NEW DATA REGARDING QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT NEEDS, STRESS LEVELS FOR AUTISM CAREGIVERS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012


 We Help Sressed Out Parents

Dr. Gary Sweeten


Did you know that rearing a child with a diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum has about the same amount of stress as a soldier in Iraq? Yep, no joke. In fact, it can be like suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (PTSD)



This is one reason we are starting to focus on families with a member who has a chronic disease. We have developed simple materials designed to lead people to ways that can lower stress, exhaustion, conflict and hopelessness. During our yearlong research process with parents and kids we learned that a well designed Quality Of Life Self Assessment could serve as an in home Mentor and Wise Guide for the care givers...



Dr Gary Sweeten, Ed. D. University of Cincinnati, Founder and Chairman of the Board Lifeway Counseling Centers, Practice limited to Consultant, Coach and Mentor to leaders, pastors, executives and organizations. full article here

Temple Grandin Reveals Her Advice for Educating Autistic Kids

Dr. Temple Grandin has unique insight into the minds of autistic children. Her approach—stay positive.

By Dr. Temple Grandin

August 15, 2012

Comment

Dr. Temple Grandin offers tips for special educators and parents with autistic children. (Photo: Rosalie Winard)

The following essay was written by Dr. Temple Grandin exclusively for TakePart.

Special educators need to look at what a child can do instead of what he/she cannot do.

There needs to be more emphasis on building up and expanding the skills a child is good at. Too often people get locked into a label such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autism, and they cannot see beyond the label. Kids that get a label often have uneven skills. They may be talented in one area and have a real deficiency in another.


In my case, I was really good at art, but doing algebra made no sense. It is important to work on areas where a child is weak, but an emphasis on deficits should not get to the point where building the area of strength gets neglected...

[full story]

Autism Group Calls For End To ‘Infighting’

By MICHELLE DIAMENT

August 7, 2012


(Updated: August 7, 2012 at 1:19 PM CT)

A leading national advocacy group is calling for a summit this fall in an effort to mitigate divisiveness within the autism community.

The Autism Society wants to bring together all of the major autism organizations to establish a series of joint goals.

“The infighting that a lot of times characterizes the autism community needs to stop,” said Scott Badesch, president of the Autism Society. “Until we come together, we’re not going to be able to move the needle on enhancing autism services.”

Tension has been brewing for years with parents and even professionals at odds over everything from possible causes of the developmental disorder to whether precious dollars should be spent on research or services for those on the spectrum...

Read full article and comments here

Read AMR editor's commentary on her blog

Washington Examiner: Boom in Autistic Students Prompts New Montgomery School Centers

Winston Churchill High School in Potomac is one of the Montgomery County schools that will house an autism resource center. (Examiner file photo)

 "Montgomery County Public Schools is planning to open autism centers at three high schools in the new school year, as the district grapples with a fivefold increase in the number of students diagnosed with autism over the last decade.

In the 2000-2001 school year, 266 students on the autism spectrum enrolled in MCPS. By 2010-2011, that number had jumped to 1,642, as autism became better diagnosed thanks to its federal classification as a disability and more awareness of the disorder's symptoms..."

read full article 

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough Manages to Offend Entire Autism World-- Demonstrates Stunning Ignorance

BREAKING NEWS FROM WWW.CHANGE.ORG WEBSITE -

http://www.change.org/petitions/joe-scarborough-msnbc-retract-your-statements-about-autism-and-the-colorado-shooting

"On Monday morning, July 23, Joe Scarborough of MSNBC asserted that James Holmes is probably on the autism spectrum, and that autism would explain why he allegedly committed mass murder. These statements are ignorant and potentially damaging to people who already struggle against stigma and prejudice. There is absolutely no link between autism and criminal behavior; in fact, people on the autism spectrum are far more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators..."


Read Scarborough's comment below:

"As soon as I hear about this shooting, I knew who it was. I knew it was a young, white male, probably from an affluent neighborhood, disconnected from society -- it happens time and time again. Most of it has to do with mental health; you have these people that are somewhere, I believe, on the autism scale...I don't know if that's the case here, but it happens more often than not. People that can walk around in society, they can function on college campuses -- they can even excel on college campuses -- but are socially disconnected."

The petition letter was composed by autism advocate Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg who is affiliated with Change.org, as well as publishing her writings on www.journeyswithautism.com, www.autismandempathy.com and www.sojournerartist.com .

For further information and commentary view AMR editor's 7.23.12 blog at www.livewith.autism.us

Autistic Pianist Performs Concerto with Symphony

Autistic Pianist Performs Concerto with Symphony

Sheffield, Alabama, 6/6/12—Awetism Videos announces the publication of their first advocacy short video on their Youtube channel.

The 4 minute video features a 50 year old pianist, Sharon Howarth, who was diagnosed as an adult, with Asperger’s Syndrome, a high-functioning sub category of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Ms. Howarth’s performance is exceptional in that she is not a ‘savant’ type of autistic musician, which has previously gained much attention in the media.

Instead, she has been able to achieve a level of mastery in perception and musical expression, unlike many autistics featured in past media pieces, including her ability to create, produce and distribute her own recordings.


read full story here

CNN's Robin Meade features Autistic Teen: Breakthrough Women

"Amanda LaMunyon was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome when she was eight. Asperger's made it tough for her to communicate -- until she picked up a paintbrush.

According to her website, since she began painting Amanda has "emerged from an inward world to a world of giving and caring." She's become an activist, speaking and even singing to groups about her journey. 

She writes, “It is important that we as Americans must take the lead to find the cause, cure and prevention of Autism. We have the privilege and freedom in our great country to raise money and speak about our concerns."

LaMunyon sells her paintings to raise money, and has given them to President George W. Bush and former First Lady Nancy Regan among others.

You can read more about her journey, her art and all the things that make her a Morning Express with Robin Meade breakthrough woman on her website:amandalamunyon.com. "

see full video and CNN article

What Would You Do? - Autistic Child Defended in Cafe

ABC's John Quinones does an interesting piece on this autistic child's public behaviors. This YouTube link has generated some controversial comments from both autistic and neurologically typical viewers. Warning : some profanity in the approved comments if you view directly on YouTube,  but the video is informative.

ARTICLE LINK David Finch--Combatting Asperger's: A Losing Proposition

Learn to say yes to your best possible life.

Published on February 20, 2012 by David Finch in The Journal of Best Practices

Finch and his saintly neurotypical wife, Kristen.

Though I've had Asperger syndrome my entire life—more than thirty-four years, now—I've only known about it for the past few years. Like many who are diagnosed as adults, I was surprisingly relieved when I found out: It all makes sense now, I thought. I'm supposed to be different from the other 109 people around me at any given time; this is how I'm wired...When I realized, for instance, that my marriage was in trouble largely because of my behaviors and detachment from my wife, Kristen, I immediately blamed Asperger's. (I don't pay attention to her needs? Asperger's! I don't help with the housework? Also Asperger's! It takes me three hours to make my breakfast yet I can't find time to help the kids get ready for school? Yep, that would be the Asperger's, too...I'm sure of it.) I thought the only way to save our marriage would be to somehow conquer my disorder. After all, erasing my neurological condition would automatically make me a better husband. Wouldn't it? read article at Psychology Today

Revised Autism Insurance Reform PASSES the Alabama SENATE

News Release

Cam Ward
State Senator - District 14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, contact:
(205) 664-1066
(205) 566-6746
www.camward.com

April 5, 2012 – Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama Senate passed SB 283 today, reforming the coverage requirements for children who are on the Autism Spectrum. This legislation will coincide with an industry decision to triple the amounts of speech and occupational therapy available to children with Autism. It also provides more access to Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, which can foster basic skills such as looking, listening and imitating, as well as complex skills such as reading, conversing and understanding another person’s perspective.

“With more and more of our children being diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, it is only right that families are provided more access to care by their insurance companies,” Senator Cam Ward, SB 283 sponsor said. “I know first hand what families go through to assure access to these proven and needed therapies, because my own daughter is among those on the autism spectrum. While this bill is not perfect, it is another step down the road to providing adequate insurance coverage to those on the Autism Spectrum. This bill will give employers the opportunity to offer insurance coverage for their employees that is unprecedented in Alabama today.”

It takes people coming together to accomplish something truly remarkable. Passing Autism insurance reform is the result of the work of many people, including The Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council, House Sponsor Rep. Mac McCutcheon (R-Capshaw) and Insurance Companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.  Senator Ward worked long hours through tough negotiations to fight for this access to care for Alabama’s children and families afflicted by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

“I am so proud of my colleagues for their votes on this bill. This is something I have worked tirelessly on for many years,” Senator Ward said. “If this legislation will allow just one child to gain improved skills from this affliction, it will stand among my proudest accomplishments not just in elected office, but of my entire life.”

“Families of individuals with autism work hard to provide for their loved ones – to provide opportunities for growth and learning,” Anna McConnell, State Autism Coordinator said. “Expanded insurance coverage can help ease the financial stresses that these families face every day.”           

While state officials and the IACC worked hard on this legislation, no one does more than citizen advocates like The Autism Society of Alabama. Senator Ward was effusive in his praise for Bama Hager, Policy Advisor to The Autism Council of Alabama, and all of the families and friends of Autism Awareness who did ­­­yeoman’s work to keep this issue at the forefront of the legislature’s agenda this year.

“At Autism Society of Alabama, we are encouraged and thrilled that the Alabama Legislature recognized that Autism Insurance Coverage is an important issue to thousands of Alabamians affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Hager said. “We look forward to better access to services for ASD and improved coverage for ASD therapies.  ASA would like to thank Senator Cam Ward and the State Senate Leadership for their relentless support as we pursued Autism insurance coverage improvements. We are looking forward to the House of Representatives vote on the Autism Insurance Reform Bill.”                      
 

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