After ten years in the autism-world, i've seen probably more causes for nondiagnosis across the spectrum of autism.
Sometimes it is due to age, severity of symptom as well as the doctor you see. The average doctor (whether pediatrician, psychologist or neurologist) is not trained to evaluate or diagnose autism.
So,people with autism should learn more by themselves,like me. : )

Designer Angela Moore debuts her Autism Awareness Collection this month. The Autism Awareness Collection was created to help increase awareness in the treatment and understanding of autism.

Set on a crisp white background, the collection features puzzle pieces and a rainbow of ribbons in happy colors. To support this important endeavor, 15% of the net proceeds from this collection are donated to the Autism Society of America and their designated affiliates all year long.

The collection is hand painted and one of a kind and can be purchased online at www.angelamoore.com or by calling 800-927-5470. The pieces are a beautiful and easy way to support treatments for children.

I have two adopted children that have been diagnosed with everything from ADHD to RAD.  Both were exposed to drugs and alcohol in the womb but doctors won't dx fetal alcohol syndrome because they don't fit "that box" That's the trouble I'm finding with this disorder.  How do you fit a child into a dx box when they defy all the boxes.  Both children are very diferent but with some key similarities mostly in sensory integration.  They have quirks that can be so frustrating because you can't figure out what they are thinking.  After much personal reading and research the dx that kept popping up over and over again was aspergers, and autistic spectrum disorders.  Great I thought, I can get a dx and then finally some help!  No such luck!  read more »

One time solo show in schaumburg Il sunday Sept 30 @ 2pm. Chicago Comedy club in Schaumburg. Parents of autistic children free with a picture of their child. Show is shared through music comedy and storytelling drama. Lynette Louise mother of eight (four autistic) and neurofeedback professional gifts parents with hope and joy. This is a three hour performance additional information call 713-213-7682 or visit lynettelouise.com.

 My son is now 26 but when he was young he had a great deal of very difficult behaviors. I thought if any parents needed a place to discuss this I have gone through it and come out on the other side. My son had a great bit of fascination with his own body. He pulled out 4 of his adult teeth when he was about age 7-9. We were at a loss because we could not stop him. We tried gloves and different sleeping medications but nothing worked.  We often had to defend ourselves that he was not being abused  We dealt with a number of social service workers and dentist but once he got to the teeth he could reach the behavior stopped. He would tell them he did it so that new "ones would grow back" Chris was also very fascinated by what was behind his skin. Cuts and scrapes became a real problem because he was always picking at them. This behavior also stopped as he got older. We had to be careful of what Chris saw on TV. Once he threw a dozen eggs in the living room. When asked why he said "to see chickens ". He had seen chicken hatch on a TV program the day before.

My son is currently living in a group home.  He will be there 2 years in April. I miss him but know that it is what is best for him. When I developed breast cancer I no longer had the energy to keep up with him 24 /7 so God did for me what I could not do for myself. My husband and I visit often (he is 2 1/2 hours away) and he come home for holidays.  He is doing well and we are very proud of him. When we are asked if we knew how difficult it was going to be would we have adopted Chris ? All children have difficult times and dealing with autism is not easy but Chris has and always will be our son. We deal with the autism when we need too. The rest of the time he is our wonderful son Chris.    

As an Occupational Therapist I've been tired of watching kids with Autism / ASD struggle with play and schoolwork that is too hard for them. Finding therapists with experience is difficult and there are often long waiting lists. The Theracrew website was created to provide parents and teachers with specialist learning activities that they can do at home, at pre-school and at school. The ideas behind our products have all originated from working with particular kids with Autism / ASD, where our therapist's needed to create something unique, because it simply didn't exist anywhere else.

It just seems to be common sense to provide kids with Autism / ASD with play and schoolwork adapted specifically to the way they learn. Every product contains visual strategies / instructions using the Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) from Boardmaker TM. Its amazing how much longer kids can concentrate for when activities are targeted towards their learning style.

Check out the Theracrew website and try our FREE DOWNLOADS

Just wanted to note that autism does improve with time and things get better but the autism really never goes away. Every child and adult is different. My son Chris is now 26 and living in a group home 2 1/2 miles away. He is doing well but it was a long journey to get where we are today. Our son has limited language and still has angry outburst where his daily routine is changed. It was not so hard to explaine when it was young but now that he is an adult we have had a number of run ins with law inforcement when he has been out of control. Too all you parents of young children please plan for your children with autism as you would plan for your other children who do not have autism. My son to this day says that he had a "very sad day for Chris" at his last day of school. We need programs for our young children but we also need long term programs for our adults.

I work with autistic children and found it difficult to get toys that would engage them. There was nothing out there that catered to their needs. So I started an online toy store that has sensory stimulating toys and gifts perfect for autistic children. These toys are pretty cool on there own too. Check it out! www.focustoys.com Your feed back and suggestions are welcome.

I've been asked to post an announcement about the new book, "BORDERLINE" by Bonnie Rozanski:

Leavened with humor and compassion, "BORDERLINE" will be welcome by families who've been touched by the autism spectrum. Environmentalists will also appreciate both humor and message in this story of two teens learning to become men too soon.

An excerpt from the book is available at:

http://www.authorviews.com/authors/rozanski/excerpt.php

It offers a touching scene where the Ritter family first discovers that Austin's development might be more advanced than they realized.

Zoowalk 2007 Saturday, September 29, 2007

Walkers can stay at the zoo the entire day!

Have a fun time strolling around the zoo with your family and friends, seeing lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, monkeys, bears, tortoises, and more!

Autism now affects 1 in 150 children. Research is needed to find effective treatments to help children and adults with Autism/Asperger’s.

This year's Zoowalk for Autism is dedicated to:

Dr. Bernard Rimland

Location: Phoenix Zoo

Date: September 29, 2007

Time: TBA

Chapter: ASA Greater Phonix Chapter

Web-Site: http://www.zoowalk.org/

Date: Saturday, September 29, 2007
Time: 7:00 AM

This event does not require an RSVP.

Washington,DC Support Meeting
St. Mary's Church,728-23rd St. NW

Washington, DC Chapter ASA~Support Meeting

Monthly meeting to discuss ideas, find sources, providers, and connect with other families living with autism.

Location of event St. Mary's Church,728-23rd St. NW

Time: 10:00 am-12 noon

Chapter: DC Chapter, Autism Society of America

Contact: Sondra Cunningham

Phone: 202-561-8634

Email: sondrakcunningham@verizon.net

Date: Saturday, September 22, 2007
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Repeat on the fourth Saturday of the month until 11/01/2007

This event does not require an RSVP.

Madison, WI~Family Support Group Meeting
Midvale Community Lutheran Church

Autism Society of Greater Madison

Bi-Monthly Family Support Group Meeting

Join us for an open discussion and support group for families affected by autism.

Where: Midvale Community Lutheran Church, Corner of Midvale & Tokay Blvds., Madison, WI

Contact Person: Molly Immendorf

Phone: (608) 213-8519

Email: autismmadison@gmail.com

Web-Site: http://www.autismmadison.org/

Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

This event does not require an RSVP.

Schaumburg, IL Monthly Support Meeting
1 Illinois Blvd; Hoffman Estates, IL

Northwest Suburban Illinois Chapter~Monthly Support meeting

Schaumburg, IL

Support meetings run 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; First Tuesday of the month

No meeting in January

Where: 1 Illinois Blvd; Hoffman Estates, IL.

Time: 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Chapter: Northwest Suburban Illinois # 114

Contact Person: Kym

Phone: 630-523-1390

Email: kbills21@wowway.com

Web-Site: www.autismillinois.com

Lafayette, LA Chapter Meeting
Alesi's Italian Restaurant, Johnston St.

Lafayette, LA

ASAC Autism Chapter General Meeting

General chapter meeting to share information, topics of interest to families and professionals.

Location of event: Alesi's Italian Restaurant, Johnston St. Lafayette, LA

When: 1st Tuesday, each month

Time: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

Name of Chapter: Acadian Society for Autistic Citizens

Contact: Vickie Nettles

Phone: 337-236-6658

Email: asacofasa@yahoo.com

Web-Site: www.autism-society.org/chapter285

Date: Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Repeat on the first Tuesday of the month until 04/16/2008

This event does not require an RSVP. Registered users can request event reminders.

I found this great site that has a list of local autism support groups. They have most states listed. Hopefully you can find something close to your location. You can see the list here: http://www.kylestreehouse.org/local_support_groups.cfm

Morgan Autism Center--6th Annual Autism Conference
September 29th, 2007
Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA

This will be an all day conference with Dr. Steven E. Gutstein being the keynote speaker. The goal of this conference is to increase knowledge in the medical, educational and general community about autism spectrum disorders. The charge is $125.00.

Please check out there website:
http://www.morgancenter.org/conference.html

NATTAP -OCALI's 2007 CONFERENCE
Septemer 26-28, 2007
Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio

The Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs (NATTAP), and the Autism Society of America, present the First Annual International NATTAP Conference hosted by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

The First Annual International NATTAP Conference will gather parents and professionals from across all 50 states and over 15 countries. The objectives of the conference are to review current models of systems, best practice in research and intervention use and methods of capacity building - all of which contribute to the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals ages 3-21. A forum will be provided in which ideas will be exchanged that will set a new foundation in autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

More information can be found at:
http://www.ocali.org/nattap2007/view.php?nav_id=3

Heartspring: Worldwide Center for Children with Special Needs
September 17th
Witchita, KS

Dr. Peter Gerhardt with the Organization for Autism Research will speak on: Bridges to Adulthood: Promoting Competence through Comprehensive Transition Planning for Learners with Autism and Related Disorders. http://www.heartspring.org/resources/professionals/speakers/gerhardt/

this is really strange to me ... to be typing my thoughts & feelings to a completely unprotected environmnet of people ... or even just out into wide open air & space. i'm a 38 yr old woman who has suddenly come to realize that ... i'm jus' not like everyone else ! i dont "get them" & "they dont get me". i've taken the tests & yeah ... i fit the grid :-) but ... what now ??? how do you function in a society that has absolutely no understanding as to what is going on inside your head & how do you manage to become a successful, independant, adult ...
in a completely absurd world that makes ya wanna crawl underneath the bed & hide ? how do ya keep them from takin advantage of you ?how is it that we can be so meticulous & brilliant about so many different things ... and yet somehow be completely incapable of successfully performing menial day-to-day tasks ? i'm tryin' to "get this" !!! all these years ... everyone has been lookin at me with this look of bewilderment ... wondering what the hell is goin through this girls mind ... obviously making me think that somethin is "wrong with me" ... and now i find that ... " i'm jus wired differently" ??????  read more »