| Riders Roll Through Jacksonville for Autism Awareness The thunder rolled last weekend as motorcyclists converged on Jacksonville for the 7th annual Lex and Terry’s Ticket to Ride. Read more … National Autism Awareness Month Draws to a Close National Autism Awareness Month has come and gone, and though those affected by autism continue to live with it every day, this April offered a time to give others a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of people on the spectrum and others affected by autism, and a chance for them to offer their support to this important cause. Read more … Autism Society of California Publishes Survey Results The Autism Society of California recently conducted an online survey to determine a course of action to assist families living with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in California. Read more … An Essay for Mother’s Day Chris Chu of Prospect, Kentucky, recently wrote an essay entitled, "What My Mother Means to Me" for the annual 5th Grade Essay Contest sponsored by American Mothers, Inc. Chris' essay shares the incredible story of how his mother received the news that he was on the autism spectrum and how she helped him to learn despite his diagnosis. Read more … Resource on Planning for Pandemic Influenza and At-Risk Populations In light of the recent outbreak of H1N1 virus, At-Risk Populations and Pandemic Influenza: Planning Guidance for State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Health Departments, published by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), can serve as a valuable planning resource for those considering how the virus could affect those with special needs. Read more … Colorado Legislature Passes Insurance Coverage for Treatment of Autism A landmark, bipartisan bill expanding the treatment of autism was given final approval by the Colorado State Senate and is on its way to the Governor. Senate Bill 244, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield), will require health insurance providers to cover assessment, diagnosis and treatment of autism, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Read more … Pennsylvania Autism Services Face Budget Cuts The Pennsylvania autism community has worked hard in the last several years to bring to Pennsylvania a Medicaid waiver to provide services to adults with autism; three regional centers (West, Central and East) that aim to bring the best knowledge about autism treatment to our neighborhoods; and the Adult Community Autism Program, another innovative and promising vehicle for supporting adults with autism in the community. Now, Republicans in the Pennsylvania Senate have introduced an alternative budget that would cut tens of millions of dollars from the budget of the Bureau of Autism Services in the Department of Public Welfare. Read more … Autism Insurance Coverage Passes the Ohio House The Ohio House has passed HB 1, the Ohio budget bill, with language to include autism insurance coverage. HB 1 passed with 54 yea votes out of 99 possible. Read more … California Department of Developmental Services Releases Statistical Report Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Changes in the California Caseload is a new report that provides a summary of the caseload growth of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders served by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Changing patterns in age, ethnicity, cognitive level, residence status and geographic location are described over the 20-year span of June 1987-June 2007. During this period, California experienced a twelve-fold increase in individuals with autism being serviced by DDS. Read more … Autism Linked to Birth Circumstances Children who are firstborn or breech or whose mothers are 35 or older when giving birth are at significantly greater risk for developing an autism spectrum disorder, University of Utah School of Medicine researchers have reported in a new study with Utah children. Read more … Imaging Study Finds Evidence of Social Orienting Ability Associated With Brain Abnormalities in Toddlers with Autism Toddlers with autism appear more likely to have an enlarged amygdala, a brain area associated with numerous functions, including the processing of faces and emotion, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, this brain abnormality appears to be associated with the ability to share attention with others, a fundamental ability thought to predict later social and language function in children with autism. Read more … Autism Genes Discovered; Help Shape Connections Among Brain Cells A research team has connected more of the intricate pieces of the autism puzzle, with two studies that identify genes with important contributions to the disorder. One study pinpoints a gene region that may account for as many as 15 percent of autism cases, while another study identifies missing or duplicated stretches of DNA along two crucial gene pathways. Significantly, both studies detected genes implicated in the development of brain circuitry in early childhood. Read more … Developing Minds Software Releases DDtrac Upgrade Developing Minds Software recently announced significant upgrades to DDtrac, the company’s special education data-tracking software. The software upgrades include data import and export capabilities, so educators can transfer data collected in programs like Microsoft Excel. In addition, DDtrac now includes easy-to-use wizards that walk new users through the process of setting up individual student profiles, instructional and social behavior data, as well as group objective information. Read more … Teaching Teens with Autism to Make Friends A new special class at UCLA is helping teens with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) learn to interact appropriately with their peers. Read more … ASA National Conference, July 22-25 in St. Charles, Ill. Have you registered for the conference yet? Registration is online at www.autism-society.org/conference. This year's conference will be held in St. Charles, Ill., at the Pheasant Run Resort July 22-25. The full conference program with breakout sessions and presenter information is now online. The 2009 Conference offers Continuing Education Credits for BCBA and ASHA, as well as a Continuing Medical Education track and a full-day Science Symposium. We anticipate close to 2,000 attendees and 150 exhibitors this year. ASA has negotiated discounts with United and Continental Airlines for all conference participants. Click on Hotel and Travel on the ASA conference Web site for more information. 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 at our Web site: www.autism-society.org/conference.
Over 101 booths have already sold for this year’s event. To participate as an exhibitor, program guide advertiser or sponsor, please contact Meg Ellacott, Ellacott@autism-society.org or 302.260.9487. Visit www.autism-society.org/conference and click on Exhibit Information to learn more. If you are unable to exhibit with us, consider advertising in the onsite conference and show guide, which has a shelf life of up to 2 years and is an excellent resource. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at conference@autism-society.org. UJA-Federation Autism Symposium The UJA-Federation Autism Symposium will take place Monday, May 11, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the UJA-Federation of New York Seventh-Floor Conference Center, 130 East 59th Street, New York City. The topic will be “Promoting Inclusion: Best Practices for Education, Vocation, and Socialization Across the Age Continuum.” Read more … 35th Annual ABAI Convention The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is hosting its 35th Annual Convention May 22-26 in Phoenix. Of the numerous presentations throughout the convention, a large number of them will focus on autism. Read more … Workshop on Asperger’s Syndrome
“Voices of Asperger Syndrome: Supporting Individuals in the Home, School, and Community” will take place at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Read more … New Book Shares Grandson’s Autism Challenges In her new nonfiction book, My Angel Gabriel: My Autistic Angel, Aida Santiago shares three years in the life of her grandson with autism, Gabriel, shedding light on the trials that autistic children and their families must endure in order to give them opportunities and hope for the future. Read more … Life with a Spouse or Partner with Asperger Syndrome In Dr. Kathy Marshack's new book, Life with a Partner or Spouse with Asperger Syndrome: Going over the Edge? Practical Steps to Saving You and Your Relationship, Marshack seeks to help neurotypical individuals learn how to arrive at a new understanding of themselves and their significant other on the spectrum in an effort to help them cope with marital challenges. Read more … Interactive Autism Network Launches Research Initiative for Adults The Kennedy Krieger Institute will commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), with the much-anticipated launch of its research initiative for adults and the unveiling of a more user-friendly, easily navigated online community. Read more … Book Offers Guidance for Parents of Recently Diagnosed Children In this landmark guide, Wiseman offers both compassionate insight and a wealth of information for diagnoses from Asperger’s to classic autism. Day by day, week by week, month by month, The First Year®: Autism Spectrum Disorders walks parents through a wide range of medical and lifestyle concerns; helps them navigate the healthcare, insurance and educational systems; and ensures the best possible outcome for their child. Read more … EYE POWER, Volume One Released Thought Bubble Productions and Playtime with Zeebu have released the first of 5 activity books—EYE POWER, Volume One. This activity/coloring/sticker book is intended to help children on the spectrum develop the foundation for social learning and social awareness. Read more …  | 
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