Blogs

By Gracie Bonds Staples

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The life Janel and Jason Schwartz anticipated for their little girl changed the day they learned she has an autism spectrum disorder.

It also changed the life they envisioned for themselves, but for the better. Finally, the two of them had an explanation for Perri’s “quirky” behavior.

And the controversy continues…… can parents now get on to the business of keeping their kids healthy and giving them the vaccines they need! This has been an ongoing discussion that has been tearing at the medical community and the parents of children both with and without autism. Let’s start spending this hard raised money for research on genetics. I have been saying for 10 years this is where it starts. You heard it here. Why is the autism rate so high in GA with GA Tech right here? Why is the autism rate so high in California with Silicone Valley right there?

With all of the world issues that Newsweek writes about I found it interesting that hitting number 3 of the “overblown fears” list was autism vaccines. This has been an ongoing controversy for years and will continue to be a debated topic. If this is such a huge issue in the spotlight, I wonder why it has been so hard to get the government to back up all of the fighting to get insurance to cover the cost of medical treatment for children with autism?
http://tinyurl.com/yafk4su

"I firmly believe that if they have a potential, a talent, let's build on that and not just focus on the weaknesses," said Debbie Silva, his mother.
Do you not love her? She is a shining example of the positive attitude that parents need to have about their autistic children.

You can now bring your autistic child to the movies without having someone say “shhhhhh”! Although it is tough to bring any child to the movies without a distraction, it can be a bit more difficult with an autistic child as they can be sensitive to light and noise. Because it is such a great experience for kids to go to the movies, it is hard to deny them the fun! Thanks to AMC theaters across the country, they have regular screenings for autistic children. Churches, museums, kids play businesses are just a few that are offering designated times for children with ASD.

A study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics indicates about 1 percent of children ages 3 to 17 have autism or a related disorder, an increase over previous estimates.
The rate of autism among children is now 1 in 100, up from the 2003 study where it was 1 in 150.

This is a great article from Wired magazine!!! Specialisterne (Danish for "Specialists"), an IT consultancy that hires mostly people with autism-spectrum disorders. If we look for the positive in these talented children, we can take them so far! The doors are opening!
Stop, watch and listen, that’s all you have to do with your children, autistic or not. Seek out what they are good at and introduce them to all the possibilities. Take that time needed to get them where they need to go to succeed!

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-10/ff_smartlist_sonne

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Cortland Hale last night at a dinner for the captains and committee members for the Walk Now For Autism. He stood up and told us his story, and experience with autism and how he so bravely followed his dream to play football. He ended up not only playing for Brookwood High school, but he earned honorable mention all county, and a spot in the second county all-star game in the Georgia Dome. Can you imagine?!

Extreme sports camp for ASD children are waiting for your child to show off what they can achieve! Given the chance, these special children can really excel at so many things, and a camp like this just may be the chance they need!
Located in Aspen, CO, this camp offers snow skiing, rafting, water skiing, and many other challenging outdoor activities that inspire fun, athletic achievement.
Check it out!
http://www.extremesportscamp.org/

Yes, even Daryl Hannah had mild autism…and she dated JFK Jr.! Oh the possibilities! Famous artists, musicians, and mathematicians.
Break out those crayons and get to work! These children have gifts! Tap into what they can do best. I met a man this weekend who’s child can build amazing Lego buildings. I have a plan for him already!
What are your child’s talents?
Check out who was thought to have and who does have autism…that we know of. I have my own thoughts on other musicians I think are autistic.

http://www.jeanshaw.com/site/1357437/page/970157