Posted by Susan Moffitt on Friday, July 29th, 2011
The DSM-IV is the diagnostic manual that defines all psychiatric disorders. After much controversy, Asperger’s Syndrome is now being included in the DSM-5 (2013 edition) as an autism spectrum disorder, relinquishing its once separate diagnosis. Language delays are no longer among the criteria for the new ASD and questions remain as to how mental challenges [...]
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Posted in Aspergers Syndrome, Autism Awareness, Autism Controversy 
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Neurodiversity is both a concept and a movement that maintains autism to be a variation of human brain wiring rather than something to be eradicated. Proponents seek to improve the quality of life of those with autism and to promote their civil rights as individuals. Syracuse University is hosting a regional symposium on neurodiversity and [...]
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Sunday, July 24th, 2011
Meditation is as old as the hills. Now, some researchers are conducting new studies into its benefits. Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin, has used high-tech imaging tools to examine the brains of Buddhist monks as they practice meditation. He has discovered that meditation stimulates the parts of the brain associated with [...]
READ MORE Posted in Autism Activities, Autism Behaviors, Studies 10 Comments »
Posted by Susan Moffitt on Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Founded by National Council on Disability (NCD) appointee Ari Ne’eman, The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) was approached last May by several large American corporations who wanted to hire individuals with autism for internships and paid positions. These companies wanted to create diversity in the workplace and no doubt have been influenced by the rise [...]
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
July is drawing to a close and for parents of children with autism, it’s a good time to start preparing for a child’s return to school. The more time a child has to adjust to impending changes in his or her routine, the better. Naturally, re-establishing bedtime and waking hours are of the utmost importance [...]
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
One of my favorite bands of all time is Talking Heads, the American New Wave band formed in 1974 in New York City and active until 1991. David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison comprised the band that fused elements of punk, art rock, avant-garde, pop, funk, world music and Americana. Frontman and [...]
READ MORE Posted in Aspergers Syndrome, Famous People With Autism, High Functioning Autism 11 Comments »
Posted by Susan Moffitt on Sunday, July 17th, 2011
I’m sorry to have to provide an upsetting update from my previous article, The State vs. Autism Families. Nine-year-old Ayn Van Dyk, who was taken from her home after being safely recovered after a wandering incident, is still in the hands of Canadian authorities. The tragedy began in Abbotsford, British Columbia on June 16th, when [...]
READ MORE Posted in Autism and the Law, Autism Controversy, Autism News 9 Comments »
Posted by Susan Moffitt on Friday, July 15th, 2011
A recent article decrying the fact that Mississippi requires no autism training for its special education teachers struck me as hardly newsworthy. The reality is that special education teacher requirements vary drastically from state-to-state and when it comes to autism, they are abysmal. As far as I could tell from my research (and I would [...]
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Thursday, July 14th, 2011
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a form of therapy that involves breathing pure oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber. While originally designed to treat “the bends” in divers, its applications have expanded to include carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, osteomyelitis (acute bone pain) and now, autism. HBOT enhances blood flow to the brain, reduces inflammation and oxidative [...]
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Posted by Susan Moffitt on Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
As parents of children with autism, we are their best advocate and indeed, advocating for them becomes a full-time job in itself. In the best of all possible outcomes, our children will one day be able to advocate for themselves. In a recent interview with Autism Hangout, clinical psychologist and author Dr. Sarita Freedman has [...]
READ MORE Posted in Autism Advocacy, Autism Awareness 4 Comments »
