Imagine Giving a Voice to Someone with Autism who can not Speak.   The Foundation for Autism Support and Training Opens Unique Augmentative Communication Center Opens in Montgomery County, Maryland 

Many individuals diagnosed with autism are unable to verbally express feelings, thoughts and needs.  Their struggle to communicate even the most basic needs through gestures, facial expressions and body language can be frustrating and frightening to these individuals and their families.  The inability to communicate effectively often presents a barrier to learning and literacy and creates significant obstacles to social and emotional development and independence. 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), also frequently called Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) or Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs), are devises that can provide a bridge from a life where thoughts, feelings and needs are held in silence, to a life where interaction, expression and learning are possible.   read more »

If you would like to see some  short news shows that feature Karen Kaye-Beall working with her son Tyler Beall on an augmentative communication device and also see a range of AAC devices in the Foundation for Autism Support and Training - Augmentative Communication Showroom and Demonstration Center, go to www.myarchway.ning.com and become a member (free of charge).  Scroll down the far left hand margin and you will find the links to a variety of news reports.

There is also a very good introductory video on You Tube on this subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb_URYj_L_k

Although this You Tube video primarily features Dynavox products, by no means is Dynavox the only manufacturer.

Here is a list of only a few of the  hundreds of other manufacturers. This list represents the devices we have in our AAC showroom and does not necessarily constitute an endoresment.  Some manufacturers were kind enough to donate a sample device to our non profit showroom, some provided signficant discounts, others did not cooperate, so we had to purchase a few devices to have a comprehensive sample of devices.

These prices were 2009 prices so do your research with each company to get up to date pricing.

My son Tyler is using a green Vantage Lite (by Prentke Romich) with Picture Word Power added onto it.  You will find that info below as well.  We really like this device and software for Tyler, but keep in mind, a qualified speech and language pathologist must do a proper assessment to determine which device will best serve your chld or adult with autism.  Check with your school system's special education department to see if they have an Assistive Technology Department. If so, try to arrange an AAC assessment free of charge for your child.  read more »

Why does Augmentative and Alternative Communiation (ACC) work so well for people with autism?

In a leading book on AAC by Joanne Cafiero, PhD, Meaningful Exchanges for People with Autism, www.woodbinehouse.com, Dr. Cafiero talks about all the ways AAC fits people with autism well (page 26)

• Most people with autism are visual learner - AAC uses visual cues
• Many people with autism are interested in inanimate objects - AAC tools and devices are inanimate
• Many people with autism have difficulty with complex cues - Level of complexity can be controlled so AAC grows with the child
• Many people with autism have difficulty with change - AAC is static and predictable
• Most people with autism have difficulty with the complexities of social interaction - AAC provides a buffer and bridge between communication partners
• Some people with autism have difficulty with motor planning - AAC is motorically easier than speech
• Many people with autism experience anxiety - AAC interventions don’t apply pressure or stress (when introduced properly)
• Many people with autism present behavioral challenges - AAC provides an instant means to communicate, preempting difficult behaviors
• Many people with autism have difficulty with memory - AAC provides means for language comprehension that relies on recognition rather than memory.

On page 33, Dr. Cafiero lists the benefits of AAC for individuals with autism:

May stimulate brain development  read more »

My daughter just started going back for Occupational Therapy and they want to start Therapeutic Listening with her, but I am very apprehensive. I don't really want to dish out $145 for a pair of headphones if the program isn't going to work. I would greatly appreciate hearing about people's experiences with the program. Thanks!

Location(s)

Dr. Fredrick Starr, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, will be the keynote speaker at an educational seminar in Santa Monica, CA on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 at the Preece and Toff Salon at Fred Segal from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m..  Dr. Starr has performed before treatment and after treatment qEEGs with this new transdermal homeopathic treatment and has found that the treatment normalizes the EEG within 3 weeks of initiating the treatment.  He has also observed significant reduction in the core symptoms of autism using this treatment.  Seating is limited so you must call to reserve a seat.  Call toll free 1-877-963-3338 to reserve a seat.  You can obtain more information regarding this treatment at www.neuro-med.net

A Marietta College student and Warren High School graduate is attempting to cover new ground in autism research, exploring an area of the disorder mostly ignored until now.

Heather Haught, 20, of Tunnel, a junior at the college, is entering the second phase of a research project aimed to form a better picture of what foods those with autism spectrum disorders prefer and how a diet can be made to cater to their needs and address eating problems associated with autism.

Often, children with autism are underweight, while many adults with autism are overweight or obese.

"I want to try to determine how we can get these people into a healthy weight range and have it be based in science," Haught said.

Haught had little background on autism when she learned a bit about it in a developmental psychology course at the college. She took that interest to assistant psychology professor Alicia Doerflinger, who had a background in the research of development of feeding behaviors, and the study was born.

The two found they would be virtual pioneers in their experiment, titled "The Effect of Food Preferences, Food Intake and Taster Status on Body Weight in Children with Autism."

"When we started to look at the literature, there was obviously not a lot of work done in that area," said Doerflinger. "Even though it's pretty well known that parents of children with autism have feeding issues on a daily basis, there didn't seem to be investigation into that in any depth. It was a little niche we could move into."

The lack of previous studies may be due to the difficulty of working with young children who are autistic or simply because with all the functionality issues related to the disorder, it may not have been a high priority, she said.  read more »

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Research on a new device - a version of which is now available to consumers -  that measures young children's language-learning environment and holds promise for use in the screening, assessment and treatment of  young children with autism, will be the topic of the first 2009-2010 UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute Distinguished Lecturer address on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The address will be presented by Steven Warren, a senior scientist, professor of applied behavioral science and vice provost for research and graduate studies at the University of Kansas, at 4:30 p.m. in the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute auditorium, 2850 50th St., Sacramento.

Warren is internationally recognized for his contributions to understanding language development in children and his leadership in the field of developmental disabilities. He has conducted extensive research on early communication and language-intervention approaches and has published more than 120 papers, chapters, and books on these and related topics.

Warren’s major research interests are early communication and language development and intervention and the prevention of mental retardation. His Distinguished Lecturer address focuses on his research using a new device that is an extension of the LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis) system, which Warren calls a “breakthrough technology.”  read more »

(NaturalNews) According to a U.S. government survey just published, rates of autism in children have doubled since 2003. Today, an estimated 1 in 91 children are being diagnosed with autism, making this the highest rate in any population in the history of human civilization. Meanwhile, the vaccination push in America continues, specifically targeting children with not just seasonal flu vaccines (which may contain thimerosal), but also the H1N1 swine flu vaccine.

It all begs the question: Is there a link between vaccines and autism?

In defending vaccines, many doctors have blamed autism on a genetic cause. But if it's genetic, why are rates skyrocketing so quickly? The gene pool obviously isn't changing that dramatically. There's no such thing as a "genetic epidemic." If genes caused autism, the rate of autism diagnosis should be holding steady year after year. Clearly, something else is at work, causing the sharp increase in autism.  read more »

Bryan is six years old, and autistic.  The clinically observed statistics cited by authorities claim one in 120 to 150 children have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In point of fact, how many “normal” children have a cognitive disorder that either has not yet been expressed, or is thought minor enough to be overlooked by the conventional medical community?  The number of children estimated to have a cognitive disorder has been put at three times the ASD figures--that is a huge number!  The percentage cited by “experts” depends on the study, and who is collecting and tabulating data.  Either way, we know these disorders can be caused by a significant toxic exposure to mercury.

Bryan developed autistic symptoms two weeks after being injected with a vaccine containing thimerosal, which is 49% mercury.  Why was he cognitively affected, when so many other children show no effects from a single exposure to mercury?  And why do some children need two or more vaccinations to be negatively affected?  There are many causes, but there are clues that have become apparent in my biologic dental practice.

Bryan’s parents sought out my practice because they both had “silver” (mercury amalgam) fillings in their teeth.  Through their own reading and Internet research once their son was affected, they realized the risk of mercury exposure people have from these old-fashioned fillings.  (All silver-colored fillings in teeth are 50% elemental mercury, and all off-gas mercury vapor into the mouth nonstop).  They also understood that simply removing mercury fillings without precautions was dangerous. They wanted the mercury removed as safely as possible, according to the biologic protocols that exist to protect patients from the incidental mercury vapor and particles released during removal of mercury dental fillings.  read more »

I am just checking to see if any of you have tried a new alternative way of helping with autism. The machine is called the bax 3000. It helps reduce and or eliminate food, chemical, pollens, clothing, animal sensitivities. There are many triggers for autistic children and adults. The machine has over 70,000 different frequencies in the computer. There is no drugs or needles or pain.   I have been having great results.   I think it is worth checking out for everyone. google bax 3000, check out my website and testimonials www.woodburychiropractic.com, call and talk to me or other doctors using the machine.  Find a doctor in you area. Nothing to lose by looking and gaining some insight. 

Dr. Jim