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 'autism'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:50:25 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182177&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F09%2F01%2Fso-far-so-good.aspx I almost hate to post anything, because as sure as I do, I might jinx it all, but -- A. has been doing amazingly well in middle school so far. It's weird, because I completely anticipated that my daughter would completely fall to pieces after the first...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182177 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:35:00 +0100 5182177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181719&cid=t_100492_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=5182178&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F30%2Fhurts-and-scrapes-the-drama-of-a-sprained-ankle.aspx Yesterday, A. gives me a call early in the morning from school. "Mom, I fell and twisted my ankle, and it really hurts," she said. Now, A. has historically used the slightest ache and pain to try to get a ticket home from school, especially when she was...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182178 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:38:00 +0100 5182178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174812&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F29%2Ftechnological-classroom-communication-vehicles.aspx I already briefly mentioned this in an earlier post, but I absolutely love the "Parent Portal" infrastructure that our local school system provides. Basically, it's a course management system that helps keep parents involved and informed about what is...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174812 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:32:00 +0100 5174812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169666&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2Fe9oWI2GQiIc%2Fautism-and-airlines-how-can-airlines.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169666 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:52:00 +0100 5169666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174621&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F08%2F27%2Fdr-andrew-wakefield-to-speak-at-national-autistic-association-conference-on-autism-and-false-accusations-of-msbp%2F Dr. Andrew Wakefield The National Autism Association is having Dr Andrew Wakefield speak at their forthcoming conference about his new book which is to be released in the spring. While it is not unusual for the NAA to support Dr Wakefield’s work, I was surprised to learn that his proposed talk will be on the subject of the Autism and Munchausen by Proxy (MSBP). Dr Wakefield writes:   “Hoping for Perpetual Sunshine This presentation is the subject of a new book coming out the spring of 2012.  It deals with the hazards of pursuing a diagnosis of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP) in children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly those with gastrointestinal (GI) disease and/or dysfunction. Specifically, it reviews the symptomatic presentation of GI disorders ... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174621 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 06:11:30 +0100 5174621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174813&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F26%2Ftwelve-years.aspx It's hard to believe that it's already been twelve years. Twelve years since I was a confused, overwhelmed single-mom-to-be, twisting my teenage friends into pretzels as the contractions hit, completely and utterly terrified at the pain and possibility...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174813 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:42:00 +0100 5174813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159587&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F25%2Ffamily-visits-to-the-lake.aspx A couple of weekends ago, we had a very nice visit with my extended family at the lake. Family visitations are not always easy events for A. They usually involve me placing her in a foreign environment with completely different rules and a sketchy schedule...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159587 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:51:00 +0100 5159587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159835&cid=t_100492_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FQexqt8C-1RI%2F A new analysis of more than 1,000 medical journal articles found that relatively few health problems are caused by or clearly associated with vaccines, according to a report released today by the Institute of Medicine. An expert committee reviewed scientific literature on possible side effects and found what it calls convincing evidence that vaccines can cause 14 specific adverse events - such as seizures, brain inflammation and fainting - but concluded that these occur rarely. “What we found is that there is very little evidence that vaccines cause adverse events, and most of the adverse events that there is evidence for tend to be time-limited,” Ellen Wright Clayton, director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society at Vanderbilt University and the IOM committe chair, ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159835 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:20:13 +0100 5159835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159588&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F24%2Fmiddle-school-begins.aspx A. has started Middle School, and so far everything has been going extremely well for her. I'm trying not to get too excited, to be perfectly honest. Whenever things change for A., there's always a "honeymoon period" where things go really well for a...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159588 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:34:00 +0100 5159588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140115&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2FOTqvkLjy6TQ%2Fvirgin-america-no-accommodations-for.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140115 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:18:00 +0100 5140115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140125&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F16%2Fi-hate-to-brag-but.aspx One of the things that A. has been doing lately is starting out her sentences with, "I don't mean to brag, but..." or finishing up her statements with, "I'm sorry that I was bragging about that." I suppose that all of our hard work on the positive self-talk...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140125 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:35:00 +0100 5140125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130967&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2Fk8_DcA02pcw%2Fblogher-2011-unpacking-special-needs.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130967 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:08:00 +0100 5130967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130724&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FvhZooslpidM%2F Raising Questions: The debate over whether antibiotics should be used less frequently in livestock has been revived by the recent recall of ground turkey tainted by salmonella bacteria that is resistant to many of the drugs, the WSJ reports. Food-safety experts say that routine use of antibiotics in feed as a preventive can promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria and threaten human health, while industry groups counter that the practice reduces animal diseases, promotes growth and keeps meat prices low, the paper says. Crop Inspections: Mushrooms grown about 25 miles away from the Japanese nuclear plant damaged in the March earthquake and tsunami have been found to be contaminated by radiation, Bloomberg News reports. Rice is also a concern, with about half of the country’s crop grown ... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130724 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:43:25 +0100 5130724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130968&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2FxgguL-RQVg8%2Foctopuss-garden-by-sea.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130968 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:18:00 +0100 5130968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130972&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F14%2Flast-day-of-daycare.aspx On Wednesday, I took the day off of work to accompany A. on a field trip to Chuck-E-Cheese in celebration of her final days of daycare. Come next week, I'll be working a new schedule -- from 6am to 3pm -- so that I will be able to pick up my daughter...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130972 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:51:00 +0100 5130972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107817&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F07%2Fsink-or-swim-the-continuing-quest-towards-self-reliance.aspx Thomas and I have both been demanding a little more out of A. lately -- a few more chores, a little more help with shopping, and an overall increase in general responsibilities. She'll be starting middle school in less than a week, and we've been doing...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107817 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:21:00 +0100 5107817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103470&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F08%2F05%2Fcoaching-through-phone-conversations.aspx I've been spending a lot of time lately discussing how proud I am of A., how far she's come, and how much progress she's made in this last year. Believe me, all of that remains very true, but it's also important to notice when I'm taken aback by an unexpected...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103470 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:08:00 +0100 5103470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086454&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2FlTdyxsGy5AA%2Fat-last-we-are-muggles.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086454 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:57:00 +0100 5086454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086462&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F07%2F28%2Fmommas-don-t-let-your-babies-find-out-about-rick-astley.aspx I don't know really remember how it happened. We might have overheard "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley on the overhead speakers in the grocery store. A. might have asked about a video she'd found on the Internet. She might have simply pulled up...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086462 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:54:00 +0100 5086462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069723&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F07%2F25%2Fteacher-visits-and-sweet-gestures.aspx Yesterday, we arranged for a "playdate" for A., and invited her special education teacher from last year over to the house for a visit. A. had already given Ms. B. a tentative invite before school had ended -- she'd wanted to show her the house, her projects,...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069723 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:53:00 +0100 5069723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051054&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F07%2F19%2Fthe-pre-teenage-blues.aspx It's difficult being a preteen. It's difficult being autistic. This mean it must be especially difficult to be an autistic preteen. At least once a month, my daughter comes home from daycare crying. Usually -- like today -- this crying spell accompanies...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051054 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:19:00 +0100 5051054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036487&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2F0DhXh1ULSrM%2Fcha-cha-cha-changes.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036487 Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:45:00 +0100 5036487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028914&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F07%2F14%2Fcan-i-speak-to-you-in-private.aspx It's amazing to me how A. always tends to plateau with her development -- she'll go a few months without any real tangible milestones at all, and sometimes she'll even regress a little -- but then she'll just explode out of the blue with a new skill that...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028914 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:01:00 +0100 5028914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028915&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F07%2F12%2Fwhat-if-i-m-on-the-spectrum.aspx It's a consideration that nags at me from time to time, when I find myself navigating a confusing world with memorized scripts for social situations, or freezing up when I can't understand what someone is saying over the phone (which happens to me a lot),...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028915 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:02:00 +0100 5028915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028916&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F07%2F08%2Fautism-imagination-other-possible-misconceptions.aspx Earlier in the week, I linked to the amazing site Autism and Empathy , which already has several posts dispelling common myths about autistic individuals lacking a sense of empathy. Today, however, I'd like to focus on what I believe may be another common...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028916 Sat, 09 Jul 2011 00:27:00 +0100 5028916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008529&cid=t_100492_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=5008601&cid=t_100492_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fstudy-says-environment-plays-role-in.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008601 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:21:00 +0100 5008601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008602&cid=t_100492_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fantidepressant-use-during-pregnancy.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008602 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:35:00 +0100 5008602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997506&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fintrauterine-contributors-to-autism.html A recent twin study (NYT.com) claims that only 40% of what the researchers considered "autism" was clearly genetic. Previous studies estimated a 90% rate. The greater causes was something occurring prior to birth.The researchers further claimed that most (about 58%) of the environmental causes were shared.These are remarkable claims, and they will require remarkable evidence. I am very skeptical.If there is a common intrauterine cause of brain injury, however,  we do need to look again at obstetric ultrasound.See also:Be the Best You can Be: Ultrasound, neuronal migration, and autism (8/2006)Gordon's Notes: General weirdness on the net: ultrasound, autism and satire (An essay was published in 2006 on ultrasound, school violence, and autism. It was a satire.)Gordon's Notes: Ultrasound and ... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997506 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:44:00 +0100 4997506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997755&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F07%2F04%2Fempathy-autism-a-website.aspx A few months ago, I wrote an entry about Autism & Empathy in response to this Thinking Person's Guide to Autism post as well as Robert MacNeil's comments about autistic individuals lacking empathy . This post is now being featured on the new website...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997755 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:30:00 +0100 4997755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992756&cid=t_100492_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F01%2Fis-anyone-normal-today%2F Take a minute and answer this question: Is anyone really normal today? I mean, even those who claim they are normal may, in fact, be the most neurotic among us, swimming with a nice pair of scuba fins down the river of Denial. Having my psychiatric file published online and in print for public viewing, I get to hear my share of dirty secrets—weird obsessions, family dysfunction, or disguised addiction—that are kept concealed from everyone but a self-professed neurotic and maybe a shrink. “Why are there so many disorders today?” Those seven words, or a variation of them, surface a few times a week. And my take on this query is so complex that, to avoid sounding like my grad school professors making an erudite case that fails to communicate anything to average folks like me, I often ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992756 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:03:11 +0100 4992756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992893&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F06%2F30%2Fconquering-the-four-wheeler-and-building-confidence.aspx When I was a child, I was fortunate enough to have a grandfather who loved me very, very much. He thought I hung the sun, moon, and stars. He adored me, spent time with me, gathered me up in big bear hugs, had wonderful conversations with me about critters...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992893 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:34:00 +0100 4992893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976128&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F06%2F27%2Fsometimes-you-ve-just-got-to-chill-out.aspx Probably the single most successful parenting trick we used throughout the wedding process was allowing A. to get away and "chill out" whenever she needed to do so. Planning and participating in a wedding is a highly stressful and exhausting activity...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976128 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:19:00 +0100 4976128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968776&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F06%2F23%2Fautism-synesthesia-and-smelling-songs.aspx I definitely have more to post about the wedding, awesome lessons I learned, and a few new pics, but my ear has been hurting like crazy, and I've been feeling bad and grouchy, so it'll just have to wait until I'm in a more reflective (and less annoyed)...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968776 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:34:00 +0100 4968776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952843&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-study-supports-previous-evidence-that-autism-is-triggered-in-utero%2F2011.06.21 Science has found no evidence that vaccines cause autism; but the true cause(s) of autism have not yet been determined. So far the available evidence has pointed towards a largely genetic cause with possible interaction with environmental factors. A new study supports that interpretation. It also supports previous evidence that autism is triggered prior to birth, rather than at the time of vaccinations. Schmidt et al. published a study in Epidemiology on May 23, 2011, entitled “Prenatal Vitamins, One-carbon Metabolism Gene Variants, and Risk for Autism.” It was a population-based case control study of 566 subjects comparing a group of autistic children to a matched control group of children with normal development. They looked at maternal intake of prenatal vitamins in the 3 months bef... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952843 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:00:43 +0100 4952843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953246&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F06%2F20%2Fkids-will-be-kids-giving-them-a-place.aspx One of the big lessons that I learned from my wedding as far as experiments that actually work was the importance of giving kids the space to do their own thing. At my wedding, this translated not only to A.'s actions and antics, but to all of the children...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953246 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:19:00 +0100 4953246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952851&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F06%2F17%2F83-reasons-to-question-autism-speaks-for-hiring-big-pharma-scientist%2F The big secret finally is out. Autism Speaks made a radical announcement May 9th, 2011 that said Robert Ring, PhD, a scientist from Pfizer, was placed “into to the newly-created position of vice president of translational research.” Ring’s appointment was made simultaneously with the discovery that 83 cases of vaccine-induced autism were paid compensation secretly by the U.S. government’s Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Why is former Pfizer employee Ring’s appointment radical? Two years ago Pfizer announced the pharmaceutical industry’s first “Autism Spectrum Disorders Unit.” Robert Ring led that group since 2009. I’ll provide more information on this later, but I also want you to consider another very important point. After the U.S. government’s secret ... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952851 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:43:55 +0100 4952851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934685&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F06%2F15%2Fthe-wild-flower-girl.aspx A. is nearly twelve years old, and I thought she was a little old to be a flower girl. I wanted her to play a major role in my wedding, but I was preparing for her to be a Junior Bridesmaid, or perhaps even my Maid of Honor. However, A. wanted to be a...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934685 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:42:00 +0100 4934685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934686&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F06%2F14%2Fcrazy-days-of-summer.aspx The wedding is done, the honeymoon is over, and I suppose it's back to our Regular, Everyday Lives. Which will hopefully culminate in quasi-frequent blog postings on my part. It's actually quite challenging, the whole getting-married-while-still-being-a-parent...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934686 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:08:00 +0100 4934686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934343&cid=t_100492_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2Fna5reMeRs38%2F URL: http://askjan.org/The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. For: Anyone, Consumers, Researchers, Anyone, ConsumersTopics: Abnormal, Attachment, Behaviour Management, Foundation Website, Personality disorders, Relationships, Sexual Assault, Aspergers, Autism, Bipolar, Chronic Disease, Foundation Website, Mental Health, Social SupportFeatures: Articles, Collaborative News, Conferences, Information, Links, Research, Res... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934343 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:05 +0100 4934343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883824&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F31%2Fsummer-begins-preparing-for-the-wedding.aspx Summer has started, and A. is back in the day care center she really enjoys -- the place that totally won her over last year -- and so far it seems to be going fairly well. She still has several friends at the center who are excited to have her back,...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883824 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:55:00 +0100 4883824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028887&cid=t_100492_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=4883575&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F05%2F31%2Ftop-5-vaccine-stories-for-may%2F We have scoured the web to bring you the top news headlines from around the world. Stay current in the latest affairs surrounding vaccines, Pharma, and the authorities who support them. 1. Infant mortality rates regressed against number of vaccine doses routinely given: Is there a biochemical or synergistic toxicity? http://het.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/05/04/0960327111407644 A brand new study published by Neil Z Miller and Gary S Goldman indicates an alarming trend between high vaccine uptake and infant mortality rates. It was found that in populations where infants received increased doses of vaccine, the infant mortality rates also increased. Although the reasons for this trend are unclear, it is suspected that the bio chemical or synergistic toxicity of vaccines plays a huge role... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883575 Tue, 31 May 2011 06:45:27 +0100 4883575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872346&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F27%2Fawards-day.aspx I have a confession to make -- I can actually be a pretty horrible parent sometimes. The annual Awards Day ceremonies at A.'s schools have always been one area where I have completely failed. As a working mother, it's not always been easy for me to take...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872346 Fri, 27 May 2011 09:01:00 +0100 4872346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862813&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F24%2Fthe-silliest-things-make-you-cry-sometimes.aspx When you're the parent of an autistic child, the silliest things make you cry sometimes. Sometimes these are sad cries, like whenever A. was about three years old and she was kicked out of a dance class with the instructor talking down her nose at me,...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862813 Tue, 24 May 2011 08:42:00 +0100 4862813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852837&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FNDlWsDrkqts%2F New HIV Drug Option: The FDA approved Johnson & Johnson’s HIV drug rilpivirine, which will be marketed as Edurant and used in combination with other drugs in previously untreated patients infected by the virus, Dow Jones Newswires reports. The drug blocks replication of HIV. Waiting Lists: Meantime, tight-budgeted states are trimming programs that assist low-income HIV patients to purchase antiretroviral and other drugs, Kaiser Health News and the Washington Post report. At least 8,300 people are now on state waiting lists for assistance, KHN says. Google Warned?: Regulators and others warned Google that many of its online drugstore advertisers were breaking laws against prescribing without a doctor’s prescription, selling fake drugs and improperly selling controlled substa... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852837 Mon, 23 May 2011 12:52:23 +0100 4852837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841846&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F18%2Fcelebrating-the-successes.aspx I've said it before and I will say it again; A. has made so very much progress in the past several months. She's doing a much better job with self-control, coping skills, and behavior management. She's doing a much better job in school, with peers, and...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841846 Thu, 19 May 2011 01:16:00 +0100 4841846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829189&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F16%2Fthe-greatest-field-day-ever.aspx So, how do you host a Field Day and get your autistic, non-outdoorsy child interested in participating in the activities? Well, you remove the usual competitive nature of the activity, apparently, and then fill the day full of sensory delights like multicolored...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829189 Mon, 16 May 2011 23:42:00 +0100 4829189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828988&cid=t_100492_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F14%2Fthe-interventionist-an-interview-with-joani-gammill-about-addiction%25e2%2580%25a8%25e2%2580%25a8%25e2%2580%25a8%2F Today I have the honor of interviewing a friend of mine who has just written a compelling memoir, The Interventionist, about addiction from the perspective of both an addict and an interventionist. You begin your book with the quote from Khaled Hosseini’s book, The Kite Runner: “And that, I believe, is what true redemption is … when guilt leads to good.” Do you believe your work with other addicts is partly what keeps you clean and sober? Why compels you to enter into such hopeless situations and try to fix things? Joani: I think as the quote infers “when guilt leads to good,” my work with addicts and alcoholics assuages my own continued ambivalence about my responsibility about having this disease. It is not at all logical. There is no “choice” about having this ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828988 Sat, 14 May 2011 10:29:48 +0100 4828988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4821149&cid=t_100492_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FSDqAl15JK8k%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is our regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that Huron Consulting hired Mark Linver as a managing director in the life sciences practice to handle aggregate spend, merger integration requirements, contract management, government pricing and accrual analysis. Previously, Linver served as a sen... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4821149 Fri, 13 May 2011 12:19:00 +0100 4821149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813556&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F10%2Fsome-things-are-hard-yet-some-things-are-surprisingly-easy.aspx I have been psyching myself up for all of the major bodily changes that preteen girls have to deal with. I've been reading books on my own, reading books to A., and trying to do everything I could think of to prepare her these inevitable milestones. We've...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813556 Tue, 10 May 2011 23:36:00 +0100 4813556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803409&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F09%2Fthey-grow-up-so-fast.aspx We spent a great deal of this week purchasing new clothes for the family. This was partly due to the fact that Thomas just landed a new job which requires new business clothes and partly due to the fact that A. has managed to outgrow everything she owns....(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803409 Tue, 10 May 2011 01:08:00 +0100 4803409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803394&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2FcyX7jdY3GIg%2Fhappy-mothers-day-2011.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803394 Sun, 08 May 2011 15:07:00 +0100 4803394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4797875&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F07%2Fbusy-weekends-good-and-bad.aspx It was a very, very busy weekend last weekend, but overall a very, very good one. I knew that the weekend was going to be rather hectic and full of out-of-routine situations for A., so I sat down with her on Friday night to explain everything that was...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4797875 Sat, 07 May 2011 21:52:00 +0100 4797875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934049&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fadolescent-computing-training-wheels.html My 14 yo's computer skills have continued to be a real strength. Of course, being both 14 and having disabilities in executive function, he does not always use them wisely.Years ago I hoped the iPhone and other iOS devices would provide app-restricted services while limiting web access. Sadly, I've been disappointed by Apple's deceptive iOS "parental controls" [1]. That didn't work very well. On the other hand, monitoring his computer use and punishing misuse isn't working that well either. We can't be looking over his shoulder everywhere -- such as in his school room.So now I'm trying Plan B, an educational program of trial and reward based on techniques that have worked before.I've set up an account on a machine using OS X Parental Controls [2]. I've whitelisted a number of sites he's i... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934049 Sat, 07 May 2011 03:27:00 +0100 4934049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794825&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fadolescent-computing-training-wheels.html My 14 yo's computer skills have continued to be a real strength. Of course, being both 14 and having disabilities in executive function, he does not always use them wisely.Years ago I hoped the iPhone and other iOS devices would provide app-restricted services while limiting web access. Sadly, I've been disappointed by Apple's deceptive iOS "parental controls" [1]. That didn't work very well. On the other hand, monitoring his computer use and punishing misuse isn't working that well either. We can't be looking over his shoulder everywhere -- such as in his school room.So now I'm trying Plan B, an educational program of trial and reward based on techniques that have worked before.I've set up an account on a machine using OS X Parental Controls [2]. I've whitelisted a number of sites he's i... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794825 Sat, 07 May 2011 03:27:00 +0100 4794825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789597&cid=t_100492_149_f&fid=35776&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpipeline.corante.com%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F04%2Fwhat_autism_epidemic.php There's a new study out looking at the prevalence of autism across different age groups across the United Kingdom. Since autism shows up in childhood, if the rate of its occurrence had changed over the years, that would be expected to be preserved in the population as you move up in years. But it doesn't. It absolutely doesn't. Despite report after report of an "autism epidemic", what this study supports is the idea of an increase in diagnosis, not in the underlying condition. None of the adults surveyed who fit the autism criteria had any idea that they did so: they never knew that they were autistic, and had never been diagnosed. (I've no doubt, though, that they or their neighbors were aware of their seemingly eccentric personalities). These people also turned out to be generally socia... In the Pipeline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789597 Wed, 04 May 2011 11:33:35 +0100 4789597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4771308&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F30%2F30-days-of-autism-awareness.aspx Well, somehow, I managed to pull it off. Somehow, I managed to write a blog entry every day for all 30 days of April. At the beginning of this project, I said that my intention of writing every day was to promote autism awareness -- to help other people...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4771308 Sun, 01 May 2011 00:25:00 +0100 4771308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4768187&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F29%2Fi-m-an-embarrassing-mom.aspx While I was tucking A. into bed tonight, she pointed at the low neckline of my shirt. "Aaaaaaahhh!" She made a rather nasal sound. "That's illegal." "What's illegal?" "You're showing part of your breast." I looked down and noticed that I was showing off...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4768187 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:25:00 +0100 4768187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762900&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F28%2Fcomic-books-autism.aspx I'll be honest -- I was never devoted or disciplined enough to be a true comic book geek in my formative years, but I was a huge fan of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series, I had an affection for X-Men, and I surrounded myself by much bigger nerds than I ever...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762900 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:47:00 +0100 4762900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758916&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F27%2Fwhen-tornadoes-chase-us.aspx It's been a stressful and exhausting day. Everything has been out of sync and not according to routine. From picking A. up from school early due to the threatening weather, to spending great chunks of time in the downstairs bathroom and closets when it...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758916 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 02:00:00 +0100 4758916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753901&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F26%2Fhanen-as-a-useful-tool.aspx Today, A. reminded her daycare provider that she was one of the "lucky autistic people," because she is capable of speaking and communicating. This is especially poignant for A. because this was not always the case. The prominent earmark and red flag...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753901 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:15:00 +0100 4753901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753827&cid=t_100492_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2F20GWU1uuHEw%2F Autism Now: Meet Nick, Robert MacNeil’s Grandson About a PBS reporter’s 6 year old grandson diagnosed with autism, and his family’s experiences. Includes a look at physical symptoms and how they interact with behaviour, and a touching interview with his 10 year old sister. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753827 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:54:50 +0100 4753827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753902&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F25%2Fadventures-in-curiosity.aspx School was not in session today, so I allowed A. to skip out of daycare and spend the day visiting with Thomas's mother, who was nice enough to watch after her. I was at work, putting together a report of some sort, when I noticed A. was calling me on...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753902 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 02:30:00 +0100 4753902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4747809&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F24%2Feaster-addendum-sharing-the-peeps.aspx First of all -- I am pleasantly overwhelmed by the degree of response and feedback I've received so far to the entry I posted last night. It's so very wonderful to read opinions and responses from so many people, and I absolutely intend to reply back...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747809 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:20:00 +0100 4747809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744903&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F23%2Fautism-and-empathy.aspx Today's Thinking Person's Guide to Autism post makes some very important points about autism in the media in reference to abuse and empathy. It's really chilling, the misconceptions our mainstream media tends to promote as well as the language that is...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744903 Sun, 24 Apr 2011 00:55:00 +0100 4744903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742595&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F22%2Fwhat-s-a-hippie.aspx "Look, Devon -- another hippie!" Thomas said as he pointed to a car sporting a "Tolerance" bumper sticker. It's a long-standing joke that my conservative, gun-wielding fiance ended up with a liberal, tree-hugging lady like myself. "What's a hippie?" A....(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742595 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 02:46:00 +0100 4742595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742596&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F21%2Fshe-s-my-shining-superstar.aspx Yesterday, I went to A.'s school to have lunch with her. I sat with A. and her classmates, and they all quoted different Pokemon YouTube videos at each other and told silly jokes and talked about how much fun they had at A.'s slumber party a few months...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742596 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:27:00 +0100 4742596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734010&cid=t_100492_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=4734460&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F20%2Fyour-face.aspx On Sunday, I took my little family to visit with Thomas's parents' to celebrate his sister's birthday. Good food, wonderful company, and an overall good time. A. was also in wonderful form, though part of this may be because Thomas's sister's friends...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734460 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 01:50:00 +0100 4734460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734461&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F19%2Fshe-walks-alone-because-she-was-born-this-way.aspx When A. was very young, one of her favorite songs was "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day. My shadow's the only one that walks beside me My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me 'Til then I...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734461 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:44:00 +0100 4734461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734105&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F04%2F19%2Fu-s-taxpayers-screwed-in-vaccine-research%2F Not much hullabaloo was made in the U.S. media and press about the April 13, 2011 indictment whereby Danish vaccine researcher Poul Thorsen was indicted on 13 counts of fraud and 9 counts of money laundering that, incidentally, included your tax dollars. How were your tax dollars involved? Very simply: the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) engaged Mr. Thorsen who pontificated that there was no vaccine-autism linkage—something CDC and Big Pharma coveted in order to have more support and ‘scientific’ proof to keep pushing mandatory vaccinations in the USA. Thorsen, in turn, helped two Danish government agencies obtain research grants to the tune of $11 Million from which Thorsen allegedly siphoned off monies for a home, car, and Harley hog [motorcycle]. However, it ... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734105 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:16:03 +0100 4734105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734462&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F18%2Ftrouble-with-homework.aspx Just had a really, really rough homework session with A. The worksheet was just a few problems about figuring out the perimeter and area of irregular figures, but it was an exercise in analytic thinking as opposed to strict memorization (which is what...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734462 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:25:00 +0100 4734462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4724155&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F17%2Fipads-autism-useful-resources.aspx Today, my dear fiance actually gave me his iPad. It's a piece of technology we've had around the house for about a year now, and while it's been entertaining and fun on occasion, it's something that hasn't made it's way into his daily workflow. So, I'm...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724155 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:35:00 +0100 4724155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723771&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=34925&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbe.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fminnesota-life-college-adding-community.html This reminds me of a New Mexico residential training program I blogged on. I found it from a link on the Autism Speaks MN adult services directory ...Minnesota Life College... Beginning in the Fall of 2010, Minnesota Life College will add a new component to our program curriculum. In partnership with Minneapolis and Community Technical College (MCTC), we will provide our students the opportunity to experience a traditional Community College or Vocational Technical program, through a specifically designed curriculum that includes the ACCUPLACER test, study strategies, organization of work and time, tutoring and a 2 credit ‘Strategies for College Success’ course at MCTC. This component is designed for the MLC student that wants to see if a Community College or Vocational Technical progr... Be the Best You can Be blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723771 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 02:24:00 +0100 4723771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4724156&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F16%2Fchild-free-weekend.aspx About once a month, A. spends a weekend with her father in Chattanooga. This gives her some quality time to spend with her father, and she enjoys these weekends a great deal (she called me today, and so far her weekend has involved pizza, Tron Legacy,...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724156 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:35:00 +0100 4724156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4719901&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F04%2F16%2Fuk-nurse-gave-vaccine-to-child-without-consent-to-meet-government-goals%2F A UK nurse has been accused of vaccinating a child with the MMR without his mothers consent to hit vaccine targets. The Daily Mail has reported that a Birmingham mother has made an official complaint stating that a nurse at the ‘Pak Medical Centre’ gave her son the MMR without her permission. Robina Siddique told the newspaper that she firmly believes that nurse Rashiela Parekh vaccinated her three year old son purely to meet vaccination targets. Siddique claims that she took her son to the clinic for the DPT vaccination making it very clear at the time that she did not want her son to have the MMR. This was because she felt that it was unsafe. She told the Mail: “I had refused the MMR for my child because I don’t think there is enough research into the long-term implic... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4719901 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 10:38:04 +0100 4719901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4720035&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F15%2Fthomas-is-some-kind-of-psycho.aspx Last night, while Thomas was tucking A. into bed, she asked him if he wouldn't mind to please shave his beard. "I can't do that!" Thomas replied. "My goatee is where I store all of my computer knowledge! If I shaved it off, I'd lose my ability to work...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4720035 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 21:54:00 +0100 4720035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4719852&cid=t_100492_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2FtIJd6QtrIkY%2Fthe_annals_of_im_not_anti-vaccine_part_7.php Time and time again, anti-vaccine activists will piously and self-righteously tell those of us who criticize their pseudoscientific fear mongering, "I'm not anti-vaccine," followed by something like, "I'm pro-vaccine safety," "I'm a vaccine safety watchdog," or "I'm pro-safe vaccine." Nothing puts the lie to these denials better than looking at the sorts of things anti-vaccine activists say and write in their own lairs. For instance, here we have a commenter by the 'nym of veritas (no hubris there!) over at the anti-vaccine blog Age of Autism discussing the Poul Thorsen scandal: I just wonder, if the genocidal CDC officials bribed Thornsen to cover their own stupidity, ignorance and arrogance (by allowing poisonous vaccines to be injected to infants), or they were bribed themselves by va... Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4719852 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4719852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714951&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F14%2Fwhy-is-there-a-logo-at-all.aspx Becky made an excellent comment on my blog post where I tried to explore possible positive aspects of the "puzzle piece" autism symbol, letting me know how she felt "attacked" by the image and rhetoric around this concept. She also pointed out that the...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714951 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:18:00 +0100 4714951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723774&cid=t_100492_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=4709343&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F13%2Flearning-how-to-ask-questions.aspx Yesterday, there was a gas leak at A.'s school, and the entire place had to be evacuated. A.'s daycare is also on school property, so everyone took refuge in a church next door as the problem was fixed. As you can imagine, this is exactly the sort of...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709343 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:21:00 +0100 4709343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704859&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F12%2Fautism-awareness-versus-autism-acceptance.aspx I know that I've mentioned The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism before on this blog, and I just read a really wonderful entry about how we should replace the concept of "Autism Awareness" with "Autism Acceptance." In this article, Leah Jane discusses...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704859 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:59:00 +0100 4704859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704713&cid=t_100492_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F12%2F6-tips-for-living-with-an-autism-spectrum-disorder-in-college%2F As Autism Awareness month continues, April is a time of transition for many high school seniors, as they learn what colleges and universities they got into. So it seems like an ideal time to talk about autism and college, and some tips to help with the transition. The excerpt below is from the book, Living Well on the Spectrum by author Valerie L. Gaus, Ph.D. The book is a self-help book that helps a person with an autism spectrum disorder identify life goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Read on for the excerpt… April is the month when most high school seniors receive their college acceptance letters and begin to plan the next phase of their lives. The transition from high school to college can be very difficult for people on the spectrum. All too often I am referred a youn... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704713 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:05:05 +0100 4704713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704664&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F04%2F12%2Fwhat-is-the-cause-of-autism-spectrum-disorder%2F That’s a question haunting millions of parents worldwide with no apparent answer in sight until maybe now, and because of Dr. Helen V. Ratajczak, PhD, and her insightful article recently published in the Journal of Immunotoxicology. Dr. Ratajczak, retired from vaccine research, looked at a ‘universe’ of possible causes and triggers for ASD and, after reading her published paper, “Theoretical aspects of autism: Causes—A review,” I must say there is more to consider than just vaccines, which I’m not ready—nor about—to leave off the hook. Even though most parents agree that after a vaccination their child became ill, impaired, and not ‘the same’ as before, Ratajczak’s research opens a ‘vista’ of causes that need to be researched, investigated, traced, studied—wha... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704664 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:56:09 +0100 4704664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704860&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F11%2Fquick-plug-for-the-autistic-self-advocacy-network.aspx I recently discovered the Autistic Self Advocacy Network , and I wanted to quickly share the little knowledge I have about this organization. It's a non-profit organization run for and by autistic individuals, and its purpose is "to provide support and...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704860 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0100 4704860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696862&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F10%2Fthe-importance-of-autism-puzzle-logos-and-ribbons.aspx As you may remember, I had been struggling a bit with the idea of the puzzle piece being used to symbolize autism. I'd learned that many autistic adults actually took offense at the logo, feeling as if they were being characterized as being a "mystery"...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696862 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:25:00 +0100 4696862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696863&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F09%2Ffriendship-club-picnics-dog-shows.aspx Today, A. and I attended another East Tennessee Chapter of Autism Society of America Friendship Club Event. However, this story doesn't begin with the events of the day. It actually begins the night before with my awesome fiance, Thomas, and how he was...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696863 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:09:00 +0100 4696863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693451&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F08%2Floves-and-hates-and-autism.aspx Things my daughter loves: the Black-Eyed Peas, Daft Punk, Pink (both the color and the musical artist), her Nintendo DSi, playing games on the wii, running outside to sword-fight with the neighbor kids, black holes, snakes, making short films on the computer,...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693451 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:47:00 +0100 4693451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693286&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftreatments-for-kids-with-autism-and-cerebral-palsy-on-insurance-chopping-block%2F2011.04.08 One of the great challenges facing the folks who have been tasked to implement the Big O’s health care law is defining “essential benefits,” the core medical services that insurers must cover. Despite its voluminous nature, the law is remarkably vague in this regard. It does identify 10 care categories that health plans must provide to consumers who use federally-funded health insurance exchanges to select a plan, but the categories and associated lists aren’t comprehensive or specific (the categories appear at the end of this post). The Institute of Medicine has been tasked to flesh out the lists of required services. It has begun work amid a frenzy of lobbying by private insurers and consumer groups. Habilitative services are one contentious area, and they illustrate the challe... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693286 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:00:28 +0100 4693286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693335&cid=t_100492_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F08%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-8-2011%2F I’m going to skip my biweekly words of reflection today and talk about something important going on this month. While bees spread pollen during spring, organizations are spreading awareness about autism in April. There will be several activities running this month that will help raise awareness about autism, which is defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as, “complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior.” It is estimated that “three to six children out of every 1,000 will have an autism spectrum disorder.” For more information, you can check out the NINDS website. And to find out what you can do participate i... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693335 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:56:52 +0100 4693335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693452&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F07%2Fpodcast-review-the-coffee-klatch.aspx It's super late at night, I'm just getting home, and the Internet is down, so super short entry today. Many people may already be familiar with the Coffee Klatch, but it's a relatively new find for me, and I've already found it an invaluable resource...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693452 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:26:00 +0100 4693452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693241&cid=t_100492_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F07%2Ftwo-new-ahrq-reports-address-autism-therapies-fetal-surgery%2F Two new reports came out of the AHRQ Evidence-Based Practice Center at Vanderbilt this week, one a review of the effectiveness of various therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders, and the other a technical brief on maternal-fetal surgical procedures. I’m always enthused to see new reports coming out of this EPC, because even if I haven’t personally worked on the topic, my colleagues have – and they’re great, smart folks. And, hey, the gracious acknowledgement in the autism report doesn’t hurt, either. [page iv] The autism review looked at literature from the last 10 years in order to evaluate therapies in children ages 2-12 years with autism spectrum disorders. The therapies considered include behavioral, educational, drug, speech/language, diet... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693241 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:56:40 +0100 4693241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684647&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-a-problem-comes-along-you-must-flush-it.aspx Some days, as a parent of an autistic child, I have to deal with interesting, bizarre situations that are highly unique to my family and my child's individualized set of special needs -- such as helping my daughter overcome sensory issues so that she...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684647 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:47:00 +0100 4684647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684431&cid=t_100492_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F06%2Fshould-you-tell-your-employer-you-have-autism%2F April is Autism Awareness Month, and in helping to promote awareness of autism, I’m pleased to provide an excerpt from the book, Living Well on the Spectrum by author Valerie L. Gaus, Ph.D. The book is a self-help book that helps a person with an autism spectrum disorder identify life goals and the steps needed to achieve them. One of the concerns I often hear from people with an autism spectrum disorder is about work and their career. In fact, just last evening while hosting our weekly Q&A on mental health issues here at Psych Central, the question came up whether a person should tell a potential employer about their Asperger’s (the mildest form of autism). While I am not a lawyer, my suggestion was that it probably wasn’t relevant for many jobs and not something tha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684431 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:16:41 +0100 4684431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677024&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F04%2Fblog-review-the-autistic-me.aspx When I began to plan the relaunch of this blog, I searched the Internet for the history of the use of the puzzle piece as a symbol for autism awareness. In the process, I came across the blog entry More on Autism Puzzle Piece Logos, Symbols, Ribbons on...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677024 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 01:15:00 +0100 4677024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693450&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspiewebnet%2F%7E3%2FUg54B0T8rx8%2F Since I took over this website (about two months ago), I have received around a dozen emails from people who don’t have Asperger’s, but either [a] ARE in a relationship with someone who has Asperger’s, or [b] WERE in a relationship with someone who has Asperger’s. The majority of the emails are actually quite long [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693450 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:23:28 +0100 4693450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677025&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F04%2F03%2Fnicknames-and-autism-just-call-me-by-my-regular-name.aspx "You need to finish eating your dinner, Sweetheart," Thomas instructed A. one evening when her "engine levels" were obviously rather high and she was having difficulty staying "on task" with her plate of chicken nuggets. "Why do you call me Sweetheart?"...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677025 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 01:06:00 +0100 4677025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670276&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2FnKBKDZ7Cyzc%2Finclusion-wedding-edition.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670276 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 12:58:00 +0100 4670276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664183&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F04%2F01%2Fmother-jailed-for-taking-vaccine-damaged-daughter-off-the-drug-risperdal%2F A mother from Detroit was jailed this week for trying to protect herself and her daughter from the police and the CPS. Maryanne Godboldo’s problems began when her daughter aged 13 was given mandatory vaccinations. The shots were given to her daughter to enable her to begin public school. Shortly after the vaccines, Ms Godboldo noticed a sudden change in daughters behaviour. Her daughter became easily irritated, suffering severe mood swings with episodes of facial grimacing. Worried about her daughters strange and ‘uncharacteristic behaviour’ she asked the ‘The Children’s Centre’ for help. The centre recommended that her daughter took the controversial anti psychotic drug Risperdal. Instead of improving her daughters behaviour however, the drug made her a... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664183 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:50:34 +0100 4664183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664400&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F03%2F31%2Fapril-is-national-autism-awareness-month.aspx In the 1970s, the Autism Society began celebrating April as National Autism Awareness Month in order to help more people understand the condition of autism. Specifically, Autism Awareness Month was meant to help educate the public about autism and debunk...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664400 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:15:00 +0100 4664400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658543&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fidentity.html I was driving with just Duncan in the car with me. He was quiet, taking time to dream, ponder, plan or whatever. I don't know- it's none of my business. Then he said a single word, "autism."I said nothing, just waited. He said it again. I said, "yes, autism...What is autism?"His response; "charming and delightful."I've often mentioned in passing when talking with him, that he is autistic, is a boy with autism. It's another facet of him like his curly hair, blue eyes and love of animated films. I've also told him over and over how wonderful he is, how he's perfect to me, funny, sweet, and yes delightful. I can't remember ever calling him charming but he just worked that out for himself.I love how he is thinking about these parts of his identity- where he lives, who his family and friends ar... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658543 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:43:00 +0100 4658543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653336&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F03%2F29%2Fis-there-a-paradox-about-vaccines%2F Sometimes humor can’t be beaten for driving home a point, especially when it comes to a paradox. The word paradox implies absurdity, contradiction, illogicality, inconsistency, and irony. There are many paradoxes in life but none so ludicrous [preposterous, ridiculous, absurd] as those that exist within the fields of health, healing, medicine, and, most of all, pharmaceuticals, a conclusion I came to after years of listening to double-speak, back pedaling, and the pseudo-science Big Pharma puts out in advertising, lobbying, and advertising scare tactics. Listen closely to their ads and you will understand what I mean. Probably there’s nothing more illustrative of a paradox than the role of cholesterol in heart disease with the spin the pharmaceutical industry puts on it when Big Pharma... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653336 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:44:50 +0100 4653336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636604&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F03%2F25%2Fbest-day-ever-part-two-sword-fighting-social-skills.aspx Last week, I posted about an especially good day during Spring Break, where not only did A. come to work with me and do a fantastic job of being my office-mate for half a day, but she also went with me to a local volunteer shelter to help serve lunch...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636604 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:33:00 +0100 4636604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4631609&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fcelebrate-new-school.html So how about a charming anecdote?Today, Duncan's school held a sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of the new school building project. This is a really big deal- the building was approved 9 whole years ago but finalising funding was held up time and again. The current school buildings are totally inadequate- most classes are in flimsy, temporary buildings and the whole site is on a steep hill- and since many of the pupils are wheelchair users, that's just not good enough. So everyone in the school is really pleased that finally, the school the students need and deserve is to be built.Duncan and I were invited to join the staff, other parents and pupils and some invited special guests for the event. Duncan ate a few sweets and was happy to see some of his friends and teachers, but then g... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4631609 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:49:00 +0100 4631609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610944&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fbest-day-ever-part-one-unexpected-pre-vocational-skills.aspx Before heading to bed last night, A. took a minute to tell me that yesterday was the Best Day Ever. It goes without saying, of course, that Little Miss Drama Queen has a tendency to label every other day the Best Day Ever or Worst Day Ever, but I had...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610944 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:20:00 +0100 4610944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560499&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F03%2F07%2Fthe-silver-lining.aspx This past Sunday, I was teaching my 4th & 5th Grade Classroom about Resiliency as a tool from the Unitarian Universalist Toolbox of Faith , and I led them through an exercise on resiliency that I actually found on the Fishful Thinking website about...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560499 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:47:00 +0100 4560499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560497&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35124&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspergerwoman%2F%7E3%2F7TVVciqs80E%2Fspring-new-horizon.html We have shared many beautiful moments together. But sometimes one needs to continue his own way. After 1.5 years a beautiful love story has come to an end. I thank my former boyfriend for all the love, inspiration and much more he has given me. Time to set a new horizon. Each day I am grateful for my freedom. Think about all those people worldwide, abused, locked up and treated inhumane. Bradley Manning in prison for over 280 days now. Speaking about solitary confinement and autism, for me it is clear that the loneliness felt inside is often related to my Aspergers. But do not feel that sorry for yourself having autism. Unless you are physically disabled too, we have the ability to walk around freely despite our autism. There is a world outside worth to be explored. Walk in the light a... The Art of Being Asperger Woman blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560497 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:34:00 +0100 4560497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560448&cid=t_100492_129_f&fid=27216&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifewithadhd.com%2Fadhd-in-the-classroom%2Fclassroom-strategies-for-autism-changing-your-child-one-step-at-a-time.php Classroom Strategies For Autism Autistic children often have behaviors that can merely get under one’s nerve. However, regardless how tempting scolding an autistic child may be, it is always right to try to be like the pleasant way of working at things as this moment possible outcome to definite changes in the simple behavior. Classroom Strategies For Autism Your child’s behavior is only as good as your responses to them. If you respond to your child’s tantrum, whether by telling him to stop or by rewarding him, you are reinforcing the recurrence of the improper behavior. More often than not, children throw a feat to call your attention. If your child succeeds in doing so by way of tantrums, it is likely for him to repeat such behavior. Whereas if you ignore it and reward... Life With ADHD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560448 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4560448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549775&cid=t_100492_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Ffive-science-selects-2.html var addthis_product = 'wpp-252'; var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true,"ui_cobrand":"Sciencebase"};var addthis_options = "facebook,twitter,google,email,printer,more" Persistence of vision – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – If persistence of vision were the explanation for how the mind perceives moving pictures in cinema, cinema wouldn't work, because the persistence would constantly produce images of complementary colour to what is on the screen. The Victorian myth was actually debunked in 1912. Hat-tip to Brian Clegg for alerting me to this. Six Steps to Strychnine – Small molecule, complex structure? That could be the most enticing phrase an organic chemist might hear, in the laboratory at least… Slashing the intangibles – Things that are ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549775 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:00:03 +0100 4549775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545000&cid=t_100492_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Ffive-science-selects-2.html var addthis_product = 'wpp-252'; var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true,"ui_cobrand":"Sciencebase"};var addthis_options = "facebook,twitter,google,email,printer,more" Persistence of vision – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – If persistence of vision were the explanation for how the mind perceives moving pictures in cinema, cinema wouldn't work, because the persistence would constantly produce images of complementary colour to what is on the screen. The Victorian myth was actually debunked in 1912. Hat-tip to Brian Clegg for alerting me to this. Six Steps to Strychnine – Small molecule, complex structure? That could be the most enticing phrase an organic chemist might hear, in the laboratory at least… Slashing the intangibles – Things that are ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545000 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:00:03 +0100 4545000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536245&cid=t_100492_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=4536248&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35452&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graphictruth.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fdefeat-stupidity-now.html The epidemic of stupidity has placed western culture at grave risk; it threatens our health, our future, our survival as a species. So it's time to wake up and respect the intelligence. If you are not willing to do the heavy lifting required to form an informed and intelligent opinion, you don't get the right to have your stupidity respected. Conventional wisdom is under fire from every direction,  and it does not turn out to be particularly bulletproof.Matt Blum writes in WiredBill Gates Says Anti-Vaccine Autism Groups “Kill Children” — And He’s RightI get a ton of press releases every day in my inbox every day; most of them I just ignore, but yesterday I got one whose subject, in all-caps and bold, read:OUTRAGED AUTISM GROUPS AND LEADERS TO ANNOUNCE 50,000-PARENT PROTEST IN ... Graphictruth blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536248 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:29:00 +0100 4536248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536063&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdr-ari-brown-on-dr-oz-a-very-inaccurate-view-of-vaccines%2F2011.03.01 Dr. Ari Brown, a pediatrician and author, was [recently] on The Dr. Oz Show. She was asked to join a discussion about autism. Dr. Brown is a board-certified developmental pediatrician, a mom of two, and an advocate for science. She is passionate and clear about what she believes. She is speaking all over the country about how to protect children from illness, particularly when making decisions about vaccines. She contributed ideas in my series in late 2010 entitled, “Do You Believe in Vaccines: Part I, Part II, and Part III.” On Dr. Oz, she was asked to contribute to a discussion about autism that ultimately focused on fears about vaccines. I worry that the discussion wasn’t a representation of most American families, and even Autism Speaks refused to join the show. Dr. Brown has s... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536063 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:00:27 +0100 4536063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522151&cid=t_100492_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=4501645&cid=t_100492_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2011%2F02%2F21%2Foxytocin-in-schizophrenia-and-autism%2F Oxytocin is not the social panacea, it’s not a universal prosocial enhancer that can render all people social-cognitive experts. In my previous post Oxytocin was only of benefit to less socially proficient individuals not in more socially proficient individuals. So can it be useful for patients with schizophrenia or autism. Patients with schizophrenia with negative symptoms often have inappropriate social skills or lack of interest or ability to socialize with other people. It’s often hard for them to make friends or keep friends, or they’re not caring to have friends. Patients with autism spectrum disorders often fail to pick up on social cues. Schizophrenia Higher levels of oxytocin is associated with less severe positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. In a ran... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501645 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:16:48 +0100 4501645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4478175&cid=t_100492_165_f&fid=36767&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabctherapeutics.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fnarrative-perspectives-on-adolescents.html I read an article the other day that gave a lot of statistics about how teenagers who have autism spectrum disorders receive significantly less case management services, therapy, and medical care after they leave high school. That does not surprise me. Then earlier today a colleague was asking about interpretive phenomenology. That made me think I should write down this story. It gives a different perspective on the problem that moves a little beyond the statistics in the article referenced below.___________________________________Cindy's mom called the other day, and I was pretty certain she was calling about concerns with her young preschooler - who is 4 years old and has PDD-NOS. I evaluated Cindy about a year ago and helped the family engage their local school system for services.Inste... ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4478175 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:21:00 +0100 4478175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472986&cid=t_100492_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2011%2F02%2F14%2Fis-oxytocin-truly-a-universal-social-panacea%2F Oxytocin is the new hormone possibly responsible for increase of trust, “the hormone of love”, and improvement of social cognition. This optimism is sometimes turned around in the way that some researchers believe that oxytocine could also ameliorate social deficits such as present in social phobia and autism. I don’t share this optimism, in biology and human neuroscience you can’t simply turn the proof around. We’ve seen a lot of trouble from this simple method. In depression not only the neurotransmitters are dysregulated, nor the lack of dopamine doesn’t explain Schizophrenia and so on and so on. Then why write about oxytocin? Well, I’m interested in empathy. Empathy is an interesting phenomenon of which we only understand very little. Moreover,... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472986 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 07:09:40 +0100 4472986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4473056&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2FkQpC1ZZs9JU%2Fautism-and-ptsd-reflections-on-what-may.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4473056 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 18:44:00 +0100 4473056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470508&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F02%2F12%2Fincredible-progress.aspx On Friday, I brought A. her favorite McDonald's lunch, and sat and had lunch with her in the school cafeteria. This was a long-planned reward for her continued work on memorizing her multiplication tables -- at the end of her quiz periods, she'd have...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470508 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:25:00 +0100 4470508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450460&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F02%2F07%2Fthe-other-side-of-the-mirror.aspx My mother always told me I was a very emotional girl. She told me this, however, from the lens of someone who had spent her entire life feeling ashamed of emotions, in general. Generations of women in my family have seen blatant expressions of emotion...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450460 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:00:00 +0100 4450460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450258&cid=t_100492_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=4464646&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspieweb.net%2Fnext-sunday-is-autism-sunday%2F Next Sunday (February 13th) is Autism Sunday.  Its a day when everyone is asked to pray for everyone on the Autism Spectrum.  You can find some prayer suggestions for Autism Sunday Zach had in 2009.  What will you be praying for on Autism Sunday? (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464646 Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:52:04 +0100 4464646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419358&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F01%2F31%2Fit-s-not-a-bribe.aspx Every night, when I tuck my daughter into bed, I always ask her if she's had a good day. Occasionally, I'll even ask her what her favorite thing was about the day, especially if she seems to be having a difficult time finding something good about the...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419358 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 05:09:00 +0100 4419358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411664&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Fstruggles-and-compromises-going-back-to-daycare.aspx Going back to school after the holidays wasn't nearly as traumatic an experience for A. as going back to daycare. There were several days before school started that A. had to actually spend the entire day in daycare, and she was none-to-happy about this...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411664 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:54:00 +0100 4411664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399527&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdiscussing-immunization-the-injustice-of-interviewing-dr-wakefield%2F2011.01.25 When Dr. Andrew Wakefield was interviewed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” [recently], an injustice occurred. For children, I mean. And it occurred inadvertently, I suspect. But I believe this injustice happens all the time when it comes to children’s health and wellness. What the media covers really changes how we think and feel about protecting and parenting our children. The media’s effort to inform and educate — just like that of physicians and nurses, social workers and ancillary staff, researchers, and students — can get lost and misconstrued. ABC worked hard to inform us of the accusations against Dr. Wakefield with a two-minute introduction by Dr. Richard Besser, a pediatrician and medical editor/correspondent. Yet when the interview was over, ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399527 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:00:46 +0100 4399527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399529&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Feffect-of-autism-vaccine-fraud-not-easily-undone%2F2011.01.24 Eighteen percent of American believe that vaccines can cause autism, 30 percent remain unsure, and 52 percent of Americans don’t think vaccines can cause autism, according to public opinion polling done after research linking vaccines to the condition was reported as fraudulent. While 69 percent of respondents said they had heard about an association between vaccination and autism, 47 percent knew that the original Lancet study had been retracted, and that recently the research is reported as being fraudulent. The poll also found that 86 percent of parents who have doubts about the vaccine said that their children were fully vaccinated, compared to 98 percent of parents who believe vaccines are safe, and that 92 percent of children are fully vaccinated. The poll was conducted... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399529 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:00:00 +0100 4399529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394443&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Famericans-are-quickly-rethinking-the-autism-vaccine-link%2F2011.01.24 Eighteen percent of American believe that vaccines can cause autism, 30 percent remain unsure, and 52 percent of Americans don’t think vaccines can cause autism, according to public opinion polling done after research linking vaccines to the condition was reported as fraudulent. While 69 percent of respondents said they had heard about an association between vaccination and autism, 47 percent knew that the original Lancet study had been retracted, and that recently the research is reported as being fraudulent. The poll also found that 86 percent of parents who have doubts about the vaccine said that their children were fully vaccinated, compared to 98 percent of parents who believe vaccines are safe, and that 92 percent of children are fully vaccinated. The poll was conducted... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394443 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:00:00 +0100 4394443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394671&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspieweb.net%2Fnew-page-of-autism%2F Those of you that follow us on Facebook and Twitter have spent the last week checking out our new partner site, Page of Autism and now I’m making the official announcement.   The Page of Autism is open for business.  The sole purpose of the Page of Autism is to point out the lies, propaganda and horse crap the [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394671 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:45:29 +0100 4394671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4393887&cid=t_100492_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.rawvoice.com%2Fpmn_twiv%2Ftraffic.libsyn.com%2Ftwiv%2FTWiV117.mp3 Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, and Seth Mnookin On episode #117 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent and Rich converse with Seth Mnookin, author of The Panic Virus, about vaccines, autism, thimerosal, and a contagion of human unreason run wild. Right click to download TWiV #117 (69 MB .mp3, 96  minutes). Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email, or listen on your mobile device with Stitcher Radio. Links for this episode: Functional HERV-K envelope protein (thanks, Jamie!) Reverse zoonoses Dog influenza at CDC TWiV on Facebook Letters read on TWiV 117 Weekly Science Picks Rich and Vincent – The Panic Virus by Seth Mnookin Send your virology questions and comments (email or mp3 file) to twiv@twiv.tv. You c... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4393887 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:22:41 +0100 4393887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372199&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F01%2F19%2Famendment-the-mother-i-never-was.aspx Sometimes, it takes something like reacting quite unprofessionally to an inflammatory blog post to help one put things into perspective. I often couch this blog that I write with a lot of disclaimers: "I'm not a professional," or "This is just my humble...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372199 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:48:00 +0100 4372199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361228&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F01%2F18%2Fopen-response-letter.aspx Joe Peacock is a writer and blogger I once met in Atlanta and had a great deal of respect for over the years. I even used his first book, Mentally Incontinent , as a textbook in one of my classes to help my students explore different modes of writing...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361228 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:38:00 +0100 4361228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4355848&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F01%2F16%2Fsometimes-parents-need-time-off-too.aspx It really doesn't matter how much you enjoy spending time with your children, or how much you delight each and every day in the smallest victories and the simple pleasures -- every once in a while, you really need a break. Fortunately, my mother was good...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4355848 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:31:00 +0100 4355848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4355913&cid=t_100492_165_f&fid=36767&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabctherapeutics.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fnew-study-on-si-effectiveness-but.html Just a quick couple thoughts as I got a few emails asking me to comment on an article in the new AJOT. The study people are interested in is Effectiveness of sensory integration interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study. (linked for those of you who have access). The study found that both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements toward goals on the Goal Attainment Scale, but the SI group demonstrated more significant improvement than the FM group. Also, the SI group displayed significantly fewer autistic mannerisms than the FM group as measured by a sub test of the Social Responsiveness Scale.One of the nicest features of this study is that the researchers completed a series of fidelity measures on the interventions. This is a big step forward... ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4355913 Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:30:00 +0100 4355913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349517&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F01%2F14%2Fvaccine-induced-child-abuse-exposed%2F As the Wakefield saga unfolds, we have seen the lengths pharmaceutical industries and governments will go to in a bid to cover up the truth. However, destroying a professionals reputation is not the only tactic employed to cover up vaccine injuries. Blaming parents of child abuse is another tactic being regularly used. Many parents, who believe that they have been falsely accused of child abuse, are convinced that their child has been injured by a routine childhood vaccination. Yet, many in the medical establishment, however, are less convinced. Instead, they push ahead for police and child protection intervention. Sadly this means that many sick and disabled children enter the care system receiving inadequate medical or educational intervention and carry on to deteriorate. // Profession... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349517 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:59:37 +0100 4349517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386413&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspieweb.net%2Fidiot-says-tuscon-az-shooter-had-autism%2F So there was an idiot on CNN today who claims that after watching a YouTube video of Jared Lee Loughner – the shooter that shot up a political rally in Tuscon, AZ had Autism.  A direct quote from a news article CNN published forensic psychologist Kathy Seifert called the postings “absolutely psychotic.” Loughner should have [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386413 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:13:47 +0100 4386413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343275&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspiewebnet%2F%7E3%2FqbvmcqY7-_w%2F There was recently a story on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 in which it was pretty much so shown that Andrew Wakefield is a fraud.  For those that don’t recall Andrew Wakefield was stripped of his medical license and his study that claimed vaccines cause Autism was retracted by the journal it was published in.  The [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343275 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:35:12 +0100 4343275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4338191&cid=t_100492_133_f&fid=39137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.advanceweb.com%2Fblogs%2Fot_9%2Farchive%2F2011%2F01%2F11%2Fchristmas-excitement-and-holiday-hangovers.aspx It's a highly predictable pattern, but for some reason it throws me off every year. A. is always extremely excited about Christmas. Every year, about a week before Christmas -- about the time school lets out, actually -- she starts getting excited. Usually,...(read more) (Source: From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism) From Inside the Puzzle: Raising a Child with Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4338191 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:41:00 +0100 4338191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4330986&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F6s_jsnR34dk%2F Vaccines are perpetually victims of their own success, the author says. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4330986 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:22:45 +0100 4330986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331017&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F01%2F10%2Fandrew-wakefield-attack-spells-death-for-these-3-pharma-lies%2F Conclusion Parents realize that their autistic child is sick, needs proper medical help, and there are services and treatments available, which conventional medicine seems to be ignoring if it does not include psychotropic drugs. Treating autism’s other health problems, including bowel syndrome anomalies that Dr. Wakefield identified, apparently is not in the best interest of helping an autistic child. One has to wonder what will happen if it’s determined that the viruses causing autism are the same strains that are in vaccines. vactruth.com (Source: vactruth.com) vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331017 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:06:13 +0100 4331017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322511&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F01%2F07%2Fmedia-vultures-have-another-go-at-andrew-wakefields-research%2F We describe the clinical findings, and gastrointestinal features of these children.” // Wakefield says ‘apparent normality‘. He is not saying of ‘normality’ because he is taking this from the mouths of the parents and other physicians and not his own observation. This is shown later in the study. It is important to remember that Wakefield was not studying the Autism link but bowel disorder link. Wakefield was not and never has been an expert in Autism he was and is a Gastrointerologist. In the section ‘findings’ he states: Findings Onset of behavioural symptoms was associated, by the parents, with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination in eight of the 12 children, with measles infection in one child, and otitis media in another. All 12 children ha... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322511 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:42:50 +0100 4322511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318334&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-autism-vaccine-fraud-the-difference-one-journalist-can-make%2F2011.01.06 The BMJ’s statement this week that the 1998 article by Andrew Wakefield and 12 others “linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent” demonstrates what a difference one journalist can make. Journalist Brian Deer played a key role in uncovering and dismantling the Wakefield story. (Of course, others recently have said something similar about The Daily Show comedian Jon Stewart’s role in focusing on the health problems of 9/11 first responders.) CNN’s Anderson Cooper had a segment worth watching, including a new interview Cooper conducted with Wakefield via Skype: Unfortunately, journalism played a key role in promoting Wakefield’s claims. The “Respectful Insolence” blog referred to one journalist as “CBS’ resident anti-vaccine pro... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318334 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:00:16 +0100 4318334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318304&cid=t_100492_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F-IeaRViAYco%2F An editorial in BMJ accompanies a lengthy article by journalist Brian Deer that spells out the problems with the research, which was led by Andrew Wakefield. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318304 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:14:51 +0100 4318304