Colorado Cross Disability Coalition (CCDC) is coordinating an anonymous donor's outreach to assist Colorado fire victims with disabilities. "We are not, yet, aware of the full extent of need because several of the fires are not contained," says CCDC executive director Julie Reiskin. “We are just beginning to get a better understanding of what has been lost.”
Tens of thousands of Colorado residents have been forced from their homes by raging wildfires finding many taking refuge with friends and family or in hotels and community shelters. However, for people with disabilities finding accessible emergency housing or replacing life saving medical equipment can be extremely hard due to both limited options and funds.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Show Siblings the Love
How parents of children with ADHD can save neurotypical siblings from getting lost in the special needs shuffle.
When their parents go to teachers' meetings or to Wal-Mart to do a quick shop, Jesse, 9, looks after his bigger brother, Jim, 10, who was diagnosed with ADHD. "I have things to do myself -- homework, chatting with friends, listening to music -- but I love Jim," says Jesse, "so I put those things on the back burner for later."
Karen's sister, Amy, has been diagnosed with inattentive ADHD and anxiety. Karen is thinking about her little sister, but she secretly wishes family life could be "normal." Instead of having pizza delivered because Amy gets nervous around crowds and noise, "I think it'd be fun to go out for dinner and see a movie as a family."
Madelyn finds it challenging to be around her six-year-old brother, who has autism. "He can't talk to you, play with you, or help you," she says. "It's hard to help him when I want to try." She gets angry with her brother sometimes, but she prefers to bottle it up because she doesn't want to put more pressure on her parents.
When their parents go to teachers' meetings or to Wal-Mart to do a quick shop, Jesse, 9, looks after his bigger brother, Jim, 10, who was diagnosed with ADHD. "I have things to do myself -- homework, chatting with friends, listening to music -- but I love Jim," says Jesse, "so I put those things on the back burner for later."
Karen's sister, Amy, has been diagnosed with inattentive ADHD and anxiety. Karen is thinking about her little sister, but she secretly wishes family life could be "normal." Instead of having pizza delivered because Amy gets nervous around crowds and noise, "I think it'd be fun to go out for dinner and see a movie as a family."
Madelyn finds it challenging to be around her six-year-old brother, who has autism. "He can't talk to you, play with you, or help you," she says. "It's hard to help him when I want to try." She gets angry with her brother sometimes, but she prefers to bottle it up because she doesn't want to put more pressure on her parents.
PopCap Games Holds Zuma Blitz "Idols for Autism" Fundraiser for Autism Speaks
SEATTLE, Jun 29, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- PopCap Games, a division of EA and maker of some of the world's most popular video games, this morning announced a three-day promotion involving its popular Facebook game Zuma Blitz and benefitting the world's leading autism and science advocacy organization, Autism Speaks. For the next 72 hours only, Zuma Blitz players can purchase discounted "Idols" which provide access to powerful special abilities and effects to boost players' in-game performance, with proceeds from the Idols sale donated to Autism Speaks. The promotion comes on the heels of a recent record-setting marathon event in New York and London which featured PopCap's latest social game Solitaire Blitz and raised funds for charity: water.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Athletics: 12 Facts for London 2012
Here’s a list of 12 interesting things you should know about Athletics at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
There will be 1,100 athletes competing on the track and field in 170 medal
events from 31 August – 9 September.
Athletes are grouped according to how much their impairment impacts their performance in their specific event.
• Classes 11-13: Athletes with a visual impairment.
• Class 20: Athletes with an intellectual impairment.
• Classes 31-38: Athletes with cerebral palsy, with classes 31-34 using a wheelchair to compete.
• Classes 40-46: Athletes with a loss of limb or limb deficiency.
• Classes 51-58: Wheelchair racers or field athletes who throw from a seated position.
Athletes are grouped according to how much their impairment impacts their performance in their specific event.
• Classes 11-13: Athletes with a visual impairment.
• Class 20: Athletes with an intellectual impairment.
• Classes 31-38: Athletes with cerebral palsy, with classes 31-34 using a wheelchair to compete.
• Classes 40-46: Athletes with a loss of limb or limb deficiency.
• Classes 51-58: Wheelchair racers or field athletes who throw from a seated position.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Giving Children with Autism a Voice
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| Rose Mason, a graduate student, helps a child communicate with an iPad. |
Studies indicate that more than 60 percent of these children are unable to communicate their wants, needs and thoughts verbally.
“Delays in or lack of language development are a primary characteristic of autism,” said Jennifer Ganz, associate professor of special education at Texas A&M University. “Teachers, families and researchers face the challenge of determining which teaching strategies are most effective and efficient in addressing these communication deficits.”
The Damage Done By Special Ed Disaparities
From John Thompson on the Huff Post's Education Blog.
The recent GAO report, "Charter Schools: Additional Federal Attention Needed to Help Protect Access for Students with Disabilities," could help us understand why well-intentioned school "reforms" have done so much harm to the children that they were designed to help. The problem is not special education students. The problem is not charter schools. The problem is the refusal to acknowledge what would have been necessary to help schools with extreme concentrations of traumatized children as they had to serve even greater numbers of students with disabilities left behind in an age of choice.
The recent GAO report, "Charter Schools: Additional Federal Attention Needed to Help Protect Access for Students with Disabilities," could help us understand why well-intentioned school "reforms" have done so much harm to the children that they were designed to help. The problem is not special education students. The problem is not charter schools. The problem is the refusal to acknowledge what would have been necessary to help schools with extreme concentrations of traumatized children as they had to serve even greater numbers of students with disabilities left behind in an age of choice.
Elvis Tunes May Be Key Understanding Disabilities
Elvis Presley’s sultry singing voice may hold the key to
understanding the social deficits affecting some with developmental
disabilities, new research suggests.
Using Presley’s “Love Me Tender” and a handful of other songs, scientists say they were able to obtain a better understanding of the biological triggers involved in Williams syndrome, a developmental disorder marked by extreme friendliness.
The findings could also have implications for those with conditions ranging from autism to anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers said.
Using Presley’s “Love Me Tender” and a handful of other songs, scientists say they were able to obtain a better understanding of the biological triggers involved in Williams syndrome, a developmental disorder marked by extreme friendliness.
The findings could also have implications for those with conditions ranging from autism to anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers said.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
EEGs May Someday Be Able to Diagnose Autism
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital used electroencephalograms (EEGs), tests that measure electrical activity in the brain, to compare the brains of 430 children with autism and 554 normal children between the ages of 2 and 12.
Children with autism showed reduced connectivity among a number of areas of the brain, and these patterns were different than the patterns observed in normal children.
Our Story: D-Day
Came across an interesting post by Nicole Thibault, who has three sons -- two with special needs, and blogs about parenting.
Everyone loves to hear stories. Stories about how they met the love of their life. Stories from their childhood. Stories about their vacation.
For most parents of children with Special Needs, they have a different kind of story -- a story about when they knew something was not quite right with their child. Unless their baby was born with a condition and they knew about it from Day One, they have a story of their journey to understanding their child's disability.
This is the story of our family's journey.
Everyone loves to hear stories. Stories about how they met the love of their life. Stories from their childhood. Stories about their vacation.
For most parents of children with Special Needs, they have a different kind of story -- a story about when they knew something was not quite right with their child. Unless their baby was born with a condition and they knew about it from Day One, they have a story of their journey to understanding their child's disability.
This is the story of our family's journey.
Therapy in a Multisensory Environment
Streams of red simultaneously gush through a pair of ceiling-to-floor vertical bubble tubes on each side of the room. A pile of fiber optic strands turn red and another cluster of green strands hang from the wall. Geometric patterns twirl and spin into endless kaleidoscope shapes. A silver disco ball glitters in the air as "Mr. Blue Sky" plays in the background.
John sits mesmerized as the room bursts into color. Initially oblivious to the music, he starts bobbing his head once the track switches to "Strange Magic," another song from the Electric Light Orchestra.
This is all part of therapy designed for children and adults with developmental and cognitive disabilities at the Milwaukee Center for Independence.
Opinion: An Illinois Letdown
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Once again, Illinois has decided it is easier to shortchange those
who can’t fight back rather than to make hard decisions with its
checkbook.
The latest episode involves the Division of Developmental Disabilities that will delay payments at least a month to group homes and other agencies that help the developmentally disabled.
The latest episode involves the Division of Developmental Disabilities that will delay payments at least a month to group homes and other agencies that help the developmentally disabled.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Thankful for the Golden Arches
Just an amazing story by Michael Bernick, former California Employment Development Department Director and Milken Institute Fellow.
This is an account of one recent job search in California. Or more. You be the judge.
The job seeker is a senior at one of the California State University (CSU) campuses in the Bay Area. He has nearly a 3.0 grade average. Also, he is a person with autism, with significant cognitive gaps and sometimes unusual behaviors.
The job seeker was looking for a summer job and started in January of this year. He applied online to 5 internships from his University’s career center. These internships were with nonprofits in Oakland, San Leandro and Hayward. He did not receive one call-back.
This is an account of one recent job search in California. Or more. You be the judge.
The job seeker is a senior at one of the California State University (CSU) campuses in the Bay Area. He has nearly a 3.0 grade average. Also, he is a person with autism, with significant cognitive gaps and sometimes unusual behaviors.
The job seeker was looking for a summer job and started in January of this year. He applied online to 5 internships from his University’s career center. These internships were with nonprofits in Oakland, San Leandro and Hayward. He did not receive one call-back.
Families Struggle to Fill Gaps in Care
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| Jennifer enjoys a laugh with Rebel, one of her family's dogs. |
Raising the Bar on Expectations
Poor Blanche DuBois. Tennessee Williams' perpetually
dependent anti- heroine's most renowned declaration, "I have always relied on the kindness of strangers," was employed in a column by political pundit George Will. Will, the loving father of an adult with Down syndrome, referenced this venerable line as an example of the form
of eternal childlike dependence on others that many (including Will)
still believe adults with intellectual disabilities must employ if they
are to make their way in the world.
To say there is no kernel of truth to this is unrealistic; still, it is fascinating to hear him describe, without irony, the fluctuating adult-child duality his son signifies. Jon Will switches between adult and child roles, for example riding Washington's subway by himself to the Washington Nationals ballpark, where upon arrival he "enters the clubhouse ... and does a chore or two." George Will goes on to say, "People with Down syndrome must remain brave in order to navigate society's complexities. They have no choice but to be trusting because, with limited understanding ... ."
To say there is no kernel of truth to this is unrealistic; still, it is fascinating to hear him describe, without irony, the fluctuating adult-child duality his son signifies. Jon Will switches between adult and child roles, for example riding Washington's subway by himself to the Washington Nationals ballpark, where upon arrival he "enters the clubhouse ... and does a chore or two." George Will goes on to say, "People with Down syndrome must remain brave in order to navigate society's complexities. They have no choice but to be trusting because, with limited understanding ... ."
Opinion: Justice for All in New York
When Gov. Andrew Cuomo
took office in 2011, he inherited a human services system riddled with
problems. The people the state was charged with looking after —
individuals with developmental disabilities, special needs and other
vulnerabilities — were far too often facing abuse and mistreatment at
the hands of the very workers who were responsible for their well-being.
New York, which in the past had led the nation in its quality of care for this community, was clearly not living up to its responsibility to
protect the vulnerable people in its care.
New York is hardly alone in wrestling with the problems of abuse and neglect in its human service systems. States all across the country are experiencing similar problems, and most are responding, if at all, with limited and specific fixes.
New York is hardly alone in wrestling with the problems of abuse and neglect in its human service systems. States all across the country are experiencing similar problems, and most are responding, if at all, with limited and specific fixes.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Aces for Autism, a Big Hit
INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, Fla. -- Joseph Mazzella doesn’t often like to try new things.
But the 14-year-old is very polite about it.
“No thank you. No thank you,” he’ll say, usually twice like that. But sometimes he’ll say it even when he doesn’t mean to say no, like Saturday afternoon volleying with a coach at the Kiwi Tennis Club.
“Do you want to play tennis again?” I asked him. “You seem pretty good at it.”
“No thank you. No thank you,” came his reply, despite the smile on his face.
Mazzella was one of 50 kids registered for the third annual Aces for Autism tennis clinic put on by Florida Tech’s Scott Center for Autism Treatment, a terrific time for kids with varying degrees of autism to play tennis, work on social skills, exercise a bit and get exposed to a sport that holds quite a bit of appeal for those with autism.
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Volunteer Cindy Dickens works
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“No thank you. No thank you,” he’ll say, usually twice like that. But sometimes he’ll say it even when he doesn’t mean to say no, like Saturday afternoon volleying with a coach at the Kiwi Tennis Club.
“Do you want to play tennis again?” I asked him. “You seem pretty good at it.”
“No thank you. No thank you,” came his reply, despite the smile on his face.
Mazzella was one of 50 kids registered for the third annual Aces for Autism tennis clinic put on by Florida Tech’s Scott Center for Autism Treatment, a terrific time for kids with varying degrees of autism to play tennis, work on social skills, exercise a bit and get exposed to a sport that holds quite a bit of appeal for those with autism.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Target Employee Celebrates 18 Years
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| Ellen Marshall on the job at Target. |
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- On Friday, Ellen Marshall said goodbye to a job she has held for the past 18 years.
Marshall, who has a developmental disability, has overcome everyday challenges in order to be a cart attendant.
"I promised the organization when I came here that I would stay here as long as I was physically able." Marshall said.
Friday, June 22, 2012
'95 Percent Boy, 5 Percent Autism'
SHELBY, N.C. -- Dustin Parris adjusts the camouflage baseball cap perched on
the side of his head – it must be cocked to the side just the way he
likes it.
The 6-year-old’s cheeks and arms are coated with white lotion. It helps soothe the poison oak rash he got one day while exploring outdoors. He loves tractors, lawnmowers and swimming in the pool.
When he’s outside, he’s content.
“He’s so fast, so smart,” Suzan Parris said of her son. “No fear.”
The 6-year-old’s cheeks and arms are coated with white lotion. It helps soothe the poison oak rash he got one day while exploring outdoors. He loves tractors, lawnmowers and swimming in the pool.
When he’s outside, he’s content.
“He’s so fast, so smart,” Suzan Parris said of her son. “No fear.”
Celebrating Olmstead and Community Living
From the White House Blog, a post by Kathleen Sebelius is US Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
As I travel the country and visit people in their homes, schools, workplaces and health centers, I am reminded just how much our lives are shaped by the places we occupy. Oftentimes, our opportunities are defined by the homes and communities in which we live. Thirteen years ago, on June 22, 1999, people with disabilities moved closer to choosing where they live when the Supreme Court handed down the Olmstead v LC decision. This ruling established that people with disabilities have the right to live in the community with the proper services and supports, rather than being unnecessarily institutionalized.
As I travel the country and visit people in their homes, schools, workplaces and health centers, I am reminded just how much our lives are shaped by the places we occupy. Oftentimes, our opportunities are defined by the homes and communities in which we live. Thirteen years ago, on June 22, 1999, people with disabilities moved closer to choosing where they live when the Supreme Court handed down the Olmstead v LC decision. This ruling established that people with disabilities have the right to live in the community with the proper services and supports, rather than being unnecessarily institutionalized.
Heartbreaking Results After Evaluation
Post by a blogger from PsychCentral.
At almost three years old he is so sweet. He is lovable, so full of hugs and kisses. He laughs, plays, jumps, dances and loves life. He is a very happy little boy.
I was certain prior to his most recent evaluation that he had grown by leaps and bounds. A small part of me hoped he had “outgrown” Autism, and the news would be wonderful. I see so much progress in him every day - doing new things and saying new words. So when the evaluation concluded I was devastated to find he hadn’t grown as much as I had anticipated. Shame on me.
At almost three years old he is so sweet. He is lovable, so full of hugs and kisses. He laughs, plays, jumps, dances and loves life. He is a very happy little boy.
I was certain prior to his most recent evaluation that he had grown by leaps and bounds. A small part of me hoped he had “outgrown” Autism, and the news would be wonderful. I see so much progress in him every day - doing new things and saying new words. So when the evaluation concluded I was devastated to find he hadn’t grown as much as I had anticipated. Shame on me.
Getting Attention boosts Speech in Preschoolers with Autism
LOS ANGELES -- Having adults engage the attention of autistic preschool children by gesturing and pointing to toys increases children's language skills, U.S. researchers say.
First author Connie Kasari of the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues said the study involved 40 children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder at ages 3 and 4, who received the intensive therapy program or standard intervention. The children were evaluated at ages 8-9, and all of the children in the study had attended preschool for 30 hours each week, Kasari said.
First author Connie Kasari of the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues said the study involved 40 children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder at ages 3 and 4, who received the intensive therapy program or standard intervention. The children were evaluated at ages 8-9, and all of the children in the study had attended preschool for 30 hours each week, Kasari said.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Seeking an Autism Diagnosis as an Adult
From The Washington Times' Jean Winegardner.
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- I have Asperger's syndrome. After years of hearing that parents were often diagnosed on the autism spectrum after their children were and reading accounts of autism that applied to me as much as they did to my autistic son, I finally chose to pursue and get an Asperger's diagnosis for myself this year.
As an adult who does not require services and who is pretty effectively indistinguishable from typical adults, some might wonder why I felt the need to get an official diagnosis. After all, such a thing requires a substantial investment of time, money and mental energy. Why bother?
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- I have Asperger's syndrome. After years of hearing that parents were often diagnosed on the autism spectrum after their children were and reading accounts of autism that applied to me as much as they did to my autistic son, I finally chose to pursue and get an Asperger's diagnosis for myself this year.
As an adult who does not require services and who is pretty effectively indistinguishable from typical adults, some might wonder why I felt the need to get an official diagnosis. After all, such a thing requires a substantial investment of time, money and mental energy. Why bother?
Adults Facing Challenge to Find Work, Home
ST. LOUIS -- Sam Lyss is an ideal employee.
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| Sam Lyss at his volunteer job in a library. |
“He’s a whiz at mailings,” said his mother, Jane. “If you lay it out for him and show him one time, he watches you do it once and then just turns around and starts working.”
Then there’s his work ethic.
If you give him too much work, he actually won’t leave,” she said. “They have to take half of it and hide it.”
NJ Provider Awarded Grant to Expand Care Model
Developmental Disabilities Health Alliance (DDHA), a provider of primary medical care to people with disabilities, has been awarded a $3.7 million grant under the Affordable Care Act to expand its care model in New Jersey.
Dr. Ted Kastner, founder and president, said DDHA now
serves about 500 patients in New Jersey. The grant from the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services will add 3,000 patients – 1,500 in New
Jersey; and another 1,000 in New York and 500 in Arkansas, where the
program will also be replicated.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
First Responders Get a Lesson in Autism
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- Bill Cannata a Captain
with the Westwood MA Fire Department conducted a training session for
the New Rochelle Fire Department to teach New Rochelle's first responders how to to identify persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how best to help them in an emergency. The session one of
several he is providing this week to the different shifts. His
fire/rescue autism program has educated more than 15,000 first
responders.
Cannata explained how people with ASD may react to an emergency situation by getting out of control, acting aggressive, or simply shutting down -- they may walk back into a burning building, run away or assault rescue personnel. He provided examples including several based on his son Ted who is a 21-year old with autism.
Cannata explained how people with ASD may react to an emergency situation by getting out of control, acting aggressive, or simply shutting down -- they may walk back into a burning building, run away or assault rescue personnel. He provided examples including several based on his son Ted who is a 21-year old with autism.
Illinois Gives Agencies Funds to Maintain Services
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.--With Illinois' backlog of unpaid bills reaching $8.5 billion, the state's fiscal officer announced Tuesday her office will give precedence to paying providers of services for the developmentally disabled.
The order from Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka came a day after
group homes and other agencies for the developmentally disabled were
notified by the state Department of Human Services that there wasn't
enough money in the current budget to pay them for their services this
year.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Feds Urge States to Meet Housing Obligations
As states work to boost community-based housing options for people with developmental disabilities, federal officials say stronger ties are needed between health and housing agencies.
Under the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C., people with disabilities have the right to live in the community whenever possible. At the federal level, Medicaid and housing officials say they are increasingly working together to ensure that community options are in place.
Now, they’re urging states to establish similar collaborations.
Under the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C., people with disabilities have the right to live in the community whenever possible. At the federal level, Medicaid and housing officials say they are increasingly working together to ensure that community options are in place.
Now, they’re urging states to establish similar collaborations.
Harlem Group Home to Open in Luxury Condo
Monday, June 18, 2012
Nurse's Creativity Helps Child Battle Obesity
The nurse practitioner at the health department handed me a new
referral. "Evan’s a healthy 6-year-old with Down Syndrome," she said.
"No cardiac problems. He’s short with a body mass index at the 90th
percentile. Can you make a home visit?"
Two days later I was sitting in the family’s apartment talking with Leslie, Evan’s mother, a stocky middle-aged woman wearing khaki slacks and a white T-shirt.
Dressed in a navy sweatsuit, Evan sat in the corner of the room in an oversized children’s rocking chair watching Sesame Street on television. A box of Cheez-Its sat on the table beside him.
Piles of men and women’s clothes were stacked on top of a sewing machine by the back wall. "I alter people’s clothes," Leslie said. "I have to work. We need the extra money."
I smiled at her. "Let’s talk a bit."
"There’s nothing a nurse can help with," she said. "Evan’s doing OK. So what if he has a little baby fat?"
"He’s really not a baby anymore," I said.
Leslie swallowed hard. "You don’t know what it’s like. I’m here every afternoon with him. Mornings, too, when he doesn’t go to school." She sighed. "Evan sits watching television while I sew. He loves to rock and eat. I know it’s bad for him but … ." Tears filled her eyes.
Two days later I was sitting in the family’s apartment talking with Leslie, Evan’s mother, a stocky middle-aged woman wearing khaki slacks and a white T-shirt.
Dressed in a navy sweatsuit, Evan sat in the corner of the room in an oversized children’s rocking chair watching Sesame Street on television. A box of Cheez-Its sat on the table beside him.
Piles of men and women’s clothes were stacked on top of a sewing machine by the back wall. "I alter people’s clothes," Leslie said. "I have to work. We need the extra money."
I smiled at her. "Let’s talk a bit."
"There’s nothing a nurse can help with," she said. "Evan’s doing OK. So what if he has a little baby fat?"
"He’s really not a baby anymore," I said.
Leslie swallowed hard. "You don’t know what it’s like. I’m here every afternoon with him. Mornings, too, when he doesn’t go to school." She sighed. "Evan sits watching television while I sew. He loves to rock and eat. I know it’s bad for him but … ." Tears filled her eyes.
New York Strikes Deal on Policing Abuse
ALBANY -- Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders reached a deal Sunday night to create a new state agency to police abuse and neglect of more than one million New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and other conditions that
put them at risk, state officials said Sunday.
The governor also agreed to take some steps to bolster outside oversight
of the state’s care, yielding to concerns raised by Assembly Democrats
and some advocates for people with disabilities that state regulators
have long failed to adequately respond to cases of abuse on their own.
Lawmakers also agreed to expand the state’s public disclosure law,
requiring thousands of nonprofit groups that provide services to
disabled and mentally ill people to make records of abuse and neglect
public.
In ER, Caregiver Key to Treating Autistic Patients
The bright lights and noise in an emergency department or examination
room can disturb and upset a patient with an autism spectrum disorder;
so can the exam itself if the doctor does not use the proper approach.
Unfortunately, caregivers of patients with autism frequently report that a trip to the hospital can turn into a distress-filled struggle, getting in the way of proper treatment, according to a recently published online article by five emergency physicians, including three from Allegheny General Hospital.
Unfortunately, caregivers of patients with autism frequently report that a trip to the hospital can turn into a distress-filled struggle, getting in the way of proper treatment, according to a recently published online article by five emergency physicians, including three from Allegheny General Hospital.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Students Pay the Price of Special Ed Crisis
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| Stephanie Stile with her daughter Vera Appedu, 5. |
But the number of school psychologists who evaluate those children clinically, determine if they are disabled, and place them in the right classes has actually declined.
Survey: Family Caregivers Fear Medicaid Cuts
In 2010 The Arc conducted a national internet survey to capture the
perspectives of people with intellectual and or developmental
disabilities (I/DD) and their family caregivers. Much of the data
supports The Arc’s Don’t Cut Our Lifeline campaign.
The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey focused on issues including educational, housing, employment and support needs of people with ID/DD and their families. More than 5,287 family respondents participated in the survey; of these, three-quarters shared their home with a person with ID/DD. Overall, 95 percent of respondents were parents, siblings, children, grandparents or other relatives of a person with ID/DD.
The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey focused on issues including educational, housing, employment and support needs of people with ID/DD and their families. More than 5,287 family respondents participated in the survey; of these, three-quarters shared their home with a person with ID/DD. Overall, 95 percent of respondents were parents, siblings, children, grandparents or other relatives of a person with ID/DD.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
To Be or Not to Be: Nothing Stops These Actors
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| Actress Samantha Joy Pearlman, left encourages Armanda Long |
When Heather Krause, a teaching artist with Walnut Street Theatre, saw how her students responded to those words, she had an outrageous idea: stage Hamlet with six high school-age actors with mental retardation and cerebral palsy, children so disabled that all are in wheelchairs and some cannot speak without the aid of machines.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Tim's Place Restaurant Takes Unique Approach Thanks to Special Owner
Just a great story from CBS Evening News. You must watch the segment.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Sunday is Father's Day, which celebrates the
special bond between a father and his son. We went "On the Road" to meet
a father who couldn't be prouder, and a son who couldn't be more
thankful.
When Keith Harris' son Tim was born, a half-hearted smile was all he could muster.
"Our pediatrician asked me if I knew what down syndrome was, and the world turned black at that moment," he told CBS News.
 | |
| Tim Harris, left, and his father Keith embrace at Tim's Place, a restaurant which Tim owns and runs. |
When Keith Harris' son Tim was born, a half-hearted smile was all he could muster.
"Our pediatrician asked me if I knew what down syndrome was, and the world turned black at that moment," he told CBS News.
Class Rallies Around Student with Autism
Although moving can be hard on any military family, the Miles family had an additional worry. Their 8-year old son, Chad, was diagnosed with autism in 2009 -- a developmental disorder that, for Chad, led to problems with verbal, cognitive and social skills.
Father's Day, with Autism: Rethinking the Cool Dad
In honor of Father's Day, a post from The New York Times' Motherlode parenting blog by Joel Yanofsky, a writer in Montreal, Canada. His latest book is Bad Animals: A Father’s Accidental Education in Autism.
The cover story in the June issue of Wired magazine, celebrating geek dads, is ruining my Father’s Day. It’s got me thinking: should I be doing more?
Like building a hovercraft, dissecting a baseball, making gummy worms glow or instilling “an empowering worldview” in my child. These are just a few of the activities suggested in Wired’s “guide to being the coolest father on the planet.”
“Breathe,” my wife, Cynthia, says when I ask her what “an empowering worldview” might be. “Relax and breathe.”
This is old advice. In fact, the first time I failed to follow it was almost 14 years ago. Cynthia was pregnant with our son Jonah when I began hyperventilating, consumed with worry, thinking of all the things I’d need to learn to do for the child’s sake – ice skating? Break-dancing?
Now, there’s a different reason the do-it-yourself smugness of Wired is getting to me. Jonah has autism and I don’t have to go any farther than the basement storage closet to survey all the projects we’ve started and abandoned, often after only a day or two.
The cover story in the June issue of Wired magazine, celebrating geek dads, is ruining my Father’s Day. It’s got me thinking: should I be doing more?
Like building a hovercraft, dissecting a baseball, making gummy worms glow or instilling “an empowering worldview” in my child. These are just a few of the activities suggested in Wired’s “guide to being the coolest father on the planet.”
“Breathe,” my wife, Cynthia, says when I ask her what “an empowering worldview” might be. “Relax and breathe.”
This is old advice. In fact, the first time I failed to follow it was almost 14 years ago. Cynthia was pregnant with our son Jonah when I began hyperventilating, consumed with worry, thinking of all the things I’d need to learn to do for the child’s sake – ice skating? Break-dancing?
Now, there’s a different reason the do-it-yourself smugness of Wired is getting to me. Jonah has autism and I don’t have to go any farther than the basement storage closet to survey all the projects we’ve started and abandoned, often after only a day or two.
Mets Gear 'Quiet' Section Toward Autistic Kids
But in an email to their fans Wednesday, the baseball team introduced the proposal, before revealing the section's motive: to accommodate autistic children.
Union: Center's Residents Rushed Out
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. -- The union representing Jacksonville Developmental Center employees
issued a laundry list of complaints Thursday, calling into question the
safety of residents being moved out.
Despite being fully funded for the coming fiscal year, Gov. Pat Quinn remains dedicated in his effort to shutter the facility as efforts to move residents into community settings continue.
But the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 claims in a letter addressed to the state Department of Health and Human Services that the consulting firm tasked with moving residents have ignored their advice and have rushed residents out, leading to one injury.
Despite being fully funded for the coming fiscal year, Gov. Pat Quinn remains dedicated in his effort to shutter the facility as efforts to move residents into community settings continue.
But the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 claims in a letter addressed to the state Department of Health and Human Services that the consulting firm tasked with moving residents have ignored their advice and have rushed residents out, leading to one injury.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Life Unexpected
Came across this on family life blog from The Columbia Daily Tribune in Columbia, Mo. Just gives everyone a small glimpse at life for those who have a child with special needs.
None of us are immune to unexpected events - that's just a fact of life. One of the major things I have learned from having a special needs child is that things often do not go according to plan. I have really had to learn to be extremely flexible. If I need to get up extra early or need a good night's sleep for an important task the next day, that will be the night my son decides to wake up at 4:30 a.m. He often likes to have his own party in the middle of the night. It is so cute when he is kicking and making happy sounds but I just want to sleep. He just wants to be happy - he doesn't care that we should be sleeping. He has his own timetable. Time is all his, and he knows no bounds.
None of us are immune to unexpected events - that's just a fact of life. One of the major things I have learned from having a special needs child is that things often do not go according to plan. I have really had to learn to be extremely flexible. If I need to get up extra early or need a good night's sleep for an important task the next day, that will be the night my son decides to wake up at 4:30 a.m. He often likes to have his own party in the middle of the night. It is so cute when he is kicking and making happy sounds but I just want to sleep. He just wants to be happy - he doesn't care that we should be sleeping. He has his own timetable. Time is all his, and he knows no bounds.
Sexual Assault Prevention Program Launched for People with Special Needs in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS -- Many parents feel they don’t know how to have "the talk" with their
children. For Janet Bowen, whose son has cerebral palsy, the process
took years as she struggled to explain the facts of life in a way he
would understand.
“I was trying to find the right way to present the information to him so he could understand because he did have some language difficulties,” Bowen said. “A lot of times it was repetitive. It was a difficult thing.”
This is not the only difficulty that parents of children with developmental disabilities face. More than 90 percent of people with developmental disabilities will experience sexual abuse, according to a press release from YWCA Metro St. Louis.
Now, a new program seeks to address these issues in St. Louis.
“I was trying to find the right way to present the information to him so he could understand because he did have some language difficulties,” Bowen said. “A lot of times it was repetitive. It was a difficult thing.”
This is not the only difficulty that parents of children with developmental disabilities face. More than 90 percent of people with developmental disabilities will experience sexual abuse, according to a press release from YWCA Metro St. Louis.
Now, a new program seeks to address these issues in St. Louis.
Parents Realize Son on Spectrum Loves Travel
Severely autistic people aren’t primarily
known as globetrotters. They like routines and familiar surroundings.
Our son John, eleven years old, severely autistic and non-verbal, is no
exception to this. But he also really likes to travel. As soon as we
realized that, we were on the road and have traveled a lot throughout
Europe since.
Frustrated By Autism, Father Turns to Photos
SAN FRANCISCO -- "I don't care about autism," says San Francisco-based photographer Timothy Archibald, who has a way of being refreshingly candid about kids who have it.
"They can frustrate you to no end," he says.
Archibald's son, Eli, is autistic. And really, he clarifies on the phone, he doesn't care about the diagnosis. What matters, he says, is his relationship to Eli, however complicated it may be.
"They can frustrate you to no end," he says.
Archibald's son, Eli, is autistic. And really, he clarifies on the phone, he doesn't care about the diagnosis. What matters, he says, is his relationship to Eli, however complicated it may be.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Apple Lineup to Become More Disability Friendly
The iPhone and iPad will soon be even simpler to use for people with a wide range of disabilities thanks to a new software update, Apple Inc. officials said
this week.
Changes designed to make the popular mobile devices more accessible are expected in a forthcoming update to Apple’s iOS software, the operating system that powers the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Changes designed to make the popular mobile devices more accessible are expected in a forthcoming update to Apple’s iOS software, the operating system that powers the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Local Fire Dept. and Kennedy Krieger Institute, a Perfect Match
 | ||
| Justin Etherton, left, and T. Cosgrove Jones of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department firehouse. |
Music Therapy Makes a Difference
 |
| Stuart Rabin was 6 or 7 years old when his mother, Anne, first witnessed the positive effects that music therapy could have on her son. |
Music therapy was introduced to Stuart back then as part of his early intervention care, and one of the first changes his parents noticed during their son’s therapy sessions was his ability to sit on a bench next to the music therapist.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Seeing Business Potential and Developing a Niche
 |
| Thorkil Sonne |
But Danish social entrepreneur Thorkil Sonne knows better. In 2004, he saw something in the statistics that no one else could see — business potential.
In Praise of Misfits: Why Business Needs People with Asperger's, ADD and Dyslexia
In 1956 William Whyte argued in his bestseller, “The Organisation Man”,
that companies were so in love with “well-rounded” executives that they
fought a “fight against genius”. Today many suffer from the opposite
prejudice. Software firms gobble up anti-social geeks. Hedge funds
hoover up equally oddball quants. Hollywood bends over backwards to
accommodate the whims of creatives. And policymakers look to
rule-breaking entrepreneurs to create jobs. Unlike the school playground, the marketplace is kind to misfits.
Health Care Disparities for Children with ASD
Children with Autism
Spectrum Disorders (ASD) require an array of specialized health care services.
With these services come higher costs for parents and insurance providers. University of Missouri researchers compared costs and
types of services for children with ASD to costs and services for children with
other conditions like asthma or diabetes. The researchers found children with ASD paid more for health care than children with other conditions. In addition,
children with ASD used more services yet had less access to specialized care"
What Parents Want for Their Children
From Huffington Post's Dafna Maor.
My son is lying in bed in his room now, sleeping. When he sleeps, he looks different, both younger and older than he really is, like many children do when they sleep. His hair is damp; he had a fever today, and I had to change his shirt after he had fallen asleep. Watching a beautiful child sleep, you realize that what you really want to do is to take him in your arms, hold him and carry him with you wherever you go. But you have to let go; he needs his rest. Tomorrow we'll go to the doctor.
My son is lying in bed in his room now, sleeping. When he sleeps, he looks different, both younger and older than he really is, like many children do when they sleep. His hair is damp; he had a fever today, and I had to change his shirt after he had fallen asleep. Watching a beautiful child sleep, you realize that what you really want to do is to take him in your arms, hold him and carry him with you wherever you go. But you have to let go; he needs his rest. Tomorrow we'll go to the doctor.
'Friending' with Autism
From SFGate Blogger Laura Shumaker.
My husband and I went to a graduation party over the weekend, and while he went to get us something to drink, I was greeted by a very friendly man wearing white jeans and a Tommy Bahama shirt who acted like we were long lost friends. I had no idea who he was but played along for a bit (“Hey … you, how’s the family?”) hoping that eventually a light would go on. Just as he was filling me in on his shoulder surgery, it hit me. This man was a Facebook friend, one who I hadn’t actually talked to in person since were were chaperones on a kindergarten field trip two decades ago.
The encounter reminded me of a recent conversation that I have had with Matthew about Facebook. He’d “friended” a guy-I’ll call him Joe-that he knew remotely in middle school. He noticed that Joe lived near him in Santa Cruz. “Do you want to hang out sometime?” Matthew wrote on Joe’s wall. “Yeah, we’ll have to do that one of these days,” Joe replied. Encouraged, Matthew tried to nail down a date, sent way too many messages until Joe defriended him. The incident was one of many disappointing interactions for Matthew on Facebook.
My husband and I went to a graduation party over the weekend, and while he went to get us something to drink, I was greeted by a very friendly man wearing white jeans and a Tommy Bahama shirt who acted like we were long lost friends. I had no idea who he was but played along for a bit (“Hey … you, how’s the family?”) hoping that eventually a light would go on. Just as he was filling me in on his shoulder surgery, it hit me. This man was a Facebook friend, one who I hadn’t actually talked to in person since were were chaperones on a kindergarten field trip two decades ago.
The encounter reminded me of a recent conversation that I have had with Matthew about Facebook. He’d “friended” a guy-I’ll call him Joe-that he knew remotely in middle school. He noticed that Joe lived near him in Santa Cruz. “Do you want to hang out sometime?” Matthew wrote on Joe’s wall. “Yeah, we’ll have to do that one of these days,” Joe replied. Encouraged, Matthew tried to nail down a date, sent way too many messages until Joe defriended him. The incident was one of many disappointing interactions for Matthew on Facebook.
Medicaid Waiver Would Increase Community-Based Services in New Jersey
New Jersey’s application for a Medicaid waiver would change the way federal money is administered for people with developmental disabilities, allowing many to stay out of institutions by receiving
more community-based support services.
If approved, the state is proposing to spend $90 million a year on support that includes day programs for the disabled as an alternative to living in one of the state's seven developmental centers.
If approved, the state is proposing to spend $90 million a year on support that includes day programs for the disabled as an alternative to living in one of the state's seven developmental centers.
Emotions Run High as Group Home Denied
Seems as if NIMBY is alive and well. Despite the slowing of group home development, the attitudes and fears continue at full speed.
HERRIN, Ill. -- More than 80 people — including about 20 who were standing — packed the Herrin City Council meeting Monday, the topic drawing high emotions.
The council had to decide whether to overrule the city’s zoning appeals board and grant a special use permit to The H Group to use a house it purchased as a group home for four developmentally disabled residents.
Speakers on behalf of the group home included Mayor Vic Ritter, Alderman Elizabeth Issler and even a resident of the subdivision where the home is located. She said she and most of her neighbors would not have signed petitions against the group home if a meeting had been held first so they would have known the facts.
A disabled veteran from Marion asked if he could be refused the right to live in his own subdivision because he suffers from service-related stress. His impassioned speech brought the crowd to its feet in tribute.
But in the end, only Issler and Alderman Robert Craig voted for the special use permit; the other six aldermen voted against allowing the home.
HERRIN, Ill. -- More than 80 people — including about 20 who were standing — packed the Herrin City Council meeting Monday, the topic drawing high emotions.
The council had to decide whether to overrule the city’s zoning appeals board and grant a special use permit to The H Group to use a house it purchased as a group home for four developmentally disabled residents.
Speakers on behalf of the group home included Mayor Vic Ritter, Alderman Elizabeth Issler and even a resident of the subdivision where the home is located. She said she and most of her neighbors would not have signed petitions against the group home if a meeting had been held first so they would have known the facts.
A disabled veteran from Marion asked if he could be refused the right to live in his own subdivision because he suffers from service-related stress. His impassioned speech brought the crowd to its feet in tribute.
But in the end, only Issler and Alderman Robert Craig voted for the special use permit; the other six aldermen voted against allowing the home.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Miami Marlins Support Baseball League for Children with Speical Needs
The Miracle League of Miami-Dade County is working to build a baseball field for special needs children.
Autism at the School Carnival
From the Washington Times' Jean Winegardner.
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- Last week was my
sons' elementary school end-of-the-year carnival. There were
moonbounces and kids playing soccer and a DJ and a playground and food
and about a million kids and everyone was having a great time.
Except for me. I felt as if I were having a nervous breakdown.
These events are always so stressful for me. As a parent to a child with autism who is, in the parlance of the times, an "eloper," it is excruciating to give him personal freedom but also try to keep my eye on him as he weaves in and out of crowds of people. Add two other children that I have to keep track of as well and it is no wonder that I spend the evening scanning the crowds and counting my children.
Except for me. I felt as if I were having a nervous breakdown.
These events are always so stressful for me. As a parent to a child with autism who is, in the parlance of the times, an "eloper," it is excruciating to give him personal freedom but also try to keep my eye on him as he weaves in and out of crowds of people. Add two other children that I have to keep track of as well and it is no wonder that I spend the evening scanning the crowds and counting my children.
Foods for Children with Down Syndrome
From Jacqueline Banks, a certified holistic health counselor, on Fox News.
In today’s three part series on diets for special needs, we will be taking a look at Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome are at a higher risk than the general population for certain health concerns.
Eating nourishing foods can help reduce some of the physical symptoms and increase overall health. Brain physiology and common health symptoms will be covered first, followed by important foods to include in their diets and which foods to avoid and why.
In today’s three part series on diets for special needs, we will be taking a look at Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome are at a higher risk than the general population for certain health concerns.
Eating nourishing foods can help reduce some of the physical symptoms and increase overall health. Brain physiology and common health symptoms will be covered first, followed by important foods to include in their diets and which foods to avoid and why.
Freezer Failure at Brain Bank Hampers Autism Research
A freezer malfunction at Harvard-affiliated
McLean Hospital has severely damaged one-third of the world’s largest collection of autism brain samples, potentially setting back research on
the disorder by years, scientists say.
An official at the renowned brain bank in
Belmont discovered that the freezer had shut down in late May, without
triggering two alarms. Inside, they found 150 thawed brains that had
turned dark from decay; about a third of them were part of a collection
of autism brains.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
After Son's Death, Family Aids Autism Research
 |
| Christopher and Ivana LePoer |
WESTBOROUGH, Mass. -- When Christopher LePoer answered the phone at work, his wife gave him
the shattering news, the kind of news every parent dreads: Their young son had gotten out of the apartment and gone missing.
LePoer raced home to join the frantic search, which was soon expanded
to include the police. His wife, Ivana, and their other children had
already scoured the park, the streets in their Westborough apartment
complex and the boy’s nearby school — all without success, leaving the
initial impression that he might have been kidnapped.
Adoption Teaches Mom About Patience, Love
FAIRFIELD, Ohio
–
DJ McCollum leans his left ear -- his only one -- near his mother's mouth
"I love you," Pat McCollum says in a loud, clear tone.
DJ
squeals and grunts and waves his arms in happiness. Then he pinches a
grape with his left thumb and index finger, pops it into his mouth and
leans in again.
"I love you," Pat McCollum says.
The pattern stops only when DJ's plate is empty of grapes.
"They tell me he's deaf," his mom said later. "I don't believe them."
The
pair have been proving experts wrong for a long time. DJ wasn't supposed to live past 2, a year after an older child in his home dropped
a match into DJ's crib, burning him over 85 percent of his body,
leaving him disfigured without both feet and his right hand and ear or
the ability to speak or hear or function intellectually beyond the level
of an 18-month-old.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Federal Judge OKs DOJ Settlement
RICHMOND -- A federal judge Friday said he would approve a $2 billion settlement between the Commonwealth and U.S. Justice Department designed to expand community-based services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
But before Judge John A. Gibney enters the agreement into the court record, he wants a provision added that would give residents of state institutions the option to remain in a state-run facility.
But before Judge John A. Gibney enters the agreement into the court record, he wants a provision added that would give residents of state institutions the option to remain in a state-run facility.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Researchers Identify Possible Cause of Autism
POCATELLO, Idaho -- A team of Idaho State University researchers have discovered that fish show autism-like gene expression after exposure to water containing psychoactive pharmaceuticals, according to research published June 6 in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
The results may suggest an environmental trigger for autism, although this finding may only apply to genetically predisposed individuals.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Because of Katie, Children with Severe Disabilities Are Living at Home
From The New York Times Motherlode blog, a post by Marie Myung-Ok Lee, a novelist and teaches creative writing at Brown University.
Katie Beckett died last month at age 34. Most Americans don’t know who she is. But as a parent of a child with disabilities, her name is as familiar as my own child’s. Because of the legislation that bears her name, hundreds of thousands of children, including my own, are able to be at home with their families instead of being institutionalized.
At 5 months of age, encephalitis left Katie Beckett spending most of her early years in the hospital. When she was 3, doctors cleared her to go home with proper supports — she still needed to be on a respirator 12 hours a day. Her insurance had been exhausted, and Medicaid refused to pay for her care unless it was done in the hospital -- even though treatment could be administered at home at one-sixth the cost.
Katie Beckett died last month at age 34. Most Americans don’t know who she is. But as a parent of a child with disabilities, her name is as familiar as my own child’s. Because of the legislation that bears her name, hundreds of thousands of children, including my own, are able to be at home with their families instead of being institutionalized.
At 5 months of age, encephalitis left Katie Beckett spending most of her early years in the hospital. When she was 3, doctors cleared her to go home with proper supports — she still needed to be on a respirator 12 hours a day. Her insurance had been exhausted, and Medicaid refused to pay for her care unless it was done in the hospital -- even though treatment could be administered at home at one-sixth the cost.
Children Thrive in Inclusionary School
There's a small school at the University of Washington where many kids
with developmental disabilities first learn to talk, count and play. The
kids learn these skills in classes with their typically-developing
peers, from birth through kindergarten. KUOW's Ann Dornfeld reports from
the EEU: the Experimental Education Unit.
Pat O'Kell is watching his son Finn's kindergarten class at the EEU from an observation booth with one–way glass.
O'Kell: "If you sit in these booths and watch for a little while, everyone's sort of struck by which ones are the typical kids, and which ones are the special needs kids. It gets kinda hard to tell. They all kinda blend together and they're all just kids to the teachers and to each other, which is the great thing about inclusion."
About half of the kindergarteners at the EEU have autism or other disabilities, half of the kids are typically–developing. The students have a wide variety of skill levels, but they learn side-by-side.
Pat O'Kell is watching his son Finn's kindergarten class at the EEU from an observation booth with one–way glass.
O'Kell: "If you sit in these booths and watch for a little while, everyone's sort of struck by which ones are the typical kids, and which ones are the special needs kids. It gets kinda hard to tell. They all kinda blend together and they're all just kids to the teachers and to each other, which is the great thing about inclusion."
About half of the kindergarteners at the EEU have autism or other disabilities, half of the kids are typically–developing. The students have a wide variety of skill levels, but they learn side-by-side.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Diagnosis and Starting Life Over
From Huffington Post's Dafna Maor, global business editor with Israeli Daily Newspaper.
It is one of those things that no one can forget. The words, the actions, the daily routines -- they blur and fade out of memory in time. But the feeling of that very first week in your life after you had been told that your beautiful child, your baby, is afflicted with something too horrible for any parent to imagine -- that bleak, despairing, consuming fear is a feeling one never forgets.
It is one of those things that no one can forget. The words, the actions, the daily routines -- they blur and fade out of memory in time. But the feeling of that very first week in your life after you had been told that your beautiful child, your baby, is afflicted with something too horrible for any parent to imagine -- that bleak, despairing, consuming fear is a feeling one never forgets.
Study Links Less Folic Acid in Pregnancy to Autism
NEW YORK -- In a new study of California moms, women whose children had autism recalled getting less folic acid through food and supplements early in their pregnancies than those whose kids didn't develop the disorder.
Meeting recommendations for folic acid -- at least 600 micrograms per day -- in the first month of pregnancy was tied to a 38 percent lower chance of having a kid with autism or Asperger's, researchers reported last week in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Meeting recommendations for folic acid -- at least 600 micrograms per day -- in the first month of pregnancy was tied to a 38 percent lower chance of having a kid with autism or Asperger's, researchers reported last week in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Jenny McCarthy: Jim Carrey Turned His Back on Her Son with Autism
But the former Playboy model and current host of new dating series "Love in the Wild" recently revealed that her ex, actor Jim Carrey, isn't quite as serious about her young son Evan, 10.
"I've tried to ask (Jim) numerous times (to see Evan), because my son still asks," McCarthy told Howard Stern on his radio show Monday, adding that Evan told her he missed Carrey "almost weekly."
Arc of Baltimore Contract Draws Ire of Minority Business Leaders
BALTIMORE -- The state is set to award a $9.4 million contract to a Baltimore
nonprofit to help clean local subway stations — a move that angers some
minority business leaders.
The state Board of Public Works will vote June 6 on a five-year contract for the Arc Baltimore to provide janitorial services at Metro stations in Greater Baltimore. The Arc Baltimore is a nonprofit that provides jobs for people with developmental disabilities. The organization has held a contract with the state to provide janitorial services at area metro stations for nearly 10 years, said Stephen H. Morgan, executive director with the Arc Baltimore.
The state Board of Public Works will vote June 6 on a five-year contract for the Arc Baltimore to provide janitorial services at Metro stations in Greater Baltimore. The Arc Baltimore is a nonprofit that provides jobs for people with developmental disabilities. The organization has held a contract with the state to provide janitorial services at area metro stations for nearly 10 years, said Stephen H. Morgan, executive director with the Arc Baltimore.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Life After High School and Other Challenges
Hesla has Down syndrome, and although he’s broken many of the stereotypes associated with the disability, he may never live entirely independently. Housing is just one of many details he and his family are grappling with as he graduates from Minneapolis Public Schools’ Transition Plus program, designed for 18- to 21-year-olds with disabilities.
Hesla is in the middle of what some experts call the “transition cliff,” a time in the life of a young person with a disability when they leave the hyper-structured universe of public special education and enter a much less supportive adult world.
Ohio Gets $10 Million for Medicaid Training
Ohio has secured $10 million in federal funds to train 1,000 health professionals to provide better medical care for the 2.1 million people statewide on Medicaid.
The money will go to six Ohio universities — including Wright State University — for the schools to prepare medical students, residents, fellows and professionals to work as a team for low-income families and disabled patients.
“It’s a very different way of approaching the issue,” said Ohio Medicaid Director John McCarthy.
The money will go to six Ohio universities — including Wright State University — for the schools to prepare medical students, residents, fellows and professionals to work as a team for low-income families and disabled patients.
“It’s a very different way of approaching the issue,” said Ohio Medicaid Director John McCarthy.
Ready and Able to Do the Job
NEW TRIPOLI, Pa. -- Bronson Baer is ready to compete in the coveted job market.
He is a team player, he is motivated and he doesn't mind doing repetitive tasks. He graduated from high school with honors and is about to achieve perfect attendance as part of Project Search — a nine-month school-to-work program for students with special needs at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown.
"Give me a job and, with a little instruction, I'm able to do the job," says the 21-year-old resident of New Tripoli. "The motivation that I have now is that I want a job. That's what keeps me going every day."
He is a team player, he is motivated and he doesn't mind doing repetitive tasks. He graduated from high school with honors and is about to achieve perfect attendance as part of Project Search — a nine-month school-to-work program for students with special needs at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown.
"Give me a job and, with a little instruction, I'm able to do the job," says the 21-year-old resident of New Tripoli. "The motivation that I have now is that I want a job. That's what keeps me going every day."
Tommy Hilfiger Opens Up on Daughter's Autism
 |
| Designer Tommy Hilfiger is featured in a public service announcement for Autism Speaks. |
Hilfiger said that one of the reasons he chose to appear in a public service announcement for the philanthropy Autism Speaks was to honor his16 year-old daughter, Kathleen.
He said that she when was five years old, she was given the diagnosis of being “developmentally delayed.”
Monday, June 4, 2012
Doctors Can Learn from Neurodiversity Movement
A must-read from the American Medical Association's Virtual Mentor, an article by Christina Nicolaidis, MD, MPH, an associate professor in the Departments of Medicine and Public
Health and Preventive Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science
University (OHSU) in Portland. Dr. Nicolaidis co-directs the Academic
Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE), directs
the Samuel Wise Fellowship in General Internal Medicine at OHSU, and
serves as a standing member of the NIH Mental Health Services study
section.
When, at age 3, my son received a medical diagnosis of autism, my husband and I received a list of intensive treatments that we needed to initiate as quickly as possible and a pep talk saying that if we did these things there was a good chance we could “fix him.” As a mother, I was terrified. Images of Rain Man filled my mind, quickly followed by painful memories of security officers trying to restrain my beloved 350-pound adult autistic patient during a violent meltdown. As a physician and researcher, I did what I was best trained to do — I quickly took charge of the situation, scheduled consultations with every type of therapist in the city, and immersed myself in the autism literature. But I soon realized that expert opinions clashed greatly, there were no easy answers, and the evidence in support of the various therapies was extremely limited.
When, at age 3, my son received a medical diagnosis of autism, my husband and I received a list of intensive treatments that we needed to initiate as quickly as possible and a pep talk saying that if we did these things there was a good chance we could “fix him.” As a mother, I was terrified. Images of Rain Man filled my mind, quickly followed by painful memories of security officers trying to restrain my beloved 350-pound adult autistic patient during a violent meltdown. As a physician and researcher, I did what I was best trained to do — I quickly took charge of the situation, scheduled consultations with every type of therapist in the city, and immersed myself in the autism literature. But I soon realized that expert opinions clashed greatly, there were no easy answers, and the evidence in support of the various therapies was extremely limited.
Food Tips for Children with Autism
From FoxNews.com a piece by Jacqueline Banks, a certified
holistic health counselor and busy mama. Her focus is on helping other
busy moms in all stages of motherhood keep themselves and their little
ones healthy and happy. She uses natural and organic solutions to solve
individual health problems and promote clean living.
As a certified holistic health counselor and a mother, I’ve had my
share of experience helping children with disabilities. Over the next
three weeks, I will be featuring three disabilities that are
increasingly prevalent: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome
and cerebral palsy.
Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing health editor at FoxNews.com, has asked that I offer suggestions on diets to support children with these special needs. We will be taking a look at brain physiology, common physical symptoms, nourishing foods and foods to avoid.
Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing health editor at FoxNews.com, has asked that I offer suggestions on diets to support children with these special needs. We will be taking a look at brain physiology, common physical symptoms, nourishing foods and foods to avoid.
Her Goal: Preserve Medicaid's Safety Net
 |
| Marisa Murray helps her mother, Nancy, prepare salad. |
From an early age, Medicaid is involved with our loved ones' health and well-being. During childhood years, Medicaid can pay for what private insurance does not cover for medical needs and therapies. When our children become adults, Medicaid can fund the services they need in their daily lives.
With one caveat: Medicaid provides this safety net only if it is adequately funded. At present, it is not. And with major changes proposed at the federal and state level this year, the safety net is expected to deteriorate further.
What's Different About the Autistic Brain?
From NPR's Health Blog.
Like a lot of people with autism, Jeff Hudale has a brain that's really good at some things.
"I have an unusual aptitude for numbers, namely math computations," he says.
Hudale can do triple-digit multiplication in his head. That sort of ability helped him get a degree in engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. But he says his brain struggles with other subjects like literature and philosophy.
Like a lot of people with autism, Jeff Hudale has a brain that's really good at some things.
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| Jeff Hudale demonstrates a face- recognition test. |
Hudale can do triple-digit multiplication in his head. That sort of ability helped him get a degree in engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. But he says his brain struggles with other subjects like literature and philosophy.
Medicaid Much More Than Medical Care
Georgia plans to revamp its Medicaid program,
possibly by expanding the use of for-profit companies to manage care for
more recipients. Sunday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on the
potential advantages and risks to the poor and elderly for whom Medicaid is
a lifeline. Today, the paper examines the effect on disabled Georgians
who often get job training and other assistance through Medicaid to help
them live independently.
ATLANTA -- People like Francel Kendrick once spent most of their lives locked inside
state hospitals. Today, because of Georgia’s Medicaid program, Kendrick and
thousands of disabled people like him can hold down a job and ride a city
bus to their own homes after work.
Medicaid isn’t just a health plan for low-income people. These days, it’s a job training program, relief for a mom with an autistic son and crisis teams to help someone with schizophrenia live a stable life in the community.
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| Francel Kendrick, 23, works restocking the nurse supply carts in the cardiac ICU at Emory University Hospital |
Medicaid isn’t just a health plan for low-income people. These days, it’s a job training program, relief for a mom with an autistic son and crisis teams to help someone with schizophrenia live a stable life in the community.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Texting and Parenting Harm Baby Development?
The latest issue of Brookings and Princeton’s “The Future of Children”
adds to the growing number of studies documenting that childhood
disability rates are not only unexplainably increasing, but also that
the way disabilities manifest is significantly changing. Where the
poster child of disability in the 1960s was on crutches, the new face is
a child with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or other
problems that affect the developing brain.
Growing rates and shifting patterns of childhood disability challenge notions that U.S. children are generally healthy and suggest substantial changes in the risks children encounter. While disabilities are more common in children from lower-income households, a lack of family resources, education or other forms of social deprivation don’t explain all of what’s going on.
Some risk-hunting epidemiologists are considering whether any of the thousands of new chemicals in our environment are to blame, while others are examining the role that toxic stresses may play in jolting developing nervous systems onto an aberrant path.
Growing rates and shifting patterns of childhood disability challenge notions that U.S. children are generally healthy and suggest substantial changes in the risks children encounter. While disabilities are more common in children from lower-income households, a lack of family resources, education or other forms of social deprivation don’t explain all of what’s going on.
Some risk-hunting epidemiologists are considering whether any of the thousands of new chemicals in our environment are to blame, while others are examining the role that toxic stresses may play in jolting developing nervous systems onto an aberrant path.
Georgia Reshaping Medicaid
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| Benjamin Lust, 21, putting away
laundry at his Acworth home, has autism that requires care 24/7. |
The hope: that the companies would help hold down burgeoning Medicaid costs by emphasizing prevention and better tracking and coordinating care. That should mean fewer poor, disabled and elderly Georgians end up in emergency rooms, that more psychiatric patients remain stable and that doctors share test results instead of ordering duplicates that taxpayers wind up funding.
Movie Buff Overcomes Hurdles of Autism
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --
This is a story of how Michael Long II became a king.
There was a time when Long wouldn't look people in the eye or let anyone touch him.
Slowly the teenager became comfortable with giving some at Baldwin Middle Senior High a half embrace.
But now Michael is so confident, he'll shake a stranger's hand and even give a lucky few a full loving hug.
In fact, he has so successfully emerged from his shell, his peers crowned him Prom King.
Long, 19, has high-functioning autism and his early years at Baldwin were often difficult.
There was a time when Long wouldn't look people in the eye or let anyone touch him.
Slowly the teenager became comfortable with giving some at Baldwin Middle Senior High a half embrace.
But now Michael is so confident, he'll shake a stranger's hand and even give a lucky few a full loving hug.
In fact, he has so successfully emerged from his shell, his peers crowned him Prom King.
Long, 19, has high-functioning autism and his early years at Baldwin were often difficult.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Elementary School Student Provides Inspiration
A colleague just shared this amazing video - definitely inspirational.
The young man who refuses to be beaten by his own limitations in the video above is Matt W. (last name unknown), who attends Worthington (Ohio) Colonial Hills Elementary School. Like most elementary schools in America, Colonial Hills has a once-a-year track and field day, and like most kids, Matt was clearly eager to take part.
However, unlike most of his peers, Matt suffers from spastic cerebral palsy, a debilitating condition that limits his ability to undergo rigorous physical exercise of any kind. Incredibly, despite knowing those limitations, Matt decided to run the 400-meter event (roughly quarter of a mile) on the school's 200-meter track.
The young man who refuses to be beaten by his own limitations in the video above is Matt W. (last name unknown), who attends Worthington (Ohio) Colonial Hills Elementary School. Like most elementary schools in America, Colonial Hills has a once-a-year track and field day, and like most kids, Matt was clearly eager to take part.
However, unlike most of his peers, Matt suffers from spastic cerebral palsy, a debilitating condition that limits his ability to undergo rigorous physical exercise of any kind. Incredibly, despite knowing those limitations, Matt decided to run the 400-meter event (roughly quarter of a mile) on the school's 200-meter track.
R.I. House Adds $9.6 Million to Budget for Services
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Islanders with developmental disabilities would see funding for state programs and services they receive increased by about $9.6 million in the budget year that begins July 1, under a
spending plan presented by the House Finance Committee Thursday night.
That $9.6 million includes some $4.7 million in state funding and a corresponding match of federal monies.
It comes a year after lawmakers voted to slash their funding by some $24 million.
That $9.6 million includes some $4.7 million in state funding and a corresponding match of federal monies.
It comes a year after lawmakers voted to slash their funding by some $24 million.
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