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Call to Action: Special Services at Home Passport Coalition (SSAHPC).
We Must Not Let Canada House Close. Lee Prokaska, thespec.com, May 30, 2012: Mental health services for our children are hard to come by, underfunded and vastly underrecognized for the exceptional work they do.
Saving Canada House. thespec.com, May 29, 2012: A parent-led movement to save Canada House is gaining momentum.
Important Message to Parents and Other Members of Autism Nova Scotia (formerly the Provincial Autism Centre) [PDF].
Autism Speaks Announces over $1.1 Million in Funding in Community Grants Across North America. Autism Speaks Canada: 8 Provinces are represented in list of grantees across 26 Organizations in Canada. 27 organizations in the United States will also benefit from grants totalling $588,514 addressing key program and service needs.
Venture Comes up with Pearl of Idea: Jewelry Project of Autism Nova Scotia gets Support from Lawtons. Colleen Cosgrove, The Chronicle Herald, April 11, 2012: A grassroots business venture is blossoming thanks to a heavy-hitting retail partner ...
Beating Autism — With a Bubble Record. Seaway News, March 8, 2012: Parents of autistic children in and around Cornwall are mobilizing in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record – and draw attention to the battle they face every day against the debilitating ailment.
A Reminder for Caregivers During the Holidays by Viki Gayhardt [PDF].
New Council for Cornwall’s Autism Chapter. Joël D. Herrington, Cornwall Seaway News, July 27, 2011: The new council for the Cornwall Upper Canada Chapter of Autism Ontario was announced recently and President Shannon Cameron says they are in need of volunteers.
Being Dean: Living With Aspergers. Dean Beadle, Speech Excerpt [YouTube]. Recorded live at Autism Cymru's 4th international conference at Cardiff City Hall (21/6/11), acclaimed speaker and successful journalist Dean Beadle shares his day-to-day experiences with Aspergers Syndrome.
The New Brunswick Association for Community Living is conducting a research project aimed at determining the potential labour market represented by working age people who have an intellectual disability. Participate in the survey [English] | Participate in the survey [French]
Autism Society Canada Celebrates World Autism Awareness Day 2011 by Offering All Canadians "Autism Junction." Autism Society Canada Press Release, Marketwire, April 1, 2011.
No Matter What: Understanding and Dealing with the challenges of Autism by Sandy Howarth wins the Gold Award at the inaugural 2010 World Book Awards. Now available from Amazon.
Temple Grandin DVD - 'A View From The Inside, Everything about Autism You Always Wanted To Know ' now available for pre-order from gilliannaysmith.com or horseboycamps.co.uk.
Navigating the Journey to Wellness: The Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Ontarians. Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions Final Report (2010). [PDF]
To Learn how the Medikidz explain Autism, check out their website at www.medikidz.com. The five Medikidz superheroes help children aged 8 to 15 understand various developmental and medical conditions in fun and engaging ways!
Targa Newfoundland Starts September 11, 2010! Learn about the Racing 4 Autism team.
Bad Boy Actors Get Behind Good Guy Cause in Targa Rally. The Telegram, August 25, 2010: Two good actors best known for playing bad boys will get behind a great cause when Trailer Park Boys’ J. P. Tremblay and Robb Wells turn up at the starting line for the ninth annual Targa Newfoundland on Sept. 12.
Racing for Autism Facebook Auction.
View pictures from the Racing for Autism gallery.
Racing for Autism Announces a New Addition to the Team: A stunning 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
The documentary, The Autism Enigma, airs on CBC's "The Nature of Things" on Thursday December 8, 8 PM (ET/PT)(8:30 PM Nfld) with a second window on December 15 (10PM ET/PT. 10:30 Nfld.)
View ASC's Summer 2011 Newsletter
Download [PDF]
Thibeault Re-Introduces Autism Legislation, NDP Press Release, June 15, 2011.
Today MP Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury) re-introduced two Private member`s Bills designed to assist individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Read more...
Learn more about Bill C-218: An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (Autism Spectrum Disorders).
A Call to Action by Autism Society Canada, April 2011
Read the ASC position paper [PDF].
Read the ASC Election Toolkit [PDF].
Let's Talk Autism - ASC Spring 2011 Email Newsletter [PDF].
Autism Society Canada Celebrates World Autism Awareness Day!
Read Autism Society Canada's World Autism Awareness Day Press Release
[PDF Eng] [PDF Fre].
Celebrate Autism Society Canada's 35th Anniversary [YouTube].
View UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's World Autism Awareness Day Message [YouTube].
World Autism Day: Launch of the Global Autism Alliance and the Premiere of Their First International Video on Autism. Global Autism Alliance, PR Newswire, April 1, 2011.
Autism Canada and Partners Celebrate WAAD. PR-USA, April 2, 2011.
Autistic Students Face Hurdles: Funding Limits Programs. Craig Pearson, The Windsor Star, April 2, 2011: When Jared Candido entered high school advisors gave him bad news: he would never earn a credit...
Québec Celebrates Autism in April.
Read La Fédération québécoise de l’autisme et des autres troubles envahissants du développement (FQATED) Press Release [PDF Fre].
Visit the FQATED website to learn about upcoming events for World Autism Awareness Day.
View the World Autism Awareness Day slideshow [MS Powerpoint].
View pictures from ASC's 2010 Vancouver Meeting [PDF].
Kristian Hooker Would Like A Word With You: Selkirk Man on a Mission to Educate the Masses about Autism [PDF Pages 13-14].Donna Maxwell, Selkirk Record, February 3, 2011: When you’re passionate about some- thing there really are no obstacles.
Autism Finds a Brave Voice — Its Own. Pete McMartin, Vancouver Sun, November 25, 2010: Earlier this month, we got an e-mail from a Newfoundland man named Tom Jackman who wondered if we would be interested in writing about the advisory committee to Autism Society Canada.
Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA): One Canadian Voice for Autism. Marketwire, October 7, 2010: October is Canadian Autism Awareness Month, October. The Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA), led by Autism Society Canada, Autism Canada Foundation and the Geneva Centre for Autism, is proud to share they are working in partnership with the Federal Government to develop a partnership proposal for the advancement of a national autism strategy.
Remembering Ivar Lovaas... [PDF] Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at the University of California in Los Angeles, passed away on August 4th, 2010. Dr. Lovaas pioneered the use of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles to treat and teach children with autism.
Autism Management Advisory Team Report on Lifespan Needs of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Province of Nova Scotia, May 3, 2010: Ministers of Education, Health, Community Services and Justice received a report from the Autism Management Advisory Team which makes 53 recommendations dealing with intervention, support and accommodation needs of people living with autism... View the full report [PDF]
Please Offer Your Endorsement to Help Ratify the Charter! |
 |
Autism Society Canada, a leading national voice for the autism community in Canada, is proud to propose a Canadian Charter of Rights for Persons with Autism [HTML] [PDF]. We are looking forward to working with ASD stakeholders to make the Charter the best it can be! Please take a moment to fill out our short Charter Survey. We encourage you to provide feedback as an individual or on behalf of an organization.
The Board of Directors of ASC proposed a Canadian Charter of Rights for Persons with Autism [PDF]. Our ultimate goal is to one day adopt the Canadian Charter recognizing the inherent rights of all Canadians living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The charter is inspired by a European Charter presented at the 4th Autism-Europe Conference in 1992 which was adopted as a written declaration by European Parliament in 1996. It also references the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) as well as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006).
ASC is proud to present a Canadian version based on the belief that individuals living with an ASD should share the same rights and privileges enjoyed by all citizens of Canada with appropriate consideration to the best interests of the person with autism.
Please take a moment to read the charter and join the Board of ASC in distributing a Canadian Charter of Rights for Persons with Autism.We value your opinion and welcome your feedback on this landmark document. Please share the Canadian Charter with your network and send us your feedback.
Shine a Light and Share the Charter of Rights.
[View the Canadian Charter of RIghts for Persons with Autism in French]
Adults/Youth News
The Undiscovered Workforce. The National Autistic Society (UK), April 13, 2012: A new campaign which works with MPs to promote sustainable employment for people with Autism.
Autism: Another Example of How Being Poor is Bad for You. Claire McCarthy, Boston.com, April 4. 2012: A study just came out with some very interesting information about how children with autism do or don't get better over time. Guess which ones did better?
Outsourcing to the Autistic Rather Than to India. Drake Bennett, Bloomberg Businessweek, March 27, 2012: Part of the reason autism has captivated Hollywood moviemakers more than other developmental disabilities is that, for all the difficulties it brings those who have it, it also gives some of them the ability to perform uncanny feats of brainpower ...
American Psychological Association Proposed Revisions to DSM-V on Diagnosis of ASDs.
Redefining Autism: Will New DSM-5 Criteria for ASD Exclude Some People? Ferris Jabr, Scientific American, January 30, 2012: Experts call for small and easy changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the "bible" of psychiatry, so that everyone with autism spectrum disorder qualifies for a diagnosis ...
<nyt_headline type=" " version="1.0">New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests. Benedict Carey, New York Times, January 19, 2012: Proposed changes in the definition of autism would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and might make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services, a new analysis suggests.
Calgary Social Enterprise to Create IT Employment for People with Autism. The Specialist People Foundation, Marketwire, January 19, 2012: People at the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum usually have a higher than average IQ, and special mental gifts - photographic recall is common. In spite of this, they have an unemployment rate higher than 85%.
Book of the Year: Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism. Steve Silberman, PLOS Blogs, December 16, 2011: A sea-change is happening in the world of autism. Just a few years ago, the loudest voices in media coverage of the issue were those of Jenny McCarthy’s “warrior moms” ...
Autism Hidden in Plain Sight. Alan Zarembo, Los Angeles Times, December 16, 2011:As more children are diagnosed with autism, researchers are trying to find unrecognized cases of the disorder in adults. The search for the missing millions is just beginning.
Autism’s Advantages: Researcher Says Autistics Need Opportunities More than Treatment. Sarah Bousveld, National Post, November 6, 2011: Laurent Mottron knew he was going to ruffle some feathers when his commentary “The Power of Autism” was published in the prestigious journal Nature this week.
Autism has Advantages at Work: Researcher. Amanda Silliker, Canadian HR Reporter, December 5, 2011: Every month, Today’s Truckingmagazine has a photo contest where readers are presented with an extremely zoomed-in picture of a location in Canada ... Tom Jackman, a cameraman at Rogers in St. John’s, N.L., has participated in the contest every month for the past five years ...
The Autistic Advantage: Montreal Team Taps Researchers’ Potential. Anne McIlroy, Globe and Mail, November 2, 2011: A University of Montreal scientist who studies the power of the autistic brain says it is time to start thinking of the disorder as an advantage in some settings – including in academic research.
Different, Not Disabled. Danette Dooley, The Telegram, October 22, 2011: Tom Jackman showed up for an interview with The Telegram toting a case full of books, movies, speeches and pamphlets about Asperger syndrome.
Now Available: Normal but Different, Brian Comerford (Kindle Edition), 2011.
Braemore Home's Licence Pulled After Man Confined. The Canadian Press, CBC News, October 18, 2011: A Cape Breton special care home where an autistic man was confined to a room for two weeks last year is beset by a "climate of mistrust and suspicion" where staff and management have an adversarial relationship, concludes an independent review released Tuesday.
From Self-Centred Loner to Pleasant Eccentric. Celia Milne, Metro Canada, April 19, 2011: Misfits, geeks, loners and people with Aspberger’s [sic.] —take heart. John Elder Robison is here to help you chart your own path.
'School Can Be Gruelling for Someone Like Me.' Autism disorder; Teen tells peers about struggle with Asperger's. Brenda Branswell, The Gazette, April 13, 2011: Grade 11 student Shaun Perrier usually keeps to himself at school. But on Tuesday he stood onstage facing 400 students in the auditorium at Laval Liberty High School because he had a message he wanted to share.
Housing Solutions for Adults with Autism. Susan Moffitt, Autism Key, April 12, 2011: While raising a child with autism is a day to day journey, in the back of every parent’s mind is what level of independence their child will eventually achieve. Where and how will they live?
Autistic Workers 'Untapped Talent Pool:' Noted animal scientist, herself an 'ASpie,' warns corporate leaders they're missing out. The Montreal Gazette, March 18, 2011.
Government of Canada Helps People With Disabilities in Saint John Develop Job Skills. HRSDC Press Release, Marketwire, March 18, 2011: People with disabilities will get work experience through the Government of Canada's support for an employment project. Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
BC Man with Autism is a Pinball Wizard. CTVBC.ca, March 8, 2011: In just a little more than two years since taking up the game, a B.C. man with autism has become the top-ranked pinball player in Canada, and now he's setting his sights on the world of poker.
Pinball Wizard. Jennifer Moreau, Burnaby Now, February 26, 2011: Robert Gagno has autism - he's also Canada's top pinball player and is ranked 19th in the world. This is his story.
<nyt_headline version="1.0" type=" ">Aspies, You Are Not Alone. Albert Lim Kok Hooi, New York Times, February 24, 2011: You remember how difficult it was to be one of the boys. Others were on the pitch playing football. You were somewhat clumsy and that made you avoid sports. In any case, you preferred to read by yourself...
They're Assets at Work — and they're Autistic. Frederick Melo, Twincities.com, February 18, 2011: He's nervous and awkward with people, can't tell the difference between biting sarcasm and sincere praise, and doesn't take well to crowded rooms, loud noises or sudden interruptions. He's just about the worst multitasker you'll ever see. He's also one of your best employees.
The Asperger's Advantage. Krysta Colbourne, The Telegram, February 14, 2011: When 21-year-old Travis Walsh was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome a year ago, he decided he’d use it to his advantage.
Kristian Hooker Would Like A Word With You: Selkirk Man on a Mission to Educate the Masses about Autism [PDF Pages 13-14].Donna Maxwell, Selkirk Record, February 3, 2011: When you’re passionate about some- thing there really are no obstacles.
Adults With Autism May Not Understand Others' Intentions. Jenifer Goodwin, US News: Health, February 2, 2011: People with high-functioning autism have difficulty understanding others' intentions, new research shows.
Canadian Association for Community Living - Press Release [PDF]. January 12, 2011: Ottawa Sun Column Attacks People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Temple Grandin DVD - 'A View From The Inside, Everything about Autism You Always Wanted To Know ' now available for pre-order from gilliannaysmith.com or horseboycamps.co.uk.
Ascent with Autism Announces Project Kilimanjaro 2011! Project Mt. Kilimanjaro is a climb up the world’s tallest freestanding mountain in June 2011, for a group of young adults on the Autism Spectrum. Visit the website for more info.
Autism Finds a Brave Voice — Its Own. Pete McMartin, Vancouver Sun, November 25, 2010: Earlier this month, we got an e-mail from a Newfoundland man named Tom Jackman who wondered if we would be interested in writing about the advisory committee to Autism Society Canada.
Autism’s First Child. John Donvan and Caren Zucker, The Atlantic, October 2010: As new cases of autism have exploded in recent years—some form of the condition affects about one in 110 children today—efforts have multiplied to understand and accommodate the condition in childhood. But children with autism will become adults with autism, some 500,000 of them in this decade alone. What then?
National Strategy Needed on Autism, Bates Says. Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland Today, October 27, 2010: October is Autism Month, and Cobourg resident Doug Bates is working hard to achieve awareness -- especially in light of the fact that there is no national strategy yet on what is one of the fastest-growing disabilities around.
Join the Ontario Partnership for Adults with Aspergers and Autism registry: Numbers are powerful tools to take to the Ministry of Community and Social Services in order to effectively advocate for change. If more supports, services and understanding for adults with Autism and adults with Aspergers are important issues to you, add your voice through Count Me In.
Autistic People Need Flexible Employers. Helen Henderson, Toronto Star, October 8, 2010: What does autism look like? Forget for a moment the newsmaking stereotypes: the children, the campaigns for Intensive Behavioural Intervention, Dustin Hoffman and his Oscar-winning role in Rain Man.
Autism Advocacy News
Thibeault Reintroduces Two Autism Bills. The Sudbury Star, June 23, 2011: Sudbury MP Glenn Thibeault has reintroduced two private member's bills, designed to assist people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Month in Quebec Brings Forward Issue of Underfunding. Sarah Leavitt, West Island Chronicle, April 20, 2011: A West Island psychologist says Quebec falls behind other provinces in terms of supporting autistic children. Dr. Katherine Moxness of the West Montreal Readaptation Centre (WMRC) says waiting lists are too long and treatment is underfunded.
Autism Program Laudable. Marilla Stephenson, TheChronicleHerald.ca, April 14, 2011: Perhaps the luck of the draw is fair in determining some circumstances in life, but it can be heart-wrenchingly cruel if it determines whether your autistic child will gain access to timely treatment that can bring a lifetime of good outcomes.
Lindsey Nebeker Addresses the IACC. Autism Speaks Official Blog, April 14, 2011: This post reflects the remarks Lindsey Nebeker made at the April 11 meeting of the Interangency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). Lindsey and her brother both share an autism diagnosis.
Government Announces Investments for People With Autism. Premier's Office/Health and Wellness, Nova Scotia, April 12, 2011: Nova Scotians living with autism and their families will now have access to enhanced programs and services that will provide them with the best possible treatment, support and care.
New Initiative to Give Peace of Mind to Autism, Alzheimer Families. Emergency Management Office, Nova Scotia, April 12, 2011: Nova Scotian families with autism, Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive conditions will benefit from a new search and rescue tracking system that will increase the chances of survival for those who stray from their homes.
Sudbury Candidates Face Off in Election Round Table. Martha Dillman, Sudbury Northern Life, April 11, 2011: Federal candidates for the Sudbury riding all say they have ideas to improve health care and education, just different ways to do so.
Autistic Canadians Deserve Better. Jim Munson, Ottawa Citizen, April 2, 2011: We have all witnessed the scene. The shrill cries of a young child at the mall. Arms and legs flailing. The mother, powerless against her child’s fervour.
View the Austism Resolution Ontario March 2011 Newsletter [PDF].
Autism Bill Passed in Northern Ireland. Aukids, March 17, 2011.
Court Won't Hear Appeal Over Transfer of Autistic N.B. Man to U.S. Facility. Canadian Press, January 24, 2011: Canada's top court won't hear an argument that the New Brunswick government discriminated against a man with autism by transferring him to Maine for care.
Family of Autistic Son Loses Human Rights Case. Shawn Berry, Telegraph-Journal, January 22, 2011: Canada's top court won't hear a case on whether the provincial government discriminated against a man with autism by transferring him outside of the province for care.
Province Heading for Autism Showdown: MacDonald. Moira MacDonald, Toronto Sun, January 18, 2011: How does the mother of an 11-year-old daughter with autism land in a civil disobedience class?
Group Vows to Fight for Services: Advocates plan to resurrect Autism Society of N.B., fight to get new treatment centre built. Stephen Llewellyn, The Daily Gleaner, January 17, 2011.
Espanola Man Addresses Parliamentary Committee. SooToday.com, December 15, 2010: Espanola man gives Parliamentary committee account of struggles to get treatment for autistic children
New Autism Services Announced by Province. Johanna Weidner, The Record.com, December 15, 2010: New autism services announced by the province Tuesday are a good start for struggling families, but the funding doesn’t bridge the huge gaps in government-funded therapy, says families and advocates.
Bloorview Hosts Autism Funding Announcement: Government Will Increase Funding of Behaviour Therapy Services by $25M a Year.Lisa Queen, InsideToronto.com, December 14, 2010.
NS School Boards List Possible Cuts. CBC News, December 9, 2010: The Nova Scotia School Boards Association has announced a list of possible cuts that could occur if the provincial government reduces education funding.
CTV News: Lifetime with Pauline Chan – Waiting for Help [Streaming Video].
UPEI Could be Site for Autism Centre in Canada, Munson says. Shannon A MacLeod, The Guardian, October 22, 2010: Imagine the world coming to Prince Edward Island, rather than Islanders going to the world for autism treatment?
Sask. Still Lacks Autism Strategy that Meets Needs. Tim Verklan, Star Phoenix, October 22, 2010: Saskatchewan may bill itself as the "Land of Living Skies," but across Canada this province continues to be known as "The Autism Wasteland."
Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Autism News and Opinion Blog.
Shaunavon mom says equal access to autism funding isn't reaching rural and northern Sask. Pamela Cowan, Leader Post, October 13, 2010: A Shaunavon mother says all Saskatchewan children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families deserve equal access to qualified professionals, but that isn't happening.
MPs Throw Support Behind Health Causes, but Critics Beg to Differ. Amy Minsky, Vancouver Sun, October 9, 2010: A steady stream of federal ministers, staff and MPs filed into a small room on Parliament Hill, took the four cotton swabs handed to them, and followed an order to stick them in their mouths.
Safeguards Needed to Protect those with Autism, Paper Concludes. CNW, October 5, 2010: As Canada recognizes Autism Awareness Month, Kerry's Place Autism Services and ROCG Consulting have released a paper highlighting the need for more safeguards to protect those with autism and other intellectual disabilities.
Autism Resolution Ontario is a parent-run volunteer advocacy group working to make publicly funded autism therapy more accessible. Want better access to therapy for your child with autism? Join: Autism Resolution Ontario [PDF] | Want better access to subsidized ABA for your child with autism? Join: Autism Resolution Ontario [PDF] | ABA Professionals: Join Autism Resolution Ontario in working to make publicly funded ABA more accessible to children with autism [PDF].
Other News
The Autism Project: Students with Autism Fend for Themselves. Kristin Rushowy, thestar.com, November 12, 2012: Parents step onto a new battleground the day their autistic child enters Ontario’s public school system.
The Autism Project: The Odyssey to get your Child Diagnosed and Treated. Andrea Gordon, thestar.com, November 10, 2012: Neuroscientist Mayada Elsabbagh has spent her career unravelling the mysteries of the infant brain. She studies neural pathways. She uses high-tech sensors and infrared eye-trackers to examine the differences in babies’ brain signals when they gaze at a face or a rubber ball.
Study Tentatively Links Flu in Pregnancy and Autism. Genevra Pittman, Reuters, November 12, 2012: Kids whose mothers had the flu while pregnant were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with "infantile autism" before age three in a new Danish study. But the children's overall risk for the developmental disorder was not higher than that of other kids.
Small School for Kids with Autism a 'Lifesaver.' Molly Hayes, thespec.com, October 6, 2012: Kenny Jakeman is not a fan of corn. Or carrots ... But the 11-year-old agreed to give both a try at his school’s annual Thanksgiving lunch Thursday, as practice for his family dinner this weekend.
Paws for Autism Follows Family's Triumph over Autism Thanks to a Service Dog [Streaming Video]. CTVNews.ca, The Globe and Mail, October 4, 2012.
Autistic Girl's Inspirational Ballet [Streaming Video]. Canadian Press, Castanet.net, October 4, 2012: A YouTube video of an autistic 10-year-old Toronto girl dancing along to a memorized 19th-century ballet has spun her into the spotlight online.
Home Depot Makes Autism Playground a Reality. Nipissing.com, October 1, 2012: The Home Depot Canada Foundation generously donated $2,000 towards a new playground at Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca’s Autism Centre in North Bay.
Autism and a Political Career Collide in Dad's Two Worlds. Susan Donaldson James, ABC News, September 28, 2012: Mike Lake describes his autistic son Jaden as a "3- or 4-year-old trapped in a 16-year-old body," a boy who is nonverbal.
Autistic Teen Could End up in Homeless Shelter. Kristina Chew, Care2 Make a Difference, September 27, 2012: 19-year old Miles Kirsh, who is severely autistic and mostly non-verbal, could become homeless and be placed in a shelter as of October 1. His plight is a nightmare scenario that many families like mine who care for a child with disabilities dread.
UofC's Child Development Centre Focuses on Autistic Ability. David Parker, Calgary Herald, September 18, 2012: The University of Calgary’s Child Development Centre is among the best in Canada in child health research and innovation. Its third floor Ability Hub has become a national centre of excellence for research and demonstration related to vocational advancement and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Autistic Teen Flourishes on Race Track. Mike Peden, Examiner.com, September 14, 2012: There is no universal athletic remedy for autism spectrum disorder, as articles subliminally detail that autistic people are no less unpredictable than their peers when it comes to a sport of preference.
Autism Families Treated as Less than Equal. Elizabeth James, North Shore News, September 5, 2012: "If your child has any other healthcare issue you 'pay' for it with your Care Card. If your child has autism, you write a cheque - assuming you can. This is the discrimination faced by B.C. families who receive that diagnosis. Furthermore, the life-time supports they may need are not readily available."
"I Need a Special Vacation" Essay Contest (United States). Families with Special Needs who Need a Special Vacation have a chance to win a cruise of a lifetime with Autism on the Seas. Families interested in entering the contest are asked to write a 250-word essay on why they need a special vacation. The grand prize winner will receive a paid cruise vacation with AotS, funded by Skyeward Bound Ranch. Runner-up prizes will also be included.
Science and the Internet Helping Autistic Boy find his Voice. Angela Mulholland, CTV News, July 5, 2012: Jordan Hilkowitz is a 10-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont. who has built a remarkable following on YouTube by filming kid-friendly science experiments.
Critics Say Autism Plan Neglects Adults. Keith Doucette, Canadian Press, Metro News, June 27, 2012: Critics say while a year-old Nova Scotia government plan aimed at providing more services for people living with autism has improved support for young children, older kids and adults continue to be left behind.
Mother Fights to Keep Disabled Son on N.S. Reserve: Supporters demand federal government pay for Jeremy Meawasige's care at home.CBC News, June 12, 2012. A mother from the Pictou Landing First Nation says it's unacceptable the federal government wants her disabled son to move in order to receive care.
Dispatch: 'Tsunami' of Autistic Adults Will Challenge Police; More Training Needed Say Experts. Anne Carothers-Kay, Urbandale Patch, June 8, 2012. A 15-year-old autistic boy is shocked with a Taser by police at a Johnston movie theater because he can't calm down ...
Doctor’s Autism Talk Acknowledges Windsor’s ‘Little Scientists.’ Anna Frenette, OurWindsor.ca, June 5, 2012. On June 4, the Summit Centre for Preschool Children with Autism hosted a professional development seminar given by Alberta’s Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum. Dr. Zwaigenbaum, a Developmental Pediatrician, kindly traveled to Windsor to present his current research and ideas about “Helping Children with Autism through Early Intervention.”
Searching for the Onset of Autism. Mariette DiChristina, Scientific American, May 15, 2012: Early behavioral intervention has shown some promise as a way to help children with autism. But it's difficult to see the hallmarks of autism before two years of age with today's diagnostic criteria. Could we find other methods?
Latest Autism Solutions to be Shared at National Conference in Washington DC. PRWeb, Digital Journal, May 8, 2012: Autism Today, a leading autism spectrum disorder education and awareness organization, today announced the "National Leadership Autism Conference – Autism Through the Lifespan" which will be coming to Washington, DC and includes many of the top leading autism experts in North America.
Whitby's Ishi Gogyou Martial Arts Support Autism Canada. durhamregion.com, May 8, 2012: Club fares well at charity competition, welcomes Jovan Stojanovski to dojo.
My Defining Moment: Carly Fleischmann [YouTube], May 1, 2012: Carly Fleischmann, co-author of 'Carly's Voice' shares her integral experience with social-media.
Environment Key to Preventing Childhood Disabilities. ScienceDaily, May 1, 2012: The United States government would get a better bang for its health-care buck in managing the country's most prevalent childhood disabilities if it invested more in eliminating socio-environmental risk factors than in developing medicines.
Family Fighting Autistic Teen's Discharge from Hospital. CTVNews.ca, April 27, 2012: Taylor McNee is an 18-year-old with autism who been living in a hospital room for five months because there is nowhere else for him to go.
Autism Advocate Questions 'Extreme' Inclusion Model. CBC News, April 17, 2012: A high-profile autism advocate in New Brunswick is questioning the merits of what he calls the Department of Education's extreme inclusion model.
New Technology Offers Help for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. PRWeb, seattlepi.com, April 17, 2012: According to a recent study released by the CDC, it is estimated that 1 in 88 American children has some form of autism spectrum disorder ...
Live Chat: Why Autism Affects Boys more than Girls [chat archives available]. Edmonton Journal, April 15, 2012: A recent study is shedding new light on why autism is so much more prevalent among boys than girls.
What to Make of the New Autism Numbers. Judith Warner, Time:Ideas, April 9, 2012: The latest statistics on autism prevalence are scary: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disorder now affects, with varying degrees of severity, one in 88 children, and one in 54 boys.
Canada Denies Immigration to Family with Autistic Son. Emigrate.co.uk, April 6, 2012: As reported by The Spec, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration says the family of Sungsoo Kim have been denied visas because of the major burden his 12-year-old autistic son would cause, not on the health system, but on social services.
Helping Emergency Services Interact with Autistic People. Kathryn Burnham, Standard Freeholder, April 5, 2012: Cornwall police are introducing a new tool to help keep a vulnerable sector of the community safe.
What Do Stamps, The United Nations and Autism Have in Common? Shelley Tzorfas, Newark Special Needs Kids Examiner, April 4, 2012: On April 2nd the United Nations will release a series of postage stamps that were created by artists around the world that have Autism.
Autism Registry a Comfort to Families and Police. Kevin Priddle, Sudbury Star, April 3, 2012: Greater Sudbury Police kicked off World Autism Awareness Day on Monday by launching a new online registry for people living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Sudbury.
Son’s Autism Forces Family to Leave Canada. Alee, CTV Vancouver Island, CTV News, March 27, 2012: A popular professor at the University of Victoria is leaving his job and the country after his son’s medical condition lead to immigration problems.
Filipino Artist With Autism Wins UN Stamp Design For WAAD. Dang U. Koe, mb.com.ph, March 26, 2012: United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) announced the winning entry “Victory” as one of the finalists in a worldwide search for talented artists with autism.
Teen with Autism Tells Her Story. CTV News, March 26, 2012: A Toronto teenager with severe autism whose remarkable and touching story CTV News has followed since 2008 has co-authored a book -- "Carly's Voice: Breaking Through Autism" -- with her father.
Picture AAC App Helps Children with Autism Worldwide Communicate Effectively. PRweb, Timesunion.com, March 22, 2012: Autism apps developed for touchscreen tablet and smartphone like iPad & iPhone are revolutionizing the way autistic children and adults learn and communicate.
Education Assistant Costs Bar Family from Immigrating. Carmela Fragomeni, TheSpec.com, March 16, 2012: Citizenship and Immigration Canada says Sungsoo Kim and his family were denied admissibility because of the burden their 12-year-old autistic son places on social services, not the health system.
Father Encouraged by Support in Fight to have Autistic Son Remain in Canada. Carmela Fragomeni, TheSpec.com, March 16, 2012: Sungsoo Kim is encouraged by an outpouring of support after his family was refused residency in Canada because of potentially excessive costs to health care and social services to meet his 12-year-old autistic son's needs.
Canada Doesn't Want this Autistic Boy. Carmela Fragomeni, TheSpec.com, March 15, 2012: A Hamilton family from South Korea trying to stay in Canada has been denied because of the potential health care and social services costs for their 12-year-old autistic son.
Awareness: Seeing the Visible Signs in a Baby's Brain. Aimee Keenan-Greene, Examiner.com, February 17, 2012: A new study in the American Journal of Psychiatry says the signs of autism may be noticeable in the brains of babies as young as six months of age.
Autism: A Puzzling Disorder. Alan Zarembo, MCT, The Vancouver Sun, February 5, 2012: A surge in autism cases among children has been attributed to better diagnostics, which poses the question: What of the thousands of aging adults who were never diagnosed?
Proposed Autism Diagnostic Criteria Roils Medical Community. Jean-Louis Santini, AFP via Google News, February 4, 2012: A proposal to use new diagnostic criteria for autism has roiled the US medical community, with many experts concerned that the move could exclude children affected by some forms of the disorder.
Prescriptions of Second-Generation Antipsychotics on the Rise. Sharon Kirkey (Postmedia News), The Vancouver Sun, January 30, 2012: The number of children with at least one prescription for some of the most potent psychiatric drugs on the market increased about fourfold in the course of a decade, new Canadian research has found.
Dicovering Autism: An Unsettling Boom. Alan Zarembo, Vancouver Sun, January 28, 2012: Rates of the disorder have exploded over the last 20 years, affecting close to one in 100 youth. But the balance of evidence suggests it is more a surge in diagnosis than in disease.
Towards Earlier Diagnosis for Autism. La Trobe University Press Release, January 27, 2012: Measuring how a baby’s brain reacts to shifts in eye contact might help predict the development of autism symptoms from as young as six months, a new study has found.
The Battle Over the "Cure" for Autism. Julia Belluz, Macleans.ca, January 26, 2012: Culture writes on illness. That’s evident in the battle around a French documentary about autism entitled “Le Mur” or “The Wall.” Today, a court in the northern city Lille will decide whether the film, released online last year, should be censored at the request of psychoanalysts in the country ...
Early Autism Signs: Bablies' Brain Responses to Eye Contact. Linda Thrasybule, MyHealthNewsDaily, January 26, 2012: The way that babies as young as six months look at the eyes of other people may be an early sign of autism, a new study suggests.
Definition of Autism About to Change. Jennifer Pritchett, New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, January 24, 2012: Conor Doherty is turning 16 in a few weeks, but there won't be a party with friends to celebrate, as with most teens his age, and getting a driver's licence simply will be out of the question.
Tightening Autism Criteria Would Exclude Many. Global News, January 20, 2012: It may soon be tougher to be diagnosed with autism, under new guidelines being considered by a panel of experts appointed by the American Psychiatric Association.
Autism Registry Helps Police Defuse Potentially Violent Situations. Jordana Divon, January 10, 2012: Last July, Toronto police came under fire for slapping handcuffs on a nine-year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome who had become aggressive in class.
Mother of Accused Arsonist Feared Her Arrest would Drive Son to 'Deadly' Choices. Sunny Dhillon, The Globe and Mail, January 6, 2012: he fled German police by climbing out a window, then boarded a flight to Canada with her mentally disabled son.
More than Horseplay: Rodeo School Helps Students with Special Needs. Kate Hammer, The Globe and Mail, January 6, 2012: Robin Nelson has seen her 12-year-old grandson smile fewer than a dozen times ...
Cyprus Autistic Association seeks funding. View solicitation letter [PDF].
Autistic Woman Speaks after Years of Silence: Dec 9. Leonora Gregory-Collura, Vancouver Examiner, December 9, 2011: On the weekend of September 23, 2011, a young woman ‘Jacynthe Geschke’ (from British Columbia, Canada) received the International Naturally Autistic® People Award™, a prestigious honor bestowed to her by the International Autistic Community.
Government of Canada Program Helps Post-Secondary Graduates Gain Career-Related Experience. HRSDC Press Release, Marketwire, December 7, 2011: A local post-secondary graduate will get the opportunity to develop job skills through the Government of Canada's support for a youth employment project.
Autism Funding Increase Good, but not Good Enough: Parents. Emma Graney, Leader-Post, December 7, 2011: When the government announced an annual boost of $4 million for autism on Monday during the throne speech, Rod Glover was skeptical.
iPads are In, Cursive is Out (And Other Education Trends). Tamara Baluja, Globe and Mail, November 30, 2011: They already help teach kids the alphabet, sentence construction and how to graph equations. Now, iPads are being studied as a tool for students with autism and physical disabilities.
Chicago Children's Theatre Receives NEA Grant For New Red Kite Production. Chicago.BroadwayWorld.com, November 29, 2011: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Rocco Landesman recently announced that the agency will award 863 grants to organizations and individual writers across the country.
New Centre Will House both Research and Youth with Autism. Tamara Baluja, Globe and Mail, November 24, 2011: Toronto is getting a new autism centre that organizers say will the first Canadian institution to house researchers and youth with autism under one roof.
New Autism Centre Built on Campus: The Ability Hub's Unique Architecture is Designed to Grow with Kids. Kaleem Khan, Gauntlet News, November 24, 2011: Autism is a developmental disorder that on average, 1 in 100 people have. Males are four times as likely to be affected.
Quebec Writers’ Federation: Nasrallah’s Niko Wins this Year’s Fiction Award. Kathryn Greenaway, November 23, 2011: The Quebec Writers’ Federation Literary Awards were handed out during a gala at the Lion d’Or, Tuesday and the winner of the Paragraphe Hugh Maclennan Prize for Fiction is Dimitri Nasrallah for Niko (Véhicule Press; Esplanade Books).
Dad Snapped when Autistic Son Sent Home, Court Told: Inquiry Hears Edmonton Man Who Killed Himself and Son Reached Breaking Point. CBC News, November 15, 2011: A wrenching portrait of a family's struggle to help their severely autistic son emerged Tuesday during the inquiry into the deaths of the 11-year-old boy and his father.
Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders Vary Widely Across Clinics. Newswise, November 9, 2011: To diagnose autism spectrum disorders, clinicians typically administer a variety of tests or scales and use information from observations and parent interviews to classify individuals into subcategories listed in standard psychiatric diagnostic manuals.
Help for Autism Assessment. Nadine Wilson, Jamaica Observer, November 9, 2011: At eight years old, Leonardo Davis can barely identify the letters of the alphabet, demands constant attention and has to wear diapers to school.
Grandin Promotes Animal Welfare, Autism Awareness. Linda Weiford, Washington State University News, November 8, 2011: It’s hard to imagine that the woman who addressed an overflow crowd at Washington State University Monday night hardly uttered a word until her fourth birthday.
Autistic People Do Have Advantages. Carmen Chai, Times Colonist, November 3, 2011: Canadian society - including employers and researchers - often underestimates autistic people, treating their condition only as a "devastating disorder," instead of focusing on their strengths and sometimes superior abilities, one expert says.
The Autistic Advantage: Montreal Team Taps Researchers’ Potential. Anne McIlroy, Globe and Mail, November 2, 2011: A University of Montreal scientist who studies the power of the autistic brain says it is time to start thinking of the disorder as an advantage in some settings – including in academic research.
Store Says Sorry and Gives Autistic Girl a $25 Gift Card After it Barred her and her Service Dog ... and then it Bars her Again. Daily Mail Reporter, Mail Online, October 27, 2011: A department store apologized to a nine-year-old girl with autism after she and her service dog were told they couldn't come into the shop.
Apps for Autism: Communicating on the iPad [Streaming Video]. CBS News: 60 Minutes, October 23, 2011: Autistic people whose condition prevents them from speaking are making breakthroughs with the help of tablet computers and special applications that allow them to communicate, some for the first time. Lesley Stahl reports.
Strategies Abound for Helping Southwest’s Autistic Children. Jessie Gowan, Prairie Post, October 12, 2011: Across the southwest, mothers of autistic children are struggling to ensure their children receive the appropriate care for their conditions.
York ASD Partnership Launched to Support York Region Population with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Jodi Echakowitz, MarketWatch, October 4, 2011:Today sees the launch of the York ASD Partnership, a unique autism-focused, grassroots collaborative that brings together community service providers, government agencies, educators, healthcare professionals and parents ...
Ben Simcoe of Abbotsford Makes an Impression. Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News, September 30, 2011: A genetic condition that has often been a challenge for Ben Simcoe of Abbotsford has also spurred a unique talent.
Delayed School Bus Sees Angst Replace Excitement for Autistic Girl. Sean Myers, Calgary Herald, September 1, 2011: Excitement over the first day of school turned to misery for an autistic girl when her bus was nearly an hour late to pick her up.
What Songbirds Have to 'Say' About Autism. Katherine Gombay, McGill Reporter, August 31, 2011: We don’t look much like them – but we have a lot more in common with Zebra finches than we may imagine. And two biology professors, Sarah Woolley and Jon Sakata, are hoping to gain some insight into the neural basis of human communication disorders by studying how songbirds, such as zebra finches, learn how to sing.
Joey's Bar Mitvah is a Celebration of Recovery. Laurie Mawlam, The Jewish Tribune, August 30, 2011: One family’s journey: The remarkable story about two parents and their journey to recover their son from autism The invitations have been sent, the food has been ordered and the DJ is booked. Sandy and Steve Klein have been waiting to celebrate their son Joey’s Bar Mitzvah since he was born.
A New Place to Have Fun – Early Years Centre: Play to Learn Space Opened with Help of Autism Ontario. Erica Glassberg, Standard Freeholder, August 5, 2011: Children under seven will be given the opportunity to use the new Play to Learn Space at the Ontario Early Years Centre.
Simple Quiz Helps Identify Children's Developmental Delays: BC Study (Updated). Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver Sun, August 4, 2011: A simple questionnaire can help parents identify developmental disabilities among pre-school children, according to a B.C. study.
mHealth: Tablet Interaction Proves Therapeutic for Children. MobileMarketingWatch, July 26, 2011: According to the findings at an afterschool program run by University of Iowa researchers at an elementary school in Iowa City, Iowa, interaction with tablet computers can prove therapeutic for autistic children and youngsters with a wide variety of learning disabilities or other developmental challenges.
Smartphones, Tablets Provide Therapy for Cerebral Palsy, Autism. Margaret Rock, Mobiledia, July 26, 2011: The same technology used to make smartphones and tablets interactive doubles as therapy for people with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and other developmental disabilities, turning mobile devices into valuable components of the rehabilitative process.
Playing on a Tablet as Therapy. Shalini Ramachandran, Wall Street Journal, July 26, 2011: Griffin Wajda normally doesn't answer questions. Often, the 10-year-old boy will mumble repeated phrases before being coaxed to talk.
Callers to Elections BC Hotline Greeted with Options for Autism Funding. Jonathan Fowlie, The Vancouver Sun, July 22, 2011: Callers to the Elections BC HST voter hotline had to be more than a little confused earlier this week when they called to request their referendum ballot.
Swift Current-Area Youth Chosen for Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay. Elisabeth Dowson, The Southwest Booster, July 22, 2011: Dylan Spetz and his family have just returned from a complimentary trip to the Calgary Stampede, all expenses paid, as part of the promotion for the 25th Anniversary Relay that will soon commemorate Rick Hansen's Man in Motion Tour of 1985.
BC's Only Autism School Holds its First Graduation. Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver Sun, July 4, 2011: B.C.'s only school for autistic students celebrated its first graduation last week. PALS Autism School marked the accomplishments of two students...
Universal Screening for Autism Pointless, Researchers Say. Fran Lowry, Medscape News, June 16, 2011: Routine population-based screening for autism as currently recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is likely to do more harm than good, researchers from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, say. However, at least one expert begs to differ.
Autism Screening Called Into Question. Catherine Pearson, Huffington Post, June 13, 2011: When toddlers arrive at Dr. Monika Symms' office for their routine 18-month visit, the pediatrician gives parents a survey screening their children for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). She does this always, regardless of whether they have raised autism as a concern.
Ensure Measles Shots Up to Date, Health Officials Urge, as Quebec Cases Top 300. Sheryl Ubelacker, Health Reporter, The Canadian Press, June 11, 2011: Almost a decade ago, measles was declared eradicated in the Americas, thanks to widespread vaccination efforts.
Korean Family Granted Three-Year Temporary Stay. CBC News, June 10, 2011: The Maeng family has been granted a temporary stay of three years while their permanent residency application is being processed, according to a news release from the family's lawyer.
Ottawa Calls Off Deportation of Autistic Teen. CTV News, June 10, 2011: A South Korean family with an autistic son, who are at the centre of a deportation controversy, will be allowed to stay in Canada after the government issued temporary visas Friday evening.
A call to action by Autism Society Canada. EMC News (Perth), June 9, 2011: For 35 years, the provincial and territorial member societies of Autism Society Canada have been actively partnering with their provincial and territorial government representatives to advocate for services and supports for individuals living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Both the United States and United Kingdom have legislation to support national strategies for autism. Today, Autism Society Canada calls the Government of Canada to action: Canada must have a Canadian Autism Strategy.
Don't Deport Korean Family, N.B. Expert Says. CBC News, June 6, 2011: An economic development expert says Canada's decision to deport a South Korean family sends the wrong message to would-be immigrants.
No Quick Fixes for Violent Behaviour. Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press, May 28, 2011: An angry push that ends in concussion. A hard punch to the mouth. A care worker yanked to her feet by the hair.
People with Disabilities Share Hugs, Forge Friendships with Caregivers. Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press, May 23, 2011: Beth Desjardins suddenly springs from the couch, crosses the floor and hugs her housemate and caregiver Marian Bulley.
Developmental Disability on Rise in US Kids: Why? David W. Freeman, CBS News. May 23, 2011: Developmental disability is on the rise in the U.S. Between 1997 and 2008, the number of school-age children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or another developmental disability rose by about 17 percent, a new study showed.
Prison Tour Parenting (By Lynette Louise). Tsara Shelton, OpEdNews, May 23, 2011: I vividly remember this adventure my mom took us on! My oldest son was only a few weeks old when we embarked on this thrilling journey. Sharing with prisoners our music, comedy, inspiration and my chronically leaking breasts! Good times. The togetherness our family experienced is descibed beautifully at the close of this diary entry.
Parents Demand Better Care than Institutions Can Provide for Vulnerable [sic.]. Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press, May 22, 2011: In the quiet moments after Myrtle Eveleigh visits her 20-year-old autistic grandson, she sometimes sits in her car and weeps.
Predictors of Bullying of Autistic Children Identified. Norma MacReady, Medscape News, May 19, 2011: Poor emotional regulation makes children with autism prime targets for bullies, researchers said here at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) 10th Anniversary Meeting.
Hansen: Autism Documentary Hits Home for Mom. Marc Hansen, DesMoinesRegister.com, May 12, 2011: Matthew Kiebel of Des Moines is 29 and autistic. . . . He doesn't talk. Instead, he communicates by typing words on a keyboard and pushing a "speak button" that prompts a computer to say the words aloud.
IMFAR: Boys With Autism More Likely to Be Bullied. DoctorsLounge.com, May 12, 2011: Adolescent boys with an autism spectrum disorder have deficits in areas of social and cognitive functioning that appear to place them at higher risk of peer victimization than their counterparts without the condition, according to research presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, held from May 12 to 14 in San Diego.
Unravelling the Mysteries of Autism. Ashante Infantry, thestar.com, May 5, 2011: First-time visitors may be unsettled by the sticker outside Valerie South's front door: “Occupant with autism may not respond to verbal commands.”
Checklist Helps Doctors Identify Autism in Babies. April Lim, and Kim Covert, Ottawa Citizen, April 28, 2011: The checklist developed by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, is given as part of the standard one-year checkup. It's a time-efficient, low-cost way to help doctors detect Autism Syndrome Disorder, along with other language or developmental delays.
Two Fredericton Firms Nominated for Innovation Awards. Natalie Stechyson, Telegraph Journal, April 27, 2011: Howroyd, a speech language pathologist, is recognized for her online innovation AutismPro, a tool used to design educational programs for children with autism.
We Need to Address Our National Autism Crisis. Harold Doherty, Canada.com, April 27, 2011: Public discussion of issues during this current election period has covered the usual range of political leadership, economic, fiscal and social issues. There has even been considerable debate over the intricacies of parliamentary democracy.
Canada Bars Autistic Teen from Immigrating. Hugh Adami, The Ottawa Citizen, April 26, 2011: What Canadian immigration has done to an English teenager and his parents is cruel, embarrassing and hypocritical.
New GPS Tracking Bracelet Revolutionizes Healthcare Industry – Those with Autism, Alzheimer's, Dementia and Other Cognitive Disorders Can Now More Easily and Effectively Avoid Wandering, Drowning and Possibly Death. Performance Public Relations, Business Wire, April 26, 2011.
Wellbeing: Tuning into the Realities of Autism. Melissa Leong, National Post, April 18, 2011: When Suzanne Lanthier’s son was a toddler, he would meticulously line up his toy cars and blocks with exact spacing. “I thought he was so intelligent,” she says. “Here he was without a ruler and he was lining up his toys perfectly and he was entertaining himself.”
New Tracking Technology for Autistic Kids. Annabel Tautou, FrenchTribune.com, April 13, 2011: The new program for the help of autistic kids has been launched on Tuesday by the Nova Scotia.
NS Adopts Tracking Program for People with Autism, Dementia. Bradley Bouzane, The Gazette, April 13, 2011: Nova Scotia announced a new program Tuesday to help monitor the location of autistic children and other vulnerable people who may wander off and get lost, an example the Autism Society of Canada hopes other provinces and territories will follow.
Interview with Advocate Sheila Medlam on Her Son Mason and Autism Wandering. Mike Frandsen, DC Examiner, April 13, 2011: On July 27, 2010, 5-year old Mason Medlam, a non-verbal boy with autism, wandered from his home in Colwich, Kansas and drowned in a pond despite numerous safety precautions.
Project Lifesaver Reunites Families with Autistic Loved Ones. Staff Reports, The Holland Sentinel, April 7, 2011: In light of Autism Awareness Month in April, police are encouraging residents with loved ones who wander due to any cognitive condition to register for Project Lifesaver.
Canadian Authorities Continue Search for Boy With Autism. Michelle Gonzalez, Autism Key, April 5, 2011: A potentially heartbreaking story has emerged from Canada in Laval, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal.Three-year-old Adam Benhamma, who has autism and is both non-verbal and deaf, has been missing since Sunday afternoon after playing outside with his sister.
Police, Parents Team up for Autism Registry. Dave Dale, The Nugget, April 5, 2011: North Bay is one of three communities in Canada with an autism registry to help police when someone goes missing or is in crisis.
Raising a Child with Autism: Parents Become the Expert, Some Remarks Unhelpful. Anne-Marie Tobin, Winnipeg Free Press, April 4, 2011: Montreal writer Joel Yanofsky admits that his journey towards accepting his son's diagnosis of autism wasn't easy. He says he "moped a bit, or more than a bit." And he knew that if he was going to get any therapy to deal with it or make sense of it, it would have to come through writing.
She Proved them Wrong and Achieved Her Dream. Gordon Sinclair Jr., Winnipeg Free Press, March 31, 2011: Someone in the newsroom casually asked what I was working on for Thursday. "Something inspiring," I told her...
Moose Jaw Women Photographs Children with Autism to Change People's Perception of the Disorder. Pamela Cowan. The Vancouver Sun, March 29, 2011: Photographer Jodie Goodison uses her camera to focus attention on the abilities children with autism have — not on the negatives of their disorder.
Opening up the Mic for Autism. Jenny Jelen, Northern Life.ca, March 29, 2011: One in every 110 children has autism, according to Blake Lemieux, the assistant manager of northern Ontario development for Autism Canada.
Mom Urges Cops to Create Online Autism Registry. Trevor Wilhelm, Windsor Star, February 12, 2011: Michelle Helou's home is like a fortress. There are combination locks on exits, alarms that sound when doors open and a secured gate on her son's bedroom.
Letting a Disabled Child Lead the Way. Debra Hughes, The Spec, February 12, 2011: I was moved to write by last Monday’s article on this page, which ran under the headline The challenges of childhood disability.
Progress Being Made on Autism Services by Hiring of New Regional Project Coordinator [Press Release]. Education and Early Childhood Development. February 11, 2011: The new Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA) Autism Project Coordinator will work with provincial partners to support best practice service delivery throughout Atlantic Canada says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
The Challenges of Childhood Disability. Peter Rosenbaum, The Spec, February 7, 2011: The Ontario government last week set up meetings to seek the public’s suggestions on the best way to provide more timely, effective and convenient supports to young children and their families.
Frisbees: The Ultimate Connection. Paula Trotter, Red Deer Advocate, February 3, 2011: Aden Graham ran around the soccer pitch at the Collicutt Centre on Wednesday smiling while he demonstrated how to properly throw and catch a frisbee.
Family Gets Apology After Autistic Man Confined in Room for Weeks. Michael Tutton, Canadian Press, January 26, 2011: A Nova Scotia special care home apologized to the mother of a 20-year-old autistic man who said her son was locked for periods of time over 15 days in a room without a bathroom.
Autistic Man Confined in Room, Sometimes Without Toilet, for Two Weeks: Mother. Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press, January 25, 2011: An autistic man was locked in a room at a special care home in Nova Scotia for 15 days, sometimes urinating in the corner when nobody knew he needed to go to the washroom, says his mother and staff at the facility.
The Autism Enigma – Beauty and Silence. Heather Mallick, thestar.com, January 18, 2011:Tennyson Quance is 10 years old now and still one of the prettiest humans I’ve ever met...
Autism Registry Offers Comfort for Families. Michelle Nash, Your Ottawa Region, January 6, 2011:A pilot autism registry in the City of Ottawa has been receiving amazing feedback so far.
Family Autism Night Gives Support to Edmonton Parents and Siblings. Jana G. Pruden, Edmonton Journal, December 27, 2010: Sultan Armoush pinches, hits and shrieks. He jumps up and down on the couch, flails his hands, claps loudly, and paces back and forth around the room.
Rogers TabLife™ TO: Tablets and Autism Case Study [Streaming Video]. Visit tablife.ca.
AMC Theatre Chain to Run 'Sensory Friendly Films' for Moviegoers with Autism. Joanne Laucius, Ottawa Citizen, December 10, 2010:The AMC chain has become the first in Canada to introduce movie screenings adapted for viewers with autism spectrum disorder.
Provinicial Projects Gaining in Idol-Style Vote. The Telegram, December 5, 2010: Three projects out of this province are gaining ground in the run for a piece of the $1 million Aviva Community Fund.
Mason Alert to be Combined with Take Me Home Program to Prevent Autism Wandering. Mike Frandsen, Examiner.com, November 20, 2010: Children with autism can be prone to wandering, fascinated by water or other hazards, and unaware of danger...
Newcastle Teen Brings Visibility to Disability in Video. Jennifer O'Meara, durhamregion.com, November 15, 2010: A short film about a local boy with autism came in fourth in a Canada-wide video contest designed to bring visibility to disability.
Japanese Commercial – Autistic Child [Streaming Video]
Five Therapy Robots Helping With Alzheimer’s, Autism & Cancer. Brodie Beta, GeekBeat.tv, October 23, 2010: As you probably already know, we’re big robot-fans here at GeekBeat.TV so we’re pretty geeked about most robotic platforms — especially those designed to help people get better.
Edmonton Gets First Centre Designed to Help Children with Autism. CTV.ca, October 14, 2010: A ceremonial sod turning was held Thursday morning to mark the site of the Maier Centre for Autism Services in west Edmonton.
Kids with Autism Can Lie: Study. Laura Payton, Toronto Sun, October 8, 2010: Kids with autism will tell white lies, possibly to protect people’s feelings, new Canadian research shows.
Research News
Estimated Autism Recurrence Rate Goes Up. Todd Neale, MedPage Today, August 15, 2011: Among families who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the risk of a subsequent child developing an ASD may be higher than previously estimated, a multicenter study showed.
Study Finds New ADHD Genes, Links Susceptibility with Autism and Other Neuropsychiatric Conditions. Paul Cantin, Hospital for Sick Kids Press Release, August 10, 2011: New research led by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the University of Toronto has identified more genes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and shows that there is an overlap between some of these genes and those found in other neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study is published in the August 10 advance online edition of Science Translational Medicine.
Health System Fails the Elderly: CMA Report. Sharon Kirkey, National Post, August 10, 2011: Cancelled surgeries. Patients who need hospital care but can’t get it. Families forced to sell their homes to pay for autistic children’s treatment.
Immunotec and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Collaborate on New Autism Study using Immunocal®. PRNewswire, July 26, 2011: mmunotec Inc. (TSXV: IMM) (www.immunotec.com/IRL/ Public/en/USA/products_overview.wcp?) announces that Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Florida is conducting a study to determine the effects of Immunocal on the behaviours of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Immunocal, a whey protein isolate, is Immunotec's flagship product.
MRI May Detect Autism, Israeli Scientist. Janice Arnold, The Canadian Jewish News, June 6, 2011: Autism and related developmental disorders may, in the coming years, be diagnosed in children as young as one year old using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), says an Israeli scientist.
Study Uses MRIs to Identify Autism. Karen Seidman, The Gazette (Montreal), May 27, 2011: It is considered the holy grail of autism research, and Israeli researcher Ilan Dinstein - speaking in Montreal yesterday - just may have found it.
New Study Reveals Autism Prevalence in South Korea Estimated to be 2.6 Percent or 1 in 38 Children. Autism Speaks Press Release, May 9, 2011: Research by US, Korean and Canadian investigators identifies children not yet diagnosed and has potential to increase autism spectrum disorder prevalence estimates worldwide.
Children Conceived in Winter Have a Greater Risk of Autism, Study Finds. HealthCanal.com, May 5, 2011: An examination of the birth records of the more than 7 million children born in the state of California during the 1990s and early 2000s has found a clear link between the month in which a child is conceived and the risk of that child later receiving a diagnosis of autism.
Screening of One Year Old Kids May Help in the Diagnosis of Autism. Annabel Tautou, FrenchTribune.com, May 4, 2011: Researchers from the University of California at San Diego have advised the parents that an early screening of their kids might help in diagnosis of autism.
Early Screening Test for Autism Shows Promise. CBC.ca, May 2, 2011: With all the talk about Dr. Andrew Wakefield and his bogus research that fraudulently linked autism to MMR vaccine, you might have been left with the false impression that autism isn't a real disease. Take my word for it: autism is as real as it is heartbreaking for parents.
Autism And Epilepsy Caused By Common Gene. Jasmine Woods, Boomer Health and Lifestyle News, ThirdAge, April 24, 2011: Autism and epilepsy predisposition is connected to a new gene that researchers in Canada say they discovered.
Common Genetic Cause of Autism, Epilepsy. UPI.com, April 8, 2011: Researchers in Canada say they discovered a new gene that predisposes people to both autism and epilepsy.
Autism: Exceptional Visual Abilities Explained. Science Daily, April 5, 2011: Researchers directed by Dr. Laurent Mottron at the University of Montreal's Centre for Excellence in Pervasive Development Disorders (CETEDUM) have determined that people with autism concentrate more brain resources in the areas associated with visual detection and identification, and conversely, have less activity in the areas used to plan and control thoughts and actions.
Brain Canada Issues Statement Reinforcing Need for Government Support for Brain Research Funding. The Medical News, April 2, 2011: Brain Canada today issued a statement reinforcing the pressing need for targeted Federal government support for brain research funding in Canada.
Autism: DNA Research May Hold Promise. Jody Smith, epowHER, March 17, 2011: The causes of autism are still unknown, but studying genetic factors has been yielding some fruit in recent years, uncovering some of the genes that play a role in autism.
Male Sex Hormone Kills Empathy: Study. QMI Agency, February 22, 2011: A new study says too much testosterone reduces the ability to read other people's emotions - a fact that might explain what causes autism, and why it's more common in males than females.
Journalist Goes After Vaccine-Autism Link in Lancet Article. KJ Mullins, Digital Journal, February 15, 2011: On Tuesday evening the Canadian Journalism Foundation hosted The Vaccine-Autism Link Controversy: A Science Journalism Case Study at Essex Hall at the University of Toronto.
Sibling Spacing May Be Tied to Autism Risk. News Staff, CTV.ca, January 10, 2011: Children who are born only a year or so after an older sibling appear to be more likely to be diagnosed with autism than siblings with a bigger age gap, surprising new research suggests.
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Fetal Hypoxia in a Population-based Cohort: Accounting for Missing Exposures via Estimation-Maximization Algorithm. Igor Burstyn et al, BMC Medical Research Methodology 2011, 11:2: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with complications of pregnancy that implicate fetal hypoxia (FH); the excess of ASD in male gender is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that risk of ASD is related to fetal hypoxia and investigated whether this effect is greater among males.
Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network (CAIRN): Up-to-date summaries of autism research and literature reviews from around the world. Includes literature on research into various treatments and interventions. [ENG] [FRE]
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Series: Mysterious Clues led to FAS Diagnosis. Kim Pemberton, Vancouver Sun, December 5, 2010: Babies with facial deformities and intellectual deficits nagged northern B.C. doctor
Brain Scans Detect Autism's Signature. Karen N, Peart, Yale University Press Release, November 15, 2010: An autism study by Yale School of Medicine researchers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has identified a pattern of brain activity that may characterize the genetic vulnerability to developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Scientists Make Major Breakthrough in Understanding Autism. Staff, CityNews.ca, November 3, 2010: People with autism appear to have more nerve cell connections within the frontal lobe, according to a new study out of UCLA.
Genetic Links to Autism. Janice Karin, The Future of Things, July 24, 2010: Researchers at Oxford University in England have found a non-hereditary genetic link to autism. They have shown that individuals with autism tend to have either missing or extra sectors of DNA segments...
Autism Speaks Awards $450,000 Over Three Years for Longitudinal Study on Autism. Autism Speaks, Basic and Clinical Awards, 2010.
Genetic Finding Paves Way for Controversial Autism Testing. Carolyn Abraham, The Globe and Mail, June 9, 2010: An international effort led by Canadian scientists has uncovered the complex genetic architecture of autism...
Autism Linked to Rare Gene Changes. CBC News, June 9, 2010: People with autism may have differences in their genes that are unique to each person, a new international study shows.
Should the Results of Individual Genetic Studies be Disclosed to Participants? PHYSORG.com, June 13 2010: Individual results of genetic research studies should not be disclosed to participants without careful consideration, a scientist will tell the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics today (Monday).
Researchers Shed Light on Autism. Sixth Frame Programme, June 11, 2010: An international team of researchers has uncovered numerous genes that are associated with autism. The findings, published in the journal Nature, could lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating the condition.
Parents of Autistic Children Turning to Alternative Treatments: Little research supports most options, but families driven by need to help, experts say. Jenifer Goodwin, US News and World Report, May 2, 2010.
Children with Autism Frequently Receive Psychotropic Medications. American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2, 2010: Behavioral interventions typically are the first line of treatment to manage unwanted behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). If behaviors do not improve, medications frequently are added to the mix.
Disability Rights/Mental Health News
