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's'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:03:17 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181719&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fadolescent-special-needs-epic-trip.html 35 friends and relatives across five sites. Two provinces and 7 states. More than 3,300 miles of driving. It was an epic family car trip.A car trip with 1 dog, 1 neurotypical child, and two boys on the spectrum. Two boys, and two hormone wracked adolescent.It was a great holiday. We had no need of a lawyer, a physician, a veterinarian, a mechanic or a psychiatrist.So it can be done, assuming one is a special needs veteran and accustomed to crises that might topple a regular parent. The mixture of motion, of car time and time limited but intense visits seems to work for our guys. It's not something I remember from the days I read parenting texts, but we're data driven. We go with what works.The trip is an opportunity to reflect on the autistic adolescent. On the one hand, the desires are in... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181719 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:40:00 +0100 5181719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008529&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspiewebnet%2F%7E3%2FNXkxgLdfj84%2F The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), is the psychologist’s bible for diagnosing mental illnesses. Used by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and doctors to determine the mental condition of a patient, the DSM has been an excellent tool for categorizing illnesses. The current manual in service is the DSM IV, which has been in [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008529 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:32:22 +0100 5008529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028887&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Florib.me%2F2011%2F05%2F31%2Fmy-children-want-you-to-know%2F My children want you to know that being of few words does not mean being of little intelligence. My children want you to know that being socially awkward doesn’t mean they cannot be wonderful, kind, loving and loyal friends. My children want you to know that they stim because they need to, not because they are brats with little self-control who wish to irritate you. My children want you to know that they are not “picky”, “wussy” or “incorrigible” because they cannot tolerate certain lights, sounds, fabrics or foods. They experience the world quite differently than you do from a sensory standpoint, and they are doing their best to process and handle all of it. Think of having the volume turned up on every one of your senses at all times. Read the re... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028887 Tue, 31 May 2011 13:25:47 +0100 5028887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734010&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fadult-prognosis-of-autism-syndromes.html I am not aware of any good academic studies on the adult outcomes for children with autism syndromes. The presumed diversity of the underlying injury and recovery mechanisms makes hard research even harder. So the best we can do for now are anecdotes from clinicians with longterm experience ...Experts Discuss Autism's Long-Term Course - NYTimes.comSeveral readers had questions about the range of adult outcomes in autism and how treatments may affect outcomes in individual children....More and more individuals with autism are now able to function independently as adults. This is a major change over past decades, probably reflecting earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments. There is a very good summary of this in a chapter by Patricia Howlin in the Handbook of Autism (2005, Wiley).Unf... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734010 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:06:00 +0100 4734010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723774&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Ftwilight-of.html Neurologic disorders, alas, are not going away. The concept of "schizophrenia", however, is shuffling off the stage.Today's obit comes from Kwang-Soo Kim, a stem-cell scientist at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts:  "These disorders are not really disorders. There's no such thing as schizophrenia. It's a syndrome. It's a collection of things psychiatrists have grouped together."[1]Just like autism. Autism is a collection of "things" psychiatrists have grouped together, sustained by law, regulation, tradition -- and the current lack of a better alternative.[1] Schizophrenia 'in a Dish': Scientific American 4/13/2011See also:Victory: The war against 20th century psychiatric diagnoses is all but won (Source: Be the Best You can Be) Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723774 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:33:00 +0100 4723774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536245&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Florib%2F%7E3%2FDiDM5-czAHA%2F I watched a great video today featuring John Elder Robison that touched on the subject of Empathy and Autism. There is a popular opinion that people with autism do not have empathy. I am not sure if this true. I think I am a very empathetic person, but I am not completely sure that I am empathetic in the way that other people are. Sometimes, when I see someone who is sad, I feel sad too. If it is someone very close to me, I can feel their sadness like it is my own. Sometimes even worse. I think this is similar how most people experience empathy. On other occasions, I think I can not experience empathy in the common way due to not always understanding the way the general population thinks and feels. There have been many times in my life where I have found myself being stared at in exasperat... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536245 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:07:35 +0100 4536245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522151&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F26%2Fscience-rules%2F One of my favorite blogs has another great one: http://thisisindexed.com/2011/02/damn-science/ (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522151 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 02:30:49 +0100 4522151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450258&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fexpectations-trap.html Four months ago we learned lessons from two family bicycle outings. One was an educational failure. The follow-up was a memorable success.No denying, I was proud of that one. I wouldn't have thought it possible just three years before. If we weren't willing to risk failure, we wouldn't established a new baseline.That's why I was willing to try another crazy idea. This time we tried a mass nordic ski event after dark in unfamiliar territory. This went well beyond last year's Nordic ski resort.We applied what we'd learned. We studied satellite maps of the ski route and the surrounding territory, developing and revising our primary and backup plans. We researched parking in detail. We took a car and drove the route at night -- that's how we learned event map's major parking area was now a m... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450258 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:15:00 +0100 4450258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294594&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fvictory-war-against-20th-century.html I started rabble rousing about the fallacies of psychiatric classifications (diagnoses, nosologies) about eight years ago. Five years ago I went public, since that time I've labeled 29 posts as "diagnostic definition" related [1] including my most recent rant...... We're due for another DSM edition, but I doubt that will be any better.The good news is that in the last 8 years it's become clear to every researcher that all of the common neurospychiatric conditions, from "ADHD" to "ODD" to "Autism" to "Aspergers" to "Bipolar disorder" to "Schizophrenia" are very rough categorizations of thousands of different "phenotypes" (where a phenotype is the end-result of the interaction between genes and environment) that are themselves dynamic over the lifetime of the brain. (Even after adolescence... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294594 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:45:00 +0100 4294594 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477989&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Florib%2F%7E3%2F9pIaQDhsxgU%2F Last month, we were just a few places short of winning the Pepsi Refresh Everything contest. This month we are sure to win! Well, not really, so I must ask again: Please keep voting for the Autism Women’s Network EVERY DAY in December! There are 3 ways to vote: Vote via facebook:  When you are signed into your Facebook account, click on the following link to vote: http://apps.facebook.com/pepsirefresh/idea/view/id/651fb4be-a94f-102d-b2ee-0019b9b9e205 Vote via cell phone:  Text 101500 to Pepsi at (73774) Vote online:  http://www.refresheverything.com/awn Thanks very much everyone! Related posts:Vote For The Autism Women’s Network Every Day In August! Vote For The Autism Women’s Network Every Day In September! Duct Tape, Plumbing, and Bad Medicine (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477989 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:43:41 +0100 4477989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197011&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Flivescribe-echo-note-taking-pen-records.html Journalists love the Livescribe Echo smartpen, a pen/recording/digital ink combo. It's a bit of a specialty item for journalists, but for Asperger's and other special needs students I can see how it might be helpful.See:This column will change your life: Note-taking | Life and style | The GuardianThe Pen Gets Mightier - Magazine - The AtlanticMy new favorite gadget: Livescribe Pulse pen - James Fallows - Technology - The AtlanticLivescribe Echo Smartpen Lets You Do Almost Everything | Gadget Lab | Wired.com (Source: Be the Best You can Be) Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197011 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:01:00 +0100 4197011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249185&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2010%2F09%2F19%2Fexhaling-beauty-an-evening-celebrating-females-on-the-autism-spectrum%2F Exhaling Beauty by Kim Miller Last night, Karen and I attended Exhaling Beauty: an Evening Celebrating Females on the Autism Spectrum. The aim of the event was to share and showcase the talents, experiences, and spirit of the female ASD community. They definitely did that. I have never heard of another event like this and I am very thankful that they put on this amazing show and will be taking it on the road. It was really nice to be there with Karen, especially on the day that she passed her national social work license test. Congratulations Karen! The show consisted of talks by authors Shana Nichols, Rudy Simone, and Liane Holliday Willey, and featured the artwork of Kim Miller. Shana Nichols is a psychologist who specializes in working with girls on the autism spectrum. I don’t t... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249185 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:19:40 +0100 4249185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3982010&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Frethinking-neuropsychiatric-diagnoses.html I started bemoaning the classification (aka ontology, nosology) of neuropsychiatric disorders about 8 years ago. I'm not the only one. One of the things I liked about Greene's Explosive Child book is that he is clearly unimpressed with the DSM IV nosology.We're due for another DSM edition, but I doubt that will be any better.The good news is that in the last 8 years it's become clear to every researcher that all of the common neurospychiatric conditions, from "ADHD" to "ODD" to "Autism" to "Aspergers" to "Bipolar disorder" to "Schizophrenia" are very rough categorizations of thousands of different "phenotypes" (where a phenotype is the end-result of the interaction between genes and environment) that are themselves dynamic over the lifetime of the brain. (Even after adolescence, we see maj... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3982010 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:30:00 +0100 3982010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249187&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2010%2F09%2F01%2Fvote-for-the-autism-women%25e2%2580%2599s-network-every-day-in-september%2F Thanks to everyone who voted for AWN in last month’s Pepsi Refresh Project. We didn’t win, but we were in the top 100 highest votes for our category and will be able to participate in September’s challenge. Please keep voting every day through September 30th! The voting process is kind of confusing and round-about depending on which method you vote with. I think the easiest way is texting. To vote by texting, text 101500 to Pepsi (73774). I have been voting by clicking the link in my sidebar and logging in through Facebook. Every day, I need to click the vote button 4 times. Please make sure you have voted after you click the button. You will know if you voted because the vote button will disappear and be replaced by some text thanking you for voting and asking if you w... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249187 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:03:50 +0100 4249187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3891720&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F23%2Fstupid-irony%2F Someone defined poetry as “life condensed”.  Sometimes I think that disability is life magnified.  Today’s lens is Irony: I dropped my reaching tool behind the bed where I … struggled to reach it. Forgot to take my ADHD meds. Was too stiff to pull on my elastics:  the wrap for my elbow, the two pads [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3891720 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:35:22 +0100 3891720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3903083&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2010%2F08%2F01%2Fvote-for-the-autism-womens-network-every-day-in-august%2F Please vote for the Autism Women’s Network (AWN) in the Pepsi Refresh Everything Project. I have been working with AWN since the beginning as director of web development and technical services and it is a truly awesome organization. AWN is a unique organization that was founded by women on the autism spectrum. Our mission is to provide effective supports to autistic females of all ages through a sense of community, advocacy, and resources. This month, AWN is taking part in the Pepsi Refresh Everything Project. Please vote for us every day in August! Goals To organize 5 Workshops with focus on female specific autism qualities To provide online support & mentoring for autistic females & families To secure Autism Women’s Network as a non-profit organization You can vote ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3903083 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:28:14 +0100 3903083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4327006&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2FtLlgSz6Yg3w%2F Alex Plank gave the keynote presentation at the Autism Society’s 41st National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Alex speaks honestly and openly about being autistic and connecting with other autistic people online. His website, WrongPlanet.net, has been helping autistic people connect with each other since 2004. Alex’s keynote is the first of 7 videos from the conference. The panel discussion also features Sandy Yim from the Autism Women’s Network. All videos can be found on the Autism Society’s YouTube Channel. Related posts:Video: Autism Reality by Alex Plank Macworld 2006 :: Day 1 | Power Tools Conference Autism Women’s Network (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4327006 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:07:47 +0100 4327006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515557&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Flife-is-for-living-a-review-of-get-out-explore-and-have-fun%2F On her blog at About.com:Autism, Lisa Jo Rudy usually asks questions. In her soon to be released new book, Get Out, Explore, and Have Fun!: How Families of Children With Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community Activities, she answers two very important questions: Why should you “get out, explore, and have fun” with your autistic child? How do you do this? By far the more important of these two questions (in my opinion) is the first, the “why”. Too many parents of children diagnosed as autistic spend all of their “free” time trying to make their child “more normal” or “less autistic”, and not enough time on letting their child be a kid. As Lisa explains, this is true even in – especially in – sch... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515557 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:19:14 +0100 3515557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515566&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2010%2F04%2F25%2Fperspectives-of-autism-from-my-family%2F I have been different from other people for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I have had many different diagnoses, opinions, and treatments that were not quite right. My parents have tried to get me help since I was a little kid, but no one really knew what to do with me. I was a smart but strange kid. I didn’t understand things, especially people. I didn’t fit in. I thought school was dumb. I thought a lot of things were dumb. Turns out a lot of them are, but many were not as black and white as I thought at the time. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I began seeing shades of grey. During my early years of school, I barely talked at all and spent a bunch of time in the principal’s office. My teachers and school psychologists thought I could be normal if I... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515566 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:55:23 +0100 3515566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3505072&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fa-world-without-autism%2F If autism could be cured, and if we, as a society, chose to cure it, what would that mean for our future? How would it impact our lives, and the lives of our children (and descendants many generations down the line)? What would society look like 50 years from now? 100 years from now, when autism (or autism-like traits) were no longer a part of our world? (Source: 29 Marbles) 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3505072 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:05:56 +0100 3505072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502929&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fwhat-if-they-had-been-diagnosed-autistic%2F In his book Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism, author Roy Richard Grinker mentions chess legend Bobby Fischer (p. 63) as someone who may have been an undiagnosed autistic. When I read David Edmonds’ book Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How A Lone American Star Defeated the Soviet Chess Machine, I thought the same thing. (For more discussion on the subject check out the Bobby Fischer talk page on Wikipedia.) I can’t help wondering, if Fischer were indeed autistic, how would his life – and the history of chess, among other things – have been different if he had been diagnosed when he was young? If he had been provided the treatment and services that are typically demanded today for Asperger’s diagnoses, would he have had the impact he did? Would he have been able to... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502929 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:55:47 +0100 3502929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3449067&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fdysfunction-as-high-function%2F During his New Year’s Day seminar, author Dan Pink shared five trends that he is following in 2010. In the science category, the trend he is keeping an eye on is dysfunction is high function. During the discussion he referenced the Atlantic Monthly article The Science of Success, which considers the possible “up-side” of genetic dysfunction: Yes, this new thinking goes, these bad genes can create dysfunction in unfavorable contexts—but they can also enhance function in favorable contexts. Re-reading the article last night reminded me of a story I heard, and wrote about, several years ago. Here is a slightly edited version of what I wrote back then. - – — — —– From McGee’s Musings is this personal story of someone else who, on learning m... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3449067 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:52:34 +0100 3449067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3443668&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fthe-agony-of-asperger%25e2%2580%2599s-syndrome-in-children%2F Asperger’s syndrome is pervasive development disorder (PDD), as well as an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Some refer to Asperger’s syndrome as a highly functional form of autism, and the symptoms of Asperger’s vary tremendously from very mild to quite severe. Some things to look for in children include: Difficulty interacting socially – Kids with Asperger’s syndrome don’t make friends easily and have difficulty interacting with others. They may also be clumsy in their movements. Obsessive, repetitive behavior – Similar to OCD, children with Asperger’s may show odd and repetitive behaviors, preoccupations, and rituals. Communication issues – Though children with Asperger’s syndrome are usually of average or above-average intelligence, they ... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3443668 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:09:08 +0100 3443668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3440983&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fcultivate-your-kids-strengths%2F I found this bit of wisdom in the book Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. Though geared at self improvement, this quote struck a chord with me as a parent: The trick is not to work obsessively on the skills and talents you lack, but to focus and cultivate your strengths so that your weaknesses matter less. The story of Tony DeBlois is an example of this in action. His mother recognized that Tony had serious weaknesses/disabilities to overcome, but also realized that his strength in music could make much of that weakness irrelevant. All of our kids have their own strengths. Much of it may be hidden from us as parents*, or their strength may be something that we don’t quite understand or appreciate as worth cultivating. But it is by cultivating these strengths, in all of our kids (and o... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3440983 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:20:18 +0100 3440983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3437857&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fdont-write-them-off%2F Seth Godin doesn’t write about autism, and yet much of what he writes and says comes across as if it were written just for the parents of an autistic child. Today’s article – Accepting limits – from his blog is a perfect example (emphasis is mine): Isn’t it absurd to focus so much energy on ‘practical’ skills that prep someone for a life of following instructions but relentlessly avoid the difficult work necessary to push someone to reinvent themselves into becoming someone who makes a difference? And isn’t it even worse to write off a person or an organization merely because of what they are instead of what they might become? Much of what counts as autism intervention these days focuses on making the child – or the adult - “more ... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3437857 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:45:27 +0100 3437857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3437858&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fyoure-going-to-love-this-kid-and-this-book%2F You’re 22 years old, fresh out of school. It’s your first day as a teacher, and you learn that one of your students is a 6 year old autistic boy. You are given a stack of reports and files that tell you, in detail, how “bad” this little boy is and how hard it is going to be to teach him. You want to sneak out the back and run away. And right then the school administrator – grinning, animated, excited – finds you and says: “You’re going to be Jacob’s teacher. That’s fantastic. You’re going to LOVE this kid!” That is the story of Paula Kluth’s first day, as she recounts it in the preface to her book You’re Going to Love This Kid!. This is an incredible book. If you are the parent or teacher of a school age a... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3437858 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:16:10 +0100 3437858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3435185&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fdifferent-is-the-new-normal%2F What does it mean to be normal? What does it mean to be different? These are big questions in any discussion about autism and autism awareness. I like what Kristin has to say on the matter (the emphasis is hers): “Normal” is such a complicated word. We each grow up with our own entrenched ideas of what normal is, which means, of course, there is no such thing. Yet the world loves to pretend like there is—if normal doesn’t exist, exactly, then at least there’s a perceived ideal normalcy that we should all strive for, or even pretend to have grasped…. There is no “normal”—at least not in a societal sense—and we need to stop pretending there is. We need to stop talking about it, observing the world through it, and assuming it as we report on and read the news. Most of... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3435185 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 14:06:57 +0100 3435185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433096&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fparenting-is-parenting%2F I started blogging about autism, and being the parent of an autistic son, 5 years ago. My main goal was to help myself make sense of it all, to understand my own feelings about my son’s autism. Here is some of what I’ve figured out. I hope it helps. Parenting is a challenge, no matter who your kid is. No matter what you do, someone somewhere will tell you that you are doing it wrong. If you are already a parent, you know what I mean. How many times have you heard someone tell you that your kids should spend more time outside, less time on the computer or with their video games, more time reading, less time on the phone; that you should spend more / less time with them, give them more / less independence, etc etc. It is no different being the parent of an autistic child, except... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433096 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:33:14 +0100 3433096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429368&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fa-theme-for-autism-awareness-month%2F Every year when April – otherwise known as Autism Awareness Month – rolls around, I ask myself, “Awareness? Awareness of what exactly?” Most times I forget my own advice and try to find a “one-size-fits-all” answer to the question. (My advice: there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all for anything.) Some times I just bail on the question altogether. This year I decided to try something different. Instead of trying to go “big picture” awareness, I’m going to focus on one aspect – a theme, if you will – of autism awareness. A consistent theme throughout all the various incarnations of this blog, not to mention my life as the parent of an autistic son, has always been that autistic people are just people like everyone else, w... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429368 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:47:03 +0100 3429368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3425052&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Flearning-from-failure-is-overrated%2F Failure and the fear of failure are two completely different things. That’s what I wrote in my copy of Rework at the end of the “Learning from failure is overrated” section. It came to mind last night as I was reading Children With Disabilities and Making Mistakes. In the article, Zach brings up one of the (often true) stereotypes about parents of disabled kids – overprotectiveness – with some thoughts on the importance of mistakes. Parents don’t realise how them being overprotective is in fact harmful to their children’s development. The number one way people learn, yes including those with disabilities is by making mistakes. If people are not allowed to make mistakes they will never learn. Parents of children with disabilities often protect their childre... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3425052 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:19:25 +0100 3425052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354287&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fparenthood-premie%2F Reviews of NBC’s new primetime series “Parenthood” have been mixed, but whether you loved or hated the latest iteration of Lauren Graham’s messed-up Mommy character, the show’s pilot took on some hefty parenting issues. (Spoiler Alert) Parenthood follows the “very large, very colorful, and imperfect Braverman family”, and kicks off when single mother Sarah (played by Lauren Graham) moves back home with her kids. Dramas quickly unfold: Sarah finds condoms in her Dad’s office, her sister Julia struggles to balance career and motherhood, the kids get caught with drugs, and her brother Crosby discovers that his girlfriend is pursuing artificial insemination in response to his inability to commit. But one of the most fascinating and sensitive topics to riddle the Braverman famil... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354287 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:33:44 +0100 3354287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302559&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fwhats-in-a-label-take-2%2F In my last posting, I wrote the following about the consolidation of Asperger’s Disorder and PDD-NOS into a single classification for Autism Spectrum Disorder: My experience leads me to believe that many people don’t understand the concept of a spectrum unless they can clearly see the boundaries between the different layers of the spectrum. This generated some interesting conversations that have helped me as I figure out what I think. Of course, the problem I had with combining these separate diagnoses into a single one – that people would tend to see all autistics as “the same” – also exists with the more “specific” diagnoses. It’s just that now you’ve got several variations on the theme: all Asperger’s is the same, all PDD-NOS... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302559 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:59:30 +0100 3302559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290951&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fwhats-in-a-label-autism-aspergers-and-the-dsm-v%2F Several years ago, I wrote a two part article on my thoughts about whether autism should remain in the DSM. Here’s what I came up with: For now, we need to keep autism in the DSM, because it serves as the way for autism parents to help their children get the services they need to succeed in the world. The current draft of the DSM V, available for review and comment, still includes autism – now referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (instead of  Autistic Disorder). However, the DSM V proposal recommends that Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) “be subsumed into an existing disorder: Autistic Disorder (Autism Spectrum Disorder)“. As you might imagine, there has been a lot of discussion about this. I’m ... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290951 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:25:37 +0100 3290951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283500&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fadventures-in-special-needs-nordic-ski.html At one point in my life if I felt I needed a challenge I’d ride my bike a few thousand miles, or explore a foreign land.   Now I can dwarf those experiences with a simple four day outing to a Nordic ski resort.   I’m still recovering from this challenge. It was successful, but it did push the envelope.   We started a few months ago with one neurotypical child and two on the “autism spectrum” (a somewhat meaningless concept, but we don’t yet have a better classification). One child had done some snowboarding with limited success and had refused any skiing of any sort. Another had done some downhill skiing and decided, after a single face plant, that downhill skiing was insane. A third had very nervously descended a bunny hill.   We ended with all three navigati... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283500 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:41:00 +0100 3283500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267118&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Frude-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder%2F Quite a while back, Scott (aka @nametagscott) tweeted the following words of wisdom: It’s not the traffic that stresses you out, it is your reaction to traffic that stresses you out. I’d like to modify that just a bit and say: It’s not rudeness of others that stresses you out, it is your reaction to what you think is rudeness that stresses you out. Are you a presenter who gets stressed out – or pissed off – when you see people paying more attention to their electronic gadgets than to what you are saying?  Olivia Mitchell provides some insight to this in her article How to Handle a Texting Audience with an answer to the question, “Is it rude?” Rude is in the mind of the beholder. Rude to you, not rude to them. To label a behavior as rude is to make... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267118 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:15:23 +0100 3267118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737200&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2010%2F02%2F06%2Ftemple-grandin-on-awn-radio%2F Temple Grandin will be on the AWN Radio show tomorrow morning to give the Autism Women’s Network her first exclusive interview following the Premiere of HBO’s Original Movie which premiered a few hours ago. Radio show link is: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autism-womens-network/2010/02/07/temple-grandin-gives-awn-first-interview-re-premie Interview time: Feb 7th, 2010 at 9am PST – 10am MST – 11am CST– 12pm EST (USA) Use the following link to calculate your time zone outside USA: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/meeting-planner.aspx Me and K watched part of it a little while ago and it was really good. Gonna watch the rest of it now Related posts:Autism Awareness Video: Autism Reality by Alex Plank Autism Women’s Network (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737200 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:55:49 +0100 3737200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327223&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2010%2F02%2F06%2Ftemple-grandin-on-awn-radio-tomorrow%2F Temple Grandin will be on the AWN Radio show tomorrow morning to give the Autism Women’s Network her first exclusive interview following the Premiere of HBO’s Original Movie which premiered a few hours ago. Radio show link is: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autism-womens-network/2010/02/07/temple-grandin-gives-awn-first-interview-re-premie Interview time: Feb 7th, 2010 at 9am PST – 10am MST – 11am CST– 12pm EST (USA) Use the following link to calculate your time zone outside USA: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/meeting-planner.aspx Me and K watched part of it a little while ago and it was really good. Gonna watch the rest of it now (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327223 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:55:49 +0100 3327223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149256&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2FlHXAAHxBlLM%2F After 3 months of complete immersion, the Autism Women’s Network site is live and open to the public. I am still adding features and fixing the occasional bug here and there, but for the most part, it is done. Autism Women's Network Website Building this site has been an amazing experience for me. I am happy to get to contribute something to the AWN, which is an awesome organization that “provides effective supports to autistic females of all ages through a sense of community, advocacy and resources”. This site is open to all supporters including men and non-autistic people. The response has been amazing! After just 3 days, we have more than 150 registered users and over 1000 forum posts! I would like to extend a big thank you to all the beta testers and other people ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149256 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:10:54 +0100 3149256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3137486&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Flatest-sticker-chart-innovation-dealing.html When one sib is verbally annoying another, the victim gets stickers for non response (self-control). This initiative is a component of our recent "politeness initiative".On the one hand the aggressor does wish to unilaterally reward a sibling with stickers (which are exchanged at a per-column incremenet for hard cash, Amazon credits, and screen time). On the other, the sibling practices self-control.Works well for an Asperger/explosive mix. For the moment. Of course nothing works indefinitely, so we'll rotate it in and out of the mix over time. (Source: Be the Best You can Be) Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3137486 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:40:00 +0100 3137486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3122075&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fend-of-autism.html No, the problems of suboptimal neurodevelopment are not going away. The concept of "autism" has lasted longer than I'd expected, but the assault continues ...Syndromic autism: causes and pathogenetic pathways. [World J Pediatr. 2009] - PubMed result... Genetic syndromes, defined mutations, and metabolic diseases account for less than 20% of autistic patients. Alterations of the neocortical excitatory/inhibitory balance and perturbations of interneurons' development represent the most probable pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the autistic phenotype in fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex. Chromosomal abnormalities and potential candidate genes are strongly implicated in the disruption of neural connections, brain growth and synaptic/dendritic morphology. Metabolic and mitocho... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3122075 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:21:00 +0100 3122075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3106856&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fvideo-autism-reality-by-alex-plank%2F Autism Reality is a 10 minute documentary film about autism by Alex Plank. The film features interviews with Dr. Temple Grandin, Alex himself, and a handful of others including Alex’s parents. This film shows a perspective not often seen in autism media by portraying autism as a reality which is neither good nor bad, just a different way that some people are wired. Alex is the founder of WrongPlanet.net, one of the earliest and largest online communities for people on the autistic spectrum. Related posts:Autism Awareness I’m Autistic: Another Awesome Video Response To Autism Speaks’ “I Am Autism” Letter in Response to Autism Speaks’ Exploitative Practice (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3106856 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:36:25 +0100 3106856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079515&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2FZ2CfXPrmLDI%2F Sometimes it is hard to be an aspie. I am very lucky because no matter how hard things get sometimes, I have people who can, and do, help me out. If it weren’t for those people, especially my family and Karen, I really don’t what my life would be like now. It is likely that I would be homeless or dead, but instead, I am happy and warm. Most people are not as lucky as me. My friend aspietalk is having a very hard time and will be homeless in a couple of weeks. She has recently started to get connected with services that may help, but the process of getting help is slow and painful. Tons of red tape and disorganization that is difficult for even the most healthy and organized of people, and seems to be purposefully impossible for people who face various challenges due to health, ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079515 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:05:19 +0100 3079515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039961&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2FE_kl0axNwKU%2F This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: Related posts:BeeDragon on Facebook (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039961 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:29:37 +0100 3039961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048292&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2009%2F11%2F06%2Fall-drupal-all-the-time-too-bad-i-cant-breathe%2F Writing on the iPhone. Hard to breathe. Shaky. Strangely okay besides that. Sometimes writing helps. Been very busy lately. All Drupal all the time. Besides from the insane learning curve and non-intuitive UI, I am in awe of its power and flexibility. After more than 15 hours of video tutorials and reading tons of docs, I am finally understanding how it works and how the code is organized. I am learning while building a site for an awesome organization. Will link to it when it is done. If all goes according to plan, it will launch around Jan. 1st, 2010. Not mentioning the org. because there is a board and I don’t know if things like that have to be decided about, but if someone who knows the answer and wants to post it in the comments, go for it I haven’t used Drupal to build ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048292 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:46:48 +0100 3048292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958934&cid=t_300771_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=2927505&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FHZIPU1gHIVo%2F Slate’s Erica Westly takes an interesting look at the increasing incidence of Asperger’s as a legal defense, citing the recent headline case of British computer whiz Gary McKinnon, who hacked into almost 100 U.S. government and NASA computers after becoming obsessed with the United States covering up UFO contact. “Criminal defendants in the United States have been using similar tactics with varying degrees of success in recent years,” Westly writes. “In fact, it’s not all that rare for criminal defendants with Asperger’s to argue for leniency in cases of computer fraud, sexual misconduct, and murder. Three years ago, the defense even made its way into an episode of ‘Boston Legal.’” Photo/D Sharon Pruitt (Pink Sherbet Photograph... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927505 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:55:50 +0100 2927505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920423&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fljd4dsbpaMM%2F Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have uncovered a new genetic signature that correlates strongly with autism and which doesn’t involve changes to the DNA sequence itself, a finding that may suggest new approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Researchers found higher-than-usual numbers of gene-regulating molecules called methyl groups in a region of the genome that regulates oxytocin receptor expression in people with autism. Previous studies have shown that giving oxytocin can improve social engagement behavior and it’s being explored as a potential treatment, and although the methylation status of the OXTR gene is not a definitive diagnosis of autism by itself, a test for methylation might be used along with other clinical tests for diagnosing autism. Methylation-m... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920423 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:34:55 +0100 2920423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2908832&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJCA4tf4uRbg%2F I attended the first part of Dr. Tony Atwood’s lecture on Asperger’s and high-functioning autism today in New York, presented by YAI. Though I could only attend the first part of the day-long talk, I’d highly recommend Dr. Atwood as a speaker: clear, humorous, and engaging. In announcing how he had to stop himself for the the morning break, for instance: “The longer you spend living with and working with those with ASDs, the more aspects of an ASD you pick up yourself!” Dr. Tony Atwood (photo courtesy YAI) Atwood, who has worked with Aspies for years and founded a clinic some 17 years ago to work specifically with those with the condition, spelled out many interesting aspects of Aspies, some well-known and some lesser-known: social awkwardness; obsessive int... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2908832 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:59:13 +0100 2908832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2908663&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F19%2Fwhat-you-want%2F I still feel queasy when I remember the words. Children have a certain disempowerment simply because they are young — they are naïve, less learned, and lack perspective. But this transcended childhood.  It sank past the boundaries of adult to child, or parent to child, and trampled my self-identity and self-determination. My mom had found a way [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2908663 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:48:51 +0100 2908663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881292&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FrD6b9N3hKxA%2F The Net has certainly let loose the dogs of both support and criticism for some parents of children with ASD. In El Paso, Texas, parents and teachers around the world have chimed in regarding a 10-year-old with boy with Asperger’s who got a ticket for $260 for disrupting class. Students can be ticketed and their parents fined in the state for such actions, and the mom says her son kept falling asleep in class, made noise in the hall, and got down on the floor and refused to get up. She agrees the behavior is not okay and that he should be punished, but she disagrees that this punishment was “suitable” for what her son did, claiming he he didn’t hurt anyone or break anything. The ticket was later dismissed.  Local news outlet KFOX got several e-mails and comments rega... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881292 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:09:11 +0100 2881292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855777&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2FfRq_AxFd18I%2F The Autistic Self Advocacy Network and other organizations representing the Cross-Disability Community are distributing this joint letter to the sponsors, donors and supporters of Autism Speaks following the organization’s latest offensive and damaging Public Service Announcement, “I am Autism“. If you are an organization that would like to sign on to the letter, please e-mail ASAN at info@autisticadvocacy.org before Close of Business Tuesday, October 6th, 2009. If you are an individual who would like to join ASAN’s upcoming protests of Autism Speaks in Ohio, New England, New York City and elsewhere across the country please e-mail ASAN at info@autisticadvocacy.org Thank you for your support and please feel free to distribute for additional signatories. To the Spons... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855777 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:54:13 +0100 2855777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2842721&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FymxmocolWic%2F UCLA has a class that offers an instruction to ASD teens that’s often lacking from a menu of therapies: How to make friends. The teen years are tough enough, but for those with ASD this time could only be a nightmare in terms of interacting with peers. The UCLA program teaches its 33 students (28 of them male) to watch for all the social clues they might commonly miss — body language, hand gestures, facial expressions, speech inflections — and try to turn those improved interpretations into connections. The class, called PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills), involves students meeting once a week for 12 weeks for 90-minute sessions, with instruction given in groups of seven to 10 teens. Parents were also required to attend separate, conc... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2842721 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:50:15 +0100 2842721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851988&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2009%2F09%2F27%2Fim-autistic-another-awesome-video-response-to-autism-speaks-i-am-autism%2F Responses to the the Autism Speaks’ “I Am Autism” video have been growing quickly. Here is another awesome video response to the tune of “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy. More Responses: ABFH has posted a list of video and blog/article responses here. Turner and Kowalski are collecting pictures with captions for their parody video. Send some in! Related posts:Don’t Speak For MeProfessional Frontend Engineering VideoAutism Awareness (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851988 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:10:47 +0100 2851988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2839122&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FJd4ToJExyfY%2F The Fraser Child & Family Center in Minneapolis found a new way to reach ASD students: through headphones and iPods. The devices play music and videos to teach these students how to fit in. Fraser staff came up with the idea of programming iPods to act as an electronic substitute for “that missing [inner) voice for those with Asperger's, the voice that governs appropriate behavior. Staff have helped students create short videos and slide shows on how to behave in different social settings: How to carry on a conversation; how to respect other people’s boundaries and think before they speak; and others. The Autism Society of America says similar projects are popping up around the country, and include adaptations for smart phones, Palm Pilots and other devices. Photo courtesy of l... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2839122 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:06:53 +0100 2839122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2834403&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2FNzt2q4TnJyM%2F Check out this awesome response to the exceptionally horrible “I Am Autism” video by Autism Speaks. Link leads to Mike Stanton’s Action For Autism blog with video and commentary. This video is just one part of Autism Speaks’ crusade to educate the world about how horrible autistic people are and how they will destroy the happiness of anyone who crosses their path. If you haven’t seen the Autism Speaks video, it is exactly the same as this one except for the audio, which is almost the complete opposite. Lyrics are below. A list of responses to the Autism Speaks video is being compiled at I Speak of Dreams. I… Am… Autism… Speaks… I am Autism Speaks… I am invisible to your children. And I will be invisible to you until it’s to... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2834403 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:42:04 +0100 2834403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812534&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2009%2F08%2F30%2Fthrough-my-eyes-sung-by-thanh-bui%2F is an attempt to help people get a handle on what it’s like to live with an autism spectrum disorder. Ordinarily, a song this sweet would make me gag. I admit that in order to listen to it all the way through, my brain started translating it into a thrashier version of itself (in classic rock power ballad style). Personal musical tastes aside, I really liked this song and Thanh Bui’s beautiful voice brought me out of the thrash from time to time. Thanks to Sharon for the link Music by Fiona Johnson. Words by Valerie Foley. Inspiration from the lives of those close to us who live with an ASD. It will be available for download on iTunes soon. All proceeds to Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) Related posts:Project Spectrum (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812534 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:14:55 +0100 2812534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695560&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2FsL5FQGiPIbY%2F This post was inspired by an article written by Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg and published on The Commons. More of Rachel’s writing can be found on her blog, Asperger Journeys. Rachel’s website includes a list of 100 Myths about Autism, and her article focuses on ten of those. After finishing the article, I found my thoughts lingering on myths #2 and #10. Myth #2: Autism is a mental illness. Autism is not a psychological disorder. It is a neurological condition in which the brain and nervous system are highly sensitive to sensory stimuli. When the average person takes in sensory information from the environment, he or she intuitively filters it, prioritizes it, and responds in a purposeful way. For autistic people, sensory processing works very differently. The information comes in ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695560 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:04:59 +0100 2695560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477579&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fspecial-needs-and-mobile-phones-why.html In our community neurotypical children begin carrying mobile phones between the ages of 10 and 15. Many parents prefer to defer use of a mobile phone as long as possible.How should cognitive disabilities and special needs affect the timing of first phone use?Since cognitive disorders such as ADHD and autism may limit abilities to use a phone effectively or correctly, one approach would be to delay or defer use. Of course even a child with strong executive functions can lose a phone, so there are strong economic reasons to delay use.We've chosen instead to move the use date forward, to the earliest time that a cognitively disabled child is likely to be able to follow basic phone rules.I was mildly surprised by this. I thought we'd favor delay, but when we thought things through the reasons ... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477579 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:52:00 +0100 2477579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473554&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F11%2Fthe-long-and-short-of-it%2F It’s going to be a long day; I can tell already. Last night I finally got eight hours of sleep, aside from several prolonged coughing fits.  The previous three nights I’d only gotten four hours of sleep.  You’d think the extra rest would make me feel better, but I’m still running short on good sleep because [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473554 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:40:34 +0100 2473554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447682&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F01%2Fweathers-here-wish-you-were-fine%2F Summer sucks.  I hate the heat, the humidity, the sizzling sun boring into my head, unpeeling my limbs from each other, the restless nights spent searching futilely for a cool spot on the sheets and being sleepless for the lack of the comforting weight of blankets, the lack of appetite, the omnipresent glare, the complete [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447682 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:55:14 +0100 2447682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441656&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F22%2Fall-we-want-are-the-facts-maam%2F Sergeant Joe Friday of the old American cop show, Dragnet, was famous for asking witnesses — in characteristic deadpan delivery, “All we want are the facts, ma’am.” Sounds good to me.  Not just facts (albeit they’re tremendously useful, especially when you have them in variety), but also the focus upon transmitting information, without a lot of [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441656 Fri, 22 May 2009 05:20:44 +0100 2441656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657850&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2009%2F05%2F12%2Fleaving-oakland%2F K and LB @ Slainte Pub in Baltimore Me and K spent the past week in Baltimore and Florida and had a great time. We want to move to Baltimore, but we can’t. It sucks. We decided we wanted to move a few weeks before the economy crashed. Things looked pretty good for us then. Now we are stuck here for what could be a long time. We both love Oakland and the Bay Area, but it is time to go. About 5 years ago, we visited Baltimore and came home thinking about moving there to help out K’s folks with stuff that they have a hard time doing, but that would be easy for us to do. They told us we shouldn’t move because of them, and we didn’t. In the 5 years since, we have accumulated many more reasons to move there and fewer reasons to stay. I have 2 beautiful nieces now that I d... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657850 Wed, 13 May 2009 03:57:16 +0100 2657850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2381408&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2009%2F04%2F26%2Fproject-spectrum%2F was created to give people with autism the opportunity to express their creativity and develop a life skill using Google SketchUp 3D modeling software. This video shows 3D models created by 4 children on the autism spectrum. Three of the models are of the child’s dream house. All are very interesting! Some of the children made paper sketches before trying SketchUp. Narration explains the children’s experience with the software compared to their experience with the paper sketches. I wish there was something like this around when I was a kid! I wonder if it could be used to create 3D mind maps. I have found it helpful on occasion to use mind mapping software to translate the multi-planed thoughts in my head into the pictures and shapes of a mind map, and then have the software ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2381408 Fri, 01 May 2009 02:58:36 +0100 2381408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375926&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fsalon-autism-is-not-disorder.html Salon has an article on the autism is not a disorder movement, sometimes called the “neurodiversity” movement. I don’t like to surrender the term neurodiversity, so I’ll call this the “autism is ok” movement. We’ve been through this sort of thing a few times. Famously, some deaf people resent the use of nerve implants that diminish the appeal of sign language. On another front lesbians and gay men successfully transformed same gender sexual preference from a disease to a trait. These examples are well known, but there’s a third example that’s been forgotten. In the 1970s it was a fad for a while to consider schizophrenia to be just another worldview; and that the disease was an biased social construction. That idea was, how shall I say, bull poop. Reality is a lot messier... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375926 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:34:00 +0100 2375926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2571072&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2Ff1i0QyGbKj4%2F was created to give people with autism the opportunity to express their creativity and develop a life skill using Google SketchUp 3D modeling software. This video shows 3D models created by 4 children on the autism spectrum. Three of the models are of the child’s dream house. All are very interesting! Some of the children made paper sketches before trying SketchUp. Narration explains the children’s experience with the software compared to their experience with the paper sketches. I wish there was something like this around when I was a kid! I wonder if it could be used to create 3D mind maps. I have found it helpful on occasion to use mind mapping software to translate the multi-planed thoughts in my head into the pictures and shapes of a mind map, and then have the software ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2571072 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:01:12 +0100 2571072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365337&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2009%2F04%2F09%2Fbee-in-aspieland%2F In February 2006, Karen and I made a comic. Then we got sidetracked for three years. K took the original pictures and I made them into comics in Photoshop. We wrote the story together. This morning we filled in the remaining text and put the images in order. Update: A few people have requested that I put the full size images all on one page for easier viewing on smaller monitors and printing. Click here to view them. Click on the thumbnails to see larger images. To see images at full size, click on the icon (top right of large image). This is the story of Bee in Aspieland… ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365337 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:56:37 +0100 2365337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348488&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fnicely-non-verbal%2F One of the things I like about garden center work is being able to help people select plants for their different needs, and discuss how to care for them.  There are few things more pleasant than being able to share information about one of your special interests with other enthused people. But the other day there [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348488 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:50:38 +0100 2348488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2571073&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2FTApJg7ttXBg%2F In February 2006, Karen and I made a comic. Then we got sidetracked for three years. K took the original pictures and I made them into comics in Photoshop. We wrote the story together. This morning we filled in the remaining text and put the images in order. Update: A few people have requested that I put the full size images all on one page for easier viewing on smaller monitors and printing. Click here to view them. Click on the thumbnails to see larger images. To see images at full size, click on the icon (top right of large image). This is the story of Bee in Aspieland… ... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2571073 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:27:06 +0100 2571073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2307018&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fworld-autism-day-aspergers-syndrome.html A two-dimensional cardboard cut out portrayal, maybe, but valid all the same. I have always been fascinated by Asperger’s Syndrome and of course one of my (literally) guiding lights must surely have had the condition.Now a new blog has been started by a medical student who also has Asperger’s Syndrome. Should be fascinating. I hope he keeps it going . It’s a good time to draw your attention to this new blog as today is World Autism Awareness Day. Did you know that?And on a personal, happy note, an NHS BLOG DOCTOR reader advises me that a new series of Wainwright’s Walks is about to start on the BBC.  I did not know one was planned. Excellent. Essential viewing for those, like me, currently unable to get to the Lake District. (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2307018 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:50:00 +0100 2307018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306893&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fviolence-and-natural-history-of-autism.html Ann Bauer has written four stories about her son Andrew July 2005: He's been doing well from age 12 to 17. May 2007: Andrew is 19. She tells us that he was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, and that antipsychotic medications made him violent Mar 2008: She’s struggling, and still feels that the antipsychotic medications are responsible for Andrew’s worsening condition. Mar 2009: Andrew is dangerously violent, and his mother can’t get help in an emergency. From Mar of 2009 (emphases mine) … Ann Bauer on autism, violence | Salon Life... Andrew started life as a mostly typical child. But at 3 and a half he become remote and perseverative, sitting in a corner and staring at his own splayed hand. Eventually he was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, a label that seemed to expla... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306893 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:01:00 +0100 2306893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2263876&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fmath-fact-drills-for-aspergers-child.html B2A (boy #2 with many great features and also Aperger's) does well enough at school, but very poorly on timed math tests. He basically seizes up.There are three obvious contributors. The first is that his working memory could be better. Perhaps related to that, he dislikes memorization tasks (two traits I share). Lastly, he has an uneasy relationship with time and especially with timers.Since computer time is a positive reinforcer for him we tried some computer based math exercises. First I went to the web, where I was again reminded of an old unsolved business problem. We have yet to figure out a way to deliver quality web based software solutions to this kind of niche market. It's not a technology problem, it's a business problem.The best web solution I could find was Math Playground, an... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2263876 Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:00:00 +0100 2263876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2256049&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fteaching-perseverance.html We haven't figured out even half the answers for #1, but we're in a bit of a pause. Familiar patterns, familiar problems, familiar management.On the other hand, #2 is raising new questions. He's fairly "classic" Asperger's (which is a bit like saying someone is a "jock", meaning there's a lot of latitude in there), and has a typically low tolerance for challenges.Some people seek out the hard stuff, because they enjoy the struggle for mastery. The easy stuff isn't interesting.He's not like that.If something's not fairly easy, he doesn't like it. Struggle is not his thing. Perseverance is illogical.That's not a recipe for living well in a world that's usually outside his comfort zone.So how do we teach "frustration management" and strengthen his limited ability to persevere?Some quick web s... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2256049 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:33:00 +0100 2256049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2216672&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F25%2Fpiques-and-valleys%2F So, I’ve been rather absent from bloggery lately due to spending evenings sorting through vast boxes of paper archives, moving books, applying for jobs to keep a roof over our heads, or attempting to sleep off this virus. I now have removed a cubic meter of paperness from our house, and transferred a few hundred [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2216672 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:35:26 +0100 2216672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260241&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flbnuke%2F%7E3%2Fklo8lDeiUBM%2F Chocolate, from Magnet Releasing, is a martial arts film from Thailand coming to theaters on Feb. 6th, 2009, and DVD Feb. 10th. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, this sweet, action-packed martial-arts drama features the debut of young female fighter Jeeja Yanin Vismitananda as Zen, an autistic savant who learns to kick heads by watching Bruce Lee and Tony Jaa movies. Zen’s father, a Japanese gangster, has been driven out of the country by a rival Thai gang, so her mother has been forced to raise her alone. When her mother becomes sick, Zen goes on a candy-fueled rampage to collect debts from the corrupt gangsters that owe money to her mom. Thanks to Rina for the link (Source: LBnuke) LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260241 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:41:46 +0100 2260241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167724&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F07%2Frequesting-your-thoughts-please%2F Howdy folks, This morning I’m again in pain and rather stiff.  I know that many of you have rather specialised knowledge, and would appreciate your thoughts on getting diagnostics. I have a number of conditions, both common and uncommon, including Raynaud’s, migraines, cough-variant asthma, tinnitus & hyperacussis and Auditory Processing Disorder, motor tics, and assorted neurological glitches [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167724 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:40:08 +0100 2167724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2150850&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F02%2Fbeing-remote-mis-emoting%2F “What’s the matter?” “Nothing.” “No, tell me.” “Nothing.“ “Seriously, what’s wrong?” “NOTHING’S wrong; I’m just working on this article.” “Well you don’t have to be so rude.” “I wasn’t — I’m just trying to work already.” Apparently I don’t always “emote” (physically express my emotional state) the way people expect me to. Apparently my “thinking” face looks like a scowl. “Are you annoyed with [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2150850 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:16:29 +0100 2150850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2149638&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fgraduation-from-lego-school-of.html The 7 yo had problems with planning, spatial orientation, sequencing and fine motor manipulatives.He also disliked occupational therapy.On the other hand, he liked the idea of working with Lego, even though he couldn't complete the simplest project. So we enrolled him in the Lego school of occupational therapy. Heck, it was vastly cheaper anyway.We've been working on our Lego projects for a bit over 2 years now. At first I did everything but push the piece into place. Then I would select the piece and orient the target and the piece, silently pointing out where it ought to go. Then I'd select a piece and point to the diagram. Then I'd present a piece and point nowhere. Then two pieces. Then all the pieces for a given "move".Abruptly, I didn't need to select anything at all. My only role wa... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2149638 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:06:00 +0100 2149638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2137665&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F27%2Fholding-a-cat%2F Random thought: Holding a baby is good camouflage for rocking while standing or sitting. Cats are less useful.        (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2137665 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:11:40 +0100 2137665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2134771&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F27%2Ffamily-traditions%2F My daughter and son had a long conversation the other day.  They knew what they were talking about, within this twin-like patois built upon years of shared jokes.  It made sense to them, for all that anyone else would have found the banter of movie and TV quotes to be strings of non-sequitors. “You know, the [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2134771 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:57:30 +0100 2134771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2132539&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F26%2Fyou-cant%2F (These quotes are real, at least to the gist of what was told me.) “You can’t — no, no whining!  You just sit here next to me and wait quietly for the doctor.  You are NOT going to bother people by grabbing all the magazines and lining them up on the floor.  Don’t even ask ‘why’ [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2132539 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:27:42 +0100 2132539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2131330&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fautism-society-of-america-has-lost-our.html The ASA has turned from the best available science. There are no roads on the trackless wasteland they’re traveling now (emphases mine) … Autism Society of America: research_envirohealth_vaccines Individuals living with autism need help today. There is a clear and present need for the government, scientific, medical and autism communities to probe further into all possible environmental causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in a fair, unbiased and thorough way, particularly because findings may help us approach treatment and prevention more effectively. Research needs include, but are not limited to, research into the causal or contributory relationship to autism that may be attributed to thimerosal containing vaccines (TCV’s), the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) inoculation and/o... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2131330 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:20:00 +0100 2131330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2207931&cid=t_300771_122_f&fid=38275&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drjonathanreed.co.uk%2Fwordpress%2F2009%2F01%2Fthe-problem-with-high-iq%2F I have recently been reading Malcolm Gladwell’s new bookOutliers: The Story of SuccessI have to say that I found a lot of it irritating as I thought his arguments were very polemic and with lots of flaws, although he is a great storyteller and writer. There are however, two interesting chapters on high IQ in the book.  As a neuropsychologist who assesses IQ, I sometimes get people telling me that they or their children have very high IQ’s normally over 150 and sometimes over 200.  I am never sure when this comes from as on the most commonly used test of IQ in the US and UK, the Wechsler scales, the highest IQ you can get is 160. In Gladwell’s chapter he discusses the case of Chris Langan a person with one of the highest IQ’s in the US, with an IQ of 195. I think a... Child Neuropsychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2207931 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:07:44 +0100 2207931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2097954&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F13%2Fyou-just-dont-get-it%2F A few summers ago, right in the middle of my graduate programme, I was hit with Mono and Lyme. Taking a shower was exhausting. I kept falling asleep in statistics classes, and in the lab where I tried to work. Putting thoughts together in any of my research analysis or writing, or even learning new [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2097954 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:12:11 +0100 2097954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074301&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F03%2Fwith-a-price-tag-like-that-you-know-its-whats-best%2F Would you pay more for name-brand headache medicine than the generic or store brand?  If your budget is like mine, probably not; after all, the tablets are the same, it’s just the packaging that’s different. But on the flip side, what if your favorite practitioner recommends an expensive treatment that will help you or your loved [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074301 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:57:02 +0100 2074301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065372&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F24%2Fthe-return-of-rudolph%2F Because I’m up to my tuchis here getting ready to prepare the chicken tamales, baklava, mince tarts, potato latkes and whatnot, here’s a re-run of a holiday-oriented classic post (from 2006): TODAY’S QUOTE: “Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.” ~Albert Camus There’s a newsclip kicking around the Web, from the CBS Evening News [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065372 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:18:50 +0100 2065372 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094755&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2008%2F12%2F24%2Fshutdown%2F I was reading an article called “Shutdown: A Specific Type of Meltdown” written by Gavin Bollard this morning. Shutdown is a pretty hard thing to put into words, but he did a pretty good job of it. Technically, there aren’t too many differences between meltdowns and shutdowns. Both are extreme reactions to everyday stimuli. … While a meltdown could be described as rage against a situation, a [shutdown] tends to be more of a retreat. Shutdown and meltdown have always had the same meaning in my mind, the only difference being one of intensity. Gavin describes them as two separate things. I can kind of see the difference when described like that. When I was younger, I used to have both meltdowns and shutdowns. I don’t think I have meltdowns anymore. I could be wr... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2094755 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:01:32 +0100 2094755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052840&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F3ewwARh2ST4%2F The Florida legislature has declared the first half of October as Disability History and Awareness Weeks, today’s West Volusia Beacon notes. Indeed, the legislature is said to be “trying to change the negative image, perception and treatment of people with disabilities.” The article highlights programs for disabled students throughout the county, such as Deltona High School’s Multi-VE program. VE stands for varying exceptionalities. Multi-VE students’ disabilities and challenges include hearing or language impairments, mental handicaps, emotional and behavioral disorders, multiple physical handicaps and disorders all across the autism spectrum. Located in Building Z on the 92-acre campus, Deltona High School’s Multi-VE program serves more than 50 students, ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052840 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:51:37 +0100 2052840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052741&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fbuilding-on-our-strengths%2F All too often I see people focusing on their own personal weaknesses or shortcomings.  Worse still, many parents do the same thing with their kids and many employers with their employees.   I’ve often wondered why this is, why the focus on negativity when we, and the people around us, all have such incredible strengths to appreciate and use. This focus on the negative is the most blatant when it comes to working with those with disabilities.  As the father of an autistic son, I’ve seen this first hand.  In a recent interview with WNET, Temple Grandin has the following to say on the matter: Grandin is good at thinking in photorealistic pictures, but she is unable to grasp simple concepts such as numbers. Grandin, who flunked out of algebra in school, said teachers approach ... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052741 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:06:42 +0100 2052741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027198&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FmNvwhs2L-t8%2F On October 12, while presiding as the honorary chair for an Autism Speaks walk on the campus of Ohio State University, President Gordon Gee made remarks including the statement that “‘It [autism] should not exist.’” Melanie Yergeau, a 2nd-year Ph.D. student in English, wrote this letter, which is posted on the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network blog. As Yergeau, who notes that she has Asperger’s Syndrome, writes: Until very recently, I have felt incredibly welcome at Ohio State—due to the interdisciplinary work of the Disability Studies Program and the Department of English, the Office of Disability Services, and the programs for high-functioning/Asperger’s adults at the Nisonger Center. I would urge you, as you continue in your autism advocacy, to consider wh... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027198 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:30:50 +0100 2027198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027019&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fautism-twitter-day%2F It has taken me a while, but I’ve finally joined Twitter.   The catalyst behind getting me to join at this time is an event being organized by Bonnie Sayers called Autism Twitter Day, scheduled for Tuesday 16 December, a week from today.  Mark your calendars!  (Thanks to Kev and his post Autism Twitter Day for the heads up.) Autism Twitter Day - Tuesday, Dec 16th pacific standard time - 9AM, 12:30 PM and 8 PM.  Prizes will be given out and a panel will be available with information and to answer questions. This is open to twitter members, specifically those who are members of the autism community, whether it be a parent, sibling or relative.  If you are on the spectrum you are welcome to take part.  Most of the prizes are geared to children and young adults with autism or aspe... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027019 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:26 +0100 2027019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021452&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Ftake-me-as-i-am%2F I wrote recently about the Dream Theater song “Solitary Shell” and how it brought to mind the impressions many people have of autistic individuals.  Tonight I popped in Dream Theater - Live at Budokan to help get the creative juices flowing.  The first song in their set list for this show is a song called “As I Am”, an excellent opening. Anyway….  I’m pretty confident that this song wasn’t written with autism in mind, but the message the writer is trying to get across - that he is a unique individual and should be accepted as that - reminds me of what many of my autistic friends ask for.   (Like most poetry, this is best appreciated in spoken, or in this case, sung form.   Just imagine a driving guitar, bass and pounding drums as you read th... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021452 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:55:36 +0100 2021452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2017835&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FlKiExNLGdI4%2F Emmett Doyle and Michael Wesely are students—a senior and a junior, respectively— at Apollo High School in Minnesota and are both acting in a school production of A Christmas Carol. Doyle is playing Scrooge and Wesely is playing Marley, who visit Scrooge in ghostly form. As noted in the December 6th St. Cloud Times, both have Asperger’s Syndrome and have found acting a way to work on their social and communication skills. Elements of theater such as following a script (which enforces turn-taking in conversation), interpreting body language, developing empathy for their characters and working as a team all help with their everyday lives. Through acting, they are memorizing social cues, which can in turn become more instinctive to them offstage. “One of the cool things ab... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2017835 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:58:43 +0100 2017835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996298&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.gbrettmiller.com%2Fon-the-internet-no-one-knows-youre-autistic%2F When people with autism or other disabilities try to engage in face-to-face communications, it is often made difficult because of a bias, intentional or not, on the part of the other person in the conversation.  Another aspect of the value of social media to autistic people and others with various disabilities is the fact that they are judged not by their appearance nor the quality of their voice, but by what they have to say. Consider the following excerpt from an autism advocacy blog: What started the conversation was a person we know offline who has acquired a new condition over the course of the time we have known her. She has always been extreme in both her ableism and her refusal to even contemplate thinking politically about disability, more extreme than most people. Her entire ide... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996298 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:18:50 +0100 1996298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1990887&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F26%2F4-stages-you-dont-have-to-go-through%2F A recent article landed in my Google news aggregater, “Child’s Autism Diagnosis: 4 Stages You Will Go Through”.  Unfortunately, for all of its cheery helpfulness, it still manages to perpetuate some common stereotypes and misconceptions about disabilities: When you hear that your child has been diagnosed with autism, the worst thoughts come to your mind. You [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1990887 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:24:04 +0100 1990887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094761&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35108&url=http%3A%2F%2Flbnuke.com%2F2008%2F11%2F20%2Fwords-crashing-inside-my-head%2F I was having some trouble thinking earlier and ended up looking at the wordle pix again to quiet my brain. The one below caught my eye because it is a picture of what was going on in my head. It is a pretty accurate illustration of what I mean when I say (or write) that “the words crash inside of my head”. (Click the image to enlarge) The reason it is hard for me to think and read sometimes is because I don’t think in straight lines. I think in grids. Hard to explain. Some people call it thinking in pictures. For me, the pictures are more like 3D wireframe models that can be viewed from every angle and direction, including from the inside out. Nothing at all resembling a straight line like a sentence does. When I can’t see the grid and try to think in words, t... LBnuke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2094761 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:34:13 +0100 2094761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968951&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FRealShlFgl8%2F Sunday I wrote about singer Pip Brown aka Ladyhawke, who has Asperger’s Syndrome; a profile of her in the Independent noted how having Asperger’s is one reason that live shows aren’t the easiest for her. Another musician, singer Craig Nicholls of The Vines, was diagnosed with Asperger’s four years ago: It’s been reported in Reuters via the Calgary Herald that the band has had to cancel their upcoming shows “due to a deterioration in the mental condition” and the “erratic behavior” of Nicholls. Some news sources refer to him as having a “mental illness” though what he has is Asperger’s syndrome—-the singer was diagnosed with Asperger’s after “abusing fans and assaulting a Sydney photographer.” As... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968951 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:34:51 +0100 1968951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968959&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fkwz1kNK1OR0%2F The November 13th Newsweek has an article, More Than Just Quirky, about girls and women with Asperger’s Syndrome: Are girls and women sometimes not diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum because they do not have the same symptoms as boys and men do? Girls, it’s noted, have more “socially acceptable” obsessions—”horse and books,” perhaps, rather than “vacuum cleaners or oscillating fans”: “Girls tend to get obsessed with things that are a little less strange,” says Elizabeth Roberts, a neuropsychologist at the Asperger Institute at the New York University Child Study Center. “That makes it harder to distinguish normal from abnormal.” That observation is consistent with a 2007 study of 700 children on the spect... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968959 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:22:45 +0100 1968959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964129&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fb-JG1JsBYEU%2F “Young, gifted, and autistic”: That’s how the November 16th Independent profile describes New Zealand-born singer-songwriter Pip Brown of Ladyhawke: recently, she revealed to a British newspaper that she has Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism) which suddenly shifted media interest from her music to her autism……… But it’s not the story that the singer wants to be defined by. “I really regret talking about it,” she says. “There’s a kid with Asperger’s who wrote to me on MySpace, saying I was a liar. It was really hurtful. I was like, you have no idea what I’ve been through. Yeah, I’m a bit weird. I do weird things. I’ve been really wary since then.” Not that it shows. Brown is chatty, war... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964129 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:36:42 +0100 1964129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964125&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F15%2Fcomfort-able%2F For the first time in months and months — far longer than it should have been, but there we are with the insane busyness of life — a friend and I got together at her house for dinner. “You look like you’re finally relaxing,” she said after I’d been there a little while, and we decided [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964125 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:41:01 +0100 1964125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927811&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fadvocates-and-allies%2F I had originally planned for this post to be an in-depth look at what it means for a non-autistic person to be an advocate or ally for autistic people.  There has been a lot written on the subject over the past couple of months and I was going to use this as a way to sort it all out in my mind.  Luckily (especially for you, since this post is now much shorter), a recent discussion on this blog helped me understand it all in a nutshell. In a comment to a recent post, CS had the following to say about the vaccine-autism debate: The vaccine argument is causing a lot of harm I believe because it is taking our limited time we have in the news and monopolizing it with trivalities (sp?) that aren’t important for inclusion, education, opportunity, independence and safety which is what most aut... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927811 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:11:52 +0100 1927811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927853&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F02%2Ffruit-flies-like-a-banana%2F “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” Some of my special interests are insects, science and special education. The three subjects rarely intersect, but you can bet that when they do, it’s going to be interesting! Populist politics is once again — or rather — still degenerating into vast bogs of anti-intellectualism.  As [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927853 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:11:34 +0100 1927853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924476&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fautistic-or-introverted-or-both%2F My thoughts about introversion in my post Monday morning lunatics got me thinking about a possible relationship between introversion and Asperger’s Syndrome.  That, and a thread at Computerworld discussing Asperger’s in the field of Information Technology. Not long after starting my first post-college job, I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and discovered that I was introverted.  (INTP, to be exact.)  Discovered is probably too strong a word, though, since I already knew I was introverted, as described in this definition: I like getting my energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. I often prefer doing things alone or with one or two people I feel comfortable with. I take time ... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924476 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:28:02 +0100 1924476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1908841&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FZrDI9K1oEL0%2F Shortly after 9/11, Gary McKinnon—a “UFO-obsessed computer hacker”—allegedly hacked his way into 97 computers belonging to NASA, the Department of Defense and several branches of the US military. The European Court of Human Rights has cleared the way for McKinnon, who is British, to be extradited to the US where he would face eight charges of computer fraud. McKinnon appealed this decision and lost, and autism experts, politicians, lawyers and civil rights campaigners have been urging home secretary Jacqui Smith to intervene so McKinnon can be tried in Britain rather than being extradited to the US. Experts including Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of developmental psychopathology at Cambridge University, were commissioned to access McKinnon, who has been recently diag... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1908841 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:09:32 +0100 1908841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1892047&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F1Q4ib2yeABY%2F Regardless of whether or not BitTorrent founder Bram Cohen has Asperger’s Syndrome as reported in the October 16th Business Week, this post about Cohen in Valleywag—according to which Asperger’s is “a sort of autism lite thought to be common among geeks” and a “mental condition”—might lead you to at least raise an eyebrow or sigh in annoyance. Or exasperation. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, bittorrent, bram cohen, disabilities, disabilities blog, disability, Education, Health, jobs, silicon valley, software, Technology, WorkShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1892047 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:00:02 +0100 1892047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1889023&cid=t_300771_107_f&fid=35041&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fdigitalbio%2F%7E3%2F425139342%2Fan_enjoyable_book_amazing_stor.php Sometimes I'm thankful for all extra restrictions on air travel that got imposed after 9/11. Not the ones involving personal searches, taking your shoes off, or putting all your liquids in plastic bags, but I do like having to arrive at the airport 2 hours ahead of any scheduled trip. The reason is that I'm a sucker for airport book stores. Almost every time I go on a trip, I bring home more books than I packed. Sometimes surprisingly, as in the case of "Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's" by John Elder Robison, I even have to fight with my children to get the book back. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Discovering Biology in a Digital World) Discovering Biology in a Digital World blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1889023 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 04:24:38 +0100 1889023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1888283&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FcaVj8ItrXYI%2F A study from Minnesota look at how adults with Asperger’s Syndrome compare to others and offers a sense of hope. The study was done by Kim Klein, a pediatric neuropsychologist at the Fraser Center and Pat Pulice. From today’s CBS4.com: “We’ve found that in some ways, this population is doing as well as their peers. They’ve been successful in obtaining employment. They’ve been successful in pursuing their hobbies,” said Pulice. “Virtually all of the young adults with Asperger’s disorder graduated from high school, same as our control group,” said Klein. “Forty-five percent went on to college or some type of post-secondary education; identical rates to the control group.” Klein and Pulice also noted that no one in the ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1888283 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:33:24 +0100 1888283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1886444&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F17%2Fyes-they-really-are-irrational%2F Or at least, more so. If you have ever sat on the sidelines thinking to yourself that the humans don’t make sense (to the point that others compared you to the character Spock from Star Trek), there is some research evidence vindicating that perspective. Professor Ray Dolan’s research group at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886444 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:54:00 +0100 1886444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1886376&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eonline.com%2Fuberblog%2Fb64077_denis_leary_tries_defuel_his_autism_fire.html Was the excerpt from Denis Leary's upcoming book bashing autism parents taken out of context? Does it matter? I think I'll withhold my judgment until his book comes out next month. (Source: 29 Marbles) 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886376 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:00:22 +0100 1886376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1883334&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerweekly.com%2FArticles%2F2008%2F10%2F13%2F232645%2Fhacker-gary-mckinnon-to-be-extradited-to-us-within-days.htm Should McKinnon's recent diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome be a consideration in his extradition proceedings? (Source: 29 Marbles) 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883334 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:08:29 +0100 1883334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1870893&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F13%2Fwanted-planet-with-longer-rotational-period%2F It’s not just me. A lot of people whom I know in person or via the internet have complained about near-futility of trying to get to sleep earlier at a “reasonable” time, meaning one that would give a person enough hours of sleep before having to rise for the next day. My children and I [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870893 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:02:54 +0100 1870893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1870900&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FgCcByaTWylk%2F Deborah Lipsky was in her 40s when she found out that has autism, today’s Carroll County Times notes. Others have described getting diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in their 50s; Nicky Gottlieb was 21 when he was diagnosed, after his sister, Lizzie Gottlieb, started to make a documentary about him, Today’s Man. When claims of a recent and dramatic increase in the autism rate are used as evidence for an “epidemic of autism,” the question is asked about where are all the adults with autism. Psychology professor Simon Baron-Cohen has written about the very late diagnosis of autism: Baron-Cohen describes a “lost generation” of adults with AS who did not know what diagnosis they have—who did not know that what they have even existed. It was 25 years ago tha... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870900 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:34:56 +0100 1870900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1870894&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F12%2Fthat-old-social-bugaboo-again-still%2F So, recently I was observed while teaching an evening class, and a couple weeks later had the opportunity to meet and discuss the professor’s observations.  Except for one problem, most everything else can easily be resolved. I was able to explain how the combination of illness and exhaustion were affecting me, as well as how accessory [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870894 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:09:18 +0100 1870894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1852672&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FR2XrfqH8kmQ%2F A 14-year-old boy, Gerwyn Morgan, has been missing from his home in Merthyr Tydfil, today’s BBC News reports. Morgan has Asperger’s Syndrome and there have been several reports of sightings of him; officers are worried that he has run away and residents have been asked to check “such places as outbuildings, garages and sheds.” Definitely hope he is found and home soon, and safe. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, bbc, disabilities blog, disability, Family, family blog, Health, Parenting, pdd-nos, runaway, sleeping rough, south walesShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852672 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:04:40 +0100 1852672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1825641&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fmilitary-service%2F This article applies to those who live in the U.S. = = == === ===== If your autistic child is in an inclusion setting in high school, attending as a “regular” student, you will eventually encounter military recruiters. As part of No Child Left Behind, public schools are obligated to provide student information to the local recruiters. A recent story in the Oregonian (excerpted below) shows the problems that can occur. To help prevent this kind of problem, you can take the following steps: Have appropriate documents of diagnosis, treatment, IEPs, etc. for your child If possible, obtain a letter from the school district case manager, pediatrician and others Be proactive, and find out who the local recruiters are, for all services Be even more proactive, find out the chain of co... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825641 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:37:32 +0100 1825641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1811351&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fg--GFyEjtAE%2F A recent post asking if autism is different in girls led to an interesting discussion; Sullivan also noted that the IACC Strategic Plan specifically mentioned “research on females with ASD to better characterize clinical, biological and protective features.” Back in August of 2007, the Telergraph, Charlotte Moore (author of George and Sam and the mother of three sons, two of whom are autistic) interviews four autistic women—one of whom (Lauren) was only diagnosed at the age of 23—-and asks whether the rate of autism in women is lower than that in men is due to women being better able to pretend to be “normal.” The women whom Moore interviews are very much aware of being different and of struggling to “conform to normal social expectations of female... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811351 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:08:46 +0100 1811351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1809759&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fautism-and-the-tragedy-of-the-commons%2F Last summer, I put Cooperation and the tragedy of the commons, from the Anecdote blog,  in my “to blog” pile.  It seemed relevant, but I just couldn’t quite figure out how.  In his post about an Alliance for Autism, Mike Stanton raises the problem of reconciling the individual wishes and desires of parents and adults with autism with the long term goals of autism advocacy, which has helped me better understand the relevance. The problem Mike raises shows up in many different domains and is known as the tragedy of the commons.  Simply stated, tragedy of the commons is: a dilemma in which multiple individuals acting independently in their own self-interest can ultimately destroy a shared resource even where it is clear that it is not in anyone’s long term interest... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1809759 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:09:08 +0100 1809759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806277&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fis-your-sen-or-rep-attending-rep-maloneys-vaccine-autism-meeting%2F As the folks at Age of Autism have pointed out, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is hosting a special briefing next Wednesday (24 September 2008) for Members of Congress and their Staff to update them on recent developments in the vaccine-autism debate.  I took their advice (kind of) and sent my Senators and Congressman a quick note about the meeting: Dear …  , On Wednesday 24 September, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is hosting a special briefing for Members of Congress and their Staff to update them on recent developments in the vaccine-autism debate.  As the parent of an autistic son, now 17, I’m asking that you not spend the valuable time of you or your staff at this meeting. As you may have guessed, I don’t subscribe to the belief that vaccines, or anything in them, cause... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806277 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:23:21 +0100 1806277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1802697&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F09%2F%25e2%2580%259cmen-must-attend-iep-meetings%25e2%2580%259d-reprint%2F I originally posted this over two years ago, and like my last post thought it would be worthwhile to reprint it as many parents are preparing for IEPs. = = == === ===== “Men must attend IEP meetings.” This advice comes from Charles Fox at the Special Education Law Blog in a Father’s Day post discussing the role of fathers in the advocacy process. A short excerpt: Fathers and men too often fail to realize that sometimes just showing up at a meeting in support of the child can make an enormous difference. In my list of essential advocacy points, I list that “men must attend meetings.” [number 11] I was actually accused of being a male chauvinist for stating this position at a parent training.What was lost in translation was not that women are incompetent advocates because nothing c... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1802697 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:11:37 +0100 1802697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1798133&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fsun-tzu-and-the-art-of-the-iep-reprint-2%2F I’ve posted this a couple of times before, but it seems worthwhile to post again as many of us enter IEP season.  (originally posted last August) = = == === ===== As a young Army officer, I read Sun Tzu’s Art of War many times (in different versions). When I transitioned into the civilian workforce, I realized that many of the ideas would translate to the world of business. (Not literally, of course. For example, Sun Tzu’s demonstration of leadership ability using the Emperor’s concubines as soldiers.) The Art of War can also be applied to many other common activities, such as the IEP. You can pull from many quotes, but here is my favorite: Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant of the enemy, but know yourself, ... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798133 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:11:36 +0100 1798133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1794404&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35082&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.gbrettmiller.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fdifferent-no-doubt-but-disabled%2F In a recent post suggesting the formation of an Alliance for Autism, Mike Stanton raised a few issues on which parents and adults with autism as a group may need to come to some sort of agreement.  One of those issues are the questions:  Is autism a disability or a difference? Can it be both? More than just an academic debate, the answers to these questions have very definite real world consequences.  Disabilities are covered by various laws, policies, etc. etc..  Differences, on the other hand, are not.  This was brought home to me when I read the aspie:talk post an adult trying to get accomodations. Although his issues were more related to not having an official diagnosis, the situation presents a good point of comparison. If treated as a disability, supported by the proper diagnosi... 29 Marbles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1794404 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:01:40 +0100 1794404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1768967&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fk-0AzB31coY%2F Courtesy of Wired magazine, a wiki about how to deal with your mild autism. Tips include: 1 Interrupt party chatter 2 Time yourself 3 Be honest at work 4 Look ‘em in the eye 5 Make it work for you 6 Know thyself 7 Reminders, Reminders, Reminders 8 Reduce Distractions 9 Find an Editor From item #5,  Make it work for you: Asperger’s isn’t an illness, it’s a set of characteristics, and you can turn these to your advantage. Find roles where your relentless curiosity can be a plus. Become an expert in your company or field, the go-to guy* for details, but learn to offer only what’s needed when asked. (* more than 95% of Aspies are male) I appreciated the positive outlook here and emphasis on using Asperger’s to one’s advantage, and the small Socratic... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1768967 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:14:00 +0100 1768967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1742804&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F-s4socx25m0%2F Gary McKinnon allegedly hacked his way into 97 computers belonging to NASA, the Department of Defense and several branches of the military, shortly after 9/11 occurred. The Associated Press says that the European Court of Human Rights has cleared the way for McKinnon, who is British, to be extradited to the US where he would face eight charges of computer fraud. McKinnon allegedly shut down the U.S. Army district responsible for protecting Washington, D.C., and cleared logs from computers at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, which “tracks the location and battle-readiness of U.S. Navy ships.” McKinnon was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. According to the July 30th Wired, McKinnon’s hacking activity was “a search for evidence of a milit... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1742804 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:30:19 +0100 1742804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1709271&cid=t_300771_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FWFg-WXCI_JA%2F 16-year-old Andy Beattie has been missing since August 10; he was last seen in Tacoma, Washington. He has Asperger’s Syndrome and has, according to a post by his mother on an online forum, “run off in the past and [was] sleeping in public parks and in street bus stops.” You can find more information here, including contact numbers for his mother, Samantha Underwood. Tags: andy beattie, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, disabilities blog, disability, Family, family blog, Health, missing children, Parenting, pdd-nos, tacoma, washingtonShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1709271 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:18:12 +0100 1709271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1704724&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fpublic-response-to-autistic-behaviors.html Dave Kolpack's editorial on public responses to disruptive children begins with the phrase "politically incorrect". That's best read as "truth that offends the weak minded". He gets a little better, but not much better.Emphases mine.Disruptive behavior by autistic children stirs debate, brings forth conflicted feelingsBy DAVE KOLPACK , Associated PressAugust 13, 2008FARGO, N.D. - When a 13-year-old Minnesota boy was banned from church after parishioners complained about his behavior, it exposed a painful truth so politically incorrect that some people feel guilty just saying it out loud: Some autistic children can be annoying and disruptive in public.The case of Adam Race and others like him has laid bare conflicted feelings — among both parents of these children and other people — ove... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1704724 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:54:00 +0100 1704724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1692208&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F09%2Fnot-flapping-my-lips%2F (”Flapping one’s lips” is American slang meaning to stand around talking, usually about nothing important, or gossiping, e.g., the disdainful address, “Don’t you just be standing around there flappin’ your lips.” ) “All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” ~Edmund Burke “It is very tempting to take the side of [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1692208 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:08:23 +0100 1692208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1689058&cid=t_300771_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F07%2Fthe-crystal-ball-crackd%2F The Kid recently took the ACT test, which like the SAT, is frequently used by colleges to determine scholastic abilities, and in his case helped place him for which college writing class he needed.  He had to ask his sister what the test was like, and her impressions about its difficulty level.  I could not [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1689058 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:42:44 +0100 1689058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1671532&cid=t_300771_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fautism-and-adhd-are-not-so-different.html CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest there are some common genetic influences operating across autistic traits and ADHD behaviours throughout normal variation and at the extreme. This is relevant for molecular genetic research, as well as for psychiatrists and psychologists, who may have assumed these two sets of behaviours are independent.I suspect all clinicians with significant experience with autism are accustomed to children who have features of both ADHD and autism. So no surprises there. Unfortunately, most studies of ADHD or autism focus on "pure" subjects, so they exclude children who have features of both.That means there's very little research about children with both ADHD and autism spectrum disorder -- we don't know what medications, behavioral or educational interventions are m... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1671532 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:06:00 +0100 1671532