ASA-ASO is now posting all research opportunities on our website. For information on available opportunities, visit our webpage www.autismohio.org, click on "Information" along the l eft side of the home page and then click on "Studies/Surveys".
Sincerely,
The Autism Society of America - Autism Society of
701
( 330) 376-0211
fax: (330) 376-1226
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
web: www.autismohio.org
Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASA-ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASA-ASO, either explicit or implied.
Individuals who are interested in voting in the upcoming Ohio general election only have three more days to do so. The deadline to register to vote for the general election is Monday, October 6, 2008.
You can register to vote at any number of places, including agencies that provide public assistance or disability programs, public libraries, public high schools or vocational schools, or your local county board of elections.
County Boards of Elections offices will accept voter registration cards until the close of business that day. A postmark of October 6 is also required for all mail-in voter registration applications.
People with disabilities who think they are eligible to vote and are having problems can call the Ohio Legal Rights Service Intake Department at (voice) 614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181; (TTY) 614-728-2553 or 1-800-858-3542.
For more information about how to register to vote: http://olrs.ohio.gov/asp/VoterFaqRegister.asp
As you are aware, Autism Insurance Parity, HB170 is currently under consideration by the Ohio House Insurance Committee. The fall elections are coming and immediately following the elections it will be time to address next biennial budget for Ohio. Additionally, issues regularly come before the state legislature that impact individuals with autism, their families and those who work them throughout Ohio. And because of this, the Autism Society of Ohio needs your help.
We are in the process of putting together an autism advocacy network that has constituents in each of the districts of the members of the Ohio General Assembly, both the House and Senate. We are looking for advocates all around the state to help us with this effort.
You can volunteer to participate in
two ways:
·
Team
Leader: Each Ohio district will have an assigned team leader who is
responsible for carrying the key ASA-ASO/autism messages when meeting with the
legislator (Representatives and Senators), coordinating testimony or letter
writing for hearings, and for organizing the team members of their district,
etc.
· Team Member: Each Ohio district will have several team members that are available to share their own personal ASA-ASO/autism story, to write letters when needed, and to ask from help from their neighbors/families/friends. Team members may choose specialize on certain topics – ie. autism insurance parity topic, special education funding, etc.
ASA-ASO is also developing a Legislative Advocacy Manual and will provide local training to constituent volunteer advocates.
If
you are interested in participating in this effort, please send your Name,
address, city,
zip+4, phone, email address, House District Number and Senate
District number and whether you are interested in being a “Team Leader” or a
“Team Member” to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Please put AUTISM ADVOCACY NETWORK in
the subject line. To find your
district numbers, visit www.legislature.state.oh.us and follow the directions
under "Locating Legislators".
For more information, visit our website at www.autismohio.org
The Autism Society of America (ASA) and
NEW for 2008! Pre-Conference Sessions - November 18, 2008
Pre-Conference sessions are provided by leaders and recognized experts in the field and provide attendees with a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussion and learning.
What: 2008 NATTAP Conference
When: November 19-21, 2008
Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center |
Late Registration (September 23 - October 20, 2008): $300
On Site Registration (October 20 - November 21, 2008): $315
Parent/Family Member Rate: $100
Pre-Conference Session Rate: $100
Conference registration and information available at: http://www.nattapconference.org
The US Congress is now in recess after passing the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 which the president signed into law on Friday, October 3, 2008. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, commonly referred to as a bailout of the U.S. financial system, is legislation authorizing the United States Secretary of the Treasury to spend up to US $700 billion to purchase distressed assets, especially mortgage-backed securities, from the nation's banks. Only four days earlier, the House had decisively voted down a proposed bailout bill put forward by the administration and congressional leaders of both parties. The flood of phone calls and e-mails to congressional offices was said to have run more than 90 percent in opposition to a financial bailout. Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) said he had been getting 2,000 e-mail messages and telephone calls a day, roughly 95 percent opposed. Ohio Democratic U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich, a former two-time presidential candidate, delivered a speech on the House floor denouncing the bailout as "too much money, in too short of a time, going to too few people, while too many questions remain unanswered," and asking, "Is this the U.S. Congress or the board of directors at Goldman Sachs?"
Revisions to the bill, mostly the addition of unrelated provisions adding an estimated $150 billion to the cost of the package and increasing the size of the bill to 451 pages, added enough "sweeteners" to persuade enough members of Congress to vote in favor of the revised bill. Proponents of the bailout plan argued that the unprecedented market intervention called for by the plan was vital to prevent further erosion of confidence in the U.S. credit markets and that failure to act could lead to an economic depression. Opponents objected to the massive cost of the sudden plan, pointing to polls that showed little support among the public for bailing out Wall Street investment banks, and claimed that better alternatives were not considered and that the Senate only tried to force the passage of the unpopular but sweetened version of the bailout through the opposing House and was successful in this attempt. The maximum cost of a $700 billion bailout would be $2,295 estimated cost per American (based on an estimate of 305 million Americans), or $4,635 per working American (based on an estimate of 151 million in the work force). The bulk of this money would be spent to purchase mortgage backed securities, ultimately backed by American homeowners, which possibly could be sold later at a profit, by the government. Some economists have predicted that the bailout would cause hyperinflation and dollar collapse. The United States annual budget deficit for fiscal year 2009 may surpass $1 trillion.
Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008 (S.3593), which will reform the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program. This legislation is identical to the bill the House of Representatives passed last week (H.R. 5772).
Sunday, October 12
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Athens Community Center (701 East State Street, Athens)
Moderated by: John Schmieding (Athens Area Mediation Services)
Obama Campaign surrogate: Doug Rogers (former director, Ohio Legal Rights Serivce)
McCain Campaign cannot send the surrogate, but the statement by Donna Jones, the national disability policy director for McCain Campaign, and statements issued by Senator McCain will be read at the forum. Fairness to the McCain campaign will be ensured at every stage of this forum. All questions asked at the forum will be forward to Ms. Jones to provide opportunities for rebuttal and answers will be shared later if we receive it before the election day.
Please share this information with anybody who might be interested. This is a great opportunity to learn what the next president will do for people with disabilities and let them know what we need.
Margaret ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 740-818-8460 ) or Noriko ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Please note: Registration is required so that adequate space for participants can be arranged. Please do not just show up for this session.
If you live outside Columbus, OH, anywhere in the U.S., please see the last paragraph of this message for information on how to access the following ADA audio conference series session within your area of the country. The session will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 2-3:30 P.M., ET, (earlier time of day, depending on time zone) and will be presented by the DBTAC - Great Lakes ADA Center in Chicago, IL, via speaker phone.
The courts and federal agencies are shaping the ADA through their decisions and settlements. This session will outline the key issues that are currently before the courts as well as discuss some trends in case law at the lower courts which will have an impact on decisions at all levels, including any future cases to be argued before the Supreme Court. A discussion of the potential impact of the ADA Amendments Act will be included.
The cost for the session is $25 for nonprofits and $40 for other entities for each location, regardless of the number of participants at each location (multiple people can attend at one location for the same flat fee). There is no charge to participants who come to the following locations in Ohio: The Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus, OH; Ability Center in Toledo, OH; Linking Employment, Ability & Potential (LEAP) in Cleveland, OH; and Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living (SOCIL) in Lancaster, OH. There may be other free locations in the US - please contact Great Lakes at adagreatlakes.org for those locations.
Sessions are 90 minutes in length and delivered via audio conference. Participants are in a "listen-only" mode until the question and answer period. The sessions are offered real-time captioned on the Internet, and a transcript is developed and posted to the Internet following the session. In addition, a digital recording of the session is archived on the DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center web site at adagreatlakes.org.
If you wish to come for no charge to OSU in Columbus, OH, please let us know by October 14 by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Registration is required to attend the session. Please provide your name, organization, address, email address, and telephone number. Please do not send a check to ADA-OHIO. If you wish to come for no charge to The Ability Center of Greater Toledo, OH, please call 419-885-5733. If you wish to come for no charge to LEAP in Cleveland, OH, please call 216-696-2716, ext. 129, for more information. If you wish to come for no charge to SOCIL in Lancaster, OH, please call 740-689-1494 for more information. If you wish to attend elsewhere, please go to web site ada-audio.org to register.
Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 ("ADA Amendments Act" or "Act").
The Act makes important changes to the definition of the term "disability"
by rejecting the holdings in several Supreme Court decisions and portions
of EEOC's ADA regulations. The Act retains the ADA's basic definition of
"disability" as an impairment that substantially limits one or more major
life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as
having such an impairment. However, it changes the way that these
statutory terms should be interpreted in several ways. Most significantly,
the Act:
* directs EEOC to revise that portion of its regulations defining the
term "substantially limits";
* expands the definition of "major life activities" by including two
non-exhaustive lists:
o the first list includes many activities that the EEOC has
recognized (e.g., walking) as well as activities that EEOC has
not specifically recognized (e.g., reading, bending, and
communicating);
o the second list includes major bodily functions (e.g.,
"functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive,
bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory,
endocrine, and reproductive functions);
* states that mitigating measures other than "ordinary eyeglasses or
contact lenses" shall not be considered in assessing whether an
individual has a disability";
* clarifies that an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a
disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when
active;
* provides that an individual subjected to an action prohibited by the
ADA (e.g., failure to hire) because of an actual or perceived
impairment will meet the "regarded as" definition of disability,
unless the impairment is transitory and minor;
* provides that individuals covered only under the "regarded as" prong
are not entitled to reasonable accommodation; and
* emphasizes that the definition of "disability" should be interpreted
broadly.
EEOC will be evaluating the impact of these changes on its enforcement
guidances and other publications addressing the ADA.
Effective Date: The ADA Amendments Act is effective as of January 1, 2009.
Source: http://www.eeoc.gov/ada/amendments_notice.html
On Saturday, October 11 and 18, 2008
9:00 am – 12 pm
Akron Children’s Hospital is sponsoring a program called 'Supporting Super Kids!' for children, ages 5-16, who have a sibling, parent or other family member with a chronic illness (such as Cancer, Renal Failure, Cystic Fibrosis, Hemophilia, Sickle Call, Spina Bifida) or special needs.
Topics Covered will include the following:
Living with chronic illness in my family;
Understanding my feelings and learning how to express them;
Liking myself;
And a tour of Akron Children’s Hospital.
The location is classrooms D & E in the main hospital. To register, please call Kimberly Schafer-Alt at 330.543.3278 or 1.800.262.0333 X 3278. RSVP by Friday, October 3, 2008.
*Participants are encouraged to attend both sessions. Refreshments will be provided. There is no charge for the group.
Review says new film has most realistic autistic character ever
The film explores Nelson's Asperger's Syndrome without mentioning the diagnosis. The choice is intentional because many individuals with Asperger's remain undiagnosed.
A recent documentary, Billy the Kid, similarly did not mention the protagonist's Asperger diagnosis, but If You Could Say it in Words is the first narrative feature film I've come across that explores Autism in such depth without hitting the audience over the head over and over again with the fact that it's about autism.
Additionally, the film appeals to an audience greater than the autistic community because the questions it raises about love apply to autistics and neurotpyicals alike.
Alvin's performance as Nelson is quite possibly the most authentic portrayal of an autistic person that I've ever seen in the movies. Unlike the usual stereotypically overblown representation of autism so common in the media, Nelson's character more closely resembles someone you could know in real life. Nelson doesn't count cards at the casino and faces the same relationship problems that many of us have had.
And it's quite likely that at least a couple people you know do have an undiagnosed case of autism. Autism occurs in 1 in 150 people and many more go undiagnosed. Despite what you may gather from the media, the stereotypical image of a child who cannot talk is an extreme and, like Nelson, many autistic individuals go through life without ever discovering that they are autistic.
It's refreshing to finally see a film that explores an autistic individual who isn't two dimensional. You'll find you have more similarities with Nelson than differences. And that's the way you should feel about a movie's protagonist because the best movies are the ones with which we can all relate.
Deliberate audio and visual choices emphasize the disconnect between Nelson and everyone else. The disorientating atmosphere created at times by the film in reference to Nelson reminds me of what it's like to get a sensory overload.Thus, If You Could Say it in Words proves that it is possible to make a movie about an autistic person without stereotypically relying on the character melting down every other scene.
They will also be having a special 'Dine to Donate' event where 15% of your total dining bill on October 14th will be donated to NEOAG. Simply present a 'Dine to Donate' flyer (click here) to your server and 15% of the bill will be added to the total donation. (flyer must be brought and will not be available at the Applebee's location).
Please join us for this evening of great wine, great food, and great giving!
The concert will be held in the Cambridge Room at HOB and tickets are $10 each. To order tickets, please visit http://www.secondplace.net/ or call Dave at 440.570.4198. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event. To order a cd, go to http://www.secondplace.net/ and click on 'download our new album' at the top of the page, or you can get one at the show.
We hope to see you there!
Complements and Alternatives for Standard Care Plans
Michelle Martin, ED.S., a school psychologist with 21 years professional experience, will speak about the value of these techniques. She will discuss current research and alternative healing methods - including massage, yoga, Reiki, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and energy psychology - that can provide positive and helpful treatments without theside effects of medication.
"It is amazing to me the amount Simon has learned in your classes. I never expected so much progress. He must have been ready for this type of interaction. He has been extremely polite and just wonderful to be around. Keep up the good work." ~ Cindy O., Mom of Simon, age 10
Parents, teachers, counselors and the public are welcome!
Monday, October 6, 2008
7 - 9 p.m.
Fee: $10 in advance; $20 at the door
To register, call 216/765-4470
by Friday, October 3
Light refreshments and door
prizes will be offered
Location
Insight Learning & Wellness Center
25901 Emery Road, Suite 112
Warrensville Heights, Ohio
We are writing to you to share our vision of establishing a community-based integrated residential life program for young adults with special needs.
We envision a Jewish community setting which would allow these young adults to reach their fullest potential. The demand for residential, social, recreational, and supported employment services is growing because of the increased number of young adults with cognitive and/or developmental disabilities. Traditional group homes no longer meet all the needs of this ever-changing population of young adults. The group home model is often isolating for residents. A critical mass necessary to create a community is lacking within an individual group home setting. In addition, transportation is often lacking which prevents participation in community activities.
Our goal is to create semi-independent residential options for adults with special needs who may not require 24 hour care. Supports would be put in place to allow residents to live as independently and socially integrated as possible within a Jewish community setting. Residents would be employed at their maximum capacity in the community at large. The chosen geographic location of this new residence should be close to central points within the Jewish community to allow for access to synagogues, the JCC, kosher food, and social activities, as well as to public transportation. We envision integrating social/ recreational and vocational/job coaching services and supports for those living in the residence, as well as for those living elsewhere.
We are collaborating with the Jewish Family Service Association and the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland on this venture.
Please complete a 2 minute survey by going to the link below: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4Z2kGbKE4qFrzlY9VfZkTw_3d_3d
By completing the survey you will assist us in assessing the current and future needs for Jewish community based integrated living. This information will be shared with Federation professional staff serving on the Adult Housing Committee.
If you know of anyone interested, please forward this email.
Sincerely, Carol Burg, Barbara Gonick, Ilana Hoffer Skoff
To register online go to:
http://www.autismlinkstore. com/index.asp?PageAction= VIEWPROD&ProdID=159&HS=1
One note - I work at the elementary school level in programs that serve students with Asperger, PDD-NOS, and other “high functioning” students with an ASD, so MOST of the tools relate to this population. Professionals and parents supporting students of older or younger ages may find a few things they could use. Please forward this email to any families or educators you work with in your area or school districts. Since you are a parent support network, I especially encourage you to help disseminate this information to teachers and school districts in your area.
I will be adding more and more PDF documents monthly, so check back often if this is something you find it useful.
Here is the site address:
http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities: From Diagnosis through Strategies for Home and School – Leading Expert Dr. Dean Mooney (Vermont) – November 17, 2008 – Cleveland, OH www.meds-pdn.com
Dr. Mooney will provide participants with an overview of how Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) can affect the student and their classroom setting. The seminar will include brain structure and functions, developmental manifestations and assessment; and will place particular emphasis on interventions for both home and the classroom. A discussion of the comparison between NLD and Asperger's Syndrome will take place. The role of parents, regular and special education teachers, guidance counselors and school psychologists working with students with NLD will be explored. Case studies will be presented and a question and answer session will be included. Special education teachers, administrators, classroom teachers, therapists, instructional aides and other school personnel, mental health providers and parents are encouraged to attend.
https://www.meds-pdn.com/continuing_education.php?seminar_id=2036
Mall! There are many special events being planned for you and your family!
One of the first projects is a video that will be shown on the Mall's
televisions throughout the holiday season. The theme of the video is "I
Know I Can!" based on the Dayton Autism Society's Walk 2008 T-shirts and the
artist, Adam, a then 6-year old with autism.
The Dayton Mall and WDTN Channel 2 are asking for photos submissions to
include in the video. Send photos of your child(ren), both typical and on
the autism spectrum, in their best "I know I can!" moment to Dave Casper at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A flier about this event has been uploaded to the files section of both the
Dayton United Against Autism and the Dayton Autism Society Support Yahoo
groups. The information is also available on the Dayton Autism Society
website: http://www.daytonautismsociety.org.
One lucky parent of a submitted photo will win a $100 Dayton Mall Gift
Card! Wouldn't that help out at holiday time? And also the opportunity to
appear in the video with a WDTN Channel 2 on-air personality! How cool
would that be?
So send your photos to Dave for consideration soon!
When Steve Kiray, a former search and rescue professional heard that some companies charge upwards of $15,000 for a service dog, he got angry -- and he decided to do something about it.
Being in the healthcare profession for over 20 years and training search and rescue dogs for over 10 years, Steve formed K9 for kids -- for thousands less than other companies.
How can a service dog help a child with autism?
Self-injurious behavior: the dog will interrupt the! behavior
Mood Swings: The dog will crawl onto the child's lap and calm the child
Self-Stimulation: The dog will physically interrupt the behavior
Social isolation: Focus shifts to the dog, opens doors for socialization
Non Verbal: Enhances verbal skills by using commands for the dog
A local Pittsburgher, Steve cares about the children. He is dedicated to providing the best service dog to your child and your family.
For more information, contact Steve Kiray at 412.670.5939 or email searchrescue1@
By: Brittany Evans
Posted: 9/29/08 From the Parthenon, Marshall University Student Newspaper
Asperger syndrome, a type of autism, has drastic effects for those with the disorder and affects more people than those diagnosed, and Marshall University is working with people who have Asperger syndrome to educate those who don't.Students, faculty and members of the community met Wednesday with the college program for students with Asperger syndrome to discuss the syndrome and how to support students on campus who have it. It was the first of a three-series workshop about the syndrome.
"We're here to help students and the Marshall community to learn how to interact better with students who have Asperger syndrome," said Marc Ellison, coordinator for the college program for students with Asperger syndrome.
Asperger syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder and is also known as a form of high-functioning autism, Ellison said. Those who have the disorder have normal or above average intellectual capacity while possessing eccentric or less developed social skills. The disorder has a major impact on the individual's ability to interact in normal situations.
Individuals with the syndrome often have difficulty conversing because of their lack of strategies to initiate, terminate and facilitate conversations and their inability to stay on topic. They also may think aloud, unaware others can hear them. The individuals often speak and think in a scripted language with difficulty drawing conclusions and grasping main ideas.
Individuals with the disorder may have difficulty setting goals, planning and organizing. Academically, students are often distracted and become anxious during testing.
Professors at Marshall are given a profile of each student in their class with Asperger syndrome. The profile outlines each student's abilities and areas in which they need assistance.
Susan Weinstein, academic lab manager who oversees teachers' assistants in biological sciences, said she wanted to know more about the syndrome so assistants will better understand how to treat students in their classes.
The West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall developed the program as a pilot study in 2002. The program uses a team-based approach to help students with academic and social situations and to improve their independent living skills. There are 20 students enrolled in the program including 17 out-of-state residents.
Rebecca Hansen, assistant coordinator for the college program for students with Asperger Syndrome, said prior to their first semester, students with the syndrome are assessed to determine their individual needs. The students prepare a set of goals based upon their needs and are provided a framework of support to help them be successful and independent after graduation.
"Training only goes so far," Hanson said. "You have to work one on one to assess each student's individual needs."
There are 10 graduate assistants from the autism training center that help individuals with the syndrome. Each graduate assistant provides counseling for individuals and assists them with social and academic situations. Graduate assistants help the individuals find tutoring for their classes and organize social activities for the students each semester.
Justin Kunitz, junior chemistry major from Santa Monica, Calif., is a student with Asperger syndrome. He said the program helps him finish his homework, study for exams and make friends. The program also allows him to take exams at the center where he can avoid distractions and receive extended time. Kunitz said he plans to attend pharmacy school.
"I want people to know that I know how to interact and socialize and I am a very intelligent person," Kunitz said. "I have trouble making friends but I want to make friends."
The next meeting to discuss Asperger syndrome will be on at noon on Oct. 21 in room 2W22 in the Memorial Student Center.
Information on the "Autism Free Zone"
From http://autism.about.com/od/autismrelatedwebsites/gr/freezone.htm
This is a terrific idea that's still in its infancy. The concept is simple: when a family is done using an autism-related product, they make it available for free to other families through an online community. Resource groups, service providers, and others can also advertise their services and products. Randy Abrams, creator of the site, makes it clear that this is a "buyer beware" environment.Pros
- Free autism-related products.
Cons
- Let the buyer beware.
Description
- Site facilitates giving, getting, trading autism products.
- Allows non-profits, companies and therapists to advertise.
- No commerce takes place on the site.
- No guarantees; buyers must make their own deals.
Guide Review - Trade Autism Products at the AutismFreeZone
Randy Abrams is the creator of the AutismFreeZone. Says Randy:-
I came up with the concept in the shower one morning about four months
ago. I am creative by nature and profession so I am always trying to come up
with clever ideas and concepts.
The difference between other clever ideas and this one is that when I talked about www.autismfreezone.com with people, the response was extraordinary. People started layering their ideas to make my concept stronger, people started volunteering to make it happen -- they wanted to promote it. I was and still am completely humbled by this experience.
So, I ran with it.
Of course, as with Craigslist and many other online communities, there's no guarantee that people really are who they claim to be. Who knows, maybe someone out there is posing as the father of a child with autism in order to get a free sensory swing. Says Randy:
-
There is a strong warning about meeting locally and in public to make all
exchanges. We feel that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is
and we've warned as such. We also know from personal experience that gifts to
others will make people feel good about themselves, foster further connections
within the community so people feel less isolated, and help financially since
every dollar counts in this journey.>>
Adults with autism beat odds
When Pond was diagnosed with autism almost 30 years ago, his mother, Debbie Pond, kept her expectations high: She told a parent support group she wanted him to attend school, make friends, go on an LDS mission, fall in love and raise a family.
"[The parent leader] slammed his hand down on the desk and said: 'You guys need to get real. Your son will never do these things,' " she remembers.
She explains this while sitting with Pond and his wife, Leann, in the couple's town house. Pond served an LDS mission, works as an armored truck guard, has an associate's degree and plans to get his bachelor's.
His level of success is rare, according to University of Utah researchers who recently tracked down adults who were diagnosed with autism from 1960 to 1984 and had higher scores on intelligence tests as children.
Nevertheless, the researchers and his family say Pond can offer inspiration in a state with a higher-than-average rate of autism, a disorder marked by unusual behaviors and difficulty communicating and interacting.
"We thought that could provide some hope," says William McMahon, chairman of the U.'s psychiatry department, who is overseeing the study and is director of the Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. "We wanted to find out, at best, what can you tell parents about what their children might become 20 years later."
'For us, that's hope.' In the 1980s, McMahon, other Utah researchers and the University of California School of Medicine in Los Angeles painstakingly found every autistic Utahn under age 25. The team reviewed their medical and education records, tested their IQs and interviewed their families.
Back then, there were four autistic children and young adults per 10,000 people. Today, autism is diagnosed 20 times more often among children.
But researchers know relatively little about the lives of autistic adults. Two years ago, U. doctoral student Megan Farley began tracking down the Utah children who had IQs of 70 or above (the average is 100).
She interviewed 41 adults, spending eight hours with the now 22- to 46-year-olds and their parents or spouses, assessing whether they would still be considered autistic, since the standard has changed. She tested their IQs and evaluated their quality of life.
McMahon and Farley were surprised to find half were doing better than what parents and teachers thought was possible. They had full- or part-time jobs. A few are married and have children. They have friends or acquaintances. One man is no longer considered autistic, having taught himself how to interact by watching movies and reading books.
"It surprised us that some of them drive, just because of all of the unexpected things that occur while you're driving," Farley says. "For us, that's hope."
A peek down the road. But the other half live in group homes or with parents. They may have jobs but need supervision. They have few to no friends. One works as a janitor two hours a day and returns home to his rituals: watching movies and routinely checking for the mail. Some lost abilities.
"For us to be able to get a peek at what happens down the road from interventions that happened 20 years ago, that's incredible," says Pete Nicholas, director of the Carmen B. Pingree Center for Children with Autism in Salt Lake City. "There are those great outcomes and everybody should strive for the best they can do for their children. Recognize there will be those [children] you'll be excited about because they learn words."
The study's findings may be published later this year. McMahon and Farley hope to interview the remaining adults and eventually learn what made a difference. In explaining the quest, McMahon points to the 2006 book Send in the Idiots, in which author Kamran Nazeer tracks down four autistic classmates 20 years later.
The word "autism" comes from the Greek "autos", which means "self," Nazeer noted.
"So much of what animates our lives - conversation, thought, creativity, friendship, politics - draws on understanding the world of other people," he wrote, "and yet autistic people may only be able to rely on one 'autos,' their own."
'They can make it.' Pond says he felt alone and unaccepted growing up. Struggling to understand what was going on in grade school, he would blank out so intensely that adults worried he was having seizures. As a teen, he wished he could take a pill to make his disorder disappear.
While Pond is still considered autistic - he struggles to comprehend what he reads and he is socially awkward - he feels he has beaten the odds. He credits his parents and good teachers.
He and Leann, a special-education teacher, met on a blind date and were married in the Mount Timpanogos LDS temple four months ago. They say they share values and goals, including eventually having children.
"I do have my downfalls and weaknesses," Pond says, "but at the same time, I don't use that as an excuse."
Leann says his autism didn't scare her. "Who can define normal anymore?"
Pond added: "I wanted to be able to show that someone who is dealing with an autistic child, they can make it."
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Court upholds Parma schools on education of autistic boy Jacob Winkelman
The Parma School District fulfilled its legal obligations when it created an education plan for an autistic child despite the objections of the boy's parents, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.
The ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court is an apparent setback for Jeff and Sandee Winkelman, who have argued since 2003 that the district's plan for their son Jacob did not address behavioral problems caused by autism.
Sandee Winkelman vowed Friday to continue her mission to protect her son's right to an education. The method by which schools deal with autistic students is flawed and fails to consider their individual needs, she said.
Parma Superintendent Sarah Zatik did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Jacob, 11, is enrolled in the private Monarch School in Shaker Heights. Parma schools wanted to teach the child in-house, and school officials have called the parents' wishes excessive.
After the Winkelmans sued in federal court, a U.S. district judge ruled in 2005 on the side of the district. This is the second time the federal appeals court has ruled against the Winkelmans.
At the heart of the legal battle is control over how autistic children are educated. The federal courts have ruled that Parma correctly provided Jacob with music, occupational and speech therapy, and that input from an outside expert - Jacob's doctor - should not have bearing on the district's education plans, according to Friday's ruling.
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Dear Readers, |
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Nick Dubin is able to do what many authors are
not able to do when writing about bullying; he is able to bring a lifetime
of personal experiences to the reader. |
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The author, an internationally known educator
and the creator of the Social Stories™ method,
published a series of three articles in response to numerous questions she
received about helping children with ASD who are bullied in various
situations. This issue combines those articles on ASD and bullying into
one useful guide that can be used by adults who live and work with
children who have ASD. |
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As the author notes, children and adolescents with Asperger
Syndrome (AS) have a lack of social understanding that can lead to
bullying by their classmates. |
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This DVD is based on a presentation by Nick Dubin on the effects of
bullying in school on children with Asperger Syndrome
(AS). |
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This beautifully illustrated children’s book
tells the story of how one student gained the courage to deal with
bullying. |
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If you’d like to know more about
National Bullying Prevention Awareness
Week click
here. |
This
video, which is available for viewing through a number of channels including
mobile phone or as a podcast, is also available for download, (see
"Download this Video" instructions on the CDC-TV page) allowing organizations to
utilize it in a number of ways. Featuring
an interview with Dr. Peacock, a developmental
pediatrician, as well as the parent of a child with cerebral
palsy, the video presents compelling and instructional information about
developmental milestones. Please
feel free to share it with others:
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCtv/BabySteps/.
About
CDC-TV's "Health Matters"
New "Health Matters" features are released each month, and each are produced in collaboration with subject matter experts within CDC's Centers, Institutes and Offices. Features will also provide links to other online resources for each topic where viewers can find more information. These programs will provide insights into each topic, information about research or programs from CDC, and ideas on how viewers might address the issue.
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