Outrunning Autism

Study debunks autism as primarily genetic disorder

2011-07-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

It's unfortunate that we have to rely on science to prove what common sense speaks loudly and clearly. Like my tagline says, "There is no such thing as a genetic epidemic." Don't even get me started on there being no gene that is immune to the damage of toxic chemicals... I guess that study is still 20 years out, though. :)

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/25879

Study debunks autism as primarily genetic disorder

SAN FRANCISCO — A rigorous study of nearly 400 twins has shown that environmental factors have been underestimated, and genetics overestimated, for their roles in autism spectrum disorders.

The study found that the children’s environment represents more than half of the susceptibility — 55 percent in the most severe form of autism and 58 percent in the broad spectrum of the disorder — while genetics is involved in 37 percent and 38 percent of the risk, respectively.

This is the largest and most rigorous twin study to date to research the genetic component of the disorder, and tapped expertise from the UCSF Institute for Human Genetics and Stanford University — which jointly led the research — as well as from Kaiser Permanente, UC Davis, the Autism Genetic Research Exchange and the California Department of Public Health.

“Autism had been thought to be the most heritable of all neurodevelopmental disorders, with a few small twin studies suggesting a 90 percent link,” said UCSF geneticist Neil Risch, director of the UCSF Institute for Human Genetics and senior author of the paper. “It turns out the genetic component still plays an important role, but in our study, it was overshadowed by the environmental factors shared by twins.”

Findings appear in the July 2011 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry and can be found online at http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/.

“Our work suggests that the role of environmental factors has been underestimated,” said Dr. Joachim Hallmayer, first author of the paper and an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University.

What exactly those environmental factors are, Hallmayer said, is the “multimillion dollar question,” but he noted that the disorder’s manifestation in very young children indicates a cause early in life and possibly during pregnancy.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. An estimated six children out of every 1,000 — or one in 166 — have some form of autism, with boys four times more likely than girls to have it. That rate is roughly 10 times the prevalence of the disorder in the 1960s, which has spurred a concerted effort to identify the source of the condition.

Risch and Hallmayer collaborated with autism expert Lisa Croen at Kaiser Permanente and epidemiologist Judith Grether at the California Department of Public Health, which tracks autism statewide through records from the Department of Developmental Services.

The twin study compared those records with California birth certificates for children born between 1987 and 2004, and identified 2,312 twins in which at least one member was affected with some form of autism. The children were all at least 4 years old, when autism can be reliably diagnosed.

Hallmayer then worked with UC Davis clinical psychologist Sally Ozonoff and the Southern California-based Autism Genetic Research Exchange to conduct parent interviews and full medical and behavioral evaluations of each child, to systematically assess whether the children had autism spectrum disorder, and if so, at what level of severity.

Ultimately, the group was winnowed to 192 pairs of twins, of which 54 were identical and 138 fraternal, for statistical analysis. Since autism disproportionately affects boys, only 80 of the pairs included both sexes.

The initial results were staggering: A boy with a fraternal (not identical) twin with autism spectrum disorder had a 31 percent chance of also having the disorder, while a boy with an identical twin with the disorder had a 77 percent chance of sharing it. In girls, the concordance was 50 percent in identical twins and 36 percent for fraternal pairs.

Both rates are dramatically higher than the general population, in which the overall incidence of autism is about 0.6 percent. The high fraternal rate was especially unexpected, Risch said, because fraternal twins had previously been thought to have the same concordance as non-twin siblings. Identical twins share all of their genetic material, while fraternal twins share only half, the same as any siblings. The strong fraternal-twin rate in this study is considerably higher than non-twin siblings, indicating a strong environmental component unique to twins.

“The difference between the identical and fraternal rates shows that genetics definitely plays a role in the disorder,” Risch said, noting that if it didn’t, the concordance rates would be equal among the identical and fraternal groups. “But the fact that the fraternal twins have such a high rate shows that their shared environment is contributing significantly to their susceptibility.”

Croen, who is director of the Autism Research Program at Kaiser, said the findings suggest that events during pregnancy should be a focus for future research into the origins of autism.

The research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, one of 27 institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health, and by Autism Speaks.

Additional co-authors from Stanford include Jennifer Phillips, Dr. Linda Lotspeich, Sue Cleveland and Andrea Torres. Co-authors from Autism Genetic Resource Exchange include Brianne Cohen, Tiffany Torigoe, Angie Fedele, Janet Miller and Clara Lajonchere. Additional co-authors Jack Collins and Karen Smith are from the California Department of Public Health.

UCSF is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. For more information, visit www.ucsf.edu.

Eagle scout project needs racers to help fight autism

2011-07-07T10:32:00.000-07:00

http://sammamishreview.com/2011/07/06/eagle-scout-project-needs-racers-to-help-fight-autism

This is so beautiful. What I wouldn't give to have my daughter's sibling have the same compassion and empathy for her autistic sister. I think this little boy is an absolute angel. I'm not a fan of where the proceeds are going, but I can't help spreading this gem anyway.

Eagle scout project needs racers to help fight autism
July 6, 2011

By Anna Marum
Justin McOmber has been raising money and awareness for an autism cure for years, but now he’s taking it to a new level.

Inspired by his brother Gregory’s fight with nonverbal autism, Justin, a 14-year-old Sammamish resident, has created a “Race for Autism” as his Eagle Scout project.

Contributed Gregory (left) and Justin McOmber. Justin’s Eagle Scout project to raise autism awarness was inspired by Gregory. Contributed

Justin said he hopes to help people better understand the challenges of the disorder with a course modeled after CBS’s “Amazing Race.” On Aug. 13, participants will unscramble 13 clues that will lead them to several tasks meant to show them how a person living with autism experiences mixed messages from their environment.

For example, one task will require participants to tie their shoes while wearing construction gloves.

“It would teach them how people with autism have trouble with motor skills,” Justin said.

He said some people don’t understand autism and can sometimes be mean to his brother. This is very difficult and Justin hopes to remedy it with his project.

“He’s the sweetest soul,” he said of Gregory.

Justin hopes to register at least 50 teams, or 100 participants. This would raise at least $3,500 in proceeds, all of which will be donated to Autism Speaks, an autism science and advocacy organization dedicated to finding a cure for autism.

Merideth Tall, founder and chair of Clippers Vacations (formerly Victoria Clipper) was one of the people Justin approached to help sponsor the fundraiser.

“It caught my breath and I was so touched and so moved,” she said.

The fundraiser especially hit home with Tall because her son Rams is also autistic. In fact, it was through her son that Tall first met the McOmber family 14 years ago, through a recommendation from a friend. She has stayed close to the McOmbers through the years, especially with the mother.

“I think her kids are remarkable and they love their brother, Gregory, very much,” she said.

Tall was impressed and eager to contribute to the fundraiser when Justin approached her. She donated a trip for two to Victoria as the race’s grand prize, as well as a trip to the San Juan Islands.

“It’s made me feel wonderful,” she said.

Because autism is actually a group of disorders which encompass a broad spectrum, people have difficulty understanding it, Tall said. She hopes the race will promote awareness and understanding.

“It’s an amazing idea,” she said.

Get Involved

The race will be held the morning of Aug. 13 at Evergreen Christian Fellowship Church on the Sammamish Plateau.

To register for Race for Autism, go here.

Reach intern Anna Marum at samrev@isspresss.com.

Investigators Find Vaccine-Autism Link

2011-05-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.autismone.org/content/investigators-find-vaccine-autism-link

Investigators Find Vaccine-Autism Link

Posted May 7th, 2011 by Ed Arranga
Investigators and Families of Vaccine-Injured Children to Unveil Report Detailing Clear Vaccine-Autism Link Based on Government’s Own Data

Watch the press conference live on UStream on Tuesday, May 10th at EDT.

Channel: www.ustream.tv/channel/ebcala.

Report Demands Immediate Congressional Action

Directors of the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law and Advocacy (EBCALA), parents and vaccine-injured children will hold a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (717 Madison Place, NW in Washington, DC) on Tuesday, May 10 at 12:00 PM to unveil an investigation linking vaccine injury to autism. For over 20 years, the federal government has publicly denied a vaccine-autism link, while at the same time its Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has been awarding damages for vaccine injury to children with brain damage, seizures and autism. This investigation, based on public, verifiable government data, breaks new ground in the controversial vaccine-autism debate.

The investigation found that a substantial number of children compensated for vaccine injury also have autism. The government has asserted that it “does not track” autism among the vaccine-injured. Based on this preliminary investigation, the evidence suggests that autism is at least three times more prevalent among vaccine-injured children than among children in the general population.

The federal government has called autism a “national health emergency,” conservatively affecting 1 in 110 children and costing the country billions of dollars each year. Because almost all children in the United States are required by law to receive between 30-45 vaccines in order to attend public school, it is crucial that the VICP decide cases with justice and transparency. EBCALA and the families of the vaccine-injured call on Congress to investigate the VICP, the only forum in which parents may bring claims of vaccine injury on behalf of their children.

WHERE: United States Court of Claims 717 Madison Place, NW Washington, DC
WHEN: Tuesday, May 10 12:00 PM noon

Autism One Conference - Chicago

2011-05-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

Autism Awareness month- Family

2011-04-20T02:11:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure what sort of post I would do for autism awareness month, I'm still not sure. However, I was going through some old emails and I got to thinking about all the hurtful and dismissing things I was told about my daughter when I was seeking understanding and compassion before her diagnosis. These are not statements made by well-meaning people trying to reassure me that my daughter is okay, these statements were made by people who were convinced I was crazy. These hurtful things were not said by random strangers or even professionals. These people are my family. Church-goers. Family. Family. Family.

So, here are just a few of the doozies:

In response to my concern that my daughter's gross motor skills were delayed. "It's because you don't socialize her enough."

In response to my concern that my daughter wasn't interested in playing with other kids. "Side by side play is perfectly normal at this age. Leslie (said annoyed), she is perfectly normal!"

Explaining to someone that I notice my daughter gets sensory-overloaded really easily. "There is no such thing."

"I don't understand why you think your daughter suffers from social anxiety. She seems like a typical toddler to me. Your parenting style has allowed her to only want to be with you."

"I don’t believe your daughter has autism, ever has or ever will. I feel a lot of her issues are due to her nurturing environment - nurture and not nature. If she really had autism I think you would be seeing this very differently. My question is… WHY DO YOU WANT HER TO HAVE AUTISM SO BADLY?"

My daughter was diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder, tactile defensiveness, sensory regulation disorder and Aspergers. I'm sure there is some way to blame my parenting on all those, right? We haven't come that far from the day when moms were being blamed for their child's autism - well, at least not in my family. And, no, I received no apologies for these statements when I received her diagnosis. Family. Family. Family.

Please support the people in your life who are looking to talk about their kids' special needs, their concerns for their children and their struggles. Listen. Don't judge. You don't know... only they do.

PBS Autism Now series

2011-04-20T01:27:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about this series. Autism Now: Robert MacNeil Shares Grandson Nick's Story. This story is many of our own. This story is deeply moving. This series seems balanced and eye opening. Robert MacNeil does me proud. Thank you, Robert.

Autism Now: Robert MacNeil Shares Grandson Nick's Story

Dietrich Klinghardt on Autism

2010-12-03T01:33:00.000-08:00

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt is one of my heroes. He is the single most significant person in my daughter's healing journey. I owe him so much. I thought I'd share this video from him.

Parenting a special needs child

2010-12-02T22:48:00.000-08:00

A parent with a special-needs child has the daily challenge of resisting curling up into the fetal position and partaking in self-pity. A parent who has a special-needs child and also lacks any of A-D will fail at that task more often.

A) A supportive spouse
B) Financial means to get their child the help they need
C) A non judgmental, supportive network of friends and family
D) The time and means to refill their own cup

Please go easy on yourselves moms and dads, it's hard! Empty what you can from your plate, and surround yourself with people who make you feel good, not bad. You're not alone!

The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder

2010-09-26T17:12:00.000-07:00

http://sos-research-blog.com/09/the-ultimate-guide-to-sensory-processing-disorder/

I have not read this book yet. My copy is on the way. But it sounds great!

Link to the book on Amazon is here

What are the common signs of Aspergers?

2010-09-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.aspergerssociety.org/articles/04.htm

Common Signs of Aspergers

Individuals with Aspergers are often highly intelligent but don't have a clue about anything social.

Memory is highly developed in most people with Asperger's and is a special skill for them, especially when it comes to reciting facts.

*Individuals with Aspergers often exhibit many of the following signs:

*Unusual communication style (talking in an overly formal way or not talking)

*Problems with social skills, lack of friends and difficulty relating to people

*Obsession with specific topics

*Being highly sensitive to noise, commotion, how clothes feel or other sensory issues

*Motor problems such as odd posture or odd mannerisms

Eye Contact:

Here is something that might come up with your loved one who has Asperger's that you should know about. A lot of people with Asperger's seem to have difficulty looking people in the eyes.

It is physically difficult for them to do this, and hurts them to look people in the eye. They often cannot concentrate on what they are saying if they have to do this at the same time.

One theory says that this is because the human face, and eyes in particular, hold so much information, and people with Asperger's are so sensitive in some ways to this information that it is overwhelming. They might not be able to correctly interpret the information, but they are aware it is there and this is overloading to them.

Some have reported that it is literally a burning feeling to look into someone else's eye. Some can train themselves to do this over time and others try to do it minimally.

So, if your loved one with AS is not looking at you while you talk, it doesn't mean he isn't paying attention - rather, he's focusing and taking in the information in the way he can best - by NOT looking at you!

These are just a few of the answers you will need to successfully survive and thrive with Aspergers. If you are looking for additional answers immediately, go to the following site: www.AspergersSociety.org

Cadmium showing up in more consumer products

2010-09-26T16:36:00.000-07:00

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=7688252

Ric Romero
More: Bio, E-mail, Facebook, Home Page, News Team

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Millions of products have been recalled recently due to contamination with lead or cadmium. While government regulations restrict lead in children's products, cadmium is a newly recognized health threat in everyday products.

"Children's developing bodies are vulnerable to damage from lead and cadmium. And cadmium exposure over the long-term poses health risks to adults," said Consumer Reports' Bob Tiernan.

Consumer Reports, with the help of an outside lab, just tested more than 30 children's and household products that testers suspected might contain heavy metals.

"Most of the products did not contain potentially hazardous levels of lead or cadmium. But two were of particular concern," said Tiernan.

A cell-phone charm from Claire's Accessories had very high levels of lead, which could be hazardous if it's swallowed by a child.

Two Kidorable Bumble Bee raincoats purchased late last year had worrisome levels of lead. Kidorable says it has reformulated the raincoats and they're now labeled "lead-free."

"Our tests of coats labeled 'lead-free' found only low or trace amounts of lead, well below federal limits," said Tiernan. Read more here

Biomedical Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders Scientific References and Abstracts

2010-09-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

This site is maintained by volunteers, for the convenience of caregivers and medical professionals looking for scientific references to support the use of biomedical interventions for autism.

The purpose of this site is to inform and educate the public that in many cases, the symptoms of autism are the manifestation of a physical illness that may be relieved in part by early and appropriate medical treatment.

http://www.autismbiomed.com/home.html

World of Jenks - A day with an autistic boy

2010-09-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

Bravo to Jenks for doing this episode. It's fabulous!

http://www.mtv.com/videos/world-of-jenks-ep-2-cant-make-me-be/1647734/playlist.jhtml

Some excerpts that made me cheer:

Father of Chad (boy with autism): You know who doesn't understand? Family! They think they can do a better job. They don't understand!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Chad (boy with Autism): People don't understand me; it kind of hurts my feelings.
Jenks: You'd rather they just accept you for who you are?
Chad: Yeah. I'm not going to change my habits. And they can't make me BE.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Jenks: One of the biggest challenges for people with autism is hypersensitivity.

Temple Grandin - The Movie

2010-09-13T21:41:00.000-07:00

This movie is phenomenal! Claire Danes is glorious! Temple's story is heartbreaking and triumphant all packaged ingeniously into a true-to-life depiction of autism.

I hope we'll see more of these types of movies. It's an essential-to-see movie for anyone dealing with anyone on the autism spectrum: Family, schools, teachers, therapists, etc. With the current number of prevalence, really, everyone should see this movie!

Book Review: "Choosing Home - Deciding to Homeschool with Asperger's Syndrome"

2010-09-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

If you are a family that is considering homeschooling your Asperger's or ASD child or a family whose AS or ASD child is having difficulty at school, this book by Martha Kennedy Hartnett is for you! A journey through a family's struggle to listen to their inner voice, and ultimitely allowing that voice to win.

An excerpt from the Foreword:
Choosing Home: Deciding to Homeschool with Asperger's Syndrome is about the incredible courage and determination exhibited by James along with his parents as they strive to provide a meaningful education for their son. The story you are about to read makes an important and substantial contribution to the education of people with Asperger's Syndrome.

A few pearls from the book:

-" ...homeschooling laid the groundwork for a life of independence and self-determination."

-" ...socialization for many children with Asperger's Syndrome is not learning about getting along with others, but rather a negativity endurance test. The homeschooling environment provided James with the temporal, cognitive, and emotional space to learn socialization on a more realistic incidental basisin his community."

-" ...make education learning disability-free."

-" ...the stress of dealing with the school system no longer dominate their own lives."

-"There is no doubt that many young people with AS struggle in today's schools. Their daily academic, emotional, and social ordeals are often painful to witness. Each day brings experiences which, through the lens of Asperger's, can become magnified into trauma."

-"AS students work so hard to handle their environment during the school day that they sometimes take out their frustrations on things or loved ones as soon as they get home. One mother described her seventh grade daughter as actually becoming physically abusive in a frantic attempt to get rid of the day's stresses."

-"Asperger's children have trouble letting go of a slight, whether real or perceived. Any unkind deed or comment is locked in their memory forever."

And my absolute favorite:

"Whatever your contact with AS, remember that it is the unique people in the world who often contribute the most to it. This world needs those who see it through different eyes. They force the rest of us to question ourselves, the way we think and the path on which we may be walking. They cause those who often blindly follow the masses to pause and, in doing so, become more enlightened."

Parenthood - TV show character depicts family struggles with Asperger's

2010-09-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from: Hart to Heart: Embrace the imperfections of 'Parenthood'
http://savannahnow.com/accent/2010-09-13/hart-heart-embrace-imperfections-parenthood

"...But the most intriguing plot line is the impact Asperger syndrome has on little Max Braverman's life and that of his parents, Adam and Kristina Braverman, played by Krause and Monica Potter.
Autism advocates have applauded the show for putting the spotlight on the increasingly common disorder, a type of high-functioning autism.

In an episode last season, the family participated in a Walk Now for Autism Speaks event. An earlier episode featured the honest reaction of Adam and Kristina Braverman to the possibility their son might have Asperger's.

Max wears a pirate costume to school every day, fails to acknowledge other classmates and bites a kid who calls him a freak after Max keeps crumpling up construction paper.

The school's principal recommends that Max see an educational therapist.
"She thinks he may have Asperger's," Max's mom (Monica Potter) tells her husband, who's in denial and argues why this couldn't be so. "Honey, there's something wrong with our baby," his wife says, pleading, "Please don't make me be alone with this."

Executive producer Katims has firsthand knowledge of Asperger's. His son has the disorder. Katims has said in media reports that it is important for him to depict Asperger's as realistically as possible.
Katims said a guiding principle "was the idea that your children are never the people you expected them to be" and parents have to figure out "how to deal with that..."

Link to Parenthood's website

Case Study: Autism and Vaccines

2010-09-13T01:30:00.000-07:00

Autism and Vaccines

By Claudia Wallis Monday, Mar. 10, 2008

Hannah Poling, left, stands with her parents Terry and Jon Poling, right, at a news conference in Atlanta on March 6, 2008. Government health officials have conceded that childhood vaccines worsened a rare, underlying disorder that ultimately led to autism-like symptoms in Hannah, and that she should be paid from a federal vaccine-injury fund.

2010-09-12T21:15:00.000-07:00

Homeopathy and the Treatment and Prevention of Infectious Contagious Disease

Seeking a Vaccine Alternative? Looking to detoxify your child from vaccines?

The Minneapolis homeopathic office of Kate Birch, RS Hom (NA), offers comprehensive, responsible, and experienced guidance on alternatives to vaccines and the recovery of health after vaccines. She serves individuals and families in Minnesota and throughout the nation: 612-701-0629.
Homeoprophylaxis, (the use of homeopathic nosodes for disease prevention) may be the best way to protect your child from infectious contagious disease and from developing autism or other conditions associated with vaccination.
Why use homeopathy to treat and prevent disease when vaccines and antibiotics are available?
An increasing body of scientific evidence raises concerns that vaccines and antibiotics cause more harm than good. More medical professionals, parents, and lawmakers are searching for vaccine-alternatives.

read more here: http://vaccinefree.wordpress.com/

When the Twain Shall Meet: Biomed and Self-Advocacy

2010-09-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

Progress and perspective. Beautiful!

Found here: http://www.autism.com/pdf/papers/Edelson_Paradiz.pdf

Guest Editorial: Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D.

When the Twain Shall Meet: Biomed and Self-Advocacy

Introduction
By Steve Edelson, Ph.D.
Dr. Bernard Rimland, founder and former director of the Autism Research Institute (ARI), began his pioneering work in the area of biomedical
interventions in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His main focus was on nutritional supplements and restricted diets. But historically, it wasn’t until
the first Defeat Autism Now! think tank in 1995—during which approximately 30 professionals and clinicians met and agreed that GI and immune
problems are common in autism—that the biomedical aspects of autism began to receive widespread attention from parents and professionals.
Participants in the think tank agreed that they would work together to better understand and treat such problems. It is thanks to ARI’s Defeat
Autism Now! program, founded by Drs. Rimland, Sidney Baker, and Jon Pangborn, that this movement has gained such successful momentum since that time.

2010 has been a monumental year in the autism community in terms of acceptance of the existence of GI problems. In January, 26 scientists published a consensus review paper documenting the research on GI problems in autism (Pediatrics, January 2010). ARI was instrumental in all phases of this project.

A second landmark study on GI problems was published a few months later by the Autism Treatment Network, a program of Autism Speaks. In this study, 1,185 individuals on the autism spectrum, ages 2 to 18 years, were surveyed at 15 research and treatment centers in the U.S. and Canada.
The results indicated that 45% suffered from GI problems, such as abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. In addition, as their age increased, so did the likelihood of GI problems [2010 Pediatric Academic Societies Annual meeting].

Given the consensus review paper and the large-scale survey, there should no longer be doubt within the autism community that many individuals on the spectrum suffer from GI problems.

By contrast, recent research on treating GI problems has been problematic. A couple of well-publicized studies implementing GI-related treatments have actually excluded those with certain GI problems, including an NIH-funded study on the gluten-free/casein-free diet (Hyman et al., IMFAR conference, May 2010) and a study examining the efficacy of digestive enzymes (Sujeeva et. al., Journal of Autism and Developmental
Disorders, 2010). Furthermore, most of the studies investigating the efficacy of secretin, which were published almost a decade ago, did not take into account GI problems when choosing appropriate subjects or analyzing the data.

Why exclude these individuals from the research? The only reason that seems plausible is that they were considered “exceptions to the rule” or "outliers,” and traditional researchers chose to focus their efforts only on those individuals with autism and nothing more. Given the recent acceptance of GI problems in autism, it is time for scientists to begin studying GI-related treatments in those individuals on the autism spectrum who
have GI problems.

Finally, much of the research and discussion on GI problems in the past has focused on children on the autism spectrum. One of ARI’s new initiatives is to conduct research exploring how various biomedical treatments, such as GI treatment, might help adults on the spectrum. We are fortunate to have Dr. Valerie Paradiz write a guest editorial for the Autism Research Review International on this important topic.

—

Biomed and self-advocacy: for years, these two realms have felt like polar opposites to me. I am a parent of a twenty-year-old son with ASD, and myself was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago. My son and I grew up together within the autistic self-advocacy community, participating in some of its earliest organizations and events. This experience has remained a constant in my life, developing into a career in autism education. Today I support schools and agencies by training staff and teachers to assist people with autism in learning skills in advocating for their needs and preferences and in becoming more autonomous players in their own sensory and social well-being.

During the 17+ years since my son was diagnosed, the most our family ever attempted that might be deemed “biomedical” was vitamin B supplements, taken orally, when my son was in early intervention. As much as I was aware of the early vaccine debates of the 1990s that have persisted until today, I felt more attuned to and engaged in activities that self-advocates were up to. I admit I also felt critical of the biomedical community, as many self-advocates on the spectrum do.

Looking back, I see that I felt this way for several reasons. The first was the vaccine scare and how it was presented in the media, as well as in some parent sectors. Frankly, it turned me off. Whenever I tried to tune in and take perspective, the voices that represented this cause felt too shrill and in-your-face to me. The second reason had to do with articles I read about research in vaccines, published in newsletters and other non-profit publications devoted to autism. Many of these appeared to be more committed to the goal of pressing home an agenda, rather than supporting rigor and ethics in scientific inquiry.

Finally, the language used to describe and promote biomed causes and interventions often seemed to disregard how the autistic person might feel about it. Unfortunately, I grew to mistrust and tune out this sector of the autism field.

Ironically, as I became more involved in self-advocacy, I began to think similar thoughts of our own community. A few years into the new millennium, and shortly after my diagnosis, I began to worry that our message as people on the spectrum had become too repetitious (something we’re good at) and, in many respects, just as shrill and in-your-face as the anti-vaccine voices sounded to me. It was as if all of us were playing to the media, and its love for sensation, without remembering our larger community responsibility.

In spite of the new attention autism was receiving, I was concerned we were losing ground in our combined forward momentum, our sense of discovery and our understanding of ourselves and what we wanted, whether we were parents, people with autism, or professionals. What pained me most of all were the more private incidents I witnessed, when self-advocates with autism whom I admired for their bravery and dignity found
themselves in nasty fights with a mom or dad of a child on the spectrum. In fact, it was on one particular night six years ago at a major conference sponsored by one of our leading national nonprofits that I witnessed a row between a mother (whose child was non-vocal and needed intensive supports around the clock) and a young woman with Asperger syndrome who was very independent, yet also very vulnerable. She had allergies to early every food item you could know. The scene was harsh, each of them ultimately denying the essential human suffering of the other. That night, I saw an unfulfilled and desperate need in both of them to feel stronger and better, and I recognized it as the two forces that were at odds within me, in my own daily experience as a parent and a person with ASD.

As much as I think anger can be the juice of change, we have been spinning in circles with our usual gripes and our usual hurts for too long, and the media have had a heyday with us. Over time, I have come to see that some parents have been hurting with a loss they haven’t had the opportunity to truly come to terms with; and this, unhappily, has been the same case for many people with autism. I think our urgency to right a wrong at all costs pervades many sectors of the autism community, and in some instances, it has not served us.

Yet, as divided as the biomedical and self-advocacy communities seemed to have been in past years, I also see these two particular communities as perhaps the most vibrant and forward-looking in the field today. I have grown to understand that self-advocates have many voices. And although my own efforts within this arena are educationally based and behind the scenes when it comes to politics and the media, I am able to understand and respect our more righteous representatives who tend to dominate and yes, frustrate me very much. Likewise, although I was not a parent who saw my child lose speech overnight or become very ill after a vaccination, I have heard enough direct personal accounts from moms and dads to develop a
healthy respect for their need to act.

This urgency that both groups share has a potential force to rock the world (pun intended!). I have no desire to promote a vaccine agenda, but I cannot deny the fact that countless friends and colleagues on the spectrum complain of GI issues, insomnia, agitation and anxiety. I myself have experienced these health issues my entire life, and many of us are practicing biomedical approaches without even knowing that we are, simply by avoiding foods we know make us feel bad.

The major breakthroughs that have taken place in GI study since the beginning of this year, mentioned by Steve in his introduction, make me feel that something exciting is about to happen: a coming together of the adult and biomedical communities. Imagine the power of all of us together, bearing a message that need not be shrill and manipulative, that need not resort to distortion of fact or of character, but rather becomes an expression of our mutual need to learn from one another.

I would not have arrived at this hope without having had the opportunity to understand the role of ARI in the autism community from a closer distance (not only because I married its director last month!). In the past year, I have attended ARI’s conferences with tremendous interest, particularly in dietary options for adults with autism, and I have tried out various non-invasive biomedical approaches, especially probiotic
supplements and a gluten-free diet. The result: I have experienced greater health and well-being both physically and emotionally. I am pleased that ARI is now directing its attention to the adult population, and as this takes place, I would like to see more self-advocates help in this endeavor by constructively informing the biomed community of our concerns, needs and aspirations as people with autism.

Mother wins MMR payout after 18 years

2010-09-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7970199/Mother-wins-MMR-payout-after-18-years.html

A mother whose son suffered severe brain damage after being given the MMR vaccine as a baby has been awarded £90,000 compensation.

By Laura Donnelly, Health Correspondent
Published: 8:00AM BST 29 Aug 2010

Jackie Fletcher has campaigned for compensation for her son Robert – now 18 – because she believed his severe epilepsy was triggered by the jab.

Now a tribunal has ordered that the payment be made, after concluding that it could be "no coincidence" that he suffered his first seizure 10 days after being vaccinated.

All injections carry the risk of extreme reactions, and in rare cases, children have been left brain-damaged by them.

The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme does not examine the safety of particular jabs, but the likelihood that the process caused a reaction.

However, the payout for damage following a MMR jab the first to be known about since a major public scare about its safety, following research in 1998 that suggested the vaccine caused autism. The study, now discredited, provoked widespread public concerns about the safety of the vaccine.

The payment agreed by the Government compensation scheme is likely to reignite the debate over the safety of common childhood vaccines.

Robert Fletcher, from Warrington, in Cheshire, is unable to talk, stand unaided or feed himself. He suffered the effects after being given the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine when he was 13 months old.

In a six-page judgment, the panel which examined the case said: 'Robert was a more or less fit boy who, within the period usually considered relevant to immunisation, developed a severe convulsion ... and he then went on to be epileptic and severely retarded. The seizure occurred ten days after the vaccination. In our view, this cannot be put down to coincidence."

The panel said the reaction only happened because the child had a genetic predisposition to epilepsy, but said that "on the balance of probabilities" the vaccination triggered the onset of the condition.

Mrs Fletcher said she believed the compensation award was the first to a surviving MMR-damaged person since controversy erupted in 1998 when the now discredited Dr Andrew Wakefield raised concerns about a possible link between the combined MMR injection and autism.

Mrs Fletcher runs pressure group JABS – Justice, Awareness and Basic Support. Around 2,000 families seeking compensation for their vaccine-damaged children are registered with the group, which provides advice and support.

'My husband John and I have battled for 18 years for the cause of Robert's disability to be officially recognised,' she said.

'We were told the vaccine was perfectly safe. Like most people, we trusted what the doctors and nurses were putting to us.

'Robert is nearly 19 but mentally he is like a 14-month-old toddler. He can't stand unaided and he is doubly incontinent.

'He can't speak except to say "Hi, Mum" or "Hi, Daddy".

Her first application for compensation was rejected in 1997 on the grounds that it was impossible to prove beyond reasonable doubt what had caused Robert's illness.

But Mrs Fletcher appealed and in a ruling delivered last week, a new panel of experts came to a different conclusion.

The one-day hearing last week was chaired by a barrister sitting with two doctors. While one said the child would have developed epilepsy regardless of whether he had been given the vaccine, he was overruled by his two colleagues.

The panel said that the judgement was specific to the particular case and should not be seen as a precedent. It underlined in particular that the ruling had no relevance to the question of a link between MMR vaccine and autism.

Dr Michael Fitzpatrick, a London GP whose own son is autistic, said: 'It is a very important principle that parents should be compensated in cases of this kind.

'But although a causal link has been established in law in this instance, exhaustive scientific research has failed to establish any link between MMR and brain damage.

This case should not make parents feel any different about the safety of the vaccine".'

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "This decision reflects the opinion of a tribunal on the specific facts of the case and they were clear that it should not be seen as a precedent for any other case. The safety of MMR has been endorsed through numerous studies in many countries. Thankfully, more parents are having their children vaccinated with MMR and consider it as safe as other childhood vaccines.

A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which collects data on adverse reactions to drugs and vaccines, said although the vaccine could, on rare occasions, cause a temporary fever fit, there remained no confirmed evidence that these caused long-term brain injury.

He added: "The benefits of MMR vaccine in preventing serious and life threatening infections far outweigh any known side effects of the vaccine".

Autism: Why Being A Picky Eater Is OK

2010-09-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

by Marissa de Crom
http://fyiliving.com/nutrition/special-diets/autism-why-being-a-picky-eater-is-ok/

Children with autism commonly have preferences for a limited number of foods. Many children with autism also show behavioral difficulties including impaired social interaction and communication, both of which can impact feeding time. This can be very difficult for parents trying to make sure their child is eating a health, well-rounded diet. For parents raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a new study from the UK published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides not only clarity, but some peace of mind. Children with ASD may be picky eaters, but their fussiness is not impacting their growth rate.

Nearly 13,000 children were followed prospectively at 6, 15, 24, 38, and 54 months and parents were given questionnaires related to feeding and food frequency. A test to analyze the variety of the child’s diet was created. When assessing all data at 38 months, 86 children were found to have ASD (classical autism, atypical autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, or unclassified autism). The researchers studied 79 of these children and compared them to 12,900 others as controls.

The analysis found that feeding symptoms began in infancy, and by age 15 months, the children had clearly limited diets relative to their non-autistic peers. They discovered that the children with ASD were slower to transition to solid foods after 6 months of age, and that between the ages of 15 and 54 months, these children were more often reported by their parents to be difficult to feed and very picky eaters. Questionnaires given to the parents revealed that children with ASD ate fewer fresh fruits and vegetables, though they also consumed fewer sweets and sodas.

But despite these differences in feeding behaviors and dietary variety, the researchers found that overall energy intake and growth patterns were not negatively impacted. At 18 months, the autistic children showed no differences in height, weight, and body mass index as compared to their non-autistic peers. Even more notably, at 38 months, the children with ASD reported consumed the same amounts of overall energy, total fat, carbohydrates, and protein as non-ASD children. At 7 years, these children still showed normal growth patterns and even had similar iron intakes in their diets.

A small number of the autistic children were reportedly on special diets, such as a gluten-free casein-free diet. Special diets are often given to ASD children in response to stomach upset, which is common in this population, or in an effort to improve impaired social interactions and communication skills. According to the researchers, the effectiveness of such diets is debatable.

Parents of autistic children know the daily challenges with feeding and behaviors. While it may take a lot of work, parents can now take some comfort in knowing that their children are likely to grow normally and get the energy and nutrients they need.

Autism Studies Look For Cause

2010-09-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

"Digestive problems", "Low amino-acids", "Proteins getting where they don't belong". Can I just say, Hell-yes! Thank you Dr. Eugene for looking outside the hypothetical box and seeing what the DAN! docs have been saying for YEARS! Maybe we'll make some progress after all.

http://www.king5.com/health/for-96-Autism-studies-look-for-cause-102162009.html

by KING 5 HealthLink

KING5.com

Posted on September 6, 2010 at 5:52 PM

Ben Unkle knows what it's like to be different.

"I have trouble doing things that other people can do naturally," he said.

Ben was diagnosed with autism at age six. His little sister Katie watched as he struggled.

"When we were in elementary school, people would tease him, in middle school, a lot. I didn't like to watch him get hurt."

There are only two FDA-approved drugs for autism and they only treat irritability, tantrums and aggression. There is no medication for core autism symptoms, but that could be changing.

Doctors are targeting a child's digestive system. Some, including Dr. L. Eugene Arnold of Ohio State University, believe that might be one source of the problem.

"Proteins can get through that shouldn't, that should be digested first, and there might be a reaction in the nervous system."

The inability to digest protein affects the release of amino acids -- the building blocks essential for brain function. Children in this study are given digestive enzymes to see if they clear up issues in the gut, and in turn, improve behavior. In a second study, doctors are investigating whether cholesterol plays a role.

"There may be a subgroup who have autism because of low cholesterol," said Dr. Arnold.

Experts believe some autistic children are missing an enzyme that makes cholesterol, needed for normal brain development.

In a third trial, doctors are testing an Alzheimer's drug. Investigators want to know whether Namenda can help with motor skills and expressive language. Still, Dr. Arnold cautions what may work for one child may not work for another.

"There are different reasons for different people having autism."

Dr. Arnold says finding the cause is critical. $35- billion dollars is spent on caring for people with autism each year in the US alone.

NuLife Products review

2010-09-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

NuLife Foods is the first company that has contacted me to review their products. After agreeing to receive a box of samples from them, I was burning with remorse and dread. How would I come up with a nice way of saying things like "bland", "boring", "edible but not tasty", and "cardboard-like" which had been our experience with gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free foods thus far ? With very few exceptions, we don’t actually look forward to eating gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free foods, we simply eat them because it makes us feel a little more relatively “normal” to be privy to enjoying breads and pastries like everyone else. I am THRILLED to admit I was more than surprised—I was seriously blown away—by NuLife’s foods. Instead of using my own words, I decided to put the pressure on my 5-year-old daughter, since she has no problem saying “ick", "gross", "yuck", "disgusting", and "blah”. To my amazement, she didn’t use any of those words, nor did anything get spat out. See for yourself:

All of NuLife Foods' products are gluten, casein, soy, preservative and msg free. They are also free of anything artificial. You can shop on their website using a tool to omit other allergens, such as eggs, nuts or fish.

NuLife is a relatively new company and not yet available in stores, so all ordering must be done online. I highly encourage you to at least try the trial pack, which is a steal at $10.00 right now. If you're not hooked, I'd like to know where YOU shop!

Use discount code: MAMASLOVE10 for 10% off your first order.

30 Famous Thinkers Believed to Be Autistic

2010-08-26T00:34:00.000-07:00

Content taken from here:
http://www.onlinegraduateprograms.com/blog/2010/08/30-famous-thinkers-believed-to-be-autistic/

Autism is a top news story causing debates in health care, education, childhood development and scientific research, but it’s a condition that’s been affecting people for possibly centuries. While experts argue over the causes of autism, other researchers are speculating over certain cases that may mean some of history’s brightest thinkers were autistic at some level. This list shouldn’t be received as a claim that since some individuals found success — or even changed the world — despite having autism or autistic tendencies we should stop finding a cure or funding programs to help those with autism, as some reports do. But if you’re taking a class or doing your own graduate research on the brain and the way the mind works, you might be interested in the speculations about the following thinkers believed to be autistic. Controversial Cases
Professor Michael Fitzgerald is one of the leading researchers who is attempting to posthumously diagnose famous thinkers, backed up by the idea that the genes responsible for originality and creativity are also attributed to autism and Asperger’s. Take a look at some of the more controversial cases here.

Charles Darwin: Evolution, natural selection and the Galapagos: those are all terms that we probably wouldn’t have heard of if it wasn’t for Charles Darwin’s controversial and revolutionary research. The scientist — born in England in 1809 — is also believed to have had Asperger’s. He was a loner as a child and was obsessed with cataloging and collecting even as a young person.
Albert Einstein: This story reports that Cambridge and Oxford scientists have found convincing evidence that Albert Einstein probably had Asperger’s syndrome even as young as seven, obsessively repeating sentences over and over, and presenting confusing lectures when he was older. Others say that Einstein’s famous sense of humor means he couldn’t have had Asperger’s.
Sir Isaac Newton: Newton was reportedly quiet and isolated, and had odd social skills, sometimes giving lectures even if no one showed up.
Thomas Jefferson: While it’s been speculated that Jefferson had Asperger’s, others wonder if he was just exceedingly eccentric.

Math, Science, and Business
Read about revolutionaries in math, economics, business, engineering and other science fields who are autistic or who are believed to be autistic.

Richard Borcherds: High profile mathematician and Berkeley professor Richard Borcherds is a controversial case, but the Fields Medal winner has been noted to have severe trouble interacting with people.
Vernon L. Smith: Professor and Nobel laureate Vernon L. Smith is a prominent economist and is a high achiever on the autism spectrum, attributing characteristics like extreme attention to detail and focus to the condition.
Nikola Tesla: Electrical and mechanical engineer and inventor Nikola Tela is one of the most important contributors to electromagnetism and electricity, and is also thought to have had autism.
Temple Grandin: CSU professor, prominent researcher in animal behavior, and animal welfare advocate Temple Grandin has high-functioning autism and credits supportive teachers with helping her channel her learning and behavioral disability in a productive way.
Paul Dirac: Nobel Prize-winning physicist Paul Dirac had "very repetitive behavior" but rarely spoke and was practically incapable of feeling empathy.
Keith Joseph: The "Father of Thatcherism" Keith Joseph may have created his political philosophy based on his autistic tendencies and behavior, which were sometimes regarded as harsh, lacking in empathy and eccentric.

Philosophers
From Immanuel Kant to Simone Weil, some of these philosophers might surprise you.

Socrates: The oldest speculation on this list is about Socrates, who often repeated phrases and ideas, wasn’t concerned with his family, constantly questioned others, had odd social behaviors, and whose philosophies are characterized by constant analyses and questioning.
Immanuel Kant: Kant famously said that empathy wasn’t necessary to morality, leading some to believe he had Asperger’s.
Simone Weil: Philosopher and activist Simone Weil picked up on ancient Greek and Sanskrit as a girl and is thought to be autistic by Professor Fitzgerald.
Ludwig Wittgenstein: Another connection made between the creativity and originality gene and autism has led Fitzgerald to speculate that philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein — who studied language, mathematics, the mind, and logic — may have had some form of the condition.

Writers, Musicians, and Artists
Andy Warhol, Emily Dickinson and Samuel Beckett may have been more than eccentric characters: they may have also had autism.

Christopher Knowles: Artist Christopher Knowles’ work is based on his extraordinary typed-up patterns, inspired by his autistic behavior.
Andy Warhol: Eccentric Andy Warhol was also shy and had strange social skills. His famous pop art also followed repeated patterns, and some friends have said that he lacked empathy.
Emily Dickinson: The poet Emily Dickinson was a recluse and puzzling writer, and Vernon Smith believes she may have been autistic, too.
Henriett Seth F.: Hungarian poet and artist Henriett Seth F. has autism, and has been repeating words and behaviors since she was a toddler. She has also won writing contests since the age of 10.
Jonathan Lerman: Gifted young artist Jonathan Lerman is just 23 years old, and has been diagnosed with autism most of his life, but his charcoal drawings have been on display in New York for years already.
Peter Howson: Scottish painter Peter Howson creates aggressive politically and socially minded works of art and was even the official war artist for the Bosnian Civil War. This year, however, Howson had to appoint a legal guardian to monitor his financial affairs since his autism has limited him in that capacity.
Samuel Beckett: Philosopher-writer Samuel Beckett wrote important works like Waiting for Godot, which have tipped some researchers off to his possible autism.
Tim Page: Pulitzer Prize winner Tim Page is a journalism and music professor at University of Southern California and also has high-functioning autism and Asperger’s.
W.B. Yeats: Irish poet and playwright W.B. Yeats is one of the most important writers of the 20th century, and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. He’s also one of Fitzgerald’s studies in autism.
Daniel Tammet: Language whiz and mathematician Daniel Tammet is one of the most studied autistic savants right now, and has even written about his experiences with Asperger’s in two books.
Hans Christian Andersen: Danish children’s book writer Hans Christian Andersen wrote "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina" and "The Little Match Girl," among other favorites, but he was known for his consistent experiences with unrequited love.
Michelangelo: Michelangelo may have been autistic, as scientists point to his difficulty communicating with people, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, extreme attention to detail, and preference for isolation.
Jonathan Swift: Fitzgerald also believes the Modest Proposal writer was autistic, possibly because of his tendency to publish using aliases and great creativity and originality.
George Orwell: Animal Farm and 1984 writer George Orwell may have been autistic, but he is also known for his sharp wit and support of social injustice and persecution, which aren’t always characteristic of autism.
James Joyce: Joyce’s stream of consciousness style and troubled social life may have been products of high-functioning autism.
H.G. Wells: H.G. Wells was supposedly "socially insecure, controlling, lonely, cruel and emotionally immature," which has convinced some that he was autistic.

Autism and Anxiety

2010-07-28T01:06:00.000-07:00

Autism Anxiety Overload

(Taken from here: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/autism-anxiety-overload.html)

The renowned autism expert Tony Atwood is fond of putting it this way: “Autism is anxiety looking for a target.” Autism and anxiety go hand-in-hand. Autism affects a person’s ability to communicate with others or to understand the world around him, and that’s bound to cause anxiety and panic sometimes.

Autism anxiety overload becomes even worse when there is a change in the autistic child’s routine. Even positive and “fun” changes, like a school field trip or a visit to the zoo, can increase anxiety and aggressive behaviors.

For parents, the best course of action is to anticipate upcoming changes and help your child prepare for them. Many parents find it helpful to use stories and pictures to prepare children for impending disruptions. If it’s a field trip to the zoo, for example, use pictures to show your child what he’ll see at the zoo, what the zoo will be like, and what sort of things to expect. Do this each day for three or four days prior to the trip. That way, when the trip actually happens, the child won’t be entirely out of his element, but will already understand and appreciate some of what will be happening.

Other changes in the routine are less enjoyable but still necessary. Getting a new teacher can be traumatic, as can moving to a new house. If at all possible, try to spread out the major changes. If you move to a new house, try to do it during the summer, so that your child won’t have to deal with the added anxiety of getting a new school and new teacher mid-year.

You can also introduce your child to the concept of “change” in a positive way by practicing with non-negative things. For example, just for practice, give him a little extra TV time instead of homework time one night, to show that changes in the routine can often be fun and good. Then practice with a neutral change (homework after dinner instead of before dinner), then with a negative one (changing play time into chore time). This process can help your child grow accustomed to the idea of change and learn to adapt without becoming anxious.

For continual, ongoing anxiety, many parents have begun using anti-anxiety medications for their autistic children. Usually, the medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and are also used for obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft and Anafranil are all common for anxiety in autistic children.

For behavioral problems, antipsychotics such as Haldol, fluphenazine and chlorpromazine can be prescribed. These can reduce aggression in autistic kids, but sometimes also cause sedation and muscle stiffness.

All patients are different. You and your doctor should monitor your child’s progress very closely, using the lowest dose of medication possible, to see if what improvements it makes and whether there are any adverse reactions. Medication should be the last resort for autism, not the first one. There are a number of natural remedies available if you don’t want to go down the drug route. But try behavioral and dietary modifications first, to see what improvements can be made naturally.

The Moving Target

2010-07-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

The Moving Target

Whilst doing a random Google search, I came across a vile blog post about the cause of autism’s moving target. I read in dismay the way the author used the various theories over the years as proof that autism parents were loony and grasping at straws. “First it was the MMR, then Thimerosal, then aluminum, then vaccines, then gut issues, then environmental issues, then, all of them. What will it be next?” With the most popular media sources asserting that each of these individual theories have been disproven, it’s no wonder the general public is confused. If science is required to pinpoint one and only one definitive cause of autism, we will never have a definitive cause, only theories which can be disproved in a certain population.

Much like obesity, autism doesn’t have one cause for the entire population. Yet, clearly, both obesity and autism are epidemics and serious problems in our society. Many theories on the cause of obesity have been proposed, yet they don’t explain the cause of obesity in every single obese individual; in fact, not a single one can even explain obesity in the majority of the population.

Fat intake, calorie intake, thyroid health, infectious agents, stress, carbohydrates, physical activity, age, hormones, genetics, psychiatric illness, and on and on, have all been implicated in the causation of obesity. Yet, if you took a group of obese individuals to study, you’d quickly find that one of these factors alone does not explain the condition in every single one of the participants, or likely, even the majority. Their physical activity levels, caloric intake, fat intake, and genetics are all bound to be different. Regardless, many theories on the cause of obesity still hold merit—as they are the cause of obesity for some individuals. The same ought to hold true for autism.

You are bound to find children who have been damaged by vaccinations and bound to find children that have autism but were never vaccinated. For sufferers of obesity, some may have gotten there by eating too much fat, while others remain thin on the same diet. Some obese individuals can credit a sedentary lifestyle, while others stay thin in spite of the same. For each theory and purported cause of obesity, we can find a population that defies the theory. The same is true for autism. To say that the MMR is not possibly to blame for one child’s autism because it is not the cause of every child’s autism, is like saying that years of fast food is not to blame for one man’s obesity because others eat it and remain thin. There are many possible causative and combinations of causative factors in autism, just like with obesity. It is sometimes, for some children, just one thing, and for others it is the multi-factorial outcome.

The challenge and gross disservice to our children comes from science that requires us to pinpoint one and only one cause for autism. It’s like saying obesity needs to have one and only one cause for the majority of the population…maybe just one brand of ice cream in one flavor?

An imaginary conversation between an autism professional (therapist) and a child with autism:

2010-07-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

An imaginary conversation between an autism professional (therapist) and a child with autism:

Therapist: We’d like to help you learn to act more normal.

Child: I think I’m fine the way I am.

Therapist: But you don’t seem “normal” to the rest of the world.

Child: That’s okay with me.

Therapist: Yes, but with therapy, you can have more friends, be more popular and seem more “normal”.

Child: That doesn’t really appeal to me.

Therapist: We’ll teach you how to play games with other kids. Doesn’t that sound great?

Child: I don’t really have any desire to play games with other kids.

Therapist: But playing with other kids will help you to appear more “normal”.

Child: Is therapy going to transform me into someone who actually enjoys playing these games with other kids?

Therapist: Well, no. That’s not our goal. We can, however, teach you to appear to be enjoying playing these games with other kids.

Child: Sounds silly!

Therapist: We can also help you make friends.

Child: I have a few quality & meaningful friendships with people who like me just the way I am.

Therapist: We can help you have many, many friends when we teach you to act “normal”.

Child: Will you be able to teach me how to enjoy having many, many friends who like me for acting normal and not being myself?

Therapist: No, that’s not our goal. However, we will teach you how to appear to enjoy having friends while acting “normal”.

Child: You’re an annoying know-it-all. I can teach you how not to be such an annoying know-it-all so I can like you better.

Therapist: Excuse me?

Child: I’m sure a lot of people would like you better if you weren’t such an annoying know-it-all. I can teach you how to act less like an annoying know-it-all; are you interested? It will require a lot of retraining, as you’re obviously very set on being an annoying know-it-all. I’m sure with time I can tell you exactly what to say in every situation you may encounter, so as to not let on to people how much of an annoying know-it-all you really are. We’ll trick them by having you say things that wouldn’t come naturally to you and hiding the person you really are. But, in return, some people will like you much better. Shall we get started?

Callous Disregard - The book

2010-07-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday I received my copy of Andrew Wakefield’s Callous Disregard. I stayed up late and woke up early in order to read it as quickly as I could. I succeeded, and I’m so glad I did. I feel great relief knowing more of the details and having some misconceptions cleared up. Even I, who followed the case and the studies fairly closely, was misinformed about some of the details—important ones! I let the media fill in some of the blanks, which turned out to be completely inaccurate. I fear many have done the same, and it would be a shame to let it (the media) be taken at face value. It would be a huge disservice and ingratitude to a man—an unselfish man; a Saint; a hero to medicine, research and our children; a man by the name of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, to not hear what he has to say.

Like many, I have been bombarded with conflicting messages about the MMR, vaccines in general, mercury and autism. I have been frustrated with the media and the doctors I’ve encountered who have been hostile and fully dismissive of any connection to any of the aforementioned in the causation of autism. My own daughter suffers from Asperger’s and Crohn’s disease, though she was never vaccinated. Therefore, I personally don’t have a blame-axe to grind with the vaccine manufacturers, but I do have personal knowledge of how bowel issues affect and intensify my daughter’s behaviors--autistic behaviors--and how these behaviors have improved immensely as I’ve healed her bowel issues. Basic biochemistry can illustrate how the constituents in vaccines can lead to bowel issues, like those which Dr. Wakefield discovered in 12 children.

The beef I have with the vaccine manufacturers (and doctors in general) is the lack of safety studies, lack of informed consent, and lack of education. When questioning doctors on vaccinations and autism, I am quickly told vaccines no longer contain thimerosal and therefore there is no need for concern. When I ask what preservative has replaced thimerosal, I am repeatedly told “I don’t know”. Six different doctors with whom I have spoken didn’t know what preservative replaced thimerosal and/or what its neurological or physical effects might be on a child. It was clear these doctors were also unaware that thimerosal is not the only ingredient or constituent in vaccines that has been implicated as a concern and possible causative factor in autism; it’s but one of many.

Dr. Andrew Wakefield is a doctor who made a discovery, one that would have been much easier to hide -- which is what many doctors in his position might do. If we don’t do everything we can to support these doctors who bravely and ethically dissent from orthodoxy, we are going to be in big trouble. If we don’t at least take the time, regardless of our position on the argument, to hear the position of the other side, we are cowards. We have chosen the path of least resistance, the path of popularity, and the path that has gotten us to where we are today: 1 in 110 children with autism, regulatory agencies corrupted and supported by the very establishments they are to regulate, doctors being trained by the pharmaceutical companies to sell drugs and not health, relying on the drug companies that profit from the administration of drugs to study their safety, and researchers afraid to question anything controversial for fear of being ruined. We have to take a step back and question the logic here…a big step back.

If there is a tragedy second to that of the children who suffer with autism, it is the war that some parents are waging against other parents of children with this disorder for their differing ideologies. It is the refusal to come together, as a united front, to find common ground, respect, and compassion for one another. It is the hateful spewing of insults and dismissing of intelligence and credibility because we seek answers from different sources. Imagine the power we parents would have-- the support, the network, the movement-- if we’d agree to find common ground and work together to do what we all want to do most: to help our children and the children who are yet to come. There is no harm in looking into genetic factors, nor is there harm in greening our vaccines. There is no harm in researching drugs, nor is there harm in looking at biochemical components. Someone should be working on each of these things, it needn’t be opposing forces.

With Dr. Wakefield's permission, excerpts from the book:

Myths:

The Lancet paper was funded by the Legal Aid Board (LAB)

False - Not one penny of LAB money was spent on the Lancet paper. A LAB grant was provided for a separate viral detection study. The latter study, completed in 1999, does disclose the source of funding. The Lancet paper had been submitted for publication before the LAB grant was even available to be spent.

My involvement as a medical expert was kept secret

False - at least 1 year before publication, I informed my senior coauthors, the head of the department, the dean of the medical school, and the CEO of the hospital. This fact was also reported in the national press 15 months prior to publication.

Children were "sourced" by lawyers to sue vaccine manufacturers

False - Children were referred, evaluated, and investigated on the basis of their clinical symptoms alone, following a referral from the child's physician.

Children were litigants

False - at the time of their referral to the Royal Free, the time material to their inclusion in The Lancet paper, none of the children were litigants.

I had an undisclosed conflict of interest

False - The Lancet's disclosure policy at that time was followed to the letter. Documentary evidence confirms that the editorial staff of The Lancet was fully aware that I was working as an expert on MMR litigation well in advance of the paper's publication.

Did not have ethics committee (EC) approval

False - The research element of the paper that required such an approval detailed systematic analysis of children's intestinal biopsies, was covered by the necessary EC approval.

I "fixed" data and misreported clinical findings

False - There is absolutely no basis in fact for this claim and it has been exposed as false.

Findings have not been independently replicated

False - The key findings of lymphoid nodular hyperplasia (LNH) and colitis in ASD children have been independently confirmed in five different countries.

Has been retracted by most of the authors

False - 11 of 13 authors issued a retraction of the interpretation that MMR is a possible trigger for syndrome described. This remains a possibility and a possibility cannot be retracted.

The work is discredited

False - Those attempting to discredit the work have relied on the myths above. The findings described in the paper are novel and important.

Please buy the book here: http://www.callous-disregard.com/buythebook.htm

Aditi Shankardass: A second opinion on learning disorders

2010-07-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

This movie is short and shocking. According to the presenter, as many as 50% of autism cases are actually not autism, but hidden seizure disorders. Please take 5 minutes to watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBxvZwJZgdM

Show Me Vaccines are Safe! - The Importance of the Supreme Court and Bruesewitz v. Wyeth

2010-07-17T01:11:00.000-07:00

By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.

The genius of our political and legal system is that we don't fully trust ANYBODY.

Consider these two comments from James Madison, one of our Founding Fathers, and a co-author of The Federalist Papers, which explained the principles of our system of government. Madison wrote, "If men were angels, no government would be needed," thus establishing the need for a system of laws. He also wrote, "The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted," which justified the need for an overlapping system of checks and balances to keep those in power relatively honest.

Read more here:
http://www.ageofautism.com/2010/07/show-me-that-vaccines-are-safe-the-importance-of-the-supreme-court-bruesewitz-v-wyeth.html

Autism Service Dogs of America

2010-07-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic idea! Now if I can just find an Autism Miniature Horses of America for my daughter.

Excerpt and photo taken from their website: http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/

About Autism Service Dogs of America

Our mission at Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) is to make a positive impact on the lives of children living with autism—and their families—by providing exceptionally well trained service dogs.

Our service dogs provide a physical and emotional anchor for children with autism. With their child tethered to a service dog, families feel they are newly freed to engage in activities as simple as shopping at the mall. On the streets, parents are relieved of the worry their child might run away. In many cases, the service dog accompanies the child to school, where its calming presence can minimize and often eliminate emotional outbursts, enabling the child to more fully participate. Transitioning among school day activities is eased and the service dog provides a focus through which the child can interact with other children. This helps increase the opportunity for the child to develop social and language skills.

ASDA was founded in 2002 by Priscilla Taylor. Incorporating her love of dogs and her background as a special education teacher, she formed this non-profit, community-based organization to aid special children. While many service dog agencies existed to meet diverse needs, none provided specially trained dogs for children with autism. Ms. Taylor, Founder and Director of ASDA, received some of her education at Assistance Dog Institute, the only institution of higher education for dog studies in the world.

Autistic-Like. Graham's Story.

2010-04-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

A Statemnet by Andrew Wakefield

2010-04-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

STATEMENT FROM DR. ANDREW WAKEFIELD REGARDING THE GMC HEARING SANCTIONS

On Wednesday April 7th, General Medical Council (GMC) lawyers will demand that I and likely two other doctors involved in the MMR-autism case should be erased from the UK’s medical register, removing our license to practice medicine. Doctors’ regulators have found the three of us - Professor John Walker-Smith, Professor Simon Murch and me - guilty of undertaking research on children with autism without approval from an ethics committee.We can prove, with extensive documentary evidence, that this conclusion is false.

Let me make it absolutely clear that, at its heart, the GMC hearing has been about the protection of MMR vaccination policy. The case has been driven by an agenda to crush dissent that in my opinion serves the government and the pharmaceutical industry — not the welfare of children. It’s important to note that there has never been a complaint against any of the doctors by any parent involved in this case — only universal parental support and gratitude.

My colleagues, Professors Walker-Smith and Murch, are outstanding pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists. They have led the field of pediatric gastroenterology for decades, devoting their lives to caring for sick children. Our only “crime” in this matter has been to listen to the concerns of parents, act according to the demands of our professional training, and provide appropriate care to this neglected population of children. It is unthinkable that at the end of an unimpeachable career, Professor Walker-Smith would even consider unethical experimentation on children under his care.

In the course of our work, we discovered and treated a new intestinal disease syndrome in children with autism, alleviating suffering in affected children around the world. This should be cause for celebration. Instead, we have been vilified in the press, and demonized by a wasteful PR campaign by the Department of Health. The aim of this negative publicity was to discredit my criticism of vaccine safety research.

Sadly, my colleagues have suffered severe collateral damage in this effort to prevent valid scientific enquiry. They should be exonerated, and left alone with their reputations intact, in the certain knowledge that they have done only what is right.

The loss of my own medical license is, unfortunately, the cost of doing business. Although I do not take this loss lightly, the suffering - so much of it unnecessary - that I have seen among those affected by this devastating disease makes the professional consequences for me a small price to pay by comparison.

As long as a question mark remains over vaccine safety; as long as a safety-first vaccine policy is subordinate to profit and self-interest; as long as the benefits of vaccines are threatened by those who have compromised public confidence by denial of vaccine damage, and as long as these children need help; I will continue my work.

Diagnostic Criteria for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder

2010-04-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

[The following is from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM IV]

(I) A total of six (or more) items from (A), (B), and (C), with at least two from (A), and one each from (B) and (C)

(A) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction
2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people, (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity ( note: in the description, it gives the following as examples: not actively participating in simple social play or games, preferring solitary activities, or involving others in activities only as tools or "mechanical" aids )

(B) Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:
1. delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)
2. in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
3. stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
4. lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level

(C) Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least two of the following:
1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

(II) Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:
(A) social interaction
(B) language as used in social communication
(C) symbolic or imaginative play

(III) The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Children with autistic traits remain undiagnosed

2010-03-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

Children with autistic traits remain undiagnosed
March 22, 2010

There has been a major increase in the incidence of autism over the last twenty years. While people have differing opinions as to why this is (environment, vaccines, mother's age, better diagnostic practice, more awareness etc.) there are still many children who have autistic traits that are never diagnosed clinically. Therefore, they do not receive the support they need through educational or health services.

Read more here

Vaccinated versus Unvaccinated populations

2010-03-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Quick Compare
Posted by: Nick Haas, Media Editor
See more here

A quick comparison of the health of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated children may pique your further interest on the topic of vaccination. We'll use autism rates as our measure.

Vaccinated:
The general population of children in the U.S.
1 in 100 diagnosed with autism. (reference)

Unvaccinated:
Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
1 in 4,875 diagnosed with autism. [Note: of the four in 19,500 children who have autism, one had been exposed to high levels of mercury from a power plant. The other three, including one child adopted from outside the Amish community, had received their vaccines.] (reference)

Amish of northeastern Ohio
1 in 10,000 diagnosed with autism. (reference)

Homefirst Health Services, northern Illinois
0 in 35,000 diagnosed with autism. [Note: It’s not just lack of autism that stand out in this sample of 35,000 children (90% have had zero vaccines). Asthma rates are so low, insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield's systems flagged the "issue". BCBS actually contacted Homefirst inquiring on how this could be! Their patients are so healthy, a lawmaker proposed a law requiring that a study be done to determine why these unvaccinated patients are so much healthier than their vaccinated counterparts.] (reference)

Cal-Oregon Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated Survey:
Vaccinated boys have a 155% greater chance of having a neurological disorder like ADHD or autism than unvaccinated boys [survey of over 9,000 boys in California and Oregon] (reference)

Forward! Wisconsin:
Fourteen "studies" have determined that a link between vaccination and autism cannot be established. Look at who conducted those studies.. Separately, do you know that vaccine efficacy (that they work) has NEVER been proven? The reason given for why double blind placebo studies can’t be done to prove vaccines work is that we cannot ethically leave some people unprotected to do a study. That argument makes little sense. We have large populations refusing all vaccines, and they would be happy to be used as control groups. Other research that has never been done despite the constant urging of those who question the efficacy and safety of vaccines is a full blown study into the health of the vaccinated vs. the unvaccinated... the results would be devastating to the goals of the pharma powers that be. Please don’t assume your doctor knows and understands vaccines. Make yourself the expert.

Doctors sued over ‘dangerous’ autism treatment

2010-03-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

This makes me sick! Obviously, I don't know the full story from each parent's perspective, but I think these doctors are being attacked merely for the sake of the dad seeming more "sane" and "scientifically just" in the eyes of the court--to benefit his case in the divorce/custody battle. My guess is that he's done zero research on these modalities, and that his child was not harmed in the least. I feel for this child and I feel for the child's mother, who must be going through hell right now. She's likely done all the research and she's likely the one who truly cares about her child's welfare. No doubt she's the one doing all the things necessary to get her child well, while he sits back and attacks it all. Sadly, all the legitimately "dangerous" treatments, which are scientifically acceptable--despite being scientifically proven to be dangerous--are the treatments that the courts side with. It's pure insanity!

Read full story:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-autism-therapy-lawsuit-20100304,0,2365296,print.story

Children's Health News - The Hidden Dangers of Phthalates

2010-03-06T15:36:00.000-08:00


By Shawn Dell Joyce Mar 5, 2010

Phthalates, called "plasticizers," are chemicals used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic soft, pliable and, in the case of water bottles, clear. This chemical is as American as apple pie - and in all of our households through things like toys, food packaging, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, lubricants, adhesives, detergents and most cosmetics.

Phthalates make baby's teething rings soft, give your car that new car smell (by off-gassing), are in almost all perfumes and nail polish, and make medical tubing and IV bags flexible.

Phthalates are also endocrine disruptors, which mean they interfere with normal brain development. Children's brains are always developing, which makes them particularly susceptible to damage from phthalates. Our children are also most likely to come into contact with them because plastics are widely used in children's toys and foods, and in most things they come into contact with.

Researchers have found that children suffer permanent damage from phthalates because their cells depend upon hormones to determine how they should develop. Phthalates resemble estrogen in the body and send signals to cells that may result in autism, breast and other reproductive system cancers like testicular cancer, and reduced sperm counts. Adult exposure to endocrine disruptors is not as harmful because its effects are temporary, similar to taking a birth control pill.

Recently, phthalates have been linked to autism in a study by Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, professor of pediatrics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He found that autism and other ailments "are, in part, the result of the impact of environmental chemicals on the brain as it is being formed." In another study, researchers measured phthalate levels in the urine of pregnant women and found those with higher levels had children more likely to display disruptive behavior.

Phthalates are highly profitable, bringing chemical companies over $1.4 billion a year.

ExxonMobil is a major manufacturer of phthalates. Many countries have banned phthalates, like the European Union nations, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and even China. The United States demands a level of proof that many scientists consider impossible and hasn't acted to protect the American people from harmful toxins. The Environmental Protection Agency is slow to react and has only banned a handful of chemicals in its history, while allowing millions more to be used without any safety testing at all.

Many savvy mothers are already protesting phthalates — and urging others to boycott manufacturers. Because of lax regulation, phthalates aren't listed on product labels and are so widely used its difficult to avoid them. The best way to protect your family is to look at the number in the recycling triangle located on the bottom of the container.

— Don't buy or use and plastics with the Nos. 1, 3 or 7 because they contain endocrine disruptors. Safer choices are Nos. 2,4 or 5.

— Don't buy any product that contains n-butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) or di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), or any other ingredient that starts with "phth," which is a dead giveaway for phthalates.

— Avoid any soft, flexible or pliable plastic, especially for use around children. Polymer clays contain up to 14 percent phthalates by weight. These phthalates enter children's bodies through hands and breathing fumes produced when the clays are baked. A child playing for five minutes with small amounts of the tested clays would be exposed to levels of phthalates that exceed the maximum daily exposure standards set in Florida and Minnesota.

— Use all-natural cosmetics, personal care products, home cleaners and adhesives. Synthetic fragrances in hair sprays, antiperspirants and deodorants, adhesives in nail polishes, and fume-bearing chemicals expose children to airborne phthalates.

Autism and Asperger syndrome underdiagnosed in women, researchers say

2010-02-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

An excerpt:

“Girls are less likely to have language delay than boys with autism, so all the right boxes get ticked when they are toddlers and their autism can get missed,” said Richard Mills, research director of Research Autism, the charity that is organising the conference this month. “Autistic girls are also more likely to be outwardly social when they are younger whereas boys are less so.”

Read entire article here

Local Divinity! Spotlight: Haley's Corner Bakery

2010-02-05T19:09:00.000-08:00

We recently lost our local gluten-free bakery, and I was so sad to see them go. We didn't shop there often, but when I needed something like a Birthday cake, or a gluten-free treat for my daughter--quick (such as, on my way to a Birthday party), they were there!

While I was sad to see them go, losing them led me to seek out a replacement, and low and behold, I found a hidden treasure: Haley's Corner Bakery in Kent. It's a bit of a hike for us for last minute type treats, but thank goodness! Because the things they sell look like they are fit for the fanciest of fancy restaurants, and they taste like heaven! It could easily become a budget buster--financially and dietary wise. Even my very picky step-daughter loved their cake--until she realized it was gluten-free (hmm?)Regardless, for those of us that have become accustomed to slightly off-tasting cakes, cookies and so-called "treats", it's a once in a lifetime type find.

If you live in the Covington/Kent/Auburn/Federal Way, or surrounding areas, the bakery is absolutely worth the hike. I promise!

Bravo, Jim Carrey. Well said!

2010-02-05T18:08:00.000-08:00

A Statement from Jenny McCarthy & Jim Carrey: Andrew Wakefield, Scientific Censorship, and Fourteen Monkeys

Jim Carrey Los Angeles, February 5, 2010

Dr. Andrew Wakefield is being discredited to prevent an historic study from being published that for the first time looks at vaccinated versus unvaccinated primates and compares health outcomes, with potentially devastating consequences for vaccine makers and public health officials.

It is our most sincere belief that Dr. Wakefield and parents of children with autism around the world are being subjected to a remarkable media campaign engineered by vaccine manufacturers reporting on the retraction of a paper published in The Lancet in 1998 by Dr. Wakefield and his colleagues.

The retraction from The Lancet was a response to a ruling from England’s General Medical Council, a kangaroo court where public health officials in the pocket of vaccine makers served as judge and jury. Dr. Wakefield strenuously denies all the findings of the GMC and plans a vigorous appeal.

Despite rampant misreporting, Dr. Wakefield’s original paper regarding 12 children with severe bowel disease and autism never rendered any judgment whatsoever on whether or not vaccines cause autism, and The Lancet’s retraction gets us no closer to understanding this complex issue.

Dr. Wakefield is one of the world’s most respected and well-published gastroenterologists. He has published dozens of papers since 1998 in well-regarded peer-reviewed journals all over the world. His work documenting the bowel disease of children with autism and his exploration of novel ways to treat bowel disease has helped relieve the pain and suffering of thousands of children with autism.

For the past decade, parents in our community have been clamoring for a relatively simple scientific study that could settle the debate over the possible role of vaccines in the autism epidemic once and for all: compare children who have been vaccinated with children who have never received any vaccines and see if the rate of autism is different or the same.

Few people are aware that this extremely important work has not only begun, but that a study using an animal model has already been completed exploring this topic in great detail.

Dr. Wakefield is the co-author, along with eight other distinguished scientists from institutions like the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Washington, of a set of studies that explore the topic of vaccinated versus unvaccinated neurological outcomes using monkeys.

The first phase of this monkey study was published three months ago in the prestigious medical journal Neurotoxicology, and focused on the first two weeks of life when the vaccinated monkeys received a single vaccine for Hepatitis B, mimicking the U.S. vaccine schedule. The results, which you can read for yourself HERE, were disturbing. Vaccinated monkeys, unlike their unvaccinated peers, suffered the loss of many reflexes that are critical for survival.

Dr. Wakefield and his scientific colleagues are on the brink of publishing their entire study, which followed the monkeys through the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule over a multi-year period. It is our understanding that the difference in outcome for the vaccinated monkeys versus the unvaccinated controls is both stark and devastating.

There is no question that the publication of the monkey study will lend substantial credibility to the theory that over-vaccination of young children is leading to neurological damage, including autism. The fallout from the study for vaccine makers and public health officials could be severe. Having denied the possibility of the vaccine-autism connection for so long while profiting immensely from a recent boom in vaccine sales around the world, it’s no surprise that they would seek to repress this important work.

Behind the scenes, the pressure to keep the work of Dr. Wakefield and his colleagues from being published is immense, and growing every day. Medical journals take extreme risk of backlash in publishing any studies that question the safety of the vaccination program, no matter how well-designed and thorough the research might be. Neurotoxicology, a highly-respected medical journal, deserves great credit for courageously publishing the first phase of this vaccinated monkey study.

The press has been deeply misled in the way The Lancet retraction, and Dr. Wakefield’s mock trial, have been characterized. Led by the pharmaceutical companies and their well-compensated spokespeople, Dr. Wakefield is being vilified through a well-orchestrated smear campaign designed to prevent this important new work from seeing the light of day.

What medical journal would want to step in front of this freight train? Moreover, why now, after 12 years of inaction, did The Lancet and GMC suddenly act? Is it coincidence that the monkey study is currently being submitted to medical journals for review and publication?

We urge the media to take a close look at the first phase of the monkey study discussed above and to start asking a very simple question: What was the final outcome of the 14 primates that were vaccinated using the U.S. vaccine schedule and how did that compare to the unvaccinated controls?

The U.S. vaccine schedule has grown from 10 vaccines given to our children in the 1980s to 36 today, perfectly matching the dramatic rise in autism. The work of Dr. Wakefield and his colleagues deserves to be shared with the world to further, rather than censor, scientific progress.

Mind Disrupted

2010-02-05T18:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.minddisrupted.org

About the Report

Rates of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other learning and developmental disabilities rates are growing. Chemical contamination in our bodies has also increased.
The Mind, Disrupted Biomonitoring Project asks: What role might environmental toxins play in undermining healthy development of the brain and nervous system?
How might certain environmental pollutants exacerbate the health conditions of those who already have a learning, developmental or behavioral disorder?
This report is intended to spotlight these pressing questions and inspire prompt actions to reduce exposures that may impair how we think — and, in the most basic ways, who we are.
Twelve leaders and self-advocates from the learning and developmental disabilities community recently stepped forward to have their bodies tested for the presence of a set of known or suspected neurotoxic or endocrine disrupting chemicals.
The Mind, Disrupted Biomonitoring Project tested for the presence of a set of synthetic chemicals and heavy metals, including:

bisphenol A (BPA)
lead
mercury
organochlorine pesticides
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
perchlorate
perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)
triclosan
Sixty-one distinct chemicals were detected in the participants.

This is the first biomonitoring project targeting a particular sector; namely, the learning and developmental disabilities sector. It is important to point out, however, that Mind, Disrupted did not attempt to correlate the presence or levels of chemicals with presence, type, or severity of disability.
Given the inherent uncertainty in science, no one is able to say that an exposure to a specific chemical causes a specific developmental disability. Even so, a growing number of researchers and health professionals are concerned that some chemicals, found in everyday products, may be disrupting healthy neurological development in unintended ways.

Gluten Free Restaurants ... FINALLY!!!

2010-01-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

Gluten-Free Restaurant
Awareness Program®
a Program of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America®

Look for this sign on the door:

A Fantastic Illustration

2010-01-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

I found this picture on Thriiive.com and wanted to share it.
Click to enlarge.

How Does Your Garden Grow

2010-01-07T23:53:00.000-08:00

How does your garden grow?
By Leslie McCann

I realize the metaphor is corny, but I can’t help but indulge
in the analogy… just for a moment.

Thinking about relationships, it occurred to me that they’re
a lot like gardens. Gardens can grow beautiful flowers or they
can be taken over by noxious weeds. They can give us great
pleasure, or we can shudder at the thought of having to tend
to them. Perhaps we’ve neglected the garden so long that the
task of pulling weeds and planting flowers seems too daunting
to even begin. However, if we’ve been planting beautiful
flowers for years and pulling weeds diligently, we can derive
great pleasure in spending time enjoying the fruits of our
labor. Our garden is a place of comfort, beauty and joy for us.
A place to feel proud of—a sense of accomplishment.

If we haven’t planted any flower seeds in our garden, we
certainly wouldn’t expect beautiful flowers to magically
appear. However, in relationships, I think that is
precisely what happens. We don’t want all the work it takes
to nurture and grow a beautiful garden, we just want to pick
the flowers, smell the roses and enjoy the comfort and joy.
Yet, without planting seeds of compassion, caring,
consistency, compliments, respect and character, aren’t we
really just leaving room for weeds to grow? Weeds in the
name of resentment, rejection, ridicule, and repulsion? If
we don’t plant seeds of support, sincerity, honesty, loyalty
and love, aren’t we planting seeds of doubt, loneliness,
infidelity, and hatred? Is it realistic to put little to no
time and effort into nurturing your garden and then expect
it to give you great pleasure--to be beautiful?

Weeds are all the things in your relationship that dig in to,
take hold of, and suffocate the flowers. They are habits you
have that your partner despises, people in your life that
aren’t healthy for your relationship, a job, a hobby, a lack
of interest, a lack of time, a lack of support, flirting,
drinking, pornography, selfishness, righteous indignation, an
inability to take accountability, being self-centered, not
listening—and so on. Weeds need much less attention than
flowers. Weeds will propagate themselves--simply ignore
them and they’ll quickly annihilate your garden. They’ll
even strangle the few flowers you’ve managed to nurture
from seedlings. They’ll take over your garden precipitately.
Leaving weeds unattended, in even the most prolific
flower garden, will quickly make all your hard work
incapable of being noticed.

The next time you feel like your relationship is in the
dumps, like you’re not appreciated, like you can never do
anything right, and you feel like quitting—think about how
much you’ve tended to your garden. Have you provided the
daily watering of love and affection; the daily sunshine
of compliments and appreciation? Have you given your
garden the seasonal fertilizing with gifts, extended
time together, traditions and goals? Have you done the
weeding of negativity at first sight; do you have and
maintain the proper tools of compassion, comfort, caring
and commitment? Have you removed rodents such as people
or things that dig deep holes into and eat away at your
flowers? If you haven’t tended to your garden, you
shouldn’t be surprised if there are no flowers to enjoy.
And if you’ve chosen to ignore noxious weeds in hopes
that they’ll just go away, you shouldn’t be surprised if
your garden is an ugly place; a source of disdain and
dread.

After years of neglect, it’s easy to want to leave the garden
with all its weeds behind, to end your relationship and start
with fresh weed-free soil. However, fresh soil doesn’t come
with flowers--they’ll still need to be planted, watered,
fertilized and receive daily sunshine. You’ll still need tools
and you’ll still need to keep the rodents under control. Fresh
soil is not immune to weeds, and the pernicious stinkers will
still need to be removed at first sight. Fresh soil is just
another garden, needing nurture and tending to. If you want
a garden, you have to be willing to do the daily, tedious,
sometimes back-breaking work to reap the benefits of its
beauty. You have to plant the roses, feed the roses, water
the roses, fertilize the roses and nurture the roses to get
to a place where you can stop and smell them.

Some people just opt for store-bought flowers--which are nice,
but their beauty is temporary. The maintenance is low, but
the pleasure they instill quickly fades. They are not a
consistently comforting place to go to evoke comfort and
joy—they provide no sense of accomplishment.
While beautiful, they are not a garden.

A Safe Place in this Universe

2009-12-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

Today I had the pleasure of meeting a very opinionated father at the playground. He watched as my daughter avoided other children, hid behind me, and yelled if someone tried to play with her. He politely but assertively told me that I should just "throw her to the wolves.” "She’d be okay," he insisted. He suggested that "throwing her to the wolves" might just force her to be more accepting of other kids and make her become more social.

I politely listened, and then I responded:
Our entire lives, starting at birth, people will tell us how we need to be more of this or less of that. They'll tell us how being more like how they’d like us to be will make us “better” and “more right”. If we have only one person in our life who thinks we are perfect exactly the way we are, who supports our growth in whatever manner WE choose to grow; and who truly loves us without conditions—we are blessed, deeply blessed.

I’ve chosen to be that person for my daughter. I've chosen to honor who she is, to let her know without a doubt that I love her no matter what. I've chosen to let her know that she is okay, and more than okay—she is perfect and amazing just the way she is. I've chosen to be her safe place in this universe to explore, grow and experiment with who SHE wants to be. I've chosen to never insist that she be or act a certain way in order to be more accepted by me.

I have chosen to be her blessing—and I am at perfect peace with that.

Delayed Grieving

2009-12-19T20:19:00.000-08:00

Delayed Grieving
by Leslie McCann

I spent five years defending my daughter’s needs to
professionals, to family members, to perfect strangers
and to my own husband. It was five years of pure
hell. See, for some reason, in our society if you don’t
have some sort of professionally labeled & drug-treatable
disorder, then there is nothing wrong with you.

Parents these days have children with all kinds
of problems: hyperactivity, food sensitivities that
lead to undesirable behaviors, sensory issues that lead
to undesirable behaviors, undiagnosed autism spectrum
disorders, defiance disorders, obsessive compulsive
disorders -- the list goes on. Without something
to call it, parents are wide-open to judgments and
attacks on their parenting choices.

I was the wide-open parent for five years, and it wore
me down. I knew my daughter’s heart. I knew she
was pure love and I also knew that she was suffering. And I
refused to let a lack of diagnosis allow her needs
to go unheard. Label me crazy, but respect my baby!

After five years of condescending professionals, know-
it-all parents and a generally unsupportive network of
people, my daughter finally got the diagnosis she
deserved: Asperger’s and Sensory Processing Disorder.

Wow! Finally! It fit perfectly! Sadly, I was excited that
she fits into a box. After all, that's how people communicate
and relate -- in boxes!

When the psychologist told me what the dx was, I said to
her, "Most parents are probably devastated when they
hear autism-spectrum-disorder. I’m not! I am thrilled!"

I am, sadly, thrilled. I explained to her that it wasn't that
I want her to have autism, it’s just that I'd put up with
years of having to deal with autism, but not having any
support -- because I couldn’t call it autism. I dealt with
years of being told it was my parenting, when, in fact, I am
an amazing Mother. I have been my daughter’s safe place in
this universe and all I ever wanted was for her needs
to be respected and accepted as valid.

Thankfully, the psychologist understood!

Well, two months after the diagnosis, I was reading
an article in Living Without magazine while having
dinner at a health food store. I turn to this article:
LOST AND FOUND: "Food as treatment for Autism
Spectrum Disorder. Changing a diet transforms a life."
I start to read, and out of nowhere, I start sobbing
uncontrollably. Holy crap! Where is this coming from?
It felt like the kind of cry that was going to get ugly quick …
I packed up my food and headed out to the car as fast as my
feet would take me. I couldn’t drive … I couldn’t see …
I couldn't stop crying.

What was wrong with me?

It was the article. No, it was what the story brought
up for me. It was everything about my five-year battle. And
at the core, it was about my loneliness in it. It was about the
extreme resistance I faced, the judgments, the criticism, the
money battles for treatments, the fear and angst of being the
only one who seemed to understand my daughter. The stress
of being solely responsible for researching and implementing
treatments. The sacrifices that went unacknowledged, the
pain and the hurts.

I realized I never got to grieve. I never got to indulge in a
little self-pity for the day-to-day struggles of dealing with a
child who was all-consuming … because, remember, before
the diagnosis, there was “nothing” wrong. If I didn’t like it,
people said, “I should just change my parenting.” It was the
fact that I, too, found my daughter, who had been lost. It
was because I, too, transformed her through diet. It was
about never hearing a sincere "thank you" or "nice job."

Realizing that I obviously needed that cry, I let it run its
course. When I felt composed again, I got back to the
article. I read this part -- “Together the parents resolved to
do everything in their power to 'bring Kaitlyn back'” --
and lost it again.

Then I further read about how
dad wasn’t initially on board with the diet, and called his
mother for help to deter his wife from using the diet. I read
how his mother told him to support his wife -- that his wife
had the best intentions for their daughter. I read how it
swayed him and how he got on board 100%.

They were in it together! It took his wife a mere week to
rally support from her husband, and her mother-in-law
helped her! Wow! I sat sobbing desperately again. It hit me
like a lead baseball bat: The reality that the diagnosis has
brought my daughter and I absolutely zero additional
support.

I am still in this alone. It is still going to be me against the
world.Now, instead of there being nothing wrong, it’s just
that everyone has an opinion on how I should be moving
forward from here … which, of course, doesn’t include me
having any credible say-so.Lovely, just lovely!

But, while all that brought me to my knees, the thing that
killed me, was that I never got to grieve my daughter’s
diagnosis.Oh my God, my daughter has ASPERGER'S!
I never got to grieve that my daughter has severe
theory-of-mind deficits and what that meant for her. Would
she ever be able to have a healthy relationship?
I was too consumed with the victory that would end my
long battle to get her seen, heard, and understood. I was
convinced that the lack of support came from the lack of
diagnosis. Wrong! I was angry that, because of what I'd
been through, I was relieved to have a diagnosis. It was
messed up, and I felt sick to my stomach.

I guess this was my little moment in time to grieve -- alone --
whether I was prepared for it or not! My quick little moment
in time to feel sorry for myself. My opportunity to unload
years of pent up emotions.My opportunity to pat myself on
the back for progress made. My opportunity to start the
healing process.

Through this experience, I learned that I can unknowingly
have deep grief, but that the grief has a mind of its own. And
it may come out, even if I’m in the middle of dinner. In
public.You may want to consider that before inviting me
over to eat.

Letting Go! The Journey back to Grace and Dignity

2009-12-18T21:31:00.000-08:00

Letting Go! The Journey back to Grace and Dignity. Finding balance after the diagnosis by Mary Romaniec

See video here

Along the road toward recovery, a parent/caregiver finds their sense of grace and dignity has taken a back seat to the health and well being of their child. The parents' health suffers, as often does the marriage. Family dynamics are changed and challenged. This presentation will alert parents/caregivers to the odyssey toward their child's recovery and the toll it can potentially take on the caregivers' health and marriage. The presentation will offer well-honed strategies to stay connected as a couple, stay connected to the other children in the family and provide a sense of relief over the everyday stresses that come with the autism diagnosis. The topics discussed in this presentation are not commonly covered in autism conferences but are still very much a part of the autism diagnosis. It is recommended for parents feeling the daily stress due to the demands associated with their child's autism. It is also recommended for couples who are seeking a different perspective on how to overcome the toll autism has placed on their marriage. Traditional marriage counselors are not equipped to address the unique issues that arise after a child has been diagnosed. The strategies discussed in this presentation will be sure to put a smile on the face of all who attend as they find the tools to "balance" after the diagnosis.

Mary Romaniec is a recognized authority and speaker on the subject of autism. Her own son's recovery from autism has inspired her to take on the role of mentor, writer and speaker. When her own son, Daniel, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 18 months, she soon learned how little the medical community understood about this disorder, which has been claiming children in unprecedented numbers all over the world. Driven by a sense of urgency, Mary began long nights of researching the Internet, speaking with other parents and attending conferences that discussed ways to treat autism. Contrary to the widespread myth that children cannot be treated successfully for autism, Mary was able to unlock the door that led her son to be declared recovered by the age of four. Along the way, Mary began reaching out to other parents who were just beginning the journey toward recovery for their children. As a mentor, she authored the 10 week GFCF diet calendar, which is in wide use in the autism community on various websites and quoted as a valuable tool in Jenny McCarthy's book, Louder than Words. She has also written other articles on the topics of IEP negotiation, marriage topics and care for the caregiver. Her articles have appeared in Mothering Magazine, Autism/Asperger Digest, Autism Today and Journeys Magazine as well as other autism-related websites.

Can Your Child, With Sensory Issues, Learn to Tolerate Holiday Gatherings and Parties?

2009-12-18T02:26:00.000-08:00

I love this article! I think it points out nicely that we, as parents, need to respect and sympathize with our sensory-sensitive children. The fact is, that regardless of how hard it is on us, it's a million times harder on them. It's our responsibility to protect them, respect them, and help them help themselves. It's our responsibility to teach the world about what they are going through, and to understand and honor them. They deserve that! And I think it's selfish to try to make them fit into our "box" of what constitutes "normal" behavior. I think it's selfish to not put their needs first.

Time after time, I watch my daughter escape into her own little world when we are around groups of people for too long. The mall, social groups, family gatherings, playgrounds, and so on-- turn my normally talkative, interactive, fun-loving daughter into a depressed, scared and lonely-looking shell of a little girl. It's as if she is screaming, "Help me! I have no where to run, so I am going inside myself." It's so sad, and I feel really bad for how hard it must be for her. I'm so glad I am a parent who is aware. I am so glad I am a parent that puts her first; she deserves that! Anything less would be selfish on my part.

Can Your Child, With Sensory Issues, Learn to Tolerate Holiday Gatherings and Parties?

By Nancy Peske

Although we all want children who have sensory issues to enjoy parties, family gatherings, and school social events along with everyone else, the stimulation that these situations provide can be much too unsettling for some kids. A child may actually go into what is called a panic response of "fight or flight," where his nervous system reacts as if he is in actual danger when what's really happening is that the noise, lights, and movement are so intense for him that it is triggering this primitive survival response. The sound of a group of several children singing in unison may make him feel to him as if someone is attacking his ear, while he may perceive all the visual stimulation of colored lights, party decorations, and people milling about as an all-out assault on his nervous system. So how can we help these kids to have fun without removing them from the situation completely?

The answer is that sometimes, we can't. Children with sensory processing disorder need a quiet, safe, low-stimulation environment to retreat to when they begin to feel their anxiety rising. If the child is becoming stressed out, accompany him to a quiet, dimly lit room nearby-a cloakroom, a bedroom, or even an unoccupied bathroom. Offer him opportunities for comforting and focusing stimulation. He might want to sit and rock, listen to calming music on a personal music player, lie on a couch or sit in a chair as you gently press pillows against him, or lie on the floor as you roll an exercise ball over him, pressing gently as you do so. Oral comforts such as a lollipop, chewing gum, or other chewable item may help the child regroup and, in time, return to the event. Earplugs can help reduce some of the noise, and activities that allow him to hyperfocus may make the "hoopla" less distressing to his nervous system. Calming activities can be done before, during, and afterward, as needed. The key is to ask the child to help you identify what would make him feel more comfortable.

You might give the sensory child a pile of Legos or blocks, or allow her to play with a toy on her own off to the side of the main activity area, if that is what she needs in order to be a part of the group. Don't assume she doesn't like the other guests just because doesn't want to participate in the activities the other kids are enjoying. She may be better off socializing in a more low-key atmosphere with a minimal number of children and a focused activity such as a craft project, a baking project, or a card game or board game. She may not be ready yet for a party with all the cousins, or the kids at the day care center. As she develops ways to accommodate her sensory issues and you and others work with her to develop her ability to tolerate stimulating environments, she will be better able to handle a variety of sensory situations.

It may be that the child can't handle the activity at all and, for safety reasons, needs to be escorted home. Be prepared to "rescue" your sensory child at preschool, late at night at a slumber party, or during a family gathering. You might want to ask a close friend or a relative to be available to take her in or watch your other children should you realize your sensory child cannot handle the situation. If you talk to your sensory child beforehand and let her know what her coping strategies and options are, however, you may be able to ease her anxiety enough that she will push herself to tolerate the unusually high amount of stressful stimulation. Encourage her to let you know her limits and be as flexible as you can, or let it go this time and simply plan an alternative celebration she can handle.

Nancy Peske is the coauthor of the book Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues and sends out a weekly newsletter of practical tips for parents and professionals who work with children who have sensory processing issues, available at http://www.sensorysmartnews.com.

Autism Yesterday - Autism is Reversible

2009-12-18T01:32:00.000-08:00

We've come so far, my Love

2009-12-16T12:04:00.000-08:00

We've come so far, my Love

By Leslie McCann

With each improvement comes new expectations. I sometimes forget from where we've come. I sometimes focus too much on where we are now. I all too often focus on the things we still have to work on. I sometimes forget to pause in gratitude.

Therefore, I choose to take this brief moment in time to reflect on where we've come from ... to feel grateful ... to breath a sigh of relief that we are not THERE anymore. To be elated that we have come so far. We've come so far, my Love. Sweet Vail. My precious, precious Love.

* My daughter once had melt-downs so often that it would be impossible to count the number. Now, so few that many days we can count them on one hand.

* My daughter used to require being held 24/7 --literally! Now, I hold her about an hour or two a day.

* My daughter used to scream each time she didn't get her way . We never knew what would set her off or what her WAY or WILL was. Now she communicates her needs and wants quite well.

* It used to take us an hour to brush her teeth. Now, we can get through it in a quarter of the time.

* It used to take us hours to get her diaper changed. Now, we can get through it in a quarter of the time.

* My daughter used to NEVER play on play equipment when other kids were on it. We had to go to Chuck-E-Cheese in the Summer and the playground in the Winter in order to find them empty of children. Now, she'll play when other kids are there -- and sometimes, she'll even request to "make a friend".

* My daughter used to hit, kick and scream a lot. Now she seldom does any of these things .

* My daughter used to be so rigid that I lived in silent fear of from what the next big, unpredictable upset would arise. Now she can negotiate, she can communicate, she can work with her inflexibility -- she rocks!

* My daughter once screamed each time she had a bowel movement; it hurt! She has inflammatory bowel disease. Now, I can't remember the last time we saw tears with a bowel movement.

* My daughter once woke more than 30 times a night. Now, I count that many in a month.

* My daughter once had moderate to severe food reactions to 60 different foods --Horror! Now, we are only strictly enforcing only one!

* My daughter once screamed if someone even looked at her. Now, I can watch with pride as she interacts with perfect strangers.

* My daughter spent the majority of her first few years naked because clothes bothered her sensitive little body. Now I adore that she's developed her own sense of style and loves to wear and change clothes often.

* My daughter used to fall at random ;unbalanced, uncoordinated. Now she is stable, coordinated, athletic, and a phenomenal climber.

* My daughter used to walk on her toes ... no more!

* My daughter used to have regular night terrors. Now, she only has them when we sleep somewhere that has wireless internet (in other words, rarely!)

* For years kissing my daughter made her cry--she hated my kisses--. Now, being kissed is something she loves.

* I spent an entire Winter indoors because my daughter was afraid of thunder and lightning, and an entire Summer indoors because she was afraid of Bees. Now, we can venture out without anxiety and constant reassurance that something BAD is not going to happen.

* Due to her anxiety, not too long ago, I could not even get 5 feet away from my daughter. And being in a different room was out of the question. Now, I can be in the kitchen while she plays in the playroom.

* My daughter used to have brain-inflammation (head circumference went from the 5th to the 95th percentile in 9 months). Now, THANK GOD, it's resolved.

I am so grateful for where we are ... so hopeful about where we're going. So proud of my precious Love. I'm thankful -- even if I sometimes forget I am!

Coming Out Of The Closet

2009-12-15T21:55:00.000-08:00

Writing is cathartic for me. However, I'm not all that great at it. Grammar, punctuation and poetic irony all elude me. Not to mention, up until recently, I was JUST a mom with a child that had all kinds of "behavior issues", but whom professional after professional claimed didn't fit into a "box". Yes, I had my supporters, but they no doubt had their doubts too. After all, if the professional that evaluated her said she wasn't on the spectrum, who am I to argue? Well, I'm her MOM--and I count!

Although I was a mom who KNEW, mere knowledge is not sufficient--one must be able to express his or her knowledge clearly, forcefully and correctly. This is especially important when discussing a subject as controversial as autism and its alternative treatment modalities, and even more so when coming up against other parents of spectrum children who do not support alternative modalities.

Now that my daughter has an official diagnosis of Asperger's and Sensory Processing Disorder, I can come out of the closet. I can speak my truth; express my rage. I can finally join communities that will support me. I can finally speak from a place of credibility, or at least experience. I can finally say, "Don't judge her, she has autism spectrum disorder." I can finally say, "I don't care if you don't like it, she has tactile-defensiveness, do not touch her!" I can finally say, "My daughter is NOT a brat--she is love, pure love--but she hurts and life is not easy for her." I can finally say, "It is not bad parenting, it's a disorder." I can finally say, "I was right!" I don't wish to say these things because I am arrogant--that's not my nature--but because I wish to be heard. Maybe, just maybe, I can finally be heard! Maybe, just maybe, she can finally be understood!

Complete Skin Ailment Curative

2009-12-14T01:50:00.000-08:00

My daughter was born with skin issues - literally! Within a few days, she developed a diaper rash ... a rash that would not go away for any significant length of time. It resisted every cream I tried. I even tried prescription anti-fungals and a special formula her pediatrician had developed. Nothing worked!

By the time she was 9 months old, her current rash had been raw, blistery and just plain painful, for 4 months solid! It was HORRIBLE! I took matters into my own hands ... the rest is history (or should I say the rest is "Complete Skin Ailment Curative"). Since then, I've used the cream on her eczema, her alligator skin, her cradle cap, her cuts and scrapes and her herxheimer reactions.

Since this blog is devoted to children and parents with children on the spectrum, you'll be happy to know that Complete Skin Ailment Curative is gluten free, casein free, soy free and just free of anything artificial, period! It's free from preservatives and fragrance; our kids have enough chemicals in their little bodies.

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

2009-12-13T23:21:00.000-08:00

Oh, The Places You'll Go!
By Crystal Engler

When I graduated from college in 1999, a good friend of mine gave me Dr. Seuss's book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go." I flipped through the pages, imagining my future life: a successful teaching career, marrying the man of my dreams, adopting a few pets, having a yard full of kids. Never once did I predict that my life would have turned out the way it has.

Years passed. I had that teaching job I was dreaming of. I fell in love, got married, and I did, in fact, adopt two mutts. Shortly thereafter, my son Hayden came into the picture. I was living the life I had dreamed of as a girl.

But something happened. It was a gradual progression; akin to watching a train wreck in slow motion. Looking back, my son had all of the signs of autism. We just didn't know what the heck was going on. I stopped breastfeeding him at six months. The ear infections began. We put him on antibiotics...many, many times. When nothing seemed to help, we gave in to the doctors and put tubes in his ears. When his system was still so weak--too weak to handle the trauma that was about to be unleashed upon him--he got his one year shots. These included the MMR, varicella, hib, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. He was never the same.
It all started. The extreme fussiness, unusual eating habits, regression of language, lining up of toys, and social anxiety. It took us eight months to figure out what was wrong. There have been few times in my life that I've thanked God for my pessimistic attitude. Identifying my son's autism early on was one of them. After all, everybody told me he was fine. It was typical stuff, nothing to worry about. But I knew better. Thus began my quest to heal my child.

So, here I am. Autism Warrior by definition. I fight, I argue, I cry, I scream. If you think about it, we lead extremely violent lives. Many autism parents have to fight the world. They are backed into a corner, often times, in every area of their lives.

The other day, I rushed to the door to let Hayden's speech therapist in. I glanced at a picture of my husband and me that hangs on our wall. It was displayed at our wedding so everyone could sign their well-wishes for our beautiful life together. I looked into the eyes of my former self. Such ignorance and self-assurance I possessed. Completely oblivious to what the world holds. I had hope. Hope and youth were on my side. I was ready to conquer the world.

I started thinking about all of the sacrifices we make for our children. Who knew? Who could have imagined the places we'd go? I've talked to hundreds of autism warriors throughout my battle. Some of the stories of sacrifice are endearing. Many are tragic. Some make you want to curl up in the fetal position and stay. Others evoke rage and one even made my drink come out my nose. Some sacrifices are big. Others are small, yet still important. Here are some autism warrior sacrifices that have brought out myriad emotions in me:

Ann has sacrificed pride. Kasey missed her daughter's first steps because she was away with her autistic child. Julie had the cops called on her for "kidnapping" her own inconsolable son in a Barnes and Noble parking lot. Danielle's 30's were a blur. Barbara has sacrificed a six-figure career. Heather has dissected poop samples. Lisa has sacrificed herself. Karyn has lost relationships. Benedicte has sacrificed her autistic child to a residential school. Anne has lost sleep. Brad has sacrificed his golf game and double cheeseburgers for SCD's legal foods (just the cheeseburgers, not the golf game). Kelly and Delmma know the financial struggle that so many deal with. Natalie added to her plate by babysitting other people's children for her son's socialization. Jane has made financial sacrifices. Cindy put her own health on the back burner. Wendy has lost contentment. Julia and Jessie sacrificed their marriages. Tre has lost good music to The Wonder Pets and Thomas the Train's theme songs. Joy has lost the dream of having a second child and the ability to buy good work pants.

I can relate to most of these sacrifices. I think many autism warriors can. My latest sacrifice was my dignity. A few days ago, I actually had to catch my son's poop in my bare hands. His comprehensive stool analysis test was almost over. He couldn't hold it long enough for me to get the collection container out of the bag. I did what any good autism warrior would do. After all, poop happens.

So, where do we go from here? I suppose we continue the battle. After all, I believe God gave us these special jobs for a reason. We may never know why, but I believe that with faith, hope, and love, one day we'll look back and say, "Oh, the places we went."

Crystal Engler is the mother of a five year old with autism. She is a freelance author and can be found at http://crystaldavidsonengler.blogspot.com.

Antipsychotic drugs can cause heart disease

2009-12-13T23:08:00.000-08:00

"Jonathan Meyer and his study team took data from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) and used it to evaluate the effect of antipsychotic drugs on systemic inflammation. Every drug tested, particularly Zyprexa and Seroquel, markedly increased inflammation levels which are implicated in causing all sorts of other disorders.

Elevated levels of C-reactive proteins in particular were noted as a common side effect of taking antipsychotic drugs. High levels of these proteins are implicated in bringing about illnesses like heart disease and stroke.

Cardiovascular problems have long plagued the mentally ill. There is a much higher death rate from cardiovascular disease among the mentally ill population than there is among the general population. With current research indicating that serious inflammation also occurs from the same drugs, all indications seem to point directly to antipsychotic drugs as the culprit in unleashing a myriad of health problems."

Autism seen as asset, not liability, in some jobs

2009-12-11T23:41:00.000-08:00

"Ron Brix’s longtime job as a computer systems developer for Wrigley, the gum and candy maker, required intense attention to detail, single-minded focus and a willingness to work on something repetitively until perfect.

The secret he credits to his success? Autism.

Brix, age 54, was diagnosed in 2001 with Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism often marked by the exact traits that help make him an ideal employee."

Safety Data From Kid Drug Trials Often Unpublished

2009-12-11T23:39:00.000-08:00

"Prescription drugs are often administered "off-label" to children largely because many of them have only been tested in and approved for use in adults. As such, drugs are often given to children without fully knowing if they will be beneficial, harmful, or neither."

Neurofeedback Outcomes in Clients with Asperger's Syndrome

2009-12-02T00:56:00.000-08:00

Thompson L, Thompson M, Reid A.

ADD Centre, 50 Village Centre Place, Mississauga, ON, L4Z 1V9, Canada, addcentre@gmail.com.

This paper summarizes data from a review of neurofeedback (NFB) training with 150 clients with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and 9 clients with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) seen over a 15 year period (1993-2008) in a clinical setting. The main objective was to investigate whether electroncephalographic (EEG) biofeedback, also called neurofeedback (NFB), made a significant difference in clients diagnosed with AS. Read more

Chelation Therapy Drug Found Safe and Beneficial for Children With Autism

2009-11-08T14:41:00.000-08:00

The Autism Research Institute calls for further investigations
into the use of chelation therapy for individuals with autism

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two studies
published by the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in
the October issue of BMC Clinical Pharmacology investigated
the use of oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), a prescription
medicine approved by the FDA for treating lead poisoning, and
used off-label in these studies for treating heavy metal
toxicity in children with autism.

In the investigations, DMSA was given to 65 children with
autism (ages 3 -8 years) to determine its effects. The
researchers found that DMSA dramatically increased excretion
of several toxic metals, including a 10-fold increase in
excretion of lead. In terms of safety, the study found that
there was no adverse effect on standard safety tests,
including no effect on kidney or liver function.

Of greatest interest was a surprising finding that DMSA
therapy had a dramatic effect on glutathione levels.
Glutathione is the body's primary defense against toxic metals,
and it was very abnormal in children with autism.
Treatment with DMSA for only 3 days normalized glutathione
levels for at least 1-2 months in almost all children.

DMSA therapy also had promising effects on possibly reducing
some of the symptoms of autism, including improvements in
language, cognition, and sociability. However, a formal
randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed
to confirm those results.

The study was led by Matthew Baral, N.D., Chair of the
Department of Pediatric Medicine and Associate Professor of
Pediatrics at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM)
and James B. Adams, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor in the Division
of Clinical Sciences at SCNM and Science Director for the Autism
Research Institute.

"Toxic metals are a common problem in autism, and I have
personally observed that many of my patients with autism have
greatly benefited from DMSA therapy.
I hope this data answers the question that many physicians have:
whether chelation is safe and effective, and clearly it's both,"
says Dr. Matthew Baral. "This study shows that DMSA therapy is
safe and effective, and should be considered as a possible
treatment for children with autism who have significant body
burden of toxic metals," says Prof. James Adams.

This study was funded, in part, by the Autism Research Institute.
To access the studies go to

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6904/9/16
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6904/9/17

SOURCE Autism Research Institute

James Adams, PhD, +1-480-965-3316, or Steve Edelson, PhD,
+1-619-281-7165

The Ultimate Herbal Remedy: Can Cannabis Improve Autism?

2009-11-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

The debate over its risks has split political and scientific opinion in Britain. But American mother Marie Myung-Ok Lee says cannabis isn't only safe enough for her autistic son - it's dramatically improved his condition

My son, J, has autism. He's also had two serious operations for a spinal cord tumour and has an inflammatory bowel condition, all of which may be causing him pain, if he could tell us. He can say words, but many of them - "duck in the water, duck in the water", for instance - don't convey what he means. For a time, anti-inflammatory medication seemed to control his pain. But in the last year, it stopped working. He began to bite and to smack the glasses off my face. If you were in that much pain, you'd probably want to hit someone, too.
J's school called my husband and me in for a meeting about J's tantrums, which were affecting his ability to learn. The teachers were wearing Tae Kwon Do arm pads to protect themselves against his biting. Their solution was to hand us a list of child psychiatrists. As autistic children can't exactly do talk therapy, this meant using sedating, antipsychotic drugs like Risperdal.
Last year, Risperdal was prescribed for more than 389,000 children in the US - 240,000 of them under the age of 12 - for bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism and other disorders. Yet the drug has never been tested for long-term safety in children and carries a severe warning of side-effects. From 2000 to 2004, Risperdal, or one of five other popular drugs also classified as "atypical antipsychotics", was the "primary suspect" in 45 paediatric deaths, according to a review of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data by USA Today. When I canvassed parents of autistic children who take Risperdal, I didn't hear a single story of an improvement that seemed worth the risks. A 2002 study on the use of Risperdal for autism, in The New England Journal of Medicine, showed moderate improvements in "autistic irritation" - but the study followed only 49 children over eight weeks, which limits the inferences that can be drawn from it.
We met with J's doctor, who'd read the studies and agreed: No Risperdal or its kin. The school called us in again. What were we going to do, they asked. As an occasional health writer and blogger, I was intrigued when a homeopath suggested medical marijuana. Cannabis has long-documented effects as an analgesic and an anxiety modulator. Best of all, it is safe. The homeopath referred me to a publication by the Autism Research Institute describing cases of reduced aggression, with no permanent side- effects. Rats given 40 times the psychoactive level merely fall sleep. Dr Lester Grinspoon, an emeritus professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School who has been researching cannabis for 40 years, says he has yet to encounter a case of marijuana causing a death, even from lung cancer.
A prescription drug called Marinol, which contains a synthetic cannabinoid, seemed mainstream enough to bring up with J's doctor. I cannot say that with a few little pills everything turned around. But after about a week of fiddling with the dosage, J began garnering a few glowing school reports: "J was a pleasure have in speech class," instead of "J had 300 aggressions today."
But J tends to build tolerance to synthetics, and in a few months we could see the aggressive behaviour coming back. One night, I went to the meeting of a medical marijuana patient advocacy group on the campus of the college where I teach. The patients told me that Marinol couldn't compare to marijuana, the plant, which has at least 60 cannabinoids to Marinol's one.
Rhode Island, where we live, is one of 13 states where the use of medical marijuana is legal. But I was resistant. My late father was an anaesthesiologist, and compared with the precise drugs he worked with, I know he would think marijuana to be ridiculously imprecise and unscientific. I looked at my son's tie-dye socks (his avowed favourite). At his school, I was already the weirdo mom who packed lunches with organic kale and kimchi and wouldn't let him eat any "fun" foods with artificial dyes. Now, I'd be the mom who shunned the standard operating procedure and gave her kid pot instead.
I thought back to when J was 18 months old. We were vacationing on the Cape, and, although he just had the slightest hitch in his gait, I was sure there was something wrong. His paediatrician laughed. I called back repeatedly until a different doctor agreed to see us. J was taken in for emergency surgery, to remove a tumour that was on the verge of inflicting irreparable damage. Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut.
And yet, I still hesitated. The Marinol had been disorienting enough - no protocol to follow, just trying varying numbers of pills and hoping for the best. Now we were dealing with an illegal drug, one for which few evidence-based scientific studies existed, precisely because it is an illegal drug. But when I sent J's doctor the physician's form that is mandatory for medical marijuana licensing, it came back signed. We underwent a background check with the Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Identification, and J became the state's youngest licensee.
Click here to read more

Fantastic!!! New textbook on autism

2009-11-04T21:16:00.000-08:00

From Autism Research Institute's newsletter:

In his 2007 book Changing the Course of Autism, Dr. Bryan Jepson wrote, "We need to redefine autism as a multi-organ metabolic disease that should be removed from the DSM-IV, placed in the medical textbooks instead, and routinely taught in medical schools and residencies."

ARI is thrilled to see a new medical school textbook titled Autism: Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Immune Abnormalities, recently published by CRC Press, and edited by Abha Chauhan, Ved Chauhan, and W. Ted Brown.

The book covers a variety of biomedical and neurological topics such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, membrane and metabolism abnormalities, and signal transduction (read the chapter headings here). The writers also discuss possible implications for treatment.

Many of the contributors have received research funding from ARI, participated in our Think Tanks, and/or presented at our conferences, including Drs. Paul Ashwood, Tapan Audhya, Manuel Casanova, Richard Deth, Martha Herbert, Harumi Jyonouchi, Woody McGinnis, Judy Van de Water, and Stephen Edelson.

The book is a bit pricey, but it is a significant contribution to the field of autism; it is available at Amazon.com. Encourage your local library to buy a copy!

The Real Voice of Autism

2009-10-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

I recently found this site; I think it's a fantastic resource and had to share it.

"Who we are

The purpose of the autistics.org project is to connect autistic people with the services we need to live whole and happy lives. The immediate goal of autistics.org is to build a global database of information and resources by and for persons on the autistic spectrum.

The autistics.org project is by and for autistics, not parents of autistic children, though family members and professionals may find this website helpful.

The autistics.org project is a project in the spirit of the various Linux development projects: created by volunteers, it's not so much an organization as it is a constructive anarchy.

* The One Community Pledge
* The autistics.org project

About our slogan

The Autism Society of America, an organization composed almost entirely of non-autistic people and controlled entirely by non-autistic people, which performs few if any useful functions for autistic people, and which on numerous occasions has advocated against the best interests of autistic people, has started to call itself "The Voice of Autism".

In our judgment, such hubris demands a response. So we've changed our tagline to "The Real Voice of Autism"

When we call ourselves "The Real Voice of Autism", we mean by that that we autistics are the real voice of autism, not that we in particular at Autistics.org are. Every autistic, whether he or she contributes to this site, doesn't know this site exists, or hates what we do here, is also "The Real Voice of Autism". If you are autistic, feel free to join us in proclaiming yourself "The Real Voice of Autism"

Autism Button

2009-10-19T20:12:00.001-07:00

Honest Food Guide-A healthy food pyramid

2009-10-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,

Confused about what you're supposed to eat? That's because most
nutritional advice comes sources that have sold their souls to the
giant food companies. Even the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid is heavily
influenced by food lobbyists, and it offers lousy nutritional advice
that's decades behind the cutting-edge nutritional principles we now
know to be true.

If you want a REAL guide to which foods you should eat, check out my
Honest Food Guide, an easy-to-use nutritional reference chart that
will help you make the best choices at every meal. The "Honest Food
Guide" is based on real nutrition, not politics or special interest
groups, and it illustrates the nutritional principles that will keep
you healthy for life.

Because this information will help you live a healthier lifestyle,
I'm giving away downloadable copies at http://www.HonestFoodGuide.org

The "Honest Food Guide" provides information like:

* Which common food ingredients promote diabetes
* Which foods promote mental disorders and depression
* How to avoid hydrogenated oils
* Which grocery products and foods promote outstanding health
* Why high-sodium snacks are harmful to your health
* Where to find healthy protein
* Mineral-rich supplements to add to your diet
* How MSG interferes with body function and appetite control
* What foods to add to your diet for a strong immune system
* Why breakfast cereals are often health saboteurs
* How to ensure you're getting enough healthy oils
* Why sunlight is vital for good health
* Key nutrients for good health
* How to select vegetables with a variety of nutrients
* Healing superfoods
* How to achieve clear, smooth skin
* Which carbs to eat and which to avoid
... and much more.

If you want the straight truth about which foods to consume and which
foods to avoid, download the Honest Food Guide today.

Learn more at:
http://www.HonestFoodGuide.org

Book: For Families of Children with Autism

2009-10-04T20:58:00.000-07:00

The emotional trauma that families go through when they find out their child has an autism spectrum disorder can feel like being plunged into darkness. Francesca Bierens is on a mission to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel. “The purpose of this book is to provide families who have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder with feelings of hope,” writes Bierens. “It is also my intention to provide people who do not have first hand experience, with increased understanding of how autism affects the child and the family."

Over a period of fourteen years, Bierens interviewed ten families of children on the autism spectrum. The result is her new book, A Spectrum of Light: Inspirational Interviews with Families Affected by Autism (December 2009, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 192 pages, paperback, 978-1-84905-013-5, $19.95). This book records how each of the 10 families answered the challenge of autism: how they felt, how they coped, and what gave them strength and solace.

Each family discusses how they reacted when they found out their child had autism, and their feelings leading up to diagnosis. They share their positive and negative experiences of professionals, and describe the support that they received, often from grandparents, respite care givers, support groups and other parents. Two of the original children, now in their 20s, also talk about the experience of growing up with autism, and describe how their lives are now.

Experts: Prepare now for autism's rising flood

2009-10-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

"When you've seen one child with autism, you've seen one child with autism," said Brenda Smith-Myles, ASA's chief program officer. "No two children on the autism spectrum have the same needs."

Top ten reasons to home school

2009-10-02T23:24:00.000-07:00

Many parents after a tiring year in traditional school start to wonder if home school is an option for them. Home school is a wonderful opportunity for parents and kids, but it is not for everyone. Here are the ten top reasons to home school your children.

1) No one has more interest in your child’s success than you do. Raising children involves teaching them on a daily basis.

2) You are qualified to teach your child. If there is a subject that you are unfamiliar with, that is what curriculum is for.

3) Homeschooled children consistently outperform their traditionally schooled peers on standardized tests. This superior test performance is across all socio-economic and ethnic lines.

4) Children who are home schooled have superior social skills to their traditionally schooled peers. Traditional school children learn gang mentality and bully tactics on unsupervised or poorly supervised playgrounds. Homeschooled children are supervised. Anti-social behaviors are quickly corrected. Homeschooled children interact better with adults than traditionally schooled children do.

5) With individualized attention home school children accomplish more in a day than most traditional public schools do in a week.

6) According to the US Department of Education, 1.5 million US families home school their children. The numbers are growing as more and more families are tired of a broken public school system that is barely able to teach.

7) Special needs children receive superior support services at home. This includes needs such as speech, vision, occupational therapy, gifted, autism and other support services. I have had 4 children with various needs in the public school system in 3 different states. Not one of them ever received the services promised in their IEP or those mandated by the Federal Disabilities Act.

8) The number of affluent Americans homeschooling their children is rising. This is due to frustrations over classroom behaviors, lack of learning and the desire to teach their children as they see fit.

9) Home school offers superior educational experiences to traditional schools. Field trips and travel are just a few of the things homeschoolers offer their kids.

10) Children who are homeschooled work at their own pace. They are not bound to state mandated curriculums and can advance to higher level work when ready. The same holds true for children who need more work in some areas. Home school children work on mastery of a subject, not just passing grades.

New Research Study Shows Developmental Delays in Monkeys Given Hepatitis B Vaccines

2009-10-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

"A new research study published today in a leading scientific journal, NeuroToxicology, found that a Hepatitis B vaccine containing the mercury-based preservative thimerosal caused significant delays in the acquisition of critical survival reflexes in newborn rhesus macaque monkeys. In this first-ever study comparing vaccinated animals with unvaccinated controls, thirteen of the animals were given a Hepatitis B vaccine containing a standardized amount of thimerosal to match that given to babies; four received a saline placebo, and three were not given any shots. The unvaccinated animals developed normally. Delays in vaccinated infants involved three critical reflexes associated with feeding, which are essential for survival in the wild."

Understanding the Anxious Mind

2009-09-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance

2009-09-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Critics, however, say the decision to get vaccinated should remain individual, especially for the swine flu vaccine, which was rushed into production to try to blunt the pandemic's second wave.

"I don't want to be a guinea pig," said Orne Banks-Hopkins, 55, a clerical worker at Washington Hospital Center. "I don't think I should be forced to take something I don't want to take."

Some doctors and nurses in Britain have also expressed resistance to getting the swine flu vaccine. A survey of 1,500 British nurses conducted in August by the Nursing Times found that one-third would not get the vaccine because of safety concerns.

F.D.A. Reveals It Fell to a Push by Lawmakers

2009-09-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

The agency has never before publicly questioned the process behind one of its approvals, never admitted that a regulatory decision was influenced by politics, and never accused a former commissioner of questionable conduct.

“The message here is that there were problems with the integrity of F.D.A.’s decision-making process that have solutions,” Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, the agency’s principal deputy commissioner, said in a conference call with reporters.

Girls' autism signs miss early diagnosis

2009-09-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

Getting Kids In Sync ONLINE November 2009

2009-09-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

Announcing an innovative online seminar:Getting Kids In Sync: A Sensory Processing Approach to Challenges Associated with Autism, ADHD, Learning and Behavioural Disorders

Presented by international speaker Genevieve Jereb, OTR

For the first time ever, you can learn at home (broadband Internet connection required) how to apply these practical and powerful tools that help support children to “learn and thrive from the inside out.” This online experience comprises seven hours of Gen’s acclaimed methodology over a two-week period from November 1 to 14, 2009.

Autism may include aptitude for analogy

2009-09-25T21:59:00.001-07:00

Children with autism have difficulty forming social relationships. But they discern relationships among objects in visual scenes surprisingly well, indicating a fundamental grasp of analogical reasoning, according to a new study.

Youngsters diagnosed with autism, or autistic disorder, reason about the relations between objects and people on a par with kids free of any developmental problems, psychology graduate student Kinga Morsanyi of the University of Plymouth, England, and psychologist Keith Holyoak of the University of California, Los Angeles report in an upcoming Developmental Science.

"Our findings indicate that the basic ability to reason analogically is intact in autism,” Morsanyi says.

read more

Can children with autism recover? If so, how?

2009-09-25T21:48:00.000-07:00

Although Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are generally assumed to be lifelong, we review evidence that between 3% and 25% of children reportedly lose their ASD diagnosis and enter the normal range of cognitive, adaptive and social skills. Predictors of recovery include relatively high intelligence, receptive language, verbal and motor imitation, and motor development, but not overall symptom severity. Earlier age of diagnosis and treatment, and a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified are also favorable signs. The presence of seizures, mental retardation and genetic syndromes are unfavorable signs, whereas head growth does not predict outcome. Controlled studies that report the most recovery came about after the use of behavioral techniques. Residual vulnerabilities affect higher-order communication and attention. Tics, depression and phobias are frequent residual co-morbidities after recovery. Possible mechanisms of recovery include: normalizing input by forcing attention outward or enriching the environment; promoting the reinforcement value of social stimuli; preventing interfering behaviors; mass practice of weak skills; reducing stress and stabilizing arousal. Improving nutrition and sleep quality is non-specifically beneficial.

Parents weigh the risk of vaccinating children for H1N1

2009-09-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

Brain structure invests us with sense of personal space

2009-08-31T21:52:00.000-07:00

"Washington, Aug 31 (IANS) Neuro scientists have pinpointed the brain structure regulating our sense of personal space, possibly opening the way to a better understanding of autism and other disorders.
The structure, the amygdala - a pair of almond-shaped regions located in the brain - was previously known to process strong negative emotions such as anger and fear and is considered the seat of emotion in the brain.

However, it had never been linked rigorously to real-life human social interaction."

How Independent Are Vaccine Defenders?

2009-08-31T21:47:00.000-07:00

"The vaccine industry gives millions to the Academy of Pediatrics for conferences, grants, medical education classes and even helped build their headquarters. The totals are kept secret, but public documents reveal bits and pieces.

A $342,000 payment from Wyeth, maker of the pneumococcal vaccine - which makes $2 billion a year in sales.

A $433,000 contribution from Merck, the same year the academy endorsed Merck's HPV vaccine - which made $1.5 billion a year in sales.

Another top donor: Sanofi Aventis, maker of 17 vaccines and a new five-in-one combo shot just added to the childhood vaccine schedule last month."

Autism--an environmental health issue after all?

2009-07-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

"Looking for Causes--A Perennial Source of Controversy Discussion of autism has long been plagued by the simplistic models of causality that inform so many nature-nurture debates. Because the condition involves social symptoms, mid-20th century research tended to look for social-psychological causes such as bad parenting, early-childhood trauma, or stress. When evidence began to accumulate of family inheritance separate from upbringing, the pendulum swung to genetic determinism. But no one gene has been identified as "causing" autism. While the evidence still points to a genetic component, an apparent increase in the incidence of ASDs has prompted some researchers to look again at the possibility of environmental influences on the disease."

Growing Divide Among Courts On Vaccines

2009-07-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

And let us not forget who is paying the bills for "Vaccine Court".

Autism tied to autoimmune diseases in immediate family

2009-07-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

Sadly, DAN! has been saying this for years!

"In a study of children born in Denmark from 1993 to 2004, doctors found that many children with autism or related disorders also had a family history of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, develop when antibodies that normally fight infectious organisms instead attack the body itself."

Scientist First to Characterize Novel Syndrome of Allergy, Apraxia, Malabsorption

2009-07-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

Newswise - A landmark study conducted by Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland is the first to reveal a new syndrome in children that presents with a combination of allergy, apraxia and malabsorption. Autism spectrum disorders were variably present. Verbal apraxia has until now been understood to be a neurologically based speech disorder, although hints of other neurological soft signs have been described. The new study, led by Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland scientist and pediatric emergency medicine physician, Claudia Morris, MD, and Marilyn C. Agin, MD, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician at Saint Vincent Medical Center in New York, however, suggests that the symptoms of verbal apraxia are, at least for a sub-group of children, part of a larger, multifactorial, neurologic syndrome involving food allergies/gluten-sensitivity and nutritional malabsorption.

Mothers of Children with Autism Have Higher Parental Stress, Psychological Distress

2009-07-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

"But it is not the hard work that is stressing the mothers. Our findings really pointed to the behavior problems that can occur with autism. Children with autism had significantly higher levels of problem behaviors than children with developmental delay.”These behavior problems included such things as irritability, agitation, crying, inappropriate speech and not being able to follow rules."

A recovery story

2009-04-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

Great job Heidi, you are a warrior mom and have helped so many others through the journey. We love you!

Autism and exile

2009-04-22T22:28:00.001-07:00

Evidence Grows That Maternal Immune Response to Fetal Brain During Pregnancy a Key Factor in Some Autism

2009-04-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

Genes Show Limited Value in Predicting Diseases

2009-04-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

Proof is in the poison: PCB toxins are hazardous to humans

2009-04-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

"Three new studies by researchers at the University of California-Davis, and Harvard University concluded that even low-level exposure to PCBs, like the kind scheduled to be removed from the Fox River at the end of the month, likely contributes to developmental disorders in children, including autism, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities and mental retardation."

The Judgment on Vaccines Is In???

2009-04-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

"a ruling against causation in three cases out of more than 5000 hardly proves that other children won't be adversely affected by the MMR, let alone that all vaccines are safe. This is a huge leap of logic by anyone's standards. Not everyone gets cancer from smoking, but cigarettes do cause cancer. After 100 years and many rulings in favor of the tobacco companies, we finally figured that out.

The truth is that no one without a vested interest in the profitability of vaccines has studied all 36 of them in depth. There are more than 100 vaccines in development, and no tests for cumulative effect or vaccine interaction of all 36 vaccines in the current schedule have ever been done. If I'm mistaken, I challenge those who are making such grand pronouncements about vaccine safety to produce those studies.

If we are to believe that the ruling of the 'vaccine court' in these cases mean that all vaccines are safe, then we must also consider the rulings of that same court in the Hannah Polling and Bailey Banks cases, which ruled vaccines were the cause of autism and therefore assume that all vaccines are unsafe. Clearly both are irresponsible assumptions, and neither option is prudent."

Managing Meltdowns

2009-02-27T21:18:00.000-08:00

In a chaotic or threatening situation, fear is the primary emotional response of an autistic individual. Often the initial physical response is to freeze. 'Meltdowns', or brain overloads can be scary for the individual with autism, and for the person trying to help if they don't know how to react in this situation. Common coping strategies, such as hand flapping or leg shaking, can be misperceived as being wilful, noncompliant, and uncooperative; and some techniques commonly recommended during times of distress or crisis, such as maintaining eye contact or using light touch, can be counter-productive rather than providing relief.

Using the easy-to-remember acronym S.C.A.R.E.D, coined by clinical psychologist Will Richards, this guide offers strategies and practical techniques that will be a valuable reference tool to anyone in a first response position. The authors have created a training programme to explain the autistic experience and mindset, and guide the interventions of first responders to autistic individuals in crisis.

ANOTHER AUTISM CASE WINS IN VACCINE COURT

2009-02-27T21:15:00.000-08:00

Last week, the parents of yet another child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were awarded a lump sum of more than $810,000 (plus an estimated $30-40,000 per year for autism services and care) in compensation by the Court, which ruled that the measels-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine had caused acute brain damage that led to his autism spectrum disorder.

The family of 10-year-old Bailey Banks won their case quietly and without fanfare in June of 2007, but the ruling has only now come to public attention. In the remarkably clear and eloquent decision, Special Master Richard Abell ruled that the Banks had successfully demonstrated that "the MMR vaccine at issue actually caused the conditions from which Bailey suffered and continues to suffer."

'Experiment of nature' examines how mother's diet may impact on child's health

2009-02-27T21:11:00.001-08:00

Stanford/Packard Researchers Recruit Children for Study of the Biology of Autism

2009-02-27T21:10:00.001-08:00

Vaccine Makers Enjoy Immunity

2009-02-27T21:01:00.000-08:00

Study: Kids with eczema more likely to have ADHD

2009-02-27T20:54:00.000-08:00

THE HOT TOPIC: Autism/Vaccine Court Decision Discussed

2009-02-14T21:46:00.001-08:00

Chris Boardman

Story Created: Feb 12, 2009 at 5:15 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 12, 2009 at 5:20 PM EST

Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association takes the Hot Seat to discuss a court decision ruling that certain vaccines have not caused autism in kids.

Family says court autism ruling is wrong

2009-02-14T21:42:00.001-08:00

HOPE for Autism

2009-02-03T14:47:00.000-08:00

"I do not specifically treat autism. Instead I treat kids who have multiple medical problems, including immune, digestive, and nutritional imbalances, detoxification problems, heavy metal toxicity, food sensitivity issues, etc... THE COMMON DENOMINATOR IS ALL OF THESE KIDS HAPPEN TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM."

- Dr. Woeller

Dyslogic Syndrome-Dr. Bernard Rimland

2009-01-20T00:51:00.000-08:00

Dr. Rimland's final book is published: Dyslogic Syndrome: Why Millions of Kids Are "Hyper," Attention-Disordered, Learning Disabled, Depressed, Aggressive, Defiant, or Violent-and What We Can Do About It is a fascinating look at ADHD, learning disabilities, aggression, and depression, among other topics.

Confidential MMR vaccine files should be opened in the public interest, watchdog rules

2009-01-20T00:46:00.001-08:00