Here is a link to some helps for making tradition your child to adulthood.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Miss America and Autism
Miss America contestant's brave admission: "I have autism."
"Alexis Wineman, an 18-year-old Montana woman who hopes to be crowned Miss America on Saturday night... Wineman, who is the current Miss Montana, is both the youngest Miss America contestant this year and the first ever to have some form of autism. The brunette beauty queen was diagnosed at the age of 11 with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), which puts her on the mild end of the autism spectrum and carries symptoms similar to those of Asperger's Syndrome."
LDS Disability Facebook Groups
LDS Disability Facebook Groups
Here is a quick list of LDS Facebook Groups and pages around disability topics. If you are aware of any other groups, please add them to the list.
If you see a need for a group that doesn't exist yet, please set it up and let us know!
AS/Autism and the Mormon Mindset
This is a group for any LDS person who has a mental condition that limits them socially. Specifically autism/aspergers.
LDS ASD - LDS Families with Autism (Closed)
A group for LDS families with Autistic members. A place to discuss the challenges and joys associated with being called to be in a family affected by Autism.
LDS Autism in Canada (Open)
a group to help those of us LDS in Canada, to have a support group with a common belief
LDS Autism Spectrum (Closed)
LDS Disabilities (Open)
General group for members with disabilities, family members, teachers, leaders or anyone else interested.
LDS Disabilities Arizona (Closed)
For Arizona LDS members or familiy members with disabilities or those interested in disabilities.
LDS Disabilities Forum (Closed)
General group for members with disabilities, family members, teachers, leaders or anyone else interested.
LDS Disabilities Help (Page)
Seeking solutions to help those with disabilities fully participate at church.
LDS Down Syndrome Specific (Closed)
This page is specific to those LDS families that have someone with Down syndrome in their life.
LDS Progressive and Disabilities (Closed)
This group is only for those who want to promote progressive changes in the LDS Church by and for people with disabilities.
LDS Professionals Working with Disabilities (Open)
For LDS Professionals who work in the area of disability.
LDS support for people with Mental Health Concerns (Closed)
This group is for members of the LDS Church who are diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder and their families, friends and leaders who would like to support them.
The Liahona Project (Page)
An online community of Latter-day Saint families with special needs children and adults
West Jordan Region Special needs Mutual (Closed)
A group to keep everyone updated in the Special needs mutual activities/when we meet for for Church.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Changes in Diagnostics for Autism and Asperger's
How many of you are wondering how the new changes in the DSM-V set to be released in May of 2013 will affect your child's services?
Some articles are making you think that children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome will no longer get any services simply because the name Asperger Syndrome will no longer be used in the DSM-V. Have no fear, your child may still receive services. Just get use to calling it Autism instead of Asperger's Syndrome. There will be some changes to the diagnostic criteria to help clearly diagnose individuals on the spectrum. The name change won't determine their level of functional ability, and they will still the the same loving and adorable child as they were before.
To better understand basics about the Autism Spectrum Disorder you can find simplified answers in this book, Autism: Understanding The Puzzle...
Here are a couple articles you can read if you are interested...
Asperger's dropped from revised diagnosis manual
, Associated Press
Dec. 01, 2012 3:53PM PST
Dec. 01, 2012 3:53PM PST
"CHICAGO (AP) — The now familiar term "Asperger's disorder" is being dropped. And abnormally bad and frequent temper tantrums will be given a scientific-sounding diagnosis called DMDD. But "dyslexia" and other learning disorders remain.
The revisions come in the first major rewrite in nearly 20 years of the diagnostic guide used by the nation's psychiatrists. Changes were approved Saturday.
Full details of all the revisions will come next May when the American Psychiatric Association's new diagnostic manual is published, but the impact will be huge, affecting millions of children and adults worldwide. The manual also is important for the insurance industry in deciding what treatment to pay for, and it helps schools decide how to allot special education.
This diagnostic guide "defines what constellations of symptoms" doctors recognize as mental disorders, said Dr. Mark Olfson, a Columbia University psychiatry professor. More important, he said, it "shapes who will receive what treatment. Even seemingly subtle changes to the criteria can have substantial effects on patterns of care.""
Read More - http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/asperger-s-dropped-from-revised-diagnosis-manual
News Release from the American Psychiatric Association
January 20, 2012Release No. 12-03
For Information Contact:
Eve Herold, 703-907-8640
press@psych.org
Erin Connors, 703-907-8562
econnors@psych.org
DSM-5 Proposed Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder Designed
to Provide More Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment
ARLINGTON, Va. (Jan. 20, 2012)—The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has proposed new diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for autism. While final decisions are still months away, the recommendations reflect the work of dozens of the nation’s top scientific and research minds and are supported by more than a decade of intensive study and analysis. The proposal by the DSM-5 Neurodevelopmental Work Group recommends a new category called autism spectrum disorder which would
incorporate several previously separate diagnoses, including autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood
disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
The proposal asserts that symptoms of these four disorders represent a continuum from mild to severe, rather than a simple yes or no diagnosis to a specific disorder. The proposed diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder specify a range of severity as well as describe the individual’s overall developmental status--in social communication and other relevant cognitive and motor behaviors.
Read More - http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/12-03%20Autism%20Spectrum%20Disorders%20-%20DSM5.pdf
Keep The Holidays Manageable for your Special Needs Child
by Krystyann Krywko
The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be overwhelming for children with special needs, but there are steps you can take to make it easier on them.
Holidays provide your family with a break from the ordinary, time spent with extended family and friends, and also a chance to reinforce traditions. However, jammed schedules and unpredictable routines, mixed with the sights and sounds of the holidays can add up to a season full of stress for your child with special needs.
“The change in routine is the biggest difficulty we have during the holidays,” says Sharla Jordan, mother of six boys (four with special needs) and author of Autism: Understanding the Puzzle (Lulu.com, 2011). “The unfamiliarity and excitement can lead to some difficult moments so we try to prepare our boys as best we can.” The following tips can help make your holiday season run a little smoother.
Read More - http://www.nashvilleparent.com/2012/11/keep-the-holidays-manageable-for-your-special-needs-child/
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Bad Parenting?
Why do others see me as a bad parent when my child misbehaves?
I know as a parent we are responsible for teaching our children what is acceptable behavior and correct them when they make a poor choice. I completely agree. I just wish others had understanding for the fact that parents of special needs children have to continually reteach their child how to behave appropriately. It will take the child longer to implement these correct behaviors and a lot of practice to gain control of their actions.
Being a special needs mother I know what to expect, how to contain the situation, and help my son(s) calm down. I am not a parent who give excuses or allowances just because my children have special needs. We are sure to have our sons own up to their actions/choices and make restitution for it, to the best of their ability. But just because you got hit, scratched, bit, punched, or screamed at doesn't make me a bad parent, nor does it make my son a bad child. It means that something triggered his behavior, and there was nothing I could do to stop it in that moment. Should I have to be the one to apologies for my child every time an incident happens?" I wish I could say, "It's not my fault." but I can't. So, I apologize and hope for the best. Very likely they may say something rude and avoid us in the future, but I can't blame them in their ignorance. If they could only see how far my child has come to improve his behavior they would be more understanding. If I could send one message out to the world on this topic I would say.
I know as a parent we are responsible for teaching our children what is acceptable behavior and correct them when they make a poor choice. I completely agree. I just wish others had understanding for the fact that parents of special needs children have to continually reteach their child how to behave appropriately. It will take the child longer to implement these correct behaviors and a lot of practice to gain control of their actions.
Being a special needs mother I know what to expect, how to contain the situation, and help my son(s) calm down. I am not a parent who give excuses or allowances just because my children have special needs. We are sure to have our sons own up to their actions/choices and make restitution for it, to the best of their ability. But just because you got hit, scratched, bit, punched, or screamed at doesn't make me a bad parent, nor does it make my son a bad child. It means that something triggered his behavior, and there was nothing I could do to stop it in that moment. Should I have to be the one to apologies for my child every time an incident happens?" I wish I could say, "It's not my fault." but I can't. So, I apologize and hope for the best. Very likely they may say something rude and avoid us in the future, but I can't blame them in their ignorance. If they could only see how far my child has come to improve his behavior they would be more understanding. If I could send one message out to the world on this topic I would say.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
One Gene, One Drug Affect Autism Behaviors in Mouse Model
The findings represent an important step in figuring out brain pathways that cause autism, explains the study’s senior author, Mustafa Sahin, Ph.D., associate professor of neurology at Harvard University. It also represents a very early step in determining whether rapamycin or drugs like it can help individuals with autism.
Past research has associated autism with certain brain cells in the cerebellum, a region involved in coordinating brain activity. These cells, called Purkinje cells, play an essential role in normal brain function. Studies using post-mortem tissue show that many individuals with autism have fewer of these cells than is normal...
Deleting the gene (either one or both copies) caused all three of autism’s core behaviors:
Deleting the gene (either one or both copies) caused all three of autism’s core behaviors:
· Abnormal social interactions. The mice spent less time with each other and more with inanimate objects.
· Repetitive behaviors. The mice spent abnormal amounts of time pursuing one activity.
· Abnormal communication. They emitted abnormal levels of ultrasonic vocalizations."
read more click hear
Monday, June 25, 2012
"I don't know how you do it"
I do have to say that I learned a valuable secret from some other wise mom's, "SELF CARE" This is easier said than done, believe me. However, if I take care of myself, I can handle almost anything, ( I say that while crossing my fingers, hoping I didn't just jinx myself for any surprises anytime soon.) I don't mean selfish wants of, "I need this to feel better." Anything that is a distraction will not fill up my "mommy batteries" Instead I am talking about self care physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If I take the time to care for myself, I am a better mom and have the energy to make it the next day. I make it a personal rule to do something in each area every day. I have my favorite list of things I like to do which is different from someone else, but here are a few examples for those who are looking for ideas.
Take a nap or get a full nights sleep (if I am so lucky)
Go for a walk
Yoga
Dance
Listen to Music (or sing)
Talk with a friend
Jigsaw puzzles
Read a great book
Playing a game
Write my thoughts down (hey look, I am doing one right now!)
Get a Massage
Dinner made by someone else, * this one is a BONUS!
Laugh
Take time to be still
Pray
Worship
...you get the idea
One other secret I've learned after caring for myself, is care for my husband. If he is happy and recharged, then that makes two of us to care for our family, which is a heck of a lot easier than doing it by myself. Often we take turns recharging our batteries so we can make it through another day. I am blessed to have him there to give me the much needed breaks so I have energy for later. Hopefully, you have such a great person in your life, if not a spouse, a friend, family, or a neighbor. If not, remember you are not alone. Someone greater than all of us is there watching over you, and He is only a prayer away.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Scanning brains may catch autism soon
In a new study, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill used a special kind of MRI imaging called diffusion tensor imaging to look at 15 brain connections of babies who had a sibling with autism. They found significant differences in 12 of the 15 connections in those who developed autism. Children without the disorder had stronger connections. Children with autism had weaker connections.
"The children who went on to have autism, we can see differences as early as six months, and that over time, their brains changed less," said Dr. Jason Wolff.
by Click2Houston.com Read more here
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Hoofbeats to Healing is opening in Bountiful!
We are so excited the opportunity has arrived. Hoofbeats to Healing, therapeutic riding center, is opening an additional facility in Bountiful in just a couple weeks (this June). - Large indoor arena, horses specially trained to work with those who have all kinds of special needs. - Our boys have shown and maintained improvements over the last three years from riding at Hoofbeats. Improving brain functions, speech, interactions (social skills) and minimizing tantrums and sensory stemming.
The 20 spots open for the one day per week are going fast. Additional spots will be added in the future. The best way to reserve a spot is to call Tami Tanner 801-836-4325. You can also e-mail her but she doesn't check it often tamtrot@gmail.com.
Read more about Hoofbeats on these links below.
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9170140230049680882#editor/target=post;postID=5879054316842999447
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9170140230049680882#editor/target=post;postID=614898944571320426
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoofbeats-To-Healing/47832645139
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