What's going on in our Autism Community

What is Autism

2012-01-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

What is Autism?

What Is Autism? What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. They include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age. Autism Speaks continues to fund research on effective methods for earlier diagnosis, as early intervention with proven behavioral therapies can improve outcomes. Increasing autism awareness is a key aspect of this work and one in which our families and volunteers play an invaluable role. Learn more …

How Common Is Autism?

Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 110 American children as on the autism spectrum–a 600 percent increase in prevalence over the past two decades. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is three to four times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism in the United States.

More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes or pediatric AIDS combined. ASD affects an estimated 3 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. There is no established explanation for this continuing increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered. Learn more …

What Causes Autism?

Not long ago, the answer to this question would have been “we have no idea.” Research is now delivering the answers. First and foremost, we now know that there is no one cause of autism just as there is no one type of autism. Over the last five years, scientists have identified a number of rare gene changes, or mutations, associated with autism. A small number of these are sufficient to cause autism by themselves. Most cases of autism, however, appear to be caused by a combination of autism risk genes and environmental factors influencing early brain development.

In the presence of a genetic predisposition to autism, a number of nongenetic, or “environmental,” stresses appear to further increase a child’s risk. The clearest evidence of these autism risk factors involves events before and during birth. They include advanced parental age at time of conception (both mom and dad), maternal illness during pregnancy and certain difficulties during birth, particularly those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain. It is important to keep in mind that these factors, by themselves, do not cause autism. Rather, in combination with genetic risk factors, they appear to modestly increase risk.

A small but growing body of research suggests that autism risk is less among children whose mothers took prenatal vitamins (containing folic acid) in the months before and after conception.

Increasingly, researchers are looking at the role of the immune system in autism. Autism Speaks is working to increase awareness and investigation of these and other issues, where further research has the potential to improve the lives of those who struggle with autism. Learn more …

What Does It Mean to Be “On the Spectrum”?

Each individual with autism is unique. Many of those on the autism spectrum have exceptional abilities in visual skills, music and academic skills. About 40 percent have average to above average intellectual abilities. Indeed, many persons on the spectrum take deserved pride in their distinctive abilities and “atypical” ways of viewing the world. Others with autism have significant disability and are unable to live independently. About 25 percent of individuals with ASD are nonverbal but can learn to communicate using other means. Autism Speaks’ mission is to improve the lives of all those on the autism spectrum. For some, this means the development and delivery of more effective treatments that can address significant challenges in communication and physical health. For others, it means increasing acceptance, respect and support.

Sign up for the Transition Conference

2012-01-20T09:10:00.000-08:00

We have had such a great response to the January Transition Mini-Conference, we have chosen to schedule a repeat of the event for March 22 and 23, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This great event will include training on the Transition to Adult Life including the following topics:

•From No Where to Know Where Transition to Adult Life

•Getting and Keeping That First Job

•Journey to Adulthood, Puberty and Sexuality

•Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy

•Healthy Transition

•Expert Panel

•Exhibitor Fair

This event is offered at no cost! The January event filled quickly, so please register early. Lunch will be provided to those who preregister. Space is limited. Registration will close once the conference is full

When:

Thursday March 22, 2012 at

8:30 a.m - 4:00 p.m. MDT

-and-

Friday March 23, 2012 at

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MDT

Where:

Utah Parent Center

230 West 200 South, Suite 1101

*Free Parking on north side in northwest lot.

(Enter lot off of 100 South between 200 and 300 W)

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

If you have any questions about this event, please contact

the Utah Parent Center at 801-272-1051 or Toll Free in Utah

at 1-800-468-1160.

Thank you and we look forward to your participation.

Cassandra

Utah Parent Center

info@utahparentcenter.org

801-272-1051

Bill would require health insurers to pay for autism treatment | ksl.com

2012-01-20T08:12:00.000-08:00

Bill would require health insurers to pay for autism treatment ksl.com

Christmas Party!

2011-12-12T13:13:00.000-08:00

Novembers Agenda

2011-10-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

New blog to follow

2011-09-15T13:36:00.000-07:00

Great Blog by local mother
http://shineon--autismedition.blogspot.com/

Septembers Agenda

2011-09-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

July's Bulletin of Events

2011-07-06T17:14:00.001-07:00

A Day with Dr. Peter Gerhardt

2011-06-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

Registration for

A Day with Dr. Peter Gerhardt

is now available.

Event Date: August 6, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Red Lion Hotel – Salt Lake Downtown

161 West 600 South, Salt Lake City

Click here to register now! Seating is limited.

http://www.utahfamilylinks.org/

The registration cost is as follows:

1 Person — $20.00!

2 Persons — $30.00!

Lunch will be provided for those who have pre-registered.

“I attended a presentation by Dr. Gerhardt and LOVED it! I made it my mission to get him back for the parents, teachers and providers to hear. His information is insightful and helpful, lots of ‘take home’ information, and he’s fun to listen to as well. He talks about teen/adult issues with autism that no one else does.”

Cheryl Smith, President ACU

For more info on who Peter is refer to this website

http://www.autismtoday.com/experts/experts_bio.asp?exp_id=50&name=Dr.%20Peter%20Gerhardt

Autism 1 in 38

2011-05-17T08:24:00.001-07:00

A new autism prevalence study was released yesterday (Kim et al.). And one of the authors was kind enough to send me a full copy. It is a major prevalence study conducted in Korea that used an international team. It found a prevalence of 1 in 38 or 2.64% of the total city population of school aged children in the study had an autism spectrum disorder.

That is a very high prevalence. The highest ever found in fact. However, the study is arguably the most methodically rigorous ever conducted. It used ground level epidemiology and direct observation/diagnosis that involved a huge amount of kids. Contrast to the new Utah rates that was in the news the last few nights, that were assembled partly using indirect methods.

The Korean study has results that are thought provoking involving previously diagnosed children NOT placed in special education.The rates of boys to girls was 2:1 as opposed to the usual 4-5:1 (boys to girls). Moreover, Two-thirds of Autism cases in the overall sample were in the mainstream

school population, undiagnosed and untreated. This likely has important implications even for the US. Keep in mind too, that although there have been multiple new autism prevalence studies in the US in the last 15 years, the last such direct measure was conducted in 1999 in New Jersey. Most such studies use executive data bases such as the CDDS and IDEA data. There are certain intrinsic statistical problems with all such sets.

Workshop tonight and tomorrow in Logan

2011-05-17T08:20:00.003-07:00

TUESDAY, MAY 17 2011

6:30 PM – 8:30 P.M.

CACHE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

2063 NORTH 1200 EAST, NORTH LOGAN

THIS PRESENTATION WILL GIVE INFORMATION TO FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WHO ARE NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. THIS INTRODUCTION WILL FOCUS ON BUILDING RESILIENCY IN FAMILIES AS WELL AS BEING AN INFORMED CONSUMER OF SERVICES.

IN ADDITION, THE UTAH PARENT CENTER WILL BE OFFERING A FULL DAY IEP WORKSHOP ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2011

9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

THIS WORKSHOP WILL FEATURE THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: CACHE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

 PARENTS AS PARTNERS IN THE IEP PROCESS

 SECTION 504 SERVICES IN SCHOOLS

 POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND THE IEP

 TRANSITION TO ADULT LIFE OVERVIEW

 TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE COMMUNICATION

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THESE EVENTS IS REQUESTED AND APPRECIATED.

TO REGISTER BY PHONE: 1.800.468.1160

TO REGISTER BY EMAIL: INFO@UTAHPARENTCENTER.ORG

Please include your full name, address, phone number, email address and the age and disability of your child if appropriate.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ABC’S OF AUTISM

A FREE WORKSHOP BROUGHT TO YOU BY

UTAH PARENT CENTER AND UTAH FAMILY VOICES

FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM OR OTHER SIMILAR DIAGNOSIS.

Please join us to walk in Downtown Logan April 2nd

2011-04-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

We will be walking Saturday April 2nd in the Downtown Logan area. There is not set time or start or finish point. We just want one location for all of us to come and show our blue and our support for Worldwide Autism Awareness Day. Many of the children were given glow bracelets and we felt it would be great to take walks as a family at night and let our light shine for everyone driving by. Please join us. The more our blue is noticed the more people will desire to learn more about Autism this month. The rate is 1 in 110 in the 1970's it was 1 in 10000. We need treatments, we need acceptance, we need awareness, and mostly we just need to find a place for these 1 in 110 to fit in our society and live a fulfilling life.

Also let USU know how excited we are for their support in lighting the A for us on Saturday night.

Arthur on Aspergers Syndrome

2011-03-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Light it up Blue

2011-03-14T12:57:00.001-07:00

We are lighting it blue by.......

2011-03-11T10:55:00.000-08:00

I am purchasing 50 blue glow bracelets for my kids preschool classes! We will attach some kind of an info card to explain the bracelets to parents when they get home.

Jax

* Loved this idea! We are going to see if we can raise enough money in the next couple days from friends and family members to at least purchase them for all of Birch Creek Elementary, and maybe all the elementary schools in the valley if we can. I found a great site where you can purchase them quite cheap.
http://glowuniverse.com/storefrontprofiles/deluxeSFshop.aspx?sid=1&sfid=47917&c=23693

Autism speaks has this page of printouts you could use to just hand out flyers to people in your area
http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917089/k.E97F/Materials.htm

Learning with Temple

2011-03-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

I was able to attend the presentation March 9th at Idaho State University and listen to Dr. Temple Grandin speak. What a pleasure it was. The dean who presented Dr. Grandin said he presentation will be on Animal Science, Sensory Processing, and Autism. I thought huh I wonder how she is going to blend animal science in with the other 2 subjects. They were merged through the entire presentation and I must say it fit, and it flowed. I was amazing to hear how animals function so similary to the brain of an individual with Autism. It really made sense.

She spoke to audience members who were there to understand cattle better, she spoke to educators, she spoke to individuals with autism, and she spoke to the parents. She covered all of us without making us feel left out in the subject matter.

To the farmers she spoke a lot about animals and sensory processing. That shadows bother them along with things like hanging chains. Anything that could cause an interuption in their ability to process their sensory input.

To the educators she talked about accomadating their students by praising them for their amazing abilities and trying encourage growth in that area rather than cause such stress around their defecits.

To the individuals she talked mainly to the college students stating they needed to not take such a heavy work load at school, find quiet spaces to learn, and ask for single room accomadations at dorms if noise is a problem for you.

To the parents she emphasized continually throughout the presentation on the importance of teaching the children to work. She talked about how her mother found her much work as a teenager, and even though she did not want to work there was never a choice of whether she could or couldn't do the job, but there was usually a choice of how long maybe she had to work. She did not want to go spend the summer with her aunt and she was given the choice of you can stay a week or you need to stay the summer. She is disgusted with all the hands on programs being cut from school such as shop, auto mechanics, because for many individuals this was their time to shine in these classess. Therefore the pressure is on us as parents to expose our children to as many enviroments as possible so that they have many opportunities for them to find their gift and excel at it.

Temple Grandin speaking March 9th

2011-02-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

Temple Grandin will be speaking March 9th in Pocatello at Idaho State University. Tickets are free , but must be reserved starting February 23rd. Here is the link

http://www2.isu.edu/headlines/?p=2958

Recently Published Study

2011-02-17T16:37:00.001-08:00

Change in maternal criticism and behavior problems in adolescents and adults with autism across a 7-year period.

Baker JK, Smith LE, Greenberg JS, Seltzer MM, Taylor JL.

Abstract

In a previous study, high levels of maternal criticism predicted increased behavior problems in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over an 18-month period (Greenberg, Seltzer, Hong, & Orsmond, 2006). The current investigation followed these families over a period of 7 years to examine the longitudinal course of criticism and behavior problems, to assess the association between their trajectories, and to determine the degree to which change in each of these factors predicted levels of criticism and behavior problems at the end of the study period. A sample of 118 mothers coresiding with their adolescent and adult children with ASD provided open-ended narratives about their children and reported on the children's behavior problems at 4 waves. Maternal criticism was derived from expressed emotion ratings of the narratives. Criticism exhibited low but significant stability over the 7-year period, and behavior problems exhibited high stability. Through latent growth curve modeling, (a) criticism was found to have increased over time, but only for the group of families in which the sons or daughters transitioned from high school services during the study period; (b) individual changes in criticism and behavior problems were positively correlated over the 7-year period; and (c) changes in criticism predicted levels of behavior problems at the conclusion of the study. Changes in behavior problems were not predictive of end levels of criticism. Implications for intervention and prevention efforts are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

January 6th meeting

2010-12-29T13:13:00.001-08:00

Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Group

Thursday January 6, 2011

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

OPTIONS for Independence

1095 North Main Logan, UT

This month participants will have the opportunity to hear from Pam King, MFT. Pam will be discussing how to manage relationships, and to care for one’s self when being a caregiver for others.

We will also be hearing from Letha Mark who is the President on the Utah Council of Music Therapists. Letha will be talking about music therapy and offering a small demonstration of its uses and benefits.

We will be having discussion on current needs of participants, and opportunities for advocacy. For further information contact Anna at 435-753-5353 ext. 103 or awhitfield@options.org.

New Study with Great Results

2010-12-29T10:33:00.000-08:00

Just published a new study that is showing some great results

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2010/nimh-08.htm

Utah Valley College Conference

2010-12-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

http://www.uvu.edu/chss/autism/
Upcoming Conference Register today !

Response to Group meetings becoming quarterly - Need some Response

2010-08-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

I received an email from someone who brought it to my attention that maybe the location of the meeting place was not a good place to have it, that maybe the day and/or time was not working for some families, and that maybe we should have a focus group to help make some of the decisions on this group. I have asked in the past for parental input, but have not gotten any response. So I am putting this out there again.

Here are some thoughts from OPTIONS, please respond with your thoughts.

-change meeting place to OPTIONS, there is a nice open area for children to play

-change meeting day/time, how often meet-if need one for during the day and one for evening

-volunteers for child care, parents would need to call in advance to let me know they are bringing children so we have enough volunteers, if any at all

-have one meeting every few months that would be an activity: bowling, movie, etc

-input on topics to be presented at meetings

-any other ideas you may have

Once I hear back from you all, I can start making the changes needed to help meet your needs. But without any feedback, it makes it very difficult to find out what you want and desire from this group.

I look forward to hearing from each of you, either by phone, email or in person, regarding your thoughts on this. And thank you in advance for your help with this.

Thank you,

Mary Kehn

IL Coordinator

OPTIONS for Independence

1095 North Main

Logan, UT 84341

435/753-5353 x 103

mkehn@optionsind.org

Sahara Annual Autism Carnival

2010-07-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Wow! Amazing local conference don't miss.

2010-04-28T22:41:00.001-07:00

Fundraiser please come help support Autism

2010-04-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

May's Support Group Info.

2010-04-13T17:03:00.001-07:00

OPTIONS for Independence

Northern Utah Center for Independent Living

Spectrum Disorders Support Group

Thursday May 6, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

This month’s topic will be about tools to balance life when you have a child with special needs. Specifically working on marriage and sibling issues like jealousy as well as single parenting tools. The presenter will be Jeanie Peck LCSW, a licensed therapist. She enjoys working with families and children. She supervises social work students and provides mental health therapy for parents involved with the Up to 3 Early Intervention Program. She also works at the Family Institute of Northern Utah as a mental health therapist

The support group will be held at the Logan Regional Hospital – Classrooms 1 & 4. Participants should enter the parking lot from 1400 North. Use the single door just south of the Women and Newborn Center entrance (door that accesses Logan Medical Federal Credit Union). The classrooms are to the right as you walk through the double doors. Check the schedule outside the classrooms for any room changes.

Contact Mary at OPTIONS for Independence by telephone at (435) 753-5353 ext. 103 or by email at mkehn@optionsind.org with any questions, concerns or suggestions for future topics.

***THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING THIS JUNE OR JULY. WE WILL START BACK UP THE FIRST THURSDAY OF AUGUST. HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!

***We are also planning to start an adult Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Group. If you are interested in this, please contact Mary at OPTIONS, 435/753-5353 x 103.

Walk for Autism

2010-03-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

Walk for Autism May 1st at Heritage Park across from Hogle Zoo. If you want to start a team of your own and come walk you can sign up at www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/utah or if you would like to come walk with our team we would love to have you and you can sign up at www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/utah/teamdax you are not required to donate to walk, and the walk is much more like a family fun event than a walk. It is a very short walk, and you can go as slow as you would like. There are usually bounce houses, resource fair, free food, and lots of fun to be had so come join us :)

Top Sports Bowling

2010-03-03T16:19:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in having your child participate in Top Sports Bowling it starts March 4th at Logan Lanes. You can choose from 2 sessions one from 4-4:45 p.m. the other from 5-5:45 p.m. The cost is $15 for the whole month this includes the shoe rental. Come to which time works best for you. If you have any questions you can call 435-797-3727.

March 4th Support Group

2010-03-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

OPTIONS for Independence
Northern Utah Center for Independent Living

Spectrum Disorders Support Group
Thursday March 4, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

There will be a various different speakers discussing the wide variety of therapy options for individuals with Autism. What could benefit someone who is more severely affected to an individual who is considered high functioning will probably be two different types of therapy options. There are many programs available that many people are unaware of, so we have invited these guests to come and help represent individual therapy options. Hopefully we will be able to open our eyes to new options for our individual situations.

The support group will be held at the Logan Regional Hospital – Classrooms 1 & 4. Participants should enter the parking lot from 1400 North. Use the single door just south of the Women and Newborn Center entrance (door that accesses Logan Medical Federal Credit Union). The classrooms are to the right as you walk through the double doors. Check the schedule outside the classrooms for any room changes.

Contact Mary at OPTIONS for Independence by telephone at (435) 753-5353 ext. 103 or by email at mkehn@optionsind.org with any questions, concerns or suggestions for future topics.

February's Speaker

2010-02-17T16:24:00.000-08:00

In February we had financial care planner Bret Hortin speak with us on the benefits of planning for our children with disabilities. If you are interested in discussing this with him he did a great job and would be happy to speak with you. Here is his info.

Brett Hortin
Tel: 435-713-1920
Tel: 801-453-2264
Cell: 801-560-7661

2010 LDAU Conference (worth your time)

2010-02-17T15:48:00.000-08:00

The Learning Disabilities Association of Utah (LDAU), Utah State Office of Education, Utah Parent Center and the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation are pleased to announce the 2010 LDAU Conference.

Learning Outside the Lines will feature something for everyone - parents, educators, other professionals and people with learning disabilities. Please share this information with anyone you think may be interested in attending! There is plenty of room available!

Follow the links to the left to find out more about the conference line up, registration and scholarship opportunities.

The conference will be held on Friday, March 5 from 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and again from 6:15 - 8:00 p.m. at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.

The conference will feature Jonathan Mooney, a speaker and author who also is an individual with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. The conference will be held on Friday, March 5 at the South Towne Expo Center at Sandy, Utah. There are around 30 Workshop sessions covering hidden disabilities including, social emotional, learning disabilities, AD/HD, Aspergers and High Functioning Autism. Jonathan will give the Keynote Session in the morning and two more sessions during the day. Jonathan talks about being an individual with hidden disabilities and how to celebrate the strengths, gifts, and talents of their each individual. Research shows that self-esteem is essential to students' success. However our culture, schools, and medical community conceptualize people with disabilities as inherently broken and medically defective. To empower students with disabilities, parents and professionals can understand disability as a social construct, not a medical condition. In this presentation, Jonathan tells parents and teachers and school administrators what's right about students with hidden disabilities and instills ideas to change social perceptions and recognize their student's assets.

Jonathan will provide a special workshop in the Evening from 7:00-8:00 PM for students (3rd Grade and above) their families, educators and other professionals. That special session is $3 per person.

Please Join Us For An Excellent Conference!

For more information, visit www.ldau.org or send an email to lindas@utahparentcenter.org.

Feb 4th group is being held!

2010-02-04T09:29:00.000-08:00

Options is in transition right now so for at least this month I will be helping with the group. We will still be meeting Thurs. Feb 4th from 7-9 pm in classrooms 1 & 4 at Logan Regional Hospital. You enter in the doors adjacent to the right from the new womens center entrance. This is our speaker and he will be an excellent one I am excited to attend . Hope to you see you there.

Jill Drysdale

We will be discussing “Life Care Planning.” How to plan for the care of your special needs child when you can no longer be the caregiver. What will happen to your child after you’re gone? We will discuss the steps to take to answer these questions. We will also view a video documentary on the Easter Seals Living with Autism Study. The group will find it very informative and touching.

Autism group should still be ongoing...... we hope

2010-01-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of speculation on the whether the local Autism Group meetings would be continue to be hosted by Options for Independance after Laura left, and after my phone call with Options it sounds like they are going to plan on keeping the group. They are in the process of hiring and should have someone by next week and will still try to have a February group. I asked for the new hire to call me so we can get the word out and know what to plan for.

Also Dave who attends the group is an absolutely wonderful jewelry maker and has some great autism awareness product if you are interested he is going to be bringing some to display at the meetings, and this would be a great way for us to raise awareness!

I will post again as soon as I have a for sure on the group.

Recap on last months support group information worth reading

2009-12-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

Autism Support Group
November 5, 2009

Nourishing Mind, Body and Spirit
Presented by Sher Anderson

“Sher Anderson is a former RN and Midwife who has continued to teach birth classes over the last 33 years and who has also created a set of Life Skills classes called the Nourishing Body, Mind and Spirit Series. She has spent over 30 years helping new families launch their lives together, helping them attain the varieties of skills needed to create robust, healthy and happy children ... and parents too! In the course of working with families and learning of their challenges, Sher has had the opportunity to help a handful of families with autistic children through some simple dietary additions. The children are doing extremely well now. She will discuss what the families did and everyone's insight into why they think it has worked, as well as share the work and results of other researchers using similar ideas.”

Sher spoke about a case she has been working where a young girl who was vivacious and energetic, a perfectly healthy little girl, received her vaccinations and the next day became lethargic, unable to speak or move. This little’s girl mother called Sher and asked if there was anything Sher could do to help. Sher took a nutritional approach and had some good outcomes.

- Cod liver oil: It has high levels of the omega -3 fatty acids, Eicosapentaenoica acid (EPA) and Docashexaenoic acid (DHA), and very high levels of vitamin A and vitamin D. It is widely taken to ease the symptoms of arthritis as well as other health benefits. It was once commonly given to children, because the high levels of vitamin D in cod liver oil have been shown to prevent rickets. Website recommended by Sher – greenpasture.org

- Coconut oil: Increases speech and cognition; anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Website recommended by Sher – Tropical Traditions – gold label.

- Keifer: Soured milk that is similar to yogurt; helps with allergies. Pro-biotic.

- Supplements: There are two supplements derived from volcanic ash: Fulvic acid and Humic acid. These supplements help with the uptake of minerals.

- Modifilan: Brown seaweed; harvested off the coast of Russia (near Chernobyl site). Comes in capsule form. Modifilian pulls metals out of the body. It is known to be very soothing and enhances cognition.

Pregnant women add blood volume during pregnancy and the there is an immediate demand for iron (hemoglobin). Lacto ferrin, an iron-binding protein , is a special molecule that helps control pathogens (yeast and bacteria). Women who are low in iron can see an increase of UTI’s (urinary tract infections), yeast infections and bladder infections. Eating beef and liver, which contain B12, can help regulate iron levels. Some ways to prepare liver are as follows:

1) Soak liver in milk for one hour. Helps with the flavor and makes it tender.
2) Soak in vinegar. Same properties as the milk.
3) Mix ½ ground beef and ½ liver. DON’T tell your family. They will probably not be able to tell the difference, but are getting the nutritional value from the liver.

Food sensitivities and food allergies are caused by the lack of lacto ferrin which causes holes in the intestine. This condition causes the proteins to go into the blood stream and cause the body to ‘freak out” and make the body sensitive to food. This condition is known as “Leaky Gut” – holes in the gut that cause food sensitivities and allergies. An increase of iron in the body will generally alleviate this condition.

Potassium Sorbate is used as a preservative in foods. Potassium Sorbate affects the flora in the body.

G.E.M. Cultures: Company that collects original cultures and will ship live cultures to customers.

Try to eat foods in their natural state so you get the full advantage of absorbing the vitamins and minerals. For example, if someone is taking vitamin pills, the body cannot digest the pill fully and the body does not get the full benefit.

Colostrum milk, straight from the cow, was given to this little girl talked about previously and her allergies have subsided.

Lauric acid: Glial cell growth. Glial cells support regular brain cells and are non-neuronal cells that provide support and nutrition, maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and participate in signal transmission in the nervous system. In the human brain, there is roughly one glia for every neuron with a ratio of about two neurons for every three glia in the cerebral gray matter. Glial cells provide support and protection for neurons, the other main type of cell in the nervous system. Coconut oil has extra lauric acid and lauric acid is believed to have antimicrobial properties.

B12: Enhances nerve function, cognition and memory. Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Nitrous oxide depletes B12 in the body because the body uses B12 to clear our nitrous oxide out of the body. An example of when your body can be depleted is when going to dentist and you have “happy or laughing gas.” B12 can be stored in the body for a decade once the body has reached is maximum levels. B12 has new purposes: happiness vitamin and detoxification.

Trust your cravings. It’s what your body needs. Pay attention.

Need to have adequate calcium levels before iron can be raised to optimum levels. If you try to raise iron levels with low calcium levels, you can suffer from insomnia. Have a calcium form before bed (Ex: warm milk, cottage cheese, etc.)

ksl.com - Study: Eye reaction may detect autism

2009-11-23T08:27:00.000-08:00

ksl.com - Study: Eye reaction may detect autism

My child got sick, and then had Autism?

2009-10-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

Is Autism Associated with A Viral Infection?

Last week, researchers from the University of Nevada, the National Cancer Institute and The Cleveland Clinic announced the startling discovery of antibodies to a little known retrovirus in 95% of patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating neuro-immune disease impacting more than a million people in the United States.

The finding, published in the highly respected journal Science, "clearly points to the retrovirus as a significant contributing factor in this illness," said lead author Judy Mikovits, Ph.D., director of research for the Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease, which is affiliated with the University of Nevada, Reno. It was the first study to isolate particles of the retrovirus, XMRV, in human blood and demonstrate that it is transmitted between blood cells. XMRV was first discovered in prostate cancer tissue of men with certain genetic defects. Like the more well-known retrovirus, HIV, this pathogen is blood-borne, and not transmitted through the air.

The findings have potential significance for a number of other disorders including, it turns out, autism.

Researchers tested blood samples from a "small group of children" with autism and found that 40% of them were positive for XMRV, according to a statement from the Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders. More testing is underway which, the Commission said, "could dramatically increase that 40% positive finding." (Given the small sample size, such a statement is purely speculative).

As Dr. Mikovits explained to a television news program in Nevada, "It is not in the paper and not reported, but we have actually done some of these studies (in ASD children) and found the virus in a significant number of samples that we have tested for. It could be linked to a number of neuro-immune diseases, including autism. It certainly won't be all, because there are genetic defects that result in autism. But there are also the environmental effects; there is always the hypothesis that, 'My child was fine and then they got sick, and then they got autism.'"

According to Dr. Mikovits, XMRV (which admittedly sounds like a satellite radio system for your Winnebago) can lie dormant in people, until it is "turned on or off" by other factors, such as stress hormones like cortisol, or in response to the presence of inflammatory "cytokines," protein molecules secreted by immune cells to help regulate the immune system.

And then Dr. Mikovits dropped a bombshell that is sure to spark controversy.

"On that note, if I might speculate a little bit," she said, "This might even explain why vaccines would lead to autism in some children, because these viruses live and divide and grow in lymphocytes -- the immune response cells, the B and the T cells. So when you give a vaccine, you send your B and T cells in your immune system into overdrive. That's its job. Well, if you are harboring one virus, and you replicate it a whole bunch, you've now broken the balance between the immune response and the virus. So you have had the underlying virus, and then amplified it with that vaccine, and then set off the disease, such that your immune system could no longer control other infections, and created an immune deficiency."

So there you have it - a possible explanation of regressive autism in a significant number of cases associated with immune system deregulation triggered by vaccination.

Of course, much more work is needed to nail down the exact significance of such an association. For example, is the virus implicated in the cause of autism, or do children harbor the virus as a result of autism?

Either way, it is notable that such questions are being asked by mainstream sources such as the University of Nevada, and by extension the NCI and the Cleveland Clinic: Can XMRV infection plus vaccination create the right conditions for regressive autism? That remains to be seen. But it also means that the thousands of parents who claim their children did regress shortly after vaccination may not be so crazy and "fringe" as they have been portrayed by experts such as Dr. Paul Offit of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Dr. Thomas Insel, head of the National Institute of Mental Health and Chair of the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC).

"We certainly are advocating vaccinations and how important those are to the well being of the children," explained Annette Whittemore, founder of the Whittemore Peterson Institute.

"But what we are hoping for is, by finding out whether or not one is positive to XMRV, whether it is in one family member or another, and then looking for it in children, you could alter the immune response in such a way that you can protect the child and still be able to vaccinate and avoid autism in these kids. And again, I don't think ether one of us is sitting here saying, 'Vaccinations cause autism,' but rather a number of factors; a genetic susceptibility to the illness, to the infection itself, and then on top of that you are adding something to that mix that takes that child over the top."

Apparently, the CFS findings have impressed the scientific community. "We presented these data three times: Twice at closed conferences at the NIH, and one at an international meeting a few weeks ago, and you could hear a pin drop in the audience - it's amazement" Mikovits said. "The scientists are excited, everyone is working on it, so we know we are going to get a lot of help. It's just amazement, it's an entirely new field of medicine and everyone who's ever worked in this family of viruses is, now that we've shown it's a human pathogen, is extremely excited."

Whittemore added that researchers hoped to develop a vaccine against XMRV quickly, noting that "It would be easier to find a vaccine against this than HIV, because it is a simple retrovirus."

The discovery raises more questions than it answers. What, exactly, is it about immunization that might switch on XMRV viral expression? Could the effect of heavy metals upon cytokine balances be at play? Where did this retrovirus come from, and how did it apparently become so prevalent in children with autism? Did these children inherit the virus from a parent, or was there some other unexplained route of transmission? Why has the NIH said nothing about XMRV in association with autism, and did Dr. Insel know about these findings without sharing them with the IACC?

Finally, Dr. Insel has said that a vaccine against autism may one day be developed. Was he actually referring to a vaccine against XMRV, and what role, if any, might he or members of his family play in the development of such a vaccine?

According to Insel's own biography, in 1994, he went to Emory University, Atlanta as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, and Director of the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center. "As director of Yerkes," his bio says, "Dr. Insel built one of the nation's leading HIV vaccine research programs."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/is-autism-associated-with_b_316986.html?awesm=fbshare.me_BxZ

New Autism Video

2009-09-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

Program for Teens with Autism

2009-08-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

So often I have had it said to me. I have a teenager with Autism and there just isn't anything out there for them. All of the programs seem to be involved with early intervention. That is why I enjoyed this article about this program for teens with autism. Maybe if we speak loud enough we could get something locally that is similar. Click on the above link.

Group meetings are BACK!

2009-08-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

September 3rd we are back on for support group hosted by Options for Independance. I personally know the speaker Gina and she has amazing things to share so I would definately try to make it. If you attended the meeting with Tommorrow Life Care Plans they showed us a book which would give someone everything they could possible need to know about your child if they needed to take your place. Now you can get one for free from Gina, but she will need to know your coming to bring you one. So if you are interested let me know I am trying to come up with a count for her. My email is drysdalejill@yahoo.com.

Autism at Sundance

2009-07-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

2 movies on the review at Sundance are both featuring characters with Autism. From what I have read they are getting alright reviews too. So watch for them you may need to search a little to find them when they come out, because it may not be released in Logan. The first is call Adam with Hugh Dancey from Confessions of a Shopaholic, and the second is called Mary and Max.

Here is the link to the movie trailers for Adam

sorry you will have to copy and paste these.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810062504/video/13179944/20090427/150/13179944-100-wmv-s.84421010-,13179944-300-flash-s.84421019-,13179944-700-flash-s.84421021-,13179944-300-wmv-s.84421013-,13179944-1000-flash-s.84421022-,13179944-700-wmv-s.84421014-,13179944-1000-wmv-s.84421015-,13179944-100-flash-s.84421017-,13179946-10300-qtv-s.84421028-,13179946-2700-qtv-s.84421023-,13179946-6800-qtv-s.84421025-

Hmmm..... this was not quite what I expected

www.maryandmax.com

Trail a bike

2009-07-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

Janice @ 753-5353 she works for options for independance has a bike attachment they barely used that they had bought for there son who was struggling to learn how to ride a bike. If this is not what hers is like it is the closest thing I could find it is similar if not the same thing. Give her a call if you are interested.

This will be great for us.

2009-07-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how many of you have heard of Big Maks. It's a group that has been started in the SLC, and Ogden area. They are funny and describe their motto as more support than a 44 DD bra. Anyways they have formed an amazing networking community through email between what I think she said is 200 + families. They have great activities and events going all of the time, and they want to include us! They put me on their list and if it is something that could be applicable to us I will then forward it on to our Cache Valley network. If we are not interested in attending their activites it will give us great ideas of what we can be doing locally. I am trying to get email address of families to get this started. So if you are interested in participating please email me your email address at drysdalejill@yahoo.com. Thanks

Summit County gets tracking devices when us?

2009-07-10T12:03:00.001-07:00

The NAA generously donated the money to get a tracking device and bracelets to our police dept in Summit County, Utah after an adult autistic man became lost (luckily he was found). We're hoping to get this going in other police departments around Utah too with the help of the Utah Autism Coalition's special projects chair, Shanda Ross and the National Autism Association. Great work, Lori McIlwain!

Upcoming events don't miss!

2009-06-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

To tell or not to tell.

2009-06-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

I was discussing with 2 of my autism mom friends a dillema I face daily, and that is to tell or not to tell someone that my child has autism. I don't want him to be branded , and yet I often want to reassure people I am aware that my child is a little off. They both had some great idea's they use. One purchased these great cards I had heard about to hand out to people if you need to in a certain situation it is www.mychildwithautismcards.com the other visits the www.cafepress.com where they have thousands of choices in t-shirts for your child or adult with autism to help give a little clue to people of what your situation might be. Check it out.

DAN Doctors?

2009-05-27T15:32:00.001-07:00

Does anyone have an opinion of DAN Doctors? If so please leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Interesting Resource

2009-05-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

After nine years creating video games, Ben Throop recently launched a Web site he says helps educate children with learning disabilities, specifically autism.

More than 2,700 users have created picture cards containing either photos, symbols or plain text from a site called Mrs. Riley (www.MrsRiley.com). Animals, vegetables, school supplies and other images are among about 3,000 symbols available that can be placed onto a variety of template sizes.
The Web site lists parents, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and autism specialists as users. Mrs. Riley makes it easy to make and download the cards, and it is readily availability, said Throop, of Fairport.
"Even before a child can learn to talk, they think in language," he said. "Using video supports like this alleviates frustrations with anybody who has a hard time communicating."
Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears in the first three years of a child's life, according to the Autism Society of America. About 1.5 million Americans are autistic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children with autism typically have problems communicating verbally and nonverbally, and don't interact well.
The online cards are created through computer software Throop created called PageBuilder. Cards can also be stored; users with paid memberships can share images online as well.
A monthly membership ranges from $5 to $45 depending on the length of the subscription. A 24-hour free trial is also available.

Throop has experience designing video games for Sony and Activision. His wife, Kristin McCole, is an autism specialist.
Recognition of Mrs. Riley is slowly building locally, said Throop, who recently conducted a presentation in the Marion Central School District, Wayne County. No area school districts are currently using Mrs. Riley.
Mark Wolery, a professor of special education at Vanderbilt University, is using the visual aids in a research project involving children with autism and other learning disabilities.
"That's a real advance over more common picture and symbol programs," he said. "I think that will be a tremendous asset for speech pathologists and teachers."

NLEE@DemocratandChronicle.com

Group Meeting Recap for April 2nd

2009-04-03T07:53:00.001-07:00

Dave Straup presented, and I think did a great job of informing us on Asperger's Syndrome. He explained so much on how our brains work, and what they are capable of. It really is just fascinating. He continually reminded us that the things he shared with us were his opinions on the matter, but these days that means just as much to me as sitting in front of a doctor and asking the same questions we asked him last night, because lots of times an opinion is basically what your getting from the doctor. I completely agreed with Dave as he described to us an Analogy of a Car where we all have the same car someone with Autism has a car that looks the same as ours but in the inside the transmission may be different it may run on diesel fuel. We cannot cure the car because the car is not broken it just runs differently what we can do is modify the car. The same goes for Autism these individuals are not broken they just run differently and while we cannot cure them we can help modify in order to help them lead fulfilling lives. He left us a couple video resources that I believe he said are available through Laura at Options for Independence they are "Magnificent Mind At Any Age" and The Brain Fitness Program". Contact Laura if interested in these. He also explained a Flow Chart that went thorough understanding needs in order to provide a better quality life. If you are interested in this email me and I can email you a copy of the Flow chart.

Better Outcomes for Adults with Autism in Utah

2009-03-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

Follow-Up Study Shows Half Of Utahns With Autism Lead Fulfilling Lives
Article Date: 21 Mar 2009 - 1:00 PDT

Twenty years after first being assessed in a long-term autism study, 41 Utahns with the disorder had a higher social outcome than those in similar studies, University of Utah psychiatry researchers have reported in the Journal of Autism Research online.

Although the researchers can't yet explain why the follow-up study showed the Utah group fared better overall in living independently, developing social relationships, and in some cases even showing higher IQs than 20 years ago, the results offer hope for many with a childhood diagnosis of autism, according to Megan A. Farley, Ph.D., the study's first author and a research associate in the Department of Psychiatry at the U of U School of Medicine.

"This is an amazing group of people who, in many cases, did a lot more than their parents were told they would ever do," Farley said of those who participated in the follow-up study. "This gives a lot of hope for younger people with autism and average-range IQs."

Farley and her fellow researchers drew the follow-up study participants from an original group of 241 Utahns with autism who took part in a University of Utah and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), study from 1984-1988. The average age of participants in the original study was 7, while the average age at the follow-up study was 32. Participants in the current study had an average childhood non-verbal IQ of at least 70.

For the follow-up study, the researchers assessed the participants' overall social outcome by their ability to maintain paid employment, the existence of meaningful social relationships, and their degree of independence in daily life. From these criteria, an individual's overall social outcome was assigned to one of five categories: very good, good, fair, poor, and very poor:
Very good meant the person held paid employment without extra support to perform job duties, had important social relationships, and a high independence in daily life.

Good indicated the individual had a generally high level of independence at work and in daily life, requiring some extra support, and also had a friendship or some acquaintances.

Fair reflected the need for regular support at work or home, but the person did not have to live at a special residential facility. The participants in this category had acquaintances through special activities but no particular friends.

Poor showed the need for a high level of support, such as a residential living facility and planned daily activities for people developmental disabilities. Those in this category had no friends outside their residential living arrangements.

Very poor meant the individual required a high level of care in a hospital setting with no autonomy and had no friendships.
By these measures, the researchers found that 24 percent of the participants had a very good social outcome; 24 percent had a good outcome; 34 percent had a fair outcome; and 17 percent were rated in the poor social outcome category. No one's social outcome fell into the very poor category.

About half of the 41 study participants were employed in full- or part-time competitive jobs. Six were living independently, including three who owned homes. Three were married with children, and one person also was newly engaged to be married. Eleven of the participants have driver licenses and the same number had a higher IQ than when assessed 20 years earlier.

"Adults with autism haven't received the attention from researchers that children have, but the few studies that have been done on similar groups showed 15 percent to 30 percent having good outcomes, compared to the 50 percent in our study," Farley said. "One early Canadian study showed similar results to ours, but other studies have had fewer people living and working independently as adults."

Although, Farley doesn't know why the Utah group fared better than those in other autism studies, she thinks it may be related to early intervention to help children with the disorder and strong social and family networks in Utah.

The most important factor in whether study participants had a better living outcome was their degree of independence in daily activities - being able to take care of themselves, hold employment, live on their own or at least semi-independently, and take part in meaningful social relationships, according to Farley. Although IQ significantly influences social outcome, daily independence plays an even greater role in determining how well people with autism function, the researchers said.

Although encouraging, the follow-up study results also show autism's devastating toll. About half the participants could not live or work independently, and the majority lived with their parents, although many of them had a high level of independence in their daily activities. Social isolation is a serious problem as well - 44 percent of the group has never dated. In addition, 60 percent of the study participants, even some of those who had achieved independent living and working, were prone to anxiety and mood disorders and worried about a social stigma attached to autism. The IQ of eight participants declined since they first were evaluated 20 years ago.

The 41 participants in the follow-up originally were identified through a statewide epidemiological survey between 1984 and 1988 conducted by the U of U and UCLA. The goal of that study was to identify every person born with autism between 1960 and 1984 and who lived in Utah during the four-year survey. The survey was one of the largest population-based autism studies in the world, meaning it tried to assess the whole population of Utahns with the disorder rather than a select group. By assessing participants from the original study, the follow-up gives a unique perspective on the long-term course of autism, according to Farley.

The long-term follow-up also will help researchers identify issues that affect the social outcomes of adults who were diagnosed with autism as children, providing information that can help determine services that will help these adults lead more fulfilling lives.

"Our current results have encouraged us to go further in following up the entire sample of 241 adults who were identified with autistic disorder in the 1980's," Farley said. "We now know that, with the help of the remaining adults and their families who are willing to give of their time and energy, we will be able to have a better understanding of the life course in autism. We're excited now to contact all of the families who participated in the original study."

Notes:

Hilary Coon, Ph.D., research professor of psychiatry, was the study's senior author, and William M. McMahon, M.D., chairman of the School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry, was a member of the original study team and a co-author on the current study as well.

Source: Phil Sahm
University of Utah Health Sciences

Clay's Law No Longer Clay's Law

2009-03-10T20:08:00.001-07:00

We learned late last night that the House Leadership refused to bring SB 43 - Clay’s Law out of the House Rules Committee unless it was substituted with the following bill (there were myriad reasons given, which I’ll explain in our upcoming meeting):

http://le.utah.gov/~2009/bills/sbillint/sb0043s01.pdf

This substitution bill was explained to me as an autism insurance policy through the Utah HIP (Health Insurance Pool) program that parents would have to opt into, paying associated premiums and deductibles, before the child is born or very shortly thereafter. Then, most likely there would be a two-year waiting period before they received the benefit for treatment costs. Technically, it’s not called a “rider”, but on the surface it is structured very similar to what we know as an insurance rider – but in my mind is even more limited because it’s not available with all insurance companies, only through HIP which contracts through SelectHealth.

Personally, I did not want my son’s name attached to this small benefit where legislators and families would think this was our accepted outcome. It is not. This has never been our goal. So I have asked for Clay’s name to be removed. SB 43 will no longer be called Clay’s Law, but will go forward as this HIP insurance plan (as SB 43, sponsored by Sen. Stephenson and Rep. Barrus – who decided that in their good conscience they had to continue supporting the substitute bill rather than be left with nothing).

We sent out the attached press release this afternoon to all news media outlets so legislators and the community would be aware that this is no longer Clay’s Law and to send a grim reminder that there are multitudes of families still in desperate need of relief.

We cannot include some details in this email, thus, we would like to hold a meeting to discuss in further depth what has transpired. We’ll send a follow up email with the date and location. We’re already crafting our strategy so we can continue our efforts, educate our legislators, and carry the momentum into the next legislative session. We will keep fighting until autism insurance legislation is passed – either statewide or federally.

This is not the end, but only the beginning of the autism revolution in Utah. We’ve raised significant awareness; we’ve opened hearts and ears; we’ve turned important heads. We’ve caused a shift in the paradigm. This isn’t a defeat, but rather a stepping stone to victory.

We’ll never give up advocating for the children who so desperately need this help.

Sincerely,

Leeann Whiffen
Brittany Recalde
Steve Michalski

March 7th Deseret News article on Clay's Story

2009-03-06T19:19:00.001-08:00

'A Child's Journey Out of Autism' is a must-read
By Lee Benson

Deseret News

Published: Saturday, March 7, 2009 11:01 p.m. MST

A few years ago, in reviewing Nelson Mandela's autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom," the Boston Sunday Globe delivered the kind of endorsement publishers dream about: "Should be read by every person alive."

The Globe's quote went straight onto the book's front cover.

I would like to plagiarize that sentiment after reading an advance copy of Leeann Whiffen's book, "A Child's Journey Out of Autism."

If you're a parent, if you know of people who are parents, if you know of people who are thinking of being parents, you should read this book.

That's pretty close to every person alive.

That of course is no small statement, but the two-part message in Whiffen's book is no small message.

First, that autism is a modern-day epidemic of such enormous proportion that one in every 150 kids is diagnosed with some form of the disorder.

Second, it can be beaten.

The story of how Leeann, an American Fork housewife, and her businessman husband, Sean, discovered their middle son, Clay, had autism before he was 2, how they attacked the challenge with every ounce of energy — and debt — they could muster, and how they finally emerged after more than two long years with a reversal of the condition is pure inspiration.

Story continues below

But what is more important — and jarring — is the evidence that society, including so-called modern medicine, continues to mostly turn a blind eye to a genuine plague that is silently and regularly attacking defenseless infants.

Whereas 20 years ago, one in 5,000 kids was diagnosed with autism in America, now 80 kids a day and 30,000 a year are diagnosed.

As Bryan Jepson, a former Utah doctor now living in Texas and ardent advocate for autism research, writes in the foreword of Leeann's book, such statistics make onetime monster problems such as polio pale in comparison.

The story of Clay Whiffen's journey shows that the brain development disorder known as autism is undoubtedly caused by much more than pure genetics. Vaccinations could be a contributor, as could antibiotics, and any number of other "environmental insults."

Clay's story points to the importance of caution and, when necessary, early detection and treatment. There is a small window when the brain is pliable and resilient enough to be re-trained.

Clay — today a thriving, normal 8-year-old gymnast — is proof of that. But what's daunting is how many Clays are imprisoned by autism for life because their condition was allowed to begin and left to linger due to ignorance or, worse, just plain bad advice.

The most haunting paragraph in Leeann's book is when she describes a visit to her pediatrician's office and brings up the possibility that Clay's rather sudden transformation from healthy toddler to tantrum-throwing screamer might be due to autism brought on by his vaccinations.

"Mrs. Whiffen," (the doctor) continues, wheeling his stool in closer. His eyes narrow, and he pulls out his pointing finger, shaking it at me. 'Clay is much more likely to get smallpox than autism.'"

It's only through the Whiffens' own efforts, and efforts of the small but indomitable autism community that embraces them, that they diagnose and rescue their son.

Early on, when the future looks dark, Leeann makes a promise, which she spells out in her book.

"If we're ever able to get Clay back, I promise, I will be on the front lines helping parents navigate their way around treatment options. I will make this easier for them. All of the research and trying to locate various resources takes precious time. Time that could be used in getting treatment started sooner."

Her book, which she wrote in the same kitchen from which she mounted her assault on her son's autism, is part payment on that promise.

Starting this week, you can find it in major bookstores and at www.leeannwhiffen.com. It is surprisingly well-written. A page-turner. And it is every bit as important as "Long Walk to Freedom." Nelson Mandela, South African freedom fighter extraordinaire, fought to release millions from bondage. Leeann Whiffen, Utah mother extraordinaire, is doing the same thing. Everyone should read what they have written.

Re-Cap on March 5, 2009 Group Meeting

2009-03-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

Aimee Thoman and Gerald Rowley presented in behalf of Tommorrow Life Care Plans. I went not expecting too much, but left I feel with a much better understanding that I need to make sure we are prepared if something were to happen to my husband and I. They talked a lot about the importance of trusts, and how so many people have trusts that have a special needs child, and when they pass and leave what money they had to their child then that child then often becomes disqualified from receiving Medicaid and the many life assisting programs associated with Medicaid. So you actually need your trust to point to another trust you would set up for your child which is a special needs trust which would have it's own tax id number then solving the problem of them not qualifing for services based on money that has been left to them. They also talked about guardianship. I was not aware that even if you have a severly disabled child that when they turn 18 if they refuse a medical service the doctors have to listen to them even though you are the caretaker if you have not gotten guardianship for them. They talked about several instances of this and it just made me sad that it has happened to people. I was impressed with the plan they have you create it is the size of a large novel so that if something were to happen to you that who ever took your special needs child would have an extensive road map to make sure the transition would go as smoothly as possible. I thought both individuals seemed very nice, and would be happy to visit with anyone who had questions regarding the process if you were interested.

What's going on!

2009-03-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

Want to know where our families lie with the Obama administration then check out this website to see what they have planned for children and adults with disabilites. http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/education

Autism Assessment and treatment center-Support group for adults with Asperger's disorder and high functioning autism

During this group individuals discuss difficulties they encounter in relation to social, emotional, and vocational issues in a supportive environment.

Place: Autism Assessment and Treatment Center
4505 Wasatch Boulevard, Suite 190
S.L.C, UT 84124
Facilitators: Dr. Leanne Beale and Amber Mcelreath, M.A.
Cost: $40
Dates: Tuesdays beginning March 10th
Time: 5:00-6:15 p.m.

To register for this group or for further questions, please contact Leanne Beale, Psy.D. at 801-386-8069
Further information is offered on the website www.autismutah.com

Research

2009-02-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

The Ian Project

This website is somewhere you can go to make a difference. If you can take a little time out of your day and participate in this study they are trying to do their own research based on our experiences with our children on the spectrum. If you are interested go to www.ianproject.org

Another great resource for research is Easter Seals you can find info. from them at their website.

www.easterseals.com

This website offers both Research informtion and gives great resource information.

www.autism-society.org

Resources

2009-02-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

Autism Speaks

www.autismspeaks.org

I found this a great website to refer to for myself, and for others on how to learn the signs of autism. They even have a great video glossary to watch video's to help you understand the red flags for autism.

They update daily with information from articles from newspapers around the world, and much more including recent research findings and treatments for autism.

The Utah Parent Center

Please visit this website and contact them to sign up for their newsletter filled with great information.

www.utahparentcenter.org

INFORMATION ON PARENTING
offered through
THE FAMILY INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTER
50 S 400 E
LOGAN, UT 84321
435-755-5171
*Open 9am-4pm Monday-Friday
Website: www.Loganfamilycenter.org
Blog address: www.Loganfamilycenter.blogspot.com

-Offers a FREE Love & Logic Class and FREE babysitting
-Has parenting videos to check out, etc.

www.loveandlogic.com also has podcasts available to view

USU also has a site with materials from Glenn Latham- Positive Parenting

Many of you may have watched the Utah family the Kirton's on the television this past year or read about them in People magazine. They have a business and a website to help educate us on how they handle their 6 autistic children. If your interested in this their website is

www.autismbites.com

The Autism Society of America

www.autism-society.org

Event's and Activities

2009-02-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

OPTIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE
Invites you to the

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS GROUP

Thursday May 7, 2009 from
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The support group will be held at the Logan Regional Hospital – Classrooms 1 & 4. Participants should enter the parking lot from 1400 North. Use the single door just south of the Women and Newborn Center entrance (door that accesses Logan Medical Federal Credit Union). The classrooms are to the right as you walk through the double doors. Check the schedule outside the classrooms for any room changes.

Contact Laura at OPTIONS for Independence, 753-5353, with any questions.

This group is held the 1st Thursday of every month at Logan Regional Hospital Classrooms 1 & 4 from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Last year was Utah's first Walk Now For Autism sponsored by Toys R Us and put on by Autism Speaks. It is a great event to raise money, and awareness. The walk itself is on May 2nd 2009, and is a great day of fun for the whole family I have attached some pictures from our team last year to show how much fun we had.
They had great resources there. I thought from your toddler to an adult they had something worth seeing.
I enjoyed the booth from Toys R Us which showed which toys they offer which would help with developmental disabilities, and why that toy in particular would help. If your interested in signing up a team or you want to join our team which is Team Dax then go to www.walknowforautism.org/utah

COMMON GROUND
335 N 100 E
Logan, UT 84321

Common Ground offers activites for persons with disabilites year round through activies like Skiing, Rock climbing, Holiday Parties, Hot Springs, Ice Skating, Movie Night, Nature Project, Rec Night, Service Projects and more. To learn what they have going on contact them at 435-713-0288 or you can email them at programs@cgadventures.org. This program is not exclusive to older individuals. I know with the skiing they could accomadate a young child.

Services

2009-02-09T09:59:00.000-08:00

Services

OPTIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE
1095 N Main Street
Logan, UT 84341
435-753-5353
Fax: 435-753-5390
Email:jbiggs@optionsind.org
Website: http://www.optionsind.org

is....... A non-residential Center for Independant Living, where people with disabilites can learn skills to gain independance and control over their lives.

Who is eligible to particiapte... All people of all ages who experience a physical, sensory, cognitive or mental disability are invited to participate in Center activities. Eligibility for some opportunites is based on economic need. However most programs are available to all people with disabilites regardless of income.

Interested cal 435-753-5353 for Logan and 435-723-2171 in Brigham City.

They offer

Indvidual and Systems Advocacy- promoting rights of people with disabilites.

Information and Referral- access to what resources are available in the community

Peer Support- is available to enable individuals to deal more effectively with challenges of living independtly.

AgrAbility- Agriculturists with disabilities are assisted to maintain or increase their independance.

Independant Living Skills Training- Household Management, Cooking, Community Integration, Communication, Other topics upon request.

Support Opportunites- Problem Solving, Assistive Devices, Transportation, Housing Assistance, Advocacy, Personal Assistant Mangement Training and Referral, Nursing Facility Transition.

Community Opportunites- Public Education, Consultation on Access and Barrier Removal, Support Groups, Community Activites.

Up-to-3 Early Intervention
-For children ages 0-3 yrs old.

ASSERT-Autsim Support Services: Education, Research, and Training
located at the Center for Persons with Disabilities on the USU campus.ASSERT is a state-of-the-art preschool program that uses research based instructional techniques to address the individual needs of chidlren with autism. It is for children of ages 3-5 and is filled through a waiting list.

ASSERT also offers contracted consulatation services I believe for all ages.

If you are interested contact:

Dr. Tom Higbee
Phone: 435-797-1933
Email: tom.higbee@usu.edu
Website: http://sped.usu.edu/ASSERT

Dr. Odell - and team of doctors located at the Center for Persons with Disabilites

Dr. Odell can be seen for a variety of things. The diagnosis and treatment for problems often related with Autism such as gastrointestinal issues, sleep issues, anxiety, etc.

J.D. Odell, M.D., FAAP
Clinical Services
6802 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-6802
Phone: 435-797-2750
Fax: 435-797-4054

Occupational Therapy

Ryan E. Winn, OTR/L
Occupation Therapist
Up-to-3 Early Intervention/Clinical Services
6810 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-6810
Phone:435-797-0013
Fax: 435-797-0090
Toll Free: 866-695-4336