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autism

Scout Troop Just for Boys on the Autism Spectrum

From The Columbian - Honor, duty, fairness for Cub Scouts with autism: Vancouver parents form pack for their sons, others like them. This news story takes a look at a scout pack formed entirely of boy with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The parents interviewed for the piece share about why it was difficult for their children to find success in typical Boy Scout troops and how this group offers solutions. Read more HERE.
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Wed, 02/08/2012 - 22:10

Major Insurance Company Agrees to Cover ABA Therapy for Autism

According to the Los Angeles Times - "California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Tuesday said that Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Co. agreed to immediately cover the cost of applied behavior analysis therapy, which Jones described as a well-recognized and effective treatment." The article goes on to state,

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Tue, 02/07/2012 - 19:32

CranioSacral Therapy: It’s Role in Recovery & Childhood Development Part 2

submitted by dramberbrooks

So, we have now discussed what CST is and how it can help children in general. If you missed Part 1 of this then go back and read it before proceeding, this will help you have a better understanding. I now want to break down how it helps Autism and other delays. Hope this helps!
How does CST help Autism?


My Life is Better Than Yours…Or Is It?

submitted by juliehornok

“The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.”
— Steven Furtick
While browsing on Facebook (in a diligent effort to avoid cleaning the house or hearing my arguing children), I read that people who spend a lot of time on Facebook are less happy than those who spend more time in person with friends. It makes sense. After all, the right picture or quote can make anyone’s life seem magical, while mine pales in comparison.

Case in point: in the above picture, you can see pure joy on our faces. It was Lizzie’s first ski trip, and it was perfect! We took her up to the top of the mountain, and she grinned ear-to-ear with excitement over this new adventure! It was as if the snow ski fairy had sprinkled Lizzie with fairy dust. As we hopped off the ski lift, she began to ski with ease. She was a natural! At the bottom of the slope, we all gave her a group family hug! We were all smiles! Perfect!
This is all true. At least, that is what the picture shows, right? Ha! I wish.


DSM-V Changes Regarding Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in the News

Talk of changes to the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-V criterion for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders has a lot of people fired up recently. In this clip from CNN, Nancy Grace feels making the APA's proposed changes, "...will limit special education and services to children in need." Nancy goes on to question the role of future government funding in these proposed changes and how American children will be affected. She boldly states, "This is wrong!" We know that many of you - the families and professionals who live and/or work with children and young adults currently classified as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder - must have an opinion...how do YOU feel about the proposed changes?

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Mon, 01/30/2012 - 11:23

Low Birth Weight and Autism Risk

MSN Health - HealthDay News: Can Low Birth Weight Raise Autism Risk? As was released online in advance of publication in an upcoming print issue of the journal Psychological Medicine, data from the Swedish Twin Registry's Child and Adolescent Twin Study indicates that smaller size was associated with greater risk. Read more HERE.

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Thu, 01/26/2012 - 12:07

Guest Blog – Professional Acting with Asperger’s Syndrome: Part 4

submitted by lawilcox

Last fall, my friend Jennifer Dodson started a fantastic series for us about how acting and drama have positively influenced her son with Asperger’s Syndrome. This final entry is packed with great information about programs and even a book recommendation for utilizing drama and acting in the lives of children with autism. If you missed the first few posts in the series, I encourage you to read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 as well. My sincere thanks, again, to Jennifer for taking the time and effort to pen this encouraging and informative series for us! Enjoy, ~Leigh
Professional Acting with Asperger’s Syndrome: Part 4
By Jennifer Dodson
The journey for our son who is a professional actor with Asperger Syndrome has been very rewarding. We have watched our son's social skills blossom and his self-confidence soar. For our son, acting has opened up his world in ways we didn't know were possible.


CranioSacral Therapy: It’s Role in Recovery & Childhood Development Part 1

submitted by dramberbrooks

This subject is one near and dear to me as I have been using Craniosacral Therapy (CST) for many years now and I have seen how life changing it can truly be for families. When parents go searching for information I am not sure they get a true understanding of what this is and I would like to take some time to share with you the basics.


Hospital Denies Kidney Transplant due to Girl's Intellectual Disability

Philadelphia - A young girl with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome was denied a life-saving kidney transplant [at least in part] due to her intellectual disability last week. Read more HERE. What are your thoughts?

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Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:05

Guest Blog – Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency & Autism

submitted by lawilcox

Keeping up with cutting-edge science and research in relation to autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders can be overwhelming and exhausting – there are so many different researchers doing great work and publishing in a variety of journals; it is a lot to keep up with. However, one of our newest guest bloggers, Nicole Wallace, has a gift for following the newest autism/biomedical news, breaking it down into understandable pieces and sharing it with us! Nicole writes below about CCSVI or “chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency” as it relates to children with ASD. Her last post about Stem Cell Treatment for Autism was also an interesting and detailed post worth reading. We’d love to hear if you’ve considered or utilized stem cell or CCSVI therapies for your child in the comments section below. Enjoy!
Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency & Autism
By Nicole Wallace
The hypothesis of vascular abnormalities in multiple sclerosis has been around for years but only recently has a doctor in Italy begun taking the research to a new level of actually testing and treating MS patients. Paulo Zamboni M.D., a vascular surgeon from Sardinia, Italy, coined the term "chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency" or CCSVI in MS patients. CCSVI is a narrowing of the jugular or vertebral veins that restricts the normal outflow of deoxygenated blood from the brain and spinal cord to the heart. CCSVI can result in iron deposits in the brain which can lead to autoimmunity.
To date the majority of the studies and information about CCSVI are linked to multiple sclerosis. But Dietrich Klinghardt M.D. PhD, and others have suggested that CCSVI is likely an issue in most children with autism as well.


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