The Oprah Winfrey Show devoted its first full hour to autism this past Thursday, April 5, 2007.

Portions of Autism Speaks' documentary, Autism Every Day, will be featured throughout the program, entitled The Faces of Autism. Several of the parents featured in the film, including Jesse Mojica, Katie Wright-Hildebrand and Michele Pierce Burns, will participate in the show, along with Autism Speaks Co-founder Suzanne Wright.

Other topics that will be addressed include teens with autism and the effect autism can have on siblings. In addition, the show will profile a pediatrician who specializes in the treatment of autism and is also the parent of two children on the spectrum.

Watch a short clip on all the controversy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4uGWiQgRYs

More Katie Wright-Hildebrand News:

SafeMinds AND National Autism Association Announce New Board Member:
SafeMinds & National Autism Association are pleased to announce the appointment of Katie Wright-Hildebrand to the board of directors. Katie is the mother of two boys, Mathias, age 3 and 5 year-old Christian. Christian regressed into autism at 2 1⁄2 years old. Katie completed her undergraduate studies at Boston University and received a Masters degree in Education at Columbia University. She studied counseling psychology and received her professional license in 2000. She worked as the Clinical Director of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Stamford, CT, providing free and confidential counseling services to male and female survivors of rape and sexual assaults. Katie resigned her position when Christian became ill and now, with her husband Andreas, is dedicated to working to improve the lives of children and families affected by autism. Photo by Fran Collin

Editor’s note: Dear Katie, Thank you. You are one brave mommy and we applaud your steps to help Christian and the hundreds of thousands of children afflicted with autism. Thank you! See? Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Including mommy size.

Tell Congress: Don't Take Away My Compounded Supplements & Medications!
If Your Child Has Autism this Should Concern You!

Act today or your access to compounded medicines will be DENIED!

Under this legislation, federal regulators, not your doctor, will decide what medicines you or your child can take.  Do you really want to leave your customized medicine needs in the hands of bureaucrats in the government?

The so-called Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007 would, among other things:

• Broadly eliminate the availability of many critical, commonly compounded medications that many patients rely on, such as bioidentical hormones for women, hospice care treatments for the terminally ill and customized medicines for children.
• Allow the federal government to determine when compounded medicines are needed - a decision that has always been and should always be made by doctors.
• Restrict the compounded medications your doctor can prescribe even if he or she determines you need them.

If you or someone you know depends on compounded medications, act now to stop this dangerous legislation!

1. Write your elected representatives in Congress.  Use A-CHAMP's easy to use tool to write your members of Congress.   Also, please keep this in mind:  It’s critical that you personalize your letter.  Tell your own story.  Tell them how you rely on compounded medicines and what your life would be like without them.
2. Tell a friend.  Even if your friends and relatives don’t rely on compounded medicines themselves, they still have a loved one - you - who does.  That’s their story to tell.  Please encourage them to tell their representatives in Congress.
3. Tell more friends.  The best weapon we have in this fight is you.  You are the patient.  Yours is the story that your representative in Congress cannot ignore.  The more people we can get to unite in support of compounded medicines, the better our chances of winning will be.

For All of Our Kids – Thanks! 

Key Documents From A-CHAMP (click on title):

Draft Senate Bill (PDF)

International Journal of Compounding Article on Compounding (PDF)

Message Brought to You by A-CHAMP

Advocates for Children's Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee PRIVATE WORLDS: KIDS AND AUTISM Airs Sunday, April 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon        

Today, an estimated one in 150 kids  is diagnosed with autism. Imagine being disconnected from the world around  you; not being able to make sense of some things you see, hear, smell and  touch; needing something and not being able to express yourself. The  award-winning Nick News with Linda Ellerbee takes a look at the lives of kids struggling with different levels of autism in Private Worlds: Kids and Autism premiering Sunday, April 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon.      

"Autism is not a mental illness. It's not contagious, and it's not a  choice; and while kids with autism have been described as living in their  own private worlds," Ellerbee said, "they are also living in our world.  Therein lies the challenge for all of us: How do we live differently  together?"  Private Worlds: Kids and Autism begins with the story of Andrew, a  severely autistic fifth grader. It's difficult to understand what life is  like for Andrew because he can't communicate his feelings. His family can't  go places or do things with out considering his needs, or without worrying  he might do something inappropriate in public. Though Andrew will never get  entirely better, the family is doing what it can to make his life as full  as possible.      

The special also introduces viewers to Bond, a 15-year-old with Aspergers Syndrome, generally considered a more high functioning form of  autism. He's smart and articulate, but still has problems socializing.  Temple Grandin tells her amazing story through her groundbreaking books  about being autistic, and implores kids not to tease their autistic  classmates. Matt is fourteen and has "Savant Syndrome," which means he  possesses an extraordinary gift, in his case, the ability to play the piano. "Savant syndrome" is rare, but it happens.      

A final segment highlights how other kids can be a part of the lives  and worlds of kids with autism. We meet kids who are part of a special  hockey program where kids with autism play with typical kids. Their story  shows us that kids with autism have a lot to offer as friends. Private  Worlds also features commentary from kids who are not autistic, but speak  about what it's like to be around kids who are.

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee, which recently celebrated its 15th year  on the air, is the longest-running kids' news show in television history,  and has built its reputation on the respectful and direct way it speaks to  kids about important issues of the day. In 2005, it won the Emmy for  Outstanding Children's Programming for From the Holocaust to the Sudan. In  2002, "Faces of Hope: The Kids of Afghanistan," won the Emmy for  Outstanding Children's Programming. In 1994, the entire series, Nick News  with Linda Ellerbee, won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming.  In 1998, "What Are You Staring At?" a program about kids with physical  disabilities, won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. Nick  News with Linda Ellerbee has received more than 20 Emmy nominations. Nick  News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is also the recipient of three  Peabody Awards, including a personal one given to Ellerbee for her  coverage, for kids, of the President Clinton impeachment; two Columbia  duPont Awards; and more than a dozen Parents' Choice Awards.      

Editor’s Note: This special program features my mentor – Poita Cernius and her family. Please watch this amazing event and tell your family and friends too!

Opportunity for pre-teen and teen boys to socialize begins in May!! We are excited to announce the Teenage Boys Detective Club (social skills group). Pre-teen and teen boys with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome face ongoing social skill challenges that may leave them at risk for emotional problems such as; loss of confidence, frustration, fatigue, avoidance, withdrawal, anxiety, suspiciousness, depression, increased dependency, and loss of social support and activities. Two male therapists will meet weekly to guide the  boys in an experientially based social skills group that is run by male therapists, for young men. The goal is to tackle the “hidden curriculum” of our everyday social-life, and to teach the boys how to handle themselves in a variety of social settings, from restaurants to movie theaters, and community facilities.

Additionally, while the boys go on their adventure, the parents will stay with a parent support group leader in order to review social skills progress, concerns, and related behavioral strategies. The groups will be limited to 8 pre-teen to teen boys (ages 12 to 16) to experientially learn how to socialize in 1:1, small groups and large groups of people across a variety of contexts. The tasks they engage in will promote positive interpersonal relationships by working on the following skills, using appropriate levels of eye contact, planning social events, staying on topic, initiating and ending conversations appropriately, and referencing others (feelings, thoughts, actions) before acting. Additionally, the detective club will work on how to manage money, navigate around the community, use the computer for information and communication between peers, and phone skills. Weekly homework assignments will consist of staying in contact with peers and group leaders via email and / or the phone throughout the week to organize for the next session’s activities.

There will be six meetings from 4:30 - 6:30 P.M. beginning in May. The sessions will most likely be held on Monday or Wednesday afternoons.

Office location is in San Diego, San Diego California at 4501 Mission Bay Drive Suite 2F, San Diego, CA (meeting places for future meetings will be given on the first day of the group)

These groups will be funded by TACA. Parents will be asked for a commitment to have their boys attend the six weeks of sessions and to complete questionnaires prior to and after the six weeks of group.

All students must pass the screening before their attendance in the group is confirmed. Please call Carla  at (858) 272-2662 to set up your son’s screening appointment.

Important notes:

• This program is available on a first come, first serve basis. Please sign up as soon as possible before availability is gone.
• Each family will be required to pay approximately $90 for activities prior to the group start date. Several scholarships are available – also on a first come, first serve basis.
• Thank you to our TACA friends & Autism Spectrum Consultants, Inc. for making this much needed program happen!
• No shows on the first date of the social skills group will lose their spot in the program to the first people on the wait list.
• No changes on meeting dates or times can be made – sorry. Please check your schedule before committing to this program.
• Special thanks to TACA's anonymous sponsor for helping us start this important program.
• You must be a TACA member and have a child with autism or Aspergers to apply for this program.
• A minimum of 1 parent per teen is required to attend the parents’ support group with the Clinical Director while their teen is on the social skills excursion with the social skills group leaders.

Editor’s note:  How do we choose locations for our developing programs you ask?  These are based on the surveys, phone calls and emails requesting them.  To let us hear your request, please contact Becky Estepp!!

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-04/jaaj-acs032907.php  

Each individual with autism accrues about $3.2 million in costs to society over his or her lifetime, with lost productivity and adult care being the most expensive components, according to a report in the April issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a theme issue on autism spectrum disorders.

Autism costs society more than $35 billion in direct and indirect expenses each year, according to background information in the article.

Relatively little is known about when these costs occur across the lifetime of an individual with autism.

Michael L. Ganz, M.S., Ph.D., Abt Associates Inc., Lexington, Mass., and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, used data from the medical literature and from national surveys to estimate the direct medical and non-medical costs of autism, including prescription medications, adult care, special education and behavioral therapies. Approximate indirect costs, including lost productivity of both individuals with autism and their parents, were calculated by projecting average earnings and benefits at each age, adjusted for the fact that some autistic individuals can work in supported environments. Only costs directly linked to autism, and no medical or non-medical costs that would be incurred by individuals with or without autism, were included.

These costs were projected across the lifetime of a hypothetical group of individuals born in 2000 and diagnosed with autism in 2003. Costs estimates were broken down into age groups at five-year intervals, with the youngest group age 3 to 7 years and the oldest age 63 to 66 years.

"Direct medical costs are quite high for the first five years of life (average of around $35,000), start to decline substantially by age 8 years (around $6,000) and continue to decline through the end of life to around $1,000," Dr. Ganz writes. "Direct non-medical costs vary around $10,000 to approximately $16,000 during the first 20 years of life, peak in the 23- to 27-year age range (around $27,500) and then steadily decline to the end of life to around $8,000 in the last age group. Indirect costs also display a similar pattern, decreasing from around $43,000 in early life, peaking at ages 23 to 27 years (around $52,000) and declining through the end of life to $0."

Over an individual's life, lost productivity and other indirect costs make up 59.3 percent of total autism-related costs. Direct medical costs comprise 9.7 percent of total costs; the largest medical cost, behavioral therapy, accounts for 6.5 percent of total costs. Non-medical direct costs such as child care and home modifications comprise 31 percent of total lifetime costs.

Because these costs are incurred by different segments of society at different points in an autistic patient's life, a detailed understanding of these expenses could help planners, policymakers and families make decisions about autism care and treatment, Dr. Ganz notes. "Although autism is typically thought of as a disorder of childhood, its costs can be felt well into adulthood," he concludes. "These results may imply that physicians and other care professionals should consider recommending that parents of children with autism seek financial counseling to help plan for the transition into adulthood."

(Arch Pediatric Adolesc Med. 2007;161:343-349).

Autism Speaks: Will Anyone Listen?

 By David Kirby on the Huffington.com Blog

      Two years ago, Bob Wright, then president of NBC Universal, and his wife Suzanne founded the blockbuster charity Autism Speaks, after their perfectly normal grandson, Christian, developed the disorder and stopped speaking.

      The Wrights could easily have kept quiet about it, like so many prominent families do, and hid behind well-funded walls of secrecy and privacy.

      But instead, they bravely chose to speak out about a devastating illness that now claims one in 150 American kids -- 80 percent of them boys.

      Since then, the Wrights have raised tens of millions of dollars for research, much of it earmarked to find the gene or genes that "cause" autism spectrum disorders.

      While no one disputes that autism has a genetic underpinning, there is still a fierce debate over the potential role of environmental influences, particularly mercury, and very particularly, mercury in vaccines.

      Many in the upper echelons of Autism Speaks have rejected any environmental hypothesis and insisted that autism is purely a genetic disorder -- though Bob and Suzanne Wright (and the organization itself) remain officially neutral on this crucial question.

      But now, Christian is getting better, and that wonderful news could change everything.

      Why? Because "genetic" disorders don't typically improve on their own. And little Christian, the child who inspired Autism Speaks, has started to speak again. Will Autism Speaks listen? On Tuesday Christian's mom, Katie, posted an entry on Yahoo's EOH List (named after my book, "Evidence of Harm" at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/EOHarm) that minced not a word: "I believe that Christian's regression and subsequent autism was the result of receiving 6 vaccines during 1 office visit at 2 months of age," she wrote. "He screamed for 12 hours and had a 104 degree fever nearly the entire time. His vaccines contained thimerosal," the mercury-based preservative.

      "It is devastating," she added, "because so much of this is preventable."

      Since then, Katie said, she and her husband took Christian to doctors belonging to a group called Defeat Autism Now, or DAN. "DAN! Doctors" believe that mercury and other environmental factors are what triggered most cases of autism, and have developed a controversial protocol of "biomedical interventions" aimed at removing heavy metals from autistic children and trying to repair some of the metabolic damage they may have caused.

      "He's definitely getting better," Katie told me by phone. "He was a very sick kid, with an extended gut and inflamed intestines. We couldn't do anything until we got that under control." But once Christian started to improve physically, she said, he also began to get better emotionally, mentally and cognitively.

      When Christian's gut improved, his parents began trying other, still-unproven treatments like dietary changes (no wheat or dairy) chelation therapy (removal of heavy metals from the body) and methyl B-12, which could help restore a critical process called methylation - a needed tool for detoxification and proper nerve function that is apparently deficient in some autistic children.

      "Christian is speaking now, though only when prompted," Katie told me. "His eye contact is returning, and his crying and tantrums have subsided." And she said, "His ability to attend has returned. Now he can sit and do his lessons and learn, whereas before he would just lie down and scream in pain, because his abdomen hurt so much. But he still has a long way to go."

      Perhaps most heartening to Katie is that Christian can now tolerate being in close contact with his brother, something that used to send the boy into screaming fits of anxiety.

      So how will some Autism Speaks officials react to Katie's statements? They could fall back on two recent, but highly inconclusive studies that support the autism-is-genetic paradigm, and continue to reject the environmental hypothesis. But I wouldn't bet on it.

      To begin with, Autism Speaks is already funding research into environmental causes of autism, including studies like: "Genetic Susceptibility to Mercury-induced Immune Dysfunction in Autism" ($120,000); "Do Environmental Factors Play a Role in Autism? A Test Using Natural Experiments" ($80,000); and "Double Hit Hypothesis of Autism: Genetic Susceptibility and Environmental Exposure to Metals," ($120,000).

      Secondly, an excellent article in the current issue of Discover Magazine provides a clear and detailed account of the hitherto derided "biomedical interventions" (based on the premise that environmental toxins like mercury sparked the illness) that seem to be helping Christian and so many other kids. Author Jill Neimark "really nailed the environmental factors argument regarding how autism is triggered," Katie wrote on the EOH list. "I hope more journalists follow (her) example."

Editor’s Note: David is one of the featured speakers at the TACA 5^th Annual Autism & Medical Breakthroughs. Come join us!

By Sue Corrigan, Mail on Sunday, UK. http://tinyurl.com/ctrqp

A former Government medical officer responsible for deciding whether medicines are safe has accused the Government of "utterly inexplicable complacency" over the MMR triple vaccine for children. Dr Peter Fletcher, who was Chief Scientific Officer at the Department of Health, said if it is proven that the jab causes autism, "the refusal by governments to evaluate the risks properly will make this one of the greatest scandals in medical history".

He added that after agreeing to be an expert witness on drug-safety trials for parents' lawyers, he had received and studied thousands of documents relating to the case which he believed the public had a right to see.

He said he has seen a "steady accumulation of evidence" from scientists worldwide that the measles, mumps and rubella jab is causing brain damage in certain children.

But he added: "There are very powerful people in positions of great authority in Britain and elsewhere who have staked their reputations and careers on the safety of MMR and they are willing to do almost anything to protect themselves."

His warning follows reports that the Government is this week planning to announce the addition of a jab against pneumococcal meningitis for babies, probably from next April. It is also considering flu jabs for under-twos - not to protect the children, but adults they may infect.
In the late Seventies, Dr Fletcher served as Chief Scientific Officer at the DoH and Medical Assessor to the Committee on Safety of Medicines, meaning he was responsible for deciding if new vaccines were safe.

He first expressed concerns about MMR in 2001, saying safety trials before the vaccine's introduction in Britain were inadequate. Now he says the theoretical fears he raised appear to be becoming reality.
He said the rising tide of autism cases and growing scientific understanding of autism-related bowel disease have convinced him the MMR vaccine may be to blame.

"Clinical and scientific data is steadily accumulating that the live measles virus in MMR can cause brain, gut and immune system damage in a subset of vulnerable children," he said. "There's no one conclusive piece of scientific evidence, no 'smoking gun', because there very rarely is when adverse drug reactions are first suspected. When vaccine damage in very young children is involved, it is harder to prove the links.

"But it is the steady accumulation of evidence, from a number of respected universities, teaching hospitals and laboratories around the world, that matters here. There's far too much to ignore. Yet government health authorities are, it seems, more than happy to do so."

'Why isn't the Government taking this massive public health problem more seriously?'
Dr Fletcher said he found "this official complacency utterly inexplicable" in the light of an explosive worldwide increase in regressive autism and inflammatory bowel disease in children, which was first linked to the live measles virus in the MMR jab by clinical researcher Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998.

"When scientists first raised fears of a possible link between mad cow disease and an apparently new, variant form of CJD they had detected in just 20 or 30 patients, everybody panicked and millions of cows were slaughtered," said Dr Fletcher.

"Yet there has been a tenfold increase in autism and related forms of brain damage over the past 15 years, roughly coinciding with MMR's introduction, and an extremely worrying increase in childhood inflammatory bowel diseases and immune disorders such as diabetes, and no one in authority will even admit it's happening, let alone try to investigate the causes."

He said there was "no way" the tenfold leap in autistic children could be the result of better recognition and definitional changes, as claimed by health authorities.

"It is highly likely that at least part of this increase is a vaccine related problem." he said. "But whatever it is, why isn't the Government taking this massive public health problem more seriously?"

His outspokenness will infuriate health authorities, who have spent millions of pounds shoring up confidence in MMR since Dr Wakefield's 1998 statement.

But Dr Fletcher said the Government is undermining public confidence in vaccine safety by refusing to do in-depth clinical research to rule out fears of MMR damage to children.

He added that the risks of brain and gut damage from MMR injections seem to be much higher in children where a brother or sister has diabetes, an immune disorder.

"That is a very strong clinical signal that some children are immunologically at risk from MMR," he said. "Why is the Government not investigating it further - diverting some of the millions of pounds spent on advertising and PR campaigns to promote MMR uptake into detailed clinical research instead?"

Now retired after a distinguished 40-year career in science and medicine in Britain, Europe and the US, Dr Fletcher said that without such research, health authorities could not possibly rule out fears about MMR.

He said: "It is entirely possible that the immune systems of a small minority simply cannot cope with the challenge of the three live viruses in the MMR jab, and the ever-increasing vaccine load in general."

He said he had decided to speak out because of his deep concern at the lack of treatment for autistic children with bowel disease, as revealed in The Mail on Sunday two weeks ago.

He called the sudden termination of legal aid to parents of allegedly vaccine-damaged children in late 2003 "a monstrous injustice". After agreeing to be a witness for the parents, he received thousands of documents relating to the case.

"Now, it seems, unless the parents force the Government to restore legal aid, much of this revealing evidence may never come out," he said.

The Department of Health said: "MMR remains the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella. It is recognised by the World Health Organisation as having an outstanding safety record and there is a wealth of evidence showing children who receive the MMR vaccine are no more at risk of autism than those who don't."

Dr. Kartzinel has resigned from Thoughtful House and is relocating to sunny Florida. He is joining Dr. Julie Buckley's practice in Florida. On behalf of the Board of Directors and senior staff at Thoughtful House, we wish him well in this transition.

A letter was sent from Dr. Kartzinel to all of his current patients with his updated contact and practice information. For those patients that wish to remain at Thoughtful House, care may be transferred to Dr. Bryan Jepson at the Medical Center at Thoughtful House. This would be a seamless transition as Dr. Jepson will have full access to the records and continues to work in collaboration with Dr. Krigsman, Kelly Barnhill, CCN, as well as the research staff at Thoughtful House. To do this, please send an email to intake@thoughtfulhouse.org with your child's name and your contact information.

Many thanks,

Anissa J. Ryland, Director of Operations
Thoughtful House Center for Children
Phone 512.732.8400
Fax 512.732.8353

NEW contact information for Dr. Jerry Kartzinel:

Dr. Jerry will now be practicing with Dr. Julie Buckley in their Florida office. For contact information please see:

Nursing issues: please contact either Barbara (yes, the Barbara, for those who have been with me for a while!) or Brooke, at nurse@pppvonline.com 

Scheduling appointments: please call the office at, (904) 543-1288 or email Laurie@pppvonline.com

New Office address:
Pediatric Partners of Ponte Vedra
5270 Palm Valley Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Phone: 904-543-1288  Fax: 904-543-1289

Note: Dr Jerry Kartzinel will continue his trips out to California. The next patient trip is being planned for the April/May timeframe. Please contact his office for details. Please note, there is a long wait list for California visits.

Open House Celebration for California Integrative Hyperbaric Center

A day of Fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Come meet the physicians involved such as Jerry Kartzinel MD, Bob Sears, MD, & Chitra Bhatka MD & more. Family friendly activities include: Music, food & fun for children of all ages. California Integrative Hyperbaric Center full service center offering HBOT, Speech, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Auditory Integration Training, Social Groups, Play Therapy, Nutritional Services, & Cooking Classes for Special Diets.

April 29, Sunday
No Charge 11 am – 5 pm
16251 Laguna Canyon Rd., Suite 175,  Irvine, CA
For more information:
Shannon Kenitz www.wisconsinhyperbarics.com skenitz@ihausa.org 949-428-8878

More about the California Integrative Hyperbaric Center: “A Place of Grace”

On Monday April 2^nd, California will be getting a new center that specializes in the treatment of Autism and other Neurological disorders.

California Integrative Hyperbaric Center located in Irvine will open its doors to the Autism Community. The Center will have specialized treatment and physicians that are dedicated to working with families with children of Autism. The center was created because of one mother’s fight to save her daughter’s life and to have a center that would have all the treatments in one place under one roof to ease the stress that families encounter when seeking treatment for their kids.

The Center offers many treatment modalities such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Intensive Suit Therapy, Speech Therapy,  Traditional Occupational and Physical Therapy services, Nutritional Services, Play therapy, Social skills groups, Auditory Integration training, cooking for special diets and parent support groups.

The Center is uniquely designed to support the families who are treating in the center and to make them feel that they are at home. They have a state of the Art Sensory play room for patients and their families as well as a full kitchen that is stocked with complimentary snacks and treats that are specific for all types of diets.

It is their goal to bring specialist from around the world to families in California who may not otherwise be able to see them.  One of those specialists is Jerry Kartzinel MD who will be seeing patients at this location along with Bob Sears MD, Chitra Bhakta MD and other Specialist in the Autism and Community.  It is also the goal of “A Place of Grace” to make sure that the whole family is taken care of. It is a place where people come together as strangers but leave as family. 

Positions are available at this new clinic – from Speech Pathologist to Occupational Therapists and more. “Visiting” Vendor relationships for providing services at this new clinic -

For more information: Send resume or contact Amanda Houdek  ahoudek@wisconsinhyperbarics.com, fax to 608.278.4268 

• RSVP by April 20th
• bring a guest
• bring orders from friends, family, work, and place your own order that day - for each $50 in orders
• schedule your own spa class to be held before June 15th - We will donate $25 in your nameto TACA when your party is held. Receive 5 tickets.
• visit, learn, readsomething about Autism - go to www.tacanow.org and read the articles in the newsletters
• many more ways to be added
• purchase tickets

Some of the gifts to be given away will be a special basket filled with a "pamper me" attitude, Sweet N Smooth, our new Green Tea products, travel packs, gift certificates and discounts of 10%, 15%, 20% off an entire order. We will be donating 20% off all orders placed that day and 100% of all ticket sales to TACA. You do not need to be present to win or to place your order though we will have special incentives for those that do attend. Orders must be placed with us by phone, email or in person in order to participate in this fundraiser

This fun event will be held at Tracey's home, 2622 E. Maverick, Anaheim, CA 92806. The Open House will be from 1:30 to 4:30 with festive appetizers and drink. Pease RSVP so we have enough and you earn the extra tickets!

Sincerely,
Jamie Davis (562) 431-1866 Tracey Hengehold (714) 420-4842
Independent Representatives of Sensaria Natural Bodycare

“Strength Through Stories" featuring TACA’s very own LA Co-Coordinator, Julia Berle, interviewing JB Handley, co-founder of Generation Rescue

See videos of children on the spectrum who have recovered.

Here is your first fun one to watch

Thanks Stan, “the TACA LA co-coordinator man!”

Researchers are currently conducting a nationwide survey investigating the effects of caregiving on families affected by autism and Asperger’s syndrome. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. Please feel free to forward this link to families you know who are affected by Autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Please answer each of the questions. The survey may be accessed at the following link:  

www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=705923072607

Dear Fellow Parent and Adults with ASD,

I want to tell you about a new area of research derived from technical breakthroughs of California researchers.  Dr. Philip Schwartz at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has been successful in establishing nerve cell cultures from tiny sections of post mortem brain tissue of donors with Rett and Fragile X syndromes.  The Autism Tissue Program would like to have a similar research resource from brain donors with autism.

The opportunity to study autism donor-derived brain cells in culture would bring brain tissue research to new levels by defining the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of brain cell development and maturation.  I want to note that this process does not use embryos as a source of tissue; these cells will mature to the various types of brain cells with the addition of specific growth factors.  Cells would be available for study by an unlimited number of scientists for studies to understand how this disorder affects the brain.  This resource would provide the first opportunity to examine treatment strategies on living cells since replicate dishes of cells can be used to test targeted therapeutic drugs. The rest of the donated brain becomes part of the neuropathology resource of the Autism Tissue Program for studies by investigators worldwide.   

As the mother of a beloved son with autism, I experience the ongoing anxiety, frustration and stress of dealing with autism.  As difficult as it is for my family to confront the possibility death for him, we decided that if the time comes, his brain will be donated for research. Our family made this decision to try in some small way to help unlock the mystery of autism for children.  I urge you to consider brain donation for research too. 

To plan to donate brain tissue in the event of death, please register online at www.MemoriesofHope.org or call the Autism Tissue Program at 1-877-333-0999. Family members in Southern California will be put in contact with Dr. Schwartz who will make all the necessary arrangements for brain donation. It is important to note that donating the brain will not interfere with any funeral arrangements, including viewing. The Autism Tissue Program will cover expenses related to the donation. If you have questions about post mortem neural progenitor cells, please call the Autism Tissue Program at 877-333-0999 and ask for Connie or email her at csfrenzel@gmail.com.

Brain donation is a highly personal decision that has the power to accelerate research and transform the lives of countless families affected by autism. I wish you and your families well. 

Sincerely, 

Connie Frenzel, RN MS 
Autism Tissue Program Outreach Coordinator 

Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Place: Institute for Progressive Medicine

Discover what thousands of couples have learned about natural treatments to improve fertility, optimize pregnancy and birth babies who grow to be healthier children. 

Come find out what YOU can do to increase your chance of a healthy conception, pregnancy, birth and baby.

You will learn:

• Practical tools for both partners to optimize the health of their sperm, eggs and fetus.
• What the scientific literature shows about environmental toxins and the effects on fertility.
• Natural treatments to decrease your risk of miscarriage.
• Fertility enhancing natural treatment modalities that are based on scientific research.
• How you can begin to implement these tools TODAY!

Julie M. Kahn, N.D., L.Ac.
Institute for Progressive Medicine, 4 Hughes #175, Irvine, CA 92618
Tel. 949.600.5100, Fax 949.600.5101, www.iprogressivemed.com

In this presentation, Carol Clark will:

Introduce   -  Reading and the Latest Brain Research

Detail      -       The 5 Components of Reading

Teach     -        Activities Parents can do with Children to Improve Reading

Present    -      Warning Signs of Dyslexia in Children & Adults

Carol Clark is the Executive Director of The Prentice School in Santa Ana. She is an adjunct professor for the University of San Diego where she trains teachers in the use of the Slingerland Approach methods for teaching dyslexic children.

Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Place: Institute for Progressive Medicine

Come and learn the effects on living in today’s modern world on women’s hormonal health.  We are living in a sea of compounds that have serious effects on our hormones, fertility and overall health. 

Discover what YOU can do to protect yourself and your family from the toxic environment that we live in, including:

• Natural treatments to protect yourself from toxins in your home, food, water.
• How to identify estrogen mimics and minimize your exposure
• Practical tips for detoxification and optimal metabolism of hormonal disruptors
• The role of radiation on your health and what to do about it
• How to create a toxic free home for your family

Julie M. Kahn, N.D., L.Ac.
Institute for Progressive Medicine, 4 Hughes #175, Irvine, CA 92618
Tel. 949.600.5100, Fax 949.600.5101, www.iprogressivemed.com

Join us for our Open House!

Wednesday, April 25th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

Program presentations, student demonstrations, activities for children, and refreshments.

Presentation Times: 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Come and enjoy the Magic of Learning!

Call today for more information and to RSVP:

949.252.9275

4100 Campus Drive, Ste. 100, Newport Beach, CA 92660 www.LindamoodBell.com

You are cordially invited to attend.

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway
All proceeds benefiting Talk About Curing Autism
$40 each ticket
For more information, contact Jeanne at HBMC

Scrumptious BBQ, Face Painting, Crafts, Entertainment, Prizes (including Tickets to Local Theme Parks), Star Wars Characters...            

RSVP (818) 662-8847 with # attending and # requesting GFCF food.

Date:  Saturday, May 12th, 2007, 12 noon to 3 p.m.

Cost:  Free for FAA Members!  Admission for non-members:  $7 for Adults, $5 for Children (age 3-12)

Location:  Lower Scholl Canyon Park, 2847 East Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA

Contact:  Sherrie Vamos

Web page:  www.foothillautism.org

Email:  info@foothillautism.org

Phone:  818-662-8847

The Listening Center, Fountain Valley

Free Talk for those interested in and parents of children with autism, ADD, ADHD and auditory processing disorders

Learn about The Tomatis Method, a listening therapy widely practiced in Europe that helps remediate learning problems associated with autism, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADD), ADHD and auditory processing disorders.

Dr. Deborah Swain, former Chief of the Speech Pathology Department at the  University of California at Davis Medical Center will discuss the various types of learning, focus and attention problems and how to treat these challenges with listening therapies.

Date, Time & Location: Thursday, May 17, 2007, from 6-7 p.m.

10231 Slater Ave. Suite 21, Fountain Valley.

There's no charge for the event, but please RSVP by calling 714-962-2030.

For information:  www.thelisteningcenter.net 

Wednesday, May 23 – Sunday, May 27
Westin O'Hare Hotel, Rosemont, IL
www.AutismOne.org

Autism One 2007 brings the experience, vision and knowledge together in Roadmap of Recovery with over 120 of the world's leading experts, workshops, pre-conference programs, plus a host of other initiatives to help you become your child's most effective healer and advocate.

You have questions. We have answers: Answers across five disciplines, because autism affects every facet of your child's life: Biomedical Treatments; Education Therapies; Complementary Medicine; Adolescence & Adulthood; and Government/Legal Issues.

Join the conversation: Learn and lend your voice in the workshops and roundtable discussions. Attend the pre-conference days and become an expert in family health, special diets, and IEPs. Request a mentor mom and get help 24/7. Visit the Arts Festival and reconnect to the joy of life and marvel at our children's artistry.

The most far-reaching and comprehensive autism conference internationally, Autism One is a parent-driven charity dedicated to the care, treatment and recovery of all children with autism. There is only
one Autism One and it happens once a year, in Chicago.

Be educated and inspired Wednesday, May 23 – Sunday, May 27 and discover your Roadmap to Recovery.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.

My Best,
Ed Arranga
714.680.0792
www.AutismOne.org
earranga@autismone.org

Editor’s note: Many TACA families travel to the Windy City for this amazing conference. It is worth the trip!