May 27th -June 9th , 2007
Information Disclaimer.
The sender of these emails takes no responsibility for content, nor has any reason to endorse any one particular therapy be it medication or otherwise.
It is in the readers’ best interest to consult with their family physician or therapist to decide course of action in relation to these postings.
Use these mailouts at your discretion for information purposes only.
Thank you.
Government and School Boards Going After Families of Children with Autism for $85,000 in Legal Expenses: Sagharian Class Action
When: Monday June 11th, 2007 at 2:15pm
Where: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
361 or 393 University Avenue
Toronto, ON
Exact building and room location will be posted on a list in 393 University Avenue, 10th floor, and also in the lobby of 361 University Avenue.
Both lists will indicate the location information for hearings taking place in both buildings.
Please join us in court so that we can stand together to send a united message that our children have a right to appropriate publicly funded programs and services.
This lawsuit is proceeding as a Class Action case which means that all of you will benefit when these families win.
Backgrounder
Five families who brought a class action lawsuit against the government and seven school boards in Ontario for failing to provide or fund ABA/IBI in the education system or without excessive and detrimental delays have to go to court in June to explain why they shouldn't have to foot the $85,000 bill of the government and school boards' legal expenses.
After the government and school boards brought a motion to strike the plaintiffs’ case, a judge of the Superior Court of Justice struck portions of their claim in March 2007. The plaintiffs are in the process of appealing this decision to the Court of Appeal. Meanwhile, the government and school boards are going after these families for their legal expenses on the motion to strike and the costs hearing is set for Monday June 11th, 2007 at 2:15pm.
The families want to ensure better universal access to publicly funded and quality services for children with autism in Ontario. The case brings together all of the short-comings of the current services. They argue that if ABA/IBI was available through the education system to children with autism, their needs would be met with the money that is currently in the system.
taline.s@sympatico.ca
IMPORTANT EVENT FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN YORK REGION AND SIMCOE COUNTY!!! PLEASE ATTEND THIS SYMPOSIUM - WE NEED TO HEAR YOUR VOICE!!!
CHILD CARE EXPENSES WILL BE REIMBURSED!!!
Cindy DeCarlo
advocate.4kids@sympatico.ca
“WORKING TOGETHER FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES” FREE SYMPOSIUM FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS
June 14th – Seneca College, King Campus
CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES ARE AVAILABLE
Last chance to register! Don’t miss the opportunity to exchange views and ideas about how we will continue to work together to improve the system serving kids and teens with disabilities. Please join us for an afternoon of learning, collaboration, dialogue and innovative thinking at the Network’s first “Working Together” Symposium on June 14th, at the Seneca College King City Campus. Space is limited, so register today! .
For more information or to register on-line www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca/symposium_2007.php
or call Children’s Treatment Network at 1-877-719-4795 Ext.*252
At the Symposium, parents can participate in a special workshop session - “Straight Talk”: Dialogue Between Parents & CEOs
This interactive session is an opportunity for parents and CEOs of service agencies to discuss the children’s services delivery system. Parents are encouraged to share advice, recommendations and suggestions that will help shape go-forward plans and strategies as the Children’s Treatment Network continues to enhance and expand services for kids with special needs in Simcoe and York.
Professionals from the front-line to the boardroom can participate in a number of different workshop sessions including: “Shifting to a Collaborative Practice Model:Perspectives from the Front Line”; “Challenge of Change:Caught in the Middle; and “Working Together to Create a Governance Structure for the Network”
Children's Treatment Network is a new service delivery model for kids with multiple disabilities in Simcoe and York. It links over 30 healthcare, education, recreation, social and community services organizations so they can take a team approach to each child's care. For the first time, parents have one point of contact for a single plan of care for kids from birth to age 19. The Network coordiates services needed and monitors each child's progress through all the phases of their development. The Network is also expanding and adding services that are critically needed in the community to bring more services closer to home and help reduce waitlists. Parents and professionals can contact the Network by calling 1-866-377-0286 or online at www.ctn-simcoeyork.ca
(sorry – it was late!!)
What’s Happening at Kids CAN
http://www.kidscancentre.com/
June 2007
On Saturday June 2nd there will be an OPEN HOUSE at Kids CAN. You can bring your child and check out our centre, as well as register for summer programs. Drop by from 10:00-4:00pm
On Sunday June 3rd Kids CAN will participate in the 3rd Annual Ontario Walk Now for Autism. For more information on the walk, follow this link. http://canada.autismwalk.org
If you would like to show your support by making a donation or by joining the Kids CAN team please click on the link below.
On Monday June 4th our summer programs begin! Check our day, evening and weekend programs by clicking on "June Programs".
Saturday Mornings in June- Visit our "Activities" page for details on our weekend programs.
Join the Kids CAN team to support autism research!
JUNE PROGRAMS
July 2007
Summer programs in progress
The centre will be closed on July 2, 2007 for Canada Day
August 2007
Summer programs in progress
The centre will be closed on August 6, 2007 for the August long weekend
Check back for exciting "Get Ready for School" weekend programs
September 2007
Fall programs begin
We are always adding new events and programs for the summer. Please check back!
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/00942/ssri-autism.html
SSRIs, Birth Defects and Autism: Is there a Link? May 29, 2007. By Jane Mundy
Branchport, NY: "I hope my story can be helpful for someone else" says Sherry Layton. "If I had known Effexor was linked to birth defects, I certainly would not have taken this drug, and now that I have done some research, I wouldn't have taken any SSRIs."
"I started taking Effexor for depression in the summer of 2003 and continued throughout my pregnancy -- on my doctor's advice," says Layton. "And I also took it after my pregnancy while breastfeeding -- again on his advice. There wasn't a hint of a problem when my daughter was born, but when she was about 18 months old, Jada started having developmental problems. For example, her speech and motor skills were seriously delayed -- I had a child before her so I knew what to expect. She stopped eating with utensils, and refused to eat solid foods. We brought our concerns to her pediatrician but they were blown off. But Jada got worse and almost one year later we took her to the local Yates County ARC -- a center for people with developmental disabilities.
She was diagnosed with autism in September, 2006.
Before I found out about Jada's autism, I switched over to Cymbalta because I had been on Effexor for such a long time. But that could be just as dangerous because it is in the same SSRI family.
Through my research, I have found a few medications that have been shown to be safe during pregnancy. They are not SSRIs and ironically, they have been around for a long time. Some of these new SSRI drugs haven't had long clinical trials and they have never been tested on pregnant women -- that would be unethical. But they give the drugs to pregnant women!
With autism, the earlier you find out, the better because there is more you can do -- early intervention is key. We lost a whole year because we weren't taken seriously. At the time, we were too involved in helping Jada but after looking into these drugs, I think SSRIs could be the blame.
Now I am pregnant with my third child. This time when I found out I was pregnant I got on the computer and checked my prescription drugs. Effexor was listed in an article about SSRIs and birth defects -- this came as a shock to me. Then I found the LawyersandSettlements website. In the past few months we have read reports in the newspapers and on TV stating an alarming increase in autism, mainly with very young children.
I am going discuss with my OB/GYN the possibility of taking another med that is not classified as an SSRI.
SSRI Birth Defects Legal Help
If you took any SSRI antidepressant medication during pregnancy and your baby suffered any type of birth defect, please contact a [SSRI Birth Defects Lawyer] who will review your case at no cost or obligation.
Autism's Rise May Reflect Broader Definition, Better Diagnosis
Published: Monday, May 28, 2007 | 9:36 PM ET
Canadian Press: ED EDELSON, HEALTHDAY REPORTER
(HealthDay News) - How widespread is autism? And is the condition, which centers on characteristics such as the inability to form personal relationships, being properly diagnosed?
New York City-based YAI-National Institute for People With Disabilities (YAI-NIPD) is a not-for-profit organization that not only assists families who have members with a variety of developmental disabilities, but also holds a series of conferences that highlight the latest research into specific conditions.
Earlier in May, YAI-NIPD held an autism conference that addressed the apparent increase in autism cases. One reason may be a broader definition of autism, said Dr. David Kaufman, medical director of Premier Healthcare, a Manhattan organization specializing in disability services.
"The estimate was one child in 166, made by the epidemiology unit of the 1/8U.S. governments 3/8 National Institutes of Health," Kaufman said. "Now it is down to one in 150. I think that since the definition has been broadened, a lot of children are getting diagnosed who are at the milder end of the spectrum."
The cause of autism remains unclear, Kaufman said. "I believe that there is something in these children that predisposes them to autism and maybe something that triggers it, perhaps a viral illness, like children who get diabetes at an early age."
Whatever the cause, "the best treatment so far is diagnosing it early on and intervening early on, sometimes with medications," Kaufman said. "There is a broad array of early intervention services."
When a child's mysteriously detached behavior arouses parents suspicions, "the first line of defense is with the pediatrician," he said. "The child can be referred to a developmental pediatrician or pediatric neurologist or specialist who will do an evaluation and then send the child to a speech therapist, a language therapist or another therapist for treatment. The earlier you intervene, the better children do."
Financial help is often available from state governments, but "each state has different funding lines," Kaufman noted.
Children's basic medical needs should not be overlooked, Kaufman said. "Their medical needs are the same as anyone else, but it is harder to get at them," he said. "Once they get to age 2 or 4, they are able to tell the doctor what is wrong with them, but they are not as cooperative as another child might be."
Although there is a long way to go, "One thing that is being done right is an increased awareness of autism," said Dr. Eric Hollander, professor and chairman of psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "It has become a priority funding issue for the National Institutes of Health. There are findings that directly impact on treatment and also can lead to a better understanding of the underlying causes."
One area that clearly has been neglected is autism in adults, Hollander said. "The high school or college population, the need for residential care is also there. Child psychiatrists and pediatricians will not necessarily be treating these individuals when they get older.
"And those who work with the older population don't have enough training. We need to know a lot more about intervention with medication, how it alters outcome, the repetitive behavior, the rigid behavior, and also new treatments for disruptive behavior."
What causes autism? Attention is being focused on oxytocin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, Hollander said. It appears to play a role in social behavior and repetitive behavior. "Now we are starting to have a certain impact on symptoms by administering oxytocin in various forms, such as intravenously."
Attention also is being paid to environmental and genetic factors, Hollander said, "things in the environment that influence what genes are turned on and turned off. We need to know a lot more about environmental factors and how they play a role in some people with autism."
One indicator of how much remains to be learned is the widely differing rates of diagnosis of autism from state to state, Hollander said, but that is just part of the picture. "We don't have predictors of which individuals will respond to which kinds of treatment," he said, but ended on a hopeful note: "With additional funding, there will be more rapid breakthroughs."
Dr. Steven Lowe, the medical director of YAI-NIPD, added that autism treatment still is often a struggle. "It's a challenge, because so little work has been done in the management of patients with autism and also in mental retardation and developmental disabilities," he said. "There has been very limited work on management of such patients in the primary care area and very limited research. There is limited interest for primary health-care practitioners, because it is such a daunting prospect."
But there is impetus for progress from "parents and other caregivers and the media," Lowe said. "Among them, the issue of autism is better recognized, and it is less of a stigma. People with autism are becoming more visible. Caregivers are advocating for better access to the same sort of health care that disabled people are getting.
"There is a tremendous lack of formalized training in medicine appropriate to this patient population," Lowe added. "But there are providers out there - institutions like our own take care of patients with mental disabilities, mainly through on-the-job training."
For families facing a problem, "my recommendation is to find a place that specializes in this patient population," Lowe said. "Look for a multidisciplinary system where everyone is comfortable with mental retardation or developmental disabilities such as autism. You need a large group of clinicians in various fields, the kind of team approach that has proven to be very effective."
Then there is the influence of other elements, such as diet. Dr. Joseph Levy, a pediatric gastroenterologist who is professor of pediatrics at the New York University School of Medicine, offers a theory that developmental disability is often literally a gut issue.
"There are a whole host of anecdotal reports about how particular diets have enabled children to make progress," Levy said. "Sooner or later, every parent will focus on the dimension of nutrition of child care and will experiment with it. For example, if there is aggressive or self-injurious behavior, the explanation is that the child has reflux irritation or difficulty with bowel movements."
The problem is that parental concentration on dietary factors means that they "sometimes are committed to thinking that autism is the manifestation of a leaky gut," Levy said. "But we don't know whether it is proven that autism is really a disease that affects the immune system in the gut, with toxins that are absorbed from the intestines."
It is necessary to work with nutritionists to be sure that children with autism get the proper micronutrients, but "autism is not one diagnosis, and this can put parents to great restrictions and might even be harmful," Levy said. "We do have to move forward the science that enables us to understand what is going on in the gut of the child, but we must do that without a preset ideology."
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/HealthScout/070528/6052811AU.html
From CBC News
From A Listmate:
Dear friends,
Autism Canada needs your help. We are on the verge of launching our new website. We are looking for pictures of individuals that have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Basically these pictures will automatically change every 10 seconds with a caption below. The caption will have the first name of the individual, the date of diagnoses and the age the individual was when they were diagnosed. The picture can be recent or older.
If you can help please send a picture along with the individuals first name, date of diagnoses and age at time of diagnoses. Send to info@autismcanada.org.
Please feel free to forward this email.
We are trying to put a face to Autism Spectrum Disorder. We want people to be inspired and compelled to help. Let's face it most people today know of someone that has been diagnosed with ASD.
I appreciate your help. Feel free to call me if you have further questions.
Sincerely,
Laurie Mawlam
Executive Director
Autism Canada
Engaging, educating, empowering and uniting people to find the cause and the cure for Autism.
www.autismcanada.org
(519)695-5858
From another listmate:
Youth Cancer Rates 'Obscene,' MD Says
Film takes aim at health impact of trucks, pollution
By Dave Battagello for the Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario is a suburb
of Detroit. -ed.
http://tinyurl.com/22v43o
Babies born in Windsor already have up to 287 industrial chemicals in
their blood, a new documentary film reveals.
Toxic Trespass, sponsored in part by the National Film Board of
Canada, debuted Wednesday in Vancouver at a documentary film festival. It
will be screened again Saturday during a three-day cancer conference in
Ottawa.
The film takes aim at the health impact caused by thousands of diesel
trucks rolling daily through Windsor's streets, plus the huge volumes of
industrial pollution produced across the river.
The writer and director of Toxic Trespass is Toronto filmmaker Barri
Cohen, who appears in the film with her daughter to confront polluters,
researchers and government officials who see no link between environmental
problems and childhood disease.
The documentary was not intended to single out Windsor, but to show
that this city is typical of what's happening around the world, said the
film's executive producer Dorothy Goldin Rosenberg, a film consultant at the
University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
Sarnia is also featured in the film.
"It will be an eye-opener for many people as to the extent we are
exposed to these chemicals," she said.
"People are getting sick in numbers never seen before. Asthmas,
cancers, birth defects, autism, and deformities -- the statistics are
growing and we need to do something about this."
The making of the film led to revelations even for Rosenberg: "It was
the extent to which these issues are prevalent. There is nothing like seeing
it for yourself."
She pointed to the health implications of this city's border truck
problems. The resulting diesel emissions spill into nearby homes, she said.
"For the people in Windsor, something needs to be done." For example,
she said, freight trains should be used more frequently instead of trucks.
"You can not allow for more of the same.
"Can you imagine what the traffic in Windsor is going to be in the
future? People need to think 10 years ahead. There will be even more."
A Windsor mother whose nine-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a
rare form of leukemia at the age of 16 months is among those featured in the
film, she said. Others include local pediatrician Dr. Mark Awuku and one of
the city's top local oncologists, Dr. Dolores Sicheri of the Windsor
Regional Cancer Centre, who has spent years on the front line confronting
the deadly disease.
Environmental
"Cancer is an environmental disease," said Sicheri, pointing to the
volumes of heavy metals and PCBs in our air and water. "There is an increase
in cancers (in Windsor) -- and young cancers.
"There are so many young people with cancer here it's obscene."
Government has failed in its obligation to provide clean air and
water, she said, adding numbers have also jumped locally for cardiovascular
problems, diabetes, autism, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and even
mental health problems, which she said can also be linked to toxins in the
body.
She points to Zug Island, Detroit's incinerator and border trucks as
easily identifiable contributors to our health woes.
"If they build another truck route on our streets it will be the death
of this city," Sicheri said.
"Diesel is killing us. The smog is so bad. You can't work outside or
exercise. We are just the canary in the coal mine. Government has to put
more here into prevention. It isn't enough just to treat patients after the
illness.
"My fear is that this generation will not live longer than their
parents. There will be shorter life spans.
Our failure as a society will cost our children. Our children will
have to clean up the mess that we left them."
Leo Petrilli, a local customs officer and environmental activist, is
also in the film talking about the impact of trucks on Windsor -- the
busiest border crossing in North America, handling $160 billion per year in
trade.
"We've never heated the planet faster than we have since NAFTA became
reality," he said. "(The film) is important because it will help make
everyone realize what's going on.
"Everything is shipped by truck. There are chemicals in diesel and
there is not a proper structure (locally) to get freight across. You've got
16 traffic lights and trucks stopping and starting, belching diesel into
this community.
Can't Breathe
"You have environment on one end of this and business on the other
end. But if you can't breathe, you can't do anything.
"We deserve the best equipment and information. We deserve clean air
and water like anybody else. That's not happening. I hope this gets
politicians and business on the same side with environmentalists so we can
sit down and figure out a way to get business done and get people healthy."
It is anticipated the documentary will soon be shown in Windsor, but
no plans are finalized, Rosenberg said.
http://www.thewhig.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=549209&catname=Local+News&classif=
Osprey Media
Government must open up, official says
Michael Oliveira / The Canadian Press
Local News - Wednesday, May 30, 2007 @ 00:00
An Ontario government promise to make the freedom of information process more "open and transparent" has gone unfulfilled as orders to disclose internal documents are ignored, the province's information and privacy commissioner said yesterday.
Ann Cavoukian's annual report found that requests for documents last year under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act hit a record high of 36,739, but the government still hasn't figured out how to properly and fairly manage the process.
"What troubles me is that as a government, the bureaucracy needs to do a much better job at following the spirit of the acts," Cavoukian said.
"Premier McGuinty identified this point himself ... in which he noted that information requested of government should be made public unless there's a clear and compelling reason not to do so - and this just isn't happening.
Conservative Leader John Tory said his party has submitted countless requests for government information and documents, but has mostly been stonewalled.
The party says a request for information about the ongoing aboriginal occupation in Caledonia, still hasn't been fulfilled after about 325 days, while other requests have taken as long as 299 days to be addressed.
"I think there's a need for an entire review of the entire freedom of information process, I think it's become something now between a sort of low-grade comedy and a farce," Tory said.
"This is not a government that is serious about transparency or about making information available, they're the greatest stonewallers - ever."
Cavoukian said she purposely used strong language in her report because it seems the government hasn't gotten the message about problems with the freedom of information process, which has been in place since 1987.
"Twenty years, ladies and gentleman, that's a long time. We are well past the learning stage, surely long enough for the bureaucracy to have gotten acclimatized to the principles of openness and transparency," she said.
"Remember, it's basically the public's information - let's not forget that one detail. Surely the time for secrecy and withholding information should have come to an end by now."
Minister of Government Services Gerry Phillips said he thought the report was "relatively favourable," despite its harsh tone, and noted Cavoukian did point out some improvements the government has made in how quickly it responds to requests.
"I think if you read the overall report it's a relatively positive report but we have more work to do," Phillips said. "I take her report seriously, we're moving on her recommendations."
The government has already begun to address the complaints about transparency with government contracts and will match the toughest provincial standards in the country, Phillips added.
New Democrat Leader Howard Hampton said that response is too late and the government's lack of disclosure is another example of McGuinty's broken promises.
"[This] government has failed miserably in terms of providing transparent and accountable government," he said.
The Hamilton Spectator
Whiz kid Kayla Gary Yokoyama, the Hamilton Spectator
Kayla Cornale started her research to help her autistic cousin learn words.
Wins $60,000 scholarship
By Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator
(May 30, 2007)
Kayla Cornale's grown up in the spotlight, thanks to the gifted teen's wins at local and international science fairs in her Burlington high school years.
Now, to cap off her time at Assumption Catholic Secondary School, she's won again -- this time, a $60,000 TD Canada Trust scholarship.
At an Ottawa ceremony this month, she was one of 20 winners of 3,800 applicants for one of Canada's top scholarships. Strings attached? Stay in Canada, and avoid other big-dollar scholarships.
"I was obviously really excited, surprised and honoured. I actually missed the original call, and called when I was at school, and was thrilled," said Cornale, 17.
Winners, chosen by a panel of senators, business people and past winners, get full post-secondary tuition, $5,000 a year for living expenses, and summer jobs at TD Canada Trust.
Inspired to help her autistic cousin fit in at family gatherings, Cornale became famous for inventing the Sounds into Syllables system that teaches autistic kids language through musical tones.
rfaulkner@thespec.com
905-526-2468
What is Cornale's system?
It's called Sounds into Syllables, now a patented learning system. But for Burlington's Kayla Cornale it wasn't about invention at first. It was about trying to help her autistic cousin, Lorena.
"We have a very close-knit family," explains Cornale, 17, of why she
began to help the Dundas girl read and spell using music starting in 2003. Cornale didn't want Lorena, 11, to be left out.
The result is a system -- and
science-fair winning project -- that helps autistic kids learn letters, words and sentences. It activates multiple areas of the brain, to enhance the ability to learn language.
How it works
"I wanted to create something for her to better interact with our other cousins, and peers at school, and one thing I saw is that she had an inclination toward music and the piano."
Cornale put all 26 letters of the alphabet on 26 piano keys, so a child recognizes sounds with letters.
Eventually, animal names that start with each letter are introduced. Animal names are linked to verbs. And a social aspect is added with an emphasis on facial perception and emotion recognition.
Where it's heading
Cornale's been working with just two youths before now, but her system is part of a pilot project in the Halton Catholic school board, as well as in Toronto, Belleville and New Jersey.
"That's helpful because I can get the data back and see who it's most applicable to," says Cornale, who plans to continue the work this summer.
She's to pick this week from among her top four choices: the pre-medicine program at University of Ottawa, science at McGill University, biology at University of Western Ontario, or McMaster University, for its arts and science program.
Peter Sutherland, director of Mac's elite, interdisciplinary arts and science program founded in 1981, confirms Mac offered her one of only 60 spots in the program.
For the record, Cornale also loves basketball. And she's done mock trials -- which align closely with her parents' own law backgrounds.
http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1180499948484&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1014656511815
AND In the USA:
THURSDAY, May 31, 2007, 12:01 p.m.
By Stacy Forster
Panel hears about autism treatment
Madison -- Early treatment for autism is the most effective way to help children recover from the developmental disorder, supporters of a measure to require insurance coverage of such treatment told the Senate's Committee on Public Health, Senior Issues, Long Term Care and Privacy Thursday.
The measure, SB 178, would require insurance companies to cover treatment for autism, Asperger's syndrome and other "pervasive developmental" disorders.
The bill has heavy support from families of children who are affected by such neurological disorders, but businesses object because it could raise the cost of providing coverage for employees.
Experts said the best course of treatment should be one-on-one, lasting several hours each day.
Joanne Juhnke told the committee that her 3-year-old daughter Miriam Oakleaf has both epilepsy, for which treatment is covered by insurance, and autism, which isn't.
Now, Miriam functions at the level of a 9-month-old. Juhnke and her husband, of Madison, have Miriam on a waiting list for treatment, but she will have to wait a year to receive it.
"We've been cobbling together what we can, doing the best we can, but it's astonishing to us that of these two neurological conditions, one of them is thumbs up and one of them is thumbs down," Juhnke said.
Representatives from eight business trade groups, including Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, provided written testimony against the bill.
The groups argued that such an insurance mandate would drive up the cost of health insurance, making it harder for employers - especially small businesses - to afford coverage for their workers.
"Rising health care costs undermine the ability of Wisconsin companies to offer health care benefits, and significantly, impede their ability to create and retain good-paying jobs in Wisconsin," representatives from the business groups wrote. "SB 178 will make the access and affordability problems worse."
It’s All said and done, but maybe alert yourself for next year
Sale to help autism group
Newmarket
May 08, 2007 06:59 AM
Cookies, brownies and sweets, oh my. Choose from a delectable selection of baked treats at this year's bake sale for Autism Speaks May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 211 William Roe Blvd. in Newmarket.
Some things to look for? Cookies six for $1, brownies six for $3 and a 61-page cook book for $10.
Contact korinegoodman @yahoo.ca for more information.
http://www.yorkregion.com/article/28435
(A Great Link for the Toronto Area: http://giantstepstoronto.ca/2004/resources.html)
THREE PARTY DEBATE – Alliance for Families with Autism.
Jun 02, 2007 08:07 AM
By: Michael Power, Staff Writer
The Alliance for Families with Autism is hosting a three-party debate this week on policies and programs surrounding the disorder.
The event takes place tomorrow at the Sheraton Parkway Inn, with the debate kicking off at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Autism is a neurological disorder that, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, affects about one in every 150 children.
"Much has happened since the last election in the field of autism policies," said Sam Yassine, founding member of the alliance.
"The coming (provincial) election is critical and we want to hear the parties debate their autism policies so everyone will know where they stand."
Education Minister Kathleen Wynne announced last month starting in September, school boards across Ontario must begin providing specialized instruction for children with autism.
The teaching method, known as applied behaviour analysis or ABA, involves modifying a child's behavior through manipulating the environment.
The techniques can be used to teach behaviors such as brushing teeth or tying shoelaces.
The announcement includes training for teachers and other staff on how to use ABA teaching methods, she said.
Between six and eight representatives from each school board will be trained during the next two months, she said.
That will be followed by school team training of up to 1,400 teachers, principals and educational assistants over the summer.
"I want as much training as possible to have happened before Labour Day," Ms Wynne said.
The province is also giving a $2.75-million grant to the Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto.
That grant, along with training for and implementing ABA in Ontario's school boards, will cost $6 million, she said.
Studies have shown treatment based on ABA can help up to 48 per cent of autistic children eventually function at a level comparable to average children, the Alliance for Families with Autism said in the release.
Tomorrow's debate takes place at the Sheraton Parkway Inn in Richmond Hill at Hwy. 7 and Leslie Street.
Taking part are NDP MPP Shelley Martel, Conservative MPPs Frank Klees and Lisa MacLeod, Education Minister Kathleen Wynne and Children and Youth Services Minister Mary Anne Chambers.
Autistic teen's satire wins Leacock medal
Lisa Rutledge, Cambridge
(Jun 1, 2007)
Standing outside the library, 16-year-old Andrew McCormick-Johnson reads his award-winning story about the comedic rants of a colonel in the Great War, pronouncing every word with the precision of a seasoned British satirist.
The Southwood Secondary School Grade 10 student was recently handed first-prize in the student category of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for his entry entitled, Wartime Memoirs of an Anglo-Canadian Windbag. Originally an assignment composed for his history class, the piece focuses on the bizarre juxtaposition of a fictitious, pompous British colonel who lives in the trenches of war while scrutinizing battle and "common" soldiers, all from the comforts of his lace curtains, tea and croissants.
The win came as a pleasant shock to McCormick-Johnson.
"I would have considered myself lucky to get third prize," he said.
Fashioned in the same vein as the famous Monty Python skits, Wartime Memoirs of an Anglo-Canadian Windbag was an instant hit with judges. He received $1,000 and an invitation to the contest's annual soiree held in Orillia to rub shoulders with the province's best authors of humour.
Although the writing award is in itself an honour, the achievement goes far beyond a judge's nod for McCormick-Johnson's parents and teachers. It is especially meaningful because the 16-year-old has Asperger syndrome, a form of autism which can seriously affect social skills and make it difficult to function in school or society.
Children and adults with Asperger's don't pick up social cues that help respond appropriately to others, they can't handle transitions and can become obsessed with a favourite object or activity which can hamper learning.
It has taken years of intensive teamwork with teachers and a constant willingness to search for a silver lining, said the teen's mother, Jane. He was diagnosed at the age of eight.
"It's been a long haul getting Andrew through school and finding his talents."
But she said her son has been able to combine his loves for history and humour and package them in a delight in the written word.
"I do like to sculpt with the English language," he quipped. "And I do enjoy humour of a satirical nature."
The Leacock award will be added to his growing list of accomplishments that include everything from best bookmark design to poetry awards.
When speaking person-to-person, McCormick-Johnson's autistic traits are evident in his stutter and strained conversation. However, when he assumes the British character and reads from his short story, the teen speaks fluently and with a sharp British accent.
Tapping into such talents like writing and even acting with local theatre groups and drama camps, has allowed McCormick-Johnson to overcome his challenges and dispose of labels, even for just a few moments.
"If he plays a character, he can stand up and do anything to get a laugh," said his mother.
This kind of success story sends a powerful message to parents of autistic children and to educators who are pessimistic about an autistic child's chances for progress, she insists.
"Andrew has managed to find the things he does well," she said. "You can't put limits on what kids with challenges can do. It's a lesson for everybody."
Jane offers encouragement to other parents struggling with an autistic child, saying there's hope if you're willing to support teachers, be patient and consistent.
"If you give teachers a chance and let them know what they can expect ahead of time, they usually rise to the occasion."
Many of McCormick-Johnson's teachers have been able to see and encourage his strengths.
As for the future, Jane hopes to help her son develop his writing skills as she suspects his healthy imagination and gift for the written word could turn into a career some day.
"I'm looking forward to seeing where he goes from here because I don't think he's done by any stretch."
http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/cam/news/news_803229.html
Cambridge times
Regional News
Jun 02, 2007 08:07 AM
By: Michael Power, Staff Writer
The Alliance for Families with Autism is hosting a three-party debate this week on policies and programs surrounding the disorder.
The event takes place tomorrow at the Sheraton Parkway Inn, with the debate kicking off at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Autism is a neurological disorder that, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, affects about one in every 150 children.
"Much has happened since the last election in the field of autism policies," said Sam Yassine, founding member of the alliance.
"The coming (provincial) election is critical and we want to hear the parties debate their autism policies so everyone will know where they stand."
Education Minister Kathleen Wynne announced last month starting in September, school boards across Ontario must begin providing specialized instruction for children with autism.
The teaching method, known as applied behaviour analysis or ABA, involves modifying a child's behavior through manipulating the environment.
The techniques can be used to teach behaviors such as brushing teeth or tying shoelaces.
The announcement includes training for teachers and other staff on how to use ABA teaching methods, she said.
Between six and eight representatives from each school board will be trained during the next two months, she said.
That will be followed by school team training of up to 1,400 teachers, principals and educational assistants over the summer.
"I want as much training as possible to have happened before Labour Day," Ms Wynne said.
The province is also giving a $2.75-million grant to the Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto.
That grant, along with training for and implementing ABA in Ontario's school boards, will cost $6 million, she said.
Studies have shown treatment based on ABA can help up to 48 per cent of autistic children eventually function at a level comparable to average children, the Alliance for Families with Autism said in the release.
Tomorrow's debate takes place at the Sheraton Parkway Inn in Richmond Hill at Hwy. 7 and Leslie Street.
Taking part are NDP MPP Shelley Martel, Conservative MPPs Frank Klees and Lisa MacLeod, Education Minister Kathleen Wynne and Children and Youth Services Minister Mary Anne Chambers.
From a Listmate:
Education minister opts to help students with special needs;áFinances Budget increase will allow for training of 100 new autism support workers
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Jun 2, 2007
Page: A4
By: Aloma Jardine Canadaeast News Service
Education Minister Kelly Lamrock defended his education budget in the legislature Friday. On the one hand, the government has increased the operating budget, putting more money into per pupil spending, hiring new teachers and resource staff, and improving inclusive education. On the other, it has slashed spending on infrastructure by half, and few of the projects that parents, students and school districts had hoped to see go forward this year received funding. "It comes down to this. I believe that while it will be asking a lot of those communities to manage the problems they have had for a number of years, the harm will be less drastic for those communities to wait another year than to ask special needs students to wait for another year," he said. "At some point kids grow up and they grow up without the help they need." Lamrock said the infrastructure problems in the province are so severe, there was no way they were going to be resolved this year. Instead he decided to spend money on problems he felt he could solve - such as putting $1.2 million into training 100 new autism support workers. Lamrock also pledged to increase per pupil funding by $559 this year - from $7,243 to $7,802. New Brunswick Teachers' Association president Indu Varma called the increase in funding a step in the right direction. "According to Statistics Canada figures from 2003-04, New Brunswick is the second-lowest in (per pupil) funding," she said. "This helps us catch up, but if the other provinces get increases, we will be back where we were." The operating budget is going to put more teachers and other resources professionals in schools. Besides the 100 new teaching assistants and resource teachers trained to work with autistic children, 283 additional teaching positions will be added, at a cost of $11.2 million. The additional teaching positions are in response to recommendations in the MacKay report, as well as to enable class size reduction, the creation of community schools and to support innovation. "The positive is that there is more operational money, that is very good," said Tory education critic Madeleine Dubé. "But the devil is in the details, so we will have to see how that is spent." As promised, the government is also going ahead with implementing year one of the MacKay report recommendations. The department has invested $10 million in the recommendations, mainly to hire new resource teachers, but also to provide more funding for special needs in general. The department is also moving forward with reducing class sizes - by one student per grade this school year. Several much needed projects were left off the list, including new schools in the north end of Moncton and in Drummond, badly needed repairs at Ecole Clement-Cormier in Bouctouche, and a replacement for Eleanor W. Graham Middle School in Richibucto. "Those four in particular were hard calls," Lamrock said. "Those are the four schools that I feel particularly I am asking quite a bit of communities to wait for a year." Some of the big ticket items that were included are $4.3 million to complete construction of the new K-5 Ecole des Batisseurs in Fredericton and $4.8 million to complete an expansion at Ecole Samuel-de-Champlain in Saint John.
From a Listmate:
Province spent $600,000 to fight autism lawsuit, documents show;áBut New Democrat says figure does not include ministry lawyers or settlements paid out to parents
Toronto Star
Jun 5, 2007
Page: A18
Byline: Robert Benzie
Premier Dalton McGuinty's government has spent more than $600,000 fighting parents of autistic children in court, according to newly released documents.
In a letter to the lawyer representing NDP MPP Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt), who has sought the legal tab for three years through access to information requests, the attorney general's ministry finally revealed a tally.
The government spent $202,727 on trial transcripts and $341,367 in other costs, such as expert witnesses, in the Superior Court of Justice and $75,264 at the Court of Appeal for a total of $619,358.
But Martel yesterday called the figure "a smokescreen" because it excluded the cost of salaries for four or more ministry lawyers and support staff.
"If this was all there was, ask yourself the question ... why they stonewalled all the way, and why they want to take me to court," she said in an interview.
The letter, written last Thursday to Martel's lawyer Frank Addario by ministry counsel Kim Twohig, also does not address any settlements that may have been paid out.
"Due to privacy obligations pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, we do not address in this letter any payments that may have been made to the plaintiffs and/or the plaintiffs' counsel that are confidential and private in nature," wrote Twohig.
Martel, who three months ago was slapped with a judicial review notice advising that the government opposes the information release, will be back in court on June 18 to get an accounting of the legal tb..On Feb. 14, Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian ruled the Liberals should release the information to Martel within a month.
The controversy dates back to April 2003 when 29 families launched a $100 million lawsuit against the Progressive Conservative government of then-premier Ernie Eves. They were suing because their autistic children were denied costly intensive behaviour intervention therapy after age 6.
During the 2003 election, McGuinty said it was "unfair and discriminatory" for parents to have to spend up to $70,000 a year for the treatment, yet continued the lawsuit after taking power.
Attorney General Michael Bryant emphasized that no outside counsel was retained for the legal fight.
___________________________
Authors stand up to 'perfect' families
Kitchener Waterloo Record
Jun 5, 2007
Page: C5
Byline: KATHLEEN MEGAN
They call themselves the "Shut Up'' sisters because they are so tired of hearing about other people's overachieving children, they want to tell parents, "Shut Up About . . . Your Perfect Kid!''
That's the title of their new book, and Gina Gallagher and Patricia Konjoian say they are receiving enormous response from parents who -- like them -- are tired of all the pressure for perfection, whether for the perfect body, the perfect marriage, the perfect home or the perfect kids.
It's a stress that can burden all parents and children (the book is subtitled The Movement of Imperfection). But, the sisters say, the strain is particularly draining for parents who, like themselves, have children with disabilities or other challenges.
Gallagher, who lives in Marlborough, Mass., has a daughter, Katie, 11, who has been diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger's syndrome. Konjoian, of Andover, Mass., has a 14-year-old, Jennifer, with bipolar disorder.
Their book is full of stories about parents who brag about their children's athletic, academic or artistic achievements, which can be particularly hard to hear if your child is struggling to reach whatever standards might be considered normal.
For instance, there was the time when Gallagher confided to a friend about how Katie was upset when the kids at school played games because no one wanted her on their team.
The reply she got was, "Speaking of basketball, did I tell you that Mindy decided to take it up? She was so good; they asked to move her up to the next level,'' Gallagher writes in the book.
Or the time when Konjoian told a friend of her relief when she was able to get Jennifer, who had been in a decline, into a hospital bed.
"Oh, I know how you feel. I was a nervous wreck waiting for (my daughter) to get into that elite soccer camp,'' the other mother replied. "Thank God we got the last spot!''
The sisters say they have been able to put away their anger over such insensitivity and instead try to focus on the humour and irony. In a recent telephone interview, the authors talked more about interactions with other parents.
Q: It's incredible to hear how insensitive some parents of kids without disabilities have been.
Konjoian: We're not saying parents shouldn't be proud of their kids. We're just saying, use a little sensitivity. . . . If parents are trying to get their kid into a hospital, don't be bragging about how your kid just made some elite sports team.
Q: Are there other matters that parents should be aware of?
Gallagher: Don't be afraid to ask parents with special-needs children about their children.
Konjoian: I just wish someone would ask me how I'm doing.
Gallagher: Or if someone needs help, if you see a child tantrumming, instead of thinking, ''Oh, what a bad child,'' approach and ask, "Is there anything I can do to help you?''
Q: Do you think the understanding you get from other parents depends partly on the type of disability?
Konjoian: If you say your child has diabetes, people don't shudder. . . . (But) tell them your child is autistic or has a mental illness -- any time there is a dialogue, the media . . . portray people with bipolar disorder as serial killers.
(The sisters point hopefully to more normalizing portrayals of people with mental disorders in recent television shows. In Friday Night Lights, a character is bipolar; in Boston Legal, a brilliant attorney has Asperger's.)
Gallagher: I would love to see our book made into a sitcom. . . . That this is a normal part of life, to have a normal family with a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Konjoian: On General Hospital, there's a character who is actually bipolar . . . and is able to hold a job. . . . What we are endeavouring to do is to show that these kids can live a normal life. Yes, they may do things a little differently.
Q: How do parents feel when they hear that label?
Gallagher: There is a mourning process involved in having a special-needs child. We all go into this thinking everything will be perfect, but now, not only is everything not perfect, your child is facing a very difficult life.
Konjoian: Raising a child with special needs is not for everyone -- the lows are so low, but those highs, there's nothing like those highs.
Q: But now you say your book is also appealing to parents of children who are tired of the pressure to be perfect?
Gallagher: We've actually received notes and letters from people telling us that the pressure on kids who are neurotypicals (without neurological abnormalities) is tremendous. . . . The pressure with sports. They are thrown on stage so young. You can be a pretty good athlete, but not be good enough. We got one letter saying that for kids who are just average in a wealthy town -- there is no place for them.
We got an e-mail from a parent saying: "My children are (gasp) average.'' . . . That mom isn't placing this pressure on her children. It's so refreshing to have moms who accept their children for who they are. I think that's what's getting our book attention.
The book is really about expectations, about getting beyond society's expectations and your own. Seeing your kids for who they are. Parents of special-needs children already know the gifts their children are. We know the beauty, we celebrate the little victories.
We're all imperfect. We don't need the perfect body, the perfect kids. We can be happy not having a kid who is the star athlete or the Rhodes Scholar.
___________________________
NDP, Tories pick rivals
The London Free Press
Jun 5, 2007
The London Free Press
Edition: Final
Section: City & Region
Page: B1
Source: BY CHIP MARTIN, SUN MEDIA
Two just-picked challengers are vying to wrest Sarnia-Lambton from Liberal Caroline Di Cocco in the Oct. 10 provincial election.
And neither, as it turns out, is the woman who vowed to bring down the government of Dalton McGuinty for breaking a promise that profoundly affected her family.
In nomination meetings last week, Bob Bailey was chosen over three rivals to represent the Progressive Conservatives while Barb Millitt defeated one challenger to take the nomination for the New Democrats.
In his victory, Bailey sidelined Susan Fentie, a mother of two autistic children who had hoped to take her fight with McGuinty to the floor of the Ontario legislature.
Fentie began campaigning for the nomination more than four months ago, saying it had become personal because McGuinty had broken a written campaign promise to provide autism therapy in Ontario's elementary schools.
The registered nurse said yesterday she will continue her campaign as an activist instead.
"I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever," she said of her failed bid. "I am going to keep on doing what I'm doing" with the Ontario Autism Coalition to get help for families dealing with autistic children.
Fentie notes the government has begun talking about providing specialized training to education assistants and other personal service workers with a program slated for Lambton College, so she thinks progress is being made.
"They wouldn't be doing anything if we hadn't held them to it," she said. "I'm going to keep at it."
Bailey, 56, of Petrolia, a contracts co-ordinator at Nova Chemicals in Sarnia, is a former municipal councillor in Enniskillen and long-time campaigner for successful Conservative politicians in the area, including the late Lorne Henderson.
At his nomination that attracted about 600 party faithful, Bailey promised "a campaign of ideas."
He is confident he will provide a strong challenge to Di Cocco, "who is going to have to depend on her party record."
Bailey placed first after one ballot, defeating Fentie along with paralegal Anna Moscardelli and former Sarnia city councillor John Vollmar.
For the New Democrats, Millitt, 49, of Sarnia, was chosen over Greg Agar, a former provincial and federal NDP candidate.
About 100 New Democrats attended the nomination meeting.
An activist for workers and their families and survivors, Millitt is chairperson of the non-profit Victims of Chemical Valley. She's also a part-owner of a children's store and a parimutuel betting clerk at Hiawatha Raceway.
Millitt said her activism has given her a good understanding of education, health, welfare, labour and environmental issues that she hopes would make her a good MPP.
"I believe hope is what gives birth to new ideas," she said, adding she wants to provide hope for the riding's less privileged at Queen's Park.
The Green Party hasn't yet scheduled a nomination meeting but youth worker Tim van Bodegom, 36, of Plympton-Wyoming said he is seeking the party nod.
Illustration: 1. photo of BOB BAILEY
Conservative candidate.
2. photo of BARB MILLITT
Running for NDP.
An American Article but from a Canadian Website:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070605/autism_vaccine_070605/20070605?hub=Health
Autism vaccine claims to get their day in court
Updated Tue. Jun. 5 2007 8:16 AM ET
Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Science has spoken when it comes to the theory that some childhood vaccines can cause autism. They don't, the Institute of Medicine concluded three years ago.
Soon, it will be the courts turn to speak.
More than 4,800 claims have been filed against the federal government during the past six years alleging that a child contracted autism as a result of a vaccine. The first test case from among those claims will be the subject of a hearing that was to begin Monday in a little-known "People's Court" - the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. A special master appointed by the court will hear the case.
For the parents filing a claim, there is the potential for vindication, and for financial redress.
The test case addresses the theory that the cause of autism is the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in combination with other vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal. That preservative, which contains a form of mercury, is no longer in routine childhood vaccines. However, it is used in influenza vaccines.
One of the parents who has filed a claim against the federal government and has great interest in the case is Scott Bono of Durham, N.C. His son, Jackson, 18, has autism. While acknowledging the findings of the IOM's study, Bono believes those findings were preordained by the federal government.
"The charge before the IOM committee was: 'You're not going to find anything wrong here,"' Bono said.
He said that parents of children with autism have been marginalized, but they see specific outcomes in their children that are consistent with exposure to mercury. And those outcomes did not present themselves until after they received their vaccinations. In short, the children tell the story better than the numbers, he said.
"It's a thrill in the sense that, for the first time, the stories of these children are going to be heard in court," Bono said.
In July 1999, the U.S. government asked vaccine manufacturers to eliminate or reduce, as expeditiously as possible, the mercury content of their vaccines to avoid any possibility of infants who receive vaccines being exposed to more mercury than is recommended by federal guidelines.
Dr. Paul Offit, who developed a vaccine for the rotovirus, is chief of the division of infectious diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He said epidemiological studies pick up minute, almost invisible differences in the populations that have received a vaccine versus those that have not.
For example, a swine flu vaccine in the 1970s caused the sometimes paralyzing Guillain-Barre syndrome in one out of 100,000 cases, he said.
But no such correlations have been found for autism, which affects about one out of 150 children, he said.
"It should be easily picked up," he said. "It hasn't been and the reason it hasn't been is because vaccines do not cause autism."
Offit said mercury is part of the natural environment. There's no escaping it and, in fact, children will get more mercury from breast milk than they get from a vaccine. Yet, he's frustrated when he hears legislators speak of having zero tolerance for mercury.
"On this planet you can't have zero tolerance for mercury," he said. "You would have to move to another planet."
Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction. Those affected often have trouble communicating, and they exhibit unusual or severely limited activities and interests. Meanwhile, classic symptoms of mercury poisoning include anxiety, fatigue and abnormal irritation, as well as cognitive and motor dysfunction.
The report from the Institute of Medicine pointed to five large studies, here and abroad, that tracked thousands of children since 2001 and found no association between autism and vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal.
Members of the National Autism Association see drug manufacturers and the federal government as working too closely together to the point that the federal government is working to protect the industry from liability. The association says its mission is to raise awareness of environmental toxins as causing neurological damage that often results in an autism or related diagnosis.
Bono, a member of the association, said he doesn't believe his son was intentionally poisoned.
"I just want someone to step up and say, 'You're right, this did happen,"' he said.
During the hearing, lawyers for the parents were expected to present their expert testimony during the first week. Then lawyers representing the federal government were expected to present their case. The hearing was to be open to the public.
Officials planned to post transcripts on the court's website about 24 hours after each day's proceedings.
Bit’s o’ Good Stuff
From Lisa Jo Rudy,
Your Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
James Mulvaney Blogs About Autism Speaks - Do You Agree?
James Mulvaney is, according to his bio, president of Tactical Intelligence Services, Inc., a New York based company that provides risk, security and intelligence services to entities around the world. He's a Pulitzer Prize winner. And he's the dad of an adult child with autism.
Mulvaney occasionally blogs on the Huffington Post, usually on topics related to politics. Today, though, he's posted on the subject of Autism Speaks, Bob and Suzanne Wright, and their statement relative to their daughter, Katie. Here's a snippet from Mulvaney's blog, in which he compares Bob Wright to Dick Cheney (!):
Robert Wright is the former head of NBC and current vice chairman of General Electric. This weekend he issued a press release all but disowning his daughter for having the temerity to disagree with him on what caused one little boy to come down with autism.
The disagreement is especially heartrending because the little boy, Chris, is the grandchild of Robert Wright, and son of his daughter, Katie.
Cheney has been criticized for draft dodging, making false claims about WMDs and failing to practice good shotgun safety. Politics aside, he deserves the respect of his office. Personally he should be respected for standing by his daughter.
There are a few comments responding to Mulvaney's blog, most supporting his position and one questioning it. I've gotta say I'm a little astounded at what seems like a huge over-reaction to both Katie's words and her parents' response - but obviously this interchange has struck a nerve.
For many months now, members of the autism community have been in a wait-and-see mode relative to Autism Speaks. While the organization has been achieving great things, it has also aquired and incorporated almost every significant autism research foundation in the United States.
Recently, members of the Autism Speaks board have been involved at the highest levels in determining the direction of autism research for the NIH and, now, the Department of Defense. That means that a small group of people may be setting the agenda for coming decades of autism research. Autism Speaks is essentially asking members of the autism community to trust their judgement as they set that agenda. And, for a group of people who are not only incredibly diverse but also extremely well informed and passionate, that's asking an awful lot.
I suspect that the present brouhaha (I love that word!) between Katie Wright and her parents is not the real focus of all the online (and offline) conversation. Instead, I think the brouhaha is actually an opportunity to think and write about where we feel autism research should go... and about who we feel should be making the decisions.
What's your take?
HOT STUFF!!!!!
Province spent $600,000 to fight autism lawsuit, documents show
http://www.thestar.com/article/221574
But New Democrat says figure does not include ministry lawyers or settlements paid out to parents
Jun 05, 2007 04:30 AM
Robert Benzie
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF
Premier Dalton McGuinty's government has spent more than $600,000 fighting parents of autistic children in court, according to newly released documents.
In a letter to the lawyer representing NDP MPP Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt), who has sought the legal tab for three years through access to information requests, the attorney general's ministry finally revealed a tally.
The government spent $202,727 on trial transcripts and $341,367 in other costs, such as expert witnesses, in the Superior Court of Justice and $75,264 at the Court of Appeal for a total of $619,358.
But Martel yesterday called the figure "a smokescreen" because it excluded the cost of salaries for four or more ministry lawyers and support staff.
"If this was all there was, ask yourself the question ... why they stonewalled all the way, and why they want to take me to court," she said in an interview.
The letter, written last Thursday to Martel's lawyer Frank Addario by ministry counsel Kim Twohig, also does not address any settlements that may have been paid out.
"Due to privacy obligations pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, we do not address in this letter any payments that may have been made to the plaintiffs and/or the plaintiffs' counsel that are confidential and private in nature," wrote Twohig.
Martel, who three months ago was slapped with a judicial review notice advising that the government opposes the information release, will be back in court on June 18 to get an accounting of the legal tb..On Feb. 14, Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian ruled the Liberals should release the information to Martel within a month.
The controversy dates back to April 2003 when 29 families launched a $100 million lawsuit against the Progressive Conservative government of then-premier Ernie Eves. They were suing because their autistic children were denied costly intensive behaviour intervention therapy after age 6.
During the 2003 election, McGuinty said it was "unfair and discriminatory" for parents to have to spend up to $70,000 a year for the treatment, yet continued the lawsuit after taking power.
Attorney General Michael Bryant emphasized that no outside counsel was retained for the legal fight.
The Globe
Where kids get what they need
TRALEE PEARCE
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
June 4, 2007 at 7:16 PM EDT
Swimming and art class may be the classic stuff of summer camp memories, but classes on social skills and asthma management are just as likely to be on the schedule these days.
While specialty camps for kids with cancer and other serious illnesses have been around for a while, now there are special-needs camps for kids with milder afflictions such as asthma and attention deficit disorder. There's even a cleft palate camp run out of a special needs camp in British Columbia.
"If you can think of a population," says Edward Walton, a professor of pediatrics with a specialty in summer camp at the University of Michigan, "there is a camp for that population somewhere."
But as the niches multiply, some observers argue that special-needs camps, even if they appear to be serving a need, risk being more about programming, fixing and labelling kids than they are about letting them just have fun.
• Special-needs camps
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=555990&catname=Local%20News&classif=
Government needs to do more; Financial support needed says father of autistic boy
GREG FURMINGER
Local News - Monday, June 04, 2007 @ 09:00
Local communities are doing their part to bankroll local programs and services for people with autism, says Mike Gowan. But Autism Ontario's Niagara unit president says its time for government to shift into higher gear.
The father of a 14-year-old autistic boy, Gowan says the developmental disorder has garnered much of the public's attention in recent years, as a result of awareness campaigns and as the disability becomes diagnosed more frequently.
In some form or another, it today affects one in 165 children, he says.
What it needs is financial support from government.
The more than $20,000 raised Saturday by area residents through Niagara's Cycle for Autism - a 25 per cent increase over last year - will help.
Money will go to social programs that last fall assisted 15 people but this spring is in demand by three times that amount, Gowan says. And again, because of need, there will be six summer camps for kids, instead of just the two the unit offered last year.
Leanne Cawthorn says getting aid can be more difficult than it is for her five-year-old son Jack to cope with autism.
"It's more challenging dealing with the system," the Port Colborne woman say upon return from a two-kilometre trek on inline skates.
More than 160 people rode, ran, rolled or strolled in Saturday's fundraiser.
It was the first time the event had been held away from Club Roma in an increasingly busy built-up residential area of west St. Catharines.
"In conjunction with Kids Arts Day, we thought this was a great partnership," Gowan says as families participate in free daylong arts and crafts activities nearby.
Ron Miller welcomes the change of venue.
"It's beautiful," he says during a break from his waterside bicycle trek under large shade trees.
The St. Catharines man who has a 14-year-old autistic grandson has participated in Niagara's Cycle for Autism for the past few years.
"We try to support this as much as we can," Miller says. "(Autism) is a terrible thing." gfurminger@wellandtribune.ca
The Alliance for Families with Autism DEBATE coverage
Some coverage from CFRA on the debate.
http://www.cfra.com/interviews/index.asp
AND Some more NEWS on the Debate from a Listee
Dear Friends,
As some of you may know, yesterday evening the Alliance for Families with Autism (AFA) organized and held a debate amongst representatives of three Ontario provincial parties regarding their autism policies. Two Liberal Cabinet Ministers participated along with opposition MPPs and their assistants.
The debate was held just north of Toronto. Below is a link to a radio report about the debate that was on the Ottawa "all news" radio station, CFRA.
Congratulations to lead organizer and moderator Cindy DeCarlo, and those who contributed, for having pulled off this unprecedented event!
http://www.cfra.com/interviews/index.asp
From the website:
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
The Politics of Autism
Madely in the Morning - 7:10am --- We begin a series of features this week on autism. Many of you may have a friend or relative that has been diagnosed with the serious neurological disorder. In fact, the numbers are rising. Doctors aren't sure why it happens, and can't offer a cure. There are treatments but the waiting lists are long, and even with government help, can cost thousands. Our story today is on the politics of autism. It is the first debate leading up to this fall's provincial election. While you were likely watching the Senators lose to Anaheim last night, parents and grandparents gathered at a Richmond Hill hotel, just north of Toronto, and that's where we find CFRA reporter Dan Pihlainen:
mp3 (click here to download)
House of Commons
Hansard
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS
AUTISM
Hon. Andy Scott (Fredericton, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, it is regrettable that we have seen little action by the government toward implementing a national autism strategy.
It has been more than a year since I introduced Motion No. 172. My private member's motion called for evidence based standards, innovative funding arrangements for diagnosis, treatment and research, and a national surveillance program.
The motion was adopted in good faith and supported by the government. However, it was very disappointing to see no reference to a national autism strategy in the recent budget or any discussion this spring.
Recently, I joined my colleagues from Charlottetown and Sackville—Eastern Shore and Senator Munson at a rally in Halifax that reinforced that there are families with autistic children across Canada who need the government's help.
The Conservatives should move off their default position of jurisdictional excuses, show creativity and compassion and start helping these Canadians.
________________________________
Plan outlines new course for education, but offers 'no real substance' - president
The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)
Jun 6, 2007
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN dgleg@nbnet.nb.ca
A dazzling vision but the academic devil, so to speak, will be in the details.
That seems to be the general reaction to Education Minister Kelly Lamrock's education plan.
When Kids Come First is the Liberal government's blueprint to make New Brunswick's education system the best in the world.
It includes three goals, eight commitments, 23 benchmarks and 140 actions.
"What we've got in here is a bunch of wonderful, high sounding, warm and fuzzy sounding statements," said Charles Cirtwill, acting president of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies. "What really matters is what comes next. " Cirtwill, author of the institute's report card on Atlantic Canadian high schools, said the plan talks about accountability and openness but doesn't release any figures on where the schools system stands now.
"They want 90 per cent reading by Grade 2, but how many are reaching that reading standard today?" he said.
"Also, what about the other 10 per cent?
"If I was their parent, I would be awful worried." Cirtwill said there are a lot of statements in the plan about empowering teachers.
"But there are no statements about how we are going to do things differently, " he said. "What you see here is some hints at new directions and no real substance." "What I have seen so far gives me both hope and fear." Indu Varma, president of the New Brunswick Teachers Association, said the plan has balance and vision.
"More importantly there has to be the commitment to make it work," she said. "Over the years, we have lost phys-ed, arts, music, trades.
"It is good to see the return of those things." Varma liked the way the plan talked about freeing up teachers and giving them the money and resources to be innovative and creative.
"The curriculum is the guideline for teachers," she said. "The way you teach the curriculum, that is where the creativity comes in.
"A lot of the time teachers are restricted by the limited resources they have." Lana Thompson, director of Autism Connection Fredericton, said the plan to train 100 teaching assistants and resource and methods teachers in applied behavioural analysis to help students with autism is a start.
The plan is promising training for 400 people over four years.
Dawn Bowie, education representative for the Autism Society of New Brunswick, described her reaction to the plan as guarded optimism.
"Until I see the contract signed and the announcement made specifically I want to make sure," Bowie said.
What makes her nervous is Education officials have talked about other substandard treatments that were cheaper, she said.
Bowie said she likes the way the plan talks about students getting individual needs assessed before going into high school and then again before graduating.
"I loved that flexibility," said Bowie.
"That is something I have never seen in the education system before.
"I love the vision but we have to make sure we keep their feet to the fire and do it properly." Opposition Education critic Madeleine Dube said Lamrock's plan is just a rebranding of the former Tory government's Quality Learning Agenda.
"What I am pleased with is it is following a lot of our QLA," she said.
"There are a lot of initiatives that are already in place.
"The ministerial committee is already announced." Dube said the Opposition agrees with a lot of the goals in the education plan.
"But certainly he doesn't have a clearcut plan with deadlines established like they promised," she said.
"A lot is missing." Dube said she also doesn't like the idea of schools competing for resources.
Some schools in richer areas will have an advantage over some schools in rural areas, she said.
"We are really, really concerned about that," said Dube. "Those schools with certain problems, what is going to happen to them?" "That is not helping our kids."
As stated by CFRA radio station on Wednesday June 6, Take a listen.
Cheers
Sam Yassine
The words "epidemic" and "crisis" are being used more and more to
describe the state of Autism today.
In our weeklong series, CFRA is looking at the scope of the condition,
the cost, and the bleak future for society if governments don't face
the autism challenge head on.
http://www.cfra.com/interviews/index.asp
From a Listmate:
ASO Conference
Friday June 15, 2007, Ramada Plaza, 300 Jarvis Street, Toronto
Day Session: Everyone Welcome (Pre-registration Required)
9:00 a.m. Registration
9:30 – 11:00 From Fear and Fascination to Respect: “A Fair Way of Referencing and Accommodating
Autism in Science and Society." Estée Klar-Wolfond, parent
11:00 – 11:15 Break: Sponsored by AutismPro. Visit the Vendors
11:15 – 11:45 Minister’s Advisory Council on Special Education: Update, Implementation
– Bob Stones & Jennifer Cantello-Daw
11:45 – 12:30 New Developments with AutismPro: Alexa Dodge
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch, Together for Autism 2007 Video
1:30 – 2:00 Awareness in the Schools: Together for Autism – Ronald Harrison & Bonnie McPhail
2:00 – 3:15 Keynote: Susan Ludwig, RN, BSc – Sexuality in a Community of Acceptance
– What would that be like?
3:15 – 3:30 Break, Visit the Vendors
3:30 – 4:30 Bridging the Gap: Realize Community Potential Program
– Shona Vincent and Karen Stoner, RCP Coordinators
Evening Session: Autism Ontario Chapter representatives, board members, committee members, RCP & invited guests only
6:30 – 8:30 Presidents’ Council Meeting
8:30 Presidents’ Reception - Located in the Frontenac Room
*Please check our website www.autismontario.com for Presenters’ bio’s and details regarding their presentations.
This program could be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Day Session: Everyone Welcome! (pre-registration required)
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 Building Bridges: Autism Ontario Working Group on Adult Issues – Patricia Gallin
10:00 – 10:30 Living with Aspergers: Kerry Flynn
10:30 – 10:45 Break, Visit the Vendors
10:45 – 12:15 Keynote: Dr. Rob Nicolson – Academic Chair in Autism Studies at the Schulich School
of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario
12:15 – 1:30 Lunch, Entertainment by Dikran Garabedian – piano, 12:30 (CDs will be available for purchase)
1:30 – 2:45 Building Friendships Over the Lifetime: Penny Gill
2:45 – 3:00 Finish (Break for those attending AGM)
Hartley Sigal to sign copies of “In Our Own Words”
Final Session: For Autism Ontario members who are eligible to vote at the AGM only
3:15 – 4:30 Annual & Special General Meeting
Friday June 15, 2007, Ramada Plaza, 300 Jarvis Street, Toronto
Day Session: Everyone Welcome (Pre-registration Required)
9:00 a.m. Registration
9:30 – 11:00 From Fear and Fascination to Respect: “A Fair Way of Referencing and Accommodating
Autism in Science and Society." Estée Klar-Wolfond, parent
11:00 – 11:15 Break: Sponsored by AutismPro. Visit the Vendors
11:15 – 11:45 Minister’s Advisory Council on Special Education: Update, Implementation
– Bob Stones & Jennifer Cantello-Daw
11:45 – 12:30 New Developments with AutismPro: Alexa Dodge
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch, Together for Autism 2007 Video
1:30 – 2:00 Awareness in the Schools: Together for Autism – Ronald Harrison & Bonnie McPhail
2:00 – 3:15 Keynote: Susan Ludwig, RN, BSc – Sexuality in a Community of Acceptance
– What would that be like?
3:15 – 3:30 Break, Visit the Vendors
3:30 – 4:30 Bridging the Gap: Realize Community Potential Program
– Shona Vincent and Karen Stoner, RCP Coordinators
Evening Session: Autism Ontario Chapter representatives, board members, committee members, RCP & invited guests only
6:30 – 8:30 Presidents’ Council Meeting
8:30 Presidents’ Reception - Located in the Frontenac Room
*Please check our website www.autismontario.com for Presenters’ bio’s and details regarding their presentations.
This program could be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/06/06/autism-immigrants.html#skip300x250
Autism rates higher among immigrant families
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 6, 2007 | 12:38 PM ET
CBC News
Health-care specialists in Montreal are trying to understand why such a high number of autistic children come from immigrant families, a phenomenon seen in major cities across North America.
Autism, or autistic spectrum disorder, is a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects aptitude for communication and personal interaction.
Some evidence suggests the autism rate among new Canadians is high, but there is little research to understand why, as immigrant families struggle with a chronic shortage of autism services as well as language and cultural challenges.
In Montreal, a clinician said more than half the children enrolled in rehabilitation services come from immigrant families.
"Maybe we can help the children earlier in their life, and then we'll have less action to do when they are older," said Dr. Andre Masse, who runs one of the city's largest clinics for children, connected to the University of Montreal.
Dr. Vikram Dua with the British Columbia Autism Assessment Network said he also sees a lot of children of immigrants at his Vancouver clinic, but is cautious about drawing conclusions.
"'Families who are immigrants, they tend to be younger," said Dua. "They tend to have more children compared to the non-immigrant population."
Masse will ask the Quebec government for help funding research on the topic. One of the first studies, an international paper that includes children enrolled in schools in Montreal, will be published later this year.
In the meantime, a centre in Montreal is helping immigrant families navigate the health-care system.
"They are very anxious about the future of their children," said Teresa Penafil of the centre. "They do not necessarily at the beginning understand what it means to be autistic."
Montreal resident Jennifer Trinh, 9, has a severe form of autism and has been on a waiting list for rehabilitation care for more than two years.
"That's a very bad situation," said Jennifer's father, Anh Hoa Trinh, wincing at the thought of waiting much longer.
From Nancy:
am sure many families will be interested in following this case from the States.... a blog that will provide reports on the proceedings.
Nancy
A-CHAMP To Provide Daily Legal Reporting On Hearing In Vaccine Court
From an organization announcement.
A-CHAMP, an organization that advocates for children with vaccine
injuries and autism, is pleased to announce that it will be providing daily
reporting and commentary on the proceedings in Cedillo v. The Department of
Health and Human Services, the first case to be heard of the more than 4800
pending in the vaccine court's Omnibus Autism Proceeding. The Cedillo case,
which will be heard beginning June 11, 2007 by three Special Masters of the
United States Court of Federal Claim will consider one theory relating to
the claim that vaccines are a contributing causal factor in autism.
Mary Holland, Esq., who teaches law at New York University Law School,
will be posting daily commentary on the proceedings on the A-CHAMP blog at
http://achampblog.org. Ms. Holland has a child who has been diagnosed with
autism but does not have a legal claim pending regarding her child's
disorder.
The goal of A-CHAMP's reporting by Ms. Holland will be to provide
incisive and accurate summaries of the proceedings. The proceedings, which
are unprecedented in the history of tort litigation, have been a subject of
confusion and controversy among parents. We hope that by elucidating the
complexities of the proceedings parents will be placed in an improved
position to understand the nature of the issues that will be decided in the
vaccine court.
A-CHAMP will also be posting background articles and relevant
documents on its website that will be linked to achampblog.org. As the
Cedillo case proceeds A-CHAMP invites those who follow the proceedings to
comment on it and on our reporting and commentary.
While it has been described as a "test" case the decision in the
Cedillo case will not be binding on any other case nor is it necessarily
representative of any other case. Many of the facts that likely will emerge
in the Cedillo case will also very likely be unique to that case.
Nevertheless, as the first legal proceeding in which the substantive claim
that vaccines cause autism will be considered, the Cedillo case has historic
implications.
For that reason and many others ACHAMP will be there to offer
information and commentary to interested parents and others.
To register for daily audio feeds of the Cedillo proceedings go to:
http://registration.teleconferencingcenter.com/menu.php?
short_name=autismphoneaudio or
http://tinyurl.com/2owrwd
To view the public documentary record of the Omnibus Autism
Proceeding, obtain files containing the proceedings beginning June 11, and
other relevant links go to:
http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/OSM/OSMAutism.htm
Province spent $600,000 to fight autism lawsuit, documents show
But New Democrat says figure does not include ministry lawyers or settlements paid out to parents
Jun 05, 2007 04:30 AM
Robert Benzie
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF
Premier Dalton McGuinty's government has spent more than $600,000 fighting parents of autistic children in court, according to newly released documents.
In a letter to the lawyer representing NDP MPP Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt), who has sought the legal tab for three years through access to information requests, the attorney general's ministry finally revealed a tally.
The government spent $202,727 on trial transcripts and $341,367 in other costs, such as expert witnesses, in the Superior Court of Justice and $75,264 at the Court of Appeal for a total of $619,358.
But Martel yesterday called the figure "a smokescreen" because it excluded the cost of salaries for four or more ministry lawyers and support staff.
"If this was all there was, ask yourself the question ... why they stonewalled all the way, and why they want to take me to court," she said in an interview.
The letter, written last Thursday to Martel's lawyer Frank Addario by ministry counsel Kim Twohig, also does not address any settlements that may have been paid out.
"Due to privacy obligations pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, we do not address in this letter any payments that may have been made to the plaintiffs and/or the plaintiffs' counsel that are confidential and private in nature," wrote Twohig.
Martel, who three months ago was slapped with a judicial review notice advising that the government opposes the information release, will be back in court on June 18 to get an accounting of the legal tb..On Feb. 14, Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian ruled the Liberals should release the information to Martel within a month.
The controversy dates back to April 2003 when 29 families launched a $100 million lawsuit against the Progressive Conservative government of then-premier Ernie Eves. They were suing because their autistic children were denied costly intensive behaviour intervention therapy after age 6.
During the 2003 election, McGuinty said it was "unfair and discriminatory" for parents to have to spend up to $70,000 a year for the treatment, yet continued the lawsuit after taking power.
Attorney General Michael Bryant emphasized that no outside counsel was retained for the legal fight.
UPCOMING Conference AO
From: "Marilen Miguel"
2007 Autism Ontario Conference
Only a few days left before the Conference!
Don't miss this one!
Register now for the 2007 Autism Ontario Conference
Join us on June 15 & 16 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Toronto.
Visit our website at www.autismontario.com
>
Warmest regards,
Marilen Miguel
Community Relations
Autism Ontario
179A King Street West, Suite 004
Toronto, Ontario M6K 3C5
Tel: (416) 246-9592 ext. 232
Fax: (416) 246-9417
marilen@autismontario.com
www.autismontario.com
Carpe Diem!
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=555990&catname=Local%20News&classif=
Government needs to do more; Financial support needed says father of autistic boy
GREG FURMINGER
Local News - Monday, June 04, 2007 @ 09:00
Local communities are doing their part to bankroll local programs and services for people with autism, says Mike Gowan. But Autism Ontario's Niagara unit president says its time for government to shift into higher gear.
The father of a 14-year-old autistic boy, Gowan says the developmental disorder has garnered much of the public's attention in recent years, as a result of awareness campaigns and as the disability becomes diagnosed more frequently.
In some form or another, it today affects one in 165 children, he says.
What it needs is financial support from government.
The more than $20,000 raised Saturday by area residents through Niagara's Cycle for Autism - a 25 per cent increase over last year - will help.
Money will go to social programs that last fall assisted 15 people but this spring is in demand by three times that amount, Gowan says. And again, because of need, there will be six summer camps for kids, instead of just the two the unit offered last year.
Leanne Cawthorn says getting aid can be more difficult than it is for her five-year-old son Jack to cope with autism.
"It's more challenging dealing with the system," the Port Colborne woman say upon return from a two-kilometre trek on inline skates.
More than 160 people rode, ran, rolled or strolled in Saturday's fundraiser.
It was the first time the event had been held away from Club Roma in an increasingly busy built-up residential area of west St. Catharines.
"In conjunction with Kids Arts Day, we thought this was a great partnership," Gowan says as families participate in free daylong arts and crafts activities nearby.
Ron Miller welcomes the change of venue.
"It's beautiful," he says during a break from his waterside bicycle trek under large shade trees.
The St. Catharines man who has a 14-year-old autistic grandson has participated in Niagara's Cycle for Autism for the past few years.
"We try to support this as much as we can," Miller says. "(Autism) is a terrible thing." gfurminger@wellandtribune.ca
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2007/06/05/4234923-sun.html
NDP, Tories pick rivals
Tue, June 5, 2007
By CHIP MARTIN, SUN MEDIA Two just-picked challengers are vying to wrest Sarnia-Lambton from Liberal Caroline Di Cocco in the Oct. 10 provincial election.
And neither, as it turns out, is the woman who vowed to bring down the government of Dalton McGuinty for breaking a promise that profoundly affected her family.
In nomination meetings last week, Bob Bailey was chosen over three rivals to represent the Progressive Conservatives while Barb Millitt defeated one challenger to take the nomination for the New Democrats.
In his victory, Bailey sidelined Susan Fentie, a mother of two autistic children who had hoped to take her fight with McGuinty to the floor of the Ontario legislature.
Fentie began campaigning for the nomination more than four months ago, saying it had become personal because McGuinty had broken a written campaign promise to provide autism therapy in Ontario's elementary schools.
The registered nurse said yesterday she will continue her campaign as an activist instead.
"I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever," she said of her failed bid. "I am going to keep on doing what I'm doing" with the Ontario Autism Coalition to get help for families dealing with autistic children.
Fentie notes the government has begun talking about providing specialized training to education assistants and other personal service workers with a program slated for Lambton College, so she thinks progress is being made.
"They wouldn't be doing anything if we hadn't held them to it," she said. "I'm going to keep at it."
Bailey, 56, of Petrolia, a contracts co-ordinator at Nova Chemicals in Sarnia, is a former municipal councillor in Enniskillen and long-time campaigner for successful Conservative politicians in the area, including the late Lorne Henderson.
At his nomination that attracted about 600 party faithful, Bailey promised "a campaign of ideas."
He is confident he will provide a strong challenge to Di Cocco, "who is going to have to depend on her party record."
Bailey placed first after one ballot, defeating Fentie along with paralegal Anna Moscardelli and former Sarnia city councillor John Vollmar.
For the New Democrats, Millitt, 49, of Sarnia, was chosen over Greg Agar, a former provincial and federal NDP candidate.
About 100 New Democrats attended the nomination meeting.
An activist for workers and their families and survivors, Millitt is chairperson of the non-profit Victims of Chemical Valley. She's also a part-owner of a children's store and a parimutuel betting clerk at Hiawatha Raceway.
Millitt said her activism has given her a good understanding of education, health, welfare, labour and environmental issues that she hopes would make her a good MPP.
"I believe hope is what gives birth to new ideas," she said, adding she wants to provide hope for the riding's less privileged at Queen's Park.
The Green Party hasn't yet scheduled a nomination meeting but youth worker Tim van Bodegom, 36, of Plympton-Wyoming said he is seeking the party nod.
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=531223&catname=Local%20News&classif=
Consistency is golden for children with autism
Cecilia Nasmith
Local News - Wednesday, May 16, 2007 @ 09:00
While the Bates family of Cobourg tries to maintain a consistent household schedule for the sake of their six-year-old son Ryan, father Doug will be travelling to Toronto June 3 to participate in the third annual Ontario Walk Now For Autism.
In fact, he'll be doing it for Ryan, and all the other children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder - one in 150 by some estimates, so it's something society will have to address sooner or later.
Or, as the title of a March report by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology put it, Pay Now Or Pay Later.
"There are not enough funds to take care of all these kids," Mr. Bates said. "They slip through the cracks."
What is really needed is a national strategy, as opposed to the patchwork of support now in place. While parents in Alberta benefit from generous government support, parents in Nova Scotia can count on none. Meanwhile, parents are faced with laying out significant amounts of money for the treatment, therapeutic programming and other things that might help their children.
Mr. Bates has heard of families forced to give up their homes. In his own case, he and his wife have sacrificed careers (his own at CIBC, wife Mary's at Hallmark Cards) to devote themselves to nurturing and advocating for young Ryan.
While Mr. Bates collects pledges, however, he will also be working to educate the community on autism, a complex neurobiological disorder with no known cause or cure. The current research tends to favour genetics, but Mr. Bates doubts it's that simple. Many parents, like him and his wife, may have one autistic child out of a family of three, he pointed out - obviously more research is needed. Mr. Bates is always glad to share his story so that other parents can get an idea what to look out for in their own children. In Ryan's case, he began showing differences in development before the age of two, such as intolerance of noise. His second birthday party was a torture for him because of the noise, his father recalls.
"Then he went into a regression where he sort of shut down. He would sit in front of the TV and just rock," he said.
Ryan made great strides in speech, thanks to the Blairview-McMillan Rehabilitation Centre and Geneva Centre for Autism. A very slow progress ensued to bring him to where he is today.
"We want to let parents know there is hope," Mr. Bates said. "There's a lot of sacrifice we've made in terms of career decisions, money decisions, but we're very pleased that both our parents have been extremely supportive and our friends have been extremely supportive."
Every autistic child manifests the disorder in his or her own way, so every family with an autistic child has its own unique challenges.
But the cornerstone of it all is - here comes that word again - the consistency any autistic child needs.
People need to be aware, too, of behavioural tics some of these children manifest. Ryan tends to flap his hands repeatedly and to be very affectionate.
But while his little sister Katie (age four) and little brother Matthew (age one and a half) also have tics, they will presumably be absorbing the social graces that our culture has deemed to be normal. For example, if Ryan receives a birthday present he doesn't like, he will come right out and say so.
"You never have to worry about where you stand with Ryan," Mr. Bates admitted with a chuckle. But underneath the mannerisms is a wonderful little boy.
"Anybody who knows him falls in love with him right away," he said fondly.
"He is very smart, especially in some areas. He loves snakes so, if all goes well, we hope he can go into biology.
"He's extremely intuitive, and he remembers things so well that I don't need a calendar anymore. It's impressive - almost scary - what a memory he has."
But he has difficulty with change. Any break in routine - which Katie would take in stride - brings Ryan to tears. He can't understand why things have to change.
Right now, the Bates family is wrestling with Ryan's transition to Grade 1 next year at Notre Dame Elementary School. They're hoping he can have the same educational assistant that he's had in Senior Kindergarten, to whom he has responded so positively.
Mr. Bates has arranged to be at a display at Northumberland Mall May 20 and at Wal-Mart May 27. He has also distributed educational bookmarks which a number of locations are giving out, like McDonald's and Reid's Dairy.
The June 3 walk in which he will participate is a larger forum for encouraging improved national policy and sponsoring badly needed research. To learn more, visit canada.autismwalk.org
Or look for Mr. Bates when you shop over the next couple of weekends. cnasmith@northumberlandtoday.com
From a Listmate:
Tory set to reveal platform for Oct. 10 provincial vote; Ontario Conservative leader says party plans to focus on four themes in bid to defeat Liberals
Toronto Star
Jun 7, 2007
Page: A29
Section: News
Edition: Ont
Byline: Robert Benzie
John Tory is to reveal this weekend his plan for defeating Premier Dalton McGuinty's Liberals in the Oct. 10 provincial election.
Tory said yesterday his platform, to be announced at the Progressive Conservatives' convention in Toronto on Saturday, would focus on just four themes.
An internal party document confirms the plan, entitled For A Better Ontario: Leadership Matters, is divided into four sections: "investing in stronger communities"; "fairness for you and your family"; "government that works for you"; and "building for Ontario's future."
Tory said his platform would be "both reasonable and realistic.
"Our plan provides voters with the one thing that Dalton McGuinty has taken away - hope," he said, deriding the premier as "the king of dashed expectations. "
The Conservative platform will be far less ambitious than former premier Mike Harris's Common Sense Revolution of tax and service cuts that won the 1995 election.
Instead of a manifesto that grabs headlines with brazen policy pronouncements, the plan "won't contain a lot of surprises," according to the internal memo by campaign chair Harry Near and campaign director John Laschinger.
"The people of this province are hard-working, optimistic people who don't expect miracles from their elected officials," the one-page memo states. "They rightly expect strong, competent leadership from a premier who keeps his word.
"We are only making promises we know we can keep because we're a party that has always focused on doing what we said we would do."
Tory has already announced that he would phase out the up-to-$900 annual health tax McGuinty foisted on Ontarians in 2004, but he has yet to fully explain how his government would cope with the loss of the $2.6 billion it generates.
He has also pledged an additional $75 million for autism treatment and promised to keep health-care spending escalating at about the same level as the Liberals.
This weekend, Tory will announce a promise of tax relief for parents who send their children to private schools, but his proposal is expected to differ from the previous Conservative government's plan that McGuinty scrapped.
As well, he is expected to discuss ways he would improve municipalities' fiscal situation, with longer-term funding commitments and, possibly, the uploading of some services to the province.
Tory said this weekend's platform announcement would not be the last word on policy from his party.
He said the priorities will address "what people see as being wrong in the province today. ..."
____________________________
Brain Mapping and Genetic Markers Used as Diagnostic Tools for Mental and Neurological Disorders
Jun 6, 2007
ALBQUERQUE, N.M. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The Mind Research Network (MRN) today announced a new approach for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and neurological disorders. The integration of multi-modal neuroimaging, genetic mapping, and psychopharmacology may revolutionize how mental disorders are diagnosed. Currently, the standard diagnostic tool for all mental disorders is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual provides guidelines that are subject to interpretation which can vary from doctor to doctor. This new integrated approach would augment the DSM to provide a more reliable and consistent diagnosis.
The recent appointment of three outstanding scientists bringing with them over $12,000,000 in NIH support, establishes the Mind Research Network as a leader in this effort.
Dr. Vince Calhoun and Dr. Kent Kiehl are combining their basic and clinical neuroscience research into a translational model for understanding how the human brain functions. Dr. Calhoun and his team have created algorithms that allow for the analysis of complex brain images across a variety of neuroimaging platforms (MRI, fMRI, EEG, MEG, and DTI). Dr. Kiehl and his team have taken a mobile MRI into correctional facilities in New Mexico providing scanning and treatment to volunteers within incarcerated populations, and gathering large amounts of raw data for Dr. Calhoun to translate into meaningful, statistically relevant, information that can be used to help provide a reliable diagnosis of criminal psychopathy. And, given that 74% of inmates incarcerated in state prisons across the country have mental problems, coupled with alcohol or drug dependence abuse(1), Dr. Kent Hutchinson's work examining the genetic factors that underlie addiction may help explain why certain populations are more susceptible to addiction and could provide more targeted treatment strategies.
"Today, many of the brain-based diseases or disorders associated with mental and behavioral health (e.g., schizophrenia, addiction, criminal psychosis, autism, traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder), cannot be cured. However, early diagnosis is the first best-step for intervention and prevention. Our research is leading the way to better methods of refined and/or earlier diagnosis. Cures are the ultimate goal, but effective treatments are needed now and by understanding how the brain functions - its mechanics, we can help patients and their families lead more productive lives," said Vince Clark, Science Director, MRN. "The emphasis on neurodiagnostic discovery reflects the strengths and capabilities of the scientists and the tools and technologies located at here at MRN. Bringing together collaborative teams to work on projects and programs that are national in scope is a unique attribute that the Mind Research Network has successfully employed for the past nine years. We have the right combination of in-house tools and nation-wide collaborations to make significant impact," added Dr. John Rasure, President and CEO of MRN.
The Mind Research Network (MRN) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit scientific research organization dedicated to helping people now by improving the diagnosis of mental illness and neurological disorders, and helping people in the future through prevention, intervention and treatment, and ultimately cures.
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, MRN scientists along with collaborators at Network sites across the Nation: University of New Mexico, University of Minnesota, and Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard/MIT), continue their quest to fully map the brain, advance imaging technologies, and discover
the causes behind brain-based diseases and disorders. Information: www.themindinstitute.org
(1) Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics Report, September 2006, NCJ 213600
Here is an Email Discussion posted with Permission from a parent to her child’s school board in relation to cutbacks for EA’s in the Near North School Board in Ontario.
>Subject: Educational Assistants
Ms. Saari,
>
>I am a parent of a seven year old boy with Autism Spectrum
Disorder named ***. He attends ********* Public School. I have been
>told of the recent decision to further cut the dollars for
Educational assistants. I have also been recently told that there may not be an EA available for him in the fall. ***** is a very smart boy, he reads above his grade level and is quite proficient in other levels.
Unfortunately with a disorder like ASD, ***** finds it difficult
concentrate on oral lessons. The bustle of the classroom also is
>difficult for him to cope with. With an EA beside him, they are able
to help to keep him focused and perhaps further explain the lesson or
take him to a quiet room if necessary. This type of assistance is
invaluable for him, it is written into his Individualized Education Plan, which is a signed contract. With the EA cuts, will the Board be breaking this contract? Will ***** be able to have the
quality of education that he deserves? Please re-think your
strategy and the budget, and please, if you have further questions, don't hesitate to ask me.
>Thank you for your time.
>Michelle Robinson
>President
>Autism Ontario - North Bay Chapter
>
>www.autismontario.com
+++++++++++++++++++
Thank you for expressing your concern regarding the cuts to EA
positions. Having taught many special education students with diverse
exceptionalities I agree that these students have difficulty focussing
when there is too much confusion.Thankfully your son appears to be high
functioning and has made excellent progress. I also understand you
do not want him to regress.
When the Near North Board amalgamated there were just over 70 EA's
throughout the Board. Based on increased needs and based on the ISA
identification process our Board increased our EA numbers to close to
200. Over time Special Education expenditures ballooned to 3.4
million dollars more than the Near North Board receives in special
education funding.With the present 2.2 million dollars in cutbacks to special education our board still exceeds what the government allocates for special education. While the government repeatedly talks about
investing in education[which it has], they have still not fixed the funding formula, based on students' needs. We have been waiting for four years for a new special education funding formula which will address "high needs students" and the" incidence rate."
I am sure you are aware that Boards can no longer tax and can only
spend the limited amount of money the government gives to Boards. We
have slowly depleted our reserves so the Board is unable to continue
spending what we don't have.
I do empathize with all parents who have children with diverse
exceptionalities. Naturally you, as well as educators, want the best
for each student.This e-mail may be informative but not too uplifting. Since this is an election year please motivate your organization to be political and challenge all MPP's and their parties to a debate on how they intend to fix the flawed funding formula especially how it pertains to special education funding.
> Warm Regards, Eunice Saari
>
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2007/06/08/4243864-sun.html
Husky donation helps autistic kids
UPDATED: 2007-06-08 01:16:43 MST
By DOUG MCINTYRE
Creating awareness of autism and a comfortable home was at the heart of a $500,000 donation announced yesterday by Husky Energy.
The cash will be used to refurbish the Margaret House at 404 94 Ave. S.E., a residential facility that for 30 years has housed children with the most severe forms of autism.
A developmental disability resulting from a disorder of the central nervous system, autism generally begins manifesting in affected children before they turn three, leading to impaired communication and social interaction.
And with statistics showing one in 300 children may be afflicted with the condition, renovation of the 60-year-old building will enhance efforts to care for and treat autistic children, said Dave Mikkelsen, executive director of the Society for Treatment of Autism, the organization that operates the facility.
"The province having a fully renovated, brand new facility is exciting to the families and it's exciting to us," he said, adding the building has capacity for 22 severely autistic children.
"It's not a case of expanding of the space to take more kids, it's a case of making the space nicer, enhancing their quality of life and just giving a nice home-like environment."
Restoration of the facility, renamed the Husky Energy Centre for Autism, begins Sept. 4 and is expected to be complete by next March.
*************
This article comes from an American E-List IEP group:
IEP_guide@yahoogroups.com
I joined that group when I was seeking help for my child’s IEP.
CANADA should follow suit?
PA Dept. of Education Hiring Parents
Thu Jun 7, 2007 5:30 am (PST)
PA Dept. of Education Hiring Parents
PA Dept. of Ed. Hiring Families for Special Education Monitoring Positions
The PA Department of Education is seeking parents interested in working as a peer monitor for cyclical monitoring of special education programs in the 501 school districts in Pennsylvania.
Parents with experience in their child’s the special education process are sought for this funded position.
New hires receive a training in August on monitoring special education programs i.e. — the quality and compliance of IEPs, evaluations, and calling parents on the telephone, and talking to the student.
Pay is $100.00 a day plus expenses.
Monitorings are around 2 days at a time.
Parents may identify where they would like to go to monitor. Monitors are usually not assigned to school districts in their IU.
To Apply: Contact Jill Deitrich, (717) 783-6913, by June 15, 2007 expressing interest and provide your name, home and email addresses and phone number. Also note if you have experience with special education (e.g. family of a child in special education).
From A Listmate:
Ensuring youth has voice
Steve Somerville
Tracy Leparulo
MORE STORIES
People Profiles
Jun 05, 2007 10:55 PM
By: Serena Willoughby
At 17, Tracy Leparulo has a volunteer resume that surpasses what most of us will achieve in a lifetime.
She was the recent recipient of the Enbridge Youth Volunteer Award and works with two autistic children in her neighbourhood.
Stacey Hilkowitz, who nominated Tracy for the award, is the mother of the children, Samantha, 7, and Jordan, 5.
She believes Tracy has a gift that helps her relate to the children.
“She totally interacts with them and gets on their level. She can get my kids to do things no one else can,†she said.
Tracy’s ability to understand the children on an emotional level is key, she explained.
“She works with her heart, not with her mind,†Ms Hilkowitz said.
Tracy is humble about her work with the children.
“Once I learned how to work with them differently, it was great,†she said.
One of the biggest problems children with autism face is a lack of understanding from society, Tracy said.
“It’s not like Down syndrome, where you can tell right away that the child is challenged. When they make a scene at the mall or something, people think they’re just being bad,†she explained.
Ms Hilkowitz said that Tracy has a particularly strong bond with her son, who is more severely affected by autism.
“My son worships the ground she walks on,†she said.
Although his vocabulary is limited, he has a special name for Tracy — he calls her “Câ€.
Tracy also relates to the children through her love of art. Using a computer, she creates images with the children.
“She’s magic; she’s created the most incredible things,†Ms Hilkowitz said.
With a full schedule as a volunteer, Tracy finds painting helps her unwind from her busy lifestyle.
One of her paintings, a portrait of John Lennon, hangs at The McConaghy Centre.
Tracy is also a member of the town’s youth volunteer action committee, serving as its co-chairperson for the past two years, helping plan youth dances, basketball and hockey tournaments.
During her time on the committee, she has seen it grow and it has given her an opportunity to meet youth from other schools, with whom she might not normally have a chance to work.
The youth council’s biggest strength is that it gives youth a chance to contribute to community events, she believes.
“It’s important to make a difference. As youth, we don’t have a voice as adults do, but there’s a lot we can do,†Tracy said.
Through the youth committee, she has volunteered for town events such as the annual winter carnival and Santa Claus parade, helping make the events more appealing to youth.
She came up with the idea of taking photographs of parade-goers with Santa to raise money for Home Base, a youth drop-in centre on Yonge Street.
Volunteering for winter carnival takes a special kind of person, since the conditions can be cold and uncomfortable, Councillor Lynn Foster said.
“Tracy’s proven herself to be a hardcore volunteer,†she said. “Winter carnival really tests the mettle of a volunteer.â€
Councillor Foster was most impressed with Tracy's initiative when she became co-chairperson of the council.
“Tracy really stepped up to the plate,†she said.
The council organized an Amazing Race in Richmond Hill, as well as a battle of the bands, three-on-three basketball tournament and youth dances.
Tracy is finishing high school and moving on to Ryerson University in the fall, so she’ll no longer be eligible for the youth council.
“I’m really sorry to see her go,†Councillor Foster said.
Tracy is also active at St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School, serving as student council president, something that has been a challenge since the council’s teacher advisor left last year.
“We had to be very independent,†she said.
But for Tracy, the most rewarding thing about serving on student council is seeing her efforts come to fruition.
“If you put your efforts and dedication into something, it will happen,†she said.
INSIDE YORKREGION.COM
From a Listmate
Autism Society of America Gives Top Honor to Treatment Pioneer in Phoenix; Scheduled interviews available with Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, founder of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders
Jun 7, 2007
PHOENIX, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, founder of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, will be recognized with one of the Autism Society of America's highest honors -- the Wendy F. Miller National Recognition Award for Professional of the Year -- at the organization's 38th annual national conference and exposition July 11-14 in Phoenix.
The award recognizes significant contributions made by a psychologist, psychiatrist or other physician, educator, speech-language therapist, social worker, occupational therapist or researcher in the autism field. CARD, which earlier this year opened its newest office in Phoenix, is one of the world's largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related disorders.
"I am truly humbled and gratified to be recognized for the work that CARD does to help children and young adults with autism attain their highest potential," Dr. Granpeesheh said. "It is especially fortuitous to receive this honor in Arizona because CARD has only just recently introduced our services in the state. Also, the work we do at CARD is the epitome of a team effort, and so the credit for any recognition that comes our way must go to our hardworking and highly committed therapists and researchers."
Founded by Dr. Granpeesheh in 1990 and headquartered in Tarzana, California, CARD excels in early intervention, intensive Applied Behavior Analysis therapy and research. Through a highly specialized curriculum for both early intervention and through the early stages of adulthood, Dr. Granpeesheh has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of ABA intervention. ABA is an intensive one-on-one style of therapy that uses careful observation and positive reinforcement to help autistic children develop social, motor and verbal skills. It is also the only approach that has been scientifically verified as effective in treating autism.
CARD now has 18 satellite sites around with world: Nine in California as well as sites in Virginia, New York, Texas, England, Australia, New Zealand and now Arizona.
In addition to winning the Professional of the Year award, Dr. Granpeesheh will be a featured presenter at the 2007 ASA National Conference, which this year has the theme Together a Brighter Tomorrow. Dr. Granpeesheh will be one of several experts and innovators from various disciplines coming together to share creative ideas and energy to address the challenges individuals with autism and their families face.
Go to www.centerforautism.com to find out more about CARD and its services.
To arrange interviews with Dr. Granpeesheh, please contact:
Robbie Sherwood
email: rsherwood@roseandallynpr.com
phone: (480) 246-7944
web: http://www.roseandallynpr.com
SOURCE Center for Autism and Related Disorders
______________________
A bout de souffle; Chaque seconde qui passe en est une de moins pour venir en aide à notre enfant
La Presse (Montreal)
Jun 8, 2007
Page: A21
Section: Forum
Le texte signé par 11 médecins pédiatres et physiatres que nous avons publié hier dans cette page, dénonçant le manque de services soutenus, de qualité et donnés rapidement aux enfants handicapés a suscité beaucoup de réactions. Voici quelques textes reçus à La Presse.
J'aimerais partager avec vous un fragment du quotidien de parents d'enfants autistes en vous faisant part d'une situation qu'on ne peut passer sous silence.
Comme le dénonçaient hier des médecins dans La Presse, ma fille Maëlle, qui souffre d'une forme d'autisme, attend depuis bientôt deux ans pour une panoplie de rendez-vous qui ne se présentent jamais vraiment.
Ayant voulu accélérer "légèrement" le processus d'attente en matière de pédopsychiatrie, j'ai entrepris de communiquer avec son travailleur social (le troisième en un an et demi) qui me dit que pour être sur la liste d'attente (une autre) prioritaire afin de voir un pédopsychiatre, je dois fournir des éléments plus convaincants, voire des preuves plus explicites concernant l'état de ma fille. Même s'il n'a ni consulté le dossier ni pris connaissance de ce en quoi consiste un enfant TED (sic), il me dit qu'il ne voit "aucun élément de dangerosité" lui permettant de faire accélérer le processus.
Il pose un tel jugement malgré que j'insiste sur le fait que ma fille semble développer des traits obsessifs-compulsifs de plus en plus marqués, un trouble anxieux qui la fait (et nous de même) souffrir d'insomnie depuis 4 ans, en plus de se barricader dans sa chambre à l'aide de sa chaise berceuse la nuit tellement elle a peur des bruits qu'elle entend, une hypersensibilité sensorielle qui fait en sorte qu'elle ne tolère aucune substance, matière rugueuse, bouton, crème, brosse à cheveux, manche courte, eau sur ses vêtements, pantalon trop serré, fermeture éclair sur sa peau, une intolérance à TOUTE contrariété, même le bruit d'un train qui passe plusieurs fois par jour. Des crises fréquentes qui minent, des dizaines de fois par jour, la dynamique familiale, qui créent de la culpabilité de ne pouvoir agir, de la tristesse devant l'incompréhension de son frère et de sa soeur, etc.
En effet, ces symptomes sont sans danger pour la société et ne menacent aucunement la sécurité physiologique de ma famille, mais qu'en est-il des blessures psychologiques, monsieur le travailleur social? Que dire du processus de deuil interminable, de l'épuisement qui nous empêche d'entreprendre quoi que ce soit dès l'annonce du diagnostic?
Faut-il justement attendre qu'un événement grave se produise dans une famille exténuée pour avoir accès à une liste d'attente prioritaire nous permettant d'avoir potentiellement, un jour lointain, un rendez-vous avec un pédopsychiatre pour un suivi régulier? Lequel nous référera à un autre spécialiste qui nous renverra finalement vers le CLSC, qui est le principal point de repère des parents d'enfants TED (troubles envahissants du comportement) où un certain travailleur social me dira qu'il ne voit pas l'urgence de consulter un pédopsychiatre alors que j'attends depuis deux ans pour avoir un suivi régulier?
A bout de souffle, n'est-ce pas? Ceci n'est en réalité qu'une parcelle de cette éternelle course à obstacles entreprise par tous les parents d'enfants autistes dans l'espoir d'améliorer l'état de leur enfant. Car chaque seconde qui passe en est une de moins pour venir en aide à notre enfant. Où est la logique dans tout ce désordre? A bout de nerfs, je lui dis d'aller lire un peu plus sur le sujet et que je mets un terme à cette conversation étant donné les circonstances (d'incompétence). Évidemment, en raccrochant, la femme forte qui tenait bon au téléphone s'effondre (en larmes) comme un château de cartes. Je n'ai plus jamais eu de nouvelles de cet intervenant (à quand le quatrième?) Fin du chapitre sur les travailleurs sociaux.
Par contre, j'ai oublié de dire à monsieur le travailleur social que j'ai, avant toute chose, une petite fille qui a maintenant un sourire exceptionnel et le plus beau de tous, une empathie et une sensibilité orientée vers la nature qui me fait apprécier la vraie vie avec toute sa beauté, une façon d'analyser les événements formulée avec des "donc" et des "alors" les plus radieux qui soient, mais surtout, sait-il que j'ai l'honneur de recevoir, moi monsieur, tous les jours, de mes trois enfants, des cailloux dûment sélectionnés, oui, les plus beaux parmi les plus beaux cailloux de mon parterre?
Ainsi, le travail que pourraient faire des pédopsychiatres, ergothérapeutes, psychologues, travailleurs sociaux, psycho-éducateurs, etc., c'est souvent la maman qui le fait, sans prendre conscience parfois que c'est le plus beau métier du monde.
Catherine Kozminski-Martin
L'auteure est la maman de Maëlle, une petite fille autiste.
Catherine Kozminski-Martin, Olivier Adenot et leurs trois enfants: Mathieu, 2 ans, Maëlle, 4 ans et Maude, 3 ans.
___________________
Psychological Functioning and Coping Among Mothers of Children With Autism: A Population-Based Study
Guillermo Montes, PhDa and Jill S. Halterman, MD, MPHb
a Children's Institute, Rochester , New York
b Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
PEDIATRICS Vol. 119 No. 5 May 2007, pp. e1040-e1046 (doi:10.1542/peds.2006-2819)
OBJECTIVES. Studies suggest that having a child with autism has a negative impact on maternal psychological functioning, but no large-scale, population-based studies are available. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the psychological functioning, physical and mental health, family communication, and parenting support of mothers of a child with autism compared with other mothers on a population basis and (2) assess the independent relationship between having a child with autism and these outcomes, controlling for the child's social skills and demographic background.
METHODS. Mothers of 61772 children who were 4 to 17 years of age were surveyed by the National Survey of Children's Health, 2003. Autism was measured from an affirmative maternal response to the question, "Has a doctor or health professional ever told you your child has autism?" There were 364 children with autism in the sample.
RESULTS. Mothers of a child with autism were highly stressed and more likely to report poor or fair mental health than mothers in the general population, even after adjustment for the child's social skills and demographic background. However, mothers of a child with autism were more likely to report a close relationship and better coping with parenting tasks and less likely to report being angry with their child after adjustment for the child's social skills and demographic background. Having a child with autism was not associated with lower social support for parenting, an altered manner in which serious disagreements were discussed in the household, or increased violence in the household.
CONCLUSION. Mothers of children with autism showed remarkable strengths in the parent–child relationship, social support, and stability of the household in the context of high stress and poorer mental health.
This comes as absolutely no surprise. We all know if we don't do what needs to be done for our kids no one else will, regardless of how hard it could be at times, we keep moving forward. It's what I refer to as the 'mother bear' reaction.
For the full article with the study outline and results click on the following link:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/119/5/e1040
Regards,
Paola
POST – DEBATE CFRA Updates.
Thanks to our listmates!
580 CFRA Interviews on the Political Debate held June 4th and autism features for the week.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
The Politics of Autism
Madely in the Morning - 7:10am --- We begin a series of features this week on autism. Many of you may have a friend or relative that has been diagnosed with the serious neurological disorder. In fact, the numbers are rising. Doctors aren't sure why it happens, and can't offer a cure. There are treatments but the waiting lists are long, and even with government help, can cost thousands. Our story today is on the politics of autism. It is the first debate leading up to this fall's provincial election. While you were likely watching the Senators lose to Anaheim last night, parents and grandparents gathered at a Richmond Hill hotel, just north of Toronto , and that's where we find CFRA reporter Dan Pihlainen:
mp3 (click here to download)
Saturday, June 09, 2007
The Importance of Treating Autism Early
Madely in the Morning - 7:10am --- The words "epidemic" and "crisis" are being used more and more to describe the state of Autism today.
In our weeklong series, CFRA is looking at the scope of the condition, the cost, and the bleak future for society if governments don't face the autism challenge head on.
To find out more about the study mentioned in this report, please visit the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research group at the University of Western Ontario website
mp3 (click here to download)
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Living With Autism
Madely in the Morning - 7:10am --- Getting a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is just the beginning of a life long journey. All week long we have brought you stories on what many are calling the "autism crisis". This morning in our final feature report, Dan Pihlainen shines a light on living with autism.
mp3 (click here to download)
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Autism Awareness is Key
Madely in the Morning - 7:15am --- Steve Madely is joined by the TEAM 1200's Steve Warne to discuss his efforts to raise money and bring awareness for autism and its effects on the family, and on provincial taxpayers.
To make a donation, please visit OttawaSenatorsFoundation.com
mp3 (click here to download)
From a Northern Friend.. who taught my son to say “ Buhh blss” his first real word..
(trish)
This is an amazing book. I was one of the judges on what stories should or should not be included in the final publish.
I read over 250 stories and had to rate them from 1-10. It took 2 months. I read alot of great stories. njoy!
________________________________________
Tanya LV Dixon
Northern Autism Consulting Services
Office: (705) 561-8825
Email: northernautism@personainternet.com
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special NeedsStories of Love and Understanding for Those Who Care for Children with Disabilities
co-authors:
Jack Canfield
Mark Victor Hansen
Heather McNamara
Karen Simmons
An inspiration for families, teachers and professionals everywhere!
"Your life will be forever changed"
Although you undoubtedly heard those six words many times upon learning that you were connected to a child with specific needs, you couldn't imagine what they really meant. Most likely, you never wondered how it would feel to be a parent of who more is required because you never thought you'd be one. But then the moment came. You held your child in your arms and felt an outpouring of emotion like you had never known before. And just like they said, your life was changed forever. What they forgot to mention is how enriched you would feel because of it.
Caring for a child with certain needs is a lifelong journey. No other role defines us as deeply and fills us with as much compassion and protectiveness, or tests our strength and patience more extremely! No other relationship fills our hearts with as much love, wonder and awe for another human being.
We have some sample stories for you to read at
www.chickensoupstories.com
Take a moment and enjoy!
Stories of Love and Understanding for Those
Who Care for Children with Disabilities
Autism Today
1425 Broadway
#444
Seattle, WA
98122
US
And we share this story…
Thank you so much for expressing your interest in this event, while at the Walk Now for Autism on Sunday.
Please read on (official email below), we are now open for registration and are very excited about this event.
We are requesting your help in getting the word out, please let us know if you are willing to forward on a version of this email (we'll send it to you) designed specifically for those that have never been exposed to us before.
Thank you for our conversations on Sunday, and for your excitement about the event and interest in making this a roaring success for you and other families.
We look forward to meeting you again in the very near future -
Kelli Pallett
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your interest in Parents Listen upcoming speaker event featuring
Raun K. Kaufman of the Autism Treatment Center of America™ and The Son-Rise Program®.
For the first time in Canada,
Raun will be speaking to parents, family members, and service providers
impacted by children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
on Wednesday, July 11th at 6:30pm
at Ryerson University's Business Building
55 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Registration is now OPEN!
Seating is limited, so please register as soon as possible to guarantee your seat.
This event is free, and we are accepting on-line donations
(secured through PayPal) to help cover the cost of putting on this event.
Please contribute if you are able.
Click here to register and/or make a donation.
Below you will find more detailed information about Raun, and about Parents Listen for your immediate viewing.
You can also visit www.pallettcorner.net for more information and links to related sites.
We are requesting your assistance to get the word out about this event.
Please forward this email (with a personal note from you at the top) to other families, organizations,
professionals, or agencies either directly impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders
OR may be connected to these groups in some way and would make a difference.
The impact this event has on these families depends on us getting the word out to as many people as possible. We're depending on you!
We have also attached two PDFs, (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader free at www.adobe.com)
one is an email notification, the other is a pamphlet that you can use in addition to, or in place of,
this email. P lease feel free to forward these all on, and encourage others to do the same,
OR print them out and pass them on in person.
***A few minutes of your time may make a lifetime of difference to a family and child out there. ***
Thank you for your interest in this event!
Michael and Kelli Pallett
Parents Listen
********************************************************************************************************
More details about Raun K. Kaufman:
Once Autistic,
He Defied the Experts
and His Story of
Complete Recovery
Became a Revolution
of Hope Around
the World.
Raun Kaufman is CEO, writer and teacher at the Autism Treatment Center of America™.
He is coming to Toronto on Wednesday, July 11th to speak to parents, families, and service providers impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Raun's Journey
At 18 months, Raun was diagnosed as irreversibly autistic.
His parents, authors/teachers Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman,
created an innovative home-based, child-centered program now known as The Son-Rise Program®,
enabling Raun to recover completely from autism.
Raun was a mute, withdrawn child with a tested I.Q. of less than 30.
Through the love and devotion of his parents, Raun was transformed
into an outgoing, social boy with a near-genius I.Q.
Raun is now a graduate from Brown, a leading Ivy League University, with a degree in Biomedical Ethics.
Currently, as a Certified Son-Rise Program Teacher, he presents and lectures worldwide,
teaching the very techniques and tools responsible for his own complete recovery.
Raun's journey was chronicled in the best-selling book, Son-Rise, The Miracle Continues
by his father, Barry Neil Kaufman, and is the subject of the award-winning TV movie, Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love,
seen by over 300 million people worldwide.
International Speaker
Mr. Kaufman, who brings a rare combination of inspiration, compassion and technical expertise,
has spoken at universities and conferences, and completed lecture tours in the U.S.,
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.
His interactive lectures, designed for parents and professionals, focus on effective methods of autism treatment,
including an introduction to the techniques of The Son-Rise Program—thus enabling participants
to put their newly-acquired tools into practice immediately.
"It is always a treat to hear such a dynamic and engaging speaker. Raun's passion
and hope for persons challenged with autism came through in every word he spoke.
His ideas truly are focused on helping people achieve their highest potential."
- Mark H. Yeager, Ph.D., President,
TEAAM (Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi)
More Details about Parents Listen:
Who are we?
Michael and Kelli Pallett saw an opportunity to make a difference for parents and families
impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders and created Parents Listen.
Michael and Kelli are parents of a 4 yr old boy named Jordyn who is diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum.
They live outside Orangeville.
For more information, visit www.pallettcorner.net.
Why a Speaker Series for Parents?
Parents are a child's best advocate. They are the most passionate, motivated, dedicated, and loving resource in their child's life.
Being aware and informed of the variety of options available, parents have the freedom to choose what is best for their
child's development and care, and for their family.
Through the Speaker Series we are committed to inspiring and empowering parents to create loving, nurturing environments full of possibility in which the dreams they have for their child will be fulfilled.
Volunteers:
We can't do this all alone. We would be thrilled to hear from anyone wanting to join our team and assists with this, or future events. What you contribute will be completely up to you. Please send us an email at parentslisten@gmail.com.
Future Speaker Events:
We are actively listening for potential speakers whose talks will make an immediate difference for families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders.
We are considering future speakers in the area of nutrition (diet & supplementation), given the tremendous impact simple changes can have on a child's behavior and ability to interact. Other areas include biomedical interventions, educational methodologies, and sensory integration.
Your ideas and requests are welcomed. Please send us an email with your ideas at parentslisten@gmail.com.
American but, well worth posting..
South Carolina Autism Insurance Bill Passed
Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto to Pass Comprehensive Insurance Mandate
The South Carolina House and Senate overrode Gov. Mark Sanford's 11th hour veto of a bill requiring health insurance coverage for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The bill, “Ryan's Law”, previously passed by both the House and Senate, was vetoed on June 6, 2007 by the Governor, and was brought back to the floor on June 7, where the House and Senate voted unanimously to override the veto.
The South Carolina autism insurance initiative will require insurance companies in the state to provide medical coverage for persons who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by age eight, with continuing coverage through sixteen years of age for treatments prescribed by a medical doctor. Included is coverage for behavioral therapy up to $50,000 a year. This bill is a compromise bill on which the South Carolina autism community and the South Carolina insurance industry have agreed. This is one of the most extensive autism insurance mandates in the country to date.
The effort to pass this bill was directed largely by a group of dedicated parents in South Carolina led by Lorri Unumb, along with Marcella Ridley, Lisa Rollins and Derrick Howle.
“Thank you to all the parents of South Carolina for writing letters, visiting legislators, and calling to help pass this bill,” Unumb said. “Each and every person who picked up the phone or sent an email truly made a difference.”
The bill's name, Ryan's Law, is in honor of Unumb's six year old
Dancing toward autism awareness
By Andrew Topf
News staff
Jun 08 2007
Although raising a child with autism is a difficult parenting challenge, a Victoria organization wants parents to know help is available.
The Victoria Society for Autism is holding a Springtime Fundraising Dance next Saturday, with all proceeds going to help Victoria children with autism and their families.
VSA board member Leslie Clark, of Metchosin, said the organization gets some funding through government grants. But more is needed to get information and resources out to parents, through monthly meetings and a lending library stocked with books on dealing with the full range of autism spectrum disorders.
Money is also needed to provide respite workers for parents needing a break from their autistic children, who often suffer from behavioural problems and require near-constant supervision, with workers costing between $15 and $25 an hour, added Clark.
The mother of triplets, whose son Matthew has autism, said one of the hardest things about parenting an autistic child is the knowledge that an outing could be cut short anytime by the child’s behaviour.
“You have to always be ready to bail if it gets too much,” said Clark, who noted the child’s autism is not always evident.
Matthew, for example, is able to read, write and spell, but is often unable to have normal conversations.
“It’s very hard for people to get to know him,” said Clark, who observed that autism is not well understood among the general population.
“It’s such a strange disorder. It’s not just a social and language development issue,” she said.
With no known cure, she said parents are often left to the own devices to sift through the myriad theories and behavioural therapies on autism.
“You just have to read and read and read,” said Clark, noting she must have read over 100 books on the subject.
She said funds raised from the dance will go towards more social functions for autistic children, which not only provide a chance for the kids to make new friends, but also to give parents the opportunity to interact with those facing similar challenges.
“You don’t want to be segregated by the rest of society but it’s nice to have the odd event you can talk to without feeling self-conscious,” said Clark.
The dance is Saturday, June 16, 7 p.m. at the Langford Legion. It features live music from the ‘70s and ‘80s by Metchosin band Giddy House, appetizers, a cash bar, 50/50 draw, and a silent auction with items donate by Greater Victoria businesses.
Tickets are $12, available by calling VSCA at 818-4662.
http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=12&cat=23&id=1001643&more=0
Four-legged friend will bring reassurance to family of autistic boy PHOTO BY JULIE SLACK
Heather Millar, with her son Luke, who has autism, look forward to the arrival of a National Service Dog next year.
Julie Slack, Mountain
(Jun 8, 2007)
Every parent knows the feeling of satisfaction they feel when their child gets dressed for the first time.
Recently, Heather and Chris Millar celebrated this accomplishment with her son Luke, who will be 11 in July. That's pretty old for most kids, but given that Luke is autistic, with developmental delays - causing severe impairment - it's pretty amazing.
As his mom, 38, explains, Luke's condition is like having a child with cystic fibrosis, Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy, combined. When he was first diagnosed, experts warned her 50 per cent of marriages end in divorce due to the stresses of raising a child who is autistic.
Fortunately for the Millars, a sense of humour, strong family support and love have helped to beat these odds.
Luke is 10 years old, and together with his mom and dad, and brother Jake, 14, is looking forward to the arrival of a new family member. Arriving sometime next year, the addition will be four-legged, but able to provide the extra reassurance the Millars need to relieve some of their daily stresses in raising an autistic son.
Luke is non-verbal and a runner, which means, at any point, he could get up, run out the front door, and onto the street. The Millars, of course, have many built in precautions already in place at their central Mountain home, but just the same, nothing is 100 per cent. A working service dog, tethered to Luke could save his life.
That's why they are so excited to be the first Hamilton family to be getting a Service Dog from National Service Dogs (NSD) Training Centre Inc., based out of Cambridge. Each dog costs $18,000 to breed, raise, train, place and provide annual follow up and re-certification testing over the seven to nine-year working life of a service dog.. NSD is a registered charity that provides specially-trained service dogs to children who have autism.
While cost is high, the dog is a necessity and the Millars, who are a one-income family, relying on Chris' mechanic income from Image Honda, are hoping fundraising can help NSD to raise enough money to cover the costs or their dog. When word got out about the family being approved for an NSD dog, and placed on a waiting list, Hamiltonians pulled together to help out.
The result is a couple of fundraisers, including the Cops for Kids Golf Tournament June 12, at Heron Point Golf Course, the 4th annual charity golf tournament organized by the Hamilton Police Service. This year, HPS has chosen NSD as the charity of choice, with proceeds raised going to Luke's sponsorship as well. NSD will have a representative on hand, along with a dog on the golf course. The Millars will also be there, and will share Luke's story with participants following the dinner.
For information or to sponsor a hole at Cops for Kids contact Sergeant Terri Collings, 905-546-4903 or email, tcollings@hamiltonpolice.on.ca
Secondly the Millars will hold a fundraising dance on Saturday, October 27, at Mount Hope Community Hall, with door prizes, at 8 p.m. The Optimist Club of Hamilton has already donated $500. Tickets or raffle prizes can be purchased by calling Heather or Chris at 905-385-1239 or skidoo@mountaincable.net No doubt, Luke will thoroughly enjoy himself at this event, as music is one of his favourite pastimes. All day, music videos on the television keep Luke feeling comfortable in the living room at his home. When he travels in the car, he is often entertained by his iPod.
He attends Westwood School, where he is in a class with six autistic children and a specialized teacher, with 20 years of experience working with autistic children and ECEs. Next year, he will attend Westview.
Luke also enjoys swimming, loves baths and showers, takes swimming lessons and can even swim with just water wings on - another big celebration for his family, when that milestone was achieved.
"We celebrate the little things, the things that we might have taken for granted."
Luke isn't toilet trained yet, but "we're working on that right now."
He is fascinated by straps and long strings and untangles them fastidiously, aligning them perfectly, then twisting them around and around.
When he is sitting, his choice is the lazyboy rocker, where he can rock to his heart's content. Outside, where he spends many evenings with mom and dad, he likes the big swing or going for a bike ride in the trail-a-bike that mom pulls him in.
He loves the school bus and rides it to school each day, where he sits in the same seat each day - right behind the driver.
On a recent visit to Niagara Falls, the family took a shuttle from their hotel and Luke appeared shocked and quite put off that somebody was already riding in "his seat," laughed Heather.
He hates going to the arena to see Jake play hockey, but loves nothing more than settling down on the couch to watch Saturday night hockey and the Leafs, with his dad.
He also enjoys visits to Heather's brother and sister-in-law's Seaforth house where her twin nieces and nephew enjoy spoiling him, and giving her a much-needed rest from constant caregiving.
At home, his brother spend a lot of time with him, always includes him in family life and takes time to play games, throwing balls back and forth.
"Jake is so good at getting him involved in 'our' world," said Heather.
Luke communicates some of the time with sign language, but for the most part, Heather is the interpreter, since she spends almost every waking moment with Luke. And most days that includes most of the night. Last week, for instance, Luke only slept a total of 15 hours.
"Luke goes in peaks and valleys, it's always up and down and it's always something new."
"Bad behaviour" as an example used to be rubbing his thumb over his forefinger. He did this so much he developed a thick callous on his finger. That has recently transgressed into biting his arms.
Right now, Heather describes their life as the valley. With little sleep, Luke is "off the wall."
Last weekend, for instance, they went to two different salons for a hair cut and ended up coming home without a locke being cut off. Eventually, an uncle helped at home, using the clippers to give him a buzz-cut.
A service dog should help to give Luke an increased independence, confidence and social acceptance. As can be imagined, Heather has her hands full when she does simple things like grocery shop. Strangers often make comments to her about Luke's behaviours, or stare, not knowing that Luke is autistic.
Heather hopes a dog will help to break the ice and open up the doors for people to be social with both her and Luke.
"When he's out in public. hand-flapping or making strange noises, and there's a dog there, maybe it will give people an understanding, 'hey there's a problem with that child.'"
Unlike her experience with Luke at a hairdresser's a few years ago when he was having his hair cut. On their way out, she heard a mom say to her daughter, "I don't know why she would take him out like that." Heather took the opportunity to explain that Luke is autistic and asked if she would like any questions answered. She also keeps business cards handy to give to people who appear curious about Luke and his actions. 'What you are witnessing is a child with autism' explains that autism is a neurobiological disorder that makes Luke behave in ways that people don't understand.
Luke is one of the youngest children ever diagnosed with autism in Hamilton.
Heather says she knew something was wrong with him when he was just nine months old.
Doctors told her otherwise. Colic, fussy baby were the terms they used to describe his behaviour. But as a mom already, she knew it was something else. By the time he was a year old, and not talking, she knew in her heart.
As an early childhood educator, her experience with children who are autistic made her think his symptoms and behaviours were just not right.
Pediatricians sought following a second opinion sent Luke to Chedoke McMaster to be tested, and while the doctor checked him at 13 months old, he was unprepared to diagnose him that young. So, at 22 months old, they gave him the official diagnosis of autism, with developmental delays.
"It's a pretty upsetting diagnosis," she said. "You have so much hope for your kids."
That hope turned into help and she spent many years trying various therapies, drugs, and anything else she could find that might help Luke.
"Fortunately for us, Chris is level-headed, otherwise we'd be on a plane to San Diego injecting pig cells into him."
Doctors told her that if Luke wasn't talking by the age of seven, he would remain non-verbal for the rest of his life. That was definitely hard to swallow. But, as she tells people, he communicates to her, he just doesn't talk. He will grab her hand and lead her to the door
After a while, she realized Luke is who he is, accepting his autism and looking for ways to help him live happily and safely. Every door on their home has a lock on it, and an alarm system sounds when outside doors are opened.
"We've learned to be very resourceful, problem solving to discover what he might be communicating, or just doing things differently."
Like his pajamas. He likes to remove them through the night, so Heather's mom solved that by sewing them up, and putting a zipper in the back.
Luke's room has only a bed, the window has a fiberglass cover over it for safety and the dresser has been bolted to the wall, since he likes to climb, as well.
Luke is loving and enjoys cuddling with his parents and brother on the couch for short periods. He's clever too, in fact, he's figured out that if he's in the middle of doing a puzzle with mom and he doesn't want to keep "working" leaning on her shoulder may result in a cuddle, which could end the "work."
But it's the safety issues that keep mom and dad constantly watching his activities.
Hence the dog. She is looking forward to seeing how Luke reacts to the newcomer and whether it changes his behaviour in any way.
He will be with the dog constantly, even in his room at night. It will provide an extra set of eyes for exhausted parents who may need a moment to themselves.
Most service dogs are either Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers. Not all puppies are suitable for the NSD program, and go on to become family pets.
"Our dog will be a working dog," noted Heather. "We are really looking forward to seeing the differences it makes."
Typically, the dogs enrich the quality of life and enhance the independence of children and families living with autism. No doubt, the Miller's will benefit greatly from their new dog - a much-deserved reward for everyone.
To make a donation to NSD and specifically Luke Millar's dog, visit www.nsd.on.ca, or phone 519-662-4223.
END of Mailing for June 9, 2007
Trish Kitching.
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