AUTISM FIRST STEPS
AUTISM DAILY NEWSLETTER    
Friday, November 30, 2001 

INDEX:
*    Latest updates to autismconnect www.autismconnect.org
*   "The Geek Syndrome"
*    IOWA Changes in Social Security Work Incentives
*    This Ride for Autism
*    A General Interest Topic for all Parents of Disabled Children
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Latest updates to autismconnect www.autismconnect.org

1.  Online discussion with Wendy Lawson
2.  Tony Charman on the Mapping Project
3.  News Headlines
4.  Wish to unsubscribe
5.  How to change your email/topic selection?


1.  Online discussion with Wendy Lawson

Wendy Lawson will be online for a couple of hours at autismconnect (www.autismconnect.org) at:  

07:00 hrs - Australian time (except Southern Australia - 06:30 hrs) Tuesday 11 December

converted to Greenwich Mean Time it will be:

20:00 hrs (GMT) Monday 10 December

Wendy will be discussing Asperger Syndrome and the topics are:-

Mis-diagnosis; Challenges in education; Life challenges; Transition into adulthood; Living a normal life?; General

Introducing Wendy Lawson
Wendy Lawson Bss. Bsw (Hons) Gdip (psychstud) is currently working for her PhD in Social Work. Her topic is 'Autism and Stress'. Wendy, a mother of four, was originally diagnosed as being intellectually disabled, then in her teens, as being schizophrenic, and finally in 1994, as having an autism spectrum disorder. Wendy is an author of three books, including 'Life Behind Glass. Her latest book 'Understanding and Working with the Spectrum of Autism' was released in March of this year. Wendy's youngest son, now 19yrs. of age, was diagnosed at the age of 12, as having Asperger's Syndrome.

"Wendy's ability to convey the essence of her autistic world to others is remarkable. As an adult educator, with training in psychology and family issues, Wendy offers a valuable contribution to understanding and working with individuals with Autism Spectrum disorder. Having known, listened to and worked with Wendy, I highly recommend her as an intriguing and interesting speaker who has much to offer professionals and families, to enhance their insights into autism in a humorous and vivid way".

(Professor Margot Prior. Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne).


2.  Tony Charman on the Mapping Project

Interview with Tony Charman - Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health in London.

Tony discusses the mapping project: "We are conducting an all-encompassing and comprehensive review exercise to map the current state of knowledge in autism research in relation to 3 questions:
- Identify from a global perspective what research into autism is currently being undertaken.

- Identify emerging themes, and areas of interface between academic disciplines.

- Identify topics of potential value that are under-researched and locate themes for which funding is particularly hard to obtain at present.

This unique project, a precursor to the establishment of a UK-based Foundation for Autism Research, is a collaboration between academic and voluntary organisations; namely PACE (Parents' Campaign for Education), the UK National Autistic Society (NAS) and the Institute of Child Health."

To find out more go to 'Tony Charman' within the 'interviews' section on autismconnect.


3.  News Headlines

- Doctor formally cleared after offering alternative to MMR vaccine

- 'Three new cases of autism reported in Ireland each week'

- Parents of autistic children sue Quebec government

- Researchers condemn auditory integration training as 'unsafe'

-Teacher hit autistic children with plastic ruler


Best wishes

autismconnect Team
Autismconnect@btopenworld.com
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"The Geek Syndrome"

by Steve Silberman
WIRED Magazine -- December 2001
Autism - and its milder cousin Asperger's syndrome - is surging among the children of Silicon Valley. Are math-and-tech genes to blame?

      Nick is building a universe on his computer. He's already mapped out his first planet: an anvil-shaped world called Denthaim that is home to gnomes and gods, along with a three-gendered race known as kiman. As he tells me about his universe. Nick looks up at the ceiling, humming fragments of a melody over and over. “I'm thinking of making magic a form of quantum physics, but I haven't decided yet, actually," he explains. The music of his speech is pitched high, alternately poetic and pedantic - as if the soul of an Oxford don has been awkwardly reincarnated in the body of a chubby, rosy-cheeked boy from Silicon Valley. Nick is 11 years old

To Read the Full Story go to: http://www.aspergerinfo.org/wiredarticle.htm
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IOWA Changes in Social Security Work Incentives

These Changes are effective January 2002.

ü    Substantial Gainful Activity Amount (SGA) is $780
ü    Substantial Gainful Activity Amount (SGA) for Blind is $1300
ü  The Trial Work Period monthly amount is $560
ü    For self-employed Trial Work Period (only) will be $780/month and/or
if the individual worked more than 80 hours per month.
ü    Student Earned Income Exclusion for SSI is $1,320 per month not to
exceed $5,340 per year.
¨    All of the above amounts will be adjusted per year.
ü    Expedited Re-entry (Easy On) effective Jan. 2001

                    Changes in Social Security Payments

These changes are also effective January 2002.

ü    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - $545 single/$817 couple
ü    Social Security Disability Insurance ? 2.6% increase
ü    Medicare increase to $54 per month for Part B premium

        If you have questions about working and SSA benefits call:

                    Sheila Stoeckel  Benefits Planner
                        Iowa Workforce Development
                                600 S Pierce Ave
                              Mason City, IA  50401
                        sheila.stoeckel@iwd.state.ia.us
                                phone: 641-422-1500
                               Toll free: 800-392-2230
                             Fax: 641-422-1516

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This Ride for Autism

This Ride for Autism is a 50 mile POKER RUN. There is a tenative route as of today, but please keep updated for the announcement of the exact route.
http://www.rideforautism.org/route.htm

GRAND PRIZE - 2002 FLSTC/FLSTCI HERITAGE SOFTAIL ® CLASSIC
*this prize will be awarded at our awards luncheon July 28th 2002
The participant that raises the most money in individual sponsorships will win this brand new motorcycle! No ifs, ands or buts. You help our children and you can go home with this brand new 2002 Harley!

*Officers & immediate family members of NYFAC and IBTFT are not eligible to win the grand prize.
*Taxes and tags are the sole responsibility of the grand prize winner
The ride will be conducted as a poker run with designated checkpoints. At each of the checkpoints, each participant will pickup one Playing card. At the completion of the ride the participant will the highest five card hand will go home with $1,000 .(In the case of ties, hands will be ranked by suit, spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs. If there is still a tie money will be split).
1st place = $1,000
2nd place = $500
3rd place = $250
4th place = $150
5th place = $100 THESE PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED AT THE COMPLETION OF THE RIDE (Approx. 6pm).

21st Annual
Toy - Run
http://www.rideforautism.org/prizes.htm
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A General Interest Topic for all Parents of Disabled Children

Monday Night, Dec. 3, 2001
7-9pm

As you know, there are many expenses for treatments and therapies not
covered by our insurance programs.  Joe Colasanti, one of our
parents, is also a CPA.  He will give a presentation to any parents
who are self employed or own a business.  Joe will show us how to set
up our business so that we may take advantage of huge tax savings
through an IRS approved, medical reimbursement program.  His
experience has saved other parents in this situation thousands of
dollars.  We will divide the room.  So, anyone interested in
attending our regular support group meeting is welcome even if you
aren't self employed or own a business.

We will me meeting at 2711 Lahser in the Detroit Medical Center
Southfield Education Center located one block north of 11 mile road
on the west side of Lahser.  Once in the DMC complex, we will be in
the northernmost building (behind 5/3 bank).  The meeting room is
immediately to the right as you enter the building.  If you have any
questions or need driving directions call:  Suzanne Rossi (248) 626-
6066 or (248) 408-3365.   
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