December Vacation at the Paul Center

The following is copied from a flyer that I received:

This program is designed to provide families with a structured alternative for their child with disabilities during school vacations. The goals of the program are to provide respite care, recreational activities and to teach appropriate social, self-help and other skills of daily living. In addition to on-site activities, there will be appropriate off-site activities planned. When field trips are planned, there may be a small, additional fee for admission to the activity or event.

DATES: 12/27, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30
Students may register from 1 to all 4 days

TIME: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

ON-SITE ACTIVITIES: Cooperative Games, Visual Art and Dance Expression, Cooking, Baking and Outdoor Activities when weather permits

POSSIBLE OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES: Movies, Bowling,
and Pizza Party

COST: $70/day

Enrollment is limited! To register, please contact The Paul Center by phone at 978-256-4396 or through email at info@thepaulcenter.org

Autism Drugs?

An article that appeared in the November 11th issue of Technology Review reported on cell research conducted at the University of California, San Diego that involved taking skin cells from four females who have Retts Syndrome, a severe form of autism. Researchers discovered that the neurons derived from the Retts' subjects demonstrated certain abnormalities. The hope is that in the future drugs could be developed to reverse the abnormalities. To read the full article click this link: http: http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/26702/page1/.

Kids on the Spectrum and Handwriting

A study about ASD kids and handwriting was recently conducted at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. Teens with ASD tend to have struggles with handwriting. Here's the article: http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/645891.html

Autism and Genes

A study published on November 4, 2010 in the American Journal of Genetics found that people who have a specific change in one one of their chromosomes have a greater chance of developing autism or schizophrenia. To read the article check out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40073108/ns/health-mental_health/

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.