An epiphany of sorts

One day, many years ago, I was in the waiting room at my local rehab center waiting for my kids’ therapy appointments to begin. It was always a bit of a triumph to sit and wait out both of my kids’ appointments. I would schedule their OT and speech on the same day and have their sessions (or try at least) to coincide so that one child does not have to sit and wait for the other to finish, or at least for very long. Twice a week I would be there with my two young autistic kids waiting in the waiting room for this sort of “marathon round” of appointments. I would be there for almost two hours in the waiting room, myself.

On this one particular day, this one woman, who I had seen only once before, was waiting with her kids—and as I noted, she only had one child who attended therapy—as did most. She approached me while I was waiting out the ten minutes for my kids’ therapies to begin (but seemed like an hour with my two). I was in the middle of the crowded waiting room and trying not to pull my hair out (or worse, cry) because my kids were always so unruly in contrast to the other kids. I could tell that she wanted to say something to me and then finally conceded and said, ever so wholeheartedly, as in holding her hand to her heart while disclosing her ever so humble thoughts standing in the center of the crowd, “I can’t believe what you do! And for the first time I don’t feel bad about my situation. Thank you for making me feel so much better about my life.”

Oh, yes she did.

Now you might be thinking that my next few thoughts were something like: I was so shocked and dumbfounded that I just didn’t know what to say to her; can you imagine the audacity, the rudeness? How self-absorbed she must be and totally uncaring about my feelings … let’s face it, she just insulted my kids.

But, no. On the contrary, I smiled and agreed. You see I knew this woman’s state of mind—as I know the state of mind of almost everyone who has an autistic child. We are all "one" in this waiting room, even though very few people would admit to it or even talk about or ask about another person’s child (the autistic ones that is). I think we just kind of knew about the lives of our female, and some male, counterparts, so why go there. We talk about the weather, the other classes that our kids are in, the schools that they attend, but let's not go any further, shall we. It is a strange but unspoken rule …

So when this woman said this to me, I smiled because it was true and I was glad that she had this epiphany—of sort, and when she went home that evening I imagined that she would have had this very same discussion with her husband, Hey, Hun, we’re no longer in the crapper with our kid, because I’ve just met someone so much worse off than we are … Yahoo! And break out the champagne; we are free and more normal than we think!!

I was thinking that perhaps that was my job. To push her reality into a power and knowledge that she was not as bad off as she had once thought. And if she can be happier and a better friend, mother, wife because she saw my (much harder) life up close and personal, then Wow, I’ve done something wonderful here, and didn’t even try.

And just think how nice, thoughtful, caring and special she was to let me know it, because I imagine that there were quite a few people who looked at me and my life and thought, Phew, at least we don’t have a life like hers.

When the dust settles, then what?

It's the strangest feeling but I've never felt so bad in all my life. Not that I'm depressed because I’m really not; I really don't get depressed, actually. I know this because I’ve always had quite a bit to be depressed about but just never fell into that kind of hole. It’s a personality thing. If I felt bad about something, I would just become proactive and just fix what was making me feel bad in the first place. The best example of this is when I first learned that Meghan was autistic. Yes, of course it was upsetting, but instead of getting depressed or worse, going into denial, I was determined to make it all right. For her and for me. My mission was to fix her. I know that sounds ridiculous. How can I fix my child of her developmental disorder? But that is what I was going to do. Perhaps it was just my way of dealing with her diagnosis. I don’t know, but I thought that every scientist that was being paid to work toward helping “cure” autism (and very little because very little money was designated to autism at the time) that they were not as motivated as I was to cure the disability. I thought, give me a scientist who had an autistic child of their own and who was as committed to curing autism as I was at that very moment. And as far as I was concerned, the clock was ticking—she was three and I thought that I only had four more years to cure her. I know that you're thinking, “crazy,” but that is what I thought at the time. How arrogant right? Well no. In one of the many books that I’d read, one was “Let Me Hear Your Voice.” It was about a mother (just like me) who was determined to “cure” her daughter and did—as far as she was concerned. The only difference between her and me was that she was much richer and could pay for the same resource that I had to fight for from my local school system. But I do remember thinking that money would not stand in my way… and so was the journey of fighting for the future of my daugther—getting the best neurologists, phsychologists, ABA teachers, therapists, etc …

And if that wasn’t enough for me, my son was next on the "just diagnosed of a major development disorder" list. But I got mad, not depressed.

And when I knew that I needed a break from autism and all of its venom, I would take that break and either go on vacation—to recharge, or go to work.

My point here is that I would always be so charged up and determined to get out and do something—anything. The excitement of life was still alive and strong, even though I was living with two very real reasons to shut down and take cover. I was on the path of discovery and learning and challenging myself everyday. And I wouldn’t do it in a small way either. One day I was writing a book, yes, I had it in my mind and was determined to write a book (still working on it by the way) but I was in a slump; so, I remembered what an old college professor had once written, that when he had writers’ block he would write poetry. So, I started a fresh Microsoft word page and began to write a poem—and within seconds, literally, I had a much-needed-to-be-released poem with tears pouring down my face. I was not only amazed at what was coming out, but I was hooked because if made me feel so much better. It was the therapy that I, apparently, had needed but was too cheap to pay for the professional kind. One poem led to another and soon I had a small book of poetry. But I didn’t stop there. Nope. I needed more. So I contacted my old poetry college professor and told him about my new found love and need. The next thing I knew I was attending his readings, lectures, forums, and book signings—and wanted to have an affair with him, too, but let’s not go there (that’s a whole other psychological matter and post). Then he hooked me up to an old poetry tutor of his from France (she was from France, I didn’t go to France) and I was getting private tutoring. The goal: release a book or start a magazine. Neither was accomplished.

I guess that best way to describe that scenario was the old saying: this too shall pass.

See a trend here? Personality problem?

At the time I called it personal growth and development. And I did the same thing in the two business ideas that I was determined to start, developed and make successful. I just didn’t do things too small, I went full speed ahead and went for the gold, but settled for the bronze.

I guess the point that I’m trying to make is that now things are moving in all the right directions … personally and, to a very small degree, professionally--I like being a freelance reporter and when the economy is good, again, then I'm sure I will be happy doing just that. But in the meantime, I've got to find a way to get back my zest for life and that familiar zing for personal growth.

What happened to me? Do I just thrive on complexity? Maybe I'm just one of those people that need to be overwhelmed and overworked in order to see straight. I think so. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that I’m turning 42 next month. I just don’t know.

But my spell-check is not working, so that's interesting!!

Meghan and Round 2 And ABC News On Call Videos

Meghan came home for her second weekend since she’s been at school. This time it was a great success. She’s in a routine and now knows what to expect. There’s nothing like getting into a routine and a comfort level—for all of us. She knows home is a time to relax, unwind and realize the rigid demands of school are not applied to home life.

I want her to know that she is on a mini break for two weekends out of the month. A chance to breathe and, perhaps, reflect on what’s going on in her life; perhaps even appreciate the good opportunities that she has been given: a good school with excellent teachers to push her emotionally, academically, and behaviorally so that she can have a future.

Tough love, perhaps, or military-like school, I don’t know how one sees this sort of thing; but I do know that it was the only way for her (and for us) and I think that tough love is a whole lot better than giving in and raising a disobedient, disrespectful bully of a child/woman.

She was so happy this weekend. Giddy, more like. From the moment that she got off the van and grabbed my hand and led me back to our house, she knew she was home. A place to be among her family in a relaxed environment and comfortable—a vacation. She enjoyed watching television with us, playing around with Nick—they have their own way, and, of course, helping herself to the fridge. And when I said that she couldn’t have something, she backed down and put it away. This was very good—progress, in fact, because in the past (before residential school) she would have had her own way and fought me off full force.

So I am seeing progress: behaviorally, verbally and respectfully (at least this weekend).

And when it was time for her to go back to school, she took her own time to get ready, enjoyed her room and her private time just a little bit longer and when she was ready, she moved on. And when the van arrived and it was time for her to go, she waved goodbye with a sparkle in her eye and a most content smile on her face.

And for the first time, I didn’t feel like crying--until I wrote this post! Geesh!


Also, I loved these ABC News On-call Autism articles and quickie videos describing characteristics of autism and asperger syndrome (AS), especially the benefits of having AS.

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=autism&type=

What a Good IEP Meeting Looks Like

I have a new oxymoron for you: Good IEP meeting.

Wow. At least it was for me this time. In the past Nick’s meetings were always more … condescending, in a way. Meaning that the teachers and specialists just didn’t see what I/we had seen in Nick, and if they didn’t see it, then they didn’t believe it. So, it would always be so damn frustrating and I would always leave a meeting with fear and angst. Nick is not as disabled as you might think due to his debilitating shyness, but unless school had seen what we had seen and knew of our son, then they wouldn’t offer him more opportunities at school, both socially and academically.

At last years’ IEP meeting I actually brought in my laptop and showed them a video that I had taped of Nick talking to me about various things during different times while he was home. They were blown away. They just didn’t see him open up, speak and ask questions at school; so, why would they believe me that he does it at home? Right?

You know what they always say: a teacher (school) will never believe a parent and, therefore, not listen. I think that our neurologist (at the time) even admitted that fact.

Sure, all parent toot their kids’ horn more than they should, but I’m not the one suffering from denial about my kids; but I am suffering from an acute opposition to ignorance, complacency and labeling.

This year’s IEP meeting introduced a bountiful of good ideas and opened up more choices and opportunities for him. Not only because he has met all of his goals, but, also because they are finally seeing what I see at home, although on a much smaller scale, but they finally know that he is capable of more.

So push, push, push for more and let this boy start to shine …

I pushed for even more typical peer interaction, a buddy group with his typical peers in speech therapy. Check!
Pushed for a stronger movement in his academics—and we will work with him at home, too. Check!
A push to introduce him to more information, studies and learning styles so that we can learn what he likes/dislikes, etc. Check!

On occasion the members of this roundtable were all talking at once because there was so much more excitement and enthusiasm in the air, the air of humility and some good old-fashioned thinking outside the box for the hopes of one boy.

Now this is why a teacher becomes a teacher? No? I mean I’ve heard the tale before: The myth of a teacher sparked by ambition and believing in the dreams and hopes of their students and to help them become all that they can be; no matter the extra work or sacrifice the teacher must bear. I finally saw it for myself and, frankly, I wasn’t sure it actually existed. The rebel, the history maker, the crusader; is this not the embodiment of a good teacher?

I am also learning that there are great opportunities for him in high school next year. Even though he has to stay in a specialized special needs program because he’s not academically level with his typical peer group, he can move out and mainstream where we see fit … and since there are a lot more programs offered in our high school …

But I will still need to continue to push and advocate for him the whole way through; but then, that’s not my problem now is it?

I feel like Obama right now: I’m running on hope and YES WE CAN!!


Special Note: the preceding positive feelings are subject to change--next year.
But the hope and advocacy never will.

Shots

Nick had a doctors’ appointment yesterday and he had to have the dreaded shots, yes, that’s plural. He was so nervous but kept it together; in fact, I didn’t know how nervous he was until the nurse told me that his blood pressure was reading a little high. I knew it had to be the possibility of a shot that was making him so nervous because he kept asking me if he had to get a shot and I answered him correctly “I don’t know.” Well I kind of knew that he was getting a flu shot because he is prone to asthma and it would be best for him, so I kind of lied.

But when the nurse confirmed that he was to have 2 shots including the flu shot, I told him the truth right away: “Nick you have to have two shots today, okay.” I explained the flu shot, but he already knew about that one and then I told him about the other and he said “Okay” to the doctor, like a brave soldier. If it were I, I would be tearing up and begging NOOOO!

But we all knew that he was slightly nervous (or petrified) because his blood pressure twice read 130/80, higher than it should be. So the nurse and doctor thought it would be best to take it a third time after the dreaded shots.

So much weighing in on these shots … now isn’t there?

When it was time he started to take it like a “man” oh, how I hate that expression, I don’t believe anyone should have to take anything like a man, even a man.

I forewarned him not to look at the needle, just turn away and you won’t feel the pinch as much. It didn’t work, because he kept watching the needle and moved his body away as if the nurse was trying to stab him, so I got on the other side of him and turned his face toward mine and he did finally surrender by stiffening his head and squeezing his eyes shut while looking toward me and I couldn’t help but hold his cheek toward me and kiss his forehead every time we heard the nurse say “a slight pinch …”

Just like a mom would do for her little boy, even one at 14. No difference.

Then his blood pressure went back to normal. All good! And a war story for Nick to tell!

I have a war of my own this morning with the dreaded IEP meeting. I’d rather have a stab in the arm than the shots that I'll have to take today.

Mission, Goal, Obstacles in Special Ed

Warning: this email contains the idea of some foul language. But I’m a mom of a kid in special ed (Life Skills), so WHAT do you expect!!??

I’m on a new road and I'm going to hunt down—like a mad dog—a neuropshyologist if it’s the last thing I do today. HA! mad woman alert on the hunt for Red October (so to speak).

Mission: find a neurophysiologist who will actually help me w/o it costing me my shirt. This doctor must be willing to work and offer me "real" suggestions not “Well I don’t really know what programs are best for him, perhaps you could look around!!” Okay, OKAY! The last time I was "hunting" one doctor actually told me (full of sarcasm but dead serious) that if I were looking to change my career that this would be a good field to go into … “so I can’t help you but have a nice day!” Not good!

Goal: to find a school program or technical studies for Nick so that he has a future. My kid is falling through the cracks and I’m not gonna take it anymore!!

Obstacles: ass**** doctors who will tell me to pay and pay big out of pocket or no dice. Bast***s. The last time I tried this, I got an 800.00 bill for a 10-minute (yes, that’s 10 WHOLE MINUTES) interview, just an interview. Even the hospital administrator thought that it was an outrage, so he charged me 150.00 instead. WTF!!

Okay, yes, I’m angry. But my kid is not being taught at school. He has a new teacher this year and apparently--not very good. He is totally being "underworked" and underachieving, and to be honest--nobody really cares.

I need real answers and real resources so that I know that my son is on some kind of a track, any track, for a real future. Because when I’m sitting down tomorrow morning with his school (teachers, specialists, director of special ed) for his IEP meeting (gotta love those) I want to know why he came home from school with 2nd grade work under his belt. Bull****! Even Nick thought it was, um, a bit easy! "No Mom, don't say anything, I don't mind!!"

We all know too well that special education has its issues. If we, as parents (and as advocates) don’t stay on top of it (them), then nothing will ever be achieved for our kids.

I will give a very good example: One day last year Nick was supposed to have a field trip and his special ed teacher wrote a nice little note stating that since they really didn’t have the resources (meaning extra staff to attend the field trip with the kids) then they were not going to have our group of kids (meaning special ed) attend this field trip to Camp Wing (to learn great things). So if you just sign this permission slip stating that you agree with me that our kids will just stay at school and not attend (this wonderful program) but instead we will do something fun in lieu of not going. Okay, sorry and thank you very much. Signed, The Teacher.

Hahahahah (hysterical laugh, Mommy hysterically laughing here), who do (she, they) think they're f***ing with, anyway???

Well apparently I was the only parent who wrote a not so friendly email to the teacher, director, her director and superintendent (and would have sent one to the president of the United States if I had his email)--shaking mad that it took me 5 minutes just to type One. Clean. Sentence. My response went something like:

I am a very, very angry parent right now and that this is an outrage and violates my son’s civil rights, but you already know that—don’t you. There was obviously no planning that was involved in this field trip, thus, no plan to attend in the first place. I think we all know what needs to be done here to rectify this situation. If this is not addressed and rectified immediately, I will be contacting the Department Of Education and the Department of Civil Rights to officially complain. You have a chance to do the right thing. Again, I am a very, very angry parent.

So what happened, well you probably already know the a** kissing that went on … and the teacher was, um, thrown under the bus, of course. But, of course, my son went on the field trip and was just one out of two boys in special ed who went on that field trip with their typical peers--which ended up being wonderful for those boys and a lifetime memory.

Too bad for the other kids and too bad about their foolish, foolish parents! Now that’s sad!

I bring this up because there was a field trip to John Quincy Adams house for history class today, which Nick is very interested in visiting and learning about, hence all of his questions about John Adams and John Quincy Adams the other day.

Tour the house yourself here

... And you thought you would just get fearless bitching with this post!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away because my baby is getting autism

Victory for Obama, Yahooo! What an earth-moving celebration. This morning headlines read all about the celebrations that happened all across the U.S, including outside at the White House—reports have said they haven’t seen anything like it before. Wow!!

What a good escape from this other headline news that rainfall could now be the culprit for causing autism. Yeah, back to our reality. Yikes. I think I’ve heard it all now …

For all of you adding up all of the possible causes of autism from researchers over the years, this is certainly a newbie!! Reported by Reuters …

Children who live in the U.S. Northwest's wettest counties are more likely to
have autism, but it is unclear why, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

No more are the days that I sit down and think back to all of the things that I could have done wrong during my pregnancies or exposed my babies to vile things like household chemicals, tuna fish that I may have eaten or given to them. But rain, hey, I couldn’t have controlled the rain so sigh of relief!!?

The researchers said their study supports this idea.

Perhaps infants and toddlers are kept are kept indoors in front of the TV more in rainy climates, and that somehow causes brain changes, they said. Or perhaps they breathe in more harmful chemicals while indoors.

Vitamin D deficiency caused by insufficient time in the sun might also be a
trigger, they said.

"Finally, there is also the possibility that precipitation itself is more directly involved," they wrote. Perhaps a chemical or chemicals in the upper atmosphere are transported to the surface through rain or snow.

My head is spinning!!! Thank God I’m not one of those neurotic mothers. But I’m starting to feel bad for all of those brand new moms worried to death that their kids could get autism.

Tell me something. Wasn’t New Jersey one of those states with a high rate of autism a few years back? I thought I remember hearing that?

Anyway, here is the full story report from Reuters,’ Autism Linked to Rain Study in case you missed it yourself.

Let me know what YOU think??

Something In The Air Today

What a nice day it was today! The weather was so fine at 64 degrees give or take, but for the NE that is just grand for this time of year. Especially when I had to scrape off the frost from my car yesterday morning and staring at the temperature gage haunting me at 32 degrees.

I really do like the fall, after the shock that summer is over, and it is on a day like today that I (we all) really can enjoy the fall. Mild weather, beautiful shades of reds and yellows glowing from the trees. Soon snow will be the only thing glowing, but enjoy this while it lasts.

Next to the weather being fine, Nick and I were off doing our errands for the day. Nick had off because of voting today. This is the first time the local schools in my area have designated no school on voting day due to safety reasons. So fine. Nick will come with me to vote and learn a thing or two. Or maybe not ... but that comes later.

First stop to any daily activity, of course, was … now all together yell…

A STARBUCKS VISIT. Yes, very good!!

And as I pulled up through the drive thru, where I say my hellos because I’m a regular and (sadly) I know (almost) everyone by name, I got a freebie. Yup, giving them away for voting day. Now how about that for another good start of the afternoon!!

Then next was a visit to Staples. I needed to have a few copies of my resume printed up because my printer needs more ink and I’m too cheap to buy some right now. So on the check out he asked me for my REWARDS card and I told him NO because that would require additional work of filling out the paperwork. Not that I'm that lazy, it’s just not worth doing since I don’t go to Staples that often. And it’s not like other rewards card where they just hand it to you. So the guy offered to fill out the form for me since he had my resume anyway and just handed me my new rewards card.

Oh, presents!!

Next stop was the voting booth where there was absolutely NO LINE … Just walked right in and right thru. Yummy!

Then to the supermarket where I saved 20 dollars (rewards card) on my groceries w/o even trying ... this time. Extra Yummy!

So what was it about today? Oh, I think I know …

They best way to describe today was how Nick put it while we were just starting out driving to our destination:

Me: We have to go vote today, Nick.
Nick: Yeah, no more Bush, he’s a dummy!
Me: (HAhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!) No comment.
Nick: I mean he wasn’t good.
Me: You are so right; he wasn’t a very good president! But today we get to vote for Obama and set the world right! (I mean left).
Me: did you vote at school yesterday?
Nick: Yeah.
Me: Who did you vote for?
Nick: McCain
Me: (Whhaaaaaaaattt!!! ) Oh, really! Why?
Nick: I don’t know!
Me: Well you must know why?
Nick: (smirk) Sarah Palin
Me: (OMG)

"HAPPY" VOTING IS IN THE AIR!!

Activities and Resources for Kids on the Autism Spectrum

I’ve posted a comment on Autism Blogger because someone had asked “What are some good activities for autistic kids.” My response was something like as follows:

I think swimming is a great activity for all areas of the autism spectrum. It's great exercise plus it's a great resource for sensory and deep pressure needs. My kids have always come out of the pool feeling better, calmer and more engaged. If you have an in-door community pool or a YMCA in your community, then this is definitely worth it. My area community pool costs us about $5.00 per person to swim and we pay as we go.

Community autism-sponsored programs like the Arc, Autism Community Resources or similar groups (look around) sponsoring activities in your area like music or yoga classes, free day camp, hayrides in the fall, and Christmas party events that are specifically designed for autistic kids—and a lot of these programs are donated or privately funded so they are free for your kids. I remember one event that we participated in through the Autism Community Resources (events for autistic kids and their siblings--so typical peers would also attend). It was a hayride at a farm, which was very nice, and then they hosted a HUGE campfire and offered hot dogs, hot chocolate and other fun foods, like smoors. Then all the kids sang songs around the campfire. It was a great evening. Other events have been day camps (packed with activities and music events) and I think we even saw Seusical the Musical through this group at a theatre, intended to include autistic kids. It's a great organization! And such great people!!

Even some community programs for typical kids like karate, or wall climbing is great for kids with autism, and are usually welcoming—my son has had some great instructors who have helped him “fit in.” And the kids in the class learn to be welcoming, helpful and friendly. So don’t be afraid to talk to the instructor and ask.

Social skills classes are also a great find if you find them for a reasonable amount of money. Most (at least in my area) are at least 50.00 a group session, but sometimes group organizations (like the Arc) offer them for much less by a qualified special ed teacher. My son has enjoyed these classes for fun peer interaction (game playing, etc.) and has benefited by learning social skills.

A friend of mine, who has a son with aspergers, loves to play an instrument in the band. He does well and fits right in. As she has quoted "Who knew!"

Autism Community Resources in Southeastern Mass.
http://www.community-autism-resources.com/

Autism Community Resources in Western Mass.
http://www.communityresourcesforautism.org/matriarch/default_crpa.asp

The Arc of the United States, for a chapter near you.
http://www.thearc.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=207&srcid=1386

Google autism resources or community resources for your area.

Palm Beach Walk Now for Autism: A Message From Autism Speaks

2009 Walk Now for Autism Palm Beach County Saturday, February 21, 2009Flagler Drive in West Palm BeachCheck-in 8:30 AM - Walk Start 10 AM

The Palm Beach Walk Now for Autism is set for Saturday, February 21, 2009 on Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. Join us for a family friendly, non-competitive walk and a morning of fun for the entire family. Register today and start your fund raising to support the mission of Autism Speaks. Everyone that raises over $500 will be entered into a drawing for a prize from Autism Speaks.

Help Kick-off the 2009 Palm Beach Walk Season! Please join us and our Corporate Visionary Sponsors on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Palm Beach Airport Hilton at the Palm Beach School for Autism and Fetterman and Associates for this exciting Kick-off Luncheon where you will receive all the tools you need to be part of the 2009 Palm Beach Walk Now for Autism and learn more exciting news about Autism Speaks. Find more information and RSVP.

Walk Team News: Congratulations to David McKibbin (a young man with ASD) for starting the first Palm Beach County Student Club for Autism Speaks at Bak Middle School of the Arts. Recently we spent a day at the school talking to students about autism and how student involvement can change the lives of everyone at the school. Meet David at the Kick-off Luncheon on December 3. The Bak Student Club for Autism Speaks has already started their fund raising efforts by selling candy during lunch. We want to spotlight you and your team fund raising efforts! Send your fund rasing story to palmbeach@autismspeaks.org and see it in an upcoming email blast.

Providers Wanted: If you are or have a provider that you think would like to join our resource fair on walk day please let us know. Part of the event is to provide families with great information about local community resources. From therapists to programs to adaptive music and sports; we want to know about it and share it with our families. Providers can contact us at palmbeach@autismspeaks.org or call 800-610-6227 for more information.

Family Services: So much has been going on within Family Services that it is hard to keep up! The School Tool Kit is being used by many schools to help school personnel from the principals to the bus drivers to understand autism and how to best work with and communicate with children who have ASD and Aspergers. View and download the The School Tool Kit now.

The 100 Day Tool: Kit for newly diagnosed families is now available in Spanish! This is a wonderful resource for families when they first get the news that their child has Autism. Take a look and please share with families that you know would benefit from having this information in Spanish.

Science: The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) is a repository (gene bank) of genetic and clinical information that is made available to autism researchers worldwide. AGRE is currently recruiting families that have two or more children diagnosed on the autism spectrum (autism, PDD-NOS, ASD or Asperger’s syndrome). Find out how you can participate and other exciting science news.

Don't forget to register today for the Kick-off event on December 3, 2008 and the 2009 Palm Beach Walk Now for Autism on Saturday, February 21, 2009. Together we can find the missing pieces to the mysteries of autism!We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,
The 2009 Walk Leadership