Far more children have autism than previously thought according to new study by respected Cambridge University's Autism Study Centre. The study shows as many as one in 60 children has some form of the condition. [Source: dailymail]
"Ábalta opened in September, 2001, with six students. Four of these children had, prior to attending Ábalta, been educated in home-based ABA programmes. The other two children had been receiving other types of autism services.
Ábalta School expanded in 2003 to cater for 12 children at a site in Cuan Glas in Galway. In 2005 Ábalta School opened an additional facility in Newcastle in Galway to cater for an additional six children. Ábalta currently caters for 18 children and has had four of its students transfer into mainstream services.
"This paper is geared toward parents of newly diagnosed autistic children and parents of young autistic children who are not acquainted with many of the basic issues of autism."
By James B. Adams, Ph.D., Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D., Autism Research Institute, San Diego, California Temple Grandin, Ph.D., Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Autism Research Institute, San Diego, California
The AAP strongly believes in the importance of early and continuous surveillance and screening for ASD to ensure that children are identified and receive access to services as early as possible. The sooner autism is identified, the sooner an intervention program can start.
"...Some 79 children in Sligo, Leitrim, west Cavan and Donegal are facing a 14-month wait to see the one consultant child and teenage psychiatrist based in Letterkenny." [source: Irish Independent]
For more than 40 years, ARI has devoted its work to conducting research, and to disseminating the research-based information on the possible triggers of autism and on methods of diagnosing and treating autism to parents, professionals around the world.
April 2009: A Derry woman says she's horrified that a group of bullies used her seven year-old autistic nephew as a "human skittle". [source: www.derryjournal.com]
"The Children's Rights Alliance is a coalition of over 90 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to secure the rights and needs of children in Ireland, by campaigning for the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It aims to improve the lives of all children under 18, through securing the necessary changes in Ireland's laws, policies and services.".
Department of Education Circular: Home Tuition Scheme 2009/2010
This circular is intended to provide information in relation to the Home Tuition Scheme.
"Our mission is to provide evidence-based behavior analytic services to learners with autism and other developmental disabilities through direct services and training of family members and educators. We accomplish this by insuring that the learner’s progress occurs through the arrangement of teaching environments which are mostly positive and arranged to ultimately allow the learner to continue to develop language and other skills in typical community and family settings.
Our Guiding Principles
"The following red flags may indicate a child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder, and is in need of an immediate evaluation.".
"What is 'Learning Together'? Learning Together is a course of 48 specially designed lessons with easy-to-use guidelines and fun educational resources to help teach basic skills to young children with special education needs at home or in school.
Who is it for?
Twenty-four children with autism were randomly assigned to a clinic-directed group ... or to a parent-directed group that received intensive hours but less supervision by equally well-trained supervisors. Outcome after 4 years of treatment .... After combining groups, we found that 48% of all children showed rapid learning, achieved average posttreatment scores, and at age 7, were succeeding in regular education classrooms. Treatment outcome was best predicted by pretreatment imitation, language, and social responsiveness. These results are consistent with ...
Introduction and brief history of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD).
The Department of Education and Science website.
"Welcome to Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Learning Difficulties Assessmment Services. My name is James Roan, a certified school psychologist, and I specialize in the psychoeducational assessment of children, adolescents, and adults who are suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, or any type of learning difficulty or developmental delay in the Republic of Ireland.".
"Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
PEDIATRICS (doi:10.1542/10.1542/peds.2007-2362) Published online October 29, 2007
Scott M. Myers, MD, Chris Plauché Johnson, MD, MEd the Council on Children With Disabilities
Abstract
"The smell of a flower - The memory of a walk in the park - The pain of stepping on a nail. These experiences are made possible by the 3 pounds of tissue in our heads...the BRAIN!! Neuroscience for Kids has been created for all students and teachers who would like to learn about the nervous system."
"The Off We Go! books are designed to help prepare children for first experiences. They have proven to be of benefit for children with special needs and in particular autism, as well as any young child experiencing these activities for the first time. Written by a mum, Avril Webster for her son Stephen, who has a developmental delay including sensory integration dysfunction.".
An update on Sean Ó Cuanacháin.
Polyxo.com is a resource for parents, professionals, or anyone interested in teaching children with autism or other related developmental disorders. Polyxo.com was developed .. to encompass a variety of instructional techniques and philosophies.
Autism is a complex disorder with many contributing factors and there is some belief that that environmental factors are the key factors triggering this devastating epidemic (ARI).
UK Research charity site is aimed at anyone with an interest in autism, including people on the spectrum, parents, carers and professionals.
Well known web resources which parents of children with PDD, PDD-NOS, autism, Asperger's Syndrome, or hyperlexia may find useful.
"Welcome to Siolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education".
"SPEAC (Special Provision for the Education of Autistic Children) was founded by parents who, faced with the realities of living with a child with autism, shared a frustration with the lack of educational provision. Their response was to forge a unique partnership with the South-Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) to run a 3-year pilot project based at Tor Bank Special School in Belfast. The Centre provided a child-centred specialist education using the principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) to children aged 4-11 who had autism and severe learning difficulties."
The SESS ("as appropriate") "consolidates, co-ordinates, develops and delivers a range of professional development initiatives and support structures". The service is a division of the Department of Education and Science for Republic of Ireland.
Dr Caroline Bowen has been a Speech-Language Pathologist engaged in clinical practice for many years" in Australia. She has produced a website containing speech and language developmental milestones and resourses for practioners, parents and teachers.
Report and discussion about possible environmental causes for ASDs, particularly genetic susceptibility, environmental chemicals and exposures to microbes. [chemical & engineering news, Vol.85, No.20]
"The Out-of-Sync Child begins with descriptions of what sensory integration is and explains how problems with handling sensory input can manifest themselves. Discussions of the three categories of sensory function are provided - tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive - along with examples of children who have difficulties with these sensory functions in a preschool or home setting."
Website as guide for parents, professionals and people with Asperger's Syndrome and their partners with issues related to Asperger's Syndrome, resources, resource papers Tony has authored, related topics and presentation schedule.
The Physicians for Social Responsibility (non-profit advocacy organization) provides a number of valuable leaflets on
"Air Pollution and Health",
"Children's Environmental Health",
"Safe Drinking Water"
"Toxics and Health"
All of which are highly recommended for families, communities and professionals.
Advice on Treatment of Autism from a biological and medical perspective from experienced practioners including Temple Grandin and Dr Bernard Rimland.
UK Autism Charity, Biomedical Interventions.
"Understanding the Student with Asperger Syndrome: Guidelines for Teachers" by Karen Williams, 1995, FOCUS ON AUTISTIC BEHAVIOR, Vol. 10, No. 2. [Copyright, PRO-ED, Inc]
"Children diagnosed with Asperger syndrome present a special challenge in the educational milieu. This article provides teachers with descriptions of seven defining characteristics of Asperger syndrome, in addition to suggestions and strategies for addressing these symptoms in the classroom. Behavioral and academic interventions based on the author's teaching experiences with children with Asperger syndrome are offered."
