Removal Of Asperger's To Change Special Ed Access : NPR

Professionals are proposing elimination of the diagnosis in an attempt to make it easier for parents, children. Children would no longer be diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, they would be diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorders. Professions state that this is in an attempt to allow easier services for students with Asperger's. I'm not sure that I understand this, since each student's IEP allows for individualized needs in the form of accommodations and modifications.

Read this article from NPR and let me know what you think.

Removal Of Asperger's To Change Special Ed Access : NPR

This Could Be A Great Victory for the Autism Community

Could parents and children in WV get so lucky? This would keep many families in this state that want to stay here, but leave due to the fact that they are unable to get insurance. I hope law makers open their eyes and realize this is something that has needed to be done for a while now.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/83977532.html

Five Million Births Analyzed in a New Study

A new study that analyzed 5 million births found some interesting results based on the age of the parents, and how those ages may influence the likelihood oh an autistic child.

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_16052/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Qj2YljP3

What an Inspiration!

My wife and I were up until 1:40am watching the HBO Original Movie Temple Grandin, based on the life of Temple Grandin. She was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4 in the 1950's. She has gone on to receive her Bachelor's, Master's, and finally her PhD.

Because she was not capable of physical human contact, she designed a "squeeze machine" that allowed her the physical touch that enabled her to reconnect and calm herself. She was able to design this by watching the cattle while working on her aunt's cattle farm and watching the cattle being placed in the chute to be inoculated.

Not only does she work as an advocate for early intervention for children diagnosed with autism, she is an advocate for the humane treatment for livestock. Nearly 1/2 of the beef consumed in the US is moved through a system designed by her.

From the movie, and what I have read and watched of her on YouTube, she is an extraordinary woman. Her is a YouTube video that shows just how passionate she is. I haven't watched the entire thing, but have watched a great deal of it, and do plan to watch more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgEAhMEgGOQ&feature=youtube_gdata

This May Just Be the Beginning of This Juggernaut

I caught the author of this study on The Today Show and was really surprised by his arrogance. He avoided most, if not all, of the questions and refused to admit that the participants were paid for giving blood samples. He insisted that they were compensated rather than paid. If they received $8 or $800 they were paid. I can't wait to see more information as it becomes available on this man and the mess he has apparently created.

http://s.nyt.com/u/eWt