Autism Reality NB at IMFAR 2012 in Toronto, Canada

I am off tomorrow morning, very early tomorrow morning, for the IMFAR 2012 convention in Toronto.  I am very excited to be attending and blogging courtesy of Autism Speaks, Autism Speaks Canada, Dana Marnane and Suzanne Lanthier.  It was a tough day today though. Conor knows Dad won't be home for a few days and he has been a bit agitated.  This afternoon I received a call from the good people at the Leo Hayes High School that Conor was not having a good afternoon. They thought it better that he stay at school until his regular departure time though and I agreed.  When I picked him up I was informed that Conor had in fact calmed down and the rest of the afternoon had gone well.  Conor will miss his old Dad until I return Saturday night.  I might react differently but I will be missing him too.

It is worth it though to attend IMFAR with the annual concentration of autism research and knowledge being hosted in Canada. I am looking forward to blogging about IMFAR from the perspective of a father of a 16 year old son severely affected by his Autistic Disorder.  I underlined Disorder intentionally.  Autism for me is not a culture or a way of life. It is not just a different way of thinking.  It is a serious disorder that restricts my son's life, my son that I love dearly.  I want to attend IMFAR and learn  as much as possible and, hopefully, convey what I have learned, filtered through the perspective I have provided at Facing Autism in New Brunswick for 6 years. It is the perspective of a realistic, caring father who refuses to drink the "autism is a blessing" feel good Kool-Aid of the Neurodiversity advocates who insist on obliterating from public awareness the harsh realities inflicted on so many, including my son, who suffer from autism disorders. 

I hope the IMFAR convention brings news of real progress in autism research.  Although I am a realist I do not give up hope, hope based in solid research.  

I thank Autism Speaks for this opportunity.

Autism Therapy: Autistic Man Benefited From ABA

If you listened to many of the anti-ABA ideologues in the Neurodiversity club you would not want ABA therapy for your child. If you are the parent of a newly diagnosed autistic child and you listened to thef promotoers of the Alleged Autism Rights Movement you would not seek ABA therapy for your child. If you listen to these ideologues you would pass on the only proven effective healt treatment AND education intervention for autistic children.

Many of the anti-ABA ideologues have no actual experience with ABA themselves and yet they dismiss the conclusions of responsible agencies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Maine (MADSEC) Autism Task Force, the New York State Department of Health, the US Surgeon Generals Office, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, the May Institute, and five decades of research pointing to the effectiveness of ABA in helping autistic children. Of course the ideologues who believe that autism is not truly a disorder, because their mild version of autism poses few restriction on their enjoyment of life, also dismiss, the views and efforts of hundreds of thousands of parents across North America who are seeking to treat, educate or otherwise help their autistic children with ABA intervention.

If you are the parent of a newly diagnosed autistic child seeking therapy for your child read the responsible authorities referenced above, the latest being the 2007 report of the American Academy of Pediatrcs, Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. ABA is not a "cure" for autism. But it is have been proven effective at helping autistic children as stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

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.31–40

You may also want to read the NBC10 feature Autism Therapy Proves Effective For Bucks County Teen which tells the story of A.J. Corless diagnosed with low-functioning autism whose family sought ABA intervention for their son, now a thriving adult:

"I learned how to do current events, English, spelling, proofreading. I'm learning how to cook, take inventory, put pictures on scrapbook and upload pictures," Corless said.

But his life wasn't always that way.A short time after his second birthday, Corless was diagnosed with low-functioning autism."I was told to go home, worry about my other children. He wouldn't amount to anything," Joanne Corless, A.J.'s mother, said.The Corless family chose to ignore the bleak diagnosis from doctors and were determined to help A.J. reach his full potential.That's when they turned to an intense, one-on-one therapy, called applied behavioral analysis or ABA.

"The ABA is just constantly keeping them on task, constantly reinforcing them, making them learn," Joanne Corless said.The Corless family saw change instantly."He's come a lot further than we've ever dreamed he's come," Joanne Corless said.Joanne said shortly after beginning ABA therapy, A.J. began to speak and follow directions.Now at 18, he plays classical piano, volunteers at a library and excels in many sports."I have a red belt in karate. I like going to the special Olympic games," A.J. Corless said.

He also can get you anywhere you need to go."I like to get my mom directions to places so she doesn't get lost," A.J. Corless said. Everyday, he works to overcome the obstacles of autism and his family said specialized therapy makes it possible."I look at A.J. and I think that he is a child that has learned to live with his disability. He has a great life. He really does," Joanne Corless said.




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