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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.


525,600 Minutes

submitted by juliehornok

Rock bottom for me is when I find myself sitting in my car eating a Cinnabon. I am likely wearing jeans that I have not washed in two weeks to keep up the facade that I have not gained the holiday weight, and I am drinking a Diet Coke, of course.
It is time for me to get serious about eating healthy again, which means no more sweets and no more Diet Coke. It has been 525,600 minutes, exactly one year, since I had this same conversation with myself. I guess I will add it to my list of New Year’s Resolutions again.
Having the same goal over and over each year can become demoralizing at the very least. Whether it is a small issue like losing a few pounds, or an enormous issue like a goal that my child with autism never masters, it takes all the willpower I have to not throw in the towel and just accept life as “good enough.”


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
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