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SCHAFER AUTISM REPORT "Healing Autism:
No Finer a Cause
on the Planet"
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--- > NOTE CALENDAR DEADLINE ** Nov 24 **
FOR DEC UPDATE
RESEARCH
* M.I.N.D. Institute’s Aggressive Pursuit of
Possible Autism-Vaccine Ties
* Use of Combinatorial Peptide Libraries to
Identify Antigenic Epitopes
in Children with Autism
* Neurodevelopmental Damage Following
Exposure to Thimerosal-Based
Vaccines in Mice Vulnerable to Autoimmune
Disease
* Adverse Reaction to Vaccination-
Evaluation of Clinical Immunization Safety
* The Role of Maternal Immunity in
Susceptibility to Measles Virus
Infection and Disease
* MMR Vaccine and Autism: A Prospective
Study
* Autism Summit Conference
MEDIA ALERT
* Autism Summit Conference LIVE via Web Cast
* Attendees Take Notes!
* Conference Agenda
* Savantism Featured in Wired Magazine
CARE
* How Doctors Turned Asperger’s Woman Into A
Twitching, Bloated Wreck
* Shut Out Of Taser Review: Cops Won
*
* Adults with Autism: Study Uses
Connect With Autistic
EDUCATION
* Award for
RESEARCH
M.I.N.D. Institute’s
Aggressive Pursuit of Possible Autism-Vaccine Ties Cause célèbre d’ jour? Cause infâme d’ jour?
[Thanks to ValeriesList and Rick
Rollens.]
The M.I.N.D. Institute Research Program
is avidly investigating potential links between vaccines and autism. During
2001 the program funded five outstanding research proposals following a
nationally publicized Request for Proposals. Scientists at the University of
California, Davis, the University of California, Irvine, the University of
Minnesota, the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, and most recently, the
Kennedy-Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, will
conduct studies on a broad spectrum of related topics, including: immune
responses in autistic versus non-autistic children against measles, mumps and
rubella proteins and determination of whether autistic children form antibodies
that cross react with brain components such as receptors leading to autistic
symptoms.
A potential animal model of autism
induced by early and repeated exposure to agents that are present in certain
vaccines.
The possibility that some children with
“regressive” autism have an aberrant immune response that may lead to food
allergies.
The relationship between a mother
The developmental, gastrointestinal,
sensory and other characteristics of infant siblings of children with autism
pre- and post-vaccination. Together these studies critically test the
possibility that the immune systems of certain, susceptible individuals react
differently to, or are differentially affected by, vaccines or vaccine
components which leads to alterations of brain function and the development of
autism. While many organizations have been hesitant to support research on this
question, the M.I.N.D. Institute Research Program is committed to helping to
resolve the issue of whether vaccines may contribute to the development of
autism. If such a link is found, the research could lead to the development of
safer vaccine alternatives or vaccination protocols. If no link is found,
parents could be reassured about the safety of childhood vaccines.
* *
Use of Combinatorial Peptide
Libraries to Identify Antigenic Epitopes in Children with Autism
PI: M. Eric Gershwin,
The pathogenesis of autism is unknown.
However, there have been significant concerns that its incidence is increasing.
A recent report has suggested that there is a possible causal relationship
between autism and vaccination. Vaccinations provide important protection for
many critical diseases. Within the scientific community, there has been
interest in the development of immunopathology following some viral vaccines.
Indeed, reduction of platelets, some
forms of arthritis, and some neurologic complications have been reported
following rubella and influenza vaccines, amongst others. If vaccines are
incriminated in the development of autism, then we believe that a critical
mechanism may be that the immune response of autistic children reacts differently
to some forms of the viral vaccine, than does that of control non-autistic
children. This immune response of the autistic children might cross react with
neuroreceptors or other central nervous system components critical for the
appearance of the clinical features of autism.
We will take advantage of a unique high
throughput technology that allows us to define the immune response of children
using either sera or spinal fluid. This technology further permits the
“mapping” of the immune response so that the “signature” of each child against
the vaccine can be defined. We hope to determine if the signature of autistic
children against measles, mumps and rubella proteins within the vaccines
differs from that of control children.
We will further use this unique
technology to create an extensive library of random peptides on a microbead
system to determine if we can define a unique “signature” in the spinal fluid
of autistic children. The success of our project may lead to the resynthesis of
the important epitopes that we have defined. These epitopes, if they
cross-react with neuroreceptors, may indeed be coined mimotopes. By searching
various gene banks for the sequences we identify, we may be able to determine
whether any proteins, not just from m easles, mumps and rubella, may be
associated with autism. Indeed, this proposal offers the potential to create a
diagnostic chip that can be used to screen patients to vigorously define
associated risk factors.
This proposal may be considered a high
risk, but extremely high yield, investigative effort that combines the skills
of an investigative immunologist, a combinatorial chemist, and a virologist
with clinical specialization in autism.
* *
Neurodevelopmental Damage
Following Exposure to Thimerosal-Based Vaccines in Mice Vulnerable to
Autoimmune Disease
PI: Mady Hornig,
Dramatic increases in reported diagnoses
of autism, a chronic and disabling neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by
abnormalities in social interaction, learning, and behavior, have occurred
state-, nation- and worldwide over the past decade. Although the basis of the
disorder is unknown, genetic, immune and infectious factors are proposed to be
important. One hypothesis is that pre- or early postnatal infection and/or
exposure to toxins or vaccines results in aberrant brain development.
his project explores an animal model of
autism based on early exposure to toxins present in certain vaccines
(ethylmercury present in thimerosal
additive) with or without
concurrent immune challenge (polyvalent vaccinal
antigens) by repetitive
bolus administration that mimics the early childhood immunization schedule.
Similarities between sequelae of organic mercury exposure and autism include
stereotypic behaviors; abnormal responses to novel environment; abnormal taste
preferences; disturbed spatial learning; growth delay; hippocampal, cerebellar,
and amygdalar pathology; autoantibodies to brain components, and increased
frequency in males. Using this model, we will probe the mechanisms by which
early toxic and immune disruptions alter brain architecture and function.
Specific aims include:
1) characterize the behavioral,
cognitive, and motoric deficits associated with early thimerosal/polyvalent
vaccine exposure;
2) map the neurodevelopmental
histopathology using stereologic methods;
3) evaluate the role of cytokines,
apoptosis-related products, metallothioneins (a group of proteins that bind
mercury), glutathione, and other soluble factors as potential mediators of
brain damage following toxic and/or immune challenge; and
4) establish the biological basis for
neonatal identification of vulnerability to neural damage following toxic
and/or immune challenge through assessment of baseline levels of cytokines,
metallothioneins, and other soluble factors.
* *
Adverse Reaction to
Vaccination- Evaluation of Clinical Immunization Safety
PI:
Harumi Jyonouchi,
The aggressive infant immunization
program greatly reduced mortality and morbidity of common infectious diseases
in childhood. However, parents of “regression autism” patients often describe
that development regression and autistic behavior started following
immunization. Nevertheless, a role of childhood immunization in regression
autism is highly controversial and poorly understood. Vaccines are designed to
induce immune responses against key components of pathogens to obtain
protective levels of antibodies (Abs) and sustained immune memory.
The immune system requires additional
signals to respond to antigens (Ag). In the case of infection, microbial
products, such as endotoxins, bacteria/viral DNA and RNA and those released by
damaged tissues, provide such additional signals that are often called
However, excessive innate immune
responses can cause aberrant immune responses and may lead to autoimmunity. The
results of our pilot study indicate that some children with regression autism
demonstrated excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines with endotoxin,
indicating aberrant innate immune responses. In this study, we hypothesize that
adjuvants in infant vaccines may cause excessive/aberrant innate immunity and
affect resultant Ag-specific immune responses (adaptive immune responses) in
susceptible individuals. This may result in immune reactivity to food antigens
(Ags) and even autoimmunity involving the central nervous system. The specific
aim of this study is to characterize innate and adaptive immune responses in
patients with adverse reactions to immunization, by measuring production of
various soluble mediators in autistic and control children when peripheral
blood cells are stimulated with various agents including adjuvants and food
Ags.
We expect that such immunological
characterization will help us subgroup patients with regression autism.
Clinical responses assessed by neuropsychiatric measures will be compared to
the results obtained. Our long-term objective is to develop measures to
identify individuals at high risk for severe adverse reaction to immunization
and regression autism at an early age on the basis of immunological and genetic
characterization. Such measures will be extremely important for prevention of
regression autism. Our approach should also help predict the efficacy of
certain anti-inflammatory treatments in subset(s) of regression of autism patients.
* *
The Role of Maternal
Immunity in Susceptibility to Measles Virus Infection and Disease
PI: Glenn F. Rall,
Recent reports have fueled a debate
within both medical and parent communities concerning the safety of childhood
vaccines and their possible link to autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). However,
such a link, if it exists, is not well defined. Nevertheless, because of
widespread media coverage of this controversy, many parents have considered not
vaccinating their children, placing in peril the widespread vaccine coverage
that the
Current efforts to define the basis of
autism have generally been restricted to the affected child, although it is
increasingly apparent that the development of a child
Thus, if vaccines are involved in the
etiology of autism, the possibility that altered immunity may contribute to
increased risk seems tenable. In this proposal we explore, in an animal model
of infection and immunity, how previous maternal antigen exposure may either
facilitate viral clearance or lead to immunological tolerance in newborns. Our
experiments will predominately take advantage of a novel transgenic mouse model
of measles virus infection.
These mice have been genetically
engineered to express the measles virus receptor, CD46, specifically targeted
to neurons, rendering them susceptible to measles virus infection and CNS
disease. The development of disease in this animal model, however, is
age-dependent: while measles virus-infected adult mice mount a protective immune
response which clears the virus and affords protection, neonates cannot resolve
the infection, despite a similar induction of a robust immune response.
Interestingly, newborn mice weaned on mothers that were previously exposed to
measles were protected from CNS disease, suggesting that the maternal exposure
history afforded protection to her offspring. In Aim 1 of this project, we
describe experiments to characterize the basis of such maternally-derived
protection.
We will test the hypothesis that maternal
antibodies are transferred to developing embryos to afford resistance against
subsequent, post-natal measles virus challenge. In performing these pilot
experiments, we also assessed the response of pups that were weaned on mothers
that were exposed to measles virus long before conception. These pups were not
protected, suggesting that maternal protection was transient. Moreover, pups
born to these mothers not only developed CNS disease, but showed no evidence of
immune induction, suggesting that the previous maternal exposure tolerized her
offspring to subsequent viral challenge.
In Aim 2, we describe experiments to
address the basis for this apparent tolerance, and will establish when during
development such tolerance is conferred. The overall theme of this work is to
explore the hypothesis that the immune response of a newborn mouse is directly
influenced by the exposure history of its mother. These data will contribute to
an understanding of how vaccines in some children may establish undetected,
smoldering infections that may initiate a cascade of events leading to
neurodevelopmental damage.
* *
MMR Vaccine and Autism: A
Prospective Study PI: Rebecca Landa, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns
Hopkins University
Abstract not yet available
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* * *
Autism Summit Conference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-11/niom-asc111403.php
A national conference focusing on the
Federal government
A major goal of the summit is to develop
an information exchange among the autism community, experts in specific areas,
and Federal agencies that advance autism research and services. Another goal is
to foster partnerships among these groups.
The event, “ The Autism Summit
Conference: Developing a National Agenda,” will expand the work of the Federal
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), formed in response to the
Children
The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services and the U.S. Department of Education are conference cosponsors.
Interagency sponsors from the National Institutes of Health include: The
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences (NIEHS), as well as the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).
The summit
The second major theme, implementing
autism screening and diagnosis, will review existing screening instruments and
implementing practices in the community. Relevant research and current clinical
practices will be discussed.
The third theme is integrating autism
services throughout the lifespan. Topics will deal with issues for those living
with autism, including fragmented services provided by educational and other
systems. These subjects are similar to those raised by the President
The summit will provide an opportunity to
highlight the Federal government
The conference was planned
collaboratively to represent diverse interests and perspectives. Public
officials, as well as major researchers and practitioners in the autism field,
will be involved in all aspects of the summit.
* *
MEDIA ALERT
Autism Summit Conference
LIVE via Web Cast
You can view the conference LIVE or
archived, via web cast, by following instructions on this link: http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/nimh/031119
.
All general sessions will be web cast, as
will one of the breakout groups for each session. The other breakout groups will be available
for archived viewing.
In addition, you will find updated
information on this conference, including the agenda and reports following the
conference, on the following
website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/autismiacc/events.cfm
* *
Attendees Take Notes!
If you plan to attend the Summit
Conference in Washington DC this week in person, or you plan to view most of it
via the web cast, we would like your notes.
We are not looking for any particular slant or spin, as we intend to
represent a diverse volunteer range of impressions. Nor do we necessarily seek expert scientific
review of the discussed research, or suggested research, although we would
welcome such treatment.
Here are some suggested high lights to
look for: how well are the issues of
autism causation represented? Who is
promoting clinical research and who isn’t?
Do you think your interests in autism research, no matter what that may
be, is being adequately represented? Do
you think your political interests as a person with family autism is being
adequately represented? What or who, if
anything or anyone, is missing from this summit?
If you would like to participate in this
“community pool of reporters” , contact the editor at edit@doitnow.com. Autism
awareness starts with you.
* *
Conference Agenda
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/autismiacc/events.cfm
Wednesday, November 19
Master of Ceremonies: Tom Insel, M.D., NIMH
9:00-9:15 am
Welcome and Introductions by Tommy Thompson Secretary of
Health and Human Services
9:15-9:25 am
Remarks from Secretary by Dr. Rod Paige Secretary of
Education
9:25-9:30 am
Remarks from Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for Education and
Science, Ireland
9:30-10:00 am
Presentation: The Face of Autism, Jon Shestack
10:00-10:15 am Remarks from Elias Zerhouni, M.D., NIH
10:35-10:50 am Remarks from Congressman Henry Waxman, U.S.
House of
Representatives
10:50-11:05 am Remarks from Congressman Dan Burton, U.S.
House of
Representatives
11:05-11:20 am Remarks from Congressman Dave Weldon, U.S.
House of
Representatives
Public/Private Partnerships Introductions by Tom Insel, M.D., Story Landis,
Ph.D., & Duane Alexander, M.D.
11:20-11:30 am CAN Initiatives for Data Sharing, Jon
Shestack, Cure Autism
Now,
11:30-11:40 am ASA/CDC partnership: Autism Awareness,
Campaign José
Cordero, M.D., MPH, CDC,
Robert Beck, ASA
11:40-11:50 am NICHD/NAAR High RiskfBaby Sibling Autism
Research
Collaboration, Duane
Alexander, M.D., NICHD
11:50-12:00 am NAAR Autism Genome Project Prisca Chen
Marvin, National
Alliance for Autism Research
1:00-4:30 pm
THEME 1: Services for
Individuals with Autism Across the Lifespan
1:00-1:30 pm Welcoming Remarks Robert H. Pasternack, Ph.D., Assistant
Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S.
Department of Education
1:30-3:00 pm Concurrent Sessions
Session A: Early
Childhood/Birth to Five, Moderator: Merle McPherson, M.D., Health Resources and
Services Administration Adrian D. Sandler, MD, FAAP, The Graham Children’s
Health Center, Sue Baker, Autism Services Consultant, Child Health Specialty
Clinic, Juliann Woods, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Florida State University, Jeff Sell,
Bonnie Strickland, Ph.D., Health Resources and Services, Administration
Session B: School-Age
Moderator: Gail Houle, Ph.D.,
Office of Special Education Programs, Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D., University of
Washington, Cathy Pratt, Ph.D., Indiana Institute on Disability and Community,
Andrew Bauman, Robin Welsh, M.S., M.A., Esq., Department of Special Education,
Calvert County, Maryland, Beth Caron, Ph.D., Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services
Session C: Secondary/Transition
Moderator: Joan
Mete-McCarthy, D.A., Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Susan E. Levy, M.D., Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Teresa Grossi, Ph.D.
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Jim Ball, Ed.D., Sawtelle
Learning Centers, Mayer Max, M.S., SharkaTech, Merlene Simon-Burroughs, Ph.D.,
Office of Special Education Programs
Session D: Adults
Moderator: Lee Grossman.
Stephen Shore, M.A., Anna Hundley, NARPAA, Evelyne Milorin, Kennedy Fellow,
Office of Special Education, and Rehabilitative Services, Jenn Rigger, M.S.,
Rehabilitation Services Administration
3:15-3:35 pm Report-outs from concurrent sessions
3:15-4:45 pm Presentations from Experts in the field,
Moderator: Joan
Mete-McCarthy, D.A., Office
of Special
Education and Rehabilitative
Services. Eric Schopler, Ph.D., TEACCH,
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, David Holmes, Ed.D., Eden Services,
Robert Koegel, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara,
4:45-5:00 pm Open Mike Session
Thursday, November 20
8:30 - 12:00 THEME 2: Early
Screening and Diagnosis
8:30-9:30 am Plenary Session
-Moderator. Jose Cordero, MD., MP.H, CDC, The Current State of Developmental
Screening General Developmental Screening and Screening for the ASDs, Barry Zuckerman, M.D., Boston University and
Peter Mundy, Ph.D., University of Miami
10:00-12:00 Concurrent Sessions-The “How To’s”: A Tool
Box for
Developmental Screening
Session A: “How to build
awareness among parents, practitioners, and educators” Moderator. Lucille (Lu)
Zeph, EdD., University of Maine Speakers • Nancy Wiseman, First Signs, Inc. •
Katherine Lyon Daniel, Ph.D., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Panel
Discussion • Lee Grossman • Adrian Sandier, M.D., Mission Children’s Hospital •
Margaret Dunlde, George Washington University Session B: “How to test - best
tests and why”
Discussant: Wendy Stone,
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University Speakers • Frances Page Giascoe, Ph.D., Vanderbilt
and Penn State Universities • Amy Wetherby, Ph.D., Florida State University •
Deborah Fein, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
General Discussion
Session C: “How to put into
practice-best models”
Moderator: Marian Earls,
MD., Guilford Child Health, Inc. Speakers • Ed Schor, M.D., The Commonwealth
Fund • Jennifer Pinto-Martin, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania Panel
Discussion • Jim O’Brien, Ph.D., Agency for Children and Families, head Start
Bureau • Mary M. Gottesman, Ph.D., Ohio State University •
1:00-4:30 pm THEME 3: Biomedical Research
1:00-2:00 pm
Overview: Autism Research Matrix and Roadmap Activities, Presentation
by: Tom Insel, M.D., NIMH
2:15-4:15 pm
Concurrent Sessions
Session 1: Genetics Research,
Leaders:
Session 2: Epidemiological and
Environmental Research, Leaders: Cindy Lawler, Ph.D., NIEHS, Diana Schendel,
PhD., NCBDDD, CDC, Grether, Ph.D., California Department of Health Services, W.
Ian Lipkin, Ph.D., Columbia University, Kathleen Berry
Session 3: Early Intervention
Research Leaders: Ann Wagner, Ph.D., NIMH, Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., University
of Washington, Richard Fade, Northwest Autism Foundation
_______________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________
* * *
Savantism Featured in Wired
Magazine
Diane Savage, stage mom to musical
prodigy son Matt Savage reports in her latest newsletter that “Wired Magazine
has written an exceptional article about Savants, focusing a great deal on Matt
and his musical and mathematical abilities, for their December issue. The issue
is due out next week.” The last
treatment Wired Magazine gave autism was titled “The Geek Syndrome” and
presented some dubious theories. Let’s
hope they don’t title this article “Dork Savants” or some such. Diane also
mentioned “Time Magazine’s current issue (November 17th) contains an article
about Matt’s debut at the Blue Note in NY, which happened the same week as
classical pianist Lang Lang’s debut at Carnegie Hall.” A clipping of that
review by Christopher Porterfield appeared in last Monday, Nov. 10, SAR as
well. -LS
* * *
CARE
How Doctors Turned Julie
Into A Twitching, Bloated Wreck
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/16/nasp16.xml&s
Sheet=/news/2003/11/16/ixhome.html
<- - address ends here.
Julie Eldred used to have a good job, a
long-term boyfriend and her own home. That was 17 years ago. Since then she has
been reduced to a twitching, bloated, semi-catatonic wreck by prescription
drugs, which numerous experts now say she should never have been given. Julie
Eldred was a bridesmaid at her sister
What Julie, now 43, actually has is
Asperger
Asperger
When Julie first exhibited signs of
anxiety, a common symptom of Asperger
She was locked up and put on 32 different
drugs - which have ruined her health, led to her being repeatedly held in
secure psychiatric institutions and prompted her to make several attempts to
kill herself.
+ Article continues:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/16/nasp16.xml&s
Sheet=/news/2003/11/16/ixhome.html
<- - address ends here.
* * *
Shut Out Of Taser Review:
Cops Won
[By Jeremy Loome, Edmonton Sun.] http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonNews/es.es-11-14-0011.html
An internal review of an incident in
which a young autistic man was tasered by Camrose police will likely be wrapped
up by the end of next week.
But the review won
“That is certainly not part of our review
at present,” said Kambeitz. “At this point we are interviewing the officers
involved as part of a procedural review.”
Kambeitz did stress, however, that the
force will discuss the issue with Dale Firkus, the boy
Firkus told the Sun his son, Derek
Firkus, after sneaking out of his group home, was tasered by police Sunday.
Police Confirm A Man Was Tasered Police have confirmed a young man was tasered
- wherein a suspect is briefly jolted into submission with a gun that shoots
5,000 volts of electricity - during an investigation of vehicle thefts, and was
found to have items from nearby cars when arrested.
But Firkus said yesterday that even if
his son had picked up items that didn
Firkus said police told him his son was
found with someone else
Police said the tasering occurred because
the man made “abnormal movements.”
“Anyone who talked to Derek for 10
seconds would realize that he is handicapped,” said Firkus.
“There is absolutely no reason why they
would have to handle it the way they did.”
A spokesman for the Edmonton Autism
Society said anyone trained to recognize autism would have found Derek
Past-president Anita Ferri said the case
highlights the need to further train police to recognize people with
disabilities.
“It is really very characteristic of
autism to have difficulty communicating, and sometimes the problem is very
severe,” said Ferri.
Firkus said his son has snuck out before
and he doesn
* * *
Former Wisconsin School
Employee Accused Of Child Abuse Assistant Allegedly Struck Special Education
Student
http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/2637941/detail.html
Jacob F. Lee, an educational assistant,
was suspended and then fired following the incident, Racine Unified spokeswoman
Linda Flashinski said Thursday.
Lee was scheduled to appear in Racine
County Circuit Court Wednesday on felony child abuse charges. He faces up to
six years in prison if convicted.
Lee, of Racine, had been assigned to
provide one-on-one assistance to a 10-year-old boy who suffers from autism and
attention-deficit disorders, according to a criminal complaint.
Racine, Wis. -- A former Racine Unified
School District employee has been charged with child abuse after allegedly
striking a special-education student during a field trip.
The complaint said an aide saw Lee, 52,
strike the boy three times in the face after the boy acted out on a bus during
a field trip May 28.
* * *
Adults with Autism: Study
Uses Mobile Technology To Try To Connect With Autistic
[By Jeff Libby in Titusville, Fla.] http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031116/APN/311160604
In a cavernous mall department store, a
teenage boy pauses by the display he has been stocking with slippers to check a
message on his pocket computer.
For the few mid-morning shoppers passing
by, the scene was as mundane as the Muzak remake of an old Beach Boys tune
being piped through the PA system. Thousands of business people have been using
the handheld devices for nearly a decade now.
But 15-year-old David Jaehne has autism,
along with other developmental disabilities, and for him the technology is
brand new. He is one of six high school students participating in a University
of Central Florida study to equip autistic youths with mobile technology in an
effort to tap into their largely unmapped cognitive world.
If David understands the message on his
screen, it could mean leaving behind a life of closely supervised work in
shelters and qualifying for a job like the one he is attempting to perform now,
working with more independence in the larger community.
“We make all these excuses why people
with disabilities can
Carper is also coordinator for the Center
for Autism and Related Disabilities at UCF, one of six centers in the state
that provides assistance to caregivers and families of the estimated 200,000
people in Florida with developmental disabilities. Her center serves Orange,
Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Sumter, Brevard and Volusia counties.
Before Carper began her study four months
ago, care providers and researchers had been bringing mobile technology to
people with mental retardation, but few if any researchers had attempted to
modify the technology for work with autistic people, who in most cases are
considered more severely disabled, said Dan Davies, president of AbleLink
Technologies in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The roughly 16,800 people with autism in
Florida and the nearly 300,000 in the nation had essentially been left behind.
“There
There is disagreement over how much
impact Carper
Carper
Despite its small scope, the study
challenges long-held notions about autism and also offers potential relief to
the high cost of providing close, constant supervision of severely
developmentally disabled people, Nye said.
+ Article continues: Study
Uses Mobile Technology To Try To Connect With
Autistic
* * *
EDUCATION
Award for UK Pioneer In
Autistic Education
[By Colin Birch.] http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/sloughandwindsor/content_objecti
d=13624058_method=full_siteid=50102_headline=-Award-for-pioneer-in-autistic-
education-name_page.html
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A woman who runs social skills
workshops for college students with autism has picked up a national award.
She is Jenny Ilic, Asperger Syndrome
co-ordinator at
Jenny and her team support more than 90
students, running social skills workshops that include discussions about body
language, bullying, social interaction and anything else the students need to
continue their positive college experience.
In creating Jenny
She collected the award at a ceremony at
Liz Blackman said: “Further education is
a critical transition period for many students especially so if they have
communication and other problems.
“They can feel especially vulnerable in a
new less intimate environment.
“Jenny was nominated by a student with
autism who wrote very movingly and positively about his own experience.
“The workshops support many students to
socialise, become more independent, express and solve their problems and gain greater
confidence.”
_________________________________________________________________
Lenny Schafer, Editor mailto:edit@doitnow.com
Edward Decelie Debbie
Hosseini Richard Miles Ron Sleith Kay Stammers
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