News Archive
July, 2002

See this great source for ABA materials. Early Learning Site has over 8,500 color images on one CD-ROM to teach speech and language.

Article: British P.M. Tony Blair has insisted there is not a "scrap of evidence anywhere" to suggest the MMR vaccine should not be used.

See the excellent Brookes Publishing Dictionary of more than 3500 disability-related terms! Includes thorough definitions of:
Disabilities & Syndromes
Disability Organizations
Medical Terms
Genetic Terms
and more!
Brookes Publishing

Article: With no sense of competition and no concept of camaraderie, can my autistic sons ever enjoy sport?

Autism Documentary Refutes 'Refrigerator Mom' Myth - Tues and Wed Night-July 16-17 on PBS; Check your local listing.

Check out this great Free resource; Free Kids CD-ROM which contains 4,500 coloring and activity pages. Free (just pay $5 shipping and handling)

The March issue of Runner's World featured an excellent article about champion marathoner Anthony Crudale; the first autistic runner to win a marathon.

Article: Overcoming Autism. Dan Burke finds his reality and is conquering his world.

Article: The father of a severely autistic 7-year-old boy found wandering on the Capital Beltway said yesterday he had not received an explanation from the Prince George's County school system.

Article: Love, understanding bridges two worlds.

See this great website:
Special needs family friendly fun
Their mission is to: enable families with special needs to share with each other their experiences, information and inspirations via our newsletter and new eGroup forum; offer information on a variety of family friendly fun and helpful topics; and provide access to rings and a portal to websites that are relevant to special needs families.

"Evening of Champions"
Join ASA for an "Evening of Champions" as they recognize Congressman Dan Burton for the significant contributions he has made to improve the lives of over 1,000,000 Americans with autism. Congressman Burton was inspired by his grandson, Christian, who has autism. "Evening of Champions" will be the concluding event for the Autism Society of America's Annual Conference.

7/11/02:
From Washington D.C.: The Senate Finance Committee voted July 11 to give states flexibility to extend Medicaid coverage to disabled children from middle-class families. Thanks to Jeff Sell; more information to come.

Article: Speaking Out: Children's health concerns are constantly changing.

Article: Schools place twice as many boys as girls in special education, a gender gap that exists in big cities, wealthy suburbs and small towns.

Mrs Sharon Gabbitas with pupil Laurence Jones.
A trio of teachers have been recognised for their efforts in the classroom and the community. Mrs Sharon Gabbitas of Beacon Heights, Newark, received the award for excellence in special needs teaching for her devotion in helping to transform the life of a severely autistic teenager.

New Website: Autism Arts is a collection of artwork from persons affected within the autistic spectrum. We are currently collecting artwork from across the country to represent the United States at the first Inaugural World Autism Congress "Unity Through Diversity" November 10-14, 2002, in Melbourne, Australia.

The first of what many hope will become an annual benefit in the Washington area for Cure Autism Now (CAN) kicked off in Potomac Saturday night, with local political leaders, parents of autistic children and a dash of celebrities joining in the party.

Article: One of every dozen U.S. children and teenagers - 5.2 million - has a physical or mental disability, according to new figures from the 2000 Census that reflect sharp growth in the nation's young handicapped population over the past decade.

Dan and Tayna Radulovic play with their son Mark, 6, who is autistic, in their "therapy room".
Article: Living With Autism

US experts back MMR doctor's findings. The man whose research first raised concern over the vaccine's safety is winning support. Scientists in America have reported the first independent corroboration of the research findings of Dr Andrew Wakefield, the specialist who has questioned the safety of the childhood MMR vaccine.

New Book; Living the Good Life with Autism by Edgar Schneider.

Article: Results of an ethological study confirm that the Auricula Training Method is an effective method in treating Autistic children.

New Book:
Children With Starving Brains; A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorder; Jaquelyn McCandless, MD

Movie: David S. Goyer, best known for writing scripts for such fantasies as "Blade" and "Dark City," makes an unassumingly impressive directorial debut with this down-to-earth story of an autistic 15-year-old (Sam Jones III), who is trying to return money he stole from his restaurateur-boss (Oliver Platt).

Article: Mercury in vaccines leads to wave of suits.

Opening Statement
Chairman Dan Burton
Committee on Government Reform
The Status of Research into Vaccine Safety and Autism Congressional Hearing June 19, 2002.

A federal judge in Galveston, Texas has ruled against the parental claims of a vaccine-injured child.
Judge Samuel B. Kent explains in his ruling: "Simply put, individuals who qualify as Program claimants must file petitions in the Vaccine Court in order to pursue any vaccine-related claims at all." (cite) The message that Judge Kent is sending is clear: if parents hope to bring a claim that is based on an injury caused by a vaccine, they must bring a claim for their child in the Vaccine Court as directed by federal statute within the time period defined by that statute. Parents must be vigilant in pursuing their claims, and bring those claims on behalf of their children to preserve any related claims they may have.
Jeff Sell; Hitt Patterson Sell

Article: Boy's death focuses attention on special ed policies. The death of a disabled boy in a residential school in New Jersey has advocates pushing for keeping such students closer to home.

Autism in the Visually Impaired Child

Article: Helping Corey: Autistic teen learning life's skills.

Read Dr. Jeff Bradstreet's Congressional Testimony on autism, from the Hearing 6/19/02. Requires Adobe Reader and is 41pp.

Article: Boy scout troop teaches outdoor skills to children with autism.

Article: Parents of autistic children praise waves, wonders of surf camp.

Tragic Story: Girl's urge to explore put her in harm's way. The autistic preschooler wandered away from home and into the path of an SUV.