Just Another Conor Sunday Fun Day

autism

Desperate Search Continues For Missing Autistic Man Keith Kennedy

Keith Kennedy, a 25 year old autistic man from Minnesota, has now been missing a week from Trade Lake Camp, a camp for developmentally disabled adults in Wisconsin. The search area has been expanded. With the passage of a week, and Mr. Kennedy's need for medication for his kidney, WCCO Minnesapolis reports that the search has become desperate and that his family is praying for a miracle. "It's especially challenging since Keith can be scared off by loud sounds and probably will not respond to his name."

autism

The Incomprehensible Death of a 9 Year Old Autistic Boy In Quebec

The Montreal Gazette has reported the following information from the Conorer's report into death of a 9 year old autistic boy, Gabriel Poirier:

"A coroner's report released today revealed suffocation as the probable cause of the death of a nine-year-old autistic boy. ... After being told repeatedly to calm down by a teacher, he was rolled in a weighted blanket. With his arms by his side, he was left on his stomach for over 20 minutes with only his toes exposed. When the teacher went to check on him, he was "listless and blue in the face," the Coroner's report said. "

Arms Restrained
Face covered (only his toes exposed)
Left on his stomach
Left unattended for over 20 minutes

If that information is correct it is difficult for me to see the actions by the teachers involved, who owed a duty of care to that child, to be anything less than gross incompetence and negligence, possibly criminal negligence. I can think of no excuse or justification for their actions.

The death of 9 year old Gabriel Poirier is incomprehensible.

autism

Autism Transitions - Conor Loved His First Year of Middle School

Transitions can be difficult for children with autism. We were anxious at the start but we were prepared with a good plan and good help from everyone at the school and district. Very special thanks to Teacher Assistant Brad Daniels who was outstanding.

Conor himself though was most responsible for his great year. Above is Conor with his Perfect Attendance certificate for which he also received the trophy above, right. Conor received ABA instruction, including Discrete Trial Training, as well as activity and time in general areas like the gym, pool, kitchen and library.

For those who think that ABA is somehow "oppressive" and "robs an autistic child of his personality" Conor's perfect attendance, and the enthusiasm he showed each day being the first in our household, every single day without fail, to head for the family car to get to school, say otherwise.

autism

When Autism Isn't A Joy - Missing Keith Kennedy Won't Call Out

Keith Kennedy

Somewhere tonight, perhaps at an art gallery in Toronto, or a literary event in New Jersey, there are some who will celebrate the joy of autism. But in the woods of Wisconsin, Keith Kennedy, an autistic man from Minnesota, with serious physical health issues, is still missing and it is feared he will not call out if he hears his name. Keith's mother told the StarTribune.com that:

"her son has been a wanderer since he was very young. She said that some camp officials didn't know he required constant vigilance."

You won't see much about some of the negative realities of the autistic persons, children and adults, who go missing, in the rhetoric of "Autism" Rights ideologues like Michelle Dawson, Ari Ne'eman or Alex Plank. Most parents of severely autistic children though, including me, are all too aware of the need for constant vigilance.

I have felt the fear of a severely autistic son gone missing; although for a much shorter time than the Kennedy's have endured. It was the most intense fear I have felt in my life. I hope it turns out well for Keith Kennedy and his family.

autism

autism's gadfly, A Name Well Chosen, A Blog Worth Visiting

If you want to read a good "autism" blog check out autism's gadfly hosted by Jonathan Mitchell. He is truly a straight shooter who calls it the way he sees it. And doesn't mind, or maybe enjoys, challenging anyone's autism beliefs and opinions. Although Jonathan is an adult with autism he is not anti-cure and does not embrace the Neurodiversity/Autism Rights ideologies - the full title of his blog is "autism's gadfly I don't need no stinkin' neurodiversity"

I enjoy reading Jonathon's comments even though we disagree on many points, particularly ABA. As he puts it on his web site Jonathon is pro-cure, anti-neurodiversity, anti-special ed, anti-ABA. Not being a fan of the Neurodiversity/alleged Autism Rights Movement I enjoy the shots he takes at the leaders of those "movements" although I wince when he calls parents well intentioned but misguided for advocating for specific treatments, including ABA.

Good Morning America should do their viewers a favor and grant Jonathan the equal time he requested as an autistic person who does not share the Neurodiversity views advocated on their show by alleged Autism Rights advocate Ari Ne'eman. (Mr. Ne'eman was also accompanied by autism parent Kristina Chew who has embraced the sweet surrender of the anti-cure Neurodiversity movement.)

Not all autistic persons, even those who are high functioning, share Mr. Ne'eman's views. And not all agree with the heated rhetoric of Michelle Dawson. autism's gadfly is one that does not. His unique perspective is well worth reading.

autism

Autistic Man Still Missing in Wisconsin

Keith Kennedy

Twin cities.com is covering the search for a 25 year old autistic man in Wisconsin who walked away from a camp for adults with disabilities Sunday evening. Keith Kennedy has missed five "episodes" of anti-rejection medication he is required to take for a kidney transplant he received in 1995 and concerns are growing that his kidney may start to fail. Kevin Harter reports that the searchers have adjusted their search methods because of Mr. Kennedy's autism:

Officials had been using planes and all-terrain vehicles in their search. But concerns how his autism would affect his reaction to the vehicle noises prompted a call for searchers on horseback. Search dogs are also helping.

The fear of an autistic son or daughter going missing are shared by many parents, including me. It is autism reality for many families with autistic members.

I hope it turns out well for Keith Kennedy and his family.

autism

Conor Picks Out Some Treats

Conor went for a nice long trail walk with his mom and his brother. After walking awhile they popped into the Super Store where the boys picked out some treats for themselves. Conor picked out four treats, four peppers - orange, yellow, red and green. Conor loves his peppers!

autism

Senator Jim MunsonTables Bill To Recognize World Autism Awareness Day

SENATOR JIM MUNSON TABLES BILL TO RECOGNIZE WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY

OTTAWA, June 10, 2008 – The Honourable Jim Munson, Senator ( Ottawa – Rideau Canal ), today introduced a bill to recognize April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. By recognizing World Autism Awareness Day, Canada will join 192 other United Nations members who agreed that such a day would bring autism, a neurological disorder that affects an increasing number of families around the world, to the attention of all.

“By recognizing World Autism Awareness Day we are saying to families with autism: You are not alone. We care,” said Senator Munson. Autism affects one in 165 Canadian families and there is no known cure. The number of Canadians diagnosed with autism has grown by 150% in the last six years and there is no national strategy to address the growing problem. “World Autism Awareness Day will draw the attention of citizens to the plight of the many families, in Canada and around the world, who are affected by autism,” said Senator Donald Oliver, seconder of the bill. Worldwide, autism affects more children than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.

For more information, please contact: The Honourable Jim Munson
Senator ( Ottawa – Rideau Canal )
Tel: (613) 947-2504

The Honourable Donald Oliver
Senator ( Nova Scotia )
Tel: (613) 943-1445

LE SÉNATEUR JIM MUNSON DÉPOSE UN PROJET DE LOI VISANT À RECONNAÎTRE LA JOURNÉE MONDIALE DE SENSIBILISATION À L’AUTISME

OTTAWA, le 10 juin 2008 – Aujourd’hui, l'honorable sénateur Jim Munson (Ottawa / Canal Rideau) a déposé un projet de loi visant à faire reconnaître le 2 avril comme la Journée mondiale de sensibilisation à l'autisme. En reconnaissant cette journée, le Canada se joindra aux 192 autres membres des Nations Unies qui ont accepté de faire que cette journée attire l’attention de tous sur l'autisme, un trouble neurologique qui continue de toucher un nombre croissant de familles de partout au monde.

« En reconnaissant la Journée mondiale de sensibilisation à l’autisme, nous disons aux familles aux prises avec l'autisme : Vous n'êtes pas seules. Nous nous préoccupons de vous », a déclaré le sénateur Munson. L'autisme, qui est incurable, est un problème pour une famille canadienne sur 165. Au cours des six dernières années, le nombre de Canadiens ayant reçu un diagnostic d'autisme a augmenté de 150 %, et il n'y a pas de stratégie nationale pour combattre ce fléau sans cesse croissant. « La Journée mondiale de sensibilisation à l’autisme attirera l'attention des citoyens sur le sort des nombreuses familles du Canada et d’ailleurs touchées par l'autisme », a affirmé le sénateur Donald Oliver, qui a appuyé le projet de loi. Dans le monde, l'autisme touche plus d'enfants que le cancer, le diabète et le sida réunis.

L’honorable Jim Munson
Sénateur (Ottawa / Canal Rideau)\
Tél. : 613-947-250

L’honorable Donald Oliver
Sénateur (Nouvelle-Écosse)
Tél. : 613-943-1445

autism

Autism Advocacy and the Fierce Urgency of Now

I am not running for this office to fulfill any long-held plans or because I believe it is somehow owed to me. I never expected to be here, and I always knew the journey would be improbable. I’ve never been on one that wasn’t.

I am running because of what Dr. King called “the fierce urgency of now.” I am running because I do believe there’s such a thing as being too late. And that hour is almost here.

Barack Obama, quoted in Rolling Stone magazine , 11/03/07

Barack Obama appears to be an inspirational leader of the type not often seen in politics. But he has also borrowed from the great Martin Luther King one of the best phrases of his campaign "the fierce urgency of now". It is a point understood by parents advocating for effective early intervention for their autistic children, for a real education for their autistic children, and for decent residential care and life opportunities for those same children as they grow up and their parents grow old.

Time will not wait. And time will not be gentle if we wait. We must always seize the moment. Act now with urgency or nothing will get done and our autistic children will be the ones who suffer from our procrastination; or worse from our sweet surrender and failure to act at all.

autism

An Autism Dad's Father's Day Vow

On Father's Day I am thankful for my good fortune in having two terrific sons. One regularly returns A+ grades, learns in, and speaks, both French and English. My younger son, Conor, follows an individual education program designed for him, learns by ABA instruction, and does not have a full command or understanding of English or any other language. Both make me very happy. For both I am thankful today.

This blog is about autism because Conor has Autistic Disorder, assessed with profound developmental delays. I find great joy in Conor but not in his autism. The pictures accompanying this comment reflect some of the affection that Conor has for me, as his Dad, and some of the joy he brings to life.

Unlike some fathers with "autism" blogs I do not believe that the joy Conor brings arises from his autism. To me his affectionate, playful, personality is not a result of his autism. It is simply the essence of Conor. Because I love my son I refuse to follow the lead of those internet blogging fathers at the misnamed Autism Hub who try to suppress candid descriptions of autism. I believe I owe it to my son, who can not tell the world his story, to tell it for him and to tell it honestly; untainted by the ideology of the Neurodiversity movement that glorifies autism.

Because I love my son I fight to help him overcome the severely limiting deficits that his Autistic Disorder brings. To that end I have fought for Applied Behavior Analysis, ABA, interventions for him and other autistic children because ABA enjoys an incredible basis of evidence in support of its effectiveness. No other intervention enjoys anywhere near that level of support. And I will never fall victim to the "sweet surrender" mindset of glorifying autism as anything other than what it is - a serious neurological disorder.

There is currently no cure for autism. If a cure arises, substantiated by solid evidence and research, and recommended for Conor by a knowledgeable specialist I would not hesitate to seek that cure for Conor so that he might live life to its fullest as independently as possible. And I don't care one iota whether the word "cure" offends some stranger sitting at a keyboard somewhere in the world who is offended by the word cure, or the idea of a cure. The stranger can appear in flashy magazines or on network television posing as a human rights advocate but he is not acting in my son's best interests. I am Conor's father and it is me that fights for him and his interests, not the posing stranger.

On this Father's Day I repeat publicly the vow that I make to myself privately every day to help Conor live and enjoy life to the fullest extent possible.

autism

Conor Enjoys Saturday Morning With Dad

Conor and Dad didn't wait for Father's Day. We got out together early this morning walking on the trail, down to the river for some adventure, and some fun at the "Circle Place". There was also time for some gum ball treats.


autism

ABA and Autism: How Much Science Do The Critcs Want?

In Dr. Brown's Clinic Notes: The Science Behind ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) Dr. Brown briefly comments on the extensive research documenting the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis, ABA, as an autism intervention. In this brief note Dr. Brown rebuts the "robotic" myth of ABA and reviews succinctly the extensive history of research into ABA's effectiveness in treating autism. He concludes his comment with the excellent question: "How much science do the critics want?"

autism