Conner has a sister that is 18 months younger.  I can defiently see the difference between the two.  I feel though that if Conner was the only child his therapy would'nt progress.  I feel that Morgan helps Conner to interact and show certain emotions.  They are the best of friends, now if I can only get them to share.  One thing thought that I am fearing right now is that I have been holding off on Morgan's MMR shot, only because no one knows what really causes autism but could of been a possibility of  what happen to Conner.  Any suggestions in regards to the vaccacines?

My son Conner was born on 9-11, he was my first child and my husband and I had so much love to give him.  As he got older we always said Conner was just a lazy baby, we didn't know what was norm, he was our first child.  Well, after 2 years had past, I recieved a call from my cousin, Conner's god-mother, she asked me questions about Conner.  She stated that she was researching some information on autism and didn't know how to put this and didn't want me to get upset, but she felt Conner had some-like sypmtoms of autism.  I was horrified that she called to tell me this, I was like how does she know what to look for, she isn't with Conner 24-7, but as upset as I was, I looked into it.  After researching myself and talking to other family members, I decided to take Conner in for a futher evaluation. 

 We visited with his pedetrician, who then referred us to get his hearing tested which was normals, so we then went an saw a speech therapist, who felt he didn't have austims.  We finally got in with the regional center and that was a sit and wait game.  Finally, once we were able to get an appointment for a evaluation they didn't do a thourough one cause we were soon to relocate to Southern California.  So, once again we waited.  Finally we were getting somewhere, all the information was transfered, but guess who's third birthday was around the corner.  Yes, Conner was turning three, this changed everything with the regional ctr.  So after we waited again, we finally got with a wonderful lady who rushed and took care of everything.   read more »

has anyone used CARDs (Center for autism and related disorders) services? I have a 6 year old son with high functioning autism and am trying to do and find everything and any help i can. i read about card and wondered if they were legitimate.

he is in kindergarten in a special day class and of course he's not getting all he needs!

thanks for any help. 

Due to the popularity of the Autism - Did you know... free download we have made a version for video which is easily accessed on the Theracrew website. There is also a video on using visual cues to support attention and learning which provides some teaching strategies.

Best Wishes

Danielle Lord

Request for Information: Names of Autism Advocacy Organizations in the State of California

We are a group of social scientists at Columbia University studying autism. Our research, under the supervision of Peter Bearman, is funded by the 2007 National Institute of Health Pioneer Award.

Project Background

There has been a staggering increase in the incidence of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in California in the past decade--- with comparable increases nationally. Three competing theories have been advanced to account for the rise in autism cases: ­­­­­­­expanded criteria for diagnosing autism, increased environmental degradation/toxicity, and increased genetic risk.

Our research is aimed at disentangling the various purported drivers of the autism epidemic. We believe that a comprehensive understanding can not be arrived at without examining the social, environmental, and genetic factors that may be driving the autism and ASDs epidemic.  read more »

The Britannica Blog has recently featured a post on autism and the presidential race that we thought would interest you and your readers: "Autism and Presidential Politics," by John J. Pitney, Jr., professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College, in Claremont, California: http://blogs.britannica.com/blog/main/2007/12/autism-and-presidential-po...

The National Autism Association - Northeast Ohio (NAA-NEO) two benefit concerts will be held in February 2008. The goal of these events is to raise the necessary funds to respond to the high need for funding autism treatments and therapies in the Northeast Ohio community.

Two shows will be staged this time - one in Akron, OH and one in Cleveland so that they can reach two major Northeast Ohio audiences. Support the mission by joining either of these events!

More details and tickets can be found here http://www.autismnortheastohio.org/special_events.php.

Over on EBD Blog; I have a few posts about Autism. I'd welcome comments and suggestions.

This is my first blog, yes I am behind the times.  I am a newly stay-at-home mother of 3, my oldest son has autism.  My husband and I have been married 11 + years and according to statistics, I am one of the 14% who has support and help from her spouse.  We have been using the traditional school therapies and biomedical treatments to combat our son's autism. I am interested in others' opinions on the "diet", chelation, vaccination effects, and other therapies. 

My first question is should we be getting therapists for the summer beyond the extended school year?  What about on the weekends during school?  We have always followed what the school district told us and no one mentioned additional therapies beyond what the school provides.

Second, Is anyone successful in getting refunds or coverage for treatments from their insurance company?  My next battle is with the insurance company and getting tax breaks for medical expenses.

 Thanks!

When the makers of FunSlides Carpet Skates first started donating their hugely popular toy to schools’ special education programs, they had no idea Carpet Skates would become a new tool for the parents and teachers of specials needs children. Amazingly this is just what happened. And on a larger scale than anyone involved would have thought possible.

Since donating, Simtec Company, the makers of Carpet Skates and other FunSlides brand products, have received letters of gratitude and kudos from a number of schools incorporating the Carpet Skates into their “multiple intensive needs” programs.

Carpet Skates are plastic sliders that use a Velcro strap to secure the skates under athletic shoes allowing the user to glide across carpet with ease. The feedback they’ve received is huge. In one case the skates helped a student with severe autism reduce his involuntary hand flapping for about an hour and 45 minutes after 10 minutes of use.

Below is a list of some specific feedback Simtec has received.

• Dramatic improvements in behavior when used as an incentive
• Helped manage interfering behaviors such as swearing, jumping up out of the seat and toe walking
• Increased eye contact
• Help with balance, coordination and motor skills
• Strengthen muscle

Please let me know if you are interested in speaking with a source at one of the schools, a Simtec rep, more information or simply a sample of Carpet Skates to see for yourself.

This is an awsome site for all information on this subject, and other health questions, etc.

Check it out.

http://www.shvoong.com/humanities/1735022-causes-autism/