet can do to help, maybe it can take you one step closer to recovery. I tried it because I know there is no way it was going to hurt him at all." The casein/gluten-free diet eliminates all foods that contain gluten, wheat, oats, barley and rye. All dairy products, which are a source of casein, are banned. A week later, she noticed immediate results. "His spinning slowed down, he wasn't as hyper ... now he's petting the cat and the dog. Before, he didn't care if I was there and now he kisses and hugs." Autistic children tend to have food allergies and overactive immune systems, said Dr. Cindy Schneider, who treats individuals with autism and other developmental disorders at the Center for Autism and Research Education in Phoenix. Their immune system is automatically making antibodies against their brain tissue, so anything that triggers an immune response - including a food allergy - is going to make the situation worse, Schneider said. "The biggest offenders for autistic children are gluten and casein because they tend to have difficulty digesting the foods." …" 65. "Kids' eye problems often emerge in homework battle" dated 26 October 2008 by LAURAN NEERGAARD from The Associated Press at http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQ1Q-0t4QMMu4QaTjHVOlbg-iNNQD9430MQ01. "Your 9-year-old's eyes hurt during homework? Your teen's a slow reader plagued with headaches? They may have a common yet often missed vision problem: Eyes that don't turn together properly to read. As many as one of every 20 students have some degree of what eye doctors call "convergence insufficiency," or CI, where eye muscles must work harder to focus up-close. And those standard vision screenings administered by schools and pediatricians won't catch it — they stress distance vision. When symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, double vision or reading problems trigger the right diagnosis, doctors prescribe any of a hodgepodge of exercises designed to strengthen eye coordination. Now a major government study finally offers evidence for the best approach: Eye training performed in a doctor's office for 12 weeks. The right treatment can make a profound difference, says Adele Andrews of Rydal, Pa., whose son Thomas participated in the study when he was 10 — and improved enough to at last start reading for fun. His mother knew something wasn't right early on: Reading seemed to require a physical struggle of Thomas that his three older siblings never experienced. "He always wanted to buy books but he wouldn't read them. He wanted to but it was too hard for him," she recalls. Then homework began and "I don't even want to tell you how bad it was," Andrews adds. "He would get frustrated. He wouldn't do it. ... I tried bribery, I tried everything. It got to the point where it was just a battle." Why? To bring print or other close-in work into focus, both eyes must turn slightly inward, or converge. As its name implies, convergence insufficiency means the eyes aren't doing that properly. Words may appear blurry or double, or disappear as readers lose their place. How much extra effort eye muscles must exert to compensate and bring that image into focus determines whether someone has obvious symptoms and how bad they are. …" 66. "Parental age increases autism risk in first born" dated 26 October 2008 by Neharika Sabharwal from the themedguru.com at http://www.themedguru.com/articles/parental_age_increases_autism_risk_in_first_born-86115720.html. "A recent study has revealed a strong possibility that parental age is the major predictor of autism, a development disorder. US researchers, analyzing the incidence of autism, observed, that it was three times more prevalent in the first born child, than the later born off-springs of younger parents. During examination of the records of 240,000 children born in 1994, nearly 1,251 showed symptoms of autism. The data reinforces the claim that parenthood in advanced age is indeed a risk factor in the development of an autistic condition among kids. Research throws light on the aspect that older parents, though independently, were associated with autism. Mothers above 35 years had a 30 percent risk bearing an autistic child as compared to one in her 20’s. For a father in his forties, the estimated risk was 40 percent higher of inflicting the child with the disorder. The study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, provided an explanation to the reason behind the increase in the number of children diagnosed with the ailment. The apparent rise in the condition in the western world coincided with the trend towards parents having children at an older age, together with a decline in the size of families. Another theory propounded is that older parents are more likely to notice development difficulties in their children and seek treatment for a disorder like autism. …" 67. "Autism and parental age" dated 27 October 2008 from NHS Knowledge Service (UK) at http://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/10October/Pages/Autismandparentalage.aspx. "“First-born children of older parents are more likely to be autistic,” warned The Daily Telegraph. It reported on a study that examined the medical records of 240,000 children born in the US in 1994, and found that both maternal and paternal age were independently associated with autism. It said mothers aged 35 or older had a 30% higher chance of having an autistic child compared to mothers aged 25 to 29, while Fathers over 40 years had a 40% higher risk than those aged 25 to 29. The study quoted in this news piece was not limited to autism but looked at the broader condition of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The study’s limitations mean that a definitive conclusion cannot be drawn about the contribution of parental age to overall risk for ASD. Its cause is still largely unknown, and it is unlikely that one factor alone will be responsible. The researchers themselves say that large long-term studies of well-characterised birth cohorts are needed to confirm these findings. …" 68. "UMassOnline Announces Dr. Jeannette E. Riley Recipient of Sloan Consortium’s Excellence in Online Teaching Award 2008- UMass Dartmouth Professor Recognized for Innovative Development of Learner-centered Strategies for Online Teaching" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from the University of Massachusetts at http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081027006162&newsLang=en. "UMassOnline today announced that Jeannette E. Riley, UMass Dartmouth Associate Professor of English and Director of the Women’s Studies program was awarded the Excellence in Online Teaching Award by the Sloan-C, a national consortium of institutions and organizations committed to quality online education. The award recognizes Dr. Riley “For innovative development of learner-centered strategies for online teaching that promote intellectual inquiry, critical analysis, and self-reflection, and inspire students to pursue life-long learning.” The award focused on Dr. Riley’s Women’s Studies and English literature online classes, which use a mix of instructional delivery modes ranging from traditional text-based lectures to audio files to video, along with the use of voice boards for student oral presentations and wiki pages for individual and collaborative student projects, to synchronous live classroom sessions. The courses deepen students’ understanding, help them reflect critically, learn to communicate effectively, and build knowledge through interactions with each other, not just the instructor. Catherine Houser, Chairperson of the UMass Dartmouth English department writes “Dr. Riley has set the standard for online teaching at UMass Dartmouth. Her innovative and highly effective use of a broad range of technology to achieve a rich and rewarding online course serves as a model for effective online instruction. As testament to her success, students routinely rate her and her courses as ‘excellent.’” Dr. Riley’s work at UMass Dartmouth is supported by Instructional Development team of Computer Information and Technology Services, whose goal is to assist instructors in the evaluation and utilization of instructional technology to achieve their teaching and learning objectives as well as test and promote effective practices that increase student engagement with learning. This team and the work of Dr. Riley are supported by UMassOnline through the provision of the online learning management system and ongoing technical assistance and training. …" 69. "Elaine Hill appointed as the new specialist advisor for autism" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from the Department of Health (UK) at http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58098&Itemid=61. "Elaine Hill has been appointed as the new Specialist Advisor for Autism at the Department of Health. Working four days a week, Elaine's responsibilities in her new role will be to lead the development of an adult autism strategy. She will advise on the needs of people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) in policy work on projects for social care and health services. An important part of her role will be to engage and build sustainable frameworks with key stakeholders. Care Services Minister Phil Hope said: "I am pleased that Elaine Hill has accepted this key role as the new Autism Adviser. Her experiences in working with people with autistic Spectrum conditions (ASC), including assisting in commissioning and delivering services to people with ASC, make her an ideal candidate to develop an adult autism strategy. I look forward to working with her." …" 70. "Government unveils new autism czar" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from the Department of Health (UK) at http://www.onmedica.com/NewsArticle.aspx?id=eb2afb54-6d86-43cd-8a99-ab54e9eaefa7. "The Department of Health has appointed a special advisor who will lead the development of a national adult autism strategy for the NHS in England. Elaine Hill is currently the head of the North East Autism Consortium (NEAC) which comprises 12 local authorities and Primary Care Trusts in the North East. Her role, as the first head of this organisation, has been to provide leadership to the PCTs, local authorities and other key agencies in the region, and to assist in the strategic planning, commissioning and delivery of services to people with autistic spectrum disorders (including Aspergers Syndrome). Ms Hill has been appointed as the new Specialist Advisor for Autism at the Department of Health. Working four days a week, her responsibilities in this new role will be to lead the development of an adult autism strategy. She will advise on the needs of people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) in policy work on projects for social care and health services. An important part of her role will be to engage and build sustainable frameworks with people with autism, their families, carers, clinicians and the charitable and voluntary sector. Commenting on her appointment, Ms Hill said: "I am very excited about the prospect of being able to take forward key developments for people with autism and their families. The appointment of a Specialist Advisor for Autism with the DH is a really vital and positive step and one that is not without significant challenges. …" 71. "It's smiles better for battling lad Luke" dated 27 October 2008 from This Is South Wales (UK) at http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/s-smiles-better-battling-lad-Luke/article-427914-detail/article.html. "TO look at Luke Trotman, he seems like any other seven-year-old boy wrapped in the arms of his family. But behind his happy smile, the Swansea youngster has faced a determined battle to live life like any other child his age. When he first arrived in the world, there were no signs that there was anything wrong with him. But two years down the line, his mum Nicola and dad Paul Trotman, aged 37, of Twyni Teg, in Killay, were told by medics he was suffering from regressive autism. His condition led him to withdraw into himself and refuse to even have eye contact with his family. But Mrs Trotman, aged 43, said although she was initially left feeling down by Luke's diagnosis and the warning he would never go to mainstream school, she was determined to help him live life to the full. She said: "Luke was two when he was diagnosed with autism. "But after 18 months he slowly regressed and lost the speech he had and completely withdrew. "He was very bright, happy and had great eye contact and had even started his first few words. "But he started to get bad stomach problems, which got worse and worse -— he was very unhealthy and cried all the time. "We could only get him to eat five different types of food, there were dark rings under his eyes and he was in a really bad way then." Mrs Trotman said Luke's stomach problems were so bad that he was left screaming out in pain at night and ended up being taken into Swansea's Singleton Hospital. She added: "Luke's behaviour changed greatly, with a loss of eye contact and the best way of describing it was that he had withdrawn into himself. "He was very much in a world of his own — to him it was like we were not there." …" 72. "McCain or Obama: Who Will Reform Vaccine Safety?" dated 27 October 2008 from the Age of Autism blog at http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/10/mccain-or-oba-1.html#more. "Parents, scientists and clinicians met this weekend in San Diego to discuss the current state of autism research. Organizations, representing hundreds of thousands of voters nationwide, are calling for Senator McCain to state his policy position on vaccine safety publicly and for Senator Obama to officially clarify comments made earlier this fall by noon October 30, 2008 so voters can make a final informed decision for their candidate of choice. The community gratefully acknowledges the commitment by both Senator Obama and Senator McCain at the last debate to aggressively research the causes of and treatments for autism, a national health crisis affecting at least one in 150 children. However, the community remains concerned about vaccine safety reform. Reform issues include the removal of neurotoxic ingredients in vaccines and alteration of the present vaccination schedule for at risk children. Emerging evidence in the scientific literature suggest that environmental factors including vaccines, may contribute to autism. The nation is facing a crisis of confidence in the safety of the vaccine program. More and more parents are opting out of the current vaccine schedule which has never been adequately safety tested. The Centers for Disease Control admitted last April that “simultaneous vaccination is incompletely studied at the time of licensure.” (page 33: HERE) In May, Rebecca Estepp of San Diego, who has a vaccine injured child with autism, contacted both campaigns for clarification on their positions with regard to vaccine safety reform. She made a plea for two Executive Orders to be issued within the first one hundred days of entering office including the removal all mercury from all vaccines and a moratorium on the addition of new vaccines to the recommended list for children until the current vaccine schedule can be proven safe. …" 73. "UCO prepares future behavioral specialists- Program allows for national board certification" dated 27 October 2008 by MICHAEL MCNUTT from NewsOK.com at http://www.newsok.com/uco-prepares-future-behavioral-specialists/article/3316038. "More behavioral specialists to help tutor autistic children in public schools could be ready to provide services in the state in a couple years. The University of Central Oklahoma is offering a degree program to prepare students to become nationally board certified behavior analysts who specialize in autism, a complex developmental disability that affects the ability to communicate and interact with others. The post-graduate degree program is for those who already have a master’s degree or are in a master’s degree program, said Mary Sweet-Darter, a UCO associate professor of psychology who leads the program. It takes about two years to complete the coursework, she said. Those completing the courses and 1,600 hours of internship are eligible to take a national test to become a board-certified behavioral analyst, she said. Twenty-three students are enrolled in the UCO program, "We don’t want these services to be limited to the medical field or private practice,” Sweet-Darter said. "We want to get these skills into the public schools.” "If you go right now into most public schools, you won’t see a one-on-one tutor with every small child with autism,” Sweet-Darter said. "You’ll see one teacher and one aide and they’re trying to teach several children with autism.” 74. "Adapting To Life With The Risk Or Reality Of Genetic Disease: Genetic Counselors Suggest Ways To Help Patients Cope" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from the National Society of Genetic Counselors at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126960.php. "If you are afflicted with a genetic disease -- or at risk of developing one -- how do you handle it? Do you tell your loved ones? What is the best way to cope? If your loved one has a genetic disorder, how do you best adapt? New research funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health and presented here at the 27th Annual Education Conference of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, suggests that those who discuss their condition with friends and families, and caregivers who feel some measure of control, adapt best. …" 75. "Childhood Alzheimer's- Rare genetic disorder is a double challenge for family" dated 27 October 2008 by ERIC ADLER from the McClatchy Newspapers at http://www.thehour.com/story/458271. "One day ... one moment ... one step at a time. Ever since she got the news, sitting dumbfounded in that little office, every cliche about how to live life when it crumbles beneath your feet, when every dream you have for your children turns to vapor, has coursed through Jennifer Stults' mind. "Just the facts, Mom," she keeps telling her mother. "Mom, I'm just going to deal with the facts and do what I need to do." Because the facts are that Jennifer, 23, is a 4-foot-11 ball of manic energy with the alert, determined eyes of a mother under siege. She has a husband, Mike, 26, an Internet ad salesman, and three sons: Brisan, 4; Parker, 2; and Duncan, 8 months old. While the planet watched recently as the developed world headed toward economic collapse, while people worried about their jobs and money and retirement accounts, Jennifer Stults' family was shaken by two words few have ever heard spoken together: Childhood Alzheimer's. It was August. The Stultses sat in an office at Children's Mercy Hospital to finally hear exactly why Brisan had never quite developed right in mind or body. They had wondered for a long time. Plucky, 3 feet tall, with hazel eyes and an impish spirit, Brisan had been born early and ill, with an enlarged liver and spleen. They knew, as he grew, that he wasn't talking. When he was 2 1/2 , his verbal abilities were that of a 9-month-old. They tried cutting his hair, and he screamed as if in pain. His developmental delays were obvious. Autism, the Stultses figured. They would manage. But now, at 4, Brisan had gone beyond not learning. He was forgetting: his colors, his numbers, his words. And he fell down a lot. He would run, then collapse, as if his legs were rubber. A battery of tests finally confirmed the diagnosis as a disease that, because of its slow and devastating effects, has been nicknamed "childhood Alzheimer's." Technically, it is Niemann-Pick Type C, or NPC, an astoundingly rare genetic disorder known to exist in about 100 living people in North America and only 500 worldwide. It is always fatal. Just weeks ago, the Stultses learned one more fact: Parker, age 2, has it also. The Stultses now know that by age 9, 10, or, if they are lucky, 20, their two sons will die. …" 76. "CPI Announces Autism Awareness Seminar" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc. at http://br.sys-con.com/node/724273. "The Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc. (CPI) has recently launched an awareness seminar aimed at helping professionals recognize, relate, and respond to individuals with autism in the workplace. Autism Matters at Work explores how awareness of autism's unique characteristics can help promote respectful interactions, reduce tension, maximize safety, and prevent crisis situations in any work environment. In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that one in every 150 eight-year-olds was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Given this high diagnostic rate, it is very likely that employees in a variety of work settings -- from retail clerks to librarians and from security staff to emergency room nurses -- will come in contact with someone on the autism spectrum. CPI President Judith Schubert encourages organizational leaders to promote respectful workplaces through employee education, noting, "Anyone who works in a care or service profession can benefit from the practical strategies taught in this training." In 2006, CPI began offering a three-day advanced course for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Certified Instructors focused on strategies for care providers working directly with service users on the autism spectrum. The course's popularity led to many requests for more autism-related training and, ultimately, to the development of this half-day seminar. According to Schubert, "Our advanced Instructor course continues to benefit many, but it is more comprehensive than what an EMT, a social studies teacher, or a museum tour guide may need." Autism Matters at Work is available to the general public and requires no prior CPI training. Upcoming Autism Matters at Work seminars are scheduled in Chicago, IL (Nov. 11 and 12), Rockford, IL (Nov. 13), Minneapolis, MN (Nov. 18), Madison, WI (Nov. 19), and Milwaukee, WI (Nov. 20). In developing Autism Matters at Work, CPI collaborated with Dennis Debbaudt, an advocate for people with autism and author of "Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals." According to Schubert, "Dennis has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and improve interactions between people with autism and law enforcement -- and his unique perspective relating to safety issues is important for anyone to consider." …" 77. "Vitamin D- Doctors seeing deficiencies as reason for concern" dated 27 October 2008 by Dorene Weinstein from the Argus Leader at http://www.argusleader.com/article/20081027/LIFE/810270312/1004/life. "Janine Albers is a health-conscious individual who eats a balanced diet, gets enough rest and exercises. She was surprised when a recent bone scan revealed she had osteopenia, a condition of low bone density that can lead to fractures. She was even more surprised to learn her brother and two sisters also have the condition. Her career as a dietitian didn't insulate her from the malady. "I was always a good milk drinker," says Albers, 46. But now she makes a special effort to get the elusive Vitamin D into her diet through supplements and foods. Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency has hit the radar screens in the medical world. One in three Americans is considered to be deficient in vitamin D and doesn't know it, according to the US National Center for Health Statistics. At the same time, new recommendations say we need more vitamin D than we thought. The daily requirements have been increased to 400 to 800 IU for 19- to 49-year-olds and 800 to 1,000 IU for 50-year-olds and older, Albers says. But many researchers agree that 800 to 1,000 IU would benefit many people, especially those at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body, and it helps make strong bones. Lack of the vitamin leads to a failure of bones to mineralize, called rickets, a condition characterized by poor growth and malformed bones. Your skin produces the vitamin when it is exposed to sunlight. But if you use sunscreen or work indoors, your body makes little or no vitamin D. The upper one-third of the country is called the rickets belt, says Teresa Beach, registered dietitian with Sanford USD Medical Center. It's an old disease, but we're starting to see more of it, she says. Our long cold winters and the low angle of the sun during the winter make it impossible to get enough vitamin D through sunlight alone. Several types of people are at particular risk for a lack of vitamin D, Beach says. …" 78. "Teacher of autistic children in Randolph under fire" dated 27 October 2008 by Nancy Reardon from the GateHouse News Service at http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/state/x1197760881/Teacher-of-autistic-children-in-Randolph-under-fire. "Parents of six autistic children are pushing for criminal charges against a teacher who they say abused students in her classroom. The parents and three teacher aides say the instructor, Ann Gibbons of Middleboro, allegedly engaged in finger-bending and forceful pushing and shoving that caused bruises, cuts, a bleeding lip and limping. Both the state Department of Children and Families and the Hingham-based South Shore Educational Collaborative, which provides alternative programs for special education students, conducted investigations and found no evidence to support the allegations against Gibbons. But the parents – who learned of the alleged abuse from three whistle-blower teacher aides assigned to Gibbons’ classroom at Lyons Elementary School in Randolph – say they’re absolutely convinced the allegations are true and believe Gibbons should face assault charges. The six children in her classroom are all nonverbal. A hearing was held Monday in Quincy District Court before Assistant Clerk Robert Bloom to determine if Gibbons will face criminal charges. To date, no charges have been filed. Gibbons’ attorney, Todd Bennett, declined to comment except to say, “Ann maintains her absolute innocence relative to these allegations, and she has confidence in the judicial process.” Michael Savage, executive director of the South Shore Educational Collaborative, referred calls to the school’s attorney, Regina Williams Tate, who declined to comment on the allegations or the school’s response to those allegations, which six parents interviewed described as “unprofessional” and “disappointing.” Tate would not say whether Gibbons is still teaching for the collaborative or is on paid administrative leave, saying “personnel matters are strictly confidential.” …" 79. "Washington County Marine Patrol Earns Top Awards" dated 27 October 2008 from KUIK News at http://www.kuik.com/Article.asp?id=954302&spid=. "The Oregon State Marine Board honored marine law enforcement officers from around the state. They commended them for their outstanding performance and contributions during the 2008 boating season at their annual post-season conference on October 14, in Bend. Washington County Marine Deputies earned three awards, Seasonal Officer of the Year, Education Award of Excellence, and a Life Saver Award. Washington County Deputy Jerry Roley received the Seasonal Officer of the Year Award. Deputy Roley completed 594 boat safety examinations, contacted 1,044 boaters to ensure they were carrying the proper equipment, and issued 449 warnings. "Deputy Roley is an asset to the Washington County Marine program," said Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Manager for the Marine Board. "He deserves recognition for his outstanding outreach to boaters in the community." The Washington County Marine Patrol Unit was also recognized for the unit's efforts to educate the public and children about boating and water safety. Marine Patrol Deputies conducted 71 school education presentations, reaching 2,999 students. Washington County Deputy Jim Rue was also recognized for saving the life of a missing 16-year-old autistic youth on Henry Hagg Lake in August. Deputy Rue knew that people diagnosed with autism are drawn to the water, so he activated Washington County Sheriff's Search and Rescue. Deputy Rue launched his patrol boat and looked for the youth from the water while alerting citizens on shore from the loudspeaker. A citizen directed the deputy toward Scoggins Creek. Through Deputy Rue's tenacious efforts, he located the lost child one and a half miles from his last seen location, standing in two feet of water in a swampy area. The youth was given a life jacket and a whistle and his mother was given tips on developing a safety plan for her son when they are near the water. "This was certainly a close call," said Rydblom. "There's nothing worse than fearing for your child's safety. Luckily in this case, tragedy was averted." …" 80. "New Non-invasive Immune Conditioning Technique Offers Relief for Allergy Sufferers- As fall allergies kick up in Southern California with the return of the Santa Ana winds and the fire season, the new technique offers relief by retraining the immune system’s negative response to allergies into a positive or non-response without medications, shots, or invasive procedures." dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from AllergiCare Relief Centers at http://www.prnine.com/releases-002322/health/noninvasive-immune-conditioning-technique-offers-relief-allergy-sufferers.html. "Many Southern California allergy sufferers remain on guard after last week’s wildfires and Santa Ana conditions, as there is no telling when the winds will pick up again or when the next wildfire will occur. Combined with recent scientific studies linking global warming to longer allergy seasons, the need for an effective treatment during the fall is greater than normal compared to previous years. Immune conditioning, a new treatment now available at AllergiCare Relief Centers of Orange County, offers relief to Southern California’s allergy sufferers using non-invasive technologies to diagnose and address the problem at its source, rather than just the symptoms. Unlike standard allergy treatments, immune conditioning does not involve scratch tests, shots or medication. Rather, the technique utilizes laser technology to better identify the allergen or sensitivity from AllergiCare’s comprehensive database of over 10,000 different allergens. The precise identification of the allergen by the firm’s unique computer system is key to AllergiCare’s ability to successfully treat allergies caused by a wide range of substances, including seasonal allergens such as pollen and hayfever; environmental allergens such as pollutants and dust; food allergens such as nuts and dairy; and pet allergens, among others. “Allergies are simply a negative response created by your body as a result of interaction with a certain substance,” explains Dr. Michael Pfautz, D.C. “This negative response triggers a reaction within your body. These reactions may include sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes, headaches and difficulty breathing. Other diagnoses such as IBS, acid reflux, fibromyalgia, and autism have also been very closely linked as allergic reactions to substances.” …" 81. "Sarah Palin's Record as Alaska Gov Showed Support for Special Needs Kids" dated 27 October 2008 by Steven Ertelt from LifeNews.com at http://www.lifenews.com/state3585.html. "Sarah Palin gave a major policy address last week on how she will be an advocate for special needs children should she become the nation's next vice-president. But, does her record as the governor of Alaska demonstrate that support or is it merely an election ploy to gain votes? The answer appears to be a resounding yes -- as the Palin administration put more money behind education and support services for disabled children and their families. During her speech Palin said, "as governor, I've succeeded in securing additional funding and assistance for students with special needs. By 2011, I will have tripled the funding available to these students." That appears to be the case. Overall funding for special needs students has increased every year since Sarah Palin entered office as governor. Palin increased the amount from $219 million in 2007 to a projected $276 million in 2009. In March, Palin signed a bill that will nearly triple per-pupil funding over three years for special needs students with high-cost requirements. The per-pupil funding grew in Alaska under Palin's administration from $26,900 in fiscal year 2008 to $73,840 devoted to fiscal year 2011. Palin has also directed state funds to other special needs programs.This funding includes $500,000 for diagnostic services for autistic children and $250,000 for training in early autism intervention in her fiscal year 2009 budget. In an April interview with Education Week the executive director of the Association of Alaska School Boards called the new funding a "historic event." …" 82. "NIH awards Rutgers Cell and DNA Repository $57.8M- Funds will support investigations into the genetics of mental disorders, metabolic and digestive diseases." dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from Rutgers University at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-10/ru-nar102708.php. "The Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository (RUCDR) has received two major awards worth more than $57.8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). One will fund genetic studies of mental disorders and the other will support investigations into the causes of digestive, liver and kidney diseases, and diabetes. "Both awards were the result of a competitive selection process that considered the scientific merit of the proposals and the past experience of the RUCDR," said principal investigator Jay A. Tischfield, Duncan and Nancy Macmillan Professor and Chair of the Department of Genetics. "These awards represent continuing joint efforts by many Rutgers faculty members, the laboratory and administrative staff of the RUCDR, and our collaborators at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School." The first award is a five-year cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Mental Health to establish the Center for Genomic Studies on Mental Disorders based at Rutgers. It has a budget of $42.4 million plus a supplemental award of $1.2 million received in September. This award funds the maintenance of a comprehensive laboratory, clinical databases and computational infrastructure to support national and international research aimed at understanding the genetic causes of disorders such as autism, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. It also includes subcontracts to Washington University School of Medicine for the establishment of clinical and genetic databases, and to the Information Sciences Institute of the University of Southern California for the development of advanced computational technologies. …" 83. "Rutgers Rakes in $58M of NIMH, NIDDK Funding for 'Omics Studies" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from Rutgers University at http://www.genomeweb.com/issues/news/150271-1.html. "Rutgers University has reeled in nearly $58 million from the National Institutes of Health to fund two research programs to conduct genomics studies of mental disorders and of metabolic and digestive diseases, the university said today. Rutgers said it will use a $42.4 million five-year grant, and a supplemental award of $1.2 million, to create a Center for Genomic Studies on Mental Disorders at the university. The funding for the genomics center will support maintenance of a comprehensive lab, clinical databases, and computational infrastructure to fund national and international research focused on autism, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. That grant also includes subcontracts to the Washington University School of Medicine to establish clinical and genetic databases, and to the Information Sciences Institute of the University of Southern California, which will study computational technology. Rutgers also will use a five-year, $14 million contract from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to fund services and infrastructure costs for a cellular and molecular biology lab used for studying digestive, liver, and kidney diseases, and diabetes." 84. "Stress during pregnancy has detrimental effect on offspring" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-10/thuo-sdp102708.php and http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027140724.htm. "Stress during pregnancy can have unfortunate consequences for children born under those conditions – slower development, learning and attention difficulties, anxiety and depressive symptoms and possibly even autism. That such stress during a mother's pregnancy can cause developmental and emotional problems for offspring has long been observed by behavioral and biological researchers, but the objective measuring and timing of that stress and its results are difficult to prove objectively in humans, since the evidence is based to a large extent on anecdotal recollections and is also strongly influenced by genetic and other factors. One researcher who has long wrestled with the problem of how to prove the connection between prenatal stress and its effects on offspring is Prof. Marta Weinstock-Rosin of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem School of Pharmacy, who in her experimental work with rats has been able to demonstrate that relationship in a conclusive, laboratory-tested manner. "There is an enormous advantage in working with rats," says Weinstock-Rosen, "since we are able to eliminate the genetic and subjective element." The researchers were able to compare the behavior of the offspring of stressed rat mothers with those whose mothers were not stressed. They also were able to compare the results of administering various types of stress at different periods during the gestation process to see which period is the most sensitive for the production of different behavioral alterations. Weinstock-Rosin's work, along with that of colleagues from Israel, the UK and elsewhere, will be presented at an international conference, "Long Term Consequences of Early Life Stress," which she is co-chairing with Dr. Vivette Glover of the Imperial College, London, and that will be held at Mishkenot Sha'ananim in Jerusalem on October 29 and 30. …" 85. "Educational neuroscience: where are we?- Are advances in brain sciences useful to the field of education? Dr Jodi Tommerdahl looks at whether breakthroughs in our knowledge of how the human brain works can provide insight into how children learn, particularly in the area of SEN, and, if so, what’s taking so long?" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from the University of Birmingham at http://www.teachingexpertise.com/articles/educational-neuroscience-where-are-we-3675. "The rise of educational neuroscience. The last 20 years have repeatedly brought to our attention the narrowing of the gap between the brain-sciences and the field of education. Academic journals and the popular press have been rife with reports of advances being made in our knowledge about how the brain works; advances which often appear promising to the area of education. The interest in the growing connection between the physical aspects of the human brain and its learning function is also evident in the workings of major organisations. Examples of this include the development of major projects by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in the field of education in the context of brain-based studies, Harvard University’s establishment of a Master’s programme entitled ‘Mind, Brain and Education’ and the opening of the Centre for Neuroscience in Education at Cambridge University. Although brain science researchers have been asking questions related to how humans learn for decades, there is a clear movement at hand to formalise this connection. This new field, sometimes referred to as ‘neuro-learning’ or ‘educational neuroscience’ has been met with varying degrees of warmth. While Davis (2004) states that medical models of cognition ‘have only a very limited role in the broader field of education and learning’ mainly because learning-related intentional states are not internal to individuals in a way which can be examined by brain activity, Pettito and Dunbar (2004) are at the other end of the spectrum as they find that this new discipline ‘provides the most relevant level of analysis for resolving today’s core problems in education.’ Opinions of other academics addressing the question fall throughout this range (Goswami, 2004; Willingham and Lloyd, 2007). Teaching professionals who were surveyed on the matter (Pickering and Howard-Jones, 2007) replied that they were generally enthusiastic concerning the use of neuroscientific findings in the field of education, and that they felt these findings would be more likely to influence their teaching methodology than curriculum content. Whether or not this will turn out to be the case, it is clear that the topic is one that is currently attracting a great deal of attention and debate. …" 86. "Study says more autism practitioners needed" dated 27 October 2008 from The Associated Press at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20081027_12_OKLA214800. "A pilot program has shown that Oklahoma does not have enough therapists and behavioral specialists to work with autistic children. Thirty families selected to take part in the autism two-year pilot project each could spend up to $12,360 a year on services for their autistic child. "What we discovered was there are so few providers of those services to these families that the spending on the behavior therapies was pretty small," said Jim Nicholson, director of the developmental disabilities division of the state Department of Human Services. "There's a lack of service providers that had that kind of specialty training. "There aren't enough, particularly, skilled behavioral practitioners." Each family on average spent about $4,500 a year on services for their autistic child, he said. The pilot program is to expire at the end of next month. According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 150 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism, a developmental problem that affects a child's ability to interact and communicate with others. …" 87. "Springer adds Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders to biomedical journal portfolio- New journal to focus on advancing interdisciplinary research" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release at http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=44275685. "Springer is launching the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders to complement its portfolio of biomedical journals. Published quarterly, it will be available in both online and print formats beginning March 2009. Target audiences will include both researchers and clinicians interested in an integrated, interdisciplinary perspective on the pathogenesis and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. The Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders is aimed at integrating current, cutting-edge research across a number of disciplines − neurobiology, genetics, cognitive neuroscience and psychology − and disorders. The primary focus will be on pathogenesis: that is, the study of the origin and development of a disease or disorder. Treatment studies which lead to new insights about the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders will be relevant subjects for this publication. An international editorial board will support Editor-in-Chief Dr. Joseph Piven of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ann Avouris, Editor, Neuroscience, at Springer, said, "I am proud to welcome the journal into our portfolio of groundbreaking publications in translational research. The Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders will support and promote interdisciplinary research into such disorders as autism, Fragile X Syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, helping to bridge the gap between basic research and treatment in these critical areas." Dr. Joseph Piven, Editor-in-Chief, said, "Progress in understanding the pathogenesis of complex neurodevelopmental disorders will require an interdisciplinary perspective that juxtaposes a number of disorders to tease apart common and unique aspects of their phenomenology and underlying mechanisms. The Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders will provide a forum for this research." The Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders will be available in print and on Springer's online platform www.springerlink.com. …" 88. "Easter Seals UCP/ CVS anounces fund-raising partnership" dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from Easter Seals UCP/ CVS at http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=001news.db&command=viewone&id=3011&op=t. "Shoppers this holiday season will find the perfect gift to capture the spirit of the season at CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide: the Easter Seals Donation Card. Offered in denominations of $5 and $25, the Easter Seals Donation Card is available now at all 6,300 CVS stores – the first and only donation card available in retail stores. The Easter Seals Donation Card promises to attract consumers interested in a unique gift to slip into holiday cards or to use as stocking stuffers. Customers can find the perfect gift, right along with gift cards from department stores and restaurants. Proceeds from the sales of all donation cards support Easter Seals’ community-based services to help assure that children and adults living with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities and other special needs can live, learn, work and play in their communities. Through the sale of the donation cards, CVS further demonstrates its long-standing commitment to Easter Seals and children with disabilities through its All Kids Can Program. Since the Program’s introduction in 2006, CVS, its associates and its private foundation have contributed over $5 million to Easter Seals. Since 2006, CVS has contributed more than $100,000 to the North Carolina Easter Seals affiliate - Easter Seals UCP North Carolina - through their participation in Walk With Me events in Charlotte, Wilmington and Greensboro and through CVS All Kids Can Fund grants to Easter Seals UCP’s centers for children in Charlotte and Raleigh. Easter Seals UCP North Carolina provides supports and services to over 15,000 North Carolina residents with disabilities and their families. The organization’s three major focus areas are Child and Family Services, Inclusive Communities and Employment. To learn more about how Easter Seals UCP North Carolina helps children and adults with disabilities or mental illness and their families, visit www.nc.eastersealsucp.com. …" 89. "New viral core facility for neuroscience attracts experts to MIT" dated 27 October 2008 by Deborah Halber in a press release from MIT at http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/viral-1027.html. "A facility exploiting viruses' ability to inject DNA precisely and efficiently into brain cells and two new experts on the molecular underpinnings of the brain's ability to change in response to experience will bolster neuroscience at MIT, home to one of the largest brain sciences research centers in the world. With funding from an anonymous donor, the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research are establishing a new core facility for viral vector research geared toward understanding the brain through genetic manipulation of the nervous system. Viral vectors -- used to deliver genes directly into cells in living animals for basic research and for human clinical applications -- have become an essential tool for manipulating gene expression in the nervous system. Viruses are masters at infiltrating their own DNA into host cells. Viral vectors exploit this ability, and are engineered to make the viral particles safe and incapable of replication. In addition to serving as a basic research tool, similar vectors are used for gene therapy and are being tested clinically for nervous system diseases including Batten disease, Alzheimer's disease and chronic pain. "Because production of these viruses requires special expertise not often found in neuroscience labs, the new facility will be an important enabling resource for the Picower and McGovern institutes. We expect that it will support a wide range of research programs in basic and translational neuroscience," said Mark F. Bear, director of the Picower Institute and a driving force behind the facility. The viral core facility will be directed by Rachael Neve, a former faculty member at Harvard Medical School and director of the Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., and one of the world's foremost experts on gene delivery in the nervous system. The facility will begin operation later this year. …" 90. "High-tech clues to facial cues- A new device helps people with Asperger's or autism interpret expressions of emotion" dated 27 October 2008 by S.I. Rosenbaum from The Boston Globe at http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2008/10/27/high_tech_clues_to_facial_cues. "TJ can usually tell when someone is happy. Happiness is easy, but negative emotions are trickier. Sorrow can look like laughter; sadness can pass for fatigue. The expressions that signify guilt and hunger, he said, "are the exact same thing." TJ Conway, 16, has Asperger's Syndrome, a neurological condition related to autism, which makes it hard for him to interpret facial expressions. Is that smile sarcastic, apologetic, polite, angry, or just happy? TJ is not always sure. It's a disability that can strain his dealings with the world. Today he is holding a small computer, about the size of a hardcover book, that, like TJ, is trying to solve the complex problems of recognizing facial expressions. Point the device at a person's face - as one would with a camera - and, ideally, it will identify the emotion they are feeling. Although the computer prototype has many bugs to work out, it represents the next generation of technological assist that, if successful, could help people with Asperger's - including the half dozen or so teens in the Providence classroom with TJ - make sense of the emotional world around them. The device is a product of MIT's Media Lab, where computer scientists are studying ways to help machines think emotionally, like humans. The prototype is called an iSet, which stands for "interactive social emotional toolkit." It's a tablet with a camera on one side and a screen on the other, like an oversized cellphone. TJ points the device at another teen, and holds it steady until a choppy black-and-white video image appears on the screen, along with such labels as "agreeing," "disagreeing," "concentrating," and "confused." When the computer thinks it's identified a facial expression, a colored dot appears above the corresponding label. The dot grows larger as the computer becomes more confident it has identified the correct emotion. …" 91. "CALL FOR ACTION: Parents accuse district of forcing students out" dated 27 October 2008 by Melissa Yeager from WINK News at http://www.winknews.com/features/action/33406244.html. "Parents make accusations of a carefully orchestrated strategy to keep special needs students out of the district. Now a report just released from a federal agency says Collier Schools should change the way they handle complaints from parents of students with disabilities. All special needs students receive what's called an Individual Education Plan or IEP. It's a contract between the student and the district outlining exactly what extra help the child needs to succeed in school. Some parents claim those contracts are deliberately being broken. While swimming in the pool, Derek Hughes looks like every other happy teenager. Until you notice, his service dog waiting poolside. Diagnosed with autism, Derek started having seizures while he was a student at Pine Ridge Middle School. "His seizure activity resulted in an ER visit because no one in school was trained properly to deal with a seizure," his dad, Bill Hughes, told CALL FOR ACTION. After the seizure, his parents took him to a neurologist at the Dan Marino Center in Miami. Derek's neurologist recommended the district change Derek's IEP to include requiring a full-time trained nurse stationed at the school (the school only had a part-time nurse). It also recommended allowing Derek to bring his service dog to school. Despite letter after letter after letter from the Derek's family attorney to the district - nothing changed. …" 92. "New Screen Evaluated for Autism" dated 27 October 2008 by Pauline Anderson in a press release from BMC Med Genomics at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/582596. "Scientists have added new pieces to the genetic puzzle surrounding autism spectrum disorders (ASD) using an inexpensive and potentially widely available screen that detects targeted submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities in children with this disorder. In a paper published online October 16 in BMC Medical Genomics, the researchers describe using novel probes in 279 children with ASD to pinpoint duplications and deletions in various DNA sequences. Among other things, they found aberrations in regions of chromosomes 15 and 22 — areas already known to be involved in disorders of autism and cognitive impairment — but they also uncovered microduplications in a region previously not linked to ASD. "This is about a new method that can be translated into a rapid and thorough screen" for certain known causes of autism, said Joseph Buxbaum, PhD, from the Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence, at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York, who led the research team. Important Ramifications for Genetic Counseling. Recently, several groups have shown that deletions and duplications in various DNA sequencing can be important in ASD. The discovery has important ramifications for genetic counseling and early interventions, said Dr. Buxbaum. For the current research, the scientists used multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), which involves 2 probes that are homologous to the genetic sequence of interest. As the probes bind, researchers can join them with a ligase and evaluate that stretch of DNA. The researchers were also able to look for abnormalities in chromosome methylation in the Prader-Willi/Angelman-syndrome region, which is an analysis that is straightforward with MLPA. This approach verified the involvement in autism of areas already known to be aberrant in various other syndromes of cognitive impairment, including Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome. But the researchers made some new discoveries, perhaps the most notable being a partial duplication in the ASMT gene located in a region of the sex chromosomes. This duplication was observed in 6% to 7% of the children with ASD but only 2% of controls. …" 93. "TOP Soccer Program Gives Kids a Chance to Belong" dated 27 October 2008 by Lisa Coffey from THE LEDGER at http://www.theledger.com/article/20081027/NEWS/810270353/1002/Sports?Title=TOP_Soccer_Program_Gives_Kids_a_Chance_to_Belong. "For children playing in the TOPSoccer program, playing with other children can cause tantrums. Running on wet grass could mean distress. Sometimes parents' clapping is sensory overload. Touching another child might bring tears. But when children with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebal palsy play soccer on Saturdays at Loyce Harpe Park in Lakeland, the game can also give them player a sense of independence, self confidence, the joy of making friends, much-needed exercise and social interaction. "It shows these kids can do things other kids can do, just in other ways," said parent Donna Chambers. "They do it with kids and coaches. All together, it's wonderful." Chambers' two children, Caitlin, 7, and Quinn, 7, are participating in the Lakeland Futbol Club's TOPSoccer program along with some 25 to 30 other players. They play Saturdays, practicing for 30 minutes and playing games for 30 minutes on a small field with no goalie. The children are coupled with a buddy who directs and encourages them on the field. The program is part of the U.S. Youth Soccer and the U.S. Soccer organization, which is the governing body of soccer in the United States. "The kids just have a ball," said Lakeland F.C. President Tim Rice. "If you've ever seen it happen, you say, 'I just have to get involved with this.' If you've had a bad day, or if you've had a bad week or watched too much catastrophe on the news, go watch a TOPSoccer game and you will feel great. It's just a wonderful experience. The kids are experiencing true joy." For the children, it's a rewarding experience. "A lot of these guys grow up never belonging," said Carin Hiam, who helps direct the program. Hiam also is a teacher in the Discovery program at Lakeland Christian School. …" 94. "Capital Campaign Goes Public as Silent Phase Shows Strong Support- Brian McPherson, Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a member of the Energy and Geoscience Institute, is conducting studies to inject CO2 created by coal power plants thousands of feet underground to store it safely away from the atmosphere and slowing global warming." dated 27 October 2008 in a press release from the University of Utah at http://media-newswire.com/release_1077135.html. "Guido Gerig, Director for the new Center for Neuroimage Analysis at the University of Utah, is developing tools and techniques that may one day lead to improved treatment for children with autism as early as two years of age. Brian McPherson, Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a member of the Energy and Geoscience Institute, is conducting studies to inject CO2 created by coal power plants thousands of feet underground to store it safely away from the atmosphere and slowing global warming. Both of these groundbreaking initiatives are just two examples of how gifts to the University of Utah's capital campaign are leading to better lives for the citizens of Utah. "A very strong motivation for my group is that our research may ultimately help families and improve the quality of life for children at risk for developmental and degenerative brain diseases," says Gerig. The University announced today the beginning of the "public phase" of the campaign. The theme is "together we reach." Goals for the campaign were established by University of Utah President Michael K. Young in consultation with the university's most loyal supporters and senior administrative officers. "The U's comprehensive campaign and its theme represent more than a bold initiative to simply become bigger," said President Young. "It empowers our students, researchers, and educators to reach for more than we could ever have imagined and realize the full potential of what this remarkable University can accomplish." The campaign's ultimate fundraising goal is $1.2 billion. The University is well on its way to meeting that mark. So far, during the three and a half year silent phase the campaign has raised $557 million. University Vice President for Institutional Advancement Fred Esplin says the public phase will continue for an additional five years. "We realize these are tough economic times, but advocates for the University of Utah continue to show strong support for its mission. People realize that the research and ideas generated here will create jobs and a better life for everyone." …" 95. "Angry mom challenges Denis Leary to walk in her shoes" dated 27 October 2008 by Laurel J. Sweet from the Boston Herald at http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2008_10_27_Angry_mom_challenges_Denis_Leary_to_walk_in_her_shoes:_Autism_Speaks/srvc=home&position=4. "The long-suffering mother of an autistic 6-year-old Saugus boy livid over Denis Leary’s published remarks that children like her son are “just stupid. Or lazy. Or both,” is challenging the actor to spend one hour in her sensible shoes. “He’ll never last,” Jessica George, 41, predicted, throwing down the gauntlet to have the Worcester native and TV star of “Rescue Me” experience son Maximilian’s autism firsthand from the vantage point of her couch. Or at least help out with the late-night loads of laundry. The caustic comic’s controversial new book, “Why We Suck,” authored by “Dr. Denis Leary,” isn’t due out until Nov. 18. But observations such as, “There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-(expletive) kids can’t compete academically,” have infuriated parents of autistic children across the country. Last year, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1 in every 150 American children have been diagnosed with autism, a neurological disorder that dramatically impacts a person’s verbal and social skills. “I was an admirer of what he did for firefighters and the heroes of 9/11,” George said. “How would he feel if I said, ‘What a bunch of whiny, loser firemen. Get over it!’ “If I’m lazy, I’d really like to see how many times he’s had to wrestle his kid to the floor of Target.” …" 96. "Denis Leary Tells Parents: I’m Sorry- ‘Raising Children With Autism’ Deserves Admiration, Comic Says" dated 28 October 2008 by Laurel J. Sweet from The Boston Herald at http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1128280&format=text. "Comedian Denis Leary, best known for pushing the envelope of convention, apologized yesterday “to all parents of children with autism” after the mother of a stricken Saugus 6-year-old dared him to spend just one hour of challenging daily life with her son. “I have nothing but admiration and sympathy for the people I know who are raising children with autism. In fact, they were the inspiration for the chapter I wrote about the subject,” the Worcester native and author of the provocative forthcoming book “Why We Suck” said in a statement to the Herald. “To them - and to all parents of children with autism - I apologize for any pain the out-of-context quotes from my book may have caused.” It was not a complete about-turn for Leary, 51, who maintained that “taking one or two sentences out of context” from the book’s chapter “Autism Shmautism” is “unfair and misleading.” And though it does not appear Leary will take Jessica George, 41, up on her challenge to babysit her son Maximilian, the mea culpa is his strongest response to date to the growing backlash against his overall thoughts on the human condition due out Nov. 18. “That means a lot to me,” George said last night. “I don’t have anything against Denis Leary personally. I think he has a good heart. He’s done a lot of good. (But) just because you don’t understand (autism) doesn’t mean it’s not real.” …" 97. "Avoidable" dated 28 October 2008 from the Age of Autism blog at http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/10/avoidable.html#more. "I hadn't paid much attention to the Georgia Supreme Court ruling on vaccines until I finally took the time to sit down and read the full text of the unanimous decision in a case we may all soon know by name, AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS CORP. [Now Wyeth, sponsor of Every Child By Two] vs. FERRARI. First off, a caveat: I'm no lawyer, and we have smart parent-lawyers writing for AoA who know a lot more about the law than I do and who have written intelligently about this case already. But, having just written about Henry Waxman's 1986 law indemnifying vaccine manufacturers from liability, I was thrilled to read that Georgia's Supreme Court ruled that Waxman's law didn't exonerate vaccine makers from any and all claims. Consider this comment from the ruling: "Therefore, although the Vaccine Act provides for limited no-fault compensation, construing subsection…would 'have the perverse effect of granting complete [tort] immunity from design defect liability to an entire industry…In the absence of any clear and manifest congressional purpose to achieve that result, we must reject such a far-reaching interpretation…" To take a quick step back, the whole issue that both sides are arguing about is whether or not the side effect (autism) caused by thimerosal in a vaccine was "avoidable." This is because of a section in Waxman's law that reads, "No vaccine manufacturer shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine after October 1, 1988, if the injury or death resulted from side effects that were unavoidable even though the vaccine was properly prepared and was accompanied by proper directions and warnings." The Georgia Supreme Court, taking exception to some rulings done in other states, reached a unanimous conclusion that Waxman's Law: "clearly does not preempt all design defect claims against vaccine manufacturers, but rather provides that such a manufacturer cannot be held liable for defective design if it is determined, on a case-by-case basis, that the particular vaccine was unavoidably unsafe." In this case, being brought by the Ferrari family, their son received thimerosal-containing vaccines in 1998. I'd hate to be AHP/Wyeth's attorney when Maurice Hileman's MEMO (HERE), written in 1991, is introduced in evidence where he writes: …" 98. "Methylmercury warning- Precautionary approach to methylmercury needed" dated 28 October 2008 in a press release from the Harvard School of Public Health at http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/Agri_amp_Environ_41/102808422008_Methylmercury_warning.shtml. "Recent studies hint that exposure to the toxic chemicals, such as methylmercury can cause harm at levels previously considered safe. A new analysis of the epidemiological evidence in the International Journal of Environment and Health, suggests that we should take a precautionary approach to this and similar compounds to protect unborn children from irreversible brain damage. Philippe Grandjean of the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston, and the University of Southern Denmark in Odense, explains that the causes of suboptimal and abnormal mental development are mostly unknown. However, severe exposure to pollutants during the development of the growing fetus can cause problems that become apparent as brain functions develop - and ultimately decline - in later life. Critically, much smaller doses of chemicals, such as the neurotoxic compound methylmercury, can harm the developing brain to a much greater extent than the adult brain. Methylmercury is a chemical compound formed in the environment from released mercury. Unfortunately, the methylmercury can be transported quickly around the body and may enter the brain. Serious problems will ensue if important developmental processes are blocked as there will be only one chance for the brain to develop. The researchers point out that until recently research into the effects of pollutants on the brain has been clouded by the lack of information on actual exposure. Moreover, finding a direct link between specific problems with the brain and exposure relies on statistical, or epidemiological, analysis rather than case-by-case understanding. The researchers say that neurodevelopmental disorders of possible environmental origin affect between 5% and 10% of babies born worldwide, leading to dyslexia, mental retardation, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, and autism. …" 99. "Special siblings" dated 28 October 2008 by Jenn Smith from The Berkshire Eagle at http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_10835922. "Brothers and sisters of people with special needs are too important to ignore. "They're so understanding," said Michelle LeSage of Adams. Her 23-year-old daughter Lindsey has autism and some mental retardation. Her 8-year-old daughter Jordan does not. "Jordan's always strong and always supportive of me," said the mother. "Sometimes she'll pat me on the shoulder and say 'It's OK'." Last week, LeSage was delighted to bring Jordan and her classmate Nicole St. Germain to a Halloween party organized under the Sibshop model. Sibshop is a program developed under the Sibling Support Project, a national and international initiative to create programs and support networks for both young and adult brothers and sisters of individuals with special needs. Last month Don Meyer, director of the Seattle-based Sibling Support Project, held a conference and training workshops in Pittsfield for families, professionals and advocates. "It's really awesome," said Christine Singer, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County. UCP is one of the five local agencies that sponsored the conference. Singer said there are now 40 Sibshop-trained professionals in Berkshire County. Sibshops are not support groups but rather social programs based in a supportive atmosphere away from the siblings' families. The Halloween party, for example, had the usual pizza, soda, candy, balloons and running around games. Over a cupful of M&Ms and candy corn, Jordan LeSage mentioned how she feels like her sibling gets more attention from her mother, "but I don't mind." Five adults and two young girls gave her I-can-relate nods and empathetic smiles in return. For now, the Berkshire County Sibshop parties will be held on a quarterly basis, and are free and open to any sibling under the criteria. Allison McHugh, 14, of Lee has been so thrilled about getting others involved with Sibshop that she wrote a letter to the editor of The Eagle about the conference. She is hoping to work on a song about it with songwriter-musician David Grover. Her older brother Jamie has special needs, but she tells people: "He's a special brother and no one else has a brother like him." …" 100. "Denis Leary Sorta, Kinda Apologizes for Offending Autism Community" dated 28 October 2008 by Lisa Jo Rudy from About.com at http://autism.about.com/b/2008/10/28/denis-leary-sorta-kinda-apologizes-for-offending-autism-community.htm. "According to the Boston Herald, Denis Leary is sorta, kinda sorry for making the autism community so angry. Here's what he had to say: Comedian Denis Leary, best known for pushing the envelope of convention, apologized yesterday “to all parents of children with autism” after the mother of a stricken Saugus 6-year-old dared him to spend just one hour of challenging daily life with her son. “I have nothing but admiration and sympathy for the people I know who are raising children with autism. In fact, they were the inspiration for the chapter I wrote about the subject,” the Worcester native and author of the provocative forthcoming book “Why We Suck” said in a statement to the Herald. “To them - and to all parents of children with autism - I apologize for any pain the out-of-context quotes from my book may have caused.” In other words, Leary is sorry if you read out-of-context bits of his book and got mad. On the other hand, he stands by the book's discussion of autism as a whole. This, presumably, means that he really does feel that many people are inappropriately describing themselves or their children as autistic to avoid feelings of inadequacy (at least, that's how I interpret some of Leary's statements). Now: here's the big question. Could Leary be correct at some level? ARE some people self-diagnosing themselves as autistic (or seeking autism diagnoses for their children) to explain away social and/or academic difficulties that are completely unrelated to autism? While I sincerely condemn Leary's nasty tone and insulting language, I do wonder whether whether he is voicing a frighteningly real possibility. In short, as autism gains publicity, is it possible that the term "autism" is being misused to mean "inability to thrive in today's world?" 101. "Get Your Flu Shot!" dated 28 October 2008 from Reader's Digest at http://www.rd.com/blogs/healthy-dose/get-your-flu-shot/post7260.html. "Vaccines were back in the news last week. Hundreds of people gathered to protest New Jersey’s new mandate that all children in preschools or licensed child-care centers must be vaccinated against influenza, reported The New York Times. And USA Today published a frightening story about the rise in parents home-schooling their kids to avoid vaccinations. Fears of a link between childhood vaccinations and autism persist, despite being thoroughly debunked. And a vaccine really isn’t just about you. It’s about preventing a pandemic—or the resurgence of potentially deadly diseases that had been all but wiped out. It only really works if we all do it. Whatever happened to serving the greater good? On the special “Weekend Update” version of Saturday Night Live last Thursday, Seth Myers reported on the trend of parents opting out of vaccinations. His punchline? He said this was expected to lead to another new trend: “Dying of polio.” Not funny, maybe—but true. And while the flu vaccine is not perfect, it’s still the best protection we have from this serious illness. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu-like symptoms every year, and more than 35,000 people die from it. Before each flu season (roughly November to February), world health organizations research and determine the three strains of virus most likely to be out there. The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from those three viruses, or it can make your illness milder if you catch a different strain. Last year’s chosen strains missed the mark a bit, but most years the vaccine is between 70 and 90 percent effective. The vaccine is safe for most people, too. I had mine last week, and I didn’t even have a bruise or soreness. If your company or community center offers a flu shot for free, even better. And did you know pharmacists in most states can give you a flu shot? Get it done for the good of us all! ..." 102. "Vaccines and flu shots: Worth the risk?" dated 28 October 2008 by Carrie Stetler from NJ.com at http://blog.nj.com/parentalguidance/2008/10/vaccine_image.html. "The debate over the safety of vaccines continues to rage. Star-Ledger family reporter Peggy O'Crowley writes about the benefits and potential harmfulness of vaccines in our PGToday section. Last week, Peggy covered a forum hosted by Deirdre Imus, president of the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center. And yes, she's married to Don Imus. New Jersey is the first state in the nation to mandate that children 6 months to 5 years old who attend child-care centers or preschools receive a flu and pneumoccocal vaccine. Children in the sixth grade must receive meningococcal/diptheria and tetanus/pertussus vaccines. A bill pending in the state Legislature would allow parents to opt out of the vaccines. A range of activists and experts at the forum weighed in on whether vaccines' role in disease prevention should be weighed against any evidence that links them to autism and other diorders." 103. "State of the University: Report of the President" dated 28 October 2008 by President Amy Gutmann in a press release from the University of Pennsylvania at http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/volumes/v55/n10/council_ag.html. "Earlier this week, students, faculty, staff, trustees, overseers, and alumni received a letter from me regarding the impact of the economic and financial climate on Penn (click here). Most members of the campus community are concerned not only with the overall impact of unsettled markets on Penn, but also with the specific impact that it will have on their respective schools and centers. Fortunately, our strategic priorities and our prudent management of resources put us in a very strong position and will continue to do so as we navigate emerging economic realities. By every major measure, Penn is stronger than ever before. This is not to say that we are immune. Penn may face challenges. We will meet them by doing what we do best: focusing on strategic priorities, managing budgets responsibly, and doing more with less. These traditions have served us in fair and foul weather and will remain the centerpiece of our approach to this challenging time in our nation’s history. If nothing else, present circumstances give Penn an opportunity to show an unparalleled level of focus and a staunch dedication to our highest priorities. Our ability to thrive through these troubled times will further distinguish us and, ultimately, advantage us as we continue to support the best and brightest students, regardless of economic background, and recruit and retain the most eminent teachers and scholars. Despite the realities of our present-day economy, I am pleased to report that we continue to have the capacity to pursue initiatives that are focused on further integrating knowledge and increasing access at Penn. Today, I would like to share the context for the new Penn Integrates Knowledge Neuroscience Initiative. This initiative is enabled by a landmark $50 million contribution from the Health System. The PIK Neuro Initiative will support five new Penn Integrates Knowledge professorships in the field of neuroscience. It will provide start-up funds for collaborative research, and strengthen interdisciplinary initiatives between the School of Medicine and other schools within the University. Why neuroscience? First: Achievements in other areas of medicine have far outpaced our understanding of the brain. Now more than ever, advances in neuroscience are critical. The prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities afflict the world’s children. …" 104. "Bay area kids to help solve medical mysteries" dated 28 October 2008 by Linda Hurtado from ABC Action News at http://www.abcactionnews.com/content/linksinfo/story.aspx?content_id=7c866954-c2f3-44a4-816d-5b59babe2851. "If you've ever had a loved one affected by asthma, autism or even childhood obesity, then your whole family may be affected by news from the University of South Florida. USF has been granted 29 million dollars to participate in the National Institute of Health's groundbreaking children's health study. One thousand bay area kids may get involved and help solve some medical mysteries. Doctor Jennifer Takagishi is examining 6 year old Angelus Powell. As a pediatrician with USF health, it’s what she does all day. But soon she'll be doing more than just looking into throats and testing out reflexes, she'll be collecting data for a comprehensive study on the environment and children's health. She says, “We're seeing more and more asthma and autism and the chance to try and figure out what is causing this increase and more importantly what we can do to stop it, is a wonderful opportunity." Here's how the study will work. Researchers will select Hillsborough County neighborhoods, canvas the area, interview and enroll families. Kathleen O’Rourke, a study investigator, says. “We’re looking for kids representative of the U.S., which means we want to have kids from all groups, all ethnic groups, urban, rural, rich and poor." Hillsborough is just one of many counties across the United States that was selected to be a part of the study. Many families will be monitored at the onset of pregnancy. O’Rourke says, “We would take air, water, dust, samples at the house. We'd invite the father of the baby to provide biological species.” Different data will be collected after the birth. “We know, for example, there's a disparity in infant mortality between black and white babies but we don't know why. That's the first thing we'll be looking at. Then as the child ages, we'll be looking at things like childhood obesity, which is just skyrocketing in this country." …" 105. "21-Year Study of Children Set to Begin" dated 28 October 2008 by KATE MURPHY from The Gadsden Times at http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20081028/ZNYT04/810283005/1049/LIFETIMES?Title=21_Year_Study_of_Children_Set_to_Begin. "After nearly a decade of planning, researchers will begin recruiting pregnant women in January for an ambitious nationwide study that will follow more than 100,000 children from before birth until age 21. The goal of the federally financed project, the National Children’s Study, is to gain a better understanding of the effects of a wide array of factors on children’s health. “What we are doing is bold and needs to be bold in order to answer some pressing questions,” said the study’s director, Dr. Peter C. Scheidt, a pediatrician on the staff of the child-health division of the National Institutes of Health. Investigators hope to find explanations for the rising rates of premature births, childhood obesity, cancer, autism, endocrine disorders and behavioral problems. To that end, they will examine factors like genetics and child rearing, geography, exposure to chemicals, nutrition and pollution. While few quarrel with the goal, some experts worry that the expansive project will take resources away from smaller and more focused perinatal and pediatric research, particularly when budgets are certain to be strained by the financial crisis. The total cost is estimated to be $2.7 billion. Participating mothers and children (fathers will be encouraged but not required to take part) will be given periodic interviews and questionnaires. They will further be asked to submit samples of blood, urine and hair. Air, water and dust from their environments will also be sampled and tested. “Something like this has never been done in this country,” said a principal investigator for the study, Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, professor and chairman of community and preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan. “It’s past time for us to do this.” Studies of comparable size and scope are under way in Britain, Denmark and Norway. …" 106. "Lawyer says autistic teen raped on bus by alleged sexual offender- Lawsuit accusing the Knox County Schools of negligence in the alleged assault of an autistic girl on a school bus" dated 28 October 2008 by Jamie Satterfield from the Knoxville News Sentinel at http://schoolmatters.knoxnews.com/forum/topic/show?id=879777%3ATopic%3A29350. "The Knox County Board of Education has been slapped with a $3 million civil-rights lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court, in connection with the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism marked by severe social dysfunction, by an alleged sex offender whose court-appointed guardian had deemed him too dangerous to go unsupervised. Yet, the pair wound up on the same bus in August with no adult supervision save the bus driver, and the girl was the lone female on the bus full of "rowdy" special education students, the lawsuit alleged. Attorney Gregory P. Isaacs, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the 14-year-old girl, said the boy has been labeled in court records as a sexual predator and was being transported to a sex offender treatment program at Halls High School when the alleged rape occurred. "It is unconscionable that as a condition of her education, this disabled 14-year-old was forced to ride in a Knox County school bus with an 18-year-old known sexual predator who was unsupervised," Isaacs said. "The consequences were unfortunately very foreseeable. Our investigation has determined that after this unfortunate incident, this (male teenager) is now being transported alone." Schools spokesman Russ Oaks declined comment, citing the pending legal battle. According to the lawsuit, bus owner Stanley Rudder had warned Knox County school officials the girl, identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, "would not make it two days" on a special education bus crammed with "rowdy" troubled boys. His prediction proved correct, with the girl immediately being subjected to sexual harassment on the bus, the lawsuit alleged. Her mother complained to school officials to no avail, Isaacs wrote. Meanwhile, Knox County Juvenile Court officials were worried about the supervision of an 18-year-old boy who was being transported on the bus to attend sex offender treatment classes at Halls High School, and his guardian warned against leaving the teenager alone with other students, according to the lawsuit. …" 107. "IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRATING AUTISM PROGRAMS IN SCHOOL" dated 28 October 2008 from NBC40 News at http://www.nbc40.net/view_story.php?id=7304. "The autism rate has increased nationally and state wide. Educators from around New Jersey are learning about creating effective autism programs in their school districts. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects language and speech in children and their ability to communicate effectively. "Kids with autism have many, many learning characteristics that really impede on their ability to learn in a general setting," said Barbara DeLoretto, Curriculum Supervisor of Morris-Union Commission. Some of the characteristics include difficulty communicating with others, exhibiting repetitious behaviors such as rocking back and forth, head banging, touching or twirling objects, having a limited range of interests, and becoming upset by a small change in their daily routine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study in 2007 that found nationwide autism affects 1 in 150 students, and here in New Jersey it affects 1 in every 90 students. "The important thing is so many kids dealing with autism that it really is a prevalent problem that if we want these kids to be productive in society, it's something that we really need to help them get a leg up and become productive down the road," said Board of Education President at the Oaklyn School District in Camden County, Ed Lally. Educators from around New Jersey 'are' trying to get a leg up on teaching autistic children. At a session of the New Jersey School Board Association's Annual Conference, board members learned the best options in integrating autism education in their school districts. "Training is the key element in any program," said DeLoretto. By learning how to work with kids more effectively, educators will be able to stop sending some autistic students out of district and integrate them back into their own neighborhood schools. "It's really an overall approach to managing autism and helping our kids do well in school," said Lally.' 108. "Diagnosing for Autism-Related Services: What's Your Opinion?" dated 28 October 2008 by Lisa Jo Rudy from About.com at http://autism.about.com/b/2008/10/28/diagnosing-for-autism-related-services-whats-your-opinion.htm. "In some communities and school districts, children with diagnosed autism spectrum disorders receive a comprehensive package of services. These services, provided free of charge, may include speech, occupational, physical and social skills therapies. They may even include Applied Behavioral Analysis, an intensive therapeutic program. Children with autism may receive 1:1 classroom support - or placement in a smaller classroom with a higher teacher to student ratio. They may have their curriculum specially modified, and be tested with accommodations made for their difficulty with language processing. They may be included in "lunch bunch" social clubs, offered adaptive PE, and more. But what if a child has many of the same disabilities as a child who's officially diagnosed on the autism spectrum - but doesn't quite fit the criteria for an autism spectrum diagnosis? In theory, schools should provide services based on need rather than diagnosis, but as often as not, things don't quite work out that way. And so the child with the autism spectrum diagnosis receives many more supports than a similar child who doesn't have the official diagnosis appended to his file. In some cases, doctors have been known to diagnose a child with autism spectrum disorders when he doesn't quite fit the criteria - because he or she knows full well that the diagnosis will make all the difference in terms of the supports, treatments and options available to that child and his family. Is it acceptable for a doctor to provide a child with "borderline" symptoms with an autism spectrum diagnosis? In my opinion, given that the doctor explains his reasoning to the parents - who agree - it often makes good sense to lean toward diagnosis when considering patients with borderline symptoms. By providing the diagnosis, the doctor can ensure that the child will receive the support and accommodations he needs to move forward. By denying the diagnosis, the doctor may make it impossible for the child to build the skills and confidence he needs to succeed. My opinion, however, is by no means universal. Laura, commenting on a prior blog post, says: …" 109. "State Superintendent of Public Instruction Visits Innovative Collaborative Classroom for Students with Special Needs" dated 28 October 2008 in a press release from Educational Services of America at http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/state-superintendent-of-public-instruction,598820.shtml. "California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today visited Mt. Diablo Unified School District's Northgate High School to observe students with special needs in a classroom taught in collaboration with Spectrum Center Schools, one of the state's leading providers of special education programs and services. Mt. Diablo is one of more than 100 public school districts in California that partner with Spectrum. Due to budget, staff expertise and other factors, many districts are unable to provide all special education services themselves. Therefore, they partner with Spectrum to deliver individualized services for students with challenging educational and behavioral needs such as autism, emotional disturbance and developmental delay, Gail Debiec, Spectrum senior vice president of operations, said. Spectrum's Northgate classroom accommodates the individual needs of 11 students in grades nine through 12 who have high-functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome. The partnership enables Mt. Diablo to serve a wider variety of students within a district site, and to provide services that are both successful and cost-effective. "Public school districts are challenged today more than ever before to meet the needs of students with special needs -- and to do it efficiently and effectively," O'Connell said. "Mt. Diablo is one of many California districts meeting this important challenge by establishing collaborative classrooms in partnership with Spectrum Center Schools. This collaboration reduces districts' costs to provide specialized services and, more important, increases the range and level of services districts can provide so they can best meet the needs of all students." Spectrum has provided services to Mt. Diablo Unified School District for more than 15 years and also has collaborative classrooms at Fair Oaks Elementary School, Sequoia and Pleasant Hill middle schools and Ygnacio Valley High School. "Mt. Diablo's long and successful partnership with Spectrum enables us to meet the individual needs of students with special needs, and it enables students to interact with their typically developing peers while they receive the services they require to be successful learners and to graduate with a high school diploma," Mildred Browne, Mt. Diablo assistant superintendent, pupil services and special education, Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA) director, said. …" 110. "Autism and Politics: We're On The Island of Misfit Toys" dated 28 October 2008 by Kim Stagliano from The Huffington Post blog at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kim-stagliano/autism-and-politics-were_b_138580.html. "There's been a lot of talk about disabilities on the Presidential campaign trail. Sarah Palin has been presented by the McCain campaign as an expert in disabilities by virtue of the fact that she has an infant with Down Syndrome and a nephew with autism. The Obama campaign has put out statements regarding the Senator's commitment to disability issues and correlated that to having a staff member with a child with autism. Well aren't we just in the news, autism Moms and Dads? Big whoop, I say. Newsflash, autism is to the disability world what cervelles de veau is to a snooty, French restaurant menu. Sure, it's French food, but it ain't Chateaubriand, no one quite knows what to make of it, and very few people order it. (I'll digress from my topic for a moment to share the origin of my cervelles de veau reference. As a senior in college, when autism was still 1 in 10,000 if I may date myself, my boyfriend and I went to dinner at one of New York's finest restaurants, La Cote Basque, which closed in 2004. I've no idea why we decided to go so fancy. Perhaps because he had his dad's credit card. Anyway, I used my best high school French and ordered the cervelles de veau, knowing that veau meant veal. God bless the waiter who asked me, "Miss, have you enjoyed calves brains in the past?" I blanched and ordered something else, I don't even remember what -- I'd have taken the frogs' legs over the calves brains!) OK, back on track now. Yukon Cornelius, the silver and gold metal prospector from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, sums Hermie the dentist's and Rudolph's plight on The Island of Misfit Toys like this, "Why even among misfits you're misfits!" because they aren't toys. That's how it feels have to children with autism. We never quite fit into any disability, teaching or medical model other than those created just for autism. Until recently, many people with autism did not qualify for basic state level services through departments of developmental disabilities because their IQ's were too high to meet the "mental retardation" criteria by which departments provide services. And yet, some of these folks could not hold a job or live independently. Massachusetts, a liberal state with excellent services for people with disabilities, only added an autism division three years ago to address the fact that many people with autism were falling through the cracks. …" 111. "Exceptional students find their niche" dated 29 October 2008 by Michele Miller from the Tampa Bay Times at http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article878810.ece. "At 7:45 a.m., Jake Heflin, 15, is diligently stocking orange juice in the cafeteria kitchen at Wesley Chapel High School. One by one, he unloads the juice cartons from a cardboard box, places them ever so neatly on metal trays, and then stacks them in the walk-in cooler so they will be ready for breakfast the next morning. To be sure, it is a repetitious task, one that others might consider dull, tedious, menial labor. But for Jake, who is autistic, arranging the juices in a specific pattern on a tray every morning is a pleasure. His ability to complete this daily task is a real measurement of progress. "He likes it a lot," said Abel Robinson, an instructional assistant who oversees Jake's work. "He gets mad when he has to go to speech every day because he likes (working in the cafeteria) so much." A future for him. Jake, who is enrolled in the exceptional student education program at Wesley Chapel, has had his share of difficulties in school. He even spent a semester as a home-bound student because his behavior was deemed too disruptive for the classroom. Jake was definitely considered a challenge, the kind that Jim Cracchiolo, the behavioral specialist at Wesley Chapel High, relishes. That might be why Cracchiolo got a call from the district office asking if he would accept Jake into the program at Wesley Chapel High. …" 112. "BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN: SUPPORTING AMERICANS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS" in a press release from the Obama campaign at http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/AutismSpectrumDisorders.pdf. "More than one million Americans have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a complex condition that impacts communication, socialization, and behavior. And more cases of ASD are being recognized across the country at an alarming pace. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that we must do more to help support Americans with ASD, their families, and their communities. Throughout his career, Barack Obama has worked with families affected by ASD to raise awareness and to provide support to parents and families living with ASD. As president, he will build on these many years of advocacy and ensure that his administration prioritizes ASD research, public awareness, and lifelong support services. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will seek to increase federal ASD funding for research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services to $1 billion annually by the end of his first term in office. They will also continue to work with parents, physicians, providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective solutions for people with ASD. Record of Leadership on ASD Research and Care: As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama sponsored legislation that became law to create an ASD diagnosis education program, an initiative designed to promote the implementation of evidence-based practices. The goal of the project is to offer educational opportunities at all levels of care, including physicians, early intervention (EI) specialists, psychologists, teachers, day care providers, parents, respite workers, and speech and language therapists. Obama has personally worked side-byside with Illinois families affected by ASD to support efforts to build the Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research. This school and research center will bring together education, academic research, early intervention programs, and training to prepare its students for independent living. In the U.S. Senate, Obama is a cosponsor of a measure that would expand federal funding for life-long services for people with ASD, authorizing approximately $350 million in new federal funding for key programs related to treatments, interventions and services for both children and adults with ASD. Appoint Federal ASD Coordinator to Oversee All Federal ASD Efforts: …" 113. "Combating Autism in America" in a press release from the McCain campaign at http://www.johnmccain.com/content/?guid=24dc9c37-e739-4aa3-8a88-ebae650a2f11. "John McCain is very concerned about the rising incidence of autism among America's children and has continually supported research into its causes and treatment. He has heard countless stories about families' hardships obtaining a diagnosis for their children's autism and accessing quality medical treatment. He believes that federal research efforts should support broad approaches to understanding the factors that may play a role in the incidence of autism, including factors in our environment, for both prevention and treatment purposes. John McCain was proud to lend his support to the Combating Autism Act of 2006, which he cosponsored, and worked to ensure its enactment. This law is helping to increase public awareness and screening of autism spectrum disorder, promote the use of evidence-based interventions, and create autism Centers of Excellence for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research and Epidemiology. John McCain understands that despite the federal and scientific research efforts to date, the exact causes of autism are not yet known and greater research is needed to understand this disorder. That is why in November 2007, he joined with Senator Lieberman in requesting the leadership of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal research into autism, to hold a hearing on federal research efforts regarding factors affecting incidence and treatment in order to help determine where research efforts can best be directed. As President, John McCain will work to advance federal research into autism, promote early screening, and identify better treatment options, while providing support for children with autism so that they may reach their full potential." 114. "Tips to Make Halloween Enjoyable for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders" in a press release from the Autism Society of America at http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=halloween_tips. "The very things that can be so exciting to neurotypical kids—wearing the costume of a favorite character, being outside with other kids who also have on costumes, knocking on doors to ask for treats, and getting treats from every house you visit—can be anxiety producing for children with autism spectrum disorders. Wearing a costume is unfamiliar, as is going from house to house to ask for treats. New routines and behaviors can be enjoyable for kids on the spectrum when they are approached with planning, and the necessary supports are identified and provided. Following are some things you can do ahead of time to help your child enjoy this child-focused occasion: 1. Begin early (even a month before) to prepare your child for Halloween activities. Read a story about Halloween and the activities that surround it, like carving pumpkins, wearing costumes, and trick-or-treating. Teach your child the skills involved in participating—knocking on the door, holding out the bag, saying “trick or treat” or using assistive technology (a picture or device) to communicate the message, and then saying “thank you.” 2. Help your child choose a costume that will reflect his interests. Let him practice wearing the costume around the house while practicing the skills. If wearing a costume is irritating, ask him if he would rather wear face paint, a scarf, or a hat on Halloween. No costume is also OK. …" 115. "Spooktacular Tips for Halloween" in a press release from Autism Speaks at http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/ownwords/intheirownwords_halloween.php. "Editor's note: The tips and anecdotes below were submitted by members of our community. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors exclusively. We go out nightly the week before Halloween comes. We fake the knocking on the door, and saying "trick or treat" as well, at home. That makes it easier with both of my sons because they know what's going to happen that night. Of course there is the unexpected ... we saw a witch sitting on the sidewalk. We stayed back a bit and I said in a loud voice, "This little boy is scared of bad things!" and the witch just sat still! Last year, my son said hi to the witch as he walked by ... a first and a great experience! - Anonymous …" 116. "Autism Speaks Co-Founders Visit England to Expand Global Autism Awareness" in a press release from Autism Speaks at http://www.autismspeaks.org/inthenews/wrights_uk_treehouse.php. "On Wednesday, October 22, Autism Speaks Co-Founders Bob and Suzanne Wright attended the inaugural Annual TreeHouse Lecture, entitled “Are we Ambitious Enough about Autism?” Bob Wright gave the keynote address and participated in a panel discussion. Other panelists include Virginia Bovell and Anya Ustaszewski, a member of the London Autism Rights Movement, who has autism. The event was chaired by TreeHouse patron Jon Snow. In his keynote address, Wright encouraged the attendees to do everything possible to find the answers. He cited the U.S. campaign that has been so effective using a three-prong approach. (1) Educate the general population as well as caregivers and teachers working with young children; (2) Lobby the government to increase funding for research; and (3) Demand and develop improved interventions for those with autism. He cited TreeHouse, the national charity for autism education, as a shining example and pledged to support their great work. Earlier in the day, the Wrights visited the TreeHouse School in North London, which is home to 67 children suffering from autism ages 5 to 19. TreeHouse was the first school in the UK to use the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) employing the best teaching practices. CEO Ian Wylie gave the Wrights a tour of the facility explaining the school's successful ABA teaching and therapy approach and the one to one student teacher ratio. While touring classrooms and meeting students, the Wrights listened to Ian Wylie's sentiment that local educational boards in England should be more open to allowing children as young as 3 years old to attend TreeHouse. The school prides itself on creating an atmosphere which mirrors a regular educational environment. Also accompanying the Wrights on their tour was Virginia Bovell, one of TreeHouse's founders. Bovell's son Danny, a TreeHouse student, met the Wrights on the playground, along with other students. …" 117. "Autism Speaks Sponsors Symposium at Neurotoxicology Meeting- Environmental Etiologies of Neurological Disorders: Scientific, Translational and Policy Implications" in a press release from Autism Speaks at http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/scientificmeetings/as_symposium_25th_annual_neurotoxicology_meeting.php. "On October 16, 2008, Autism Speaks – together with organizers Isaac Pessah, Ph.D., from the University of California Davis, Pamela Lein, Ph.D., from Oregon State Health Sciences University, and Michael Aschner, Ph.D., from Vanderbilt University – hosted a special day-long symposium at the 25th Annual Neurotoxicology Meeting in Rochester, NY. The symposium was part of a five day conference attended by 200 people that covered such topics as: environmental toxicants, neurodegeneration and neurodevelopment, genetic basis of behavioral neurotoxicity, developmental neurotoxicity, and translational research that focuses on developing models to test new treatments for environmental exposures. Adding to the special nature of the conference, Dr. Bernard Weiss, a pioneer in the field of neurotoxicology, was honored throughout the meeting. During the session entitled "Animal Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Information for Neurotoxicologists," data from eleven scientists, clinicians and researchers was presented for discussion. The goal of the session was to focus research on the integration of environmental exposures and genetic influence in order to encourage toxicologists to develop new models of this complex disorder. In order to first familiarize researchers new to autism, Susan Hyman, M.D., from the University of Rochester, provided the participants with a thorough overview of the core signs and symptoms of autism, highlighting how autism is diagnosed behaviorally, both through parent and clinical observations, using specific criteria which captures deficits in three areas of functioning. She highlighted symptoms that may be targeted in animal models, and emphasized the need for models to understand the neurobiology of the disorder. This presentation set the stage for how researchers can approach development of autism models for study of toxicological exposure. …" 118. "Donor Stories: Gerda Cohen- Sea Glass Collector Turns Hobby into Creative Fundraiser" in a press release from Autism Speaks at http://www.autismspeaks.org/donate/donor_stories_gerda_cohen.php. "Have you ever found bits of smooth, frosted glass as you were strolling along the beach? This is authentic sea glass (also called beach glass). It is created by nature when discarded bottles and jars are broken then polished smooth by the sand and wave action. Transforming a shard of glass into a soft-edged jewel takes a lot of water in motion swirling it and twirling it until it is weathered and frosted. It takes up to 10 years for a sliver of glass to show significant etching, 20 to 30 years for edges to be completely polished and rounded by lapping waters. 20 to 30 years for edges to be completely polished and rounded by lapping waters. Gerda Cohen and her husband Irwin have been collecting sea glass for over 40 years on Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass. In 2007, Cohen contacted Autism Speaks about jewelry she was creating out of this beautiful smooth glass. She proposed creating one-of-a-kind pieces to sell to friends and asked if she could donate all the proceeds to Autism Speaks. “I don't want to be paid for my labor or materials,” sad Cohen, “that is my contribution.” She has raised nearly $2000 to support Autism Speaks and her story has been highlighted in local papers. …" |
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