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AUTISM FIRST STEPS
AUTISM DAILY NEWSLETTER
Sunday December 16, 2001
INDEX:
* United States Autism Ambassador Offical Press Release:
Newly Inducted State Autism Ambassadors Announced
* New site on the Autism
and Vaccine Connection
* Family Support Subsidy Information
* New Child Vaccine in High Demand
* AMA: Further Smallpox Study Needed
* Alternatives To Guardianship Training
* Autism Spectrum Disorders Chat Reminder
******************************
United
States Autism Ambassador Offical Press Release:
Newly Inducted State Autism Ambassadors Announced
WHERE AS, a
result of Autism, an estimated over 500,000 individuals in the United States
have lost the ability to communicate and interact with others; And
WHERE AS, Parents and professionals have requested a new position of an
United States Autism Ambassador to act as a liaison for the best interest of
individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and was nominated by the people; And
WHERE AS, This year it has been determined that 1 out of every 53 babies born
daily in the United States would in later years be diagnosed with one of the
Autism Spectrum Disorders. In Iowa we have over 4,000-5,000 Individuals with
autism; And,
WHERE AS, Dr Marie Bristol-Powers from the National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development stated that in more recent studies, the prevalence in
much higher and now 1% and that autism spectrum disorders is not rare. In fact
it is a pressing health problem; And,
WHERE AS, the recently released Center for Disease Control and Prevention
report found that autism spectrum disorders occurred 1 in every 150
individuals; And,
WHERE AS, at the recent International Meeting For Autism Research Conference,
noted autism epidemiologist Dr. Eric Fombonne stated that the prevalence of
autism is now 1-147, and further showed that the prevalence of autism has
increased between 600% and 3400%; And,
WHERE AS, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics,
enrollment will be 55.9 million by the year 2005. At least 800,000 educational
personal will be needed to serve these students; And,
WHERE AS, today Autism Spectrum Disorders is more common then Downs Syndrome,
Diabetes, Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, and many forms of Childhood
Cancer; And,
WHERE AS, Professionals and Organizations worldwide are working together in one
great effort to raise awareness, diagnostic, treatment, therapy, and
educational options, resources, support, and legislation; And,
WHERE AS, caring for people with autism costs more than $13 billion per year,
and the majority of these costs are borne by the families of individuals with
autism. These parents have sacrificed tremendously to provide the specialized
treatments, specialized training, education, and support services that their children
need; And,
WHERE AS, even sadder is the fact that 40-48% of the individuals around the
world with autism spectrum disorders never receives the current diagnosis,
waivers, resources, or support they need. These individuals slip silently into
the cracks; And,
WHERE AS, there is hope and in 2001-2002 Legislators, State Ambassadors, US
Ambassadors, Autism Council, and many other Autism Organizations are in each
state working for better services, resources, and programs for families and
individuals with autism spectrum disorders. In the 2001-2002 legislative
session we are taking a progressive and pragmatic approach on autism related
issues; And,
WHERE AS, the United States Autism Ambassador shall establish and administer
the State Autism Ambassador Program. It shall be the function of the US Autism
Ambassador to act as a liaison to The State Ambassadors to help them fulfill
their duties as state autism Ambassador in the state that they reside in. The
United States Autism Ambassador will administer and implement the Autism First
Steps Autism Action Plan, so we as a United States will be prepared for the
increases of individuals with autism in future years; And,
WHERE AS, requests for State Autism Ambassador positions have been applied for
in Texas, New Jersey, and Florida and approved by the LD Wedewer, US Autism
Ambassador and voted on unanoiusly by the Board of Directors to be inducted
into these positions to work in their resideing states; And.
WHERE AS, we as a nation will be ready for the increases of the population with
autism spectrum disorders with an autism action plan; And,
WHERE AS, As a State Ambassador each person will have many duties to perform
and execute ranging from awareness, legislative, media, guest speaking on
occasion, Implement the First Steps Autism Action Plan and Programs, and more.
Each state Ambassador will work closely with the United States Ambassador and
Co-Ambassador, Autism Council, and Legislators, Educators, Medical
Professionals, and General Public; And,
THEREFORE, be it known that I the United States Autism Ambassador charge the
position of the State Autism Ambassador to Jeff Sells, Texas Autism Ambassador;
And,
THEREFORE, be it known that I the United States Autism Ambassador charge the
position of the State Autism Ambassador to Raymond Gallup, New Jersey Autism
Ambassador; And,
THEREFORE, be it known that I the United States Autism Ambassador charge the
position of the State Autism Ambassador to Ronnie Oakes Florida Autism
Ambassador ; And,
THEREFORE, be it known that I the United States Autism Ambassador charge the
position of the State Autism CO-Ambassador to April Oakes, Florida Autism
CO-Ambassador; And,
THEREFORE,
be it further known that These Individuals will be known from this day forward
as State Autism Ambassadors, and is further charged with the duties and
obligations of the State Autism Ambassadors; And,
THEREFORE, be it known that These Individuals have Accepted these positions
from this day forward; And,
NOW THEREFORE, LD
Wedewer, United States Autism Ambassador DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT THE DUTIES AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE STATE AUTISM AMBASSADORS ARE BESTOWED UPON THE ABOVE
NAMED INDIVIDUALS FROM THIS DAY FORWARD AND THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL AMBASSADOR
WILL TAKE A PROGRESSIVE AND PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO ISSUES RELATED TO AUTISM
WITHIN THEIR STATE.
******************************
New site on
the Autism and Vaccine Connection
In
this site you will find information on Autism and the Vaccine Connection Connection,
related legislation, stories, and more.
Who Will Speak Out In This Site:
In this site you will hear from experts, legislators comments, parents, news
media, and more
Autism
The Vaccine Connection and Related Stories
******************************
Family Support Subsidy Information
Medicare, Medicaid, FSS (Family Support Subsidy), and SSI (Supplemental
Security Income) Information
ALERT! Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver Program in Jeopardy Read the AARP
article "Panel Hypes Social Security Problems, Experts Caution" Click
here for information on Medicaid Billing Check out the Alliance Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) Page from the Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent
Centers.Read and/or download the Social Security Handbook - This is the
official version of the Social Security Handbook and takes precedence over the
paper publication. Should there be a conflict between the contents of the
Handbook and the Act, Regulations and Rulings the latter take precedence.
Please read the Preface for revision information. The National Transition
Network's Guides to SSI - Three-part publication for young adults with
disabilities and their parents or advocates.
Part I: SSI: A Bridge to Work (January 1998) Part
II: SSI: So You Have Decided to Apply (November 1998) Part
III: SSI: Your Right to Appeal (February 1999)
Medicaid Billing MEDICAID BILLING COURSE ONLINEfrom Gongwer News Service
Physicians and clinics taking Medicaid patients can now look to the Internet
for help in billing the state for those patients. The Department of
Community Health and the Michigan Virtual University Wednesday announced a collaborative
project to put Medicaid billing courses online. The 90-minute self-paced
course is designed to prepare providers for the Medicaid Uniform Billing
requirements that go into effect August 1. The free course also provides
an optional exam that, with a 100 percent score, can provide takers with a
certificate from MVU. In addition to the online course, the MVU and the
Michigan Community College Association are working to develop a classroom-based
course on the new billing that would include an online faculty guide.
The course is available at http://healthcare.mivu.org.
******************************
New Child Vaccine in High Demand
By
ANNE WALLACE ALLEN
.c
The Associated Press
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - High demand for a new vaccine against childhood
pneumonia, meningitis and ear infections has led to a shortage around the
country.
The shortage of Prevnar should ease by the end of March, said its maker,
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories.
Meanwhile, doctors are directing the supplies they do have to children who run
the highest risk of infection, such as those with sickle cell anemia, the AIDS
virus or other diseases that undermine the immune system.
``We've got it. We just don't have a lot of it,'' said Dr. Joe Hagan, a
pediatrician in South Burlington.
Prevnar fights the bacterium streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of
pneumonia, meningitis and millions of ear infections every year in children.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. children under 5 suffer
16,000 pneumococcal blood infections and 1,400 pneumococcal meningitis cases
every year. And until Prevnar, there has been no way to prevent them. In up to
half the cases of meningitis, children suffer brain damage or hearing loss.
About 10 percent die.
Prevnar was approved by the FDA two years ago. In June, a government advisory
committee recommended that all children under 2 receive the vaccine.
Demand soared, far exceeding the expectations of Wyeth-Ayerst, said drug
company spokesman Douglas Petkus, who estimates that 90 percent of infants in
the United States have now received the vaccine.
``Physicians are using it at an incredible rate,'' he said.
At the same time, Petkus said, Wyeth-Ayerst made changes at the Pearl River,
N.Y., factory where the vaccine is made that slowed production.
Hagan said pediatricians are being told to delay the booster shot that children
usually receive when they are a year old.
``That makes sense, and it's safe,'' he said. ``If we immunize your baby at 2,
4, and 6 months, that immunity will last certainly past a year. If we don't
give the 12-month dose until 18 months or 24 months, the children are still
well protected.''
AP-NY-12-14-01 1358EST
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been
inserted by AOL.
12/14: AOL Health News: New Child Vaccine in High Demand
******************************
AMA: Further Smallpox Study Needed
By
PAUL ELIAS
.c
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The American Medical Association on Tuesday refused to
endorse smallpox vaccinations for all Americans, rejecting calls from doctors
who say the disease could be used as a biological weapon.
Instead, the 538 delegates attending the AMA's annual winter meeting in San
Francisco voted overwhelmingly to continue studying the possible repercussions
of such a mass inoculation.
``We do not yet know that the bad guys have the smallpox virus,'' said Dr. Ron
Davis, a public health expert from Detroit and a member of the AMA's 16-member
board of trustees. ``There are huge, complex issues involved and due
deliberation is needed.''
Some doctors said they worry the vaccine itself could kill as many as 300
people if the entire U.S. population were vaccinated. There's also disagreement
about whether those already inoculated would need another vaccination to
prevent a smallpox infection.
Babies younger than 1 and people with weakened immune systems couldn't
withstand smallpox vaccinations, doctors said.
A nationwide smallpox vaccination program was discontinued in 1972, and the
disease was eradicated worldwide by 1980. Two smallpox virus samples remain -
one in the United States and the other in Russia. Concerns about security at
the Russian lab have been exacerbated by the recent anthrax cases.
Smallpox is contagious, and roughly 30 percent of those who contract it die.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report
recommending that no vaccinations should be given unless an outbreak occurs.
The CDC recommended a technique called ``ring vaccination,'' in which only
healthy people around a smallpox victim would receive the vaccine.
On the Net:
http://www.cdc.gov
http://www.ama-assn.org
AP-NY-12-04-01 2125EST
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been
inserted by AOL.
12/04: AOL Health News: AMA: Further Smallpox Study Needed
******************************
“Alternatives To Guardianship”
The Arc of Livingston is hosting a training on other alternatives to
guardianship. Dohn Hoyle from Washtenaw Association for Community
Advocacy will be presenting information on issues related to guardianship and
the importance of utilizing other methods to support people with disabilities
that do not take away their rights as individuals.
Date: Wednesday January 16th
Time: 7 PM – 9 PM
Place: LESA Administration Building- Room McGuffey B1425 W. Grand
RiverHowell, MI 48843
Please RSVP to the Arc office @ 546-1228 by Tuesday January 15th.
******************************
Autism Spectrum Disorders Chat Reminder
»§«:*´`³³´`*:»§«:*´`³³´`*:»§«
Be sure to check out the entire mailing so that you
don't miss out on ANY of our "SOUPER" information!!
»§«:*´`³³´`*:»§«:*´`³³´`*:»§«
A
u t i s m S p e c t r u m D i s o r d e r s
M o n d a y , D e c e m b e r 1 7 , 2 0 0 1
a t 10 p m E T (7pm PT, 8pm MT, 9pm CT)
PS
Souper Events Chat Room
w i t h
H O S T P S T a m
»§«:*´`³³´`*:»§«:*´`³³´`*:»§«
What
is Autism? Aspergers Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder/Not Otherwise
Specified, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome are among some of the Autism Spectrum
Disorders, which have a number of symptoms -- including impaired social
interaction and communication -- and prognoses.
Heredity, yeast, food allergies, gluten, food additives, digestive disorders,
lack of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, exposure to radiation,
endocrine deficiencies, vaccinations, etc., have all been scrutinized for
possibly causing autism spectrum disorders. The only fact known right now
is that these are often severe developmental disabilities believed to have
multiple etiologies which may include one or more of these or none of them at
all.
Please join us in a chat and share concerns, support, funny stories, or simply
vent your frustrations as we discuss the issues and challenging factors that we
face while caring for our loved ones with an autism spectrum disorder.
The Truth About Santa
Claus
As parents, we try to teach our children to always to tell the truth. So what
do we do about Santa Claus? Should parents present him as a myth or swear he's
the real deal? iVillager Naug thinks parents should come clean. How do you
handle this dilemma in your home? Join the debate today! Should
you tell your child the truth about Santa Claus?
Make Your Holiday
Memories Last!
Make this holiday season memorable with delicious recipes, do-it-yourself gift
suggestions, ideas for new family traditions and more!
Holiday
Soup
Parenting Girls
Has your princess turned into someone whom you don't recognize? Share stories
and advice with other parents who are Bringing
up Girls.
Quiz Of The Week!
It's that time of the year again, it's the time for holiday plans, presents,
and gatherings. The time to spend special, precious moments with your loved
ones! However, the holidays don't always come wrapped up in a neat little
package. The holidays can be full of hassles, hard times, and frustrations! How
do you cope? How can you cope better? To find out, just take this 20-question
quiz! Coping With Holiday Stress
--------------------------------------------
For complete list
of this week's topical chats, take a look at our schedules.
Search
by Room: Live Events --
Souper Events -- Special Events
Search by Topic: Alphabetical
Listing
******************************
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INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR
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KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED
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