The mission of The Victory School is to provide children with autism and similar disorders comprehensive individualized treatment with a 1:1 student/teacher ratio, in a classroom setting that is unique in Southeast Florida . The Victory School provides intensive therapy based upon the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, in particular those associated with B.F. Skinner’s (1957) analysis of verbal behavior. This form of therapy is typically provided to children with autism in home-based programs. The Victory School combines this highly eective intensive training with frequent opportunities for facilitated social interactions within its own classrooms or with the typical preschool on campus. Progress is measured at regular intervals through the collection and interpretation of data. Call (305) 466-1142 Ext. 201 Or visit www.VictoryCenterforAutism.org
Tickets only $150 Please Call for Sponsorship & underwriting opportunities
in this issue Uniquely Effective Communication Page 4 Experts weigh in on communicative breakthrough, and so does our magazine.
Strategies for Well Nourished Children Page 6 6 strategies to ensure that children on special diets receive proper nutrition.
Solving Estate Worries Page 7 Financial planning advice
Autism & The Rocket Ship Pencil Page 9 A special device, teaching kids to write
Technology & Its Impact in Schools Page 10 Improving education by using technology
Therapeutic Play Challenge Page 12 Games that stimulate learning and independence
Special Needs Tax Planning Page 14 Reimbursements to be able to afford treatment and other benefits
Is ABA Enough? Page 15 Unique results oriented education
Son’s Food Allergies Inspire Mom Page 17 Mom starts food business to combat gluten allergies
Caring is a Blessing Page 18 Caring for a child with autism can be a blessing
Give a Dog a Gluten Free Bone Page 19 Keeping gluten away from children just got easier
A Healing Touch Page 22 Dedicated proactive healing
Parenting a Child With Autism Page 23 Rewards of parenting a special child Healthy Foods & Balanced Nutrition Page 30 Special Features: Advocacy Information Pages 27, 35 Alternative Health Pages 36, 38, 40
Directory of Businesses that Support Autism Information Page 43 Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
Campaign for Special Needs & Support Candidates Who Do Page 29 Teaming up for real solutions & true improvements to special needs advocacy Added Support to Medications Page 31 Special Needs Planning Page 34 Horse Therapy Page 41
Book Review
Page 32
GF/CF Recipes Pages 25-26 Page 1
Autism Health and Wellness EXPO
Join Autism Health and Wellness Magazine for a one of a kind expo on special needs educational, health, advocacy, job and other resources. Be introduced to a wide variety of exhibitors who deliver quality products and services to the special needs community. Sun. Mar. 14th, 2010 On the grounds of the South Florida Academy of Learning and the South Florida Jewish Academy 11 am – 4 pm Contact (954) 353-1898 or info@autismhealthandwellness.com for more information. www.AutismHealthandWellness.com
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A MESSAGE TO READERS Autism Health and Wellness is a unique magazine, designed to explore healthy living, innovative dietary research and to provide families of special needs children with the latest in up to date information on everything from wellness breakthroughs, advocacy and even home budgeting tips. In short, we provide needed information to parents and to caregivers in a uniquely comprehensive and necessary way. We thank our advertisers for their critical role in this process.
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS Dear Readers, Please support our supporters, those who play the truly vital role in providing you with all of the necessary information contained in this magazine. Please take a moment to review our excellent advertisers throughout this magazine and please buy from them. It is they who bring you the cutting edge and information packed Autism Health and Wellness Magazine. Thank you very much, Yomin Postelnik Publisher Autism Health and Wellness To subscribe to Autism Health and Wellness please call (954) 353-1898 or email info@autismhealthandwellness.com for rates and information. Our Advertisers Are Crucial in Our Effort to Provide You With Needed Information. For more information or to become an advertiser please call (954) 353-1898 or email info@autismhealthandwellness.com. Vist us at www.AutismHealthandWellness.com
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Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
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What is the Logan® ProxTalker®? The first moveable picture communication system that actually talks The Logan ProxTalker is an assistive communications device that anyone who uses picture exchange (PECS)* to communicate can easily learn. The benefit is increased independence in communication because the ProxTalker actually talks!
How it works. Each Sound Tag is encoded with a unique radio frequency identification code. When the Sound tag is place on the zone button and pressed, the ProxTalker detects the tag and then it speaks the word associated with the it. There are five word zone buttons so a complete sentence can be formed. Sound Tags are included with the device and are also available to add to a system. Specially designed binders and accessories are available for added convenience. Multiple real human voices and multiple languages are available. There is no programming involved.
Unique features
The Logan ProxTalker can hold more than 10,000 words. Standard words are included and custom words can be added right through the on-board microphone or by computer. String 5 words together to form a sentence. Compatible with any picture-exchange system. Can be used for communication or classroom teaching Water resistant Adjustable Volume On-board microphone for adding words Runs on 4 standard C batteries USB connectivity
* "Picture Exchange Communication System" is a regist
Professionals Agree – The ProxTalker is Uniquely Effective Among Communication Devices Editorial Board - Autism Health and Wellness When the ProxTalker came on the market, we were enthused by the array of benefits that this one device had to offer. It had an exceptionally wide range of vocabulary. It facilitated sentence structure, allowing children who cannot speak and who could previously just point to objects, to organize complete and proper phrases. The ProxTalker was also uniquely durable, as the inventor had the product thoroughly tested and even run over by a car without damage. This is an especially useful beneficial as there have been many cases in which children have been known to throw high level communications devices into pools or out of cars. This device was built to last. Now educators are coming forward expressing the uniqueness of this easy to use, yet uniquely functional device. Here are a few of first hand experiences that we are pleased to report: "Students and all of the staff were all as impressed with the device as I was. I found it easy to use, easy to program and easiest to teach. I was very pleased with how durable the device is as well. One thing I especially l liked was the material that icons were affixed to. I found the material much more practical than a typical PECS (word pictures) page or one that you have to put Velcro on the page prior to affixing the pictures. I felt as though we could add more icons to your device versus a typical PECS book (because it would be very thick, bulky and difficult to maneuver). My ultimate goal is to have two of my students purchase your device through their health insurance or our MASS Health. I feel that the ability to have the voice output component can increase their independence across all settings. - Janet Terranova M.S.CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, Brown Elementary School; Massachusetts “Parents took the device home each night and over the weekends. [It was] easy for them to reprogram the voice on different pictures to make it more meaningful for their child.” - Karen Unkert, Speech pathologist at Coventry Grammar School; Coventry, CT
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
The Proxtalker provides the interim step often needed to move a child with Autism from communication with static picture symbols ( PECS ) to a communication system that uses a voice. The Proxtalker presents the ability to build language for exchanges much like the PECS ( Picture exchange communication system) which takes into account that language is a behavior and learned language behaviors like stringing pictures in left to right sequence and physically handing them to someone or pointing to the symbols is an established behavior that many students have learned and developed. This is their language behavior that has been reinforced very methodically. As many of our students have this language behavior using pictures established, this is the platform that can now be used to move the students into a similar method with a voice attached. We can capitalize on the physical behavior and just layer on the voice. In the past we have tried to move students from a PECS system to a Voice output device unsuccessfully as the patterning and access to the language is very different. Many dynamic display devices link between pages and the language is hidden and revealed through a series of actions. Most of the students that demonstrate an active ability and desire for language would be intellectually able to do this...the struggle lies in the inability to be flexible with behavior, which is prominently observed in students with Autism. Many of the students would perseverate on the voice and would just use the device to become auditorially stimulated. A small population could make this transition but many, many just couldn’t make the connection. We feel and are beginning to see an easier transition towards a voice. This ties in very nicely to our goals for increased communication and socialization for our language impaired and autistic students. The other really special quality that this device has is that as all of the picture symbols are preprogrammed with the message there is an increased opportunity to present language supports without planning and provide very spontaneously an outlet for language interaction without even knowing what may occur. For example if a student is looking towards the side of the room where the books are I can right in the moment put the tiles on the device and that say I want a book. Model it for the student, elicit the student to activate the device and provide immediate reinforcement to getting that book in the moment it occurred. As generalizing learned information is difficult for our students we can get the language to them as it occurs when it is most meaningful.
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Our struggle for providing language accessibility during spontaneous occurrences and activity based lessons is much easier with the Proxtalker as a tool. The device also has the flexibility to practice isolated groups of words with repetitive practice. One device can be used with several students, devices can be used in teach settings where individual protocols are being practiced, enabling us to increase the demand for language within a familiar format. It is a tool that will make sense for families and can easily be incorporated during activities that are already occurring with no preparation needed. The New York City Department of Education is always looking for ways to improve access to language and prepare our students to be more independent. Communication is primary to all education and social goals or them. This tool is becoming very valuable to us and we feel we are just beginning to think of ways to utilize this technology to give our students an increased access to their inner voice. -
Karen Gorman; Coordinator; District 75, New York City Department Of Education, Special Education Department
These are just some of the reactions of educational experts throughout the nation. With this and other factors in mind, coupled with all of the points listed above, Autism Health and Wellness is pleased to endorse this most unique and needed communicative device.
6 Strategies for Well-Nourished Children on Special Diets By Dawn Michelle Simon Many of the Children seen in my practice arrive on special diets, usually the GF-CF diet, (short for gluten free casein free diet). Gluten and casein are proteins. Gluten is found in wheat and other grains and casein is found in products made from milk. Typically, parents are introduced to this diet by their child’s pediatrician or DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctor. Usually with low expectations, but are told to try it if they like. Those same brave parents with their new ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnosis are armed with a list a mile long of various treatments, websites and a GFCF Diet pamphlet. With skill and determination they face the daunting task of eliminating these often harmful proteins from their child’s diet or with dreary eyes from staring at a computer screen attempt to choose from an array of other special diets. All the while, questioning the safety and adequacy of their child’s diet. After a couple of weeks or even months of being 80-90 percent on “the diet” parents become bewilder and abandon the special diet they have chosen. Convinced that the diet is ineffective or feeling defeated because it’s just too hard. This is unfortunate because if implemented and monitored properly nutritional interventions can be an effective treatment, enhancing other therapies the child is no doubt receiving. All children need healthy nutritious protein, carbohydrates and fats in the correct proportion daily, especially children with special needs.
Logan, With the Logan ProxTalker
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
1.
Keep it balance. Many times when gluten and casein are eliminated, the diet becomes inadequate in protein and fats. This is due to the fact that milk is a large contributor of fat and protein for most children.
2.
Ask your pediatrician or DAN doctor to test for intestinal parasites.
3.
Control the intake of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates (even wheat alternatives) should not be limited but conversely not eaten in excess.
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Many children on the spectrum have difficulty digesting complex carbohydrates (starches). Undigested starch feed harmful intestinal parasites and allows them to overgrow. Resulting in toxic by-products that can cross the blood-brain barrier eliciting addictive behaviors that impair growth and development; as well as intestinal dysfunction and inflammation. 4.
Eliminate and Replace foods that are inflammatory. The key here is to not only discover the particular foods but to replace with foods that are equally or more nutritious.
5.
Test for functional vitamins and minerals deficiencies after an adequate nutritious diet is in place.
6.
Find a licensed registered dietitian who is trained to assess, monitor and evaluate children with special needs and expertly implement special diets. Look for someone who will work closely with your child’s pediatrician or DAN doctor to keep nutrition care adequate and safe.
Sign up for the free electronic newsletter “Healthy Bellies Tips of the Week” at www.dawnmichellesimon.com and receive the handy “11 Questions to Ask Your Childs Pediatrician”. Contact Dawn Michelle at healthy@dawnmichellesimon.com or 305-7613738
SOLVING YOUR GREATEST FINANCIAL WORRY Written by Special Needs Attorneys: Danielle B. Mayoras and Don L. Rosenberg www.thecenterforspecialneedsplanning.com Have you ever wondered what would happen to your special needs loved one if you passed away tomorrow? Have you done everything possible to ensure that your loved one with special needs will maintain his or her government benefits and receive an inheritance from you? For many parents with special needs children, whether the children are minors or adults, these questions linger in the back of their minds. Estate planning is always important to do; however, when one of our beneficiaries is a special needs loved one, the planning becomes critical. When a parent leaves an inheritance over $2,000 to an individual with special needs, then that inheritance is actually a gift to the government because it eliminates that child’s qualification for government benefits. Parents and attorneys armed with the basic knowledge that you cannot have assets in the excess of $2,000 and still qualify for government benefits, often think that the only reliable method to protect a special needs loved one is to disinherit them. They believe, or are counseled; that leaving their inheritance to another child or individual who will morally take care of their special needs loved one solves the problem. In most cases, however, this does not solve the problem, but only makes it worse. Leaving everything to your daughter “Susie” if “Johnny” has special needs would allow Susie’s creditors to attach Johnny’s money. In addition, if Susie is having a bad year financially, there is nothing to stop her from using the money for herself. Furthermore, if Susie passes away, this money would go on to her beneficiaries and not to Johnny. Parents can solve all of these problems by creating a Special Needs Trust. A properly drafted Special Needs Trust allows the special needs individual to maintain government benefits and to use the inheritance for everything but food and shelter. The Special Needs Trust is the
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perfect solution and the only reliable method to make sure that your inheritance benefits your child with special needs. The Special Needs Trust keeps assets in a form that will be available for your child and allows your child to maintain and receive government benefits. A properly drafted Special Needs Trust will specify that funds from the Trust only supplement and do not replace the government benefits. These funds can be used for extra medical care, personal items, such as televisions, radios, computers, vacations, companionship, advocates or any other item or service to enhance your child’s self-esteem and situation (anything except food and shelter). With respect to shelter, your child can use the money to purchase a home, but cannot use the money for rent. Oftentimes, parents who have minor or adult children with special needs wonder what the future will hold for their special loved one. Will they be productive in society, will they need governmental benefits, who will take care of them and be responsible for their financial needs? We have developed a very unique approach to address these questions – the “Wait and See Special Needs Trust”. A Special Needs Trust would be set up as a vessel into which an inheritance would go. However, a decision would be made by the trustee at the time that the parents pass away whether or not this individual is likely to need government benefits in the future. Specifically, the Wait and See Trust requires the trustee to test and have your special needs loved one evaluated educationally, cognitively, rehabilitatively, physically and emotionally. These evaluations also include, but are not limited to, a physical and psychological evaluation, and evaluation of education and training programs, work opportunities and earning, recreation, leisure time, and social needs. If he or she is not likely to need government benefits, then the Special Needs Trust would not be used and the assets can then be used for basic needs as well as special needs. The benefit of this, of course, is that we have the advantage of planning for an unknown future. As a parent, not only do you want to provide an inheritance to your children, but when you have a child with special needs, you often are the only one who knows their medical needs (i.e. doctors, prescriptions, as well as the child’s likes and dislikes). The Special Needs Trust incorporates a Letter of Guidance that addresses all of the information that caregivers so vitally need.
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While government agencies recognize Special Needs Trusts, there are strict rules and it is critical that you work with an experienced special needs attorney to draft the Trust. One wrong word or phrase can make the difference between an inheritance that benefits your child and one that causes your child to lose the many services, assistance and benefits available. Parents of special needs children can solve their greatest worry with a properly drafted Special Needs Trust. For more information on Special Needs Trusts and to stay up to date on the laws, contact The Center for Special Needs Planning at 1-877-PLAN-758 or www.thecenterforspecialneedsplanning.com, for a personal consultation and/or to subscribe to the informational e-letter, “The Insight: News, Stories, and Thoughts on Elder, Special Needs and Probate Law.” This article provides general information concerning a variety of legal topics. It is not intended to be a legal opinion and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Legal advice should not be given without investigation of your particular circumstances.
About the Authors Danielle B. Mayoras, Attorney and Director of Education Danielle Mayoras has dedicated her legal career to educating professionals and businesses as well as the general public on the topics of special needs planning, elder law, and general estate planning through presentations, print, and broadcast media across the United States. Her speaking audiences range from nationally recognized brokerage firms, banks, and insurance companies to attorneys, accountants, and non-profit organizations. She was the speaker at the Special Olympics Summer Games, as well as countless support groups for parents who have special needs children as well as social workers and attorneys. She consistently draws rave reviews from audiences and her speaking skills are in high demand. Danielle is the coauthor of the upcoming book Trial & Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights,(www.trialandheirs.com) to be released Fall of 2009. Additionally, Danielle is a founding partner of The Center for Special Needs Planning, The Center for Elder Law, and The Center for Probate Litigation. Don L. Rosenberg, Attorney and Counselor Don has been practicing for over twenty-eight years. His practice is limited to specializing in issues concerning disability, Special Needs Planning, Medicaid, estate, long term care, and nursing home. He is a Charter Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, past-President of KESHET, which is a nonprofit organization that serves families who have children of any age with disabilities of
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any kind and a Member of the Board of Directors of KADIMA, which is a nonprofit organization that serves families and individuals with mental illnesses. Additionally, Don is a founding partner of The Center for Special Needs Planning, The Center for Elder Law, and The Center for Probate Litigation. He is also the Chair and Officer of the Governing Council of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Autism and the Rocket Ship Pencil By Colin Roche, Director of Educational Accounts croche@baumgartens.com For any child between kindergarten and 6th grade, handwriting is a formative component of children’s education, as teachers require written communication from students to see evidence of their comprehension of subjects. By simple observation, autistic children have an added obstacle and whether writing single words or short sentences, these children find this learning process to be a frustrating and unfulfilling experience. Autistic children tend to struggle with writing because they often grasp pens too tight and press down too hard causing most pencils to break. For most children, the basic act of handwriting is usually mastered midway thru elementary school. However, the autistic child’s learning curve is much longer as more time is needed for them to put words on paper. Autistic children are inclined to draw letters very deliberately and take more time. For example, a 30-minute dictation exercise could take up to two hours. This can be frustrating to both child and parent as in many cases. Not properly addressed, the child may fall behind classmates even though their mental grasp of the particular lesson is proficient. This becomes a slippery slope that often affects confidence because even though the child is unable to adequately convey thoughts on paper in the time required for that grade level, they are mentally capable to comprehend and complete assignments. This bottleneck of self-expression is further exacerbated by the physical constraints of common writing instruments. Combine that with dexterity issues which perpetuate the autistic child’s anguish and subsequently the primary caregivers and teachers’ commitment to them and their development, and the probable future remains disheartening. There is good news and a possible solution for many autistic children and their parents and teachers to ultimately win. Recent studies scientifically confirmed that autistic children have trouble with fine motor skills. This means that it is not
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
a mental barrier as some have thought. While many parents of autistic children have known this for years, there is now data to support the fact that students can benefit greatly from simple assistive writing aids that help to refine fine motor skills. One product in particular is getting positive reviews as an effective solution for teaching the fine motor skill required in handwriting. The PenAgain® Twist-n-Write™ (http://penagain.com/twistnwrite.html) is an ergonomic pencil designed so the child must position the fingers into the school taught “tri-pod” grasp for a comfortable and firm grip. The shape of the pencil resembles a wishbone. The user slips the index finger thru the middle, not unlike a mini crutch for the finger. Grasping both sides with the thumb and middle finger, the pencil has greater surface area contact with its user, distributing less pressure more evenly among fingers providing a comfortable yet stable grip, even if the hold is too tight. Many parents have commented that learning to write is a positive experience with the Twist-n-Write because children see progress as they use it. Designed to be more intricate, fun and colorful, as opposed to an orthopedic looking device, translates into a deeper sense of curiosity and attention for these children. More time and interest with a tool like the PenAgain creates an attractive experience for children and the result is more time practicing their handwriting. Even the added erasers on both “arms” of the pencil make the act of erasing fun. Many kids have nick-named it the “rocket-ship pencil.” Word about these unique pencils spread quickly when Parents Magazine wrote, “We’re hearing raves about the easy-to-use Twist-n-Write pencil. Originally designed to encourage kids to use the proper pencil grip, it makes writing more comfortable and fun for little hands. Parents, teachers, and occupational therapists are reporting that the ergonomic rocket-ship design is also very helpful for kids with weak motor skills, ADHD, autism, or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.” Once the product hit the market many parents wrote in with their own child’s experience with the pencil. Here’s one such letter: “I am the parent of a young man with Down Syndrome and Autism. We have tried for many years to find a writing instrument that he can use with his weak grip. We have created many different kinds of items using [clay], but this pen of yours which I saw online is perfect for him. Allowing
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him to put one finger OVER the pen and stabilize with side fingers, giving him a strong tripod grip is genius.”
effectiveness and consideration in sending emails to the school.
Teachers are writing in to give feedback on their experience too:
It has been my belief (as well as our experience) that teaching is one of the most stressful and demanding jobs. In addition to instructing students, teachers must spend time planning lessons, grading papers, communicating with parents, doing paperwork and attending meetings. While the advent of email has provided teachers and parents an efficient means of communication, it also has the potential to divert teachers from other important duties. At many schools, such as the one where Liana worked, teachers are given 40 minutes per day, or 200 minutes per week, of preparation time while their students are at special classes. If, for example, each parent in a particular class sends two emails per week and each email takes three minutes to read and respond to, then that teacher must dedicate up to 150 minutes of preparation time for emailing. This does not include the other 20 or so emails sent each day by administrators, other teachers, and the district, all of which leave little time for essential lesson planning. I have read student files that included as many as a 100 emails from the parent to the school; I find it hard to imagine how teachers and administrators are able to keep up. While the advantage of email is that it is a quick and easy form of communication, it can become problematic when not used with discretion.
“Your pencils (Twist-n-Write) have given my most severely impaired students an opportunity to practice their writing with more independence than ever before! I need more Twist-n-Write pencils, though, because they seem to be sold out wherever I look for them! Please help!!!! Thank you so very much!” You can find the Twist-n-Write and other PenAgain writing instruments in office supply superstores such as Staples and Office Depot, along with a growing list of school supply and stationery store retailers. The pencil is manufactured and distributed exclusively in the U.S. by Baumgartens (www.baumgartens.com), a manufacturer of unique, useful, and human-and environmentally-friendly products for the office, school and home. The woman-owned, family business supplies products to thousands of retailers and wholesalers across the U.S.A. For more information, please go to www.penagain.com or contact Baumgartens at 800-247-5547.
Technology and its Impact in Schools By Ruth C. Heitin, Ph.D, and Liana Heitin, M.Ed. When I was asked to write this back-to-school article, I was eager to address the issue of technology, as it is an area both parents and educators are forced to consider a bit more each time we start a new school year. In my work as a special education consultant supporting students and their families over the past 17 years, I have had the opportunity to review thousands of students’ records and consult with those students’ families. In writing this article, I also solicited the input of my daughter, Liana, who has just completed two years as a special education teacher through the Teach for America program. One of the most salient technological changes my daughter and I have witnessed is the use of email as a form of home/school communication. As more and more parents turn to email (over phone calls and conferences) when contacting teachers, I think it is important to discuss
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All emails related to a student should become part of that student’s records. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act allows parents access to their child’s records, which include any information that is personally identifiable either by the child’s name, the parent’s or other family member’s name, or any information that would make the student’s identity easily traceable. Parents and teachers should be well aware of these facts in their email communications. As Peter and Pam Wright note in their book From Emotions to Advocacy, “Good records are essential to effective advocacy.” Email can be an efficient way to build a record of issues and to document concerns. However, those very records built on emails can also be condemning for both parents and professionals. I have seen myriad cases in which the sheer quantity of emails sent shed an unfavorable light on the parents, depicting them as having unreasonable expectations. I remind clients in my practice that they have the right and responsibility to regularly review their child’s
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records. In providing these records to parents, schools often need reminders to include emails with personally identifiable information. As a result, parents should always maintain copies of their communications with schools as part of their own records, to ensure this important documentation is not lost. My clients are often surprised to find that reviewing student records, including all pertinent emails, presents them with a more complete and vivid picture of their child’s educational experience over time. Email can become a very effective tool for parents, but it also can be a source of contention between parents and schools. In forming relationships with new teachers, it is imperative that parents are both savvy and mindful in their use of emails. As the 2008-2009 school year begins, I offer some guidelines for parents regarding emailing. In general, these were derived from lessons learned through my clients’ experiences. They are offered in no particular order. Email is best used in moderation. It is human nature for people to begin to devalue the information they receive in a constant barrage, much like with the boy who cried wolf. Email should make communication between parents and schools more convenient and efficient, rather than more onerous. Choose wisely what you communicate and how much you communicate. Keep emails short and to the point. Ask your child’s teacher and the principal if they have a policy on emailing. Some principals, in my experience, expect teachers to respond to emails within 24 hours, while others condone teachers never returning emails. It would be helpful to know your school’s guidelines or policies regarding emails at the onset of the school year. Do use email to document your concerns with the school related to your child’s needs. By addressing your issues early and in writing, you build a record of having expressed your concerns and the response you received. Additionally, using email to document a verbal exchange can both clarify your understanding and serve to document that exchange.
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To order call 800.247.5547 or visit www.baumgartens.com Save all email communications between you and the school. While you may never need to refer to them again, it is important to have access to them in case the interactions are called into question. Be sure your emails are included in your child’s records at school as well. Review your emails before sending them to be sure you are saying what you want to say in a way you want to say it. Keep in mind that your words may come back to haunt you. Be careful never to write an email in anger;
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allow yourself time to gain composure before writing an email to the school. Emails are great tools for clarifying vague issues that are not otherwise put into writing by the schools. Asking a teacher or administrator to provide a given policy in writing often fleshes out whether that is, indeed, a policy to which they can refer or simply a personal preference. Ruth C. Heitin, Ph.D. is a special education consultant in private practice in Northern Virginia since 1992. Her website is www.educationalconsultingva.com. Dr. Heitin’s article, “When Parents and Schools Disagree.” has been widely published on the Internet. It can be found at: www.wrightslaw.com/info/advo.disagree.heitin.htm. Dr. Heitin’s office phone number is 703-519-7181. Liana Heitin, M.Ed. is an aspiring education writer. She can be contacted at liana.heitin@gmail.com.
Therapeutic Play Challenge By Christina Wallerstein, Playworks.net Here's a challenge for you: design the perfect distraction toy for a child over the age of three. Of course, adults agree that all distraction toys need to be affordable, available, portable, safe, and easy to clean. Beyond our practical considerations, however, lies the key to success: child appeal. Unless a child finds a toy inviting and chooses to play, the toy, however well designed, is a dud. So let's put on our thinking caps and consider our options: What material attributes will the toy have? Will it be hard or soft? brightly colored? What will the toy do? Of course the child needs to provide the "fuel" to make it "go," no batteries required. Can the child play independently with this toy? Will playing with the toy be calming to the child? Will the experience improve his/her ability to focus and concentrate? Will the toy be "educational? enhance problem solving skills? deepen understanding of spatial relations? I'm no toy designer, but lucky for us, Richard Zawitz is, and he invented what has to be a leading contender for the title of perfect distraction toy. Tangles, the ultimate universal playthings, feature a series of 90 degree curves interconnected to pivot 180 degrees at each joint. A Tangle has no beginning and no end, and there is no end to the delight children and adults alike experience when turning, twisting, bending and coiling a Tangle. Lightweight and portable, Tangles are the pinnacle of take along stress relievers. Happily, Richard didn't stop with just one design. His creations vary in color schemes, the size of the curves, surface hardness, and texture. Some are smooth; others are textured. Some are hard plastic, others have a soft, pliable coating with distinctive raised tactile nodes. Some are large, others small. The largest, Tangle Original with Texture, offers vibrant colors and five different textures. The links can be pulled apart and pushed together, building finger strength and improving hand-eye coordination; however, as a distraction toy, and I consider that its primary function, it invites being "fiddled with" - twisted, turned, bent, and coiled. All Tangles are child-powered, no batteries
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
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required.
find its easy to grip and manipulate surface encourages squeezing as well as twisting. Orthopedic
The smallest and most affordable style, Tangle Junior Textured,
surgeons recommend Tangle Therapy for patients needing
is the perfect pocket distraction toy. I'd say the caution "don't
to rehabilitate hand muscles and joints.
leave home without it" applies to this toy. Having a stash of these could save the day. We all know what happens when a
Tangle Relax Therapy is a smaller, more affordable version
favorite, and successful, antidote to stress, goes missing.
of Tangle Therapy. Offering a child a Tangle Junior Textured and a Tangle Relax Therapy provides
For variety and to encourage observation of similarities and
another exercise in exploring similarities and differences.
differences, offer the Junior Textured as a companion to the Original with Texture. Being small, Tangle Junior Textured fits
Distraction toys are meant primarily to reduce stress and
easily inside a pocket of the Functional Uni4m [Playworks>Other create calm, and for that Tangle is a perfect choice. Yet Toys>Teaching & Learning Products] worn by a growing
their benefits extend into the educational realm
number of Applied Behavior Therapists.
as well. Teachers who use Tangles as a reward for children with autism report improved behavior: an increased calm and ability to cope with stressors that
My personal favorite is Tangle Therapy, the first Tangle with a soft, pliable coating and raised tactile nodes. I like its feel and
$5 off each order of $25 through Autism Health and Wellness Magazine Just enter code: AHW Offer good through Dec. 31, 2010
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
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that usually send them "over the edge" as well as increases in skill acquisition. Tangles invite manipulation and reward play with improved concentration and spatial relations and problem solving skills. Considering the affordability, with prices ranging from $3.50 to $12, portability, and all around appeal of Tangles, I'll give it my vote for perfect distraction toy. How about you? Have you tried a Tangle with your child? If not, I encourage you to do so. You'll find a selection at www.playworks.net (see Playworks.net >Manipulatives>Mazes & More). If you have, I'd like to hear your experiences. Please e-mail me at christina@playworks.net. In return we will e-mail each contributor a coupon code for $5 off your next order of $10 or more as well as choose the most informative comments to post on our blog. Let's share and learn together.
Tax Planning for Parents of Children with Special Needs By Karen F. Greenberg, MBA, CFP® Parents or other caregivers of loved ones with special needs may qualify for valuable tax benefits, which may be overlooked by tax preparers who are unfamiliar with the autism and other spectrum disorders. These unique tax benefits may entitle parents to additional refunds of thousands of dollars. Families often incur a myriad of expenses because of their child’s treatment and life style expenses, many of which are deductible as medical expenses. Taxpayers who itemize deductions can claim medical expenses to the extent that they exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income . The challenge is to be aware of which expenses may be allowable and to keep track of them. Aside from the traditionally well-known medical expenses such as prescriptions, doctors and dental treatments, eyeglasses, lab and hospital tests, therapies and health insurance premiums, there are many other deductible expenses you may not readily think of.
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Your physical or speech therapist may recommend certain activities, such as music lessons, gymnastics, horseback riding, swimming, or other sports activities as an adjunct to the therapy. These expenses, as well as travel to and from these activities are also deductible. Be sure to ask your therapist or doctor to write an updated note recommending the suggested activity for your tax files. In addition, you may choose to attend workshops or informative seminars or conferences about your child’s disability and treatment. The cost of these conferences as well as travel and lodging costs ($50 per night per person) may be deductible. If your child attends a special school, tuition costs, tutoring and educational supplies (such as software, books and videos as learning tools), which are designed to educate special needs children, may be deductible. Sign language instruction, speech therapy, remedial reading instruction and related books and materials, in addition to transportation including parking and tolls, are deductible. The cost of diagnostic evaluations including testing by a speech-language pathologist, psychologist, neurologist, or other person with professional qualifications, may be deductible. The cost of a patient care attendant (such as a babysitter or care giver) may also be deductible, so if you must hire someone to stay with your older child or adult child while you are out, keep the receipts for these expenses. A capital expenditure, such as a home improvement or upgrade to make a home or auto handicap-accessible, qualifies as a medical expense if it has as its primary purpose the medical care of the disabled child, but only to the extent that it exceeds any increase in property value. Therefore, as an example, the partial cost of a home generator, if your child has an underlying health condition, (such as asthma) may be considered a qualified medical expense. Over-the-counter medications that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription, such as aspirin, are not deductible. Nor is the cost of nutritional or herbal supplements, vitamins, and natural medicines are not deductible as medical expenses, unless they can be obtained legally only with a doctor's prescription. However, the cost of special foods, such as gluten-free products, may be deductible to the extent the cost exceeds regular food.
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You should also be aware that a special needs trust may afford your family some tax benefits. An irrevocable special needs trust may be drafted by an attorney, as an estate planning tool. These trusts can also be a great way of saving for your child’s future care costs, and a supplement to governmental benefits your child may be entitled to. Funds placed in a special needs trust are not counted as your child’s assets, and will not jeopardize needs based entitlements. If the special needs trust is properly drafted, it will be considered a “qualified disability trust,” which has a very generous standard deduction (equivalent to a personal exemption) currently $3500 under current 2009 treasury regulations. This means that the first $3500 of investment income generated by a special needs trust will be offset and therefore not taxable. The same investment income on your tax return may be taxed at your tax rate (currently 25-28% for most tax payers). The special needs trust may be used to accumulate funds for the future, but may also be used for any currently-qualified special needs expense. Special needs trusts may be funded with any investments an individual can own, and can be a great way for grandparents or other family members to help provide for any current or future lifestyle expenses. Remember to keep receipts, cancelled checks or credit card documentation along with your doctor or therapist written recommendation to secure these valuable deductions. Karen F. Greenberg. MBA, CFP ® is the mother of an adult child with autism, a tax preparer and Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner. Her home office is located at 4673 Brady Blvd. in Delray Beach, FL 33445. (561) 638-6945. Email to KFGreenberg@cs.com.
Autism Health and Wellness is pleased to announce its partnership with The Friendship Circle an organization that trains teens to work with special needs kids. Visit www,AutismHealthandWellness.com for schedule and latest events call (954) 353-1898 or email info@autismhealthandwellness.com
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Is ABA Enough? By: Pamela Vogelsang-Davis
ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis is a widely used method of teaching children with Autism based on the premise that appropriate behavior can be taught using certain scientific principles. Children are rewarded for appropriate behaviors usually with a token or a treat so that they are more likely to keep repeating those same behaviors. Eventually, the reinforcement is reduced so that the child can learn without constant rewards. ABA is one of the main types of therapy available for children with Autism. But used alone, is it enough to help the children use their learned behaviors in real world settings? At Divine Academy, “Real World” Therapy is used in tandem with other types of therapy such as ABA where students are prompted to respond appropriately through everyday interactions. Their reward is that they get what they ask for, not just a token for giving a correct response within a controlled environment. Using ABA, students learn to say “spoon” when shown a spoon yet they may have trouble asking for one. In conjunction with “Real World” Therapy if students want a spoon, they must learn to identify one as well as learn how to ask for one using a complete sentence. Both “Real World” Therapy and ABA conditions the child to give specific responses to specific questions but “Real World” Therapy also helps the students learn generalization through constant questions and answers between staff and students in a real world environment. Students learn best using discreet trial training where skills are broken down into the smallest tasks and taught individually. Small skills are taught first and as each one is mastered, students learn more complicated skills. Many ABA programs also provide “errorless” learning so that the students are reinforced every time. This may teach the students to provide the correct response when given a certain prompt but it also causes them to be unable to accept mistakes within real life settings such as in the classroom and at home. Using “Real World” Therapy, students learn that it is okay to make mistakes that it is okay to not give a correct response every time. They also learn that the real world must provide the reinforcer for the appropriate behavior, and that rewards may not always be tangible in the form of tokens and treats.
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While other children learn from experience, far too many students with Autism sit at a table for hour after hour usually receiving 40 hours a week of therapy which can become quite tiring for the child. By using “Real World” Therapy, Divine Academy provides constant interactions that teach the students appropriate responses on a daily basis in a relaxed school setting with their peers. Parents are also taught how to elicit correct responses from their child by interacting with them constantly and requiring them to ask for things using complete sentences at all times so that it is used at home as well as in school. At Divine Academy, we design our program to work in conjunction with various forms of therapy to provide a conducive environment for the best overall success. With any type of therapy, children need constant opportunities to apply what they have learned in the real world. Elementary age students and younger have more opportunities to interact with others on a daily basis within the school setting thus helping them to improve their generalization skills. Once they reach middle school, however, where social interactions get more complicated,
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they have less and less opportunities to interact and generalize their learned behaviors in real world settings. The transition into middle school coupled with the onset of puberty can be frustrating for the students. At Divine Academy, this feeling of frustration is not felt which enables them to apply their learned behaviors with their peers. So is ABA enough? That would depend on the individual needs of the child and how many opportunities there are to generalize the learned behaviors in real world settings. At Divine Academy, our unique program proves that our “Real World” Therapy does provide success for each of our students. Through our constant interactions between our very professional and committed staff and our students, Divine Academy provides a cohesiveness that students are usually not accustomed to at first. Students are often surprised at how fast we get to know them, and how quickly they make new friends. It is the collaboration among teachers, therapists, and parents, which helps make our use of “Real World” Therapy in conjunction with other forms of therapy successful for our students.
www.DivineAcademy.com
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Son’s Food Allergies Inspire Mom’s Business Venture By Lynn Yeager “Your son has autism.” Those words changed our lives, who we were, what we stood for, and introduced us to a whole different world that we never knew existed. At that time, my husband nor I had any idea what that diagnosis would mean for our son, or for us, for that matter. We approached autism as two warriors on a mission. We found the best schools, therapists, doctors, and treatments available for our son. We knew that it would be our privilege to help our son be the best he could be and reach his own personal potential. Early on, we figured out that Jacob had allergic reactions to foods. It started one Christmas when I was baking holiday treats. Every time I would pull out the nuts, Jacob would break out into hives. We also battled skin rashes and eczema that never seemed to go away. We would give him an antihistamine in the morning, another at night, and rub him down with steroid cream, but nothing really seemed to control the issue. Once we really started working with our DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) doctor and truly looking at Jacob’s blood, food sensitivities, metal levels, and nutrient deficiencies, we were finally able to start unraveling the mystery. We could control Jacob’s allergic reactions by eliminating certain foods. We eliminated gluten, casein, tree nuts, soy, and artificial flavorings and colorings. Soon after, we were able to eliminate the antihistamines and steroid creams because the eczema, hives and rashes were under control.
dietary needs. Our 7th and 8th grade students were eager to taste test our recipes, and we finally were able to fool them with our gluten and casein free chocolate chip cookie when compared to a traditional wheat based recipe. We started selling our frozen cookie dough to a small local natural foods store and then Whole Foods Markets discovered us! Since then, we have expanded into all of the Florida Whole Foods Markets, and even opened a gluten, casein, and nut free bakery in Jacksonville. We have plans to expand our bakery into other areas in Florida based on the overwhelming success we have experienced in Jacksonville. All of this is because of a small boy that I call the light of my life. And…because of him, I decided to undergo food allergy and sensitivity testing. Guess who is now gluten and casein free among other things as well?
I never would have dreamed that food was responsible for a large part of our son’s misery. No wonder he couldn’t concentrate in the classroom or therapies—he itched uncontrollably. It also affected his sleeping patterns, because he would wake up itching and then not be able to go back to sleep so he was cranky on top of it all! It was a rough year for our entire household! Now, we rarely have reactions to food, unless an ingredient somehow found it’s way into his diet. His school and teachers are very understanding and do not allow him to eat anything unless I send it from home. They also keep and arsenal of goodies in the cabinets and freezer so that Jacob is never left out when they are having special celebrations.
info@qcharm.com 888-498-1115 www.qcharm.com
After our struggles with food allergies, one of my coworkers suggested that we create a business that would cater to parents and children in similar situations with special
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Autism: Burden or Blessing? By Denise Meissner, OTR/L Co-Founder and Owner of QCharm, LLC Caring for someone with Autism can feel like a burden and a blessing. When I was an Occupational Therapy student, I worked 8 hours a day with students severely affected by Autism. One of the burdens I experienced was dealing with the students’ screams and outbursts when I had to transition them out of their favorite activities. On one particularly difficult day, I prayed out loud that if I ever have children, please don’t let them have Autism. Seven years later I even wrote that in my first born son’s pregnancy journal. I just couldn’t imagine anything good coming out of parenting a child with Autism. Confident that my “no Autism” had been heard, I didn’t write it in my second son’s pregnancy journal. Coincidentally, he was born with Autism. Ultimately the blood work revealed that his Autism was related to his abnormal amount of chromosome #15. The running “joke” in our family is that his Autism was my fault. The first 4 years of our youngest son’s Autism (days and nights filled with outbursts, screaming, hitting, biting, throwing food, and throwing up), I most certainly felt burdened and punished. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained, I knew I didn’t have the skills or desire to deal with our son’s behaviors. It took several months to realize that our son’s Autism was allowing us to meet and work with experts who did have the skills and desires. Their behavior and communication techniques were just what we needed to elevate our level of parenting. Unlike families of “normal” children we were fortunate to receive their instruction, compassion, and encouragement. What a blessing! It took 5 years for the shock of the Autism diagnosis to wear off and for the newly learned skills to set in. We were able to enjoy spending time with our son and to help him enjoy spending time with us. By the 6th year, I was well versed in the use of visual strategies and First____Then____ phrases. But there were two things driving me crazy. 1) The large box of visual cues was very difficult to transport within the home and out in the community and 2) the cues required significant chunks of time to create. So while I was cutting out squares of Boardmaker images, peeling laminating sheets and adhering Velcro strips, our son was spraying the backyard with an entire can of air freshener. “Mommy! I made the backyard smell pretty!” (“Great!”)
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Then, one afternoon, it happened. Sitting on the bathroom floor, waiting for our son to finish his business, I realized that “down times” like this could be and must be used as teachable moments. The large box of carefully crafted visual cue cards was, naturally, out of reach. With our son’s history of behaviors, I was not about to leave the bathroom just to get a few cards. What I did have on hand (literally) was a charm bracelet. Using the seashell and other beach related charms as visual cues, I explained what to expect during our upcoming beach trip. For example, we get to walk the beach to collect shells, we get to visit the place that teaches about turtles, and he must hold my hand to walk into the water. Ding ding ding ding! That’s it! I need to find a way to have his cues on my wrist. After much research, several phone calls and multiple emails, my husband and I successfully filed for the patent of our Portable and Visual Cueing System. Soon after, we joined forces with the two owners of EZBands to create QCharm, LLC. Now we were able to provide other caregivers and educators with images pad printed onto ½ inch by ½ inch flat-surface plastic charms that clipped to a 100% silicone wristband and a keychain version of the band. These ready-made cues can be worn on the wrist or attached to a belt loop (or backpack strap, etc). They are easy to transport, manage, and reference. It’s like breaking away from a desktop computer to a cell phone and providing classroom-like structure in any setting. Based on customer feedback and with our contractual agreement with Mayer-Johnson, LLC, we have expanded our charm inventory to include nearly 200 ready-to-print Boardmaker images. This allows us to create pre-fab kits (5/10/30 charms per kit) and to customize kits. Soon we will upgrade our website (www.qcharm.com) to reveal our list of charms and kits. Meanwhile, customers can request information via email (info@qcharm.com). Then we will send the list of images. After creating kits for customers’ personal use, gifts and fundraisers, I thank our son for being the catalyst for QCharm. His Autism, which once felt like a burden, has become a meaningful way to serve others. What a blessing! To arm yourself with visual cues and capture teachable moments, please contact us: QCharm.com, info@qcharm.com, 888-498-1115.
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Give the Dog a [Gluten-Free] Bone Around the world, dogs consistently give comfort, security, and unconditional love to their families. While all children develop a unique and special bond with their pets, the connection of an autistic child with his or her beloved dog is often a shining example of the power of this amazing relationship. The emotional bonding that occurs between the dog and child can build a steady, special companionship that can help to promote a calm, safe environment. One of the many ways that people bond with their canines is through regular behaviors, such as meal time and treats. Many families coping with autism successfully incorporate a gluten-free lifestyle as part of their treatment plan. For consistency and pantry safety, some may also want to make their dog’s meals and snacks gluten-free. While both public awareness and product availability have increased over the past few years, finding gluten-free alternatives can still be a challenge. One company, SunnyPaw, based in Pennsylvania, makes small-batch, organic, gluten-free dog treats, and will ship anywhere in the United States. The company was inspired by their snack-loving dog, Sarah, a cavalier spaniel mix. During product development, they realized the importance and need for gluten-free alternatives for dogs. Several different flavors are available, including their best seller “Yammies”, chewy snack sticks made with fresh organic yams, and fun flavors like “PB & J”, crunchy unsalted organic peanut butter biscuits topped with organic blueberries.
SunnyPaw takes great pride in making products that are not only healthful and delicious, but that are also mindful of the environment. SunnyPaw’s treat boxes are made in the USA from 100% recycled boxboard, their sealed treat bags are compostable / biodegradable, and their labels and promotional materials are printed in-house with soy ink. SunnyPaw also makes hand-crafted, solid-oak feeding stations: sturdy, elevated platforms to offer food and water at a comfortable height, your choice of three sizes/stains; and 100% organic cotton “walking scarves”: all-season, hand-knit scarves with a pocket, perfect for holding keys, phone, or treats when out walking, your choice of four colors. SunnyPaw is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the daily lives of families around the country. They believe that “radiant happiness, abundant wellness, and a healthy Earth belong to everyone, including our companion animals.” SunnyPaw offers free samples of their dog treats. Contact them at 484-879-2998 or pawprint@sunnypaw.com, or go to their website: www.SunnyPaw.com.
SunnyPaw’s treats use all gluten-free ingredients, so there is no risk of cross-contamination, which otherwise could occur if gluten-containing products were manufactured using the same equipment. During production, SunnyPaw does not use any non-stick sprays or soy-derived emulsifiers, which often contain soy lecithin; minute amounts of soy protein can still exist during the manufacturing of lecithin, which can trigger reactions, even in minute quantities. The ingredients of each SunnyPaw treat are listed on the product information pages on their website, and ingredient nutrient information is presented on their Pantry page. Children’s Upscale Consignment Boutique
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The Victory School The students at the Victory Center continue on the road to success following ten years of providing exceptional programs and services within the Autism community. The school year started in August 2009 amidst hurricane delays but that did not deter our students or staff to getting back to work. There have been students with whom the addition of expanded communication has not only improved their communication but also their behavior in the home and the classroom. We have used our staff trainings to their utmost potential and developed functional behavior plans that are currently headed towards their short and long terms goals with great success. There are several students that can now ride a bicycle independently. The physical education program has strengthened our students’ bodies and has carried over into their lives at home. The Life Skills classroom has increased their student’s repertoire of daily living skills to include vocational skills as well. This will have a positive impact on their future. The Secondary School students have also demonstrated vast improvements in their handwriting and attending skills. Potty training is a very important and often number one goal on our parents list. We can proudly say that we have successfully potty trained several students this year. We know this an accomplishment many families can appreciate. Amidst us reaching our milestone year as well as experiencing a growth period, our students continue to excel daily thanks due in part to our well trained, dedicated and enthusiastic staff. We are now looking to add an experienced, visionary Educational leader who can continue reaching for the stars for our children and families affected with Autism and behavioral challenges. Job Description for Director of Education at The Victory Center for Autism in North Miami Beach, Florida Primary Requirements:
Teaching experience preferred within the Autism/ behaviorally challenged population BCBA (Masters/ Doctorate degree preferred) Board Certified Behavioral Analyst Experience with errorless teaching and use of verbal behavioral 2+ years management experience 3-5 years school education training experience preferred Vision, Leadership, Strategy Setting, and Cross-team execution Ability to hire, train and supervise instructors Strong student retention experience Ability to interact with all levels of individuals Computer skills including MS Office Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem solving skills Strong attention to detail Outstanding multi-tasking and research abilities
Overview: Facilitates a Vision of Educational Excellence-The competent Director of Education is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of educational excellence that is shared and supported by the school community. He/She shall promote the success of all students by advocating and nurturing a constantly improving learning environment and an instructional program based upon educationally sound principles of curriculum development and modifications, learning and teaching theory, and professional development.
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A Loving Healing Touch By Dr. Lynn Migdal For centuries, much has been written about the wonders and miracles of the healing power of the loving touch. Over the past 30 years, I have witnessed this work for thousands of people. I am a doctor of Chiropractic who is also a Reiki Master, which masters the fine art of removing nerve interference using gentle loving touches that can bring major results with children. Twenty one years ago, I was totally paralyzed from a vaccine and kept myself out of a wheel chair, off of feeding tubes and a respirator with the help of Chiropractic and Reiki. I have tremendous faith in the ability of the brain and the nervous system to heal themselves and the ability to heal the body. I believe that as long as someone is still breathing, they have the ability to improve themselves and increase their potential for expressing life. What I have seen mostly with Autistic children is that they love to be touched. Parents are always amazed when their child allows me to touch them. Children that are supposed to be aggressive, untouchable, and violent lay still and welcome their Chiropractic Cranial, Sacral and Spinal tune ups. Most children after ten visits start to hug me and show a lot of affection.
experience a higher level of healthier digestion. Pinched Spinal nerves many times can cause food allergies, and most people experience fewer allergies when the Nervous System is functioning at healthy levels. When a nervous system has been harmed by vaccines and their toxins, many functions in the body are weakened. Chiro-Chi, Chiropractic, Cranial and Reiki tune ups, all work to heal the cranium, the spine and the nervous system so that the body can go back into balance. When the brain is allowed stronger and healthier communication with the body, harmony and health can return. Whenever one wants to heal form any disease, or to prevent disease on must work to reduce stress to the nervous system. The stress that can cause an illness or prevent someone from not healing needs to be addressed to achieve total wellness. Autistic or Paralyzed victims from vaccines are no different. If parents want to achieve greater results, they must also have the physical stress on the nervous system removed with Chiropractic Care. Many families are missing the boat by only looking at the chemical stress to the nervous system and do not realize that the physical stress of hard bones on soft nerves must be corrected to
”The untouchables”, as many are called, welcome the relief of pressure off of their spinal and cranial nerves and enjoy their Chiropractic visits. Many Children who bang their heads and where helmets take them off and no longer need them after a couple of months of care. Many believe that this banging is a demonstration that they are in pain and that they are trying to release their own cranial pressure when they are hitting their head on the wall or floor. As for the food allergies and the severe diets that most of these children are put on, Chiropractic adjustments, may also help them to digest their food better and they can
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have holistic healing of the Nervous System and Total Health for their children. Chiropractors have been helping children for over a hundred years. When you combine removal of Cranial and Spinal Nerve Pressure with a Loving touch, one can only improve their level of function. Of course this works for all ages, all conditions, and for parents as well. Dr. Lynn Migdal is available to speak to small groups and large conventions. She is a motivating and dynamic speaker with an uplifting message. She is a widely recognized expert on Natural Healing and the amazing ability of the body to heal itself. Her programs also include Stress Solutions, Spinal Hygiene and how to Improve Natural Immunity through Neurological Fitness. For more information on Dr. Lynn Migdal or to book her for your next meeting please call 561278-2224 or visit www.migdalchiropractic.com.
Parenting A Child With Autism By Hope Fine RRT.– CHT.
judgmental people at the grocery store, the bank, restaurants etc….. Had enough? Let’s add a sibling to the mix! Unfortunately, all of these stressers put a great deal of strain, not only on a marriage but the entire family dynamics including siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles and of course friends. Suddenly the people, who you thought were your support, are making every excuse not to see you and your child. Parents bring their special children here every day for their hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments and almost every day I am confronted with a distressed, depressed, angry, frustrated or crying parent. These parents spew their feelings to me for hours, and yes, sometimes for days and every one of them are so grateful to me for allowing them the opportunity to vent or cry.
As a health care provider I always thought, seeing improvements in my patients was the most rewarding part of my job. However, that was until I started treating autistic children and found myself embroiled in daily trials and tribulations of the patient’s families. To be the parent of an autistic child is one of the hardest and most demanding jobs imaginable. If they don’t keep their eyes on these children continuously, parents may find themselves scouring their neighborhood for a kid who ran out of the house, or they might be jumping into a lake retrieving their child, or they might be at Home Depot buying paint to cover the “artwork” that adorns their living room or anyone of the many walls in their house. Of course re-painting is an easy fix compared to the daily challenges these parents must face. For example: Enforcing special diets for their autistic child, constantly running to and from a variety of therapy sessions, implementing the use of supplements, trying new ways to hide these supplements so they can get them down their kids throats, and most importantly and most frustrating, a constant search for specially trained educators since there seems to be an overwhelming lack of experienced professionals in our schools to educate these remarkable children. Then of course, are the sneers and snide remarks parents and family members have to endure on a daily basis from
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Truthfully, I find it somewhat perplexing, because I don’t say much, all I do is listen. What I’ve come to realize after treating 1000’s of autistic children and meeting their families, is being here for the family and watching them leave with a smile on their face is just as rewarding as treating the children and hearing new words come out of their mouths. To all my wonderful kids and extraordinary families, I love you all. Happy New Year and God Bless. My name is Hope Fine, Founder and Clinical Director of SOUTH FLORIDA CENTER FOR H.O.P.E. A PREMIER HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CENTER IN DEERFIELD BEACH FLORIDA www.sfcenterforhope.com – www.sfcenter4hope.com www.hopehyperbaric.com E-mail Hope @ hobt@bellsouth.net
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Join a campaign that embodies the spirit of advocacy Fight for McKay Scholarships to be Awarded without a year waiting period, so that early treatment can save more children End classroom restraining rooms End Insurance Discrimination fight for greater access to all competitive treatment options
Elect YOMIN to the FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Yomin Postelnik for Florida House District 91 become a campaign captain for yomin Get involved in real improvements & Solutions - Call (954) 353-5955
www.ABetterFlorida.com Pd. Pol. Adv. by IRPW Consulting, Inc. and Leah Postelnik, 4699 N. Federal Hwy, Ste 208K, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
*TUESDAY NIGHT IS TACO NIGHT EVEN ON A GF/CF DIET By Michele Weppner CHICKEN TACOS CHICKEN TENDERLOINS Marinate chicken with chopped garlic, olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Let it sit for about 30 minutes or overnight. Sauté in a hot pan with olive oil, cooking the chicken thoroughly. Let it cool so you can handle the mixture. Shred with knife adding your favorite topping such as lettuce, tomatoes, or salsa. BEEF TACOS OR TURKEY TACOS For beef or Turkey tacos, I like to add some chopped onion to the sauté, following the above recipe. SPANISH RICE Cook rice per package directions adding some cilantro to the water. BLACK BEANS You can use either black beans from a can or dried beans from a package. MAKE SURE YOU USE ORGANIC BEANS. Heat thoroughly till done. There you have it ... a Mexican dinner Gluten Free/Caesin Free. You still can have your favorite foods, you just need to substitute a few things. Go more Natural, Tacos seasoning mixes have lost of artificial flavorings such as monosodium glutamate, not good for our kids. Cook with fresh foods and spices.
Kay's Cookie Parfait At Kay’s Naturals we have surveyed the vast landscape of so-called nutritious foods and determined that the missing link is a Better Balance™ of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fats. Kay’s all-natural, gluten-free line seeks to fill this gap with food that has a healthy balance of great taste, low calories, lean soy protein, zero cholesterol, lower carbohydrates and fiber. Our foods also provide a complete amino acid profile. Kay's Naturals has chosen to focus on a healthier balance of ingredients: ●
100% GLUTEN-FREE
●
30-35% natural soy protein 10-18% healthy fats 10-12% fiber 20-40% carbohydrates
● ● ●
Every 1-ounce (28g) serving has: ● ● ● ● ●
8-10gnatural soy protein 100 -110 calories 9g -13g carbohydrates 1g – 3g fiber Low saturated fats/no trans fats
A RECENT STUDY FROM HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUND THAT MOST GLUTEN FREE PRODUCTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET PLACE ARE HIGH IN STARCH AND THAT MANY GLUTEN-FREE FORMULATIONS LACK ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS.
WITH KAY'S NATURALS PRODUCT LINE, THIS IS NOT THE CASE. WE HAVE PROVIDED THE GLUTEN-FREE COMMUNITY WITH CHIPS, PRETZELS, CEREALS, AND COOKIES THAT ARE ALL GLUTEN FREE AND PACKED FULL OF NUTRITION AND FLAVOR.
MICHELE WEPPNER IS THE MOTHER AND CARE GIVER OF AN AUTISTIC CHILD. SHE IS ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF FUND FOR H.O.P.E, INC. A NOT FOR PROFIT 501C FOUNDATION DEDICATED, TO RAISING FUNDS IN ORDER TO ASSIST LOW INCOME FAMILIES WITH AUTISTIC CHILDREN TO RECEIVE ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES.www.fundforhope.com micheleweppner@belllsouth.net
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A gluten free diet can be beneficial for many different reasons. Gluten-free diets are necessary for those who are gluten or wheat intolerant and those who have Celiac disease. Diets free of gluten can also benefit those with autism, autoimmune diseases, people who suffer with migraines, Lyme disease, and several other medical conditions. We, at Kay's Naturals, understand the importance of a gluten-free diet and because of this we test every batch of product for gluten-free before shipping.
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Kay's Cookie Parfait 1/2 cup of your favorite yogurt 1/4 cup of Kay's Naturals GFree Cinnamon or Honey Cookie Bites, crushed 1 handful of berries: strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries A sprinkle of fresh ground cinnamon Mix ingredients together and enjoy a delicious, glutenfree, high protein treat!
Austria’s Finest, Naturally FALL HARVEST SALAD Ingredients: (makes 2-3 servings) 2 Tablespoons Austria’s Finest, Naturally PUMPKIN SEED OIL 1-2 Tablespoons Austria’s Finest, Naturally BLACKBERRY or SCHILCHER VINEGAR** (depending on taste) 1 Pear 1 Apple (sweet varieties are best) 1 bunch of Grapes (red or white) If large grapes, best to halve or quarter them 2 cups Mixed Garden Salad Greens, or favorite lettuce 1-2 ounces Austria’s Finest, Naturally NATURAL or LIGHTLY SALTED PUMPKIN SEEDS Preparation: Dice apples and pear; toss with grapes, seeds, and lettuce. Place individual servings on plates. Mix Oil and Vinegar (some add a dash of salt & pepper) and pour over salads. *During the Spring and Summer, this makes a great dressing over conventional salads **Try the other flavors of Austria’s Finest, Naturally® vinegar to add variety to your salads! www.austrianpumpkinoil.com Austria's Finest, Naturally Pumpkin Oil Bread Dip (makes 2-3 servings) Ingredients: (per serving) 2 teaspoons of Austria's finest, naturally Pumpkin Seed Oil French, Italian, Gray, or your favorite Bread Preparation: Pour into a small bowl with a large opening, slice bread into small pieces, ENJOY!
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Austria's Finest, Naturally Roasted Poultry Ingredients: Turkey or Chicken Fresh Herbs (Sage, Rosemary, Thyme) 1 small Onion 1 small Apple 1 small Pear 1 Cup Wild Rice 1 Cup Diced Celery 1 Tablespoon chopped Austria's finest, naturally Pumpkinseeds 3-4 Tablespoons Austria's Finest, Naturally Pumpkin Seed Oil Preparation: Cook the Wild Rice according to directions. Divide the fresh Herbs. Dice the Apple, Pear, Onion and Celery, and mix together with the Wild Rice and Pumpkinseeds and Half of the Fresh Herbs. Stuff the cavity of the Poultry with the mixture. Create a pocket between the meat and skin on top of the Poultry. Place remaining Fresh Herbs into pocket and pour the Austria's finest, naturally Pumpkin Seed Oil into pocket. Return skin. Bake poultry according to directions for weight. Austria's finest, naturally Austria’s Finest, Naturally™ Corn Salad (serves 2-3) Ingredients: 1 Can Whole Kernel Corn Drained Fresh Garlic to taste (2 cloves recommended) ¼ Medium Bell Pepper (Diced) 1 Small (Roma size) Tomato Diced 2 Tablespoons (or to taste) Pumpkin Seed Oil 2 Tablespoons (or to taste) Honey Vinegar (Oak Aged Apple is also very good) Salt & Pepper to taste Preparation: Combine all ingredients, mix well and let stand at room temperature at least an hour (refrigerating overnight is best) mixing occasionally and then serve.
Join Our Team Looking for dedicated people to grow this magazine and make it stronger. Call (954) 353-1898 or email info@autismhealthandwellness.com. Doing good while starting out on a bright career at the same time.
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Mr. Ritt's Gluten Free Bakery has been in business as a strictly gluten free bakery since March 1s of 1999. Originally in Philadelphia, PA they are now located at 453 N. 2nd Street, MIllville, NJ 08332, with ordering for in store and shipping via the website or phone. The concept of making gluten free items was incepted by a local author Jax Peters Lowell coming into the store and asking if they made or had considered making anything gluten free, and expanded from there. The business went completely gluten free after a young girl came into to pick her first birthday cake after 5 years of eating only ice cream at her own parties. All wheat products were removed from the business that day, and it has been completely gluten free ever since, with the recipes being conversions of the tried and true recipes that Mr. Ritt had been using since the 1970's selling baked goods wholesale to high end restaurants. The bakery continued to sell desserts to the same restaurants, even after they had gone completely gluten free . The new facility in Millville, NJ opened up in 2007, and has never been a wheat bakery. Many of the items produced are not only gluten free but dairy free. They have had many parents of autistic children as clients from the time they went gluten free, and also can cater to gluten and dairy free. All items that are dairy free are indicated on the packaging with a cow with a red circle and slash, making the selection easier for the clientele. Orders can be placed on the website at www.MrRitts.com or via phone (856-825-8770, 877-677-4887) or fax (856-825-8776)
Special Education Advocacy: When should I consider filing for due process? By Louis Geigerman, Founder of NARDA The question of when to file for due process is a perplexing problem for many parents with children receiving special education services from their public schools. Common sense tells you that you do not charge into the court house unless you have the facts in order to prove your case. For one thing, it is an expensive endeavor especially if you have hired counsel to represent you. The other reason is that if the case is not substantive which has a very high legal standard; you could possibly be liable for attorney fees if you lose. The problem is that many parents at times are very mad about the treatment or services that their child is or isn’t receiving at school and they want to go to war. In this month’s column, I will attempt to provide you with some guidelines to consider before filing for due process.
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Before I begin it is important for you the reader to understand that this column is not to be construed as legal advice. Legal advice should only be provided by a licensed attorney in your state. It is recommended that you seek competent legal counsel with an attorney specializing in special education law. Generally, a parent should consider filing for due process if their child has been denied a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). Tip offs that your child may have been a FAPE:
The district is recycling the same IEP goal and objectives (G & O’S) year after year which may be indicative that the student is making trivial progress.
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The IEP G & O’S are not based on data or assessments. IEP G & O’S cannot be pulled out of thin air.
The district has failed to conduct an assessment that was mandated by an IEP committee.
The student has not been assessed in all suspected areas of suspected disability.
The student is failing.
The student’s behavior has deteriorated.
The IEP’S are not being implemented.
The school has recommended that your child be retained.
The school is recommending a more restrictive placement for your child.
In a previous article in this publication, I mentioned that the parent has a right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense when they have disagreed with an assessment performed by the local school district. The IEE can be an important tool to use in the event that you need to go to a due process hearing. When picking a provider for the IEE, ask them if they would be willing to testify in hearing regarding their findings, if push comes to shove. This is important as many due process cases hinge on the credibility of the experts that testify. In essence, it often becomes the war of the experts. If a child’s placement is the issue, assessments with specific recommendations regarding the appropriate placement for the student will be crucial. So if you have requested an IEE regarding this issue, make certain that the evaluator understands that you need very specific recommendations regarding the placement. Also, data regarding student progress on the IEP’S including behavior will be essential in the problematical placement. Similarly, if the issue for dispute is regarding a related service, the IEE once again could be very important in a case that is litigated. Ok, when do we file for due process? The first thing to consider is the state’s statute of limitations of SOL. A SOL means as soon as you are aware of a problem or should been aware of a problem, you must file for due process in a specified period of time. The state of Florida has a two
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year SOL, so it is imperative that you or your attorney file it within two years of the time of the dispute. The other thing to consider is have you tried to work things out with the district prior to filing for the due process complaint? Generally, unless we are up against the wall on a statute of limitation issue, I give a district two meetings to see things our way. If they do not, then I recommend that my client consider filing as long as we can prove that the district has failed to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). It is important that if you disagree with anything in an IEP meeting, be certain to sign and check the box that you disagree. With few exceptions, you need to have a disagreement before you file for due process. Be certain to audio record your IEP meetings and get all the salient points in the meeting in writing in the deliberations. Always, request that the deliberations be read aloud at the end of the meeting and make corrections to the record as they are being read. If the district refuses to include your statements in the IEP deliberations, then request that your version of the deliberations be attached to the IEP document. Should they refuse to do this, they will have serious problems in due process as hearing officers almost uniformly do not look favorably if parents are not equal participants in the proceedings and this could be indicative that they were not. Make certain that you see the completed hard copy of the IEP meeting before you sign the document. The bottom line here is to try to work it out with them, but give the district a short leash. There is a time to cut off meetings and go to war if need be. The procedural safeguards which include your right to file for due process are there for a reason. Do not be afraid to assert your child’s rights. Louis H. Geigerman, President National ARD/IEP Advocates http://www.narda.org Email: louis@narda.org Voicemail: 281-265-1506
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Campaigning for Special Needs Advocacy and a Change to McKay Scholarships By Leah Postelnik The State of Florida has many programs in place for special needs. That said, we could be doing more and more effectively by concentrating on results oriented solutions and by taking steps to better education across the board. Yomin Postelnik is running for Florida House of Representatives. When he was 29, he was taken aback by the 4% graduation rate in some parts of the county. Although he was not running for anything, he wrote an entire financial literacy course, designed to show teens the real difference that education and staying clear of crime can make in their lives. The course was approved by the Broward County School Board and the United Way used it as a program for at-risk youth. Having worked with many special needs schools, Yomin sees the need for advocacy. He was a strong supporter of Representative Dorothy Hukill’s bill to abolish restraining rooms in special needs schools. He also brings innovation and ideas to advocacy. Key to achieving the best results for a child with educational obstacles, are early detection and immediate treatment. But in Florida, McKay Scholarships are only available once a student has attended a year of public school.
We need to reach out to officials in both parties to make sure that some of these measures get put in place. No one wants to waste dollars on needless expenditures when it’s just as easy to do things properly and make a real difference in the lives of people. No one wants to subject children to years of additional special needs education when early detection and treatment can have many students mainstreamed at a much faster rate. And when a candidate’s proposing all of this, it’s worth getting involved in that campaign. Yomin’s website is www.ABetterFlorida.com. You can go there, read his platform and offer to host a meet and greet to introduce him and his platform to your friends and neighbors. Those meetings are the heart of campaigns and campaigns, for the right things, are the vehicles that are needed to effect real improvements in peoples’ lives.
IRPW CONSULTING Seeking account executives and sales reps. Full leads, competitive commissions, friendly environment. Call today at (954) 701-7167 Or email director@insidersreview.org
Yomin had the following to say on McKay Scholaships: “Getting children the help they need early on is key to turning their lives around and to helping each child reach his or her potential. Mandating that students need to wait an extra year before they receive help doesn’t make sense, ethically, fiscally or otherwise. By delaying necessary treatments for a year and starting therapy later on, the child usually needs several additional years of costly treatment. As with all other matters, doing what is morally right makes fiscal sense too. In fact, it’s the embodiment of fiscal prudence.” Education means less crime, better and more productive youth and greater respect for society. Special needs advocacy means changing lives and giving those who need a fighting chance. Real, grounded, proactive solutions are the best vehicle to achieving both.
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Healthy Bellies™ Food Description By Dawn Michelle Simon As you know for the past few years I’ve been in private practice working as a clinician specializing in food allergy and hypersensivity. During this time my practice has evolved into assisting parents of kids with special needs (many of them with gastrointestinal issue) in creating safe and balanced special elimination diets.
“We’ve seen the most dramatic results from Dawn Michelle’s diet than with any biomedical treatment that we’ve tried and we’ve tried them all.” Richard “This diet has been the best thing for Nic and I couldn’t do it without Dawn Michelle” Mindi “OMG, you gave Papo a real birthday he loved the cupcakes!” Diane Here is a list of Healthy Bellies Homemade Products:
In doing so, it has become obvious to me that by removing whatever it is that their food sensitivity test shows that they are reactive to is not enough. Although initially this therapy is very effective at relieving GI inflammation with an increase of cognitive function; after a month or so, the GI disturbances return as well as symptoms of regression.
Cookies Carrot Banana Vanilla
But, what I have found to be the most effective way to increase the health and function of these precious children, (most are three and four year old little boys), is a period of GI rest and total removal of certain carbohydrates while keeping the diet balanced and supper nutritious.
Muffins Pumpkin Apple-Cinnamon Banana Plain
Out of the sheer need to be of the most help to these parents, I have developed a line of food products that coincide with a multi-phased program that supports GI healing. My Healthy Bellies™ bread, cookies, muffins, waffles are super nutritious for kids. Utilizing my background in food science I‘ve came up with unique cooking methods with specific goals of creating great tasting kid friendly snacks and bakery products:
supplying vital protein, carbohydrates and fatty acids that target gut healing and immune support while being easy to digest Grain-free (a truly unique feature) Gluten Free Casein Free And Specific Carbohydrate Legal
Not an easy task but so worth it. My kids are progressing and here’s what some of my mom’s say: “It’s Dawn Michelle’s diet, and her special supplement shake” Lizz after being asked by her DAN doctor “so what do you attribute to Eddie’s dramatic success?”
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Chips
Banana Apple Carrot
Bread
Plain
Soft Pretzels Waffles Grape Jelly Apple Butter Don’t think I have left anything out. I hope that you are able to pass this on so that we can help more families. Dawn Michelle Simon Contact Dawn Michelle at healthy@dawnmichellesimon.com or 305-761-3738
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Support for Pharmaceutical Medications By Dr. J.D. Arango, ND Naturopathic Doctor and Compounding Laboratory Supervisor for Post Haste Pharmacy Many pharmaceutical medications upset balanced body chemistry and block nutritional support. By the same analysis, a medication that is helpful in reducing symptoms may provide a clue as to which chemical pathway is imbalanced. For example, the patient whose symptoms are relieved on a steroid may need adrenal support. Likewise, a patient who feels “washed out” by diuretics may have mineral or electrolyte needs. Unfortunately, many pharmaceutical medications, while supporting a particular symptom, upset nutritional balance and thus create new problems. By adjusting nutritional support based on medication use, you can help the nutritional harmony and balance body chemistry. This may shorten the time a medication is needed or allow a reduction in dosage sooner than normal. Furthermore, even if symptoms are resolved or controlled with medication, the goal should be to bring the body closer to optimal health and thereby reduce further disease.
ANTIBIOTIC / ANTIFUNGAL Repeated used of these medications may indicate the need for nutritional support to help balance bowel flora and raise the body’s ability to resist infection. Parents and healthcare practitioners are welcome to forward questions regarding nutritional support, supplementation and whole food concentrates to: The Wellness Center at Post Haste Compounding Pharmacy Attention: Dr. J.D. Arango, ND 4401 Sheridan Street Hollywood, FL 33021 Tel (954) 989-6524 Fax (866) 892-3432 Email phpvitality@yahoo.com Visit www.posthastepharmacy.net
In some cases, symptoms are caused by the medications or dietary supplements being taken. Whole food concentrates, available through your naturopathic doctor or compounding pharmacy, are designed to help in nutritionally supporting balanced body chemistry and are not meant to diagnose or replace medical care. Be sure to consult with a board certified healthcare professional that will make educated recommendations and answer all your questions before taking any medications or dietary supplements. ANTACIDS Antacids are used to reduce symptoms of indigestion causing burning sensations. In most instances, the discomfort is due to insufficient hydrochloric acid, which allows for protein putrefaction (causing stomach burning) and fermentation of carbohydrates (creating gas, bloating, etc.). Occasionally, the patient secretes too much acid, and balancing the autonomic nervous system will normalize acid secretion. In either case, it is easy to see how nutritional support may be helpful balancing body chemistry.
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To order call 800.247.5547 or visit www.baumgartens.com
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COWBOY AND WILLS By Monica Holloway I’m a mother, I’m not an expert, but I saw with my own eyes what a remarkable animal did for my autistic son. I’m a great believer in pet therapy. Having said that, I don’t believe that a pet companion is right for every family. If the parents do not want a dog (or any animal for that matter) or if someone in the family is allergic, it might not be the right choice for your family. You are not a bad parent if you don’t want an animal in your home. There might be an organization in your area where your child can work with animals outside the home—such as equestrian therapy. For me, I didn’t mind the mess and the chaos, but there was plenty of both. When my son, Wills, was three years old, he was diagnosed with autism, but he didn’t know that. So that afternoon, he happily played Green Ball in Bush, a game he’d invented. My reaction? I bought fish and then hamsters, and then a rabbit, and then more hamsters and ten hermit crabs and a land turtle and dumpy frogs. In my desperation to avoid the reality of what my son’s diagnosis might mean for his future – and ours – I began filling our house with scaly and fluffy creatures who were more dependent, but less scared, than I was. What I couldn’t have known at the time was that one of those animals would become the one true friend that would raise my son’s confidence, elicit his very first belly laugh, and have other children clamoring to play with him. Cowboy, a light blonde, brown-eyed golden retriever, changed my son’s life beginning with the first time he saw her at the pet store. As the clerk handed her to Wills, she looked sleepy with those irresistible droopy brown eyes, her blonde hair as fragile and fluffy as new grass. “Is that your dog?” another shopper asked Wills. I instinctively stepped forward to rescue him from the
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awkwardness of talking to a stranger, but I didn’t need to. “Yes,” he told her, turning so she could see Cowboy’s face. “She’s a cutie.” “She sure is,” the woman said. And that was the beginning of the shift—the Cowboy miracle. It was so small that nobody in the store would have noticed it. But to me, it was extraordinary. This woman, a complete stranger, patted Wills’ shoulder—and he didn’t bristle or bolt out of the front door in an absolute panic. (He did not like to be touched by strangers.) Instead, he just stood there, staring at us with a shy, “what do you know?” smile. Somehow, with this tiny heart beating next to his, Wills had stepped a little further into the world. Over the next two-and-a-half years, my son began sleeping in his own bed, conjuring up the confidence to give reports on volcanoes or red-tailed hawks in front of his class, sitting in a restaurant, tolerating a doctor’s visit without a melt down, as well as learning to juggle a long list of play date proposals – none of which he’d been capable of doing before Cowboy. It wasn’t just the dog, of course. We’d provided him with a substantial team of therapists who improved his social skills, reduced his fine and gross motor delays, and tackled his visual processing problems. The marvel was that he didn’t begin improving until Cowboy went to all those places with him – if not in person (although that was often the case) – then as a photograph, sometimes crumpled into his buttondown corduroy pocket, or as a stuffed-animalversion with black, polished eyes clutched in his small, sweaty fist. Having Cowboy there gave Wills the courage to try. When Wills was anxious or sad about something, he confided in Cowboy. Sometimes I’d hear him in his room or the backyard telling Cowboy all of his
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troubles. He found a great deal of relief in getting his troubles off his chest, but confiding in a person was nearly impossible. Cowboy was different. She didn’t offer solutions. She just listened, and there was no one he was closer to than Cowboy. When Cowboy became ill with Canine Lupus, a fatal disease for dogs, Wills’ empathy presented itself. He and I spent over an hour making a list of things that would make Cowboy happy. He cooked her hot dogs or scrambled eggs, built a wooden ramp so she could climb up onto his bed, and cut up old t-shirts to make her an extra soft pillow, which he sewed together with large, loopy stitches and stuffed with paper towels so that Cowboy would have a cushion for her head. Cowboy only lived a short time but her passing, as horrible and sad as it was, created another first for Wills. He went to school the day after she died and sat in the morning circle and allowed the children to comfort him with hugs and stories about what they remembered about Cowboy. When I picked him up that afternoon, he walked into the school yard surrounded by children who had known Cowboy her entire life, too. His friend Sacha had her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Wills had turned to people —his peers—for the first time in his life. He did get a new golden retriever, Buddy Rose, but he doesn’t need her to negotiate his way in the world. As beloved as Buddy is, Cowboy had already worked her magic. Buddy is his pal, his playmate who goes everywhere with us, but Wills does not need her to calm his anxieties. For that, we’ll always be grateful to our Cowboy.
Simon Spotlight Entertainment is pleased to announce the October 2009 release of
Cowboy & Wills By Monica Holloway
Cowboy & Wills opens the day after Holloway’s adorable three year-old son Wills is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Holloway’s new memoir shares profoundly powerful and poignant stories with unfettered candor, balanced by an uplifting wit that provided needed relief from the seemingly insurmountable difficulties she overcomes time and again. To call Holloway an inspiration would be an understatement. Monica Holloway is the critically acclaimed author of Driving With Dead People, a book that Newsweek called “unforgettable,” Glamour christened “a classic,” and the Washington Post deemed “irresistible.” A contributor to the anthologies Mommy Wars and the Bigger the Better the Tighter the Sweater, Holloway lives with her family in Los Angeles. www.monicaholloway.com
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7 Planning Tips For Parents
loved one. This is why it is so important for the parents to consider the life-long needs of their child, the expenses government benefits will cover, and the expenses they do not. As with the trust, there are financial planners who specialize in this area and they can help you determine these costs. We find that most families use life insurance to cover these life-long expenses because it provides more money at their death then they could have ever hoped to save during their lifetime.
By Ryan F. Platt, MBA Founder of A Special Needs Plan
1.
2.
3.
Will / Designating a Guardian. While a Will and the designation of a guardian after a parent is unable to care for a minor child is important, it is critical for those parents of children with special needs. This is usually a very difficult decision, due to the fact families feel they do not want to burden a friend or family member with the lifelong commitment of caring for their child. In some cases, the care needs of the child may be so demanding that a guardian other than his or her siblings will be required. Parents need to make this determination while they still can, and the designation of the guardian will be done within their Will.
4.
Please keep in mind that an adult child may require a guardian before the parent dies— meaning the parents health deteriorates to a point they can no longer care for themselves or their adult child. It is therefore important to begin making a transition to a new guardian while the parent is able to assist in this process. You can do this in the form of co-guardianship.
Write your L.I.F.E.™ Journal. This document provides the next caregivers of your loved one instructions on how to provide the best care. It gives these caregivers a head start because it tells them all the things you have learned through years of interaction and care for your child. It is a document the parents write that includes three major areas – Medical History of Child, Day-toDay Living Advice, and your wishes for the rest of their life.
5.
Share your Plan. It is critical to share what you have done with extended family members. It is all too common for parents to assemble a great plan with all the proper pieces in place, and then a well-intending grandparent leaves money to the child and this act of benevolence undoes the entire plan. This event most often disqualifies the child from future government benefits which can total hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lifetime.
6.
Make it a Team Effort. Find professionals, such as an attorney and financial planner that work in the Special Needs arena to assist you with this planning. Just like you would not have your Family Doctor perform your brain surgery, you do not want a generalist to complete your Special Needs Plan. You should also have the attorney you choose and the financial planner you choose work together because it is critical to coordinate the financial and legal pieces so the money flows into the proper legal instruments.
Set up a Trust. Any funds that are left to a child with special needs, whether from an estate, life insurance, retirement plans, extended family members (grandparents) should be left to a trust. Leaving this money to a properly drafted trust (Special Needs Trust), by an attorney who specializes in this area of law, will allow the child to continue to qualify for the essential government benefits of Medicaid and SSI. Please keep in mind that there are various types of Special Needs Trust, so the correct one must be used for your specific situation.
Buy enough Life Insurance. A parent is irreplaceable, but the reality is someone will have to fill in. Many times it is not just one or two people but a combination of family and friends. Almost always, these family and friends will have financial obligations of their own and will not be able to financially support your special needs
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7.
Don’t Forget about Yourself. As a parent, I know that you can lose yourself in caring for your loved one; however, I am a firm believer that if you do not take care of yourself, eventually you will be no good to anyone else. It is imperative that in your planning process you define your own needs for Today, Retirement, and for your own long term health needs.
For more information on Special Needs Planning please visit www.aspecialneedsplan.com or call Ryan Platt at 800-SN9-8610 Ryan F. Platt founded A Special Needs Plan in 2006, after he completed his Special Care Planner Certification in December 2005. This program provides advanced training in estate and tax planning, special needs trusts, government programs, and the emotional dynamics of working with people with disabilities and other special needs and their families. Ryan has worked with countless families in developing a functional and comprehensive L.I.F.E. plan that secures the future of parents, the family and of course their special needs loved one.
Announcing the Planning and Launch of a New Political Committee to Ensure Excellence in Special Needs Advocacy and Education. Interested parties should call (954) 701-7167 to take part in this endeavor, designed to better lives and increase educational standards for special needs throughout the state.
Accommodations in Grades K-12 How to Navigate the Public System By, Allison Hertog Once the psycho-educational evaluation of your son or daughter is complete (See Article 1 above for more details), if a disability is found the next step will be to have a school meeting to determine if that disability significantly impacts his or her educational performance. That sounds simple enough, but can actually be a great sticking point, particularly for gifted and disabled students. I covered that topic in detail in an article reprinted on www.iser.com. One thing is for sure that a student does not have to be failing in order to qualify for a 504 Plan or IEP, as many school districts would like you to believe. If you disagree with a school districts' evaluation because it's inadequate or inaccurate, you have the right under federal law (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (see www.wrightslaw.com for additional information)- that is, a private evaluation at public expense. If the school district refuses to grant an I.E.E., they must sue you in administrative court to prove that their evaluation is appropriate. If the evaluation shows that he or she has any type of disability which impacts his educational performance (according to school district standards, of course), the student will get an I.E.P. or a 504 Plan. Then the IEP or 504 Team, which includes a parent, discusses what accommodations would be necessary for your child to be successful in school. Here are some of the questions the team may ask: How independent is the student in completing assignments?; Can the student be expected to use the same kind of books as others students?; Would a peer buddy help?; Does the child need physical/occupational supports - such as a slant board, foot rest or weighted blanket?
For a detailed list of types of accommodations, go to www.fape.org and click on the document entitled "School Accommodations and Modifications." www.MakingSchoolWork.com
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Alternate Therapies for Autism By Dr. Phil Bate This page is designed to help you do research finding help and solutions that improve the autism symptoms. You can use this reference page to search further on many and various therapies that have helped others. New products and theories are showing up all the time. There are many different therapies that have helped many people with "mental problems", ranging from ADD/ADHD/Autism to depression, and even schizophrenia. Some (such as EEG Biofeedback (aka Neurofeedback (NFB)) or End Point Titration (EPT) or Hyperbaric (oxygen tanks), etc, that now have inexpensive alternates are not included. Google these “names” if info is desired on them. 1. The newest and certainly the least expensive "brain training" method is the Neuroliminal Training (NT) system. This has now been shown to be an excellent and inexpensive alternate to both the very expensive Neurofeedback (NFB) training, and Hyperbaric Oxygen. Results are very similar to Neurofeedback (both EEG and HEG BF). For a fraction of the cost of those, it offers an affordable and much better alternative to Ritalin and other dangerous drugs for mid and low income families who simply cannot afford Neurofeedback or Hyperbaric. Both NFB and NT work to eliminate allergen affects causing mental problems of all types. http://ADHD-Autism.com for more info. 2. Allergens are almost always part of all "brain problems", There's a simple and free (except for some detective work) way to detect them. Even if you use the NT or NFB Training, this is a good idea! Check out Dr Bate's FREE Caveman Diet and pulse test at: http://drbate.com/Ref/pulse.html 3. For the ADD to Autism continuum (as well as depression and schizophrenia), there is a good possibility that mercury used in infant or childhood vaccines (or other toxic minerals) may be the real underlying problem. These mineral toxins MUST be chelated out of the body. There are various old and new methods of doing this: a. Vitamin C in large doses: This has two advantages; it's relatively cheap, and it's good for overall health. In my former practice, I used it with excellent success in many schizophrenia cases. In general, it is very safe, unless the
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
patient has an allergy to corn (not that unusual). For smaller children, I would recommend 1 gram (1000 mg) at each meal per 40 pounds per child. Overdosing only causes diarrhea, and it might be necessary to work up to this amount if such occurs. If a corn allergy is suspected, then use Calcium Ascorbate, either in powder or pill form. I buy the cheapest form of Ascorbic acid from Cosco, but my wife (with corn allergy) has to use the Calcium Ascorbate. b. Injecting chelating chemical: A therapy where a chelating drug (EDTA) is injected into a vein for an hour or so in a clinic office. This is also quite expensive. Not recommended. c. Zeolite in liquid form: A newer method taken by mouth (and relatively expensive). This is actually a form of lava rock that is very porous, and this porosity attracts heavy metals (mercury, lead, copper, etc) binds to it, and carries it out via the urine/kidney pathway. The reports are excellent, but it's marketed by a sort of MultiLevelMarketing (MLM) scheme that makes it more expensive. Base retail price is about $50, but if you become a distributor, it drops to $33 or so. You can get more details by Googling "zeolite". d. Glutathione Supplements: There's a (new to me) supplement specifically designed to raise Glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is a natural combination of amino acids that is a powerful anti-oxident with several other interesting features:
It’s a major part of the immune system often overlooked by scientists. Glutathione detoxifies the body by taking poisons, including mercury and other toxic minerals out. (Similar to chelation, but most other toxins as well as minerals.) It's not absorbed well when taken as a direct supplement. This is important as there are many supplements that contain glutathione that are not generally effective. Low levels of glutathione are found in all autistic children, as well as many other sick or toxic persons. These low levels do not allow excretion well. This explains why hair, blood, and urine tests of mercury (and other
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minerals) do not show accurately what is stored in the body. Price of supplement program - $85 for a 28 day supply. Again not cheap, but this seems to be worth the price if you can afford it. For more details go to: http://maxgxl.com/brainadvance
8. The latest research also shows that supplementing with fish oil can dramatically improve the ADD-Autism set of problems. I use the salmon fish oil from Our Health Co-op (http://www.ourhealthcoop.com) This web based health food store is one of the best for both quality and pricing. (I have no financial interest in this company or Solgar, but I do buy several supplements from them.)
4. There’s a company that advocates a special "Body Ecology Diet", This has had good success with autism and virtually all other health issues. It includes many products designed to effectively make the human body work better and more efficiently. It includes some very good probiotics as well as others that help get rid of yeast overgrowth & the "Leaky Gut Syndrome". Again, not cheap, but worth it, if it is affordable for your family. For more information: http://www.bodyecology.com
9. There's a drug therapy called LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone). While it is a drug, it seems that in low doses, it can significantly decrease many disease problems (symptoms) in autism, HIV/Aids, cancers, etc. For more information http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org Some good results for autistics have been reported.
5. What do digestive enzymes have to do with ADD/ADHD and autism? A "leaky" gut syndrome” produces more allergy/sensitivity, and enzymes with meals break down the food better lessening the need for the “leaky gut”. This has helped many ADD/ADHD as well as autistic persons. a. There is a bulletin board sponsored by Kirkman Labs that has a forum on special digestive enzymes. Join at: enzymesandautism-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. b. Another company that has an excellent line of enzymes is New Beginnings. In addition to the enzymes, they have a lot of Gluten/Casein Free Nutritional Supplements, and a "purified source" of cholesterol (see below). Info and catalogs at http://nbnus.com 6. At the recent Orlando conference, I also learned that many autistics have low cholesterol, and supplementing with two egg yolks a day may improve many symptoms. This is certainly easy and cheap to try. If the person has an allergy to eggs (not uncommon) then a "purified" cholesterol may be obtained from the New Beginnings supplier above that is non allergenic. 7. For autistic (and ADD/ADHD) children, there's a lot of evidence that a gluten free and dairy free diet can help considerably. Google gfcf for more info. (The Caveman Diet above includes this and many more of the commonly allergenic foods. Try it for a week or so, then switch to gfcf.)
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
10. Another new nutritional "therapy" consists of supplemental glyconutrients. A company called Mannotech is marketing these by an MLM (which I hate), and they apparently are helping with some ADD-Autism symptoms. For more details on glyconutrients - a new found essential nutrient - check out both Mannotech and glyconutrients by googling them. 11. There's also a therapy technique called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) that has also shown some good results with ADD/ADHD, depression, etc. This was put together by Gary Craig, and his website containing lots of free and almost free information may be found at http://www.emofree.com 12. Some have had good results with NAET (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique). However, results are mixed, and Dr Nambudripad has been unhappy with many practitioners who do not follow her technique carefully. There is further information at http://www.naet.com/subscribers/index_ns.html 13. There's a system similar to NAET called Bioset. There's a book "Food Allergy Cure" by Dr. Ellen Cutler, which explains using Bioset to remove allergies. This can also be done at home as the book explains "How To". Check your local library and see if they can order it for you, or you can probably get it from Amazon.com. Google Bioset. 14. Don’t forget a very important way to improve all mental “diseases”. Help to solve the “leaky gut syndrome” by cleaning out the gut (http://drbate.com/Ref/gut.html), and by supplementing with a good vitamin/mineral regimen (http://drbate.com/vitmin.html. This should be a first step.
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15. Finally, one of the oldest, cheapest & effective "remedies" of all - magnesium! It's been known for years as the "calming chemical". In our culture we seldom get enough and this deficiency may worsen many mental problems. It's safe as if you overdose, like vitamin C, you only get diarrhea!. Milk of Magnesia and Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate) are two very old good products that are often overlooked today . For autistic and ADHD children in particular, try baths using Epsom Salts. It's helped a lot of kids and adults. I prefer Magnesium Citrate daily for supplemental use. I get this from the Health Co-op mentioned above. There is also a lot of free information on my “drbate.com” website, and you can get a free copy of the full book “The Health Revolution” by signing up for my free newsletter on that home page. Also consider joining the Discussion Group/newsletters/bulletin board moderated by Dr Bate. This very active group is devoted to Orthomolecular, Holistic & drugfree Therapies. Subscribe by sending an email to: Orthomolecular-subscribe@yahoogroups. There are many "experts" in all aspects of holistic and orthomolecular therapies who will happily answer your questions free. While a minority, there are still many people that are devoted to helping others.
Dr Bate is a retired orthomolecular psychologist who invented Neuroliminal Training, a simpler and affordable way to change brain wave amplitudes solving ADD-Autism, depression, insomnia, and more. http://drbate.com – http://ADHD-Autism.com
Myths & Facts About Chiropractic Medicine By Dr. Scott Herman As successful as chiropractic has become, there are a lot of myths circulating among the general public. Times have definitely changed for the better, but the fact is that many people still do not understand what chiropractors do. Let's talk about a few of the more common myths about chiropractic. Myth #1 - Chiropractors are not real doctors. A chiropractic college grants a D.C. or Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. Chiropractors are licensed as health care providers in every U.S. state and dozens of countries around the world. While the competition for acceptance in chiropractic school is not as fierce as medical school, the chiropractic and medical school curricula are extremely rigorous and virtually identical. In fact, chiropractors have more hours of classroom education than their medical counterparts. As part of their education, chiropractic students also complete a residency working with real patients in a clinical setting, supervised by licensed doctors of chiropractic. Once chiropractic students graduate, they have to pass four sets of national board exams as well as state board exams in the states where they want to practice. Just like medical doctors, chiropractors are professionals that are subject to the same type of testing procedures, licensing and monitoring by state and national peerreviewed boards. Federal and state programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Workers' Compensations programs cover chiropractic care, and all federal agencies accept sick-leave certificates signed by doctors of chiropractic. Chiropractors are also commissioned as officers in the military. The biggest difference between chiropractors and medical doctors lies not in their level of education, but in their preferred method of caring for people. Medical doctors are trained in the use of medicines (chemicals that affect your
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
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internal biochemistry) and surgery. Consequently, if you have a chemical problem, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or an infection, medical doctors can be very helpful. However, if your problem is that your spine is mis-aligned or you have soft tissue damage causing pain, there is no chemical in existence that can fix it. You need a physical solution to correct a physical problem. That is where chiropractic really shines. Chiropractors provide physical solutions -- adjustments, exercises, stretches, muscle therapy -- to help the body heal from conditions that are physical in origin, such as back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, and poor posture. Another distinction is the fact that it is completely appropriate to receive chiropractic care even if you do not have symptoms. Unlike standard medical doctors, whom you visit when you have a symptom to be treated, chiropractors offer adjustments to improve spinal alignment and overall well-being before symptoms develop. Myth #2 - Medical doctors don't like chiropractors. The American Medical Association's opposition to chiropractic was at its strongest in the 1940s under the leadership of Morris Fishbein. Fishbein called chiropractors "rabid dogs" and referred to them as "playful and cute, but killers" He tried to portray chiropractors as members of an unscientific cult who cared about nothing but taking their patients' money. Up to the late 1970s and early 1980s, the medical establishment purposely conspired to try to destroy the profession of chiropractic. In fact, a landmark lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Illinois in the 1980s found that the American Medical Association was guilty of conspiracy and was ordered to pay restitution to the chiropractic profession. In the 20 years since, the opinion of most medical doctors has changed: several major studies have shown the superiority of chiropractic in helping people with a host of conditions, and medical doctors developed a better understanding as to what chiropractors actually do. Many people have returned to their medical doctors and told them about the great results they experienced at their chiropractors office. Hospitals across the country now have chiropractors on staff, and many chiropractic offices have medical doctors on staff. Chiropractors and medical doctors are now much more comfortable working together in cases where medical care is necessary as an adjunct to chiropractic care. Myth #3 - Once you start going to a chiropractor, you have to keep going for the rest of your life.
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
This statement comes up frequently when the topic of chiropractic is discussed. It is only partially true. You only have to continue going to the chiropractor as long as you wish to maintain the health of your neuromusculoskeletal system. Going to a chiropractor is much like going to the dentist, exercising at a gym, or eating a healthy diet: As long as you keep it up, you continue to enjoy the benefits. Many years ago, dentists convinced everyone that the best time to go to the dentist is before your teeth hurt, that routine dental care will help your teeth remain healthy for a long time. The same is true of chiropractic care for your spine. It is important to remember that, just like your teeth, your spine experiences normal wear and tear as you walk, drive, sit, lift, sleep, and bend. Routine chiropractic care can help you feel better, move with more freedom, and stay healthier throughout your lifetime. Although you can enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care even if you receive care for a short time, the real benefits come into play when you make chiropractic care a part of your wellness lifestyle. www.TropicalChiropractic.com
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Brain Function is Unequivocally Food Dependent By Ted Slanker Spun Out Americans Today it seems a lot of people don’t function as they should. Murder rates and physical abuse rates are high. Mood disorders are rampant and sky high divorce rates are symptomatic of this problem. Spouses flare up in rages, blaming the other for their presumed problems, discomforts, fears, and what have you. People generally are less sociable. Some people have to focus intently to find the words they need to speak in order to communicate. Many can hardly comprehend fully the written word even though they know how to read. Their handwriting is not fluid, instead it’s a scrawl. They react slowly to stimuli. Migraine headaches seem to be a normal occurrence. Many people are quick to blame others for their mistakes. Many people don’t respond to humor. Some people experience roller coaster emotions. Rage, such as road rage, is common. Some people are rude, suspicious of others, fearful, incompetent in maintaining even minor responsibilities, they hold grudges, and are difficult to work with. Many are totally unreceptive to new ideas while others fall for every scam or myth. Many can’t figure out simple mathematical problems and most can’t play sophisticated games such as Bridge, Chess, and Poker. Others can’t even figure out the simplest problems involving daily tasks. When it comes to intelligence I think the vast majority of people in our nation are sadly lacking. Sure there are specialists in all fields of endeavor who know more about their specialty than anyone else can even imagine. But outside their specialty these same “bright” people are dunces. Consequently it can be said that few people exhibit wisdom and common sense, which means they can’t sense tangent behavior and understand the problems that can be associated by that kind of behavior. Nor can they figure out how to do even simple tasks outside their specialties. Then there are the forgetful ones. Dementia is taken for granted in our country. We expect our old people to be senile. Even the old people themselves not only take great pride in their physical aliments and spend hours discussing them, but they look upon their forgetfulness as a sign of maturity!
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
This short list describing what has become the all too common American is why I say we have a dysfunctional society. And the one commonality of all the people in our country is the food they eat. Yet the vast majority is not much concerned about the basic fundamentals of human nutrition. Instead of focusing on diet (unless it’s the latest fad) they prefer quick fixes with the smallest impact on their daily lives (eating habits), which is why supplements and drugs are popular. So the problems persist and dysfunctional activity is considered normal. Basic Nutrition It all starts with understanding basic nutrition. For proper body function (health) all animals are highly dependent on the foods they consume. In previous essays I have explained why the foundation food for all animal life is the green leaf. Of course it’s not simply the green leaf for there are six primary nutrients required for maintaining the health of all beings. To most people these days it comes as a surprise to learn that the fat component plays an extremely crucial role. What makes fat so critical is that all cells have many different kinds of fat in their membranes and the types of fats and their relative weights within the cell membranes greatly impact cell function. Consequently, as you may imagine, low fat diets and diets consisting of out-ofbalance fats are very unhealthy. There are about 400 fatty acids or fats. Some our bodies manufacture. Others are “essential” – which means we must eat them to get them. The essential fats come in the appropriate balance for optimal cell function from the green leaf or the meats of animals that lived in a natural state where their foundation food was the green leaf. They will not come from grains and other unnatural foods. When man eats concocted fats, for instance trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils), they take the place of “real fats” in cell membranes and disrupt cell function. When man eats grain a similar thing occurs. That’s because the various fats and relative weights contained in grains (grains are the seed heads of annual grasses) differ greatly from that of the relative weights of fats in the green leaves of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees. When the balance, or types, of fat in any animal’s food differs dynamically from that of the green leaf, the result is muddled cell function. When cells don’t function properly, chronic disease (body failure) results. This is why all chronic diseases can be traced back to grain! Sure
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there are other factors that cause chronic diseases, but a fat imbalance in the diet is now known to be a major causative factor.
My Child can Ride a Horse
There is one prominent chronic disease that every mental disease seems to have as a possible association. That is a thyroid problem. I did a search using all the various mental diseases tied with “thyroid” and in every case I found there were clinical reports tying them together. Then I did a search using “thyroid” and “omega 3.” Bingo! There appeared scores of reports and marketing literature about the imbalance of the essential fatty acids and health problems with the thyroid gland.
My child is 20 years old…and she can not tie her shoes…she can not ride a bike…or go to her friends house…she has never been invited to a birthday party for a classmate outside of school…nor can she remember all the time to go potty before the dreaded potty accident, …but my child can ride a horse. For one hour a week, she is just like 5 other kiddos. She is a rider, atop a patient and impeccably trained horse. This is not a pony ride, but it is a developmentally appropriate and supportive once in a lifetime opportunity for my Rachel to be just like everyone else.
Isn’t it amazing. As your brain fails your body can be failing right along with it. Or, as your body fails so can your brain be failing right along with your body. Is body failure always associated with aging or is it brought on by improper foods that interrupt proper cell function? For a fact an imbalance of fatty acids in the membranes of cells will damage and in some cases almost completely destroy a body’s immune system. Additionally all chromic diseases are associated with a diet that creates imbalances in fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fluids. Could it be that if we ate right, we’d live a physically and mentally active life right up to the end? Many of our old cows and horses are that way. They don’t gradually fall apart and go lame over the years. They are very active, with the only sign of age being that they slow down some as they age. But they remain healthy and normal participants in their herds. www.slankersgrassfedmeats.com
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Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
By Denice & David Solgat
My child is 15 years old…and she does not trust animals….she was severely bitten by a dog and required reconstructive surgery….while other children were getting ready for the trauma of 8th grade in general…my daughter was overcoming a face disfiguring trauma…during 7th grade, she was overcoming a surgical reconstruction of her ear…during 6th grade…she was overcoming the shock of multiple personalities in her instructional days. My Jessica simply does not make transitions well and for that very reason, she often chooses to NOT participate in any social activities outside of the immediate family. Her social/emotional developmental concerns cause her to not understand social cues, and limit her ability to make friends. She has not been invited to a birthday party since 1st grade…Her impulsivity turns off many people before they even get to know her….but not Susie and her crew. They immediately saw the diamond in the rough my Jessica was…and for one hour a week she is a shining star! She has a natural athleticism that through the riding program has moved her to the fore front of the group. She is making friends with the teen mentors working with her, and is always the first one in the car ready to go. Her self esteem has soared through the roof…and I see a level of confidence developing in her I never previously thought possible…CLEARLY a direct result of the Wiloth riding program…My child is 15 and she CAN ride a horse. My child is 7 and she is often misunderstood…her language delays are significant. She can not interact with other children without adult assistance for interpretation…she is deaf, but has bilateral cochlear implants…her bionic ears can cause fit problems for helmets, and other safety concerns…She is 7, new to hearing….new to listening…impulsive…and fast as lightening. She is a spitfire who seldom pays attention in a
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group setting…she flits around like a butterfly and can be a real handful…but for one hour a week, she is just a rider. She sits atop the horse the same as the other children in her class…playing games and developing skills that she does not even know she is developing. She increases her ability to interact with a group in a socially appropriate manner…she waits her turn, and learns to care for a large animal. I am not an animal person, I could never give my children the experiences Susie Wiloth and her staff do. For one hour a week, my 7 year old can ride a horse and is just like everyone else…. At first I was hesitant to add yet another appointment to our busy hectic schedule…but my Regional Center worker convinced me to give it a try…can’t hurt he said. It simply amazes me at how my relationship with him had evolved to allow me to trust his instincts and add to my already over scheduled week. I think this is often a key development in relationships between RCRC case managers and family caregivers that is missed. The ability for us to trust our case manager to look at our family dynamics and make recommendations does not come easy to me…or my children. This program makes a difference to my children. For one hour a week…my children CAN ride a horse! Mr. Jones, in my day job, I am an assistant to the dean in a local community college. I work on the budget. I interact with the vendors, and business office folks. I do truly understand the difficulty faced by the Regional Centers in this budget crisis era…But I also know that after 15 years of interaction with Regional Center on behalf of my children, the Wiloth Riding Program is one service that was recommended to me by your staff that has clearly impacted my children in life changing ways. I think we as a community MUST look to programs just like this to meet the developmental gaps challenging our children. We must think outside the box for creative solutions to include our special population in community development opportunities that CLEARLY promote self esteem. Not everyone fits into special Olympics or other group events…Nor, could my children benefit from just any riding lesson…It clearly MUST be one with specialized equipment, mentors, and animals…all this, in addition to developmentally appropriate flexibility for each child. This is a tall order… Yet, Susie Wiloth has brought all of this to Lake County…Susie Wiloth can and does meet these needs and I implore you to look to other solutions to your budget
Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 2 Issue 1 • Winter 2009/10 •
deficit…The Wiloth Riding Program is changing my children’s lives…and for that I will be eternally grateful to her, and your staff for identifying us a s a family in need when we were simply too overwhelmed to see it for ourselves…
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Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 1 Issue 3 • Autumn 2009 •
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Autism Health and Wellness Vol. 1 Issue 3 • Autumn 2009 •
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The right tool for the job… My son Logan has autism. He cannot talk yet. We invented the Logan ProxTalker to help meet my son’s communication needs. There is nothing on the market quite like it. It is the first moveable picture communication device that actually talks. There are no levels or menus to hinder the simple logic of basic communication. Simply place the picture sound tags on the buttons and press – out come the
Leveraging technology to improve quality of life.
words. There is an onboard microphone so words can be added or changed with ease using special function tags. It is built to last. Whatever you do for your child, be sure to work closely with a team of professionals to develop the best program of treatment. Consult your Speech Therapist and your Assistive Technology Specialist to be sure you select the right tools for the job. Sincerely,
Patents Pending
ProxTalker.com, LLC PO Box 190 Thomaston, Connecticut 06787 United States of America
Glen Dobbs, President ProxTalker.com LLC
(860) 283-0966 (866) 962-0966 (Toll free) info@ProxTalker.com http://www.ProxTalker.com