Making Skies Friendly For Individuals With Autism; VCU Gets Grant To Expand Work Training; Yoga Helps Improve Behavior

"Different But Not Less."...Temple Grandin

Making Skies Friendly For Individuals With Autism


Preparing for air travel and the flight itself can cause a lot of anxiety for both the individual with autism and for parents.  For many parents, it can be a challenge in parental endurance.

The good news is airports throughout the nation have recognized these challenges and are providing more assistance. To date, the major airports in the following cities provide services to help individuals with autism: Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Boston; Manchester NH; Bridgeport, Conn.; Philadelphia and Newark. The airlines participating include Jet Blue, AirTran, Continental, Frontier, Southwest and United.  These airports and airlines have offered "mock boarding" experiences, practice in purchasing tickets, walk throughs at security lines and even strapping themselves into the aircraft that does not leave the gate.

"We recognize how intimidating to some people, particularly those with special needs, a facility like this can be, " said Christopher Browne, manager at Washington Dulles airport.

In addition, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has set up a hot line---TSA Cares---to help passengers with disabilities and their caretakers.

The following suggestions will help in minimizing anxiety prior to flying:

• For the initial flight, pick a short one. Up to an hour.
• Visit the airport ahead of time to become familiar with the facility.
• Call the TSA Cares hot line---1.855.787.2227---72 hours prior to flight time to alert TSA that you might need assistance.
• Call the airline ahead of time to let them know you might need assistance.
• Tell your child what to expect such as delays or long waits.
• Pack a carry-on bag with items the individual likes.

Have a nice and safe flight.
NY Times


Virginia Commonwealth University Received Grant To Facilitate Employment For Youth With Autism

VCU announced recently they received a $2.5 million grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to determine best practices to facilitate employment for youth with autism.

The grant's duration is 5 years. "Through our partnership with VCU on this grant, we expect to learn more about the services and supports that youth with autism may need to become successfully employed in their communities, " said Commissioner Jim Rothrock, VA Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
VCU News

Study: Little Evidence Medication Intervention Helps Teens & Young Adults With Autism; Asperger's Diagnosis Will Disappear; Gross Motor Activities For Children With Autism

Don't allow disabilities to limit your life. Open up your abilities...Jerry Komar, Editor

Little Evidence Medications Are Effective For Teens and Young Adults With Autism



Vanderbilt University researchers reported there little proof medications help teens and young adults with autism.

Their report was based on reviewing over 4,500 studies focusing on outcomes, including side effect, of medical, behavioral, educational and vocational interventions. They found limited evidence that supports the use of medications such as antipsychotics to help reduce problem behaviors. In fact, the "harms" associated with the use of these medications included sedation and weight gain.

"We need to do more research to be able to understand how to treat core symptoms of autism," said DR. Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D.
PsychCentral



Autism Definition To Enlarge As Asperger's Disappears

Back To School Tips For Children With Autism; Hispanic Children Often Have Undiagnosed Developmental Delays

Disabilities Are Not Contagious. Ignorance is.

Back To School Tips For Children With Autism


Going back to school, after a long summer, can be a challenge both for parents and children. There are a few tips that can help make the transition more manageable.

• Start at home preparing your child for returning to school. This should involve new bedtimes, waking up earlier and adjusting to new morning routines. Get organized.
• You should meet with your child's new teacher. Your teacher should be familiar with your child's current IEP. You should review the IEP before school starts.
• If your child is attending a new school, familiarize him/her with the new school surroundings. Ask the school for a tour of the school and classroom BEFORE school starts.
• Let your teacher/teachers know that you are always available to meet with them.
• When your child returns from school at the end of the day, ask him/her how it was at school. Ask about the teacher. Ask about the new schedule. Ask about any new friends your child met or old friends your child reunited with that first day. In other words, make every effort to allay any anxiety your child might have during the first few days at school.
• Make time to help your child with his/her homework. Take it slow. Give your child time to adjust to the new schedule at home.
• After the first week, call your child's teacher and ask the teacher how things are going at school.
• Every child adjusts differently. It's your job to help alleviate any stress your child might experience those first few days at school.

(The Stir, Yahoo, Oakland County Moms)


Broader Outreach Needed For Hispanic Children With Developmental Delays

Are Girls With Autism Being Underdiagnosed?; New, High Impact-Impact Studies Of Very Young Children; MEG To Study Brains

"What day is it,?" asked Pooh. "It's today," squeaked Piglet. "My favorite day," said Pooh.

Are Girls With Autism Being Underdiagnosed?

A recent study reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry suggests there may be gender bias in the diagnosis of girls with autism.

Typically, boys have higher rates of autism compared to girls by a factor of 4 to 1. After comparing data from 363 boys and girls with autism between the ages of ten and twelve, the researchers found that "the girls, rather than the boys, who met the criteria for ASD had a significantly higher prevalence of low intellectual levels and behavior difficulties."

Their study suggests girls are less likely to be diagnosed with ASD than boys. The study also suggests the gender bias may be due to girls possessing better adaptive or compensatory skills.

It is still unclear whether girls acquire such adaptive skills developmentally. It is also unclear whether there are shortcomings in the diagnostic measures used for ASD.
(ABC News and Examiner)


UC Davis Mind Institute And University of Washington Received Grant From Autism Speaks To Continue Research Into Novel, High-Impact Treatments For Very Young Children

What I Discovered On Twitter & Facebook

"Autism: Forget What We Can't Do...Remember What We Can Do."...Autism Poster

What I Discovered On Twitter And Facebook

Some months ago, I wrote a piece on the plethora of good and useful information I found on Facebook regarding autism. I thought I'd revisit the theme including adding the treasures found on Twitter. Below are examples:

• Joe Travolta, older brother of John, operates a film camp for children with autism. He's been operating the camp for seven years. Travolta has also partnered with ACT (Autism Care And Treatment) targeting improving awareness and services to military families who have children with autism.

• Abe's Hearts and Hooves is the creation of 13 year old Abraham Moses. Abe's dream was to create a place where people with disabilities could ride horses and develop self-confidence.
• In Bartow County, GA, county Sheriff's officers were trained in how to approach individuals with autism. The officers took part in a training class entitled, "Law Enforcement: Your Piece To The Autism Puzzle." In particular, the course focused on the issues of wandering, a majority of calls law enforcement sees.

• Autism Brainstorm is an interactive online community celebrating the abilities of everyone on and around the autism spectrum. For more information, visit http://www.AutismBrainstorm.org/
• Science Daily publishes some of the most current pieces surrounding research in autism. Visit http://www.sciencedaily.com/
• Newark airport program helps children with autism cope with air travel. Called the "Autism Explores" Program, it takes participants through all aspects of the flying experience without leaving the ground. In addition, the program teaches airport personnel about autism.
• Emirates Airline, the largest Middle East carrier,  trains its cabin crews to understand the needs of passengers with autism and disabilities. The training takes place in cooperation with the Dubai Autism Center.
• The University of Texas recently announced the development of a new Master's degree program in autism. It's intent is to train more students to assist children with autism.

Don't Worry; Be Happy; Brain Imaging May Catch Autism Sooner; Horseback Riding As Therapy

"I wish I can show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being."...Hafiz


How To Create A Happy Future For Your Child With Autism

Dr. Krysti DeZonia of the Training, Education and Research Institute (TERI) presented clear recommendations to ensure your child with autism has a happy future after you are gone.

• Be sure there are people in your child's life who are not paid to be there. Start now in developing strong circles of support.
• Develop your child's social skills. If not, life without you can be lonely and unhappy.
• Help your child develop a plethora of interests. In addition, ensure everyone knows about their favorite activities.
• Futures planning is not enough. It's as important to develop a life quality plan. You can learn more about life quality planning at http://www.terriinc.org/ and click on "Life Quality Services."
• Finally, help your child do things that society values. These include developing relationships with friends, the community and business owners to name just a few.

And Dr. DeZonia offers one last tip: Remember, you are more important to your child's present and future life quality than any therapy, plan or treatment.
(Autism Support Network)


Brain Imaging May Catch Autism Sooner

At this point in autism research, it's almost impossible to diagnose autism at six months. But that might change soon.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina at Chapel Hill, using a special kind of MRI on 15 babies who had a sibling with autism, found those babies had weaker connections.

"This is really before we can pick up any differences behaviorally," said Dr. Jason Wolf. "If we can go earlier and earlier in our interventions, we can prevent autism from fully manifesting" added Dr. Wolf.
(Click2Houston)

Devereux Celebrates Centennial; Autism Transition Handbook; Update on DSM-5 & ASD; Questions To Ask Your Teacher's Child Before School Ends; Young Adults With Autism Lack Jobs

"If you keep focusing on disabilities, you're going to miss most of what makes us who we really are: our abilities." Jerry Komar, Founder and Editor Autism News and Views

Happy Birthday Devereux!!!

Devereux, a leading behavioral health care organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities, is celebrating their centennial this year.

Devereux was founded in 1912 by Helena T. Devereux. At the time, she was a young Philadelphia school teacher. From a small classroom, the organization she founded has grown into one of the largest providers in the nation.

Autism News and Views congratulates Devereux for their enduring vision. Thank you Devereux for what you do each and every day---serving and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. For more information on Devereux, visit http://www.devereux.org/


Devereux Provides Autism Transition Handbook
Devereux published a handbook and wiki to assist individuals with autism and their families to gain access to the most current and comprehensive information on the transition to adulthood. For more information, please visit http://www.autismhandbook.org/. You can also visit them on Facebook.