SCHAFER AUTISM REPORT "Healing Autism:

No Finer a Cause on the Planet"

What's Happening? Check The Autism Calendar of Events:

________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, February 12, 2003

ADVOCACY

* NY Sen. Schumer: Feds Should Release Vaccine And Autism Papers

EDUCATION

* "Defusing a Confrontation" in NY

* Cuts Threaten NY Educational Services

* Utah Parents Decry The Funding Cut For Autistic Preschools

CARE

* Florida Legislators Hear Pleas For Health Funds

* Guidelines Outline Evaluation Of Children With Global Developmental Delay

FORENSIC

* Determination of Wisconsin Autistic Man's Trial Delayed

* NJ Agencies Differ In Autistic Boy's Death

OBIT

* Michael McLean; Helped Prove Autistic Students Could Thrive

ADVOCACY

NY Sen. Schumer: Feds Should Release Vaccine And Autism Papers

64.html

Health and Human Services has recently sealed documents that might contain link between vaccine and neurological disorders such as Autism

Standing in the Center for Autism at North Shore-LIJ, US Senator Chuck Schumer today called on the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release papers that might show a link between the vaccine Thimerosal and autism. Although currently there is no proven link between the two, Schumer said the papers should be open to public scrutiny so parent of Autistic children can be see for themselves if any link exists. Furthermore, Schumer called for a major study into the causes of autism to help explain the sudden increase in autism cases.

"For too many parents, the struggle of raising an autistic child is a reality, and the number of these sad cases is increasing," Schumer said. "The government should be doing everything in its power to figure out why these numbers are rising and open up records to the public so these parents can start to understand what is actually going on. If the vaccine contributed to autism, parents should know, and if it did not, then the papers should be made public to reassure everyone."

According to recent studies, autism is around 10 times more prevalent today then it was in the 1980s. In fact, in 1996, over 3 children per 1,000 were diagnosed with mild to severe autism, while just ten years earlier, the number was about 4 in every 10,000. These rates translate into over 425,000 cases of autism nationwide.

According to the Department of Education, there are currently 5,943 cases of children diagnosed with autism in New York. Although the Department of Education just started tracking autism numbers, they say that these numbers represent a large increase over the last 10 years. Even though more local statistics are not available, experts agree that the rates of autism on Long Island have also increased greatly over the last few years.

Currently there is no accepted scientific reason for this increase, but many believe that environmental effects might play apart, and some have said that the mercury levels in the vaccine thimerosal might contribute to the increase of autism cases.

In late November, the Justice Department filed papers on behalf of the HHS sealing HHS's files on the vaccine. Although some studies have shown the vaccine to not be a culprit in autism, parents and autism activists want the papers opened to the public so more studies can be performed.

"These papers could help thousands of families learn why their children have autism, and if it turns out that thimerosal has some effect on children's brains, releasing the papers could help stave off the growing rates of autism," Schumer wrote in a letter to Tommy Thompson, the Secretary of HHS. "Or if, as some studies suggest, thimerosal doesn't cause autism, then I see no reason for not releasing the papers. This could at least give families some peace of mind."

Schumer also called on HHS to expand the current study of autism rates in 7 states to track rates throughout the country. The study should also look into the causes for the marked increase of autism cases. A recent study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) proved that autism was on the rise, but the study did not look into the cause of this increase.

"When a problem is rising as fast as autism, we need to start looking for a reason. A major study looking at environmental, genetic, and other causes could help solve this riddle," Schumer said. "Too many parents feel helpless today not knowing whether their child will develop autism. The federal government must help by starting to look for the causes of autism and hopefully finding new ways to treat this disorder."

Schumer was joined by Marty and Caryn Schwartzman from Bayside with their son Robby who is autistic, Patricia Schissel, President of AHA/AS/PDD, and Dr. Joel Bregman, Medical Director of the Center for Autism ant North Shore-LIJ. [Marty Schwartzman is a board member of NAAR, an autism research fundraising organization which supports the fed's contention that a vaccine-autism connection has been sufficiently disproven. –LS]

-----------------------------------------------------

65.html

February 10, 2003 Hon. Tommy Thompson

Department of Health and Human Services

200 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretary Thompson:

I am writing today with regards to the great and growing problem of autism among our country's children. Specifically, I am respectfully asking that HHS release papers on the vaccine thimerosal and begin a study on the causes of the increase in autism cases around the country.

As I am sure you are aware, according to recent studies, autism is around 10 times more prevalent today then it was in the 1980s. In fact, in 1996, over 3 children per 1,000 were diagnosed with mild to severe autism, while just ten years earlier, the number was about 4 in every 10,000. These rates translate into over 425,000 cases of autism nationwide. According to the Department of Education, there are currently 5,943 cases of autism in New York. Although the Department of Education just started tracking autism numbers, they say that these numbers represent a large increase over the last 10 years.

Although currently there is no accepted scientific reason for this increase, many believe that environmental effects might play apart, and some have said that the mercury levels in the vaccine thimerosal might contribute to the increase of autistic children. In late November, the Justice Department filed papers on behalf of HHS sealing HHS's files on the vaccine. Even though some studies have shown the vaccine to not be a culprit in autism, parents and autism activists want the papers opened to the public so more studies can be performed.

These papers could help thousands of families learn why their children have autism, and if it turns out that thimerosal has some effect on children's brains, releasing the papers could help stave off the growing rates of autism. Or if, as some studies suggest, thimerosal doesn't cause autism, then I see no reason for not releasing the papers. This could at least give families some peace of mind.

Furthermore, I feel the current study of autism rates in 7 states needs to be expanded to track rates throughout the country, including New York. The study should also look into the causes for the marked increase of autism cases. When a problem is rising as fast as autism, we need to start looking for a reason. A new study looking at environmental, genetic, and other causes could help solve this riddle. We need to start looking for the causes of autism and hopefully finding new ways to treat this disorder.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you and am willing to help in anyway possible.

Sincerely, Charles E. Schumer United States Senator

_______________________________________________________

>> DO SOMETHING ABOUT AUTISM NOW <<

Subscribe, Read, then Forward the Schafer Autism Report.

No Cost!

_______________________________________________________

* * *

EDUCATION

"Defusing a Confrontation" in NY

NY Teacher's Union members learn how to cool down a potential crisis

The number one cause of injury to special education teachers and BOCES aides/assistants in 2000 was from restraining students, according to results of an ergonomics injury survey conducted by New York State United Teachers Polling Center."Knowing this was a significant problem, sometimes resulting in permanent disability, we wanted to make training available that might better prepare staff to keep students safe and avoid injury," said Pauline Kinsella, NYSUT's executive director of field and legal services.

"We hired a consultant to help search for restraint training programs that would meet the needs of the members and conform to state standards. We also conducted focus groups around the state."Based on feedback about training, NYSUT chose Handle with Care because it met more of the needs expressed during focus groups, said Wendy Hord, NYSUT's health and safety specialist.

Power Advocates

Empowering parents in Special Education through Training and Advocacy

* * *

Cuts Threaten NY Educational Services

The annual budget tug-of-war over state education funding between the Governor's Office and local schools usually ends with a compromise that keeps most current programs in place.

This year, however, the proposed cuts are deeper and more sweeping than local educators predicted. The proposal also calls for massive slashes in state reimbursement to districts for services provided by one of its biggest suppliers: the local Boards of Cooperative Educational Services.

With a chance that millions of dollars won't flow into district coffers next year, local educators are rallying behind their local BOCES. Especially in bad economic times, districts need BOCES to help them hold down their own budget lines.

"I shudder to even think we would be in such a dire situation" if BOCES were to sustain massive aid cuts, said Georgine Hyde, president of the Rockland BOCES Board of Education and an East Ramapo school board member. During the spring, the East Ramapo district was the only Rockland district whose budget was defeated by voters arguing that the cost of services was too high.

Such districts, Hyde said, would not be willing to purchase services from BOCES if they were better able to do it themselves.

Gov. George Pataki's 2003-04 budget proposal released earlier this month reduced BOCES aid by 25 percent; eliminated aid for administrative tasks such as public relations, payroll and printing; and abolished the state's share of the BOCES district superintendent's salaries, among other cuts, state budget spokesman Kevin Quinn said.

"We are refocusing the role of BOCES in providing core educational services," Quinn said. "These various reforms will refocus BOCES on its original purpose, to promote cost-efficiencies with the regional provision of educational services."

Local educators, who use BOCES programs ranging from special education to the Challenger Center in Airmont, beg to differ. The savings and streamlining would be all one way, they said: less money from the state and more taxes for homeowners; less paperwork for the state and massive amounts of new work for the districts.

"First of all, we would have to find programs someplace that provide those kinds of services," said Jimmie Warren, assistant superintendent for secondary education for East Ramapo schools. "The financial strain would be totally on the school district."

Warren wasn't alone in predicting problems if the cuts stand.

"I think it's a recipe for seriously damaging BOCES as an institution," said Louise Muller, president of Southern Westchester BOCES in Rye Brook. "I don't know why the governor has so little confidence in this organization, which meets the needs of the neediest kids from the neediest districts in a way where they can save money by working together."

BOCES was created in 1948 to provide services that would be too expensive if done district by district and to enable member school districts to get better prices when purchasing materials and services.

Today, BOCES provides a variety of services and charges member districts on a per-service or per-student basis. Many of the programs, especially special-education services, are required by state and federal governments. The schools purchase individual programs from BOCES, and some of the money is reimbursed by government. That is the money Pataki's budget would reduce or eliminate.

And the budget cuts on aid for alternative classes for students, educators said, were among the most difficult to make up.

"Who's going to provide career and technical education if we don't?" said Donald McKenzie, superintendent of Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES in Yorktown. "It saves districts money to do it through us. But to look at the governor's budget, you'd think we were just a drag on the state budget."

Dean Brown, 32, of Haverstraw knows firsthand the importance of BOCES programs. He attended high school until 10th grade, but dropped out to get a job and help his mother pay bills. Brown now is waiting to take his General Educational Development test — it was canceled Friday because of snow — and credited BOCES with making that possible.

"Without BOCES, I probably wouldn't get my GED, to be honest with you," he said. "I would probably try to do it on my own and without going to class, I wouldn't push to get it. I have a 4-year-old son now, and I just thought it was something I wanted to do for myself."

One of the biggest changes Pataki proposed to BOCES funding was in special education. Currently, districts contract with BOCES to send some children to specialized programs and get a per-child reimbursement from the state. A child who needs more expensive services would cost the home district about the same as a child who needs fewer services because the state now picks up the majority of the cost.

Pataki's budget would change the formula so each district would receive a lump sum for all special- education services. He also proposed to cut the reimbursement rate for placing students in private facilities from 85 percent to 49 percent. Pataki said the cuts would encourage districts to put more students in local school-based programs.

Local educators disagreed.

"Let's say the districts had to run their own programs," said Lee Kapleau, director of pupil personnel services for the Ramapo Central school district. "My guess is they would run programs with each other."

That's essentially what BOCES is, she said. "I think the challenge would be for the children with the most severe disabilities," she said. "BOCES runs an excellent center-based program. If I had one child ... who has severe autism and severe neurological problems, I couldn't create a program just for him. It would be cost-prohibitive."

The cost for an in-house program for severely disabled children would have to include salaries for teachers, teacher aides, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, psychiatrists and social workers — potentially for each child.

Districts would need to find classroom space and purchase materials, including some very expensive adaptive devices — and all from a budget that must provide for other special-needs children under Pataki's plan.

"I think that we just need to continue to make a better argument that the services that we provide are as strong as they actually are," said James M. Ryan, Rockland BOCES superintendent. "The loss of BOCES aid would be devastating to our community and, statewide, a real blow to whomever really needs the kind of services that BOCES provides."

--------------------------

Autism Resources

Promote Your Meeting, Workshop, Conference event in The Autism Calendar:

* * *

Utah Parents Decry The Funding Cut For Autistic Preschools

Parents of autistic children crowded into a legislative hearing Monday hoping that lawmakers would reconsider a plan that would cut all the funding available for specialized preschools.

The proposed cut of $1.6 million was offered up as a way to make up a potential shortfall in next fiscal year's budget. Budget projections, which will determine how many cuts will be needed, are expected as early as this week.

In anticipation of those new budget numbers, budget officials asked each department to come up with an additional 2 percent in cuts.

The erasure of the program's money will hurt 255 children and their families, said advocate Carmen Pingree, whose 28-year-old son is autistic. That doesn't count the many families on waiting lists, she said. The Salt Lake City specialized school, one of just four in the state, has a waiting list of 40 children.

The lawmakers on the Health and Human Services Committee are asking budget writers to divert more money to the department they oversee, said West Point Republican Sen. David Steele, co-chair of the committee. That may avert the need to end the program.

"They are aware of the problem. They are trying," Steele said.

Despite the number of parents who turned out Monday, the committee did not address the issue or take public comment.

Autism is a developmental disorder that impairs language and social interaction. The preschools in the state specializing in teaching autistic children have one teacher for every two students, Pingree said. The schools also offer training for parents and siblings of autistic children.

Heidi Nielson, whose 6-year-old son Jack is a graduate of the Salt Lake City preschool, said that parents of autistic children spend thousands of dollars on speech therapy and respite care. Many people don't realize, she said, that these children have to start learning at the most basic level.

"So much of the problem is social," she said. "Everything they have to do is learned. Nothing comes naturally." Michelle Ball, an Ogden resident whose son Ryan, now 6, has graduated from the preschool and attends public school in a mainstream class, said the preschool was a lifesaver.

"Without it, I would be struggling everyday and he would be completely out of control," Ball said. "These children's future is at stake and their family's future at stake." Lesli Jensen, of South Ogden, said before enrolling her 4-year-old autistic son into a special preschool a year ago, the boy could do little except lie on the floor and cry. Today, Josh can talk, use sign language and recognize colors, she said.

Jensen said she is looking forward to Josh attending a mainstream school next fall, something she believes would have been impossible before the school helped her family.

"Without the funding received from the state ... our lives would still be full of chaos and confusion, and we may have had to go so far as to institutionalize him," she said.

She first learned of the potential cuts Friday when she received a call from the Ogden preschool's director.

* * *

CARE

Florida Legislators Hear Pleas For Health Funds

14.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines <- - address ends here.

The human face of Florida's budget woes came into stark relief Tuesday at the Capitol, as parents of dozens of autistic children, transplant recipients and college officials pleaded with legislators for dwindling state dollars.

Donna and Steve Lorman of Orlando traveled to Tallahassee with their son, Drew, 10, diagnosed with autism at age 4. The family receives assistance from the state's $1 billion Medicaid program for developmentally disabled Floridians but worries about its future. The program has a 10,000-person waiting list expected to climb steeply under Gov. Jeb Bush's proposed $54 billion, no-new-taxes budget.

"All we are asking is that you support us in the daily challenges of dealing with autism," Donna Lorman told a Senate budget panel on Health and Human Services.

Like other parents and autistic youngsters crowding the committee room, the Lormans wore bright yellow T-shirts. But each family's story was a personal tale of emotional struggle with a state bureaucracy that has never had enough dollars.

Steve and Mary Anne Adams of Seminole County spent more than $18,000 on therapies and medicine for their son, Daniel, 11.

The family has been waiting six years for state assistance.

"We were originally told our son would receive state help in three months," Steve Adams said.

Senators have urged recipients of state services to testify before key committees this week to make a compelling case for pumping more money into the state budget, either through tax increases or expanding gambling -- ideas rejected by Bush and House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City.

Senators acknowledge they are politically outnumbered.

"We want to rectify these problems," said Sen. Les Miller, D-Tampa. "But somebody's got to help us."

After hearing how leaner budgets will hurt overcrowded community colleges, Miller told educators and Bush-appointed members of the schools' boards-of-trustees that "you need to go back and tell the person who appointed you that you've got a problem at your school."

Bush and House leaders, though, say that the state's voter-approved class-size amendment will devour most available dollars, forcing belt-tightening in many other state programs.

But some legislators are hesitant to cut.

Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, said she was willing to buck House leadership to push for more money in the state's Medically Needy program, which serves 26,000 modest-income Floridians with large medical expenses but inadequate insurance.

Harrell has seen those touched by the program. Her husband, James, underwent a kidney transplant in 2001, and except for the substantial insurance coverage she receives as a state employee, Harrell said her family would likely be seeking state assistance.

"Without this program, you're talking about a death sentence for many of these people," Harrell said. "I'm going to fight for it. But I know I'm only one vote in the House." Copyright © 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

* * *

Guidelines Outline Evaluation Of Children With Global Developmental Delay

Child neurologists with the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society have released new practice guidelines recommending tests that should be used to diagnose even the youngest children with global developmental delay.

Between 40,000 and 120,000 U.S. and Canadian children are born each year with global developmental delay (mental retardation). While incurable, early testing and diagnosis of global developmental delay may help determine the cause of the disorder, and assist physicians and parents in developing a plan for treatment.

The guidelines are based on a review of all of the scientific studies on global developmental delay published from 1980 to 2000. The guidelines are published in the February 11 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

"Careful evaluation of the research showed that some of the newer tests, such as cytogenetic studies, should be used more often than they are, and others, such as routine metabolic screening, do not need to be used on every child with global developmental delay," said child neurologist Michael Shevell, MD, Montreal Children's Hospital, who is a co-author of the guidelines.

Among the guideline recommendations:

* Routine cytogenetic studies and molecular testing for the Fragile X mutation

* Serum lead level evaluations restricted to those with risk factors for excessive lead exposure

* Electroencephalograms are not needed unless there is a history of seizures

* Neuroimaging is recommended, especially if abnormalities are found on physical exam

* Routine metabolic screening is not needed for the initial evaluation

* Thyroid tests are not needed if the child had screening as a newborn, unless there are signs of thyroid dysfunction

* Rett syndrome should be considered in girls with unexplained moderate to severe developmental delay Shevell noted that while many of these disorders have no specific therapy, it is important to determine the cause of the disorder. "An accurate diagnosis has specific implications for treatment, prognosis, management of related conditions, and assessment of the risk of the disorder recurring in the family," he said. "Making a diagnosis also limits additional unnecessary testing and empowers the family to plan for their child."

Global developmental delay affects one to three percent of all children under age 5. It is defined as significant delay in two or more of these developmental areas: gross/fine motor, speech/language, cognition, social/personal, and activities of daily living.

Guidelines are not a substitute for the experience and judgement of a physician and are developed to enhance the physicians' ability to practice evidence-based medicine.

---------------------------------------

Autism Resources

Ask Our Readers - Free Posts

Check Our News Archive – Autism Database

* * *

FORENSIC

Determination of Wisconsin Autistic Man's Trial Delayed

A man accused of sexually accosting women in downtown Green Bay is not competent to stand trial, a doctor says. But a Brown County court rescheduled Nigel Peoples's competency hearing for the end of March.

The doctor evaluated Peoples for 15 days. The prosecution says it needs more time to review the doctor's findings.

"At this point, the criminal prosecution is in jeopardy," prosecutor John Leutscher said. "The State cannot prosecute a person not competent to stand trial. The only option is to seek protective placement."

The defense attorney did not want to comment on the hearing.

Peoples is currently out on bond and under his mother's supervision.

Police say Peoples attacked a woman in a ladies' restroom at Younkers Department Store in November, then later that day appeared nude in the women's locker room at the downtown YMCA. Her family says he suffers from autism and contends he isn't dangerous.

The woman who was attacked in the department store was in court for the hearing. By the time it was over, she was in tears, upset that the man suspected of attacking her remains free as the question about his competency continues.

"I'm angry. I'm very angry right now because he sexually assaulted me and another woman. And he's probably going to do it again. He got away with it," said the woman, who did not want to be identified.

By holding off on its ruling, the court gave the prosecution more time to find permanent protective placement for Peoples.

"Whether that would be a nursing home, some sort of locked facility for developmentally disabled people, or a group home, I don't know," said Leutscher.

"He may be little slow, but he does know right from wrong," the victim argued, "and he's free walking the streets right now, just like he was when he assaulted me and the woman at the Y."

* * *

NJ Agencies Differ In Autistic Boy's Death

State wants to know reasons why they disagree on charge of negligence by S. Jersey center

ml

Contradicting the findings of another state agency, the Division of Youth and Family Services has concluded that a South Jersey treatment center did not medically neglect a teenage boy with autism before his death last year.

Six months ago, the Division of Developmental Disabilities concluded that Bancroft Neurohealth Inc. in Haddonfield improperly restrained the boy, Matthew Goodman, and on several occasions left him unattended.

Now top officials of the Department of Human Services want to know how two of its divisions could reach opposite conclusions about the same case.

Bancroft officials announced DYFS' finding yesterday, applauding the agency for completing "an exhaustive investigation."

"We have believed all along that the medical care provided in this case was appropriate and continuous, so we are pleased -- but not surprised -- at the division's conclusions," said Bancroft spokesman Paul Healy.

However, Assistant Human Services Commissioner Arburta Jones, who oversees the department's new Program Integrity and Accountability Office, has ordered an investigation into whether DYFS' probe was "thorough and complete," a spokeswoman said.

Jones' unit will review 1,000 pages of documents, conduct its own interviews, and render a decision within the next 30 days, department spokeswoman Pam Ronan said.

Neither division's investigation linked Goodman's treatment at Bancroft to his death Feb. 6, 2002, of pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and a blood infection at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. His parents contend Bancroft used excessive restraints and heavy medication on their son and that his treatment compromised his immune system.

Last month, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office concluded after its own investigation that Bancroft was not criminally responsible for Goodman's death.

A confidential medical report generated during the criminal investigation, obtained by The Star-Ledger, indicates there were clear signs the boy was seriously ill days before he was taken to the hospital. The report said the boy lost 23 pounds in the final six days of his life, had an erratic body temperature and was known to be at risk of pneumonia.

"There are clear indications that the severity of Matthew's clinical condition was not appropriately assessed prior to his obtaining further medical care," according to the May 2002 report by Pediatrics Professor Marita Lind of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Healy said he had not seen the medical report and could not comment on anything involving "confidential medical information."

_______________________________________________________

>> DO SOMETHING ABOUT AUTISM NOW <<

Subscribe, Read, then Forward the Schafer Autism Report.

No Cost!

_______________________________________________________

* * *

OBIT

Michael McLean; Helped Prove Autistic Students Could Thrive

_autistic_students_could_thrive+.shtml <- - address ends here.

Michael R. McLean, whose autism motivated his parents to fight to allow him and other developmentally disabled children to attend public schools in their own communities, died of a heart attack Sunday at his Duxbury home. Born in Boston, he was 47.

"Michael made our lives so rich and he helped others like him have better lives," his mother, Mary Manning McLean of Duxbury, said yesterday.

In the early 1960s, she and Mr. McLean's father, the late Boston Globe staff writer Robert A. McLean, were among the vanguard of parents who lobbied the Legislature and school departments to provide special classes in the public schools for children with autism and other developmental disorders.

"Michael was born at a time when the diagnosis of autism was considered rare," Mrs. McLean said. "While there were classes for the blind, deaf, and retarded, there was nothing in the public schools for kids with autism. Instead, they were sent away to institutions."She recalled how she and her husband helped to fight the uphill battle to pass Chapter 750, the precursor to the state's current special needs education law, which requires all public schools to provide special education classes.

Chapter 750 opened up the public schools to such children as Mr. McLean, who were considered at the time, in 1962, to be emotionally disturbed or mentally ill. And, at the age of 8, he was one of 12 students in one of the state's earliest Chapter 750 classes at the Lakeside Elementary School in Braintree, where the family lived.His mother said that the day in 1977 when Mr. McLean got his certificate of graduation from Braintree High School, at age 22, was one of the proudest of his life.

She felt the fact that her son was allowed to stay in his own community, among a loving family of siblings, brought him out of isolation and helped him adjust. "He would try everything," she said. Mr. McLean held jobs, as well, thanks to the efforts of his and other parents who pushed school administrations to get federal funding for job training programs. One of Mr. McLean's first jobs was at a Howard Johnson's on the South Shore.

Over the years, he enrolled in other vocational training workshops, and was most recently working with Meals on Wheels under a Road to Responsibility program.

He often would attend meetings with his mother on autism, she said. He loved to travel, swim, hike, and "anything to do with the outdoors." The day before he died, he was snowshoeing in their yard.

Mrs. McLean believes her son's autism helped her to help others. She decided she could best do that by getting her master's degree in education, which she accomplished at Northeastern University.

Mrs. McLean became executive director of the South Shore Association for Retarded Citizens and later worked with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission as coordinator of services for the developmentally disabled. For a time, she helped find jobs for patients recently released from institutions. "That's what Michael did for me," she said. Besides his mother, Mr. McLean leaves a sister, Maureen McLean McNamara of Andover; and two brothers, Daniel of Palo Alto, Calif., and Thomas of South Yarmouth.

A funeral Mass will be said Friday at Holy Family Church in Duxbury at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree.

© Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.

_________________________________________________________________

Lenny Schafer, schafer@sprynet.com Kay Stammers Edward Decelie

CALENDAR EVENTS@doitnow.com Michelle Guppy Ron Sleith

++ To Unsubscribe, Send an email to unsubscribe@doitnow.com ++