NBC 29, WVIR-TV has a brief on line article on the autism treatment debate. It features some commentary on the effectiveness of ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, and references kelation (chelation) as an alternative treatment which is NOT clinically approved. The article contain some comments about ABA as an effective autism treatment including observations fro Michael McKee of the Virginia Institute of Autism.
There is an excellent quote from Coy Barefoot. I do not share Mr. Barefoot's views on mercury as the cause of autism but the following quote resonates with me as an 'autism dad' more interested in effective ways to help my autistic son then in giving up and prattling about 'accepting' the 'joys of autism':
"If you told me today that standing on my head in the middle of the street would help my son, I will be there in seconds and I will stand on my head for as long as it takes"
- Coy Barefoot, of Dads against Mercury, father of an autistic son, author of "A Dad's Guide to Autism."
- Conservative leader John Tory to Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty
Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty took a lot of heat during the Ontario leaders debate this evening over his record of broken promises during his first term as Premier of Ontario including the shot from Conservative John Tory above. McGuinty's broken autism promise was also featured in the Conservative leader's opening statement video which featured Tory with a mother of an autistic child who accused McGuinty of breaking his promise to help her child. Tory says : "Broken promises have consequences for families like Kathy's. I want to earn your trust."
Hopefully, autism will not be just a political attack point during the election. Hopefully, all party leaders will remember the autism issue when the next Government of Ontario is seated.
"Throughout the state there is an intense need to plan for and address the impending housing, transportation, employment and educational needs of the "tsunami" of young people with ASD who will soon transition into a community setting"
The Report of the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism urges California policy makers to make Autism Spectrum Disorders a public policy priority and makes recommendations across the life span. While early intervention and education have been highlighted in various public agency reports in North America in recent years this report also highlights the need for employment and housing strategies. It even delves into judicial treatment of autistic behavior which is sometimes marked by aggressiveness.
The authors of this report undoubtedly knew that use of the word "tsunami" would in itself provoke an intense reaction in autism and policy circles. That they chose to do so illustrates the seriousness with which they view the autism crisis in California. The report will undoubtedly be devoured by policy makers across the world in the coming days. California, once again, leads the way in facing up to autism issues.
Yesterday a very good, kind person who I have known for a while professionally, and who has met my son, asked me whether there was something Conor is really good at. Conor is a great joy in my life and I am pleased that he has made progress with language and understanding life primarily by ABA intervention. But he does not have a special gift or talent. The idea that autistic persons all possess some special gift is one of those enduring myths of autism. One unfortunately, that is perpetuated with each media example of one of the talented individuals with autism who do in fact exist.
The myth that ALL autistic persons enjoy a special gift is also perpetuated by the neurodiversity ideologues who assert that autistics have a different, even superior intelligence. These same ideologues like to identify as autistic any historical figure of great intelligence or accomplishment from Einstein to Van Gogh. They also like to deny that many autistic persons are in fact intellectually challenged and that many live out their lives dependent on the care of others, sometimes in institutional settings. Hiding this unfortunate reality is one of the true offenses of the neurodiversity movement. They try to draw society's attention away from the plight of lower functioning autistic persons, rendering them invisible. Lower functioning, non verbal autistic persons are the victims of a myth, they are the victims of true stigma.
If you are believe some of the internet rhetoric you might not think that autism is a serious disorder. People, particularly parents, who try to inform you otherwise are often shouted down by the internet crowd that wants to take ownership of autism and pretend that it is simply another variation of the human condition, not a disorder. But reality delivers some rude jolts to this internet based ideology. One such jolt occurred recently when a 15 year autistic boy ran away from an Orange Co. California social services centre and ended up running through traffic until he was TASERed by police and returned to his family. Fortunately the young man is reported to be in good condition.
If you think autism is all about high functioning savants and allegedly "low functioning" autistic adults who dispense internet advice and hobnob with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Anderson Cooper and UK Guardian reporters think again. The Fayetteville Observer reports an all too common story of a non verbal, autistic boy who was suspended from school for an outburst of aggressive behavior. In effect, the boy was punished for being autistic. The school response was not unique to Fayetteville by any means and we have seen it happen here in New Brunswick on occasion although generally matters here are improving.
The school authorities should probably do a functional analysis of the incident, including a thorough analysis of the child's environment, program of instruction and learning methodology. Being in North Carolina the school will probably be involved with a TEACCH approach. It might be wise though to consider ABA, still the only evidence based proven effective educational approach for autistic children, particularly non verbal autistic children. TEACCH or ABA, the child should not simply be punished for behavior which arises directly from his Autism Disorder. The next step for some autistic children, unfortunately, is punishment in the criminal courts, punishment for being autistic.
As a lawyer, here in New Brunswick, I have seen it happen.
Annual General Meeting Saturday October 13, 1-4 pm Crowne Plaza, Fredericton
The theme of the annual general meeting of the Autism Society New Brunswick this year is Autistic Youth and Adult Residential Care and Treatment in NB. I am privileged to be the featured speaker and will address those present on the current state of residential care and treatment services for autism in New Brunswick, discussions with the Province of New Brunswick in relation to these critically important matters.
These discussions could have a significant influence on the future course of youth and adult residential care and treatment in New Brunswick which, as it now stands, is in serious need of upgrading. We all hope that our children outlive us and have long and happy lives after we are gone. Now is the time to take steps to ensure a positive future for your autistic children in New Brunswick. YOU are a stakeholder in the most important sense of that expression. ASNB recognizes that and urges everyone in New Brunswick with an autistic loved one, and autistic persons themselves, to attend this meeting.
Please contact ASNB atautism_nb@yahoo.com to confirm your attention to attend. You may also send me an email at either of these two email addresses: dohertylaw@rogers.com or AutismRealityNB@gmail.com
I hope to see you at the Crowne Plaza in Fredericton on October 13.
Ivan Corea, head of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK calls on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to take decisive action on autism on YouTube. The Film on You Tube features Lee Scott MP, Member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health who is championing the cause of autism in parliament.
Also featured is the Nimal Mendis song for autism 'Open Every Door' sung by Birmingham based musician Rozagy who has Asperger's Syndrome. Nimal Mendis is one of Sri Lanka's distinguished singer/songwriters - this is the first ever song for autism written and composed by a South Asian songwriter.
Ivan Corea said, ' I urge Gordon Brown to launch a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action to include building specialist autism schools and an AUTISM COMPACT with employers to open the labour market to people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome who can work. We also need a debate on autism and the elderly. Who will look after them when they grow old?'
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder. 0ver 500,000 people in the UK have autism; over 90,000 children are on the autism spectrum; according to UK Researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism.
A group of approximately 25 autism parents protested at Dalton McGuinty's Ottawa South constituency office yesterday according to a report by the Ottawa Citizen. The protest was part of the Autism Day of Action organized by the Ontario Autism Coalition. Meanwhile Howard Hampton and the NDP left no room to doubt their commitment to autistic children and students.
A McGuinty spokesperson appeared and listed some of the actions taken by the McGuinty led Liberal government during the past term of office including elimination of the age cutoff with about 60 per cent of children in the IBI program now being six years of age or older. The number of children receiving IBI was stated to have gone from 531 in 2004 to 1,400 today, the McGuinty government more than tripled spending on autism services for children and youth from $44 million in 2003-04 to $140 million in 2007-08, and created a college program to train new therapists.
Those numbers are significant but they do not actually address the enormous challenge in Canada's most heavily populated province. The Citizen article tells the story of the Lander family of Kanata who spend $40,000 a year for behavioral, speech and occupational therapy for their autistic son. With waiting lists for diagnosis and receipt of services the wait for autism services has grown to four years. Four years! Unless a child is diagnosed at birth they would miss completely the important early development period for treatment between ages 2 and 5. The Ontario Autism Coalition wants waiting lists eliminated, proper training and accreditation of therapists, and specialized instructors to work with autistic children in schools.
Sam Yassine, an Ottawa member of the Ontario Autism Coalition executive committee points out recent Liberal spending commitments for autism have come at the end of the McGuinty government 's term.
"For the last four years he denied our children, "Now, before the election, he announces $10 million. We find this very cynical. It's another promise to be broken."
Andrew Kavchak, who has maintained a vigil for years at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa seeking a national autism strategy, including Medicare coverage of ABA treatment for autism, is blunt in expressing his feelings about the Promise Breaker:
Despite the focus on the Promise Breaker and his betrayal of autistic children and their families there was good news from NDP Leader Howard Hampton yesterday:
Hampton Offers New Resources For Children With Autism
Bradford
September 15, 2007 - 12:00am
Ontario NDP Leader Howard Hampton joined NDP York-Simcoe Candidate Nancy Morrison and other families at a local playground to announce the NDP’s plan to support families with autism.
The NDP will put children and families first by providing publicly funded Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) services in classrooms for all children with autism, and clear the waiting list for autism services.
“Every child who needs IBI autism therapy should have access to it. That’s the only fair thing to do. It’s a practical, doable and sensible thing we can do that will make an immediate difference to the day-to-day lives of today’s families.” said Hampton.
During the last election, McGuinty wrote a letter to Morrison promising to provide autism services to Ontario children who need it. McGuinty broke his promise. As of March 31, 2007, 1,100 children were languishing on waiting lists for autism services. That's an increase of 1,200 per cent from when the McGuinty Liberals took office.
McGuinty even wasted $2.4 million of public money fighting parents in the courts for the right to break his promise.
“Dalton McGuinty wasted $2.4 million dragging families through the courts instead of addressing the pressing need for autism services for today’s working families. That much money could have funded special treatment for 50 children with autism for a year,” said Hampton.
“McGuinty’s priority was to give himself a $40,000 raise and slush fund money to his friends. New Democrats will stand up for a fair deal for today’s working families.”
Howard Hampton, and the NDP, are absolutely right. Provision of therapy to autistic children is practical and doable IF it is a real priority of government to get it done. In the past that has not always been the case. The Ontario Autism Coalition, and parents of autistic children, are making sure that persons with autism occupy a more deserving spot in the hierarchies of government priorities in Ontario. Mr. Hampton and the NDP have indicated clearly and unambiguously where autism needs would be placed in an NDP government list of priorities.
The Ontario Autism Coalition and the Ontario NDP both deserve credit for advancing the best interests of autistic children in Ontario.
Autism issues are heating up the Ontario election campaign, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the Ontario Autism Coalition, which has been very well organized and effective in getting autism issues in front of political participants. Today the NDP and Liberals squared off over the issues of age cut off and school provision of ABA/IBI services for autistic children.
The Canadian Press is reporting a commitment by NDP leader Howard Hampton to provide publicly funded Intensive Behavioral Intervention in classrooms for all autistic children. The NDP has committed to providing IBI therapy for an autistic child from the day they qualify and an end to waiting lists. Children and Youth Services Minister Mary Anne Chambers retorts however that there simply aren't enough trained autism support workers to provide one on one treatment to every child who needs it.
In New Brunswick we have faced the same issues over the past several years. The UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training program grew out of the need to train Autism Support Workers and Clinical Supervisors in the pre-school and school years. That training has been taking place over the past several years with training of another 100 Teacher Aides (Autism Support Workers) and Resource Teachers (Clinical Supervisors) scheduled to start in October. Premier Shawn Graham and Education Minister Kelly Lamrock have committed to train another 300 TA's and teachers over the next 3 years. In proportion to Ontario's population that would be roughly the equivalent of a commitment to train a further 4,000 Autism Support Workers and Clinical Supervisors to work in Ontario schools. We are very confident that New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham and Education Minister Kelly Lamrock will keep their promise to New Brunswick's autistic school children.
The McGuinty government should quit making excuses for why they can't address the needs of Ontario's autistic children, stop breaking promises, stop fighting parents in court and buckle down and get to work helping autistic children. Maybe Ontario parents will decide to Get Orange and vote for the NDP.
One of the interesting discrepancies, amongst many, in the autism world is the difference between the 1 in 150 rate cited by the CDC in the US and the 1 in 100 rate cited by Simon Baron-Cohen and other experts as the autism rate in the UK. What is also interesting is the 1 in 94 rate cited by the CDC for New Jersey which is obviously much closer to the UK figure. Is the 1 in 94 NJ rate more representative of actual rates across the US ?
If the rates of autism are affected, in whole or in part, by environmental considerations then it would be difficult, if not impossible, to reach any conclusions about USA rates based on the NJ figures. But if there are no environmental factors influencing the development of autism, if autism is, as some argue, simply a naturally occurring genetic variation, then it may well be that the NJ rate is representative of the USA as a whole with the higher NJ rate, which brings it much closer to the UK, being attributable to better awareness, diagnosis and other services compared to other parts of the US.
Kristina Chew is the host and author of Autism Vox, a very well written "autism" blog which presents a neurodiversity ideological perspective on autism, a perspective which does not embrace environmental considerations as possible causes of autism or rising autism rates. She is also a New Jersey resident and has commented on New Jersey's 1 in 94 rate suggesting some factors which, if true, would seem to suggest that the NJ autism rate of 1 in 94 might be a more accurate number for the US as a whole then the 1 in 150 cited by the CDC. As she comments in A Whole Lot of Autism To Account For in New Jersey:
Rather than trying to get to some “bottom,” some specific thing that we can point to and say “this is the cause of autism,” I would suggest that numerous other force are working in concert. These forces range from “better understanding of autism and diagnosis” to the expanded definition of autism to embrace the notion of an autism spectrum.
Ms Chew's list of "numerous other forces" working in concert does not include possible environmental causes. The autism spectrum factor is a constant in the US. That leaves better understanding of autism and diagnosis as explaining New Jersey's higher rate. Presumably, if Ms Chew's list is a good explanation for NJ's higher rate, than rates in other regions would climb if those regions also benefited from better understanding and diagnosis. In that case their autism rates should resemble New Jersey's 1 in 94 rate ... or perhaps at least the UK's 1 in 100.
Of course that assessment could change considerably if environmental factors are shown to play a causal role, to one extent or another, in some cases of autism.
New Jersey is making a lot of positive autism news of late. The autism legislation passed, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruling, and now the launch of the Bankbridge Development Center, an autism school in Gloucester Country New Jersey. Apart from autism specific programs and support the school is environmentally tailored for autistic students with features like non glare lighting and quiet interiors.
The opening is featured at the Courier Post On Line and includes some nice pictures from the opening yesterday of the grounds, some staff, Gov. Jon Corzine and most importantly some students. As described in the Gloucester County Press Release:
This state-of-the-art facility will serve up to 200 students from age 3 to 21 years. The Autism school maximizes classroom design to address specialized lighting, textures and bathroom accessibility so that difficulties related to the disorder are minimized and the learning environment is maximized.
In addition to an educational facility for the students, the building houses Gloucester County Autism Services, Early Intervention Services, Regional Council Services, an Education Resource Center, a Family Resource Center, and Gloucester County Special Child Health.
The educators and government decision makers in Gloucester County and the State of New Jersey deserve a pat on the back for this enlightened effort in educating autistic students.
Saturday, September 15 is the Ontario Autism Coalition Day of Action with events across Ontario. The OAC is doing an outstanding job of bringing autism issues to the attention of politicians during this Ontario election and into the public consciousness.
September 15, 2007 will be marked by events held at MPP riding offices including Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, Windsor, Essex, and Sarnia.
"Autism issues fall under the mandate of the UN declaration of the rights of the Disabled, a declaration to which Canada is signatory", says Laura Kirby-McIntosh, a member of the OAC executive committee." In Ontario, the current government has failed children with autism by denying them full and immediate access to ABA/IBI within the school system. This has resulted in a growing waitlist that is now in excess of 1,000 children. Parents have no option but to go into financial hardship in order to provide this necessary therapy for their children.
"Autism rights are universal and every province and territory in Canada must ensure that these rights are respected and promoted. This day of action is an important opportunity for the citizens of Ontario to remind their political leaders of these rights and press them for their commitment to them." says Ms. McIntosh.
The OAC is asking for a commitment from all political parties to the following:
1) Allow Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) instructor therapists currently working within the Autism Intervention Program (AIP) entry into the school system so that scientifically valid, supervised Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) can be implemented. Children receiving intensive ABA through the AIP and students attending school should receive the same quality of ABA services.
2) Eliminate the waitlist in the AIP and fully fund services for all children with Autism-from the mild to severe end of the Autism Spectrum.
3) Develop a formal credentialing system and a proper training and recruitment system for the implementation of ABA to ensure accountability and capacity within the system.
People interested in Getting Political with the Ontario Autism Coalition on the Autism Day of Action can join the OAC reps at the following locations across Ontario. OAC contact coordinates for each location also follow.
The New Jersey Supreme Court has done what Canada's Supreme Court would not do, it has ordered a health insurance plan for state workers to cover the cost of therapy for a 5 year old autistic boy. As reported in the Star-Ledger online the therapy cost the boy's family about $35,000 per year. The NJSC upheld two earlier appellate rulings:
The Supreme Court upheld two appellate rulings that came down in January and May 2007. The January decision said the commission could not deny treatment for "a class of dependents, notably afflicted children, based on the nature of their mental illness."
In Canada we can sometimes be smug about our "universal" health care coverage believing our system of health care coverage to be superior to that of our American friends. But in Auton the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that governments which provide our primary health care coverage in Canada were not required to provide coverage for ABA treatment for autistic children. For autistic children in Canada, and their families, Auton meant in effect that little, if any, reliance could be placed on Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 15.(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
The New Jersey Supreme Court ordered the state health benefits commission to pay the Micheletti family's bills in two weeks with 30 days to pay future bills. In Canada, by contrast, the families involved came away from the precedent setting Auton decision with something much less substantial - the sympathy of the Court - as expressed by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin:
One sympathizes with the petitioners, and with the decisions below ordering the public health system to pay for their therapy. However, the issue before us is not what the public health system should provide, which is a matter for Parliament and the legislature. The issue is rather whether the British Columbia Government’s failure to fund these services under the health plan amounted to an unequal and discriminatory denial of benefits under that plan, contrary to s. 15 of the Charter. Despite their forceful argument, the petitioners fail to establish that the denial of benefits violated the Charter.
Nancy Morrison is the NDP candidate for York-Simcoe in the Ontario Election 2007. She is also the mother of two children, including eight year old son Sean who is autistic. Nancy is the "autism mom" who wrote to then Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty during the last Ontario provincial election campaign asking for help for her autistic son. Mr McGuinty promised to help. You know the rest of the story. Promise broken. Court fights to prevent families from obaining services for their autistic children. Court costs pursued against the families of autistic children that Mr McGuinty had promised to help.
Nancy is not taking the Promise Breaker's betrayal lying down. She is getting political in a big way, running as the NDP candidate for York-Simcoe in the Ontario Election. She has herself gone out on a limb and stated that she has full confidence in Howard Hampton and the NDP autism platform:
"I have been in discussion with him about what they will be doing, and I want the party to be able to release their stuff when they choose to release it," Morrison said.
Asked how other parents with autistic children can trust the party when they don't know what's planned, Morrison replied: "They will know what the party plans to do in the next two days ... I am very reassured. I have no worries at all about what the platform will be with the NDP."
Yesterday was a haircut day for Conor as these before and after pictures show.
Ordinary events in everyday life can become big challenges with an autistic child. Haircuts with the noise, the temporary restraint of the barber's chair, the itchy discomfort, the intrusion by another person into the child's personal space, can all add up to serious resistance by Conor.
A few years ago I would have to hold him, restrain him, in the barber's chair. He would get so upset that he would literally bite into my shoulder. Things are better now but it is still a challenge getting Conor's hair cut.
Haircuts are planned for times when few other clients will be around, in a smaller establishment, with the same lady who has been cutting Conor's hair for several years. With all that it is still not easy.
It is the skills, understanding and patience of the lady who cuts Conor's hair that makes it happen fairly smoothly. Sometimes we all take people, and what they contribute to our lives, for granted. One of the side benefits of having an autistic child is that you come to fully appreciate people who add to your child's life - and yours.
A New Zealand professor of farm management and agribusiness is claiming that milk, or more precisely a protein, referred to as a "milk devil" found in some types of cows bred for milk in NZ, is linked to many illnesses including autism.
The Dominion Post reports on a book to be released tomorrow by Professor Keith Woodford of Lincoln University in which he claims that he has assembled a mass of scientific evidence linking milk to heart disease, type-1 diabetes, autism, schizophrenia and other illnesses. The milk devil is beta-casomomorphin7, a derivative of A1 beta-casein, a gene found in cows' milk.
Health fears about milk stem from the link between a tiny protein fragment in milk - what Professor Woodford calls a "milk devil" - and many illnesses.
The devil is present in A1 milk, but not in A2, produced by about half of New Zealand's cows.
The dairy industry mixes both types together so that all milk, apart from a small amount produced by the A2 Corporation and sold mainly in Auckland, contains the milk devil.
Professor Woodford says the industry could simply remove any risk by breeding only A2 cows.
It is not clear from the Dominion Post article whether this A1 milk protein, the "milk devil" is produced outside New Zealand. Should be interesting. Milk causing autism? In What the 'milk devil' could do the Dominion Post article previews Professor Woodford's book Devil in the Milk which carries endorsements by Professor Sir John Scott, professor emeritus of medicine at Auckland University, and Professor Garth Cooper, Auckland University's professor of biochemistry and clinical biochemistry. The book reviews the "milk devil" connection with several conditions including autism:
Autism and schizophrenia. Scientists have identified that autism sufferers typically excrete the milk devil in their urine, but normal children do not.
This could come only from A1 milk. When milk is removed from their diets, most show a steady improvement and reduction in the symptoms of autism.
I guess we will have to wait and see what becomes of this casein and autism theory.
Simon Baron-Cohen is a distinguished Professor of Experimental Psychology and director of the Autism Research Center at the University of Cambridge. He is also a Neurodiversity Advocate who has recently promoted the view that autism is just a natural variation that should not be cured. As a parent of a profoundly autistic son whose life is obviously restricted and impaired by his Autism Disorder I find the Professor's remarks offensive.
His comments clearly indicate that he is at one with the Neurodiversity advocates who, while they self identify as autistic, deny that the autism disorder with which they self identify is in fact a disorder. It is one thing for these individuals to express their world views in this fashion but a director of an Autism Research Center? Clearly he is not dealing with the very serious cases of self injurious autism or approaching those individuals who must live out their lives in the institutional care of others. And he is not talking to the parents, family members and caregivers for these seriously autistic persons. If he were he would not be so quick to trivialize their life restricting realities with such superficial observations.
What really triggers my curiosity though is the Professor's career motivation. If he does not believe that autism should be cured, that it is just a natural variation of the human condition, like billions of other variations what is it about those who find themselves classified, either through professional or self diagnosis, as autistic, or Aspergers, that would prompt the Professor to spend his life studying these people? Is it just idle curiosity? Does the good Professor study people like my son out of idle curiosity?
Professor Baron-Cohen participated in the recently reported study indicating a possible causal or contributory role of prenatal testosterone in the development of autism. Why did he bother? If autistic persons should not be treated or cured; if autism is just another variation then why does it matter what role might be played by prenatal testosterone? The Professor's musings to the effect that perhaps we should not cure autistic persons, even seriously autistic, dependent, non-communicative autistic persons, is hard to reconcile with his testosterone study comments as reported in Reuters. There he indicated that collaboration with Danish researchers to tap a biological bank that has about 90,000 amniotic fluid samples to test whether there is a direct link between fetal testosterone and autism is the next step:
"This may provide us with a marker to help tell us who might be at risk."
At risk Professor? At risk of what? Developing a natural variation of the human condition that should not be cured in any event? Make up your mind Professor.
Autism, not surprisingly, has become a hot issue in the Ontario election with both opposition parties slamming Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty's notorious about face on autism as reported in the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star. But so far there has been little indication of autism plans or proposals put forth by any of the parties. That could change in the next few days though, according to the report in the Toronto Star , which noted that NDP leader Howard Hampton, after slamming McGuinty, still wasn't ready to announce his party's autism plans:
Hampton had no problem putting his $7.50 in Gabison's bowl but he wasn't willing to say exactly what his party would do for autistic children if elected.
Parents will have to wait "a couple of days" to hear his plans, he said.
...
Nancy Morrison - who received the promise letter from McGuinty in the last election — is now the NDP candidate in York Simcoe.
Parents will like what they hear from Hampton on autism, she said.
NBC 29, WVIR-TV has a brief on line article on the autism treatment debate. It features some commentary on the effectiveness of ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, and references kelation (chelation) as an alternative treatment which is NOT clinically approved. The article contain some comments about ABA as an effective autism treatment including observations fro Michael McKee of the Virginia Institute of Autism.
