Autism Today - your online source
for the latest news in autism.
Featured in this issue:
Articles:
1. Autism and the Myth of False Hope- By Raun K. Kaufman
2. Genetic Factors in Autism- By Beth Rosen Sheidley,
MS, CGC
Creative:
1. Poem- A Walk In the Mall- By Bill Davis
Community Inclusion Heros:
1. Coach Dave- By Karen Simmons Sicoli
Conferences and Special Events:
1. Conference- 2nd Annual Keys To The Treasure Chest
Conference
Reviews:
1. Book Review- Confusion, Loneliness, Depression
Books, Videos and Other Resources
1. New Resources now available through Exceptional Resources
====================================================
Article 1. Autism and the Myth of False Hope- By Raun
K. Kaufman
Autism is incurable, right? People say it's a lifelong
condition. An irreversible brain disorder. A tragedy.
According to many, anyone who says otherwise is promoting
"false hope." There's just one problem with
this point of view: it's not true. Autism does not have
to be a life sentence. And there is no such thing as
"false hope."
How do I know? My entire life is the product of what
many call "false hope." At 18 months old,
I was diagnosed with autism. In fact, my case was considered
severe, with no speech and a tested I.Q. of less than
30. I would spend my days endlessly engaged in repetitive
behaviors such as spinning plates, rocking, and flapping
my hands in front of my face. I never looked at others
nor did I give the slightest response to the calls and
requests of the people around me. I was "in my
own world."
To see more of this article, visit http://www.autismtoday.com/?01
Article 2. Genetic Factors in Autism- By Beth Rosen
Sheidley, MS, CGC
A concerned mother calls my office one morning for
advice. "My sister just found out that she's pregnant,"
she says, "and I have a 6 year old son with autism.
I've heard it's genetic, is there a test she could have
to find out if her baby will have autism?" Inquiries
such as these are frequent for professionals involved
in autism genetics research. The answers are far from
straightforward, and a simple test for diagnostic purposes
or prenatal detection is not available in most instances.
Explaining the current state of affairs is a complex
process, and one that requires some knowledge of the
history and methods of autism genetics research.
To see more of this article, visit http://www.autismtoday.com/?01
====================================================
Creative
1. Poem- A walk in the Mall- By Bill Davis
A Walk in the Mall
I just wanted to walk in the mall today,
I have a blueprint of this maze in my head…
I am following a picture that leads to the store with
the blinking red light, it absorbs me, I like to stare
at it.
It holds and comforts me-
It is warm and safe-it is the same every time, Predictability
befriends me.
And I am up the moving stairs, walking past the toys.
Around the bright store, thru the loud store and I am
walking-fast! Head down! Fast!
Following my path, following my picture, turning quickly
and…
Bang!
A shadow is scrubbing, where I must walk and the smell
assaults me and…
Bang!
Harsh lights! loud noise! A piercing cry!
I go back to my path-eyes darting-fingers busy- my skin
is crawling and…
I find my red light and stand right up against it and
it consumes me and I bathe in its warmth and…
Bang!
The noise will not let me be, it surrounds me and attacks
me, and my stomach hurts and my head aches and throbs
and the loudness is there again.
So I press my head up against my light- just let me
fix myself and.
Bang!
A baby crying! loud screaming and then…
Piercing questions-I seek pressure, I seek solace, I
seek comfort and quiet and floating-
I just want my red light to turn on and off,
On and off,
On and off,
On and off,
On and off,
And I scream with anticipation and need and I wave my
fingers and flap my hands and jump up and down,
up and down
up and down
up and down
up and down…and
Bang!
A man with six buttons and no face, roaring, yelling,
and I turn away and…
Bang!
He comes closer and I ache now and shiver and my skin
turns itchy and warm and…
Bang!
He touches my neck, and grabs my shoulders and turns
me and…
I am repeating what he says again and again and,
Again and again and,
Again and again and…
Bang!
The floor is pressing me and open mouths are yelling
at me, hands touching me and I picture my room and my
trains and my cards and…my dad and…
Bang!
The floor is pressing me and open mouths are yelling
at me, hands touching me and
I picture my room and my trains and my cards and…my
dad and…
Bang!
I can't move my hands or my head and I am biting, flailing,
aching, screaming, punching, eyes rolling, mind racing
and flashes of light and sound have taken me and…
my dad can help, my light will help and…
I don't know what will happen next, and there is no
comfort here, on understanding here and…
I just wanted to walk in the mall today.
====================================================
Community Inclusion Heros
1. Coach Dave- By Karen Sicoli
As a parent of a son 10 1/2 with autism, I look for
every window of opportunity to encompass inclusion.
This most often correlates with the attitudes of those
phenomenal individuals in our community involvement
who maintain a positive mental attitude towards all
people. Jonny's football coach "Mr. Dave"
is one such individual who has and will continue to
alter Jonnys life forever. He doesn't give him special
treatment and pushes him, along with everyone else,
to their maximum potential. He embraces "team spirit"
and the philosophy that no one, absolutely no one is
any better or worse than the next person and shall be
treated equally! "We win as a team and we loose
as a team" he announces. In fact, it isn't the
team that win's or looses, its the coach's ability to
lead, direct, teach and inspire.
To see more of this article, visit http://www.autismtoday.com/?01
Conferences and Special Events
Exceptional Resources Inc. will be holding their 2nd
Annual conference on Autism and Aspergers Syndrome called
Keys To The Treasure Chest- X Marks the Spot. The conference
will be held in Edmonton, Alberta Canada and will feature
Catherine Faherty and Paul MCGaffey as Keynote speakers.
To find out more, visit http://www.autismconferences.com/featuredconf.shtml/?01
====================================================
Reviews
1. Book Review- Review of Confusion, Lonliness, Depression
I can't tell you how impressed and moved I am by your
book. John, you have expressed the loneliness and frustration
of a person with Asperger's syndrome in a way that I
can at least begin to empathize with - although I am
sure that someone like me can only try to understand.
Paddy, I am, as usual, so humbled and impressed with
your ability to say what you mean, and to express yourself
and your feelings so well. The book (I am not finished
reading it yet) is so professionally done, and so well
organized. I think it speaks for so many people, not
just those with Asperger's syndrome, but those others
(for instance, those who have severe learning disabilities)
who for one reason or other do not fit the "average"
mold, and feel so left out and unfulfilled. I told a
friend about the book, someone whose very intelligent
children are held back from achieving their potential
because of learning disabilities, and feel ostracized
as a result. She just nodded in understanding. She wants
to borrow my book when I am finished. I am totally engrossed
in it now. Can't put it down. What an achievement! I
am sure your family's story will help a lot of people.
Congratulations to you both!
Peg Matheson
To find out more or to purchase this book online visit
http://www.exceptionalresources.com/?01
====================================================
Books, Videos and Other Resources- New Resources now
available through Exceptional Resources
Tap Dancing in the Night- By Martha Kate Downey
This CD was inspired by Aspies (people with Asperger's
Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and Pervasive Developmental
Disorders ) from all over the world via the internet.
Participants shared their interests, talents and challenges
with author Martha Kate Downey, who compiled them into
a magnificent collection of stories, poems and art…truly
a celebration of people with AS!
Tap Dancing in the Night is generally recommended for
readers aged 7-16, but even adults with AS will find
validation and inspiration on virtually every page.
Parents, teachers and siblings will benefit from the
book's unique insight-helping them better understand
the Aspies in their lives.
$37.50 Canadian (appx $24.95 U.S.) Item: 3935-0239
I Love My Brother!- By Connor Sullivan - Age 8
Connor wrote I Love My Brother when he was 4 ½
years old. His brother, Sean, had been diagnosed with
autism six months earlier (at the age of 2). Connor
had many questions about why Sean didn't speak or play
with him like other kids. He also loved books, but there
were no books for children his age about autism. His
mom and dad read books to him that were really meant
for older kids and had to spend more time explaining
the books than reading them. He told his mother he wanted
to write a book. "For kids my age," he said,
"a book that will help my cousins and my friends
understand about Sean
$22.95 Canadian (appx $14.95 U.S.) Item: 3925-0241
If you've Ever Wanted to Crawl in a Closet with an OREO
By Martha Kate Downey
A book that all parents of a child with special needs
will appreciate. Readers will be uplifted by the folksy
wisdom author Martha Kate Downey has gleaned from 17
years of raising her "flavorful daughter"
(special needs type). She offers affirmations and advice
with a touch of humor that will have parents everywhere
smiling and nodding as they turn each page. It's one
of the most "colorful" black and white books
you'll ever find!
$17.95 Canadian (Appx $11.95 U.S.) Item: 3925-0240
To purchase these resources, please visit http://www.exceptionalresources.com/?01
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