MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'asperger syndrome'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:17:44 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963154&cid=t_105411_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F05%2Fbye-bye-aspergers-syndrome%2F Is the diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome — a mild form of autism mostly diagnosed in boys — heading the way of the dodo bird? A new article in the New York Times suggests that the new revision of the diagnostic manual — the DSM-V — is likely to do away with the diagnosis. How can you just delete an entire diagnosis and do away with a diagnostic label that hundreds of thousands of clinicians use everyday and millions identify with? If you’re the American Psychiatric Association, the folks behind the latest DSM revision, you can pretty much do anything you want. Before I get to Asperger’s, I have to note what’s really cringe-worthy in this article — how it completely misrepresents how mental disorders are diagnosed in practice today. Take... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963154 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:29:03 +0100 2963154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958934&cid=t_105411_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Frw1N2TFodqE%2F In 1944, an Austrian pediatrician, Hans Asperger, wrote about some characteristics he was seeing in some people, such as clumsiness, repetitive routines or rituals, different speech patterns (monotone, overly formal), inappropriate social behavior, and difficulties with non-verbal communication. Over the years, not much notice was taken until the 1980s when a doctor in the United Kingdom, Lorna Wing, noticed children with similar characteristics and she named what she saw as Aspergers syndrome. Since then,  the disorder was studied more, and in 1994, Asperger syndrome was labeled as an autism spectrum disorder. With that, it was officially recognized in the “bible” of the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual). Asperger syndrome is not th... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958934 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:12:00 +0100 2958934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074306&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FyFuBGi5XLrM%2F A long time ago (definitely “before Charlie,” which is “bC” to Jim and me) “someone” (she writes poetry) wrote this to me: Poetry is life; it should change everything around it. Do only what changes you. The lines were written at the end of a letter regarding a topic that was, at that point in time (I was about half as old as I am as I write this), of total everything significance to my life: What should I study in graduate school? I was a Classics major in college and, finding the sustained study of Latin and ancient Greek intellectually intriguing, albeit a little wearying on the soul, I was drawn to another academic discipline, Comparative Literature; I had hopes of studying something called “literary theory” or just “theory” (... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074306 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:17:59 +0100 2074306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074309&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F3V2zlo2fMfI%2F If Charlie’d had a younger sibling, would we have decided to participate in studies like this one at the University of Washington, as noted in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Autism researchers at the University of Washington are seeking parents who will allow them to do brain scans of their infants. …………. The UW scientists are looking for 84 six-month-old infants from California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada and Alaska who have an older sibling who has been diagnosed with autism. They also need 34 infants with typically developing older brothers or sisters. Each child will be scanned three times over two years. Certainly I would have considered having a sibling of Charlie’s participate in such a study—-and then, after reading (wading... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074309 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:18:15 +0100 2074309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074310&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FyxCBntHJlxs%2F So you know how we made sure to have a very lowkey Thanksgiving and also to keep things real simple and understated for Charlie’s birthday, a holiday involving days off from school and an event that has been known to cause Charlie some serious consternation? In 2008, both of these days passed well and quietly for us, largely because we strove to make them Super No Big Deal in the biggest way. So you think I’d have applied the same tried and true formula to Christmas and New Year’s. Granted, since we take a 3000 mile airplane trip from New Jersey to California, and (as we traveled on Christmas Eve day, due to Charlie’s having his last day of school on December 23rd) no sooner had we landed and gotten to my parents’ house then we all got into a rented minivan an... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074310 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:07:40 +0100 2074310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074312&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FyeA4IRz_xOw%2F Saw those 4 letters on the license plate of an older SUV while driving around Berkeley on Tuesday—–no kidding! Tags: adhd, asperger syndrome, autism, auto, berkeley, California, car, Health, license plate, pdd-nos, SUV, vanity plateShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074312 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:42:53 +0100 2074312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074313&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FL_tKrzJRdGM%2F 9-year-old Nicholas Benavides died Monday morning in a fire at his house in Corpus Christi, Texas, today’s Caller Times reports. Nicholas was autistic and, according to his grandmother, Maria Benavides, was “’shy, but also friendly and always smiling.’” On Monday, Nicholas’ siblings, ages 11 and 4, were at their maternal grandparents’ home and Nicholas’ mother was at work. Benavides said her son, the boy’s father, told her he was doing laundry in a room at the rear of the house. Fire Chief Richard Hooks said it hasn’t been determined if the boy was alone in the house. Fire officials were interviewing the boy’s father late Monday. When Corpus Christi firefighters arrived at 10:37 a.m., about five minutes after the initial cal... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074313 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:13:02 +0100 2074313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074314&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fvm6BiQLpVdU%2F A constant theme in 2008 was the rebranding of autism, as Orac at Respectful Insolence referred to how the likes of David Kirby have been constantly saying that “autism isn’t autism”—-it’s “mercury poisoning,” “vaccine-aggravated mitochondrial disorder,” “mercury-induced neurological disorder,” etc., etc. (April being Autism Awareness Month—-does your child know about this—let’s not get into what such “rebranding” would do to the month…….) The notorious Judge Rotenburg Center in Canton, Massachusetts uses electroshock “treatment” on some its residents, some of whom are autistic. In April, one of its staff was charged with rape, assault, and battery of another staff member... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074314 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:07:52 +0100 2074314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067673&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FIkDzNqZru7g%2F I read about plans for a new preschool for autistic children (in Brownsville, Texas, which—one upon a long while ago—-I briefly visited). An occupational therapist is hoping to start the school, which sounds as if it’ll have some emphasis on sensory sensitivities. I read about a new book on understanding autism written by a written by a 13-year-old whose best friend has a younger autistic brother. I think back ten years ago, to the winter of 1998. That December was the first time I didn’t make it home for Christmas in California since I went to college back east in 1986. Charlie had had a number of ear infections and colds and the like throughout September of 1998 and, with his latest raging infection, the pediatrician told us we couldn’t take him on an airpla... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067673 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:50:01 +0100 2067673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067674&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FsmNHx_N1EVc%2F So says Ellen Raphael, UK director of Sense About Science, regarding the “bad science tips” made by various celebrities and public figures (from Tom Cruise on psychiatry to, yes, President-Elect Barack Obama on vaccines and autism). Here’s hoping that they’ll all take a New Year’s resolution to do a little fact-checking, or at least web-surfing, before offering those tips in 2009. Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, barack obama, pdd-nos, president-elect, Psychiatry, Science, tom cruise, VaccinesShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067674 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 23:34:19 +0100 2067674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067675&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FR2-oJ1izqVw%2F How did 5-year-old Colum Canning fall into a pool at a Disneyland Paris hotel during a Christmas trip? Colum, who was autistic, was discovered in the pool by another guest, who pulled him out; he had already lost consciousess when he was taken to a hospital, where he died, today’s SkyNews reports. Colum was just a typical wee boy who was so happy, so loving and so full of energy, said Colum’s parents, Karen Canning and David Bradley of Derry, in a statement, and may he be remembered just like that. Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, Disney, disneyworld, drowning, hotel, paris, pdd-nos, swimming poolShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067675 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:19:18 +0100 2067675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067676&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FWh8Fvf8vREw%2F Things small and familiar were the gifts that Charlie most liked: A pale blue Mugen Pop Pop, a new copy of a DVD he already has (and that’s gotten so scratched up and smudged that it skips and gets stuck), a case for his Leapster (which we should have gotten a while ago, as Charlie’s dropped his a couple of times). We’d be happy to get him some more elaborate gifts, and have over the years. Iused to spend quite a bit of time choosing toys and then even more time teaching Charlie to play with them (some of the toys are still in closets in our house and in my parents’, shiny and wrapped in plastic to protect them from the dust). Charlie pretty much seems to lack consumer consciousness. He likes what he likes. And so, while experiencing the sort of quavering feeling ma... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067676 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 07:01:32 +0100 2067676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067677&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FUx-GfR0V_vw%2F Charlie playing flag football? In Pennsylvania, Bob Wargo runs a flag football program for special needs kids, each of whom is paired with a high school football player, as noted in today’s Phillyburbs. Well, Charlie is getting a strong set of shoulders and earlier today we went for a walk up a long and steep hill; he ran in front (yes, ran), bent over horizontal and going full speed ahead………. Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, athletics, autism, flag football, football, pdd-nos, pennsylvania, running, Sports, teams. walkingShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067677 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:00:47 +0100 2067677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067679&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F5ZMkWnSt7HQ%2F Seems a pity that, on seeing the words “top 10 unfounded health scares,” the first thing I thought about was……….vaccines and autism. Many speak of a “debate” about an alleged vaccine-autism link and that there’s a “controversy” brewing here, but it’s a false controversy. 2008 saw the publication of more studies refuting a link, and yet there’s been a call for more studies—-among the $1 billion in research initiatives noted in the Strategic Plan of the IACC is an item about the “different health outcomes in vaccinated, unvaccinated and alternatively-vaccinated groups”—so it’s not as if this particular topic is going to go away. Sometimes, one starts to wonder, will this particular topic eve... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067679 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:41:50 +0100 2067679 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065373&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FpCbLZ2_03Qs%2F Something Charlie already has in book/video/DVD form………. It was the first present he opened and the one he kept by him when he fell asleep on the couch. (Any guesses?) Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, book, children, christmas, dvd, gift, holiday, Parenting, pdd-nos, videoShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065373 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:41:23 +0100 2065373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065374&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FwRDVkZ1yWrs%2F The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) has issued a list of Top 10 Unfounded Health Scares of 2008 and take a wild guess about one item, specifically #8……. it involves autism and a word that starts with a ……………………..v. Stumped? Hint: Something involving “greening.” Hint: Something involving a certain former MTV starlet. Yeah, it’s something that gets brought up too much in discussions about autism, namely, the hypothesis, unsupported by the scientific evidence, that vaccines can be linked to autism. Here’s the ACSH’s bottom line: Not only are childhood vaccines safe, they are necessary to protect both individual children and the larger population from dangerous diseases. Despite the ever-pre... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065374 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:02 +0100 2065374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065376&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fx5xmVSzx56U%2F Sometimes being Charlie’s mother just makes everything simple. For instance, since a quarter after noon on Tuesday when I walked out into the middle school hallway, Charlie leading the way, after a holiday party in his classroom (really just him and one other classmate and his mom and the four aides and Charlie’s teacher, as the other two boys had left early), I was focused on one thing and one thing only: Getting the three of us— Jim, Charlie, and me—and our stuff (and most of all, Charlie’s favorite things and the presents for my family) onto a 7.15am airplane at Newark Liberty Airport bound for San Francisco. While Jim worked on end-of-semester business in his office, Charlie and I did the usual things we do on a Tuesday afternoon, although it felt differen... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065376 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:18:20 +0100 2065376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065377&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fit-o2E8AONc%2F The other day I read a review of a play by an Irish playwright, and was reminded of another of his plays and was relieved it was a bright morning of full sunshine and a strong wind pushing away the clouds, or I would have been spooked, as this other play (to me) was thoroughly terrifying in a Kafkaesque kind of way (but keep in mind, I can’t handle seeing horror movie). I was distracted by other things and then, before I knew it, I was running down the stairs to meet Charlie’s schoolbus, and watching him make his lunch, and helping him practice the cello, and then (even though it must have been the coldest day of the year) we went on our daily walk up and down the main boulevard of the condo development we live in. As it had been snowing on and off since Friday, there were medi... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065377 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:05:14 +0100 2065377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061066&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fx251kywh-8g%2F Seems likes CNN is running a three-day series under the name of “Autism 911,” in which they’re focusing on a California family, the Bilsons, whose middle child, 13-year-old Marissa, is autistic and has tantrums that are “off the charts and seemingly unwarranted.” In “Supernanny” fashion, an autism consultant from an ABA provider, Autism Partnership, has been called in and, it seems, the CNN show will see if it’s possible to “[rein] in” Marissa’s behavior. Since she’s 13, I’m wondering if she’s entering, or isin the midst of, puberty? As noted, adolescence and the hormonal and other changes has made this school year—already challenging as Charlie started middle school—-even more, well, challengin... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061066 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:09:00 +0100 2061066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061068&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fw9dzy4maCiU%2F That’s how autism is referred to in a  story in yesterday’s Philadelphia Examiner about “assembling your medical team” including osteopathic physicians. There’s mention of finding “relief from autism” via homeopathic methods, and autism is discussed as if it were a disease like cancer—which autism is indeed not. And no, after 11-plus years raising my autistic son, no way do I feel that it’s been some “horror” I wish to run away from, or that I ever need “relief from autism.” Sure I do (as one new story today puts it) “worry about everything,” but, really, it’s all better with Charlie. Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, blindness, cancer, Health, homeopathy, osteopathy, pdd-nos, quackery, Sci... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061068 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:00:27 +0100 2061068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061069&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FTFCtm7qFf4s%2F Discussion continues about autism legislation, and is going to continue here in the US under a new administration. One piece of federal autism legislation that has been passed here is the 2006 Combating Autism Act (CAA), under which the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) was charged to create a Strategic Plan for research in autism spectrum disorders. (Regarding how the CAA was voted on and passed, and on its unfortunate name, go here.) Over the past year-plus, the IACC has been developing a draft of the Strategic Plan. This draft was reviewed at the IACC’s November 21st meeting and, as review of the plan was not completed, the IACC met again on December 12th to continue review of the draft Strategic Plan and, per the agenda, to discuss cost estimates. The IACC will be ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061069 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:59:08 +0100 2061069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061070&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FYm9YlU9_soE%2F “Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities”—-these are noted in one of the DSM-IV criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder. A study published in the December 10th Neuron has found that reducing the activity of the gene FKBP12 in the brains of mice affected their synapses, and increased obsessive behavior and “fearful memory.” As noted in today’s Science Daily: The protein FKBP12 regulates several important cell signaling pathways, and decreasing its activity enhances long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, said Dr. Susan Hamilton, chair of molecular physiology and biophysics at [Baylow College of Medicine] and a senior author of the report. (Long-term potentiation means the enhancement of the synapse or commu... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061070 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:11 +0100 2061070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061071&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FLDZI5mHrqUU%2F It is down to the last days of 2008: If you can remember back to January, what do you think have been the top autism issues—the most important, notable, significant, event(s) concerning autism— this year? I’ve my own thoughts and would like to know yours……….please leave a note in the comments or you can email me at autismvox@gmail.com. Tags: 2008, asd, asperger syndrome, autism, lists, pdd-nos, Q & AShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061071 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:34:09 +0100 2061071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061072&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F299Ecf6H2dw%2F On today’s Good Morning America, a story of giving and compassion—-something we could use more of, and not just at this time of year: When layoffs were announced at the Governor’s School of the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, S.C., Ralph Hanahan—a state employee for 20 years—voluntarily asked to “take the hit,” so his fellow worker, Mike Camp, could keep his job. Camp has four children aged 6 to 10, the youngest of whom has “severe autism”: The Camps already have dealt with the great stress brought on by the treatment and therapy for Aaron’s condition and, at times, their medicals bill are too much to bear. “Ralph [Hanahan] definitely had a soft spot in his heart for Aaron,” Lorrie Camp said. Her husband said, &#822... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061072 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:39:04 +0100 2061072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056134&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FVlMp_Gb2gTo%2F Soon as December started, my students started asking me what we were getting Charlie for Christmas. I fumbled with an answer—what do you get for the child who doesn’t ask for anything?—and they seemed quite incredulous that he’d no desire for any electronic devices or a football jersey with X player’s last name emblazoned on it. I’ve been used to telling people that things are different with Charlie but, on further reflection, the thought occurred to me: Charlie, at 11 1/2, is getting closer and closer in age to my college-students. Certainly there’s more than a few similarities between him and the tall guys with really big sneakers or Timberlands with legs too long to fit in the desks and always fishing around in a beyond dog-eared notebook for th... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056134 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:47:58 +0100 2056134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056135&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJ0IxVrYoaWA%2F You could call 2008 a year of autism legislation, with bills proposed and (in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas) passed for insurance coverage for children with autism (of varying ages; for instance, Texas’ House Bill 1919 calls for coverage for autistic children between two and six; efforts are being made to pass House Bill 451, to require certain insurance plans coverage to autistic individuals up to age 18). Via the National Council of State Legislatures, you can access the NCSL Autism Legislation Database, which provides information about legislation in different states. Autism Bulletin also has a map of autism legislation, and here are various posts I’ve written on legislation concerning autism and disabilities. Military famil... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056135 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:30:20 +0100 2056135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056136&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FYxCjn9kSxug%2F Yesterday I wrote about 16-year-old Collin Driscoll’s Hire the Brain business—–in Maryland, 22-year-old Andrew Pegg of Frostburg owns Andilla Designs & Graphics, which personalizes gifts and adversing products. As noted in today’s Cumberland Times-News, Pegg, who is autistic, “has not spoken a single word since he was 2 years old.” He was recently awarded the Personal Achievement Award from the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services and the Maryland Rehabilitation Association. Pegg receives assistance from his family, counselor, and Derrick Swandol, a job coach from Spectrum, a local non-profit agency. I know it’s a long road ahead to figuring out a job for Charlie and supporting him in it. Hearing about Hire the Brain and Andilla Designs... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056136 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:59:04 +0100 2056136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056138&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJKsbsRRDyLA%2F A 16-year-old starts his own computer consulting and repair business, Hire the Brain—impressive. Today’s Columbia Tribune tells how Collin Driscoll, who has Asperger Syndrome, started his company with his father and, too, how he’s learned to deal with his sound sensitivity. Several months ago, [Driscoll's] mother convinced him to take a trip by himself to his aunt’s home in Kansas and to help her trucking company fix its computer system. It was a big step for Collin, but he enjoyed it, and at his aunt’s encouragement decided he wanted to start the business with his father, Steve, an IT programmer who formerly worked for large companies but was forced into semi-retirement after suffering a stroke. “I’ve gone from being the geek to being his driver,” joked... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056138 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:34:36 +0100 2056138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056139&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJwOdrLqZslQ%2F Plans to construct a new 27,000 school for autistic children in Milford, Connecticut, have been put on hold after Planning and Zoning Board members questioned the design and material of the proposed school, today’s New Haven Register reports: PZB Chairwoman Jean Cervin said the board specifically did not like the “rectangular box” appearance of the proposed school, and the metal roof. She also said the playscape is proposed for the front yard, and some members felt it was too close to the road, and should be placed at the rear of the site. Cervin said PZB members do not object to the proposed 30,000-square-foot school, which includes a gymnasium. “They do a very necessary piece of education for autistic children,” Cervin said. Suzanne Letso, co-founder and chief executive off... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056139 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:52:16 +0100 2056139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052839&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FccVGdnlzW9A%2F We do not, as I’ve noted from time to time, have a TV set—a fact which, when I happened to mention it to my students a while back, completely shocked them. “What do you do?” they sputtered. The class was my Elementary Latin class and it was one of those “teachable moments” when I could have launched into a discussion about “how did the Romans spend their free time” and “what about those giadiator fights.” It was the week before exams and we had so much to review and so I let the moment past, and got back to the fourth conjugation of verbs. Apparently I’d made an impression on my students, as they brought up the not-having-a-tv business a couple of times (mostly, I suspect, to avoid having to think about that inevitable entit... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052839 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:23:07 +0100 2052839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052841&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FpxZzVZ4JjYc%2F An Arizona man, Raymond G. Parenteau, was arrested on Wednesday on the charges of allegedly defrauding the Prescott Unified School District of almost $20,000, today’s Daily Courier reports. Parenteau had contracted with the school district for $55 an hour to homeschool his 12-year-old autistic son; he is alleged to have hired a certified special education instructor to work with his son for $25 an hour, and to have kept $30 for himself: During a nine-month period starting in January 2007, Parenteau allegedly charged the school district $36,258. He paid the special education assistant only $16,262 of the money he received from PUSD. Parenteau also allegedly billed the school district for hours not used for teaching his son and created false invoices. Says Parenteau, who has also advoc... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052841 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:45:52 +0100 2052841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052842&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJnbYZ4hzXt4%2F So the December 17th New York Times refers to the DSM, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, now in its fifth revision. Will Asperger Syndrome and “high-functioning autism” be merged? Will sensory processing disorder enter the DSM? The revision, it’s noted, “will have consequences for insurance reimbursement, research and individuals’ psychological identity for years to come,” and, too, for our cultural understanding of what “autism” is. Perhaps it’d be more accurate to call the DSm (whatever revision), the book of being human, all too human. Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, book, Diagnosis, dsm-iv, dsm-v, human, new york times, pdd-nos, Psychiatry, PsychologyShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052842 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:15:25 +0100 2052842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052843&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F7p89AgRLPnY%2F I can’t prove it right now, but I’m more and more thinking that Charlie may well have perfect pitch. Though without a piano or cello teacher (I’ve followed a few leads, but with no luck, yet), Charlie has still been practicing, and has often asked to “play cello” in the later afternoon, before he and I go on our usual walk. Last week, after I took the cello out of its case, a few strums on the strings revealed that it was really out tune. As in, really, the D way way too low, the G unidentifiable, the C low, and loose. With Charlie saying “play cello,” “play cello,” I turned the pegs, just a bit, but with the memory of how I once broke a string on my viola still fresh, I was very hesitant. Charlie kept asking to play and so I brought th... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052843 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:00:12 +0100 2052843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052844&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FBl61jJRNTPs%2F It’s said to be something that parents of children with developmental disabilities experience. An article by Amy Basking and Heather Fawcett coins the terms “Empty Nest Envy,” as noted in today’s Orangeville Banner: While most parents can look forward to children spreading their own wings, there are some who look to the future with trepidation and uncertainty. Not just for themselves, but more importantly for their adult children who have developmental disabilities. These parents, when their children graduate from high school, suddenly find themselves supporting their adult child full-time. The reality for these parents can be daunting. In the article, the authors talk about how for one family their 28-year-old son remains with them. Despite thinking that he would b... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052844 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:43:57 +0100 2052844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052845&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FXN79_1e93gk%2F Very sad and sobering news to hear in this holiday season: On March 17th, 5-year-old Lily Breen swallowed a balloon and was found unconscious by her parents in their home in Desborough, Northants. As reported in today’s Telegraph, the death of Lily, who was autistic, has been ruled an accident. Lily’s mother, Angela, a registered nurse, tried to resuscitate her daughter before rushing her to the hospital, where she died. The inquest heard Lily was very tactile and liked to play with things, and had a high pain threshold, often touching hot radiators with her hand or tongue. Mrs Breen said she had found Lily with the balloon earlier that day and had thought to dispose of it as it was a risk, but had not got round to doing it, and had not noticed it again that day. In her stateme... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052845 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:38:55 +0100 2052845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052846&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FXbfiuGrc-08%2F The Women’s Rights blog over at Change.org has a post about the Top 10 Moments of Feminism in 2008. The selection of Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, as Senator John McCain’s running mate sparked (I guess that’s an understatement) lots of discussion in general, and certainly in the autism and disability community, and in particular regarding Palin’s baby son Trig, who has Down Syndrome. Would you consider the choice of Sarah Palin, special needs mother, as a Top 10 Moment in the annals of special needs families in 2008? Tags: alaska, asd, asperger syndrome, autism, change, children, disability, down syndrome, Family, feminism, Health, john mccain, sarah palin, women's rightsShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052846 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:00:46 +0100 2052846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046915&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FDN0Djg95KF0%2F So yesterday I wrote “what comes around, comes around.” Siliconmom commented about this sentence, the last one in the post: Is that one of the stages of being an autistic parent - that at some point you realize and accept that life is what it is? For me, I would say, yes, very much, and that, too, hope starts with acceptance. Charlie was around 5 years old when I let go of feeling I had to save him from, and fight against, and do the warrior mom thing. I’m not saying I don’t have moments when a shadow of the old “fightin’ spirit” passes through me (pre-IEP meeting, for instance, or when you get The Stare-’n'-Shakes-Head Combo in the supermarket). Being Charlie’s mom is not about doing everything I can to “take the autism out of hi... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046915 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:36:35 +0100 2046915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046916&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FhaC9uTz-zfE%2F With legislation for insurance for “autism treatment” under consideration around the country (in Virginia, in Florida, in Illinois), a question: The “treatment” called for is principally in the form of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). What other treatments might you wish to see covered and how might they be justified as the sort of treatment and therapy that health insurance must provide for? Tags: ABA, asd, asperger syndrome, autism, florida, illinois, Insurance, pdd-nos, virgniaShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046916 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:24:31 +0100 2046916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046917&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FbIsqSGMhVes%2F Ping, ping, ping. There’s nothing quite like it—those rhythmic twirpings that say, “The food is microwaved.” Charlie having become quite proficient at making his own afterschool snacks thanks to this modern technological innovation (and the phenomenon of frozen food), it’s a sound heard often at out place around 3pm, every weekday. Imagine the response to hearing 49 microwaves set to play Jingle Bells—-now that’s some holiday cheer. Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, christmas, frozen food, geekery, gizmo, Holidays, jingle bells, microwave, pdd-nos, snack, TechnologyShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046917 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:00:09 +0100 2046917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046918&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FTQl7IZaJLPw%2F First, huge applause for Bonnie Sayers for organizing, garnering prizes, managing Autism Twitter Day. Did you tweet? (I did, though not as much as I would have wanted to—-a thing called giving exams, and grading exams, and end of semester business…….) What did you think? Do it again? Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, autism spectrum disorder, community, prizes, twitter, weblogShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046918 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:00:08 +0100 2046918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046919&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FwtRsfmIuHCw%2F A St. Paul family is suing after the school district decided to bar Newman, their son’s service dog, from his public school, Como Park Elementary. Newman, a Golden Retriever, is connected to 8-year-old Wally LaBerge throughout the day via a harness, yesterday’s WCCO notes. While service dogs have been more and more widely used to assist autistic children, there’s been more than a little disagreement about their presence in public places, from schools to airplanes to apartments. It’s noted that the dogs are calming and help to allay anxieties: Until it’s widely understood how much a service dog can help an autistic child, they’ll be more of these sorts of disputes, and more anxiety, and antagonism. And not enough learning on either side. Tags: Animals, as... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046919 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:07:51 +0100 2046919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040114&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FqbnMn_jsLEI%2F This study, along with another noted on Monday about paternal age and children’s health, is focusing on how parents’ behaviors and decision (taking certain medications, having a child when one is older) can possibly have an impact on a child being autistic or not; on a child being “healthy” or not—-I’ll end by noting that I, and some other friends who have autistic children, followed all the recommendations about “how to have a healthy pregnancy” exactingly, and our husbands were younger than 40. What comes around, comes around. Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, Baby, children, pdd-nos, pregnancy, schizophrenia, softenonShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040114 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:39:34 +0100 2040114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040115&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F0mNa4v_a0hI%2F Today Easter Seals is unveiling the results of its Living with Autism Study. The study was done in cooperation with the Autism Society of America. 1,652 parents of children who have autism and 917 parents of typically developing children were surveyed about daily life, relationships, independence, education, housing, employment, finances and healthcare. The results are summarized on the Easter Seals blog: The Easter Seals Living with Autism Study results reveal parents raising children with autism are very concerned about the future independence of their children. In fact, they’re far more concerned than parents of typically developing children — nearly 80 percent say they’re extremely or very concerned about their children’s independence as an adult, compared to only 32 percent of... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040115 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:22:49 +0100 2040115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879924&cid=t_105411_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FwYAcF8axAd4%2F Anecdotally, you may have heard of people with autism who are gifted or talented in the arts, music or math. Now researchers have actually found evidence that autism is associated with intellectual skills. The finding has emerged from a study of autism among 378 Cambridge University students, which found the condition was up to seven times more common among mathematicians than students in other disciplines. It was also five times more common in the siblings of mathematicians. No gene has actually been associated, and that’s the next step, but the incidence among family members may suggest some genetic component. Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the autism research centre at Cambridge and lead scientist of the study remarked to the Times Online that the responsible genes co... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879924 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:08:58 +0100 1879924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467833&cid=t_105411_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F297980890%2F Children with asperger syndrome often get horrendously bullied at school. Due to their inability to read social cues they tend to come across as a bit weird, and often say embarrassing remarks or make social blunders. As a result, the school bullies home in on them like lions circling an injured wildebeest. Which makes this story even more shocking. Melissa Barton said she is considering legal action after her son’s kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class. After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn’t like about Barton’s 5-year-old son, Alex, his Morningside Elementary teacher said they were going to take a vote, Barton said. By a 14 to 2 margin, the class voted him out of the class. Barton said her son is in the process of being diagn... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467833 Sun, 25 May 2008 22:26:08 +0100 1467833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454345&cid=t_105411_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F293757514%2F The quickest and most effective way to totally invalidate somebody’s viewpoint - as I’m sure Ted will be happy to tell you - is to state that they’re mentally ill. The psychoanalytic movement in particular used to be notorious for dressing up their feuds in the language of psychopathology. At its most horrific extreme, the Soviet Union used psychiatric hospitals to incarcerate and drug political dissidents on the grounds that “no sane person would declaim against Soviet government and Communism”. The example I’m going to use isn’t anywhere near on that scale, but it does demonstrate the ways in which psychiatric labels can be abused as a means of attacking a political opponent. It involves none other than my old mate Dr Crippen. Dr Crippen has a r... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454345 Tue, 20 May 2008 06:26:52 +0100 1454345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1280712&cid=t_105411_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F246330986%2F Apologies to those of you who are fans of gratuitous nudity and girl-on-girl action involving Mia Kirshner (and who doesn’t like that, eh?), but the L word we’re referring to here is “labelling”. Labels, particularly psychiatric labels, tend to come with a large amount of baggage. They’re regarded as pejorative, they often stay on your medical [...] (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1280712 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:20:08 +0100 1280712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552115&cid=t_105411_140_f&fid=35457&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBattling-schizophrenia%2F%7E3%2F107350483%2F I have been posting around the week of the 10th of each month a “THANK-YOU” post, like this one, to all the advertisers from the previous month listed as at month end. That’s a permanent link in this blog, under the category heading which I call .. “Sponsor Appreciation”. I know it’s hard out there trying to figure out where to spend your advertising dollars .. and well .. THANKS for considering the Battling Schizophrenia Blog. I have compiled a new advertising page for the HART-Empire Network of sites for your perusal. Please Support Our Sponsors From March 2007 Asperger Syndrome Interviewing Interesting Bloggers T D Hedengren’s Blog All things MMORPG Everything Xbox Live Arcade Thank-You Sponsors! (Source: Battling-Schizophrenia) Battling-Schizophrenia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552115 Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:14:47 +0100 552115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=488137&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35123&url=http%3A%2F%2Fperdition.blogurple.com%2F2007%2F01%2F16%2Fthe-autistics-dont-want-friends-myth-again%2F One an NLD mailing list I’m on, someone postulated that the difference between NLDers and autistics is that NLDers want friends and autistics don’t. This stereotype gets bandied about a lot, so I’ve posted my response here in case I need it again. The idea that autistic people don’t want intimate relationships with people is a myth, even though it is *very* widespread. Some do, and some don’t. (The movie Mozart and the Whale is based on the lives of Jerry and Mary Newport, who are married…that sounds like an “intimate relationship” to me). Lorna Wing found several subtypes of social interest in autistic/AS people, including those who want friends and try to make them, but aren’t successful at it. And long before people started saying th... Sweet Perdition blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=488137 Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:47:00 +0100 488137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=488138&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35123&url=http%3A%2F%2Fperdition.blogurple.com%2F2006%2F12%2F13%2Fposautively-beautiful%2F Since it’s the holiday season, our fearless leader* has encouraged us to post our favorite autism videos today. He wanted us to pick one–but, dude, who can choose just one? Autism is just so beautiful, after all. Here’s Paul, singing and reading. Here’s Quinn, who is just cool. Here are some clips of a conference initiated and partially organized by autistics. Here’s Droopy’s Public Service Announcement. And, last but not least, here’s Sarah, playing on the floor with her toys. *Starla! STARLA!!!! (Source: Sweet Perdition) Sweet Perdition blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=488138 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 05:29:37 +0100 488138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=488143&cid=t_105411_133_f&fid=35123&url=http%3A%2F%2Fperdition.blogurple.com%2F2006%2F06%2F18%2Fhappy-autistic-pride-day%2F Today, June 18th, is the second annual Autistic Pride Day. For those wondering what Autistic Pride means, I suggest checking out Joseph’s analysis at Natural Variation, and this essay by Joel Smith. Here are all the autistic people I’m thinking of today: My cousin, who, last time I saw him (years ago), loved this Beatles song and ran confidently across the roof of our house. My uncle Jim. (Not this uncle Jim; another one). Cody, who has not only seen Azumanga Daioh!, but likes it, too. J., who wore a Che Guavara shirt and liked to debate theology now and then. (”If Adam and Eve were the only people, doesn’t that make us all inbred?”) When he left for college, I had a dream about him and guinea pigs. G, who likes Stanley Kubrick and Stephen King. If he were a l... Sweet Perdition blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=488143 Sun, 18 Jun 2006 23:21:14 +0100 488143