NAMI Advocate E-newsletter: May 2009

NAMI Advocate e-newsletter, May 2009 In this issue: Goldie Hawn Stands Up for Children's Mental Health; Stars Come Out for NAMIWalks; Family-to-Family Partners with VHA; NAMI Bookshelf; and more... Read this issue online. Goldie Hawn Stands Up for Children's Mental Health Goldie Hawn, Academy-Award winning actress and children's mental health advocate, spoke during a Capitol Hill briefing about the critical need for schools to better address the needs of students with mental illness. Read more Stars Come Out for NAMIWalks TV and movie star Glenn Close joined the NAMIWalk in Maine while "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" star Ty Pennington walked with NAMI in New York. Their willingness to join this growing public discussion and add their own stories is another sign of how far NAMI has come. Read more Family-to-Family Partners with Veterans Health Administration The launch a year ago of an initiative between NAMI and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to host a Family-to-Family class in designated VHA facilities across the nation has already yielded impressive results. Read more NAMI Bookshelf This month: Bipolar 101: A Practical Guide to Identifying Triggers, Managing Medications, Coping with Symptoms, and More, Closing the Chasm: Letters from a Bipolar Physician to His Son, Annie's Ghosts and Night Navigation. Read More Join NAMI Online Become a member with a click of the mouse. Purchase Today and 20% Will Benefit NAMI Advocate Home | About/Subscribe | NAMI Home The NAMI Advocate e-newsletter (formerly NAMI Connection) brings periodic, lively news and stories of interest to NAMI supporters, complementing the NAMI Advocate magazine which is published three times per year for NAMI members. You are subscribed to this e-mail at acunniff4852@gmail.com. If you do not wish to receive further NAMI Advocate e-newsletters, please click here sign in and uncheck the box next to NAMI Advocate e-newsletter. You may also unsubscribe by emailing webmaster@nami.org. If you have any questions or comments, please send an email to webmaster@nami.org NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201 703-524-600 | www.nami.org

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NOTHING HEALS MORE THAN THE LAUGHTER OF A CHILD

Image via Wikipedia

HelpGuide.org is offering tips about how laughter is the best medicine. It is a great article on the Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter.



“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.”

~ Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.


The Article goes on to show:
Laughter is good for your health

* Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
* Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
* Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
* Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

The Benefits of Laughter

Physical Health Benefits:

* Boosts immunity
* Lowers stress hormones
* Decreases pain
* Relaxes your muscles
* Prevents heart disease



Mental Health Benefits:

* Adds joy and zest to life
* Eases anxiety and fear
* Relieves stress
* Improves mood
* Enhances resilience



Social Benefits:

* Strengthens relationships
* Attracts others to us
* Enhances teamwork
* Helps defuse conflict
* Promotes group bonding
There are some wonderful articles that change the face of disease and illness to joy and gratitude.

"NOTHING HEALS MORE THAN THE LAUGHTER OF A CHILD"

Autistic children in Australia are introduced to Thomas The Tank Engine to learn facial recognition, and emotions.

Image via Wikipedia

Thomas the Tank Engine, whose television adventures on the fictional island of Sodor have delighted children around the world for years, is now on a real-life mission to help kids with autism. The steam locomotive and his friends are the stars of a new game in Australia, designed to help autistic children recognize emotions.

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), a nonprofit that provides services to people diagnosed with the developmental disorder, unveiled the game on its Web site Tuesday.

The game asks players to recognize which engine has a sad face, or which is happy or angry.

Children with autism often have a difficult time distinguishing different facial expressions.

Each time a child plays the game, he/she is presented with a different sequence of emotions. In doing so, the game takes advantage of the single-mindedness of autistic children to assist in their development.

"It's a great way to help develop social and communication skills," said Anthony Warren of Aspect.

A study conducted in the United Kingdom found that autistic children were far more fascinated by the television series, "Thomas and Friends," than they were with other fictional characters.

The study, by the National Autistic Society, summarized that the show held such appeal because of the clear facial expressions of the characters, the pacing of the program and the easy-to-follow story lines.

"We got those results down here, and we thought, how could we leverage that strength and give a little back to the community?" said Tom Punch with Haven Licensing, the company that handles licensing for the characters in Australia.

Warren said one of the reasons Thomas is particularly stimulating and motivating for children with autism is that it's very predictable.

"Children can understand the clear visual messages -- the big smile on the front of the engine," he said. "The messages it communicates are very concrete, not abstract. And the emotions are primary emotions. It's uncomplicated."

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects physical, social and language skills. It usually appears before age 3, though the earliest signs are subtle.

More doctors and researchers are referring to "autism" as "autisms," because each child's case is different, as are the causes, helpful therapies and potential treatments.

The Australian nonprofit unveiled the game this month to coincide with Autism Awareness Month in that country.

After all, as the show's theme song attests: "Red and green and brown and blue; They're the really useful crew."

Sensory Friendly Films Expand to New Theatres

If you are unable to view the message below, please go to http://www.autism-society.org/site/MessageViewer/.

IN THIS ISSUE ASA News >> Advocacy >> Research >> Education >> Conferences >> Resources >> PROUD SPONSOR   PROUD SPONSORS           Update email preferences | Forward to a friend NEWS Sensory Friendly Films Expand to New Theatres Don’t miss the next AMC-Autism Society Sensory Friendly Film, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, this Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. local time. This month we have expanded to six new theatres: the Georgetown 14 and the MJ Capital Center 12 in Washington, D.C.; the Danbury 16 in Danbury, Conn.; the Elmwood Palace 20 in New Orleans; the Plainville 20 in Hartford, Conn.; and the Vestal Towne Square 9 in Binghamton, N.Y. Learn more about the program and find a theatre near you at www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms. Autism Society Expands Partnership with Education.com The Autism Society has been contributing content to Education.com, a leading web destination for parents of school-aged children, for the past couple of years. This year, however, in addition to contributing new and updated articles and information to the site, the Autism Society is also serving as Guest Editor of an upcoming Education.com Special Edition on Asperger’s Syndrome. The Asperger’s Special Edition will give readers access to the latest information on Asperger’s Syndrome along with original articles from world experts and educators in the field. Read more … Autism Society Leaders Honored by GRASP The Autism Society congratulates two of its leaders on their honors at the 2009 Global and Regional Asperger’s Syndrome Partnership (GRASP) Awards on May 16. Dr. Brenda Smith-Myles, Autism Society Chief Program Officer, was awarded the 2009 Divine Neurotypical Award, and Dr. Stephen Shore, an Autism Society board of directors member, was awarded the 2009 Distinguished Spectrumite Medal. Learn more about the GRASP awards at http://www.grasp.org/. ADVOCACY Report Details Abuses, Restraints in Schools This week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on “Examining the Abusive and Deadly Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools.” The Autism Society applauds the GAO and Representative George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, who called for the report, for this unflinching look at the human rights violations in our nation’s schools—the first Congressional investigation to do so. Read more … Comprehensive Autism Legislation Introduced in U.S. House On May 14, the  co-chairs of the Coalition on Autism Research and Education, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), along with Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), introduced the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 (ATAA). The Autism Society applauds this comprehensive autism legislation focused around enhancing the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Read more … Social Security Board of Trustees Give Annual Report to Congress The Social Security Board of Trustees has released its annual report on the financial health of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Trustees project that program costs will exceed tax revenues in 2016, one year sooner than projected in last year’s report. The combined assets of the Old-Age and Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds will be exhausted in 2037, four years sooner than projected last year. The worsening of the long-range outlook for the Social Security program is due primarily to the recent economic downturn and faster reductions in mortality than previously assumed. Read more … Congressional Briefing to be Held on the ABLE Act A Congressional briefing will take place on Tuesday, July 2, 12-1:30 p.m. focusing on the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2009 (ABLE), which would provide tax-advantaged savings instruments to families that have a child with a disability. Read more … RESEARCH Researchers Discover Mechanism for Social Development Absent in Children with Autism A new study suggests that two-year-olds with autism lack an important building block of social interaction that prompts newborn babies to pay attention to other people. Instead, these children pay attention to physical relationships between movement and sound, and miss critical social information, researchers at the Yale School of Medicine have reported. Read more … Study Suggests Melatonin a Treatment for Sleep Problems in Children with Autism A study in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine determined that over-the-counter melatonin medication can shorten the length of time it takes for children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) or both to fall asleep at the beginning of the night. Read more … Online Survey Seeks Parent Responses Researchers at the University of Memphis are asking for parent responses to an online survey as part of a study to better understand parents’ needs directly related to raising a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Read more … EDUCATION UK University Autism Center Provides Free Resources for Educators The Autism Centre for Education and Research at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, has written, in collaboration with the Department for Children Schools and Families, a pair of important and free resources for educators. Read more … University of New Hampshire Offers Methods, Models & Tools Course Methods, Models & Tools is an intensive 5-day course, presented by the UNH Institute on Disability and the Browne Center, designed to help develop the competencies needed to facilitate consumer- and family-directed career, education and life planning. Read more … CONFERENCES Register Today for the Autism Society National Conference and Expo in July—Continuing Education Credits Available! This year's conference will be held in St. Charles, Illinois, at the Pheasant Run Resort July 22-25. The full conference program with breakout sessions and presenter information is now online at www.autism-society.org/conference.  For 2009 we are offering CEUs for BCBA and ASHA as well as educators. We are also hosting a Science Symposium on Thursday and a full-day CME track on Saturday, July 25. ASA has negotiated discounts with United and Continental Airlines for all conference participants. Visit our Hotel and Travel site for more information. This year’s conference and expo promises to be your best marketing vehicle of the year: 2,000+ attendees will have more time to spend at the expo, and there will be on-floor programs to drive traffic. Booth space and sponsorship opportunities are still available. E-mail Meg today at Ellacott@autism-society.org or call 302-260-9487 for more information regarding the expo.  Respite care information and registration are also online. We are thrilled to be able to offer a theatre workshop as a respite care option. This workshop will be run by the Applied Theatre Research and Autism Network (ARTRAN) and is open to all children ages 7 and up. It will be fully staffed by our respite care providers and ARTRAN staff. You can access all information about the conference and registration on our Web site: www.autism-society.org/conference.   If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at conference@autism-society.org. Autism One Conference The Autism One conference is taking place this week, May 20-May 24, in Chicago. The conference aims to educate parents and professionals about the most up-to-date aspects of autism. Workshops, roundtables, classes, an arts festival and special events will provide a powerful experience and education in autism. Leading experts from around the U.S. will gather to present their findings, several of whom are Autism Society advisors, including Stephen Edelson, Doreen Granpeesheh, Martha Herbert, Valerie Paradiz and Stephen Shore. Learn more about the conference at http://autismone.org/. First International Applied Behavior Analysis Congress in Portugal The ABC REAL Centre in Portugal, founded in September 2008 by Professor Joseph Morrow, Ph.D., BCBA, President of Applied Behaviour Consultants, presents the First International ABA Congress in Portugal June 18-19, 2009. The Congress brings together many practitioners of the science of ABA from the United States and Europe who will speak about the history, philosophy, current status and the various applications of ABA. Read more … Autism Summer Institute The University of San Diego presents the Summer Autism Institute, “Together We Can Do It!: Building Personalized Supports and Instruction Through Relationships and Collaboration” June 24-26 in San Diego. Read more … RESOURCES AAPC Sensory Gang Summer Reading Program Kids look forward to summer vacation all year—it’s a break from the daily grind of the school year. But just because we take a break from the classroom, doesn't mean taking a break from learning. It's important for students—especially those with autism—to continue to keep their minds active over the summer. A great way to do this is with a good book and some fun activities to go with it. The Autism Asperger Publishing Company will host its Sensory Gang Summer Reading Program June-August 2009 for early elementary, elementary, and middle and high school students. Read more … Quality in Practice Tools The Council on Quality and Leadership, a group that works with public and private organizations with a commitment to improving the quality of services and supports to people with disabilities and mental illness, has developed several Quality in Practice (QIP) tools. Read more … First Assisted Communication Application for iPhone/iPod Touch Xcellent Creations, Inc. and special education teacher Ian Walden have developed iConverse, an iPhone/iPod touch application that allows children or adults with special needs to use push-button images to convey their basic needs to those around them. Read more … Book Discusses Social Alienation in Individuals with ASD Digby Tantam’s new book, Can the World Afford Autistic Spectrum Disorders? Nonverbal Communication, Asperger Syndrome and the Interbrain explores current theories on nonverbal communication and presents evidence that deficits in nonverbal communication are at the root of social difficulties in persons on the autism spectrum. Read more … “Let’s Cook! Life Skills for Kids on the Autism Spectrum” MyWire.com, a consumer Web site that syndicates high-quality, professionally created content from hundreds of publishers, is hosting a new, multimedia publication created for parents and educators of children with autism. Let’s Cook! Life Skills for Kids on the Autism Spectrum combines video, slides and downloadable visual aids in an entertaining and informative digital format that demonstrates how to help kids with autism learn an important life skill—cooking. Read more … Hygiene Curriculum for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders Kelly Mahler has taken her belief in the importance of personal hygiene skills and transformed it into an innovative curriculum that teaches social understanding as part of a focus on hygiene and related issues: Hygiene and Related Behaviors for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders—A Fun Curriculum with a Focus on Social Understanding. Read more … Update email preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Forward to a friend  |  Visit our web site Autism Society of America 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 301.657.0881 or 1.800.3AUTISM