ASA to be featured on ION TV for Today's Family Show Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 11:02:36 -0500 (CDT) If you are unable to view the message below, please go to http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=k0OkBrJAVEUrVzbqgLBoAg.. . MessageViewer ASA-Net: the Autism Society of America's e-newsletter August 3, 2007 ASA News ASA to be featured on ION TV for Today's Family Show ASA will be featured along with other non-profits with broad local reach on the ION TV channel in the Raleigh-Durham and Salt Lake City markets for 4 Mondays in August (5:30 Eastern; 4:30 Mountain). The show, part of the Today's Family series produced by PTG studios, is entitled "Touching Hearts, Changing Lives" and includes a call to action for Americans to get involved in their local communities. The show is a joint effort of ASA and PTG to raise awareness of autism and how families live with autism today. It features ASA Howard County member Debbie Clutts and her son, Matthew. Dennis Debbaudt, an ASA "Safe and Sound" consultant and national law enforcement trainer, is also featured. Please contact your local cable operator or ASA's website to see other markets carrying the show. Easter Seals and the Autism Society of America (ASA) Launch New Partnership Easter Seals and the Autism Society of America (ASA) have created a new partnership that will address the significant needs of individuals with autism and their families. The partnership was formally announced at ASA's 38th National Conference in Phoenix on July 12. Easter Seals, as the nation's leading provider of services and support for children and adults living with autism today, and ASA, as the largest and oldest autism advocacy and family support organization in the world, bring a unique wealth of knowledge and services to the many people, families and professionals who face autism and its many challenges across the lifespan. Together, the two established and grassroots organizations have crafted a shared vision and plan to pilot programs and initiatives that will help improve the lives of individuals living with autism. For more information about Easter Seals services for individuals with autism, visit www.easterseals.com/autism. ASA's New Treatment-Guided Research Initiative (TGRI) Advisor Dr. Martha Herbert on CNN Dr. Martha Herbert, ASA's TGRI Research Advisor, co-chair of ASA's Environmental Health Advisory Board and member of our Panel of Professional Advisors, appeared on CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer on Monday, July 30th, to comment on the broader picture of neurotoxins on the incidence of autism in light of the State of California's report on pesticide use and autism. The video segment can be viewed at: http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=GbxoT7cvcltqCxms6xiROA.. . Multimedia Recordings From ASA National Conference Now Available Approximately half of the presentations at the 38th ASA National Conference were recorded in multimedia format, capturing the speaker's voice and slides. These sessions are marked by an asterisk (*) in the conference program. All of these recordings are now available online and will soon be available on DVD. Over a dozen other sessions will soon be available in audio or video format, as soon as we receive publishing permission from those speakers. Handouts in PDF format will ultimately be available for all recorded presentations, and for some of the non-recorded sessions too. Purchasing access to the multimedia recordings now guarantees automatic access to the related audio and PDF files when they are available. Use this link to purchase sessions: http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=nfaK4O4_aptJmcQzQnTRnw.. Advocacy ADA Restoration Act Introduced New Legislation Will Afford Extra Protection Against Discrimination to Americans With Disabilities The promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act is still unfulfilled for too many Americans. Over the years, the courts have chipped away at ADA protections, ruling that employers can find a person "too disabled" to do the job but "not disabled enough" to be protected by the law. This is especially burdensome for individuals with epilepsy, diabetes, HIV, cancer, hearing loss and mental illness who manage their disabilities with medication, prosthetics and hearing aids. Under this rationale, they are viewed as "too functional" to have a disability and thus are denied ADA's protection from employment discrimination. This "catch-22" has seriously eroded the rights of people with disabilities under the ADA. On July 26, 2007, Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced legislation to correct this problem. The ADA Restoration Act would require the courts to focus on whether a person has experienced discrimination "on the basis of disability," rather than forcing the person with a disability to first demonstrate that they are substantially limited in some major life activity. To write your Member of Congress to urge support of the ADA Restoration Act, visit the ASA website at http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=ZtL_QsSpyCXIbtn37usV9Q.. and click on news or search the advocacy page. U.S. House of Representatives Agrees to Amendment adding $10 million for Lifespan Respite to the FY 08 House Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Bill Representatives Ferguson (R-NJ) and Langevin (D-RI) were successful in getting the House to pass an amendment setting aside $10 million for Lifespan Respite in the FY 08 House spending bill when it came to the floor for a vote last week, getting the program back on track for implementation next year. The process, however, is far from over as the President has threatened to veto the overall spending bill. But for now, there is strong Congressional Record language from our House Congressional champions on the use of the funds for Lifespan Respite and we will work to make sure it is retained during the rest of the legislative process. For more information, visit www.archrespite.org/nrc.htm. President Bush Releases New Freedom Initiative Progress Report On July 26, 2007, on the 17th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, President George W. Bush released the 2007 New Freedom Initiative Progress Report, which outlines many of the achievements that have taken place since the last report was issued in 2004. The new report is the most comprehensive document of its kind in the history of this Administration, literally almost double the size of the last report. The New Freedom Initiative, launched in February 2001, is the President's agenda for advancing equality of opportunity and access for this nation's more than 50 million Americans with disabilities. In addition to the report highlighting a number of accomplishments, of significant note is a series of next steps that federal agencies are committing to taking to continue making progress in the lives of people with disabilities. To read the 2007 New Freedom Initiative Progress Report in its entirety, visit: http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=ySn6NI4Z6pU31ijH1FC8Sw.. Congressman Yarmuth Introduces Autism Legislation to Guarantee Students with Autism a Quality Education in Kentucky On July 30th, 2007, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced the Empowering Children with Autism through Education Act, which will help schools and local education agencies identify the most effective classroom strategies for educating students with autism. "The number of children diagnosed with autism is escalating at an alarming rate," Congressman Yarmuth said. "Yet, our methods of working with these children have failed to adequately address the challenges confronting them. This legislation will lead to solutions that ensure all children get a quality education and realize their vast potential." The legislation has been endorsed by Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT). Research New Study Reveals Higher Rates of Autism When Mothers are Exposed to Pesticides New research from California suggests that children whose mothers lived near applications of the organochlorine pesticides endosulfan and dicofol during the first trimester of pregnancy are at significantly greater risk for developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The new study, "Maternal Residence Near Agricultural Pesticide Applications and Autism Spectrum Disorders Among Children in the California Central Valley," funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was conducted by researchers from the California Department of Health Services and the Public Health Institute in Oakland, California. Researchers found the incidence of ASD among children born to mothers living near the locations of highest use of organochlorine insecticides during the first trimester of pregnancy to be 6.1 times the incidence for mothers not exposed to these chemicals. "This is a very large effect," said Susan Kegley, Senior Scientist at the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA). "While it's just a single study, there are not many environmental exposures with such a high correlation to incidence of disease." While once popular, little dicofol or endosulfan are used today, relative to other insecticides. Complete research results can be found on the State of California Department of Public Health's website at http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=wpi-z_ywC1OQtGuJtwgr3w.. . Autism Study Offers Hope (Condensed from the Baltimore Sun, July 21, 2007) A study at Baltimore's Kennedy Krieger Institute revealed that half of children with autism can be diagnosed not long after their first birthday - nearly two years earlier than it has been reliably diagnosed before. Researchers, who still don't know exactly what causes autism, know this much: Early diagnosis leads to earlier intervention, which they hope can change the course of an autistic child's life. The study, whose findings were published this month in the Archives of General Psychiatry, looked at 125 children from the age of 14 months until 36 months, most of whom were siblings of children with autism. Dr. Rebecca Landa, the study's lead author and director of Kennedy Krieger's Center for Autism and Related Disorders, and her team can now spot many cases of autism from 14 months. The key, she said, is to devise guidelines for what parents and pediatricians should look for at that age to get the treatment started, trying to retrain the brain while it is at its most malleable. Specific therapies for this young age also need to be developed. For the full story, visit http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=aVLHpvKqYm6Dt_2HUoGZ9A.. . Conferences Upcoming AAIDD Region IX Conference Mark your calendars now to attend the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Region IX Conference on September 6-7, 2007, at the Willow Valley Conference Center and Resort in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Keynote Speaker will be Steven M. Eidelman, the University of Delaware's first Robert Edelsohn Chair in Disabilities Studies and former executive director of The Arc of the United States. There will be many exciting presentations on a variety of timely topics. Mention AAIDD when you make your hotel reservations in order to receive the discount rates, which apply to Wednesday and Thursday evenings (September 5-6, 2007). All are welcome to attend. Please join us for this exciting conference! Registration for the conference closes the week of August 27, 2007. For more information, please contact Michael Powanda at (717) 541-8322 or mpowanda@keystonehumanservices.org. Autism Resources Updated Parent Handbook Available The newest edition of the popular "starter" parent handbook, "Crossing Bridges: A Parent's Perspective on Coping After a Child is Diagnosed with Autism/PDD," has been reprinted and is available from the Autism Society of New Hampshire. A compassionate and honest guidebook written by three mothers for parents whose child is newly diagnosed with autism/PDD, the aim of the book is to educate, validate, and empower parents of children diagnosed with autism/PDD; foster an appreciation of the many challenges faced by children with autism and their families; serve as a multi-faceted "quick-read" for professionals; and provide general autism/PDD awareness. To order this book visit: http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=qtJM1Wf3fL0XhXlU-PuX3g.. New Social Storybook Titles Help Kids on the Spectrum Get Ready for School and More Natural Learning Concepts clarifies daily routines and teaches children to navigate the social rules with its popular set of "Now I Get It!" Social Storybooks. The "Now I Get It!" series illustrates, addresses and explains everything from playtime activities to difficult concepts, such as anger management, transitions, public behavior and more. Each Social Storybook is clearly presented, with delightful illustrations featuring a child protagonist with an autism-spectrum point of view, as he navigates a world that is sometimes confusing or intimidating. The upcoming titles, 'Getting Ready for School' and 'Getting Ready for Bed,' teach independence skills and removes stress from the early morning and evening routines for parents and children. The other new Social Storybook titles, 'I Don't Understand' and 'Getting Help, Giving Help,' guide children in asking for assistance and how to give it in return. Each Social Storybook costs $9.95 and includes two social skill stories that address typical daily challenges in the life of a child with autism. Through the end of August, Natural Learning Concepts is offering a 25% discount on the purchase of these two new titles from their website (http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=SgzqBrt449LmTUMKm4MTrA.. ). Autism Resources ASA Northern Virginia Chapter and Walk for Autism-Virginia Team up to Benefit Local Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders The Autism Society of America Northern Virginia Chapter (ASA-NV) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Walk for Autism Virginia (Walk). ASA-NV will host the 3rd annual Walk for Autism Virginia on Saturday, October 13th, 2007, at the Prince William County Fairgrounds in Manassas, Virginia. The Autism Walk, Resource Fair and Family Fun Event will help raise awareness about the increasing frequency of autism and fund educational scholarships for children in the Northern Virginia area. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the walk beginning at 11 a.m. There is no registration fee, and all walkers will receive an autism awareness bracelet. The 2007 5K Walk/Fun Run will include a resource fair, D.J., moon bounce, face painting, silent auction, tasty treats, and plenty of kids' activities. Various local and national companies will exhibit at the resource fair to provide information about products and services available to families with ASD children. Full information about the Walk for Autism Virginia is at http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=kD8njVBWH39KR1wmc6fk4g.. . For walk registration information, contact info@walkforautismva.org. For information about corporate sponsorships and exhibiting at the 2007 Walk, contact Christine Hoch at executivedirector@asanv.org. Autism Day at Jubilee Farm Autism Day, an annual event for families touched by autism, will be held on Aug 11th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at community-supported Jubilee Farm in Carnation, WA. Owners Erick & Wendy Haakenson donate use of their land for Autism Day on the 2nd Saturday of August each year. Autism Day has games, activities, hayrides, an industrial-sized slip-n-slide, and a donation-per-plate picnic on the porch catered by Sherm's BBQ using produce from the farm. Lynne Banki, event coordinator, expects this year's attendance to swell to 100 families from all over the greater Seattle area. Autism Day is open to the public and admission is free. The first 300 attendees receive a free event t-shirt. Over 30 different companies host various individual activities for the children. Come relax in a beautiful setting with other families who understand. Hope to see you down on the farm! For more information about Autism Day, please contact Lynne Banki, publisher of son Caspian's book What Autism Means to Me, at 425-313-5752 or at http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=1U1mX2HxJ9sClxAxjUKLJw.. . Autism Society of America 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 301.657.0881 or 1.800.3AUTISM