Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Autism Society New Brunswick AGM

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Autism Society New Brunswick AGM

Another Autism Society New Brunswick AGM has come and gone. Turnout was low this year. But those who attended were very interested in autism in New Brunswick, asked good questions and offered valuable insights. The afternoon sped by quickly.

Some scenes from the day:

ASNB VP Lana Thomson (L) and President Tamara Downey (R)
greeting people at the entrance. Tamara is also a nurse who
was ready to report to duty at the Chalmers Hospital
near the end of the meeing.

ASNB veterans Albert & Dawn Bowie enjoy the day.

Harold Doherty - showing off my new tie and
offering my two cents worth.

ASNB VP Lana Thomson and NB NDP Leader Roger Duguay
who honored us with a visit and showed real interest in
autism issues in New Brunswick.

autism

2 comments:

Blogger Charles LeBlanc said...: Hey Big guy????

You should have given me credit for the picture of you and the guest!!!

:P; 9:04 pm
Anonymous said...: Keep up the good work. It often takes years to accomplish social change.; 10:49 pm

Why ABA For Autism?

The effectiveness of ABA-based intervention in ASDs has been well documented through 5 decades of research by using single-subject methodology21,25,27,28 and in controlled studies of comprehensive early intensive behavioral intervention programs in university and community settings.29–40 Children who receive early intensive behavioral treatment have been shown to make substantial, sustained gains in IQ, language, academic performance, and adaptive behavior as well as some measures of social behavior, and their outcomes have been significantly better than those of children in control groups.31–4

American Academy of Pediatrics, Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Research Awakening - Environment Plays Big Role, MUST Be Studied

My Autism Pledge For Conor

Today I pledge to continue; I Pledge to continue to fight for the availability of effective autism treatments; I Pledge to continue to fight for a real education for autistic children; I Pledge to continue to fight for decent residential care for autistic adults; I Pledge to continue to fight for a cure for autism; I Pledge to continue finding joy in my son but not in the autism disorder that restricts his life; Today, and every day, I Pledge to continue to hope for a better life for Conor and others with autism, through accommodation, care, respect, treatment, and some day, a cure; Today, and every day, I Pledge to continue to fight for the best possible life for Conor, my son with autistic disorder.

Dr. Jon Poling : Blinders Won’t Reduce Autism

"Fortunately, the ‘better diagnosis’ myth has been soundly debunked. ... only a smaller percentage of this staggering rise can be explained by means other than a true increase.

Because purely genetic diseases do not rise precipitously, the corollary to a true autism increase is clear — genes only load the gun and it is the environment that pulls the trigger. Autism is best redefined as an environmental disease with genetic susceptibilities."

We should be investing our research dollars into discovering environmental factors that we can change, not more poorly targeted genetic studies that offer no hope of early intervention. Pesticides, mercury, aluminum, several drugs, dietary factors, infectious agents and yes — vaccines — are all in the research agenda.

Dr. Jon Poling, Atlanta Journal Constitution, March 13, 2009