I thought I'd share...

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-1998
I thought I'd share...
8
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 12:02pm

the letter I wrote to the newspaper editor today. I wrote a similar one last year, and it will likely be published again:


One in 150 children are being diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Think you haven't seen it?


You may have seen it in the child having a tantrum in the grocery aisle. Or the child who always plays alone at the playground. Maybe the child in the restaurant who can't understand why his order didn't come with the adults' appetizers. Or the child at your church who repeats favorite phrases. Or the grocery bagger who doesn't make casual chit chat.


Take the time this month, Autism Awareness Month, to get to know more about autism and what it might look like. Your neighbor, family member, or acquaintance may be one of those in 150 who deserves your understanding.


Learn more at www.autism-society.org.


 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 3:02pm

Red


this is a great idea, to raise people's awareness to autism


we just had a visit this week from an old friend whose 10 yr old son has autism. she faces a difficult decision over which school to choose for next year for him


we donate to her pet charity "Autism speaks" http://www.autismspeaks.org/


I have found that 3 of the most significant books I have ever read , concerned autism:


"Sonrise" by Barry Neil Kaufman..I read this back in the 70's I think..it influenced me on how I treated my own kids and students even w/o autism


also "Born on a Blue Day" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog at Midnight"


a close friend is a Special Ed teacher and she has become an expert on dealing with kids with autism...


I almost was a translator at a conference on autism last Fall..one speaker's topic dealt with toxins ,foods , allergies, and high lead results in kids with autism


best of luck

Dutch



Dutch

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-1998
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 3:20pm

I've read 2 of those books, and many others as well. There are a lot of good ones out there. (It's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" BTW, and I LOVE that book! I recommend it to everybody).


I am taking my grandson --who lives with autism-- to the symphony next weekend. Musical instruments are his latest obsession. It should be interesting. I'll report how that goes.


Red


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 5:10pm

yes there was another I read "Animals in Translation" by Temple Grandin, a college professor who is autistic herself


Capitalize on whatever he loves!! yay!


my friends son obesses about trains...they have them all over, including a track that runs around his room! on the wall


enjoy the symphony


how blessed is he to have you in his life!!!


hugs

Dutch



Dutch

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-1998
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 5:37pm

Oh, Yes! Hunter has been on a train kick for at least 4 years now. Especially the Thomas the Tank Engine trains. I've heard that it's because the train characters have very plain faces that don't show a lot of subtle expression, but very obvious ones that make more sense to those with autism.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 7:09pm

I recall kids on the spectrum are very interested in things with wheels..cars..etc......trains..wheels and tracks...tracing routes..repetition?


here is a message board discussion I found:


http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11839&get=last


Dutch

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 04-08-2009 - 8:11pm

HI Red


Thanks for posting this. I have seen the things you mention and probably before I got to know you didn't really realize what the problem with those children or people might be. You have really help my awareness on this problem.


Love


                          &n
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sat, 04-11-2009 - 6:52pm
Thank you Red!!

       


 


                              &n

Avatar for cl_campmum_of3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 04-15-2009 - 7:49pm

Red thank you for posting this!