National Children's Health Survey Report Finds Autism Prevalence Now 1 in 91 A national report released Monday in the journal Pediatrics reveals that 1 percent of U.S. children ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder, an estimated prevalence of one in every 91 children. This is a dramatic increase from the one in 150 prevalence rates previously reported. Read more … Ride for Autism This Fall The Thunder will roll this fall with Ticket to Ride! Come ride for autism with Lex and Terry's Ticket to Ride for Autism, in Dallas October 24 and Orlando/Tampa November 15. We’ll also be riding again next May in Jacksonville. Register at http://www.lexandterrytickettoride.org/ and start fundraising today! VIPs will Ride with Philadelphia pitcher Brett Meyer in Florida in November. 1Power4Autism Runners Support the Autism Society in Marathons Across the Country and Beyond Support Autism Society marathoners in San Francisco, Chicago and the South Pacific! Read more … Next Sensory Friendly Film October 17 Don’t miss the next Sensory Friendly Film, Spike Jonze’s adaptation of the classic children’s storybook, Where the Wild Things Are, October 17 at 10 a.m. local time. Find a participating theatre near you at www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms. Autism Society Presents New Advocacy Handbook The Autism Society is excited to announce the release of the first edition of the “Grassroots Advocacy 101” handbook on the Vote4Autism Web site. Read more … President Obama Highlights Autism in Speech at NIH President Barack Obama reiterated a commitment to autism research September 30 when he spoke at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. The President’s speech, which promoted both the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the President’s health-care reform plan, cited three major American health concerns: cancer, heart disease and autism. Read more … President Proclaims October 2009 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month On September 30, President Obama proclaimed October 2009 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Autism Society is enthusiastic about this proclamation, which recognizes the importance of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Read more … Update on Health-Care Reform There has been little movement in the House on health-care reform, and the Senate is working to reconcile the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s bill and the Finance Committee’s bill. Both bills have components that are meaningful for people affected by autism. Read more … IACC Planning Subcommittee Conference Call The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Subcommittee for Planning the Annual Strategic Planning Process will be holding a conference call from 2-4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, October 15. Read more … Researchers Seeking Input from Families In January 2009 the Autism Research Institute (ARI) held a think tank on seizures, and in May 2009, Autism One held a complementary think tank on seizures. As a follow-up to those think tanks, Dr. Richard Frye is working with the attendees on a consensus paper on seizures in autism and how to treat them. Read more … Putting a Name to a Face May be Key to Brain's Facial Expertise Our tendency to see people and faces as individuals may explain why we are such experts at recognizing them, new research indicates. This approach can be learned and applied to other objects as well, and may be useful in the development of training protocols for individuals with difficulties in face perception, such as individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Read more … The Integrated Self-Advocacy ISA™ Self-advocacy plays a vital role in nearly every aspect of life for individuals on the spectrum, in school, at home, in the community and at work. The more self-awareness they possess, the more they can be players in advocating for their own comfort, happiness and well-being. Read more … New Resource for Creating Picture Cards Mrs. Riley is a computer application that makes the process of developing custom picture cards quick and easy. It offers an innovative, easy-to-use way to build communication tools for students on the autism spectrum as well as others with special communication and learning needs. Read more … Save the Date for the 2010 Autism Society Conference Save the date! The Autism Society’s 2010 Conference will be in Dallas, Texas, July 7-10. The Call for Papers will open later this month. We look forward to receiving your submissions! Exhibitor information for our 2010 conference is now available on the conference Web site: www.autism-society.org/conference. Recordings of the Autism Society 2009 Conference sessions are now available. To order, please go to the conference Web site: www.autism-society.org/conference. A sampling of conference videos is also posted on YouTube, including the keynote panel discussions on the future and culture of autism. Check them out at www.youtube.com/TheAutismSociety. Workshops on Assistive and Universal Design Technologies Achieving educational success for students who experience a disability is a team effort. During times of economic challenges, a great opportunity exists for innovative and creative thinking in order to obtain needed solutions. “Assistive and Universal Design Technologies,” a six-part professional development series presented by Assistive Technology in New Hampshire, focuses on the development and implementation of quick and cost-effective assistive technology solutions as well as embracing universal design technology to support all students. Read more … CARD Autism Conference The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) Autism Conference will be held Wednesday, October 28, at the Country Party House, 321 East Linden Ave., East Rochester, N.Y. 14445. This conference is designed for BCABAs and BCBAs, parents, students, caregivers and other professionals. Read more … 2009 Louisiana Statewide Autism Conference The Louisiana State Autism Society Chapter presents the 2009 statewide autism conference, “Blueprints for a Brighter Future,” at the Holiday Inn at NE Evangeline Thruway, Lafayette, La., November 6-7. Read more … 2009 OCALI Conference The 2009 OCALI Conference and Exposition will be held November 17-19, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), 400 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. This conference will continue the goal of furthering state- and system-wide capacity to improve programs, implementation, support and overall outcomes for those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and low-incidence disabilities. Read more … Cowboy & Wills
New memoir by Monica Holloway The day Monica learns that her 3-year-old son, Wills, has autism spectrum disorder, she takes him to buy an aquarium. It's the first in a string of impulsive trips to the pet store to buy animals as a distraction from the uncontrollable, crushing reality of Wills' diagnosis. But while Wills diligently tends to the growing menagerie, what he really wants is a puppy. And one Christmas, when Wills is six, Cowboy Carol Lawrence joins their family. Read more … Creating Positive Change within Special Families Ruth Knott Schroeder’s new book, Coach Yourself through the Autism Spectrum, offers an opportunity for parents and caregivers to access their inner creativity, resourcefulness, strengths and abilities in order to create positive change within the family. Read more … New Memoir from a Father “Take him home, love him, and save your money for his institutionalization when he turns twenty-one.” That was the best advice his doctor could offer in 1990 when 3-year-old Ben was diagnosed with autism. Saving Ben tells the story of Ben’s regression as an infant into the world of autism and his journey toward recovery as a young adult. Read more … New Book Helps Teach Teens about Sensory Processing The Sensory Team Handbook is the first book on sensory processing written for pre-teens and young teens. Upbeat, humorous and hands-on, each chapter is stuffed with comics, cartoons, diagrams, quizzes, trivia and question-answer sections. Read more …  | 
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