I'm returning to San Diego, CA (Del Mar) again and am wondering if there are therapeutic riding programs that do not have a waiting list and how long of a wait is the average? Also wondering if there are any programs specifically for autism?

Just familiarity with a guesstimates are good, plus any and all related feedback would be welcome.

 Tracy

A while back on Autism Blogger, John H. came up with the phrase "Shouting Cure in a Crowded Theater", to describe what some DAN! doctors have done to bilk parents out of thousands of dollars worth of treatment that is at best, scientifically dubious.

Recently I've discovered to my horror, the antipode as it were of the neurodiversity/cure crowd spectrum:  The New Age Religious Reason For Autism.

But don't take my word for it.  Here's some interesting articles, starting with an interesting expose of that Mother of All Fake Autism Treatments- Jenny McCarthy:

 http://midnightinchicago.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/mccarthyism-v-2-0-part-one/

 http://midnightinchicago.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/mccarthyism-v-2-0-part-two/

http://midnightinchicago.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/mccarthyism-v-2-0-part-three/

http://midnightinchicago.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/mccarthyism-v-2-0-part-four/ 

And in case you think this makes sense, here's some more nuttiness from the StarChild people themselves:

http://www.starchild.co.za/what.html   read more »

This was a news story our local news did on Nicholas and his first swim competition.

This information comes directly from the Autism Research Institute/Defeat Autism Now website:

http://www.autism.com/ari/faq.htm

What are the requirements for clinicians using a Defeat Autism Now! approach?

ARI provides an online Clinician Registry of practitioners who provide biomedically-based treatment for children and adults with autism. Many of these practitioners are physicians, and others offer related services in healthcare.

There are requirements for inclusion on the lists of Defeat Autism Now! practitioners. ARI does not "certify" practitioners or guarantee competence, skill, knowledge, or experience.

....

And what are their "requirements for inclusion" in their DAN doctors?
http://www.autism.com/dan/danusdis.htm

ARI’s Clinician Registry lists clinicians who provide biomedically-based treatment for children and adults with autism. Many of these clinicians are physicians, and others offer related services in healthcare.

In order to better serve the community, ARI has altered the requirements for inclusion on the list of Defeat Autism Now! practitioners. The clinician must attend an ARI/Defeat Autism Now! Professional Seminar at least once every two years. We also require a signed statement asserting that the clinician subscribes to and conducts his/her practice in accordance with the ARI/Defeat Autism Now!® philosophy. Learn More  read more »

My daughter age 3 was diagnosed with autism a year ago. It has been a tough battle dealing with tantrums, sleepless nights, hyperactivity that never stops and the lack of communication. After another sleepless night my husband expressed his frustration with not getting enough sleep and how we needed to do something. I went down to the drugstore and picked up Unisom sleep melts with the ingredient diphenhdramine HC1. Since she’s been taking the melts she has been sleeping through the night and her vocabulary has picked up. She is now saying words we’ve never heard her say. The tantrums have also chilled out. I took her to the grocery store yesterday and I thought I was going to go through the crazy tantrum she puts out every time we go. But it was sooo nice. Only at the end she gave a micro tantrum and it was over. I am diffidently keeping up with the Unisom melts. So far we have had 2 weeks of success. If anybody else has had success please let me know.

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