Testing Robots to Aid Kids with Autism

WICHITA — For a group of elementary students at Heartspring, a center for children with autism, robots may be the key to better human interaction.

The students last week danced “Gangnam Style” with a robot, imitating its moves and getting used to its presence.

Teachers at Heartspring hope the benefits of working with the robot go far beyond dancing.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/11/11/3111526/heartspring-testing-robots-to.html#storylink=cpy

5-Year-Old's Autism Service Dog Missing

RYE, N.Y. — An autism service dog that a Rye family said has “transformed their lives” has gone missing, and the family has embarked on an aggressive search.Echo went missing Wednesday night, after the black Labrador retriever apparently left the Fontana family’s home through an open door. The dog was last seen just feet from the family of six’s Dearborn Avenue home, near Milton Road. A subsequent search with the help of friends turned up nothing, but Sunday afternoon, a woman sent the Fontanas an intriguing email.

Support Pours In for Worker with Asperger's

Chris Tuttle has worked at Wegmans in Clay, New York for the past 7 years. On Friday, a woman customer yelled at him for being too slow. Tuttle who has asperger’s was devastated and remained upset and stressed 10 hours later. His sister, Jamie Tuttle-Virkler, decided to try to make things better for her brother by asking for support on Facebook. The response has been unexpected.

Ms Tuttle-Virkler write on this Facebook Page.

Study: Baby's Gaze May Signal Autism

When and how long a baby looks at other people’s eyes offers the earliest behavioral sign to date of whether a child is likely to develop autism, scientists are reporting.

In a study published Wednesday, researchers using eye-tracking technology found that children who were found to have autism at age 3 looked less at people’s eyes when they were babies than children who did not develop autism. But contrary to what the researchers expected, the difference was not apparent at birth. It emerged in the next few months and autism experts said that might suggest a window during which the progression toward autism can be halted or slowed.

Bill To Help Ease Transition at Age 22

BOSTON — With the right services, autism advocates say people with developmental disabilities can work and live independently.  But instead, they say, many of them are cut off from special education when they turn 22 and do not qualify for adult services they need from the state’s Department of Developmental Services.
“We have many children who are sitting at home, watching TV, playing on the computer, don’t have access to a day program,” said Barbara L’Italien, spokesperson for The Arc Massachusetts.

New Business Model Helps Provide Jobs

FLEMINGTON, N.J. — Faced with a daunting system that makes it difficult for those with developmental disabilities to access training and employment, Karen Monroy dared to imagine something radically new. “We would rather not use the term developmentally disabled, we would rather emphasize that these are young people who are ‘differently abled’ and work with what they can do — instead of focus on their limitations,” said Monroy, a resident of Flemington who envisioned a new business model to accomplish her goals.

With the help and support of dozens of concerned parents and community members, she established Ability 2 Work, a not-for profit organization dedicated to helping those whom she chooses to describe as “differently abled.”

Lawsuit Claims Undercover Cop Tricked Teen with Autism Into Buying Pot

An undercover police officer tricked a teenager with autism into buying pot for him, a lawsuit filed by the boy's parents alleges.
The 17-year-old, who isn't named in the lawsuit, was arrested with 21 other high school students on drug-dealing charges as part of a sting operation last December at Chaparral High School in Temecula, Calif. His parents, Catherine and Doug Snodgrass, on Wednesday announced a lawsuit in state Superior Court that seeks unspecified damages from the Temecula Valley School District, alleging negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress."Certain parts of my son have been damaged in ways that I think will be permanent," Doug Snodgrass told The Huffington Post.