Autism Therapy for Babies

A new pilot program targeting infants with autistic tendencies has been created at the University of California, Davis Medical Center. The "Infant Start" program is based on a daily therapy of games and pretend play for toddlers on the Spectrum. Researchers at UC adapted it for infants. The hope is that by intervening even earlier, some ASD developmental tendencies may be curtailed or diminished. Read about it in this New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/health/02autism.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hpw

Upcoming Workshops

Upcoming Workshops from the Autism 101 Series
November 9
What is ABA?

November 16
Accessing Public Support

November 23
An Overview of Medical Issues in Autism

Workshop times are 10 AM - 12 PM in West Boylston.
The series is open to all families.
To register or for more information visit www.autismresourcecentral.org.

New Link!

I've added a new link to the "ASD Agencies, Groups, and Resources" page:
Sensory Smart Parent
http://www.sensorysmartparent.com/
This online resource is for parents and caregivers of kids with sensory issues. Often kids on the autism spectrum do have sensory challenges and this web site provides tips and advice.

Night of Too Many Stars

From the Autism Speaks blog:
Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education is hosted by Jon Stewart and will air at 9 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. PDT. During the airing of “Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education” on COMEDY CENTRAL, viewers who call in to a celebrity operated phone bank and make a donation of $100 or more to the program will receive a complimentary White Castle Original Slider®-Scented Candle. Comedians include Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and many, many more. Viewers will be urged to call in to a celebrity phone bank to make donations. Answering the phones during the broadcast will be many of the comedians as well as George Clooney, Larry David and Jimmy Kimmel. Autism Speaks receives 10 percent of all proceeds. Check your local listings.

5th Annual Haunt for a Cure

The Haunt is a family friendly festival created and conducted by students at Chelmsford High School. There are games, music, food, and themed cabins to visit.

5th Annual Haunt for Autism

Sunday, October 24, 2010

12 PM to 5 PM

The Paul Center
39 Concord Rd.
Chelmsford, MA

Admission:
$5 per person
Children under age 2 - FREE
$20 maximum admission per family
Add $3 for the Haunted Trail
*Proceeds benefit Autism Speaks and The Paul Center

For more information:
http://www.thepaulcenter.org/files/Print_Flyer_2010.pdf
http://www.thepaulcenter.org/

Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid

This announcement was passed on to me from someone that works at LifeLinks:

Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid! November 9, North Andover, 7 p.m., and November 10th, Tyngsborough Elementary School, 7 p.m. Gina and Patty, real-life sisters and local authors of Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid! – A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children, discuss the humorous yet heartwarming side of raising imperfect "special" children in a world pre-occupied with perfection. For more information about the Andover night, visit The North Andover Parent Advisory Council (http://www.northandoverpublicschools.com/nahs/nahs_pac.cfm). For more information about the Tyngsborough speaking event, visit The Tyngsborough SEPAC (http://sepac.tyngsboroughps.org). Hear more about the Movement of Imperfection at www.shutupabout.com.

Another Article About Autism and Siblings

"Science News" had an article posted on Oct. 8th on its site. According to the article, siblings of children with autism may have milder ASD symptons that can go undiagnosed. Often many of these siblings are girls.
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2010/10/08/siblings-of-autistic-children-may-share-some-symptoms.html