Here is your update on the TACA (TALK ABOUT CURING AUTISM) Group for January 2003 - #2. As always, email your thoughts and or questions.
I want to make this e-newsletter informative for you. Let me know your thoughts on how I can improve it.
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IF this email is NEW to you and you don't recognize the name... WELCOME! These emails happen two to four times a month for Southern California Autism support called TACA.
We focus on parent support, parent mentoring, gluten / casein free diets, the latest in medical research, special education law, reviews of the latest treatments, and many other topics as it relates to Autism.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO RECEIVE THESE EMAILS, just respond and I will be happy to remove you from the list. EMAIL ADDRESS IS: contact us
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TACA has an official web site at www.talkaboutcuringautism.org
COMPLETE SITE OVER HAUL IS DONE! Dozens of new resources, hundreds of new web links, new THERAPY, GFCF Diet, Medical and Legal information! Check it out!
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In this edition of TACA e-news:
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1) Next TACA COSTA MESA support group meeting:
Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2003 (always the 2nd Saturday of each month)
Time: 2:30 - 5:30
Topic: Dr William Shaw – Great Plains Laboratories
Author of “Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD”
What medical tests? How to read basic results?
How often to re-test? What to do with the info?
and other important medical information
PLACE: VINEYARD NEWPORT CHURCH - 102 East Baker Avenue - Costa Mesa
(Please do not contact the church for meeting details. They have graciously offered use of their facility, but are not affiliated with TACA.)
Directions:
405 FWY South, Exit Bristol
Right on Bristol
Left on Baker
Go under FREEWAY.
The Vineyard church is on the corner just after the FWY - turn left onto the freeway access road, MAKE FIRST right into the Vineyard's parking lot.
And remember, we are still a non-faith based group!
CONTACT PHONE FOR DAYS OF THE MEETING ONLY: 949.678.9010
Please do NOT use the cell contact for days outside of the meetings. Thank you!
SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY!!!!!
Due to AVAILABILITY: We have a 2nd Optional meeting on MEDICAL CARE for Autistic Children. Here are the details:
Topic: Dr Jerry Kartzinel – Pediatrician from ICDRC
International Child Development Resources Center
Palm Bay, Florida
COMMON MEDICAL PROBLEMS & TREATMENT OPTIONS
FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
- Guidelines and suggestions for PARENTS
Date: February 22, 2003
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm (lunch on your own)
Location: Orange County, CALIFORNIA – (you must RSVP to receive directions)
Costs: $20 per person
Scholarship opportunities are available if needed
Registration: tacanow@cox.net
Babysitting: Unfortunately is not available for this event
Personal note: Every parent should attend this session as often as possible!
New medical information is available and Dr Jerry is extremely informative and interesting. Please try to attend.
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2) UPCOMING TACA Costa Mesa Meeting Schedule:
Please make sure you note the new dates below
– changes and additions have been made
March 8, 2003: Special
Education Law - a look back at 2002 and into 2003 Big changes in cases, services provided & hearing
results. –
Always a big turn out for Paul Roberts, Spec Education Lawyer
April 12, 2003 Autism
and Apraxia
Not just a language problem for autistics
Presented by Speech & Language Connection: Melanie Foshee and Kim Bowman
May 10, 2003 School
Shadowing Presentation -
What to look for - what to avoid ABA Specialist - Jessica Postil -
Autism Spectrum Consultants
Much more is being planned for June – December of 2003! Stay tuned!
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TACA has FOUR So. California meeting locations:
Costa Mesa: 2nd Saturday of each month (info in item #1)
West Hills: 3rd Saturday of each month – 2:30-5:30pm - Info: Contact Us
San Diego: 4th Tuesday evening – 6:30- 8:00pm – Info: Contact Us
Corona: 3rd Saturday – 2:30 – 5:30pm – info: Contact us (accept for this month!! )
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3) NOW Available - BABYSITTING NOW AT TACA COSTA MESA!
DEADLINE FOR RSVP’ING FOR BABYSITTING IS
Make your reservations EARLY! WE always have a waiting list!!!!
We are happy to offer babysitting at TACA Costa Mesa meetings only. Because our ratio of sitters to children is 1:2 (and when necessary, 1:1), we have a limited number of spaces available. Spaces will be assigned on a first come, first served basis and reservations must be made in advance. NO WALK-INS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Now for the rules:
· The cost for babysitting is $5.00 per child. (Due payable at the meeting only, no I.O.U’s will be accepted. Cash only please. Checks are NOT accepted.)
· Parents must remain on the premises while children are in babysitting room.
· Because all our children have different dietary restrictions, we ask that each child bring his or her own snack. No snacks will be provided.
· Babysitters are all over the age of 18 years old and are capable, caring people.
· Babysitters will play with your children and keep them safe while you attend the meeting. The babysitters will not be doing therapy.
· Babysitters will not change diapers. Parents will be called out of the meeting for diaper changes.
· To obtain babysitting services you must reserve your spot and fill out a Babysitting intake form on your child. Please email Karen_nagy@yahoo.com for the form and details. (If you filled one out for a previous TACA Costa Mesa meeting, there is no need to fill the form out again.)
· Did I mention: NO WALK-INS WILL BE ACCEPTED! You must have a reservation!!
We will CONTINUE to try this out and need everyone’s help to make this a success. All of these organization efforts are on a volunteer basis so more parents can attend meetings.
If rules cannot be followed, we will not be able to offer this service in the future. PLEASE HELP US BE SUCCESSFUL AND HELP! (Thank you!)
To register your child for babysitting, receive and complete the reservation form and return to karen_nagy@yahoo.com as soon as possible.
Special thanks to KAREN NAGY & DIANE GALLANT FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN!
NOTE: We are in desperate need of free, babysitting help. Do you know anyone who would like to volunteer one Saturday a month? We need them!! Please contact: Karen_nagy@yahoo.com! THANK YOU!
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3) IMPORTANT CALL FOR INFORMATION FROM ALL TACA FAMILIES!
TACA is
updating their database:
IF YOU HAVEN'T SENT ME YOUR INFORMATION PLEASE DO- OR YOU HAVE MOVED – SEND
ME AN UPDATE! I am waiting to hear from YOU!
To make sure to keep receiving these newsletter emails and IN THE FUTURE MAIL -
please provide the following information:
REQUESTED MINIMUM INFO:
Name, address, city, state, ZIP
Name of child - age (or better yet -birth month & year)
School district name
Email address
OPTIONAL (PLEASE PROVIDE IF YOU CAN!)
Month & year your child was diagnosed
Official diagnosis (list all)
Who diagnosed your child?
Phone Number
Thank you for helping keep the TACA database updated.
PRIVACY NOTE: We do not use this list for sales and marketing of any products.
Your name and information will not be sold to anyone. This list will be used
for communication purposes only.
The
OPTIONAL INFORMATION is used internally to watch trends in diagnosis in our
area or referrals on specific items effecting your school district. Again – the
information will NOT BE SHARED outside the group.
Send information to contact us
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4) THE LATEST VACCINE NEWS –
SNOWE, COLLINS, AND CHAFEE ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT ON SPECIAL INTEREST PROVISIONS IN HOMELAND SECURITY BILL (from YAHOO NEWS)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) announced they have reached agreement with Senate leadership on legislation to address their concerns about special interest provisions included in the Homeland Security legislation enacted last year.
Components of the agreement include:
Eliminate a loophole related to so-called inverted corporations - corporations that moved their headquarters offshore to avoid federal taxes - to clarify that federal contracts will only be awarded to these companies when deemed essential to national security;
Revise a provision governing college and university research to broaden criteria so all eligible institutions could compete for funding; and Eliminate a provision aimed at limiting liability for vaccine manufacturers.
The agreement also calls on the Senate to consider and pass comprehensive reforms to the Vaccine Injury Compensation program in the next six months.
The Senators have been spearheading efforts to revise or eliminate the three"egregious" special interest provisions unrelated to Homeland Security but included at the eleventh hour in the Homeland Security bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
In November, they secured the commitment of both the Senate and House Majority Leaders, the Speaker of the House, and the Vice President to address their concerns in the Omnibus Appropriations bill to be considered by Congress later this month.
Since that time, the Senators have been negotiating new legislative language with their colleagues, and the changes will be incorporated into the Omnibus bill by Senate Appropriations Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). The Senators said they appreciate the efforts of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to help secure the agreement.
The Senators said they expect the House of Representatives to accept the provisions.
"The eleventh-hour addition of these special-interest provisions in the Homeland Security bill was both egregious and unacceptable. I am very pleased with the agreement we have reached to eliminate the most egregious of these provisions, and make changes that will meet our concerns. Senate Majority Leader Frist and Senator Gregg deserve credit for working with us to reach this agreement," said Senator Snowe. "It was especially important to me to assure families of children with autism full recourse in pursuing their claims. I believe the agreement we reached restores these cases to fair and equal footing without prejudicing the cases, eliminating a provision included in the dark of night that should never have been raised. At the same time, our agreement sets the stage for comprehensive improvements to the Vaccine Injury Compensation program for the future. We have also assured that colleges and universities can more fairly compete for homeland security research projects, and eliminated waivers that would have rewarded offshore corporations."
"The remedy of the three egregious provisions included in the Homeland Security bill is a victory for fairness. These three provisions - to which Senators Snowe, Chafee, and I strongly objected - should never have been slipped into the Homeland Security Bill at the eleventh-hour without the benefit of debate or committee review," Senator Collins said. "Because of our forceful protest, we have had the opportunity to remedy these hastily-added provisions to our satisfaction, as promised by the Senate and House leadership last year. Regardless of what one thinks of the merits of the provisions in question,the process that allowed them to become law was unacceptable and the reforms we are announcing today maintain the integrity of the legislative process." "I appreciate the new Majority Leader's efforts to address these
unresolved issues from the homeland security bill. This is a positive sign of Senator Frist's willingness to work with moderates within the party," said Senator Chafee. I also look forward to working with Chairman Gregg on a broader vaccine reform bill in the HELP Committee this year."
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For more information, contact:
Dave Lackey (Snowe) 202-224-8667
Megan Sowards (Collins) 202-224-2523
Patrick Royal (Chafee) 202-224-2921
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5) CONFERENCES & EVENTS:
There are a lot of local conferences coming up! I am doing my best to summarize available outside TACA meetings for all families. Here is a list!!
Date: January 22, 2003
Time: 7pm-9pm.
Topic: "Navigating the Special
Education Maze and Getting the Most Help for your Child".
Location: 6380
Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1006, Los Angeles CA 90048
Registration: phone: 323-866-1880.
Costs: none
Notes: There will be a Spanish Translator as well.
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Dates: January 23 & 24, 2003
Time: both days all day
Topic: Subject: Behavior Analysts, Inc.
Workshops
Location: at the Country Inn &Suites by Ayres Costa Mesa,
Costs: yes – please call – pricing varies
Registration: Laurie Winkler (925) 210 - 9370 ext. 100
Notes:
Workshops for parents, special education teachers and aides, speech and
language pathologists, psychologists, behavior analysts, support coordinators,
administrators and other human service professionals by James W. Partington,
Ph.D., BCBA Behavior Analysts, Inc.
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Date: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Topic: Intervention Planning for Children with Autism: A Workshop for Parents
Presented by: Autism Spectrum Therapies
Location: Long
Beach Site of Harbor Regional Center 1155 East San Antonio , Suite B
Long Beach, CA 90807 (Cross streets of Orange & San Antonio Streets)
Costs: $19 per per person – includes breakfast & lunch
Note: This
workshop is designed to provide practical advice on choosing and evaluating
effective programs for children with autism. Topics will include:
1) Intervention components that parents should inquire about when evaluating
new programs
2) What to expect from an early intervention program
3) How to plan for social skills development for young & older children
4) Comprehensive Positive Behavior Support models for all ages
5) Planning for transition to school
CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST!!!!!!
Registration: Seating is limited: Please RSVP to Nancy at (310) 841-0411
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Dates: Thursdays Feb. 13th,20th,27th 2003
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm (1 1/2 hours)
Topic: Pasadena Child Development Associates Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diet Workshop for Parents
Location: Pasadena Child Development Associates 181 N Hudson Ave. Pasadena
Cost $25.00 per family for entire workshop
Registration: Mail Registration and payment to PCDA Attn Joyce Nakashima, MS,RD 181 N. Hudson Ave, Pasadena CA 91101
Note: Topics to be covered: What is the gfcf diet? Research on thr gfcf diet who is benefiting from thr gfcf diet Where to shop for food, ideas for cooking foods, recipes, how to eat out. Resources If you have any Questions about the workshop please call Joyce Nakashima, MS, RD (nutritionist) at 626-793-7350 ex 217
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Date: February
20 and 21, 2003
Time: 9:00am -5:00pm, both days
Topic: Solving The Relationship Puzzle: Opening Doors to Friendship
Instructor: Dr. Steve Gutstein
Location: ACES Inc. 3731 6th Avenue San Diego, California 92109
Registration: Please contact ACES Event
Coordinator Phone: (619) 338-1668
Website: http://www.acesangels.com
Note: The workshop is sponsored by
ACES, Inc. Dr. Gutstein will describe his treatment protocol which addresses relationship
processing deficits in an easily understood, systematic manner. His creative
methods have provided a path for emotional
fulfillment for the thousands of children, adolescents and adults who might
otherwise face an isolated future.
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AND DANA’s Conference is rescheduled !
Direct conference agenda & information: http://www.danasview.net/confrenc.htm
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2003
Time: Check-in 7:30 am, Conference/Seminar 8:00 am through 6:30 pm
Location:
Hope International University
[formerly Pacific Christian College, across from Cal State
Fullerton]
Terraces Office Complex - 2555 E. Chapman Ave. - Fullerton CA
Cost: $35 per person before March 1, 2003; $40 after March 1, 2003 [parking is free]
Registration information:
Mail check or money order payable to:
Dana's View 18032C N. Lemon Dr. PMB 538 Yorba Linda CA 92886
Registration is subject to space availability. You will receive registration confirmation by mail. Please bring your confirmation to the conference to speed check-in. Registration will be accepted at the door on the date of the conference, if space is available.
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6) Personal note:
Recently the company I work for was acquired by a larger company. What does that mean? That means change for me will happen. I am hopeful to work part time in my professional career and start working part time for TACA and focus a lot more on my son Jeff. To me, this is really good news.
That is why the email address is important to note and change for your records.
I will keep you posted on efforts and updates with Jeff later this month and beyond.
Hugs, thanks and be safe -
Lisa A Jeff's mom
Web Page for the TACA GROUP: www.talkaboutcuringautism.org - check it out!
P.S. TACA e-news is now at 528 families