Student Takes Control of His Life

NORCROSS, Ga. -- On March 20, 1990 the world changed dramatically for Bob and Diane Saville. Just hours after delivering their second son, the doctor spoke these unexpected words, “There is a problem.Your son has Down syndrome.”
Bob and Diane felt their world spinning out of control. Ever faithful, the young couple turned to God in their hour of need and their answer came in the Bible verse, John 1:3: “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.”
They knew without a doubt that the Lord had not made a mistake when He made David with Down syndrome. God had everything under control. And He had big plans for David.
Fast forward 18 years later to Feb. 8, 2008 when the couple heard these unexpected words, “The 2008 Homecoming King of Norcross High School is . . . . David Saville!”
In spite of his disability, David Saville has touched the lives of many.

Democrats Challenging Administration on Medicaid

WASHINGTON — In an unusual break with the White House, the Democratic leaders of Congress told the Supreme Court on Monday that President Obama was pursuing a misguided interpretation of federal Medicaid law that made it more difficult for low-income people to obtain health care.

The Democratic leaders said Medicaid beneficiaries must be allowed to file suit to enforce their right to care — and to challenge Medicaid cuts being made by states around the country.

Special Needs Hip-Hop Class has Toes Tapping

FORT PAYNE, Ala. -- A new class at the Fort Payne School of Performing Arts is geared to reaching out to children with special needs.

Bringing Up Down Syndrome is a non-profit organization supporting families and parents of people with Down Syndrome in North Alabama.

The organization provides packets with information and available resources to new parents.

Through donations, BUDS is able to help families through financial assistance and support for things such as major medical issues or other thing that may arise.

BUDS provided a donation to the Fort Payne School of Performing Arts to assist with the development of the class.

Drum Therapy for Autism

When I recently took my fifteen-year-old son with Asperger’s to his weekly therapy session, I was thrilled when he was offered the chance to participate in drum therapy. Instantly, I recalled the days when he was a toddler throwing a spectacular meltdown, beating himself with his fists until I set a drum in front of him and he pounded it instead. A broad smile came across his face as his frenetic energy transformed from self destructive behavior to music.

Drum therapy is gaining in popularity as a means of reaching children with autism. For instance, The Drumming for Autism Project in New Jersey started as a “School Peacemaker” program to address the needs of youth through creative self expression then expanded to specifically address autism.

‘Environment’ Poses a Knotty Challenge in Autism

NEW YORK -- Parents of children with autism often ask pediatricians like me about the cause of the condition, and parents-to-be often ask what they can do to reduce the risk. But although there is more research in this area than ever before, it sometimes feels as if it’s getting harder, not easier, to provide answers that do justice to the evidence and also offer practical guidance.

Recent research has taught us more about the complexity of the genetics of autism, but the evidence also has suggested an important role for environmental exposures. It has become a very complicated picture: Genes matter, but we usually can’t tell how. Environmental exposures matter, but we usually don’t know which.

'Monica & David' Nominated for Emmy

A documentary about the marriage of two adults with Down syndrome is up for an Emmy award.
The film, “Monica & David,” premiered last fall on HBO. It followed Monica and David Martinez as they prepared for their wedding and subsequently learned to establish an independent life for themselves as newlyweds.

Age Rule Ends Special Athlete's Career

SAMPSON COUNTY, N.C. -- One special high school athlete's true love is being taken away from him. Brett Bowden will no longer be able to play football because of his age, and no exception is going to be made despite his incredible story.
Hobbton High School in Sampson County is steeped in football tradition, but one player has held special significance the past couple of seasons. Brett Bowden is a 19-year-old junior at Hobbton. He was born with Down's Syndrome, but in no way does that describe him as a person.