Biofield – This new term adopted by the National Institutes of Health in the United States describes a growing body of research purportedly showing a subtle human energy field that permeates and extends beyond the physical body. The biofield has been identified by many biophysics scientists as an integral part of our being and oversees the co-ordination and regulation of our physical body, chemical reactions, emotional balance, mental functions, energetic systems and memory. When our biofield is out of balance, we’re out of balance!

Stress to our biofield comes in many forms: Traffic jams. Irate bosses. Fears and phobias. Stressors in these examples, although they are not totally unavoidable, they can be manageable as a result of our ability to exercise positive control over our reactive, emotional human nature.

iRenew BioField Products

Other more constant forms of stress, which are more difficult and if not impossible to avoid altogether as well as being much less manageable, are delivered to us daily without consent arrive in the form of ElectroMagnetic Fields (EMF) also known as ElectroMagnetic Radiation (EMR). ElectroMagnetic Fields (EMF) / ElectroMagnetic Radiation (EMR)

You cannot see it, taste it or smell it, but some believe electromagnetic radiation is becoming one of the most pervasive environmental pollutants in industrialized countries today. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are the terms that broadly describe the unnatural energy fields created by the vast array of wired and wireless technologies that have altered the landscape of our lives in countless beneficial ways. However, these technologies were designed to maximize energy efficiency and convenience; not with the possible negative biological effects on people in mind.

Even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued warning, stating, “There is reason for concern” and advises “prudent avoidance.” Based on the existing science, many public health experts believe it is possible we will face an epidemic of cancers and other illnesses in the future as a result of the unnatural frequencies we absorb due to the uncontrolled use of cell phones and increased population exposure to WiFi and other wireless devices.

We live in an invisible fog of EMF which thirty years of science, including over 2,000 peer-reviewed studies, demonstrates massive amounts of evidence of possible serious health risks as a result of excessive exposure to electromagnetic fields. It has been estimated that the average person is exposed to 100 million times more electropollution than was exposed to their great grandparents.

How EMF / EMR stressors affect your BioField?

According to many top ranked scientists and professionals in the medical community, ambient man-made electromagnetic fields, across a range of unnatural frequencies, are believed to be a serious environmental issue. Every aspect of the ecosystem may be affected by electromagetic fields, including the biofields all living species from animals, humans, plants and even microorganisms in water and soil.

In the past few years there has been a drastic increase in the number of people getting brain tumors (not to mention other cancers and disease states like Autism, ADHD, CFIDS and so on). Brain tumors are now the number-one cause of death in children in Australia and the United States. It is now being predicted by epidemiologists, that within the next ten years we could see at least a 1,000 percent increase in this disease state.

Ever growing scientific research corroborates the suspicion that unnatural electromagnetic energy fields may:

* Cause brain tumors
* Harm blood cells
* Cause cellular changes
* Damage your DNA
* Accelerate and contribute to the onset of autism
* Trigger Alzheimer’s disease
* Damage your eyes
* Cause sleep disorders

This mounting scientific evidence suggests that our safety standards are inadequate and out of intelligent caution we must limit our exposure to electromagnetic fields or risk possible negative health consequences in the future.

Protecting ourselves against the electromagnetic fields of unnatural energy is not easy as we are exposed to an estimated 100 million times the levels our great grandparents experienced. So in this new landscape of what some have dubbed ‘e-smog’, it is each individual’s responsibility to take certain precautions and protections against the effects unnatural energy fields are believed, by many doctors and scientists, to have on our biofields and overall health.

iRenew BioField Products

Step #1: Limit Your Electromagnetic Field Exposure

Limit your exposure and exercise prudent avoidance of the electromagnetic fields emitted by electrical devices is crucial in reducing the amount of electromagnetic radiation your body absorbs each day. Here are most common electromagnetic field avoidance and radiation reduction tips:

* Do not stand in front of the microwave while in use.
* Use the speaker phone feature on your cell phone when possible.
* Place your computer tower as far away from your body as possible.
* Place all electric clocks and other electrical devices such as telephones and answering machines at least 6 feet from your bed.
* Use incandescent bulbs instead of fluorescent lighting when possible.
* Use the oven to warm and cook your food instead of the microwave.
* Maintain at least 8 feet from the TV screen.
* Avoid using hair dryers on children.
* Rearrange your office and home area so that you are not exposed the electromagnetic fields from the sides/backs of electric appliances and computers.
* Don’t sit too close to your computer monitor.

Every day, our biofields are impacted by flickering computer monitors, irate bosses, cell phones, emotional stress, tabloid television, and traffic jams just to name a few. We are literally bombarded with electromagnetic radiation and unnatural frequencies that can wear us down. When our biofield is out of balance, we’re out of balance.

Bringing your biofield to a more balanced state is believed by many to increase mental and physical performance, reinforce our natural immunity to stress and enhance our sense of well-being.

Biofield Therapy – The New Science of Healing

Although it seems like magic, it is actually science! It is believed by many that the unnatural energy fields in our environment disrupt the natural energy frequencies on which our biofield operates causing an imbalance throughout our personal energy system.

Your Life’s Energy is Your Biofield

iRenew BioField Products

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Sometimes I wonder if it is better to home school or not. Any ideas? We would love to hear them and your thoughts on home schooling an autistic child, or any child for that matter.

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A new twist on the PECS system of communication and a great way to start off the new year. An app for Autistics that could one day morph into a bluetooth enabled device that offers voice prompts? Need more innovation and courage in developing new solutions to help those with Autism, and this is a great start.

What is most appealing to me is you can easily upload a photo of anything you want and add it to the picture library for future reference and use or for use right now! Its very close to spontaneous communication. Its a great app and sure to be a smashing success.Thanks Hammie and your developer for a new ray of hope to Unlock Autism.

Link to the original site

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Written By Lourdes Salvador of www.americanchronicle.com

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by social withdrawal, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors. Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated as causes of autism, moreover a high body burden of mercury and other toxic metals from vaccinations and environmental exposures has been increasingly given more attention.
Thimerosal is mercury containing vaccine preservative added to many childhood vaccines. It is widely suspected as a cause of an increasing widespread epidemic of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Now, a new study shows that administration of thimerosal leads to long lasting neurological impairment in rats, specifically by altering the neural process of handling noxious stimuli.
Analysis also shows that significant amounts of mercury from thimerosal accumulates in the rat brain and remains long term. The mercury is not readily cleared, as was previously believed. Though mercury readily leaves the blood stream, it does not leave the body. It is now recognized to accumulate in brain tissue.
Additionally, this research is supported by various prior studies which show that children with autism suffer from a weak ability to excrete mercury and that the weaker the ability, the more severe the symptoms of autism.
Now, two new research studies investigating the effects of chelation therapy on the health and behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders have discovered that children receiving chelation to reduce mercury levels had significant improvements.
It appears that mercury may produce they symptom set recognized in the autism spectrum disorders as a form of autism.

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Finally a positive article about Autism and why not, the attention, focus and commitment to detail found in most Autistics would make anybody a more productive worker, and they probably wont gossip too much either.

Radical Ideas from

Thorkil Sonne: Recruit Autistics

By Drake Bennett

Most occupations require people skills. But for some, a preternatural capacity for concentration and near-total recall matter more. Those jobs, entrepreneur Thorkil Sonne says, could use a little autism.

Sonne reached this conclusion six years ago, after his youngest son was diagnosed with the mysterious developmental disorder. “At first I was in agony and despair,” he recalls. “Then came the thought of what happens when he grows up.”

In Sonne’s native Denmark, as elsewhere, autistics are typically considered unemployable. But Sonne worked in IT, a field more suited to people with autism and related conditions like Asperger’s syndrome. “As a general view, they have excellent memory and strong attention to detail. They are persistent and good at following structures and routines,” he says. In other words, they’re born software engineers.

In 2004, Sonne quit his job at a telecom firm and founded Specialisterne (Danish for “Specialists”), an IT consultancy that hires mostly people with autism-spectrum disorders. Its nearly 60 consultants ferret out software errors for companies like Microsoft and Cisco Systems. Recently, the firm has expanded into other detail-centered work-like keeping track of Denmark’s fiber-optic network, so crews laying new lines don’t accidentally cut old ones.  Read more at WIRED.com

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I found this on the Easter Seals site and suggest  visiting their site for more in depth information on Autism and Services needed for children on the spectrum.

Easter Seals — helping people with disabilities gain greater independence

Easter Seals provides exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities.
Understanding Speech and Hearing Therapy

Speech and hearing therapy (also known as speech-language pathology and audiology) are important health-related specialties concerned with normal development of human communication and treatment of its disorders. Speech therapy focuses on voice and speech-language skills, while hearing therapy deals with hearing and hearing impairment.

Speech or language disorders may be present at birth or acquired later in life by disease, illness, head injury, substance abuse or allergy.

Hearing loss may be acquired before or during birth if a pregnant woman takes certain drugs or contracts a viral disease such as rubella (German Measles). Children sometimes acquire hearing loss from infection and inflammation of the middle ear or from communicable diseases. Adult hearing may be affected by prolonged exposure to loud noise and the process of aging.

Who Needs Speech-Language Pathology and Audiological Services?

Speech-Language Pathology is used to help:

* Individuals with voice disorders to develop proper control of their vocal and respiratory systems
* Individuals who stutter to learn to cope with the disorder and increase fluency
* Individuals with aphasia (a condition in which an individual has difficulty expressing thoughts and understanding others) as a result    of a stroke or head injury. Speech-language pathology helps individuals relearn language and speech skills.
* Children and young adults with language disorders

Audiological services are used to:

* Determine existence and type of hearing impairments
* Provide rehabilitative services
* Assess amplification devices, such as hearing aids
* Teach individuals ways in which they can make the best use of their remaining hearing

Speech and hearing therapists, recognized as speech-language pathologists and audiologists, who provide treatment are professionally trained specialists holding master’s degrees or the equivalent from programs accredited by an Educational Standards Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Some speech-language pathologists and audiologists hold doctoral degrees and work as teachers, advisors, researchers and consultants. Some specialize in certain areas, such as aphasia or hearing disorders in children, or participate in prevention and early identification programs.

Speech-language pathologists who use the initials “CCC-SLP” after their name have passed a national examination administered by the Clinical Certification Board of ASHA. Audiologists who pass a different national test, administered by the board, receive a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology and qualify to use the initials “CCC-A” after their name. A person who meets requirements in both professional areas may be awarded both certificates.

Individualized Treatment Plans

A speech-language pathologist evaluates a person’s speech-language skills, determines the probable cause and extent of any existing disorder and develops appropriate treatment to correct or lessen the communication problem. Clinical methods used depend on the nature and severity of the problem, the age of the client and the client’s awareness of the problem.

An audiologist, after evaluating a person’s hearing and determining the type of hearing loss, establishes a treatment plan. This may involve therapy, prescription of special equipment such as hearing aids and electronic communication devices and referral for possible surgery or medication.

Visit the Easter Seals site for more information

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Psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen and his colleagues at Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre have created the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, or AQ, as a measure of the extent of autistic traits in adults. In the first major trial using the test, the average score in the control group was 16.4. Eighty percent of those diagnosed with autism or a related disorder scored 32 or higher. The test is not a means for making a diagnosis, however, and many who score above 32 and even meet the diagnostic criteria for mild autism or Asperger’s report no difficulty functioning in their everyday lives. You can take the test here.

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Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, and Unlock Autism today applauded Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Hank Johnson (D-GA) for their introduction of a House companion bill to the Senate’s Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA), which was introduced last month by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Like the Senate version, the House version of the ATAA (H.R. 2413) is comprehensive federal legislation that addresses several critical challenges facing the autism community, including increased funding for scientific research, treatment and services. The ATAA incorporates provisions from the Expanding the Promise of Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA), originally proposed by Representatives Doyle, Smith, Engel, and former-Representative Chip Pickering.

A welcome sign of relief  to many who routinely spend $30-$50k on therapy’s – not even considered for reimbursement by insurance companies.

As in the Senate’s ATAA bill, a key section of the House bill requires all insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASDs), including coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy – a medically-necessary, evidence-based autism treatment. While the number of states that have enacted comprehensive autism insurance reform legislation has grown to ten, most state insurers are still allowed to specifically exclude coverage for these critical services, which can cost upward of $50,000 a year – well beyond the means of most families.

The House version of the bill also addresses the unique needs of adults with ASDs, creating a demonstration project with one-year planning grants and multi-year implementation grants for the provision of service for adults with autism. In addition, it creates the Network for Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Services aimed at accelerating the dissemination and utilization of critical, new information, moving it from “bench to bedside” as quickly as possible.

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What are thre best schools for Autism services? The consensus seems to be larger, mostly Northeast cities but there is no
one resource for researching or selecting the best school options for your child.

I have been searching for the past 4 years now, finally I present a few posts I have found that offer a glimmer of information.

In my experience it comes down to knowing your rights and always have an advocate in the room with you. We live in NY, we found the services
are varied form district to district and have come a long way. In the end though, there is no plan for my child past 6th grade, his options are Boces
or some place far, far away from home.  If you do find a good site, please post it so we can help spread the word.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061109092801AAiVpeX

http://www.city-data.com/forum/special-needs-children/300371-best-school-districts-us-autistic-children-4.html

http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/autism-schools.html

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Can leaching plastics be involved with the rise in Autism? In m y view ABSOLUTELY! These days everything which was once housed in glass is now in plastic. Plastic water bottles embossed with company logo’s straight from the  capital of lead poisining – China, fill almost every corporate portfolio of chatzke giveaways. Its time to rid ourselves of plastics and go back to glass. Rep Charles Schumer of NY has just recently proposed a ban of BPA’s in any baby product, at least someone is aware and doing something about it!
BPA or Bisphenol A is Everywhere – Are We Safe?
BPA otherwise known as Bisphenol A is a compound widely used in the manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins. This
industrial chemical has created quite a stir since 2007 and is still a subject of intense controversy. BPA can be found
in plastics around us and is in the products that we use every day, from DVDs to eyeglasses to mobile phones.
Normally, BPA is harmless, that is, until it gets in contact with food and drinks and leaches out. According to
a report of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), “the primary
source of exposure to BPA for most people is through the diet…BPA in food and beverages accounts for the majority
of daily human exposure.”

However, not all plastics contain BPA. Plastics are categorized into 7 types according to the recycling process
and the classification codes are located at the bottom of plastic containers. According to NTP, only plastic no. 7,
designated as “other” contains BPA. Incidentally there are other organizations which report that BPA is also found in
plastic no. 3.

Some of the adverse effects that BPA may cause include the following:

BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) that mimics the neurotoxic properties of the hormone estrogen.
According to the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) of the Association of Occupational and
Environmental Clinics (AOEC). “BPA has been associated with increases in developmental disorders of the brain and
nervous system in animals. These developmental disorders in animals are like problems such as ADHD (attention deficit
hyper-reactivity disorder) in humans.”

PEHSU reports that “BPA may cause changes in cells in breasts, the uterus, and the prostate which can increase
risk of cancers.” The September 2008 report of NTP suggests that BPA exposure may be linked to prostate and brain
cancer.

The NTP report also says that BPA can cause behavioral problems in fetuses, infants and children. It can induce
early onset of puberty in girls and can cause reproductive disorders.

High BPA levels have been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

It comes as no surprise that these findings have generated a strong anti-BPA movement worldwide. To understand the
controversy behind BPA, let’s look at some of the events that have occurred in the last two years.

March 2007. A class action lawsuit was filed against baby bottle manufacturers on behalf of Californian babies who
may have been adversely affected by BPA.

November 2007. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati published an article in Toxicology Letters
(online edition) reporting that BPA is leaching out of the polycarbonate bottles popularly used as drinking bottles.
This report led to Nalgene plastic bottles taken off the shelves in Canada.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested infant formulas for BPA and detected BPA in some of the most
popular brands. When questioned, 4 out of the top 5 companies admitted using BPA in their packaging.

January 2008. The National Center for Environmental Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
published a paper which reported that BPA was detected in the urine of 92.6% of 2,517 participants during the
2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES).

April 2008. Canada announced its plans to ban
BPA-containing bottles. The US FDA established an
agency-wide BPA task force to facilitate cross-agency
review of current research and new information on BPA for
all FDA regulated products.

May 2008. In a health call, “leaders of the Committee on
Energy and Commerce threatened to subpoena the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for records the agency used in
determining that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) was safe
for use in making infant formula liners and other products
intended for infants and children”, according to a report
in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

July 2008. The European Food Safety Authority’s AFC Panel
declared that human exposure to BPA is too low to cause any
real harm. According to the panel’s report, the human body
rapidly metabolises and eliminates BPA out of the body.
September 3, 2008

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) issued a report on
BPA, expressing the following concerns: – “some concern”
for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in
fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures
to BPA. – “minimal concern” for effects on the mammary
gland and an earlier age for puberty for females, in
fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures
to BPA. – “negligible concern” that exposure of pregnant
women to BPA will result in fetal or neonatal mortality,
birth defects, or reduced birth weight and growth in their
offspring. – “negligible concern” that exposure to BPA will
cause reproductive effects in non-occupationally exposed
adults and “minimal concern” for workers exposed to higher
levels – in occupational settings. “Some concern”
represents a midpoint in a 5-point scale of concern, with
“serious concern” as the highest and “negligible concern”
as the lowest.

September 2008. Researchers at the University of Exeter
(UK) re-examined the previously mentioned NHNES BPA urine
data. They found that high levels of BPA in the urine were
associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular
disorders, diabetes, and kidney problems. The BPA
Subcommittee of the Science Board to the US FDA met on
September 16, 2008 to discuss BPA assessment.

October 2008. Two studies reported research results in mice
exposed to BPA. One study reported that pregnant mice
exposed to BPA suffered from altered the cellular structure
of the breasts. A second study showed that female mice’s
exposure to low-dose BPA during fetal life or adulthood
caused alterations in maternal behaviour.

Researchers at University of Cincinnati report that BPA is
linked to chemotherapy resistance. The study demonstrated
that “BPA does not increase cancer cell proliferation like
DES [cancer-promoting compound called diethylstilbestrol]
does. It’s actually acting by protecting existing cancer
cells from dying in response to anti-cancer drugs, making
chemotherapy significantly less effective.”

The Canadian government announced the drafting of
regulations that will prohibit the import, sale and
advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain BPA.

Based on a review by a subcommittee, the US Food and Drug
Administration (US FDA) stated that “consumers should know
that, based on all available evidence, the present
consensus among regulatory agencies in the United States,
Canada, Europe, and Japan is that current levels of
exposure to BPA through food packaging do not pose an
immediate health risk to the general population, including
infants and babies.” In addition, the US FDA thinks the
Canadian restrictions on BPA are “out of an abundance of
caution.”

January 2009. The US FDA and Health Canada’s Health
Products and Food Branch hosted a meeting of
representatives of U.S and Canadian manufacturers and users
of food packaging materials containing BPA. They discussed
what is to be done to help minimize the levels of BPA in
food. The meeting was also part of FDA’s efforts to assist
the manufacturing industry in its voluntary BPA reduction
efforts.

So what can we do to protect ourselves from BPA?

Recommendations from PEHSU – Avoid plastics with symbol # 3
(PVC or polyvinyl), symbol # 6 (PS or polystyrene foam) and
symbol #. Do not microwave food/beverages in plastic. Do
not microwave or heat plastic cling wraps. Do not place
plastics in the dishwasher. If using hard polycarbonate
plastics (water bottles/baby bottles/sippy cups), do not
use for warm/hot liquids. Use safe alternatives such as
glass or polyethylene plastic (symbol #1). Avoid canned
foods when possible (BPA may be used in can linings). Look
for labels on products that say “phthalate-free” or
“BPA-free”.

Recommendations from the Center for Science in the Public
Interest (CSPI): Avoid plastic containers made of
polycarbonate. Any bottle or container made of
polycarbonate has the recycling No. 7 on the bottom. When
possible, prepare or store food—especially hot foods
and liquids—in glass, porcelain, or stainless steel
dishes or containers. If you have polycarbonate plastic
food containers, don’t microwave them. The plastic is more
likely to break down and release BPA when it’s repeatedly
heated to high temperatures. Don’t wash polycarbonate
plastic containers in the dishwasher. The detergent may
break down the plastic, which could release BPA. Use infant
formula bottles that are made of glass or BPA-free plastic.
BornFree (newbornfree.com) is one of many companies that
make them. When you can, replace canned foods with foods
that are fresh, frozen, or packaged in aseptic
(shelf-stable) boxes. At least one manufacturer—Eden
Foods—lines its cans with a BPA alternative made from
plant extracts. A good alternative to polycarbonate is
polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), which has the recycling
No. 1 on the bottom. Avoid older versions of Delton dental
sealant…Most dental sealants are free of BPA. However,
older Delton sealants contain a compound that breaks down
into BPA, mostly during the first day after it comes into
contact with saliva.

—————————————————-
The article BPA or Bisphenol A is Everywhere – Are We Safe?
may be found in it’s entirety with references and links on
http://HealthWorldNet.com .

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Just saw this report, could vaccines be the great dead end towards finding a cure? It seems an awful lot of money has been spent and many pointing fingers..

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A special U.S. court ruled against three families on Thursday who claimed vaccines caused their children’s autism.

The Vaccine Court Omnibus Autism Proceeding ruled against the parents of Michelle Cedillo, Colten Snyder and William Yates Hazlehurst, who had claimed that a measles, mumps and rubella vaccines had combined with other vaccine ingredients to damage the three children.

“I conclude that the petitioners have not demonstrated that they are entitled to an award on Michelle’s behalf,” Special Master George Hastings, a former tax claims expert at the Department of Justice, wrote in the Cedillo ruling.

The families sought payment under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a no-fault system that has a $2.5 billion fund built up from a 75-cent-per-dose tax on vaccines.

No judges but instead three “special masters” heard the three test cases representing thousand of other petitioners.

They asked whether a combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, plus a mercury-containing preservative called thimerosal, caused the children’s symptoms.

Read More here

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The Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance will hold a Public Hearing regarding the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 10am to discuss the management of Autism in New York State with specific attention to early diagnosis and intervention. The meeting will be held in Chancellor’s Hall in the State Education Building at 89 Washington Avenue (use the entrance on Hawk Street) in Albany.

During the hearing, testimony will be presented to evaluate programs and treatment options that already exist in this state for children with ASD, as well as evaluating what can be done to improve their living standards and assist families and caregivers with their many burdens, including financial, of dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

This is the perfect opportunity for our community to demonstrate to the NYS Assembly that the autism community is dedicated to these issues – enough to show up in the winter cold and at holiday time – it’s just that important!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1) DRIVE TO ALBANY! This is a great chance for our community to demonstrate how important this issue is moving forward with our physical presence.  Please plan on attending.  We want to PACK THE ROOM!

2)  FORWARD THIS EMAIL FAR AND WIDE! Again, we want to pack the room so send this to anyone that you think could attend: neighbors, coworkers, family members, your child’s therapists!

3) REGISTER TO STAY INFORMED! If you haven’t signed up already, please visit the Autism Votes website and sign up to receive action alerts as we move forward on autism insurance reform in the state of New York!

Thank you for your help in this effort,

Your New York State Chapter Advocacy Chairs:

Jim Fahey, CAC – All New York State
NewYorkCAC@autismspeaks.org

Julie Rotunno, CAC – New York City
NYCCAC@autismspeaks.org

Julie Buick, CAC – Rochester
RochesterCAC@autismspeaks.org

Sharan DePalma, CAC – Westchester
WestchesterCAC@autismspeaks.org

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Reuters is reporting that trace amounts of the deadly chemical Melamine was found in US baby formula. How does this happen anywhere? How can this happen in the USA! Shame on the manufacturers and those responsible for oversight of our Foods and Drugs- I guess that would mean the FDA !

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. health officials have uncovered trace amounts of the chemical melamine in one sample of infant formula sold in the United States, a Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

The amount found in the sample was no cause for concern, said FDA spokeswoman Judy Leon said. “There’s no basis for concern because we’re talking about trace levels that are so low … that there’s absolutely no risk,” she told Reuters.

Melamine-tainted formula was found earlier this year in China, where thousands of children fell ill and several died.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, editing by Chris Wilson)

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=====================================================

Looks like we are making progress..

President-Elect Obama has drafted comprehensive autism legislation, including a section addressing a broad based federal autism insurance mandate.

In his Presidential campaign statement on Autism Spectrum Disorders, President-Elect Obama committed to bringing autism insurance reform to the entire nation. The statement stated that Obama and Biden “will mandate insurance coverage of autism treatment and will also continue to work with parents, physicians, providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective solutions for people with ASD.” For the complete campaign statement, and to read the draft legislation, go to http://www.autismvotes.org.

=====================================================

Please be true to your word and fund more in depth research regarding the causes and prevention of Autism

and other PDD’s   1 in 150 is an epidemic of the worst proportions as it affects defenseless children and can destroy families, wreak hvvac on local school board budgets and community taxes. We need solutions now.

Here are some suggestions, Investigate and report back within 12 months time any connection regarding

- Plastic PBA’s, Cell Phone Signals and Mercury laced shots

- Providing economic support for families who actively seek and complete therapy’s currently not covered under health insurance

- Providing economic support on a per child basis still in the school system for providing a more precise and personalized education platform and goals to work towards. I do well for my family but paying $10-$25,000 for treatments, or more per year is just a bit too much to afford.

- Increasing regulation and oversight over Autism related treatments, too much hope being sold with snake oil out there

- Creating a national database of what works for which conditions best, right now its trial and error over and over again

- Provide $10 billion in funding Autism research asap, at both the commercial and holistic levels.

12 months is aggressive, but we need to fast track this as it continues to grow in numbers both in terms of those afflicted, and those it affects.

Do it Barrack, help our children and make this your legacy while still in office, not in the last few weeks of office.  Do it now..

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Dear Friends:

The Third Annual Rockland County Autism Symposium will be held on September 25, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Suffern, NY. Once again, I am pleased to co-sponsor this symposium with Camp Venture, Inc., the Needelman Family and Mindworks, a private foundation.

We are again privileged to feature presenters from prestigious institutions, who are dedicated and distinguished experts in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Our focus this year will be on new research, abnormalities in sleep, pharmacological treatment, a look at adults with Autism and more. You may view the full program and information on our speakers, above.

Last year, our Symposium set the Rockland County record for attendance at any symposium to date. We look forward to this year’s event with great anticipation, and your attendance and participation is both valued and appreciated. Through the generosity of the Needelman Family and Mindworks there is no fee for registration and a complimentary lunch will be provided. To secure a seat, please click the reservation link and do it soon! Last year, we reached maximum capacity well in advance of the event. Please feel free to pass this information onto others interested in Autism.

I look forward to seeing you at this event on September 25th.

Sincerely,

John Murphy
Rockland County Legislator
President, Camp Venture, Inc. Board of Directors

Here is a short fundraiser video on the Camp Venture Equestrian Therapy program.

2008 Autism Symposium
Holiday Inn Holidome & Conference Center
3 Executive Boulevard
Suffern, NY 10901
Thursday, September 25, 2008
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission:Free for pre-registrants
$25.00 for walk-in and late registrants
Contact: Betsy Saetre
(845) 638-5184

or visit http://www.rocklandautismsymposium.com/

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Its comical and sad really how a well known doctor with a “Clinic” named after him could charge $2,500 for an evaluation, before admitting an Autistic child into their program. Evaluate what, the files?

I mean come on here, are you here to help or just profit? I understand the need to evaluate prior to providing services but these kids come with volumes of medical folders which one needs a milk crate to carry them around. It’s not as though an Autistic kid is coming in cold, by the time one is ready for the “Clinic” they may have seen upwards of 20-30 doctors and had dozens of tests from neurological to nutritional to IQ and most likely has been engaged in thousands of hours of therapy.

Its a shame or perhaps a sham that doctors would put profits in front of services. Or maybe they just want the right kids , on the cusp of a breakthrough, in the program so it looks more effective. Who knows these days, everyone seems to be “Selling” hope these days, instead of providing it.

Ranting and Raving because I am disgusted with the notion of Medicine being big business. When was the last time a disease was cured? Polio I believe it was – why? Because drug companies make more money from treating a disease than curing a disease. Medicine should not be free enterprise, it should not be free, but it should be there when people need it.

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Came across this video series, http://www.modelmekids.com/autism-videos.html

Anyone ever use it? What were your results? Seems like a great idea and one I have often thought about given my sons love of the video tape, or dvd.

Thanks for sharing… is there anybody out there??

The Time for School video presents social skills in the context of school. It features elementary school-aged children demonstrating appropriate social skills in the classroom, library, on the playground, and in the hallway. Each scene lasts between 30 seconds and 3 minutes, depending on the chapter. At the end of each chapter is a storyboard summarizing the rules taught.

The video is hosted by a young boy, who narrates each scene.

With narration: In the first half of the video, the visual is combined with narration and graphics that help explain the particular rule.

Without narration: In the second half of the video, the same video is repeated without narration and graphics. This allows a parent, Autism teacher, or therapist to customize the lesson the individual child and/or to test what was learned in the first viewing of the video.

Each social skill is demonstrated in more than one situation and across environments. This is useful to children with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome because it helps with generalization of the skill taught.

Graphics and music are used to make the video appealing to children with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Nonverbal Learning Disorders. A high production value helps keep the child’s interest so that he or she will want to watch many times.

Check it out here

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by: Helen Williams

About The Author

Helen Williams
Editor Consistent Parenting Advice.com

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Where as I appreciate any and most attention Autism receives, I feel a bit sickened by the fact that celebrity’;s seem to be leanding their names solely for the purpose of publicity.

Jenny is cool, but her book talks about she is able to afford the therapy’s that most of us only dream of or mortgage our homes for.  the therapy’s she mentions in the book are not hers, they are those of Berdard and Tomatis. Deidre Imus was a big factor in passing the Combating Autism Act, which is a lame act of empty promises. Where is she now? Robert Kennedy, now I was shocked to see how much attention he gets for helping Autism get reserach dollars, I thought he was an enviormentalist? And what is President Bill; Clintoln doing rasing money for children in far off lands, most of which wil never even see the dollasr raised when 1 in 150 children in the US are diagnosed with Autism, shame on you Bill! I don’t know, maybe I am wrong here and maybe, just maybe getting celebrity endorsement is better than none, but what have we gained since Autism is such a celebrity cause? A few best sellers or rehashed gobblee goop?

This is not a part time thing here, this is a life long condition and for most finanacial burden. What do we have to do, go on TV and get sponsors for individual families here in the states? We need insurance reforms like we see taking place in a few states like New Jersey, we need the medical community to rally here. Autism is horrible and the numbers climb ever day, why is it not being treated as an epidemic, but rather as a celebrity attention grabber!!?? What are your thoughts. Please share them and lets take the bull by the horns ourselves and Unlock Autism.

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It’s kind of like being on a plane, the flight attendant tells everyone in the event of an emergency … if due to a sudden drop in cabin pressure and the air mask drops, to put your mask on first so that you can assist your child and others. It carries through to taking care of someone like an Autistic Child.

Lets face it, a parent of a special needs child needs to be so much more than Special, we need to be Super, at all times and at all things. Friends are a gasp to hear of what a special needs family has to endure in order to get their kid in their home school district. Even the most basic of things in life that are taken for granted can be huge challenges. We just want our children to have the opportunity to cash in on a long and productive life.

So lets keep in mind, if we as Parents don’t take care of ourselves, we won’t be able to adequately take care of the people who are most important in our lives, for very long.

So make it a point to enjoy your life- including your physical and mental health. Create and make time to rejuvenate and replenish your mind, body and spirit. Make and go to that long overdue doctors appointment for yourself , take an hour per day to read, a day per month to Spa, a night out with friends, a weekend escape- whatever it is, do it and be strong for your kids.

Being on top of your game here means more than love, caring and understanding. Its staying healthy and wise and up with things in the move.

So make that commitment to yourself and the quality of your goodness and care will shine.

Here is a site you can look for travel ideas. ExplorerPod.com.

Health, Spiritual and Wellness try MorningCoach.com

A link to Pass Time Google Maps. Check out your house for a new perspective.

Some great tunes and channels. DeadShowPodcast.com

Seriously, do something for yourself today, so you can continue to take care of your kids tomorrow.

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We could use a hand in finding material to share with others like you. If you have an experiences or know of other great resources for information, Please leave some comments or write to us at info@unlockautism.com This site is for us all. We are trying to direct you to pertinent information about Autism. Success stories and information about therapy’s and diets which helped or those which didn’t. Keep in mind, not all therapy’s will work for all. Autistic people are individuals in the truest sense of the word, with loving and caring families trying to unlock autism and let that person out.

If we can gather enough stats and information, perhaps we can help others. For us personally, Its been a whole lot of Love, Therapy’s and at times Snake Oil. Whats worked for us has been, ABA, Signing Time, Auditory Integration and Omega’s plus the usual OT, PT and Speech. But also encouraging more social engagement.

All I know is that we as parents know what works and what doesn’t, lets help those who are just discovering Autism. Let us help each other from being fooled by the latest and greatest therapy’s promising miracle and instant cures.
If you are interested in getting involved with UnlockAutism.com, let us know and share your wisdom.

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