B.R.A.S.S.

Bend Redmond Asperger Syndrome Support.  Home to the "new" planet syndrome.

 

Who is BRASS
What's New
News You Can Use
Home
E-mail

 

 

About BRASS
Mission
What is AS
AS Grows Up
Resources
Central Oregon
State of Oregon
National
AS Children Available for Adoption
International
Articles
Archived Articles
Books
Oregon Authors
Research
Writings
Vaccines
Biomedical
OPU
ASPIRES
News
Events
Conferences
International
 
 

Copyright & Disclaimer

Web Rings

Autism art by Cher

Animation & art by Oddizms

Header by Ann-S-Thesia  

 

 

 

Articles

General

 
bullet

A Credo for Support by Norman Kunc

bullet

A home without hugs or family meals - Christine Doyle meets a mother and daughter living with the emotional isolation imposed by Asperger's - "...Becky has Asperger's syndrome, which develops early in life and affects the way the brain processes information. It is grouped with "classic" autism as an autistic spectrum disorder, and has many similar traits, including difficulty in communicating and forming social relationships, a dislike of being touched and a lack of imagination and creative play," by Telegraph.co.uk

bullet

A Miss and a Milestone - "...Although Gloucester County has never had a Miss America, it was represented in the 2004 Atlantic City pageant by Pitman's 22-year-old Erica Scanlon. Proving that being crowned Miss New Jersey meant more to her than just winning a beauty pageant, Erica used the national spotlight to promote autism awareness. Autism, a complex developmental disability, has touched most of her life. Erica's 20-year-old sister, Jessie, was diagnosed with autism when she was 2, by Bob Shryock

bullet

A misunderstood disability - By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff, 12/7/2003

bullet

A series of articles from Mike Conner who is a chartered Educational Psychologist and has written widely (see catalogue). He has many years experience of working with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Many of these papers summarise the current research findings on ASD.

bullet

A Syndrome With a Mix of Skills and Deficits

bullet

A World Apart From Autism, Asperger syndrome challenges experts to distinguish its symptoms and treatments by By Jamie Talan

bullet

A writer aims to alter her readers' view of the world - At home with novelist Margot Livesey by Lisa Zwirn, Globe Correspondent

bullet

Actor John Schneider Promotes Asperger's Syndrome Awareness

bullet

ADD, autism link may be overlooked, author says By William Croyle

bullet

After the Diagnosis - Where Do You Get Help? By Barbara Fowler

bullet

All about Autism - Medical News Today

bullet

All in a day's work / Woman finds her niche helping parents of special needs kids  - ""It's more about the child," said Miller, sitting at a table in the store. "When people come in and say, 'I have a child with autism or (Asperger syndrome)'I say, 'okay, but what are they like?'" by Amanda Parry

bullet

An aspie quiz, A test aimed at the behavioral differences between NTs and aspie.

bullet

An Overview of Autism - A Student's Perspective - By Allison Carter, Spring 1997

bullet

Answer, but No Cure, for a Social Disorder That Isolates Many by Amy Harmon

bullet

April for autism awareness Governor signs proclamation to kick off campaign by Oyaol Ngirairikl

bullet

Art of the M.I.N.D.: The Art Collection of the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute

bullet

AS or ADHD? Alphabet Soup by Jed E. Baker, Ph.D.

bullet

Allowed to be Odd By David Noonan

bullet

Amber Tamblyn's divine intervention for autism by John  Morgan

bullet

America has got Asperger's syndrome by Niall Ferguson **WARNING - Political**

bullet

American Rhythms | Reading can slow 'summer slide' - "It was 7 minutes after midnight. The dog was lying on the grass in the middle of the lawn in front of Mrs. Shears' house. Its eyes were closed. It looked as if it was running on its side, the way dogs run when they think they are chasing a cat in a dream. But the dog was not running or asleep. The dog was dead.  So begins one of my daughter's summer homework assignments. The disarmingly creative and touching novel by Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, about a 15-year-old boy with Asperger's syndrome, was one of three books on her reading list," by Jane Eiser

bullet

Art for Autism - Barbara Piasecka Johnson Foundation auctions treasures to benefit children. On a day like this, it was hard to believe there is anything as heart-wrenching as autism. Jasna Polana was at its best on Sunday, its fairways a gently rolling sea of green under September-blue skies by Christian Kirkpatrick , Special Writer

bullet

Asperger Children and Gifted Children by Lynette M. Henderson

bullet

Asperger Kids are Creative by Dan Kincaid

bullet

Asperger syndrome: an update by Ami Klin / Child Psychology and Psychiatry Yale Child Study Center. New Haven, CT, USA

bullet

Asperger syndrome - encyclopedia article about Asperger syndrome.

bullet

Asperger Syndrome by Kids Health

bullet

Asperger Syndrome - Articles from Fall 2000 Issue of NJ Psychologist Magazine

bullet

Asperger Syndrome by Rosalyn Lord

bullet

Asperger Syndrome By Stephen Bauer, MD, MPH

bullet

Asperger's Syndrome: A Developmental Puzzle Contributed by Michael McCroskery

bullet

Asperger syndrome: diagnosis and external validity by Klin A, Volkmar FR
Full Text | PDF

bullet

Asperger’s Syndrome and Humor by Jason McCormick, Psy.D.

bullet

Asperger syndrome from childhood into adulthood By Dr.Tom Berney

bullet

Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and Disorders of the Autistic Continuum"  by Sally Bloch-Rosen, PhD. Read this paper on Dr. Bloch-Rosen's AS website.

bullet

Asperger Syndrome: Through the Lifespan by Stephen Bauer, MD

bullet

Asperger's Syndrome: One End of the Autistic Spectrum by Megan Greening

bullet

Asperger Syndrome - Signal Failure by the Observer   With Asperger Syndrome it's impossible to interpret body language. Jo Carlowe reports on a much misunderstood form of autism.

bullet

Autism Spectrum Conditions a Social Minority Group - Amy Nelson writes "Following the article "Declaration from the worldwide autistic community" last November concerning recognition of the community as a minority group, this article looks in depth at how the autistic community does fulfill the criteria for minority status, and how to move forward with legal recognition. - A minority group is a "subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power over their lives than members of a dominant or majority group" and a "group that experiences a narrowing of opportunities (success, education, wealth, etc) that is disproportionately low" (ref.1) The autistic community fulfills that definition in that those with autism have less choices over education, homes, and work opportunities.(ref.2) The characteristics of a minority group are "Distinguishing physical or cultural traits, e.g. skin color or language", "Unequal Treatment and Less Power over their lives", "Involuntary membership in the group (no personal choice)", "Awareness of subordination and strong sense of group solidarity", "High In-group Marriage" (ref.3). Those on the autism spectrum have these characteristics as far as can be ascertained. It is generally well accepted that autistics have their own culture, and unique style of communicating. Communication differences are one the main criteria for a diagnosis of autism. Those who are non-verbal or semi-verbal, and are able to use a computer, can join other members of the community in online forums and chat rooms to socialise, for many this is the only social contact that is not stressful. / Release

bullet

Author Diane M. Kennedy's National Book Tour and Seminar Series Examines ADHD and Autism: Is There a Connection? / Mother of Child with Asperger's Syndrome Uncovers Information that May Provide Answers to ADHD--A Major Public Health Controversy - Diane Kennedy, author of The ADHD-Autism Connection (WaterBrook Press, 2002), candidly addresses this question in an upcoming national book by PRNewsWire

bullet

Author Of Autism Paper Linking Augmentin Use To Increased Incidence Of Autism Welcomes Overwhelming Response From Parents Whose Children Experienced Regressive Autism / The author of the seminal paper: Could one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics amoxicillin/clavulanate “AUGMENTIN” be a risk factor for autism? published in Medical Hypotheses January 2005 (64, 312-315) has received thousands of emails, letters and phone calls from parents of children who experienced regressive autism following one or more dosages of Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate). - The author of the seminal paper: Could one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics amoxicillin/clavulanate “AUGMENTIN” be a risk factor for autism? published in Medical Hypotheses January 2005 (64, 312-315) has received thousands of emails, letters and phone calls from parents of children who experienced regressive autism following one or more dosages of Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate). ReleaseAUTISM - A POLITICAL BOMBSHELL " NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND"? / President Bush unwilling to address this National Tragedy. Parents are outraged. - Autism has hit epidemic levels with no end in sight. The President has failed to address this National Tragedy....WHY ? There are 25 facts that will leave the American people asking questions. New Book Titled, Mercury: The Winged Messenger presents these 25 facts and others... THE TWENTY FIVE FACTS PRESENTED IN THE BOOK TITLED: MERCURY: THE WINGED MESSENGER. / Press Release

bullet

Autism and Trauma: Reflections on Autism Awareness Month by Robert Naseef, Ph.D.

bullet

Autism answer could be in face - "Groundbreaking studies into the social interactions of people with autism are taking place in Newcastle through Newcastle University and the Hunter Medical Research Institute," by the Star

bullet

Autism begins to get its due in Lebanon by TerraNet Plus

bullet

Autistic children left hanging

bullet

Autism debate by Helen Branswell

bullet

Autism diagnosis on rise Doctors say odd behavior in many kids, adults is more than a quirk by Karen Gutierrez

bullet

Autism: Autism reaching 'epidemic' levels by By Joan Lowy

bullet

Autism - from bubbly baby to disconnected child  by Daniela Lamas 

bullet

Autism: More autism cases reported, yet cause remains unknown by Erica Goode

bullet

Autism: Autism reaching 'epidemic' levels by By Joan Lowy

bullet

Autism and Asperger Syndrome : The State of Play - by Mike Connor

bullet

Autism and the Pew Lady by Dan Coulter

bullet

Autism and the Reptilian Brain - By Jon Hurst

bullet

Autism and Trauma: Insights and Reflections on Autism Awareness Month by Robert Naseef, Ph.D.

bullet

Autism, Asperger's conference comes to CNY - What can we learn from families raising austistic children? by Amber Smith

bullet

Autism cases exaggerated by paediatricians by The World Today

bullet

Autism 'causes greatest disability' - "..."For instance, over 90 per cent of people reporting autism, dementia or Down syndrome had severe disability." Personal and environmental factors such as place of residence, education level, marital status and socio-economic status had a strong influence on the level to which a condition impaired functioning, the report found.  But it concluded that it was impossible to predict the severity of disability caused by any given condition even when a wide range of factors was taken into account.  "It is hoped, however, that this new way of looking at these complex inter-relationships will aid our understanding of the measurement of disability and functioning," Dr Wen said.

bullet

Autism debate by Helen Branswell

bullet

Autism film triggers touching replies by Dennis McCarthy

bullet

Autism fund-raiser - It's not too late to sign up for the Cure Autism Now fund-raising walk, an annual event sponsored by the organization's Pacific Northwest chapter to raise money for the treatment of autism.

bullet

Autism groups concerned at lack of Govt access - Canberra-based autism groups say they are increasingly frustrated with a lack of access to ACT Government ministers. Action for Autism president Bob Buckley says that since the election last October, representatives have been allowed a 30-minute meeting with the Disability Minister John Hargreaves and 10 minutes with one of his advisers in July.Mr Buckley says he has made repeated requests to the Government for more meetings to discuss ways that money can be better spent in the area./ OZ

bullet

Autism in the United States - A Perspective by Dr. Yazab

bullet

Autism is the child of social disconnection  By Gabor Mate

bullet

Autism fears over disorder bill - A leading charity has claimed that a new law on anti-social behaviour could be used against autistic children - BBC

bullet

Autism: Learn and Educate Yourself, Part 2 by Fredalynn Mortera Hecita, KUAM News

bullet

AUTISM - Mild form defined by social ills by Daniela Lamas

bullet

Autism on the rise - "The developmental disability is increasing both nationally and globally. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated last year that autism affects one in 250 children. The Autism Society of America estimates that the incidence of the disorder is rising by 10 percent to 17 percent a year and in the next decade the number of Americans diagnosed with autism will rise from 1.5 million today to 4 million," by Beth Quimby

bullet

Autism Spectrum Disorders Research at the National Institute of Mental Health - An overview that summarizes research into the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. (2004 revised)

bullet

AUTISM - Scientists attempt to understand cause of disorder by Daniela Lamas

bullet

Autism services hard to find - "...Mark also lost his conversational skills and stopped responding when his parents would walk into the room.  He was diagnosed with autism at 20 months, and the Thompsons soon learned that resources on the Treasure Coast were few and far between, by Valerie Nienberg

bullet

Autism services to be boosted - The province is about to boost services for autistic children in schools, says a London advocate for children with the disorder. Patricia Gallin, president of the London and District chapter of the Autism Society of Ontario, said the province will soon announce the hiring of consultants on autism spectrum disorders who will work with school boards.  Nineteen consultants have been hired for Southwestern Ontario, Gallin said. "They will work with teachers who support the kids and we can only build from that," she said yesterday at the chapter's Cycle for Autism event.
by Hank Daniszewski

bullet

AUTISM AGONY OF 3400 SCOTS KIDS  - MORE than 3400 kids in Scotland have autism, a report has revealed. But there are shocking regional variations in the rates of the developmental disorder. First ever study into disorder. Exclusive by Judith Duffy

bullet

Autism Linked to Language Disorder - Autistic boys with language problems have a lot in common with boys suffering from a language-related disorder known as Specific Language Impairment (SLI).  The finding could help doctors better understand autism and how to choose the best treatments for individual components of the condition.

bullet

AUTISM program on brink / Halton school board criticizes clawback - It could also mean the end of Ontario's first transition centre for autistic students. The centre was to have opened at St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School in Burlington this month, Education Director Lou Piovesan said yesterday. Proposed changes to school transportation funding could cost the board another $769,104 if they're implemented next year, he added."Our board has consistently acted in a very fiscally responsible manner and has continually met all of the criteria established by the Ministry of Education," said Piovesan. "We had planned to further expand services for autistic students, but these plans will have to be drastically curtailed if these funds are not restored by TESS KALINOWSKI

bullet

Autism Society of America, Jamie McMurray Partner for Katrina Relief; NASCAR’s McMurray Pledges Commitment to Disaster Relief for Autism Community - The Autism Society of America (ASA), the nation’s most widely-recognized and largest grassroots organization serving the entire autism community, and NASCAR driver and ASA friend Jamie McMurray, have announced their collaboration to provide disaster relief for families of individuals with autism who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. ASA and McMurray are deeply concerned about the welfare of all families who have been affected by this disaster, particularly those in the autism community. By the ASA

bullet

Autism Stats Phonied Up? by Adelle Jameson Tilton

bullet

Autism study to look at lifestyle By David Derbyshire, Science Correspondent

bullet

Autism’s Razor: Epidemic’s Cause Found - I am not sure what caused the most heartache when I saw the first signs of autism return in my son. Was it the constant looking at objects out of the corners of his eyes? Was it the hand flapping while running back and forth like a wounded bird trying to fly? Or was it the flopping on the floor, drained of energy? This second wave of autistic behavior and fine-motor tics has been painful to watch, especially after special education therapy had eliminated them. So what has brought them back with a vengeance? By James Ottar Grundvig

bullet

Autism's surge mystifies By Anita Manning, USA TODAY

bullet

Autism: More autism cases reported, yet cause remains unknown by Erica Goode

bullet

AUTISM: The Myths and the Realities' by U.S. Newswire

bullet

Autism 'up by 10,000 per cent' in Maryland by The Herald-Mail

bullet

Austism: Small steps become monumental on Bend child's path to maturity

bullet

AUTISM SKYROCKETS IN QUEBEC: A SECRET NO MORE by RFD Columnist, Dr. F. Edward Yazbak

bullet

Autism special cause for Scanlon by The Gloucester County Times, NJ

bullet

Autism toward a necessary revolution

bullet

Autism vs. Asperger's Syndrome - revised by Jim Devine.

bullet

Autism: What Pennsylvania needs to do - Some education-related recommendations from the upcoming Pennsylvania Autism Task Force executive summary report: SHORT TERM - School districts need to dramatically increase the capacity of special education teachers to provide appropriate care. They need to find people with specific expertise and provide teacher in-services to raise the expertise in the classroom. MEDIUM TERM - The state needs to give counties and school districts flexibility to combine funding streams to coordinate services. This would prevent a duplication and inefficiency of services that children with autism receive.  LONG TERM -  Pennsylvania must develop autism training programs in colleges, offering loan forgiveness to encourage people to become teachers of the autistic. Also the state needs to create a system of service provider accountability so providers offering better, proven programs will be reimbursed at higher rates. The state needs to license and certify autism service providers and create a plan of what it will and won't pay for - both in the education and health systems by Bucks County Courier Times

bullet

Autism's Fogged-up Mirror - People with autism experience less activity in the brain neurons that specifically trigger human empathy, according to a new study by University of Montreal researcher Hugo Théoret. The professor in the Department of Psychology is trying to understand the link between ‘mirror neurons’ and autism.  Mirror neurons, a theory developed in the ‘90s, are at the basis of all imitative learning such as language acquisition. So, a person who watches another performing a certain activity actually experiences the same activity in their brain circuitry. The theory also explains why laughing can become so contagious.  Source: University Of Montreal

bullet

Autistic author wants to give hope to others - Daniel Hawthorne always considered himself a ''freak'' and never understood why he couldn't be like everyone else. He recently completed and copyrighted ''Guidelines to Intervention in Autism.'' He wants to publish the work, hoping to inspire those suffering from autism with his firsthand account of coping with his disability, focusing on his strengths to succeed in life," by Jordan Blum

bullet

Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Sorting it out by Martin L. Kutscher, MD

bullet

Autism Expert from Australia, Speaker at “Autism/Aspergers 2004” Conference in Buffalo, NY - World autism expert, Dr. Attwood, speaking at one day conference in Buffalo, NY, on Aspergers Syndrome and High Functioning Autism, Wednesday, October 20, 2004.  With over 1.5 million people in the United States diagnosed with a form of autism, including Asperger syndrome, it is critical for people (families, professionals and the general community) to become more educated about autism spectrum disorders, affecting 1 in 166 children today. Dr. Attwood, a clinical psychologist from Brisbane, Australia, brings over 30 years of experience with individuals with autism/Asperger’s/PDD. On Wednesday, October 20, 2004 he will be discussing innovative techniques for improving social skills, learning friendships, social skill groups for adolescence, and understanding and expressing emotions. This is a very rare opportunity in the U.S. to hear from one of the top minds on Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning autism. / Press Release

bullet

Awareness bracelet fad ‘lives strong’ - "...“I have four. I keep mine on all the time, when I sleep and take a shower. And it’s not just for fashion either,” said Paige Keller, 10, of Rockville, who knows a kid in the neighborhood diagnosed with autism. One of her four bracelets is stamped with “Embrace, Engage, Enable, Expand, Express” the motto adopted by a group advocating autism education and research," by Fern Shen

bullet

Baseball adventures  / A father writes "October Dreams" about taking his two sons on road trips to four consecutive World Series - Alan Lohner and his two sons don't need T-shirts that proclaim, "Baseball is Life."  "...Lohner apologizes if the book makes him and his sons look petty or spoiled. The boys bicker in the car and Alan Jr., who has Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning level of autism, often gets moody, bored and mouthy. Lohner, like many exasperated parents, yells back and says things he wishes he hadn't."

bullet

Beating the Odds by April Curtis

bullet

Benefit for autism - When Adam and Amy Basatemur's son, Jake, was 15 months old, he couldn't talk or walk and barely attempted to crawl. Jake threw temper tantrums that lasted for hours and even the simplest tasks, such as giving him a bath, became arduous battles with their first-born son by Brian Sheid

bullet

Bettleheim's Worse Crime - Autism and the Epidemic of Irresponsibility by Michelle Dawson  

bullet

Beyond Asperger Syndrome - Paper by Sula Wolff

bullet

Blinded By Their Strengths: The Topsy-Turvy World of Asperger's Syndrome by Diane Twachtman-Cullen

bullet

Breaking The Silence by ABC News

bullet

Brilliant minds linked to autism by the BBC News UK

bullet

California Autism Numbers Decrease Causing Some in Boise to Wonder... by Linda Patton

bullet

Can ADD, or ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome Occur Together? By Barbara Fowler

bullet

Cases of child autism have increased 850 percent in Missouri  April 2004

bullet

Catching up with autism by Susan Fitzgerald

bullet

CEO of the Year: It's all in the family for Minto chief - "...While Roger has supported charities for the disabled for some years, his youngest child's cerebral palsy and autism have made the Ottawa chapter of the Autism Society of Ontario and the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre Foundation particularly dear to his heart," by Anne Howard  

bullet

Charter for people with autism - "People with autism should share the same rights and privileges enjoyed by all of the European population where such are appropriate and in the best interests of the person with autism"

bullet

Children with challenges - "Dr. Dennis Woody, a pediatric neuropsychologist from Boise, will discuss the signs, symptoms and treatment for children with Asperger's syndrome, autism and bipolar disorder at the Aug. 31 seminar at Wendell High School," by Sandy Miller

bullet

Centerpiece: Early detection of autism can make a difference by Beth Francis

bullet

College offers free clinic for kids - "Samuel Merritt College in Oakland is looking for children with learning disabilities and other difficulties to participate in a free occupational therapy clinic," by Staff Reports

bullet

Columbia Leading Record Autism Study - The past 20 years have seen a surge in the number of children with autism but few corresponding funding increases to study the disorder. But thanks to an October 2003 grant, the Autism Birth Cohort, a joint project of Columbia University and the Norwegian government, is now one of the largest research studies on autism in history. The number of children with autism--a chronic neurological disorder that impairs communication and social interaction--has increased from approximately one in 1,000 to one in 150, and no one can conclusively say why, by Liz Fink

bullet

Concern over rise in autism cases - Autism, a brain disorder with impaired social interaction and speech delay and repetitive stereotype behaviours, is fast becoming an alarming disease. Research bodies in US have reported an alarming increase in the incidence of autism at two or three per 1000 live births in the US. In India too, the incidence rates reported are increasing and are on par with the rest of the world. Moreover, there were many cases still not being reported in the slums and the rural areas and a huge percentage of medical professionals were not aware of this disease by News Today

bullet

Conference to focus on autism, abuse allegations at state facil - Ford, director of the Cape Girardeau Association for Retarded Citizens, has organized a statewide conference in Cape Girardeau this weekend at the Drury Lodge. The conference will be book-ended by emotional topics surrounding recent abuse allegations at a St. Louis habilitation center and the theory that mercury in vaccines is the cause for autism by Bob Miller

bullet

Count to determine if autism on rise BY Dave Parks News Staff Writer

bullet

County services for autistic children debated by Joe E. Carmean Jr.

bullet

Description of Applied Behavior Analysis by ASAT

bullet

Diagnosis: Autism - What Do I Do? - Mothering Magazine / Issue 126 September/October 2004

bullet

Diagnostic Confusion in Asperger Disorder - Editor's Note: The following article are excerpts from Dr, Tsai's presentation at the ASC-U.S. Annual Conference in Orlando in June. Dr. Tsai is a Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School and the Director of the Developmental Disorders/Autism Program at the University of Michigan Health System. He was asked to discuss mental health issues relating to the Asperger community and we are grateful for his time and talents.

bullet

DISCOVERING ASPERGER SYNDROME by Dan Coulter

bullet

Disorder still largely a mystery

bullet

Does DSM-IV Asperger's Disorder Exist?  by Susan Dickerson Mayes [1,2]; Susan L. Calhoun [1]; Dana L. Crites [1]

bullet

Early treatment of autism yields results, expert says by Peggy Anderson

bullet

Einstein and Newton 'had autism' by the BBC News

bullet

Einstein, Newton, and Asperger Syndrome - Did both men have this condition? by Lisa Barrett (the Washington Post 1/14/03)

bullet

Emanuel Miller lecture: Confusions and controversies about Asperger syndrome bu Uta Frith

bullet

Examining Autism - CBS News Sunday Examines Autism, "The problem has reached such proportions that the federal government recently convened the first National Autism Summit. Though the overall picture is gloomy, one encouraging finding has emerged, according to Nancy Wiseman of the advocacy group First Signs: Clear, early and intensive intervention can profoundly impact the quality of life for every child and family at risk."

bullet

Executive Dysfunction - The term “executive functioning”  refers to mental processes involved in goal-directed activity.  The work on this has been primarily done in Neuropsychology but the implications for educators are important. Executive functioning has been rather under-discussed in the school context as yet (stay tuned for my dissertation J) where these issues have been attributed to failures in discipline rather than brain function by Kristine S. Knight

bullet

Executive Functioning - Executive Functioning is the brain's ability to absorb information, interpret this information, and make decisions based upon this information. For example, most people have a routine when they get up in the morning. Some mornings you might look out the window and see something is dripping from the sky. This dripping is interpreted as "rain" which implies a set of rules (i.e., needing to wear different clothes, the soccer game will be canceled which means you need to make other arrangements for an after school activity, rolling down the windows while you drive is not wise, you don't need to water the grass today, etc.), by Alex Michaels

bullet

Expert: Significant results from early treatment of autistic children by Peggy Anderson

bullet

Experts challenge autism 'myths' by BBC News

bullet

Explaining Autism to Children Just Got Easier - Many parents can tell you that it is very difficult to answer the complex and often emotionally filled questions children pose about why their sister or brother -- or friend -- behaves a certain way. Marvie Ellis, a pediatric speech-language pathologist in Austin, Texas, saw a need to help families with this area of family connectedness and communication. In an unprecedented attempt as a first time author, she wrote two children's illustrated bilingual autism books with publisher, Speech Kids Texas Press, Inc. both receiving nominations for the 2006 Dolly Gray Children's Developmental Disabilities Literature Award. / Release

bullet

Facing Off Against Autism by Shannon McCallum

bullet

Family hopes to bring attention to autism by Jeffery Womble

bullet

Film reveals a journey of self-discovery / Dealing with Asperger Syndrome  - After years of wondering why he was different, Nick Dubin's self-diagnosis last year that he had Asperger Syndrome brought relief. His parents, Kitty and Larry Dubin of Birmingham, needed more coaxing. "They thought that it would hold me back," he says. "They didn't want a stigma attached to me. What they didn't realize was, it was freeing. "I went from a struggling 20-something who didn't know exactly what he wanted to an individual who has a clear career path," Nick, 28, says. "This past year has been a wonderful time for Kitty and I to observe Nick's emotional, intellectual and personal growth as a human being," says Larry, a law professor at University of Detroit-Mercy Law School. By Judith Doner Berne

bullet

Fitting together Autism group fills a niche in the community by Susan Bacon, Pilot & Today Staff

bullet

First-ever reduction in autism diagnoses in California appears to reinforce theory of link with mercury poisoning - SACRAMENTO, California, USA: According to information released on July 14 by the California State Department of Development