AUTISM SPEAKS "UPDATES"

Image from Flickr e-Speaks || May 30, 2008
2008 IMFAR Shows Progress in All Areas of Autism Research

The seventh annual International Meeting for Autism Research recently concluded in London with more than 1150 researchers from around the world attending and making more than 850 presentations. Among the countries represented were Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela and Vietnam.

The following are brief summaries of some of the IMFAR presentations in the areas of autism etiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment. The record number of attendees andthe depth and breadth of the science presented signals that autism research is truly becoming global, with advances being made across the board. But most importantly, the science presented and discussed will help individuals and families who are living with autism by uncovering more effective means to diagnose, treat and determine the causes of autism.

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FOR HELP AND RESOURCES

JOIN THE DAILY STRENGTH CHALLENGE

Image via WikipediaThe DAILY STRENGTH Charity Challenge – Raise $1,000 For Your Charity!
FROM DOUG:

The six millionth hug was just sent on Daily Strength, and it got me thinking about what else we can do to make our world a better, healthier place.

Hugs are invaluable, but there’s so much more we can do. Making things happen requires not just love, but also real action and, of course, money.

Recruit new members to your Daily Strength Member Group, and in return we’ll donate up to $1000 to your favorite charity.

Daily Strength Charity Challenge – Basics

1. The challenge is simple - when 25 or more new members join your Member Group, DS donates money to the charity of your choice.

2. If you haven't already done so, join or create a group on Daily Strength - http://dailystrength.org/groups/. Creating a group is completely free. Existing groups are also eligible. The subject of your group is up to you; we hope you’ll choose something near and dear to your heart – a walk-a-thon, a group to raise awareness, or just a safe haven.

3. Spread the word! Get others to join you in your crusade. Get more tips on how to spread the word here.

4. The challenge starts on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 and ends on Friday, May 23rd.

5. At the end of the Challenge, Daily Strength will contact qualifying group founders to find out about the charity that you would like to support.

Please Note: "New Members" are members that did not have an account at Daily Strength prior to April 24th, 2008. Existing Daily Strength members are welcome to join these groups, but we will only count new members for this challenge.

This is your chance to really help a charity you care about without using any of your own money. At the same time, your friends can become a part of your Group and the Daily Strength community.

Please read more below and visit our official Daily Strength Charity Challenge Group for complete details on the challenge. And then get out there and make a difference!

Official Rules, Tips & Tools

Stop by and read or join the Daily Strength Charity Challenge Group where we'll have the official rules, answer questions, offer tips, and give contest updates.

We can't wait to see what our Member Groups can accomplish, and how many great charities we can help!

Happy Spring from all of us here at Daily Strength!

SPEAK OUT!

Image via WikipediaSPEAKOUT'S TUMBLE LOG
THERE ARE SOME GOOD RESOURCES HERE!
Parents of Autistic children experience enough without having to fight their own battles for services as well. It is time that they were heard, that is why it is really important to get the word out and keep it there. There are a lot of proposals waiting for legislation, (what's new) and every chance we get we should send a message to our legislators to let them know more resources are needed for these families.

Long before anything, we have to learn to accept this children as the blessings that they are. Every child Autistic or not has a gift that God gives them to share with us. We should all be learning what the gifts our children give us are...hmmm

CARLY'S WRITINGS

Image via WikipediaThere is beautiful story about a 13 year old Autistic girl that was on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week. After her appearance on the show she left a letter for Ellen and asker her (Ellen) to read the message on the show to her mother. She asked Ellen to let her mother(Carly's) how much she loved her, because it has been too very difficult to express that to her. It is a beautiful story. It is a conversation she has with her Speech Therapist.

Blogging for Autism needs to include this young girl and her personal relationship with Autism. The world that she lives in is not something someone, other than an Autistic person (or child)can relate to another. No one can walk in her shoes. But please read her words!