Write the letters to your congress

Lisa Wiederlight, author of the book One of the 88, has written a terrific form letter for those of us who watched yesterday's proceedings to send to our individual Congress members to underscore the importance on continuing the work begun 

yesterday on Capitol Hill. Please consider sending this to your Congress member in addition to sending your story to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to add to the Congressional Record.

(Find your Representative and Senators here:http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members.)

November 30, 2012

Dear Congressman/Congresswoman ___________

As a parent/grandparent/relative/friend of a child with autism, I was so pleased to learn about the hearing held on November 29th by the House Oversight and Government Reform Full Committee, 1 in 88 Children: A Look into the Federal Response to the Rising Rates of Autism. At the hearing, it became evident that more hearings are needed to discuss the Federal government’s response to the complex autism epidemic.

Though autism was recognized in yesterday’s hearing as a “public health crisis,” it is much more than that. Our elected officials not only need to understand how to improve the Federal government’s public health response to the epidemic, but also how to improve its response as it relates to the education, housing, employment, public safety, criminal justice, and financial issues facing persons with autism and their families. There are many more things we can and should do to help our children and their families.

Today I speak for many who cannot speak for themselves. A great number of children with autism have significant behavioral, communication, and social impairments that preclude them from participating in mainstream school and social activities. Many of these children also have comorbid medical issues that affect their ability to concentrate, focus, and perform activities of daily living.

Parents of children with autism are often overwhelmed with the financial implications of having more expenses for treatments, and less time to work. They are provided little guidance, and there is a lack of “best practices” on how to help children with autism become functioning members of society. Dreams of college, grandchildren, and retirement are pushed aside to focus on a variety of daily concerns, which may include toileting, communication, and social skills. And while there are certainly gifted, high-functioning adults with autism, there are also many adults with autism who are not as high functioning, who live with their aging parents, and who are unemployed, though they have much to give our society.

How can Congress address these issues more effectively, so that we can achieve a quantifiable difference in the lives of so many? Clearly, we need more hearings on each of the issues facing persons with autism and their families. Yesterday’s hearing was an important first step in working to ensure the human rights that our children deserve. I am looking forward to seeing more attention on the implications of the autism epidemic by the Congress in the coming year.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Name
Address

How to prevent wandering in Autism

Autism is an condition that affects over 1.5 million people in the U.S., including adults, and wandering is a behavior that is challenging for all. A generation ago, most children who were diagnosed with it were institutionalized. Thankfully, parents, schools, physicians and society in general now know most of the symptoms and behaviors of those afflicted, and can work with these individuals to ensure that they have a healthy and safe lifestyle. Without preparation for wandering, an individual can possibly leave the house and encounter dangerous circumstances. Preparing one's home, and taking measures to protect those with autism can give a sense of security to those that care for them

Preventing Wandering

As much as you may want to be there for your child or adult that you are offering caregiving to, there will be moments when you cannot supervise every second. Bathing, sleeping, working or just turning your back for a few moments to complete a task can allow enough time for your charge to walk out the front or back door and "elope" as wandering is sometimes called. The risks are real if the individual gets too far - overexposure to heat or cold, accidents involving traffic, and unfortunately, drowning. Here are a few tips to prevent the wandering:

1. Place a STOP sign on all doors and describe what it means, and that it is there to remind them to tell you if they want to go outside.
2. Install an alert system on doors and windows to notify you if either are opened.
3. Install a double-sided deadbolt on doors and do not allow the child or adult see where you keep the key.
4. Fence your yard.

Recovering a Wanderer

Should the child or adult with autism wander, there are methods to help you recover them more quickly.

1. Place a medical bracelet with name, address, phone number and note that the individual has autism, so that a person finding them can notify you at once.

2. Have the person wear a GPS device on their belt, wrist, or on a lanyard around their neck as a safety precaution.

3. Alert your neighbors of the person with autism's condition in case they happen to come upon them if they are out unsupervised.

4. If the autistic person does happen to wander, be prepared with a sheet that has a current photo and describes any identifying features, contact information, the individual's favorite songs, toys or hobbies, any sensory, medical or dietary issues, and the method of best communication to give to those looking.

5. Teach your child or adult with autism how to swim. Because those with autism are naturally drawn to water, to potential for them to want to seek out a pool, a lake or a stream is high. When they are prepared, they may be safer. Make sure the final swimming test is done with clothes on.

These steps may not prevent wandering, but an ID and a GPS device will help you greatly in recovering a person with autism who wanders.

Alecia Ormsby is a freelance writer with a great deal of experience in the healthcare arena, on many topics of interest.

Credit: http://EzineArticles.com/6368949

Italian Court: MMR Vaccine Causes Autism.

Italian Court: MMR Vaccine Causes Autism Italy's Hannah Poling, how many more? An Italian court ruled that the Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine caused autism when given to Valentino Bocca at 15-months of age. The Italian court reached the same conclusion about the MMR as the US Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in the case of Hannah Poling, and dozens of other cases identified in the study Unanswered Questions: A Review of Compensated Cases of Vaccine Induced Brain Injury. (See the study at http://www.ebcala.org/unanswered-questions) Don’t expect to see anything about this in the corporate media in the US. Below is an article on the decision from the UK’s Daily Mail. Just goes to show that the official position is, "Vaccine’s never cause autism--except when they do.” MMR: A mother's victory. The vast majority of doctors say there is no link between the triple jab and autism, but could an Italian court case reignite this controversial debate? Landmark ruling in an Italian court has said Valentino Bocca's autism was provoked by the MMR jab he had at aged nine months His parents have already been awarded £140,000 and could be paid an additional £800,000 in their case against the Italian government The case could set a precedent for many similar civil proceedings www.gmautismfoundation.org info@gmautismfoundation.org

Spring has sprung

Enjoying outdoors, hosting spring parties and sipping on refreshing drinks is so much more fun than being in the cold weather don't you think?

It’s hard to believe that Easter is already right around the corner! Add a splash of fun to your Easter desserts with this drink … fun, colorful and healthy for our kids… this fabulous recipe from our friends of positively splendids :)

Add 1 1/3 Cup Homemade Lemonade

For decoration you can use "enjoy life" chocolate chips and that's it :) ENJOY!!

Cheers!!

Credits: www.positivelysplendid.com

Will "Autistic" become the next pejorative?

by Melissa Teodorovic

The trailer for the movie 21 Jump Street was recently released, and even though some moments appeared to be funny, the laughs ended for many, when Ice Cube's character attempted to insult another by asking him if he was "autistic". The "joke" has upset many parents of children with autism, as well as many adults on the spectrum. Some have expressed that they fear it will potentially make way for others (especially young people) to think that it's acceptable to call someone "autistic" in order to insult their intelligence.

Have the awareness efforts of advocates made autism and autistic such household words, that they will have to fight not only for services, equality, and acceptance, but also for the prevention of carelessly demeaning what it means to be autistic? Or will they simply have to accept it, and move on?

According to the CDC 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder. What the makers of "21 Jump Street" (the movie) have ignored, is that for every 1 child/ person diagnosed there are at least 2-5 people fighting for that person's acceptance in society. Currently, many of these people are spreading the word to boycott 21 Jump Street http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232829/ for using the word "autistic" as an insult.

Going gluten free? What products to avoid

Photo by: Megan Finley

A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes foods containing gluten. Gluten is a specific type of protein found in wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, malts and triticale. It is used as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent, often as "dextrin". Going gluten free means avoiding these grains. A gluten free die is essential for most people with gluten allergies or celiac disease this condition can cause intestitan damage when gluten is eaten.

This is a list of ingredients/foods that do have Gluten, PLEASE AVOID these:

You need to read labels, some ingredients are obvious but remember some products have stealth gluten. Some labels says "100% gluten free"

• Wheat in all forms including: spelt, kamut, triticale (a combination of wheat and rye), durum, einkorn, farina, cake flour, matzo (or matzah), bran, couscous, malt (which is made from barley), rye, barley, seitan, hydrolized vegetable protein, semolina, wheat.

Do I need to say good bye to bread?

Yes also to Pizza, croissants, cakes, burger buns, scones, etc but don't despair, there are alternatives

And in the next days we will post some links with gluten free products.


Have a great day!!


GM Autism Blog Team

Gluten Free Tips

source

Substituting Gluten-Free Flour for Wheat Flour in Baked Goods

Gluten gives important properties to regular dough, so if you simply eliminate it without compensating for it in some way, you'll have disappointing results. Here are tips for successful baking with gluten-free flours.

How to make gluten free flours?

Ingredients:

2 cups rice flour

2/3 cup potato starch

1/3 cup tapioca flour

1 teaspoon xanthan gum

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir.


Use mixture in all your gluten free baking recipes. Store this mixture in a air-tight container. And stir well before use it.