Autism and NOISE

The Daily American Online of Somerset County PA is carrying a fascinating story of a high functioning autistic gentleman, Barney Vincelette, who was bothered by his neighbor's loud rock music and the steps he took to reach an accommodation with his neighbors. Many autistic persons, including my son Conor, are very sensitive to noises. There were times when I had to hold Conor on my lap while getting his hair cut. He would be so upset by the noise of shears in the barber shop that he would literally bite into my shoulder. We now pick quiet times when the shop is empty and get his hair cut, with scissors as much as possible, by a lady who is outstanding at working with Conor. Noise from motorcycles is a huge problem for Conor. Many motorbikes are adjusted to increase the sound level emitted and that is a problem for any one in the vicinity. For Conor it is a particularly difficult experience.


Autism renders sickening rock music

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 2:40 AM EDT

Barney Vincelette, who says his autism renders loud noises sickening to him, has been feuding for several years with neighbors in Houston, Del., over their rock music. At first, he invented his own sound-jammer, according to an April profile in the Wilmington News Journal, but a judge curtailed its use. Subsequently, he recorded super-annoying sounds of his own (including a fog horn's) and had them written out as music ("Sonata for Calliope of Truck Horns About to Be Transcribed for Locomotive Horns Opus No. 1"), at which point the judge decided that permitting the neighbors' Bon Jovi but not Vincelette's Sonata amounted to selective law enforcement, and the feuders settled their differences. (Vincelette, by the way, lives in a house shaped like a flying saucer.) [News Journal, 4-15-07]

Autism Rising in Nevada

The results of a decade-long study conducted by UNLV professors John P. Tuman and Sheniz Moonie found autism is on the rise in Nevada’s schools.

UNLV professors John Tuman and Sheniz Moonie have completed a decade long study on increasing autism rates in Nevada schools - from .27 per 1,000 in 1995 to 2.37 per 1,000 in 2004. This rate of increase is hard to explain away by any rationalization.

Professor Tuman notes that some autism cases are diagnosed as early as 24 months with signs noted as early as 15 months. In my sons case he was diagnosed 9 years ago at age 24 months and we noticed signs much earlier than 15 months although we did not think of, or even know about, autism at that time. He simply was not showing ordinary development milestones like giggling in response to peek a boo or responding in any noticeable way to attention. He did not use any typical baby words and barely spoke until long past 2 years of age - although he did use one word at an early age that stuck in my mind. While lying on the tile floor of a shopping mall, with his face pressed against the cool tile floor, Conor looked at the circular metal ring which formed the circumference of a drain pipe cover in the floor and said "circle". That reference to a geometric shape was the only word I heard him speak for a few years until we started using ABA to teach him words beginning with - apple.


Study: Autism rising
Professor shares findings

By Natalie Lombardo

UNLV political science professor and lead investigator of a study on the prevalence of autism in Nevada, John P. Tuman, spoke Wednesday about a nearly tenfold increase of the disorder in state schools.

Tuman was accompanied by his co-investigator Sheniz Moonie, a UNLV School of Public Health assistant professor, epidemiologist and biostatistician, speaking to a small group at the Carlson Education Building. Tuman said that 15 out of the 17 school districts in Nevada have experienced an increased prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Counties such as Clark, Lander and Churchill had prevalence of one in 322, one in 224 and one in 250 in 2004. Esmeralda County is the only district in Nevada that reported zero prevalence from 1994 to 2004. “I do not think this statistic is unusual because Esmeralda enrolls fewer than 80 students,” Tuman said, pointing out that the larger the district the more prevalence of autism.

He said the average prevalence of autism increased in Nevada from .27 per 1,000 in 1995 to 2.37 per 1,000 in 2004. He added that the average prevalence of learning disabilities have increased from 84 per 1,000 in 1995 to 92.4 per 1,000 in 2004, which is the largest increase in the state.

In 1943, about a dozen children were observed with having an extreme social disability. Their inability to interact with others was characterized as “autism” by a psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Kanner.

Since Kanner discovered this disorder, research and knowledge of autism has come a long way.

Today, autism is not only characterized by children who have difficulties communicating in a social scene, but also by unresponsiveness, slow development, sometimes being mute, attachment to routines, impaired speech and temperamental behavior.

Having a child with autism, Tuman is extremely passionate about his studies, noticeable through during his lecture.

He also looked at resources and funding for more research and dealing with the disorder correctly in schools.

“Funding has a positive and statistically significant help in detecting children with autism,” he said. More funding would allow school districts to have the tools needed to detect students with autism and give them the special needs and attention required of autistic children.

Tuman said that although the average age of diagnosis for autism is 24 months, there have been cases where autism signs were noticed as early as 15 months.

He said differences in social and economic characteristics of school districts influence the identification of ASD, providing statistics to the audience.

Tuman and Moonie collected data about the prevalence of ASD from the Nevada State Department of Education. The data included statistics on disorders such as mental retardation, learning disabilities and speech and language impairment. The data received was from each school district in the state.



http://www.unlvrebelyell.com/article.php?ID=10788

Autism Crisis - Australia

ABC is reporting on an Australian study which indicates that autism is costing Australia [ Population 20,823,333, May 14 07, Australian Bureau of Statistics] up to $7 billion a year; a reflection of a 10 fold increase in rates of Autism and Aspergers. Dr. James Morton of Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit says the problem has caught government unawares. Apparently the Australian government is as oblivious to the realities of autism as the Canadian government. Maybe Roy Grinker, Kristina Chew and others can offer some soothing anthropological perspective and some new literary metaphors to assist the Australian families who are struggling to help their autistic children acquire basic language and life skills.

http://tinyurl.com/38l6b

<span style="font-weight:bold;">Autism costing Aust up to $7b: report

A new report has found the treatment of autism and related conditions such as Asperger syndrome are costing the Australian economy up to $7 billion a year.

It was commissioned by Dr James Morton, one of the founders of the Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit.

Dr Morton says the report's release in Brisbane today has been timed to mark the start of Autism Awareness Week.

"It's really gone under the radar. It's exploded in the last 10 years. Some of the studies suggests that the incidence has increased 10-fold in the last decade," he said.

"I think that is why it's caught government unawares. It wasn't anywhere near the problem it is now 10 years ago."

Dr Morton says the official response to the rising incidence of autism has been too little, too late.

"I hope that this study brings [autism] to the community's attention and leads to funding for early detection and early intervention, which makes an enormous difference and is very under-funded in this country," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1921975.htm

National Autism Rally - Saturday May 26 - Dartmouth NS

[L to R - Andy Scott, Jim Munson, Peter Stoffer, Shawn Murphy]

The Supreme Court has spoken folks - twice. In Auton and Deskin-Wyneberg the Supreme Court of Canada has made it crystal clear that the equality rights provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are of no help to famlies seeking government funding for treatment of their childrens' autism. The SCC has left only one serous option to seek such remedy - the political arena. It is time to GET POLITICAL. FEAT-BC has been a Canadian leader in the fight for treatment for autistic Canadians and they will be at the Dartmouth Holiday Inn on Saturday May 26 to explain their national autism political strategy. Let's join this effort and fight for treatment for autistic Canadians. And let's say thank you to federal politicians who have fought for our autistic children - Andy Scott, Peter Stoffer, Shawn Murphy and Jim Munson. I hope to see you at the Holiday Inn. If you will attend please check out the registration info below and register before May 20.


An Invitation to join Families for Early Autism
Treatment of BC

(F.E.A.T. of BC) to say THANK YOU to:

Shawn Murphy, MP

Andy Scott, MP

Peter Stoffer, MP

Senator Jim Munson

For their dedication and commitment to improving the
lives of
Canadians affected by autism…

….AND….

To hear about F.E.A.T. of BC's exciting plans to "go
coastal" with
our national political initiative to achieve universal
health care
coverage for EVERY Canadian affected by autism.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Holiday Inn, Harbourview

101 Wyse Rd.

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia,

B3A 1L9

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

$25.00 per person – Refreshments will be served

Please make cheques payable to:

F.E.A.T. of BC, c/o Louise Witt, 2135 – 129th St., Surrey, BC, V4A 8H6

R.S.V.P. by May 20th. to Louise Witt, email: taylorwitt@shaw. ca or
call 604-538-1370.

For local enquiries: Luigi Rocca - luiroc@gmail. com 869-5444 (B) or
382-2239 (h)

Put ABA back in HB 1224 - A Perfectly Cromulent Blog

The attached excerpt and link are from Put ABA back in HB 1224 on Pete's blog A Perfectly Cromulent Blog Pop culture related smart-assery . The article is written in the blogger's irrevent style and is a textbook example of the need to include specific reference to ABA in legislation governing provision of health care coverage for autism. Whether it is Canada or Texas governments and lobbyists do not want legislation to require that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) be covered as a health care intervention for autism. Even though ABA is THE proven effective intervention for autism, even though autism reates are soaring, and even though studies document huge long term savings to governments and society ABA is still resisted while almost any other treatment for any other ailment receives coverage. Pete's commentary is very well written, gets to the point and tells a tale of government unresponsiveness to autism which is as true of the Government of Canada as it is of the Government of Texas.


"Which is what makes the amendment to HB 1224 so maddening. After all, if I was feeling a little down in the dumps, my health plan would cheerfully cover the cost of my happy pills. If I drunkenly jawed off to Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović in a Zagreb bar and he broke my jaw, insurance would cover the emergency room visit and my subsequent weeks of pain meds. Hell, if I was an 80-year old man having trouble getting a goddamned hard-on, insurance would cover my boner pills, but therapy to help my daughter become a functional and productive member of society and not just another ward of the state after her parents die? We can apparently fuck right off.

So we're choosing to tell our daughter's story now, after being quiet about it for the last 16 months: to emphasize how important it is that this bill pass in its original form. If it seems opportunistic or self-serving, well...there's not much I can say about that, except that things like ABA and other therapy programs would seem to be the point of insurance: to insure the well-being of these kids who otherwise would be without hope for a future.

Finally, the only thing that really gave me pause about posting this was something that was said to me about the possibility SWSNBN might read this later on in her life and be mortified. My only response to that is this: I'm not a religious person, so prayer is out of the question, but I hope beyond anything I have ever hoped in my miserable life that my daughter, at some point in the future, is able to read this blog and yell at her father about it. I want that so badly it physically hurts."

http://www.whiterose.org/pete/blog/archives/010441.html

Autism, Vaccines & the Spread of Mumps - Eastern Canada

The belief that some vaccines, or mercury based vaccine preservatives, cause or contribute to today's increasing autism rates, now estimated at 1 in 150, persists despite an almost total lack of support in the scientific community for any causal connection. The fear generated by that belief is itself believed to have contributed to higher rates of vaccine refusals with resulting increases in diseases such as measles and mumps. In Atlantic Canada we are currently suffering an outbreak of mumps, with the particular strain of mumps having orginated in the UK where immunization rates dropped from fear that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine caused autism.

Health: ALERT: INFECTIONS

Mumps outbreak spreads

CAROLINE ALPHONSO

May 11, 2007

Nova Scotia's mumps outbreak has spread to Ontario, infecting five people so far and putting public-health officials in the province on alert for even more cases in the weeks to come.

The latest outbreak indicates that many who were vaccinated years ago are now susceptible to catching the disease. Public-health officials are now debating whether they need to administer a booster shot.

Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care confirmed yesterday that the cases, two of which are in Toronto, are linked to the outbreak in Nova Scotia, where more than 200 people have been infected by the disease. The outbreak, which began in late February, has also infected 34 people in New Brunswick and one in Prince Edward Island.

...

Neil Rau, an infectious disease specialist at Halton Healthcare Services in Ontario, said the current strain of mumps originated in Britain, where there was a large outbreak in 2004. Immunization rates had drop significantly in Britain because many people believed the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine caused autism. The vaccine-autism link has since been disproved, he noted.

The disease reached Iowa last year, and Dr. Rau said it has now found its way into Canada.

"It's global travel compounded with vaccine refusal," he said.

http://tinyurl.com/3b49fz

Autism & ABA - "Life Just Keeps Getting Better" for Jack Fraser

Dealing with it ... autism sufferer Jack Fraser enjoys time with his mum Charmaine. / The Daily Telegraph

In "Autism epidemic being ignored" Sunday Telegraph, May 12, 2007, Zoe Taylor describes the autism epidemic in Australia where a recent federal government-funded review of research into autism concluded there was scientific evidence of the effectiveness of therapies including applied behaviour analysis – which draws on research dating back more than 40 years. Despite knowledge in Australia of the efficacy of ABA as an autism intervention the treatment remains underfunded, good news for those who view autism as a "joy" but bad news for families struggling to cope with the realities of autism, families trying to help their autistic children. Amongst the hardship though are stories such as those of Jack Fraser, a young autistic boy whose family has done whatever was necessary to fund ABA treatment for him, with great results for Jack.


Charmaine and Anthony Fraser had to move from Newcastle to Sydney and cash in their Super twice in order to fund ABA therapy for their son five-year-old son Jack.

The couple, from Wollstonecraft, face annual bills of around $60,000 for the treatment which includes one-on-one home therapy sessions every weekday morning and afternoon.

They have seen vast improvements in Jack, but he is unlikely to be able to attend a mainstream school so they are considering sending him to a specialist private school.

Mrs Fraser said she had no regrets about funding the therapy, but was angry there was no Government help.

She added: "When Jack was diagnosed we were devastated at that thought of what life might be like for him. Now he can talk. ABA is hard work, but it has opened up a whole range of opportunities for him. Life just keeps getting better."

http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,21713139-5006007,00.html

Shawn Graham's Autism Promise - A Promise Kept

[Above Premier Shawn Graham; Premier Graham, MP Andy Scott, Autism Connexions director Lana Thomson and some young helpers at the Autism Connexions grand opening]

Since the election of the Shawn Graham led Liberal Party as the government of New Brunswick in September I have made several different comments on the subject of Premier Graham's autism training promise that he made during the election campaign. The tone and substance of my comments varied depending on other developments that were taking place. During the campaign Mr. Graham promised that a Liberal government would train 100 Teachers Aides and Resource Teachers a year for 4 years at the UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training program. The Autism Society New Brunswick has trust and confidence in the quality and integrity of the UNB-CEL AIT program. Fulfillment of this commitment will place New Brunswick in the forefront of delivery of real education services to our autistic students.

Despite Mr. Graham's well known commitment there was continued resistance by some officials responsible for oversight and delivery of such programs. In the last two weeks that resistance reached a previously unimaginable ferocity with an alternative proposal still being pushed very aggressively by some civil servants. The alternative proposal was, putting it politely, fundamentally flawed. Fortunately, Premier Shawn Graham and Education Minister Kelly Lamrock stepped in and confirmed beyond any doubt that the 400 in 4 years UNB-CEL AIT training commitment for TA's and Resource Teachers would be implemented. Yesterday I participated in a Dialogue on Education Committee meeting with other "stakeholder" representatives and Education Department officials at which that commitment was confirmed with the first 100 persons expected to begin the course in October.


I am very happy that Premier Graham is keeping his autism promise and implementing the training commitment he made on behalf of autistic students in New Brunswick. In some provinces opposition leaders made promises to autism parent advocates and then abandoned those promises and used the power of government to fight the very parents and their autistic children they had promised to help. During his time as opposition leader in New Brunswick Shawn Graham stood with those of us who were protesting outside the New Brunswick legislature seeking evidence based autism interventions for out children and lent his voice and support. In government Premier Graham has not abandoned us. He has kept his word. He is honouring his commitment.

Thank you Premier Graham.

"Open Every Door" - An Autism Song by Nimal Mendis

Sri Lanka-born superstar, Nimal Mendis recently released 'Open Every Door,' a song for autism. Mendis has created history by being the first South Asian singer/songwriter to compose a song on autism. He hopes that the song will create even more awareness about the condition.Mendis has backed the work of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. A copy of 'Open Every Door' was presented to Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons. Leading British parliamentarian, Lee Scott MP for Ilford North who is championing the cause of autism in Westminster was also presented with a copy of 'Open Every Nimal Mendis Song For Autism 'Open Every Door'

Mendis has urged parliamentarians of all parties to do more for people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the United Kingdom. There are 587,900 people with autism in the UK. In London alone there are 15,000 people with autism from minority ethnic communities - including the Sri Lankan Community.According to UK researchers 1 in 100 children may haveautism spectrum disorder. In Sri Lanka they say there are 39,000 children with autism who have virtually no access to education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care.

Nimal Mendis is an award winning singer songwriter. In the 1960s he released 22 pop songs on the Decca label in London. He appeared on BBC TV's 'Top of the Pops' television programme with Sandra Edema singing his hit, 'Feel like a Clown.' One of his compositions reached Number One in the Radio Luxembourg Charts in the height of the 1960s. Mendis has also produced television documentaries for Channel 4 and BBC Television covering a range of issues including human rights and poverty.

Swift action needed for autism strategy

Swift action needed for autism strategy

The following is a letter to Andy Scott, MP for Fredericton.

If at all possible, could you at some point address the House with the following:

As a member of the Canadian Forces, I have served to honour the ideals and freedoms that we all enjoy as Canadians. As a father of an autistic child, I relate to the struggles of families across Canada who are touched by autism. I respectfully ask that the government respond to the Senate recommendations regarding the autism crisis in Canada with swift action towards the implementation of a national autism strategy.

There is much to be done to address the immediate needs of autistic individuals of all ages. This is the great passion that I have to serve my provincial autism society at the federal level.

BRIAN RIMPILAINEN

Fredericton

http://www.canadaeast.com/ce2/docroot/article.php?articleID=141025

Dear Prime Minister Harper - Autism and You; An Open Letter Asking You to Open Your Mind, Open Your Heart

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Dear Prime Minister

I am writing to you as the father of a severely autistic 11 year old boy living in Fredericton, New Brunswick and as an autism advocate for the past 8 years here in New Brunswick. Recently I was disappointed, bitterly disappointed, by two actions by your very tightly controlled government - the rejection of MP Shawn Murphy's motion to amend the Canada Health Act to ensure autistic children, wherever they reside in Canada, would receive government funded treatment for their autism. Canada as a nation has long ago rejected the notion that accidents of geography should determine whether Canadians receive life sustaining or life enhancing medical treatment.

The arguments about constitutional jurisdiction advanced in justification are specious and you sir, with all due respect, know that. Canada has long operated on the basis of a model of cooperative federalism which has developed many legislative tools to ensure that narrow constitutional boundaries do not impair the quality of life in this great country. I will mention no specific examples because there are far too many for this to be a serious issue of contention.

Autism is a serious neurological disorder borne by 1 in 150 Canadians by currently accepted estimates. It also impacts on the lives of parents, siblings, grandparents and other caregivers. There is no known cure but there is a widely acknowledged, evidence based treatment available, Applied Behavioural Analysis, or ABA, which is supported by literally hundreds of studies, including recent studies, which document the effectiveness of ABA in improving the IQ, the linguistic skills and comprehension, the ability to function in the real world, of children with autism. In my son's case, even with the limited ABA therapy which was available in New Brunswick at the time because of a shortage of trained personnel, he has made tremendous gains. From a child who could only scream and tantrum he became a child who can communicate using words, who is reading, albeit at a level below his chronological age, and who in fact almost daily pulls out books on his own initiative to real aloud for his own enjoyment. This is the ABA which parents seek across Canada, the USA and the world for their autistic children.

There are those who oppose ABA based on personal preferences, outdated and ill founded misconceptions about what ABA involves and quite simply on the basis of paranoid, conspiratorial beliefs that somehow they as human beings, as functioning adults, will be deprived of their personalities if someone else's autistic children are taught fundamental living skills by use of ABA. They make stretched and tortured arguments about ABA turning children into robots. This is nonsense as they happy joyful pictures of my son which I will provide a link for in this letter can rebut with finality. They also make disingenuous attacks on the studies which have documented ABA based gains for autistic children ignoring the fact that literally hundreds of such studies exist all showing substantial gains. Critics also focus on costs of providing ABA ignoring the studies that have shown the huge financial savings to government in reduction of service provision over the lives of autistic persons who have benefited from ABA.

I do not actually expect you to personally read this email Prime Minister. I hope though that a conscientious staffer or, through the marvel that is the internet, a family member or friend, will see fit to read this and implore you to take action on behalf of Canadians with autism. You can make a difference in the lives of 1 in 150 Canadians Prime Minister. You can make a difference in the lives of their loved ones and care givers and you can save Canadian governments enormous sums by reducing the level of services required as a result of early intensive ABA intervention.

Please open your mind Prime Minister, open your heart, and do the right thing.

Respectfully,

Harold L Doherty
Fredericton New Brunswick

Autism & Mercury - Wagnitz Challenges Fombonne

The mercury autism debate continues. While not a subscriber to the mercury vaccine/autism link I do not think debate and discussion should be closed on this or any other subject related to autism. Toxicologist Michael Wagnitz seems somewhat more qualified to present information on the "mercury" side of the debate than David Kirby and presents some interesting points in rebuttal of Psychiatrist Dr. Eric Fombonne.


The mercury, autism debacle: How stupid do they think we are?

Michael Wagnitz
May 7, 2007

Last weekend the Sixth International Meeting for Autism Research took place in Seattle. The meeting claimed to draw the top 900 autism researchers and scientists from around the world. One of the key participants was Dr. Eric Fombonne of Montreal Children's Hospital at McGill University. Dr. Fombonne, a psychiatrist, presented his research on mercury. His work involved testing the blood and hair of 147 children. Roughly half of his subjects were diagnosed with autism and half were considered neurologically typical controls. He found no difference in mercury levels in the patients hair or blood.

The first question one might ask is why a psychiatrist is considered qualified to do toxicological work. Most parents are concerned about the mercury exposure that their children received as newborns and infants from mandatory vaccines. The vaccine schedule in Canada, where Dr. Fombonnes study was done, and the United States were quite different in the 1990's. Dr. Fombonne,s patients were not tested after vaccination. If he had talked to any reputable toxicologist, they would have told him that the ethylmercury from vaccines clears the blood in about seven days. Ethylmercury, a short-chain alkyl mercury compound, is rapidly distributed to the brain, kidneys and other tissue. The hair tested would need to be from a first haircut to show this mercury exposure. Even if this was the case, research has shown that autistic kids do not excrete mercury efficiently. The hair would not contain any measurable amounts of mercury. It's to bad that McGill University does not have any toxicologists who could have explained to Dr. Fombonne that his work was a waste of time and money.

If one was really interested in determining the body burden of mercury they would perform the urinary porphyrin profile analysis (UPPA). Porphyrins are precursors to heme, the oxygen carrying component of blood. Mercury inhibits the conversion of specific porphyrins to heme. This test is backed by decades of published research. Recently it was shown in two published, peer-reviewed studies, that mercury inhibited porphyrins were significantly higher in autistic patients when compared to age matched controls (1)(2). The other way to test for mercury in the body is by using a provoking agent and measuring mercury in the urine.

The organizers of this meeting did not reveal that when Dr. Fombonne isn't conducting epidemiological studies or doing heavy metal analysis, he is appearing on behalf of vaccine manufacturers defending the safety of mercury. Dr. Fombonne refers to the amount of mercury in vaccines as "trace". Again, if he were a toxicologist or chemist, he would realize that the concentration of mercury in a multi-dose vaccine vial is 250 times higher than what the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies as hazardous waste.

References:

(1) Nataf R, Lam A, Lathe R, Skorupka, C. 2006. Porphyrinurea in Childhood Autistic Disorders: Implications for Environmental Toxicity. Toxicol. Appl. Pramacol. 214(2):99-108

(2) Geier M, Geier D, 2006. A prospective assessment of porphyrins in autistic disorders: a potential marker for heavy metal exposure. Neurotox Res. Aug;10(1):57-64

About the Author: Michael Wagnitz has over 20 years experience evaluating materials for toxic metals. He currently works as a chemist in the toxicology section of a public health lab evaluating biological samples for lead and mercury.

Michael Wagnitz


http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=26477

GFCF Diet Treatment for Autism Unsupported by Evidence

One of the persistently promoted treatments for autism is the GFCF diet - a treatment with no evidence to support its efficacy in treating autism. We tried it with Conor several years ago with no result. Anecodotal evidence, which is available to support ANY therapy, keeps the treatment popular with parents. The GFCF diet treatment is pushed on the internet, even by some who know there is no scientific evidence to support the diet as an effective autism treatment. Unfortunately, parents will continue to spend time, money and their hopes on this and other non evidence based treatments.


"Science disputes autism's diet link

HAYLEY MICK

From Monday's Globe and Mail

May 8, 2007 at 9:13 AM EDT

TORONTO — Tina Szenasi's quest to cure her two autistic sons began with soy milk.

Ms. Szenasi switched to the milk substitute after reading testimonials from other parents who said their autistic children's symptoms had improved - even disappeared - when dairy and wheat were eliminated from their diet.

Her doctor dismissed it as farfetched. But the mother of three from Barrie, Ont., felt she had no choice but to try the gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet for her boys, whose neurological disorder made them easily distressed and socially isolated. Introducing the diet "gave me a sense of hope," she says.

She quickly transformed her kitchen into a culinary laboratory. Her butterless cookies crumbled. Cakes made using rice flour were a disaster. Grocery bills topped $500 each week as she ordered gluten-free bread and potato-based milk substitutes that weren't available in her small city.

But her sons improved within weeks, she says. Now, Adam, 11, often hugs his parents and has fewer tantrums. Alex, an eight-year-old soccer and video-game enthusiast, behaves like most other kids. "He's almost fully recovered, I think because of the dietary intervention," Ms. Szenasi says.

More Canadian parents are adopting the controversial diet for their autistic children as support spreads through a fringe group of health professionals, commercial websites and chat forums. Supporters say gluten and casein are not well digested by autistic kids, who often exhibit digestive problems and food allergies.

The protein compounds, they say, wreak havoc with the children's neurological development. To eliminate those triggers, parents spend thousands of extra dollars on special foods, vitamins and enzyme supplements as well as laboratory testing in the United States.

But most mainstream scientists remain skeptical of the gut-brain connection in autism. They say there's no scientific proof that the diet works. Some doctors warn that parents' desperation, paired with the mystery surrounding autism's causes, makes the field ripe - as a top American pediatric gastrointestinal specialist put it - for "charlatanism."

"If there's nothing else that you think is going to help and you're desperate, you'll do anything," said Wendy Roberts, the head of the autism research unit at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

The GFCF diet eliminates two major food groups from an autistic child's diet: dairy products, which have casein, and grains such as wheat, barley and rye, which contain gluten. Children on the diet often eat a lot of meat and vegetables, plus wheat and dairy alternatives. Some families add vitamin and enzyme supplements.

Even supporters say it isn't clear how the diet works. One explanation involves the "leaky gut syndrome." Undigested bits of protein, according to this theory, are absorbed through the intestine into the body, affecting the brain and producing symptoms associated with autism.

To date, only one double-blind controlled clinical trial - the gold standard for health research - has tested the diet. Published in March, 2006, in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the study found that the group of children on the diet saw no significant improvements compared with the control group. Researchers say more testing is needed because the study was based on a small sample.

"The information that's out there suggests that the diet probably does not have a substantial effect on children's behaviours," says Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, a University of Alberta associate professor and director of autism research at Edmonton's Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.

Yet almost every parent Dr. Zwaigenbaum sees has either tried the GFCF diet with their autistic child or heard of it, he says. Parents are leaping ahead before science has definitively proved whether such a treatment works, he says, because there are compelling anecdotal cases of improvement.

Autism's causes have long stumped experts. They know that genes play a major role - but increasingly, with diagnosis of the condition on the rise, researchers are looking to environmental triggers including prenatal hormones, toxins, food allergies and infections. As a result, treatments such as the GFCF diet, which focus on removing such triggers, are gaining ground.

"It's word of mouth," say Paul Cutler, a family doctor based in Niagara Falls, N.Y., who works one day a week in Burlington, Ont. "Thanks to the Internet, they're finding these alternatives."

About half of Dr. Cutler's 200 autistic patients are Canadian, and they travel to his offices from across Ontario and Quebec. He charges $150 for an initial assessment that includes a battery of tests - a cheap fee compared with other doctors, he says.

Dr. Cutler has been trained by a group called Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!), which holds annual conferences and instructional sessions for doctors from across North America. The group recommends biomedical treatments for autism that focus on intestinal problems, nutrition, detoxification and allergies. Twenty-six Canadian doctors are listed on the group's website as DAN! practitioners.

They include Wendy Edwards, a pediatrician in Chatham, Ont., who found the diet four years ago when her three-year-old son was diagnosed with autism. He improved so dramatically, she says, that the diet is now the first thing she recommends for autistic patients who travel to see her from across Ontario and even Manitoba. She also encourages other biomedical treatments, including supplements such as vitamin B6, magnesium and dimethylglycine, or DMG.

Some research suggests that up to 40 per cent of children with autism spectrum disorders could benefit from dietary changes, including the removal of gluten or casein, says Timothy Buie, a pediatric gastrointestinal specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

But Dr. Buie, who runs one of the largest practices for children with developmental disabilities in the United States, warns that parents may place so much hope in the diet that they falsely believe their child has improved. "The placebo response is gigantic," he says. "Parents can interpret a benefit because they want their kid to do better."

While parents travel to find doctors, they also ship urine and stool samples to U.S. labs to be analyzed for nutrient and vitamin deficiencies - tests that aren't widely available in Canada. One parent interviewed for this story said she paid up to $300 (U.S.) each for several lab tests.

Some in the industry may be peddling false hopes for big profit, critics warn. "People may choose to recommend things therapeutically that are in their financial interest," Dr. Buie says. "You walk out of a doctor's office and they give you a list of vitamins that they happen to be selling in their outside room."

Other doctors worry about the role of for-profit labs. "Many are not bona fide labs and they're making a fortune," says Dr. Roberts at Sick Kids in Toronto, who adds that parents have handed her results from U.S. labs that don't make any sense.

The Internet is where many parents go to share information, recipes and contacts. Brenda-Lee Olson from Terrace, B.C., moderates a popular online group called GFCFrecipes, whose membership has multiplied tenfold, to 3,400, in the past six years.

"It helps to know certain tricks," says Ms. Olson, who says many people don't believe her 17-year-old son is autistic, thanks to the diet. "The only way to get that information is from other parents."Ms. Szenasi says she'll keep her children on the diet despite the cost. She now keeps a folder stuffed with GFCF diet material at the health-food store where she works, so she can hand it out to other parents."

New Study Confirms EIBI Results in IQ Gains for Autistic Children

Yet another study has demonstrated the effectiveness of intensive early behavioural internvetion as both an educational AND a healh care intervention for autistic children, with signficant IQ gains for young autistic children who received intensive behavioural intervention. This study will make no difference to the mindsets of the anti-ABA crowd which is as vehement in their opposition to ABA as the mercury-vaccine causes autism crowd are in their opposition to "Big Pharma". For parents of newly diagnosed autistic children though it will be important information for them to be aware of as they decide how to respond to their children's autism.

Date: May 6, 2007

Science Daily — Intensive intervention given to toddlers with autism as young as three years old can significantly raise IQ levels, potentially allowing them to benefit from mainstream education, new research has revealed.

Researchers at the University of Southampton, led by Professor Bob Remington of the School of Psychology and Professor Richard Hastings (now at Bangor University), undertook a study into the impact of two years of Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI).

The results of the Southampton Childhood Autism programme (SCAmP) show that a group of children who received two years of intensive tutoring - or early intervention - had higher IQs, more advanced language and better daily living skills than similar children receiving standard educational provision.

IQ increased for two thirds of the children receiving the early intervention and 'very substantially' for more than a quarter of them. For example one child moved from an IQ of 30 up to 70; another from an IQ of 72 to 115. Most of the population of the UK has an IQ of between 85 and 115.

In what was a 'tough test' into whether EIBI could prove beneficial, specially trained staff and parents taught children with autism a wide range of skills in their own homes for 25 hours a week. Teaching was individualised to take full advantage of each child's abilities and focus on areas of need; each lesson was carefully broken down into easy steps and children received constant praise and other rewards for their successes.

'This form of teaching can, in many cases, lead to major change and enhance the life chances of children with autism,' said Professor Remington. 'In practice, the positive changes we see in IQ, language and daily living skills can make a real difference to the future lives of children with autism.

'But those embarking on EIBI should prepare for some hard work. Twenty five hours of home therapy a week is a big commitment for children and parents alike. Before the research began we wondered if such intensive work would increase the emotional and psychological demands of childrearing, as teaching basic skills needs a lot of dedication and patience and family organisation has to adapt to the ever-present home tutors.

'In fact most parents took this in their stride. The reasons are clear. It's harder to be helpless than it is to get involved in teaching, and in most cases our parents saw rapid improvements in their children's skills and behaviour.'

An estimated 535,000 people in the UK are living with a condition on the autism spectrum.

The SCAmP team is embarking on a follow-up study with those children who took part in the research to establish how long-lasting the effects of the treatment are and how benefits can be extended.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by University Of Southampton.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070506163608.htm

FEAT-BC Goes Coastal!!!

FEAT-BC is coming to Atlantic Canada.

FEAT and the families involved with FEAT have actively led the fight for autism treatment and services on the legal and political fronts in Canada. Atlantic Canadians with an autistic family member, autistic persons and persons with an interest in autism are encouraged to attend this event if at all possible.

This is huge folks. This is a great opportunity to thank political leaders like Shawn Murphy, Andy Scott, Peter Stoffer and Jim Munson who have cared; who have tried to help and are still trying to help persons with autism in Canada. Let's greet the folks from BC and show them "the very best". Lets thank Andy, Peter, Jim and Shawn. And let's send a clear and strong message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and federal Health Minister Tony Clement that their callous disregard for the health and well being of autistic Canadians will not go unchallenged.

I have already made my reservations at the Holiday Inn Dartmouth and I hope to see everyone there!!



"Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC Goes Coastal"

Vancouver……Ottawa……Toronto……Halifax

An Invitation to join Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC

(F.E.A.T. of BC) to say THANK YOU to:

Shawn Murphy, MP

Andy Scott, MP

Peter Stoffer, MP

Senator Jim Munson

For their dedication and commitment to improving the lives of
Canadians affected by autism…

….AND….

To hear about F.E.A.T. of BC's exciting plans to "go coastal" with
our national political initiative to achieve universal health care
coverage for EVERY Canadian affected by autism.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Holiday Inn, Harbourview

101 Wyse Rd.

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia,

B3A 1L9

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

$25.00 per person – Refreshments will be served

Please make cheques payable to:

F.E.A.T. of BC, c/o Louise Witt, 2135 – 129th St., Surrey, BC, V4A 8H6

R.S.V.P. by May 20th. to Louise Witt, email: taylorwitt@shaw. ca or
call 604-538-1370.

For local enquiries: Luigi Rocca - luiroc@gmail. com 506 869-5444 (B) or
506 382-2239 (h)

*Donations are needed and welcomed! All donations will be used to
assist in F.E.A.T.'s national political initiative to achieve our
goal – universal health care coverage for EVERY Canadian affected by
autism.

Cheques should be payable to F.E.A.T. of BC, c/o the above address.

"We owe it to these families, to society and ourselves to share not
only the burden of autism, but also the collective responsibility to
act."

- Senator Jim Munson

"The access Canadian children with autism have to the treatment they
need sould not depend on how much money their parents have, nor in
which province they live."

- Shawn Murphy, MP

"We have the opportunity to positively change the lives of thousands
of autistic children and their families and ensure these Canadians
will achieve their potential."

Andy Scott, MP

"In a caring and progressive Canada, children with autism have a
right to health care."

- Peter Stoffer, MP

Conor and Dad Hit the Trail

Conor got his Dad out for some exercise on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.

On the walking trail, Conor munches on a favorite treat - orange peppers and takes a break on a comfy rock.

[Click on pics to enlarge]

Autism Champ? NO! Mike Lake Champions Bigfoot! LOL

Politicians must pick their battles carefully, decide which causes to champion, decide on which issues they will invest their energies and political capital. For Edmonton Area MP and Autism Dad Mike Lake the choice is clear cut. Lake did NOT support the cause of autism in voting against MP Shawn Murphy's motion to amend the Canada Health Act to include treatment for autism. Mr. Lake did not protest his party's decision in the recent federal budget to fund ZERO dollars towards the cause of autism in Canada. In fairness to Mr. Lake though he does have a more important cause to champion- BIGFOOT!!!! Yup, Mr. Lake is the official BIGFOOT Champion. Mike Lake Bigfoot Champion!!

Bigfoot risks extinction, says Canadian MP

Wed May 2, 1:52 PM ET

OTTAWA (AFP) - Bigfoot, the legendary hairy man-like beast said to roam the wildernesses of North America, is not shy, merely so rare it risks extinction and should be protected as an endangered species.

So says Canadian MP Mike Lake who has called for Bigfoot to be protected under Canada's species at risk act, alongside Whooping Cranes, Blue Whales, and Red Mulberry trees.

"The debate over their (Bigfoot's) existence is moot in the circumstance of their tenuous hold on merely existing," reads a petition presented by Lake to parliament in March and due to be discussed next week.

"Therefore, the petitioners request the House of Commons to establish immediate, comprehensive legislation to affect immediate protection of Bigfoot," says the petition signed by almost 500 of Lake's constituents in Edmonton, Alberta...."

Superior Non-Social Cognitive Abilities of Autistic Persons?

A recent Norwegian study has cast some doubt on the findings of earlier studies which had suggested that persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders possess superior non-social cognitive abilities - "earlier findings suggesting that individuals with autism spectrum disorders solve non-social cognitive tasks faster than typically developing control persons were not replicated."


Autism, Vol. 11, No. 1, 81-92 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1362361307070988
© 2007 The National Autistic Society, SAGE Publications
Disembedding performance in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism
Nils Kaland

Erik Lykke Mortensen

Lars Smith

Høgskolen i Lillehammer,Norway

The aim of the present study was to assess the findings, reported in earlier studies, that individuals with autism spectrum disorders process visuo-spatial tasks faster than typically developing control persons. The participants in the present study were children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA) (N = 13), and a matched group of typically developing children and adolescents (N = 13). The results showed that the participants in the clinical group performed marginally less well than those in the control group on both the Block Design Test and the Embedded Figures Test, but the differences were not statistically significant. Thus, earlier findings suggesting that individuals with autism spectrum disorders solve non-social cognitive tasks faster than typically developing control persons were not replicated. The results are discussed with special reference to the hypothesis of weak central coherence.

Key Words: Asperger syndrome • high-functioning autism • non-social cognitive tests • response times

Evil, Pure Evil

This story of abuse and betrayal as reported in the Toronto Star is disgusting and horrifying beyond belief. These are acts of evil, pure evil. The only bright light in this dark and true story? The child is reported to have recovered significantly since being placed with Children's Aid.

Mother, 6 men accused in abuse of girl

Molesters gave crack cocaine to 12-year-old, police allege

May 04, 2007 04:30 AM
Henry Stancu
Staff Reporter

Six men and the mother of a 12-year-old developmentally challenged girl have been charged in what police call a "horrendous" case of child sexual abuse.

Investigators allege the victim was given crack cocaine for various sex acts at her Rexdale home by numerous men over the course of a year.

"It's something I don't think many of us in policing have seen and many in the community are quite frankly going to be outraged," said Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner.

Youth bureau officers from 23 division station in Etobicoke began probing the case on Jan. 2, focusing on a unit in a housing complex near Rexdale Blvd. and Hwy. 27.

Police learned a developmentally delayed girl living with her mother was being routinely molested in the home that served as a safe haven, or crack house, for users and dealers of cocaine and other drugs.

"It was some very horrendous acts that were taking place on this poor victim. My information is that it was going on quite frequently," Taverner said.

A medical examination of the child revealed cocaine in her system.

"I think we're all outraged that these sort of things are taking place. This shouldn't be happening in our society," added Taverner.

On Tuesday, police arrested the girl's 42-year-old mother, who cannot be identified to protect the child's privacy.

Investigators had to get the provincial attorney general's consent to charge the woman with the rare infraction of corrupting children.

"It took several months to get that permission," Taverner said.

Because police had only street names when they began tracking down suspects, and because it took time to apply for the child corruption charge, investigators were unable to move more swiftly on the allegations.

The young victim is in the care of the Toronto Children's Aid Society and has "has improved immensely" already, said Taverner.

More suspects are being sought in the attacks on the girl, police said.

Those currently charged are:

Harold Cover, 55, of Mississauga; sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and trafficking cocaine.

Radcliffe Parchment, 19, of Toronto; sexual assault, sexual interference, and invitation to sexual touching.

Muralee Balasubramaniam, 50, no fixed address; sexual assault, sexual interference, weapons dangerous, an assault with intent to resist arrest.

Neil Rose, 44, of Brampton; sexual assault and sexual interference.

Dennis Guthrie, 52, of Whitby; sexual assault and sexual interference.

Linton Lewis, 47, of Brampton; sexual assault and sexual interference.

"We Can Do Better" - Flashback - May 2004 Autism Education Rally

Autism advocacy is never easy as illustrated by this article covering a May 2004 rally held to push for ABA based instruction for autistic children in NB schools. At that time Conservative Family & Community Services Minister Tony Huntjens stated that an education program was being set up at UNB to train teachers to provide ABA based instruction. In fact the Conservatives did provide for approximately 85 Resource Teachers and Teachers Aides to be trained at UNB-CEL's Autism Intervention Training Program, a small but important first step in addressing the needs of New Brunswick's autistic students. Subsequently Liberal Opposition Leader Shawn Graham promised to train 100 TA's and Resource Teachers per year for 4 years at the nationally recognized UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training program. Unfortunately, all signs now indicate that the UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training training will not be provided as promised by Premier Graham. Unfortunately, it does not look like the Liberal government "can do better" as opposition critic Kelly Lamrock, now the Minister of Education, once boldly asserted.


Daily Gleaner | Provincial News
As published on page A3 on May 4, 2004

Parents march to protest tight funding for autism
Group contends age ceiling leaves many stranded

PROTEST:
(The Daily Gleaner/Dave Smith Photo)
Dawn Bowie, left, a parent of an autistic child, and 11-year-

JOEL O'KANE
for The Daily Gleaner

Frustrated parents picketed outside the Centennial Building on Saturday
against what they call "discriminate funding policies" by the Lord
government when it comes to educating children with autism.

"We're here so children of school age can benefit from the funding, because
right now it's discrimination," said Nancy Blanchette, who chairs the Family
Autism Centre for Education (FACE).

Currently, parents with autistic children can receive funding aid for their
child's special needs, but only up to age five.

Once they grow old, or enter the school system, the funding dries up.

Parents argue that they need the funding to pay for special education for
their children, such as applied behavioural analysis (ABA). They say that the
early intervention ABA offers for their children has made great differences,
but it isn't cheap.

"My son Justin was diagnosed with autism when he was about two years
old," said parent and FACE board member Dawn Bowie. "Back then, we
couldn't find much support around. There was none."

Bowie said the family did know about ABA, and was able to be evaluated
by a child psychologist who's an expert in the field.

"We paid big, big money. Tens of thousands of dollars. And we're still paying
big, big money."

ABA works one on one with an autistic child to pinpoint behavioural
problems and works to correct them. It teaches routine, responsibility,
and normal behaviour to children with autism.

Parents say that autistic children who receive ABA intervention are less
disruptive in school, and more apt to become socially involved.

However, many parents say the current funding is useless unless the age
restriction is lifted and children can continue to receive ABA after they enter
the public school system.

"We want to let the government know that autism doesn't go away at the age
of five," said Blanchette. "A lot of children aren't even diagnosed until
later than this, so there's still progress to be made to help them reach
their full potential.

"If (Premier) Bernard Lord's touting his quality learning agenda, where no
child gets left behind, he has to understand that this also applies to children
with special needs in the school system."

FACE had publicly invited Lord to come out and talk to the crowd
on the weekend, but was instead greeted by Fredericton Liberal
MLA Kelly Lamrock.

"We can do better. We know the options," he said. "We know that
ABA treatment works. Premier Bernard Lord says he has to make
tough choices? I say he made bad choices and cut taxes. If you
can get up every day and deal with this, you deserve the Liberals'
support."

Tony Huntjens, minister of Family and Community Services, says that
the current funding system is new, and it will take time to work out
the kinks.

"First, we need to tackle autism at an early age, because that is
where most good can be done," he said. "Once they get to age six or
enter the public school system, these children can work with their
teachers."

Huntjens said the Lord government has no intention of raising the age
limit for autism funding.

Parents say that children with autism need to have ABA throughout
their childhood, and that leaving the problem to the teachers when
their children enter school will only put more strain on the public
school system.

"I've told Minister Huntjens that he might as well throw his money to
these families over the Westmorland Street Bridge," said Dawn Bowie.
"The progress ABA makes stops after these kids get to school, so what
good is that?"

Huntjens said an education course is being set up at the
University of New Brunswick that will train interested teachers to
provide ABA to potentially autistic students.

Autism resource centre connects families

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: Autism Connections Fredericton held its official opening Monday. Above, enjoying some of what the centre has to offer during the open house are, from left: Joe Ann Kent, senior therapist with Autism Intervention Services; Christopher Arbeau, 4, who is autistic; Shanna Arbeau, Christopher's mother; and Tamara Downey, parent and board member of Autism Connections Fredericton



By MEGHAN CUMBY

For The Daily Gleaner

Published Wednesday May 2nd, 2007
Appeared on page A6

Autism resource centre connects families

At four years old, Ryan Downey can't speak and he still isn't toilet-trained.

Ryan is autistic. His father, Todd Downey, is frustrated.

"Everything is so much harder," Downey said. "Everything has to be taught 20 to 30 times... It takes (him) so much longer to learn."

But now there is support for Fredericton-area families such as the Downeys.

Autism Connections Fredericton held its official opening Monday, though it's been operating since October.

It's a resource centre run by volunteer parents of children with autism to support families who are dealing with autism.

People with autism have an impaired ability to engage or communicate with others socially.

They often have unusual behavioural patterns, including short attention spans and abnormal moods. They may also have certain special abilities.

Lana Thompson, the chairperson of the Autism Connections Fredericton committee, said the centre will bring people dealing with autism together.

"I think anybody with children with handicaps needs a support system," she said.

"That's what a resource centre does."

Downey, who is a member of the centre's board, agrees.

"The biggest thing is the networking," he said.

Downey said parents don't always have the money for autism resources.

The centre provides up-to-date information, workshops, guest speakers, parent meetings and guidance to parents and familys so they can navigate local autism services.

It has toys specifically designed for autistic children and books for parents on how to teach their children certain things. All the services are free.

"Everyone can't go out and buy all these books," Downey said.

"It costs like 80 bucks (for a book), but you can check it out from there (for free)."

He said there are resources at the centre for all autistic individuals, not just children.

Fredericton MP Andy Scott was at the opening ceremony for the centre.

Scott had a private member's motion calling for a national autism strategy passed in the House of Commons.

He said the centre is a positive development for families in the area dealing with autism.

Scott said what's needed now is help from the federal government. He pointed out that treatments, therapies, and help for autistic children can cost upwards of $70,000 annually.

"In some provinces, there is funding for that," Scott said.

"But it is a mish-mash across the country. That is why the federal government has to help bring all the provinces together."

Autism Connections Fredericton is located at 66 Lincoln Rd. To contact the centre, call 450-6025.


http://www.canadaeast.com/ce2/docroot/article.php?articleID=136561

Autism in Canada - MP's Fail Autistic Children

Published Tuesday May 1st, 2007
Appeared on page A4


MPs fail autistic children

Ottawa does occasionally take action... just not for our autistic children.

It has been over five months since the House of Commons passed a motion (by a vote of 231-45) calling on the Government of Canada to create a National Autism Strategy. M-172 from Andy Scott, Liberal M.P. for Fredericton requires the federal government to work in co-operation with the provinces and territories to establish national standards for treatment and delivery of services, study funding arrangements, create a national surveillance program, and provide more funding for health research on autism. Andy Scott along with Peter Stoffer, NDP M.P. for Sackville-Eastern Shore have both blasted the federal government for not providing funding in the 2007 budget to help families with autistic children.

It has also been over a month now that the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has released its report on the funding for the treatment of autism: "Pay now or pay later: autism families in crises." Senator Art Eggleton will move that the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the ministers of National Revenue, Intergovernmental Affairs, Health and Finance being identified as ministers responsible for responding to the report.

With the proper support structures in place now, autistic children will have the greatest chance to reach full potential.

The cost to society for inaction will be enormous.

BRIAN RIMPILAINEN

Fredericton

http://www.canadaeast.com/ce2/docroot/article.php?articleID=135900

Upper Valley Autism Resource Centre Information Meeting - Woodstock

The Upper Valley Autism Resource Centre will be holding a General Information Seminar in Woodstock on May 12 2007 from 2 to 4 pm at the NBCC (College) Woodstock, Child Care provided.

Further information may be obtained from Penny Martin at 273-6721 or by email at uvarc@xplornet.com

If you are in the Upper Saint John River Valley area and you have an autistic family member, or if you are yourself autistic, you should head over to the NBCC on May 12.

Autism Connections Fredericton Grand Opening Photos

Yesterday was the grand opening of the Connexions Autisme/Autism Connections Fredericton resource center. Premier Shawn Graham and Fredericton MP Andy Scott, along with some young helpers, did the official ribbon cutting as shown in these photos. Also shown is Lana Thomson of Autism Connections Fredericton. The place was packed and the opening lasted for two hours with opportunity to talk with a wide range of people in the Fredericton area interested in autism issues and helping autistic children. The resource centre, as the pictures show, is in the same location, side by side with Service d'Intervention Autisme/Autism Intervention Services the agency run by SLP Danielle Pelletier. Fredericton's pre-school autistic children will be well served by Autism Intervention Services and Autism Connections efforts. Yours truly is also shown talking with Danielle.

Autism & Thimerosal - Geier & Geier (2007) Study Suggests A Link?

One of the great debates in autism discussions has been between those who believe that mercury based vaccine preservatives cause or contribute to incidents of autism and those who do not subscribe to that theory. The overwhelming consensus from the scientific community has been that there is no evidence to support such a link. Notwithstanding that consensus there are still a large number of parents of autistic children ( I am not one of them ) and one journalist/author (David Kirby) who believe that there is indeed a link. A few of the parents have been very vocal. Some, if internet discussions can be believed, have gone as far as harassing and threatening those who oppose their views. At least those are the allegations advanced by some "neurodiversity" commentators some of whom are equally as hostile and rude to those who disagree with their views as the extremist few among the mercury-thimerosal advocacy groups. Now, another study by Geier & Geier (2007) apparently suggests that there is a causal connection between Thimerosal and autism. Hopefully, this study will be neither rejected nor accepted based solely on prior belief. Hopefully the scientific professionals capable of properly analyzing this study will do so and offer their commentary. Hopefully hostility and hatred between the few extremists in both the mercury-vaccine and the neurodiversity groups will stand aside in favor of reason and proper scientific assessment of this study and any further evidence relevant to this issue which might arise.

The following commentary, however, appears to indicate that the old pattern of jumping to conclusions about issues in the mercury-autism debate, based on ideological pre-disposition will, unfortunately, continue to prevail and that the world autism community will be inflicted with more needless hostility between the mercury and neurodiversity groups. The author's readiness to conclude that the study "leaves little doubt" does not suggest the kind of reasoned professional analysis that will be needed to properly interpret and assess the study.


The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issues, an authoritative journal featuring original toxicological research, has published, "A Case Series of Children with Apparent Mercury Toxic Encephalopathies Manifesting with Clinical Symptoms of Regressive Autistic Disorders," by Geier and Geier (2007).

This new study leaves little doubt there is a direct causal link between mercury exposure from Thimerosal-preserved biological products (vaccines and Rho(D) products) and mercury poisoning diagnosed as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Thimerosal (49.55% mercury by weight) is a highly toxic mercury compound used as a preservative in some OTC and prescription drugs, including most flu shots given to pregnant women, infants, children, adults, and the elderly.

On April 19, 2007, Dr. Larry L. Needham, Chief, Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch, CDC, announced to the US National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine that Thimerosal was among the "Chemicals Linked to ASD."

Thus, Geier and Geier (2007) provide the first clinical case-series of ASD patients that confirmed this causal role for Thimerosal-preserved drugs in patients having a regressive ASD diagnosis.

The Geiers describe a case-series of eight patients who had:

-- a regressive ASD diagnosis,

-- elevated levels of androgens,

-- excreted significant amounts of mercury after a chelation challenge,

-- biochemical evidence of decreased function in their glutathione pathways,

-- no known significant mercury exposures except from Thimerosal-preserved vaccines and Rho(D)-immune globulin preparations, and

-- alternative causes for their regressive ASDs ruled out.

This clinical study also found a significant dose-response relationship between the severity of the ASD symptoms and the total mercury dose these children received from Thimerosal-preserved drugs.

Based on differential diagnosis, these patients were exposed to significant mercury amounts from Thimerosal-preserved biologic drugs during their fetal and neonatal development as well as between 12 and 24 months of age. Thus, these initially normally developing children suffered mercury toxic encephalopathies that manifested with clinical symptoms consistent with their regressive ASD diagnosis.

Hence, mercury poisoning should be considered as a cause for those children exhibiting the symptoms of an ASD in any differential diagnosis designed to assess underlying causes.

Today, any parent or other healthcare provider can easily confirm whether, or not, a non-chelated autistic child is mercury poisoned by having urinary porphyrin profile analysis (UPPA) testing run at LabCorp (Test#120980) or Laboratoire Philippe Auguste (Urine Porphyrin Profile).

For additional information on UPPA testing for mercury poisoning, please visit the "UPPA" page on CoMeD's web site, www.Mercury-freeDrugs.org.

Dr. King
www.dr-king.com

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=69427