article about child who has autism will be appearing in the Miami Herald next Thursday, Friday,or Sunday

[Guest guest]

Craig London wrote: I wrote to the Herald and the SunSenntinel about this event that occured last weekend. The Miami Herald will be writing about the story in 2 weekends from now. Our family was sad about this event that took place. On Saturday, I went with my family of twin boys who are 4 and my 6 year old son down to Miami to visit their grandparents. We live in coral springs and our children have been diagnosed with autism. This is our world and we wanted a break. We had dinner at the Aventura Mall and then when we finished we took the children to play on the indoor

playground. We were having a great time. The only problem was that there was a rule "Socks On the Indoor Playground." One of the twins has sensory issues and for some reason, wanted to leave his socks off. I tried several times to have him put his socks on. I even showed the "playground manager" how we were trying. I explained, which I hate doing that he is special needs. But, for the manager that was not good enough.Then I explained that he has autism, that he doesn't understand what you are asking him to do. He just did not want to wear his sock. Socks and sneakers were a no no on this playground or being barefoot was also a no no. Finally, he just played without socks. The "playground manger" had a problem with this and said I would have to take my son off the playground. My son was not hurting anyone, he was very happy. I said that was discrimination. My whole family was very upset about

this. I really didn't think this was fair over socks, especially when there were other adults on the playground and 2 older children without socks. No one was complaining and it was a unique situation. It's hard to constantly have to explain or be put in a situation to explain or apologize when your children have this disorder. Next, sadly the playground manager called mall security and they asked me and my son to leave the playground. Before I left, I asked the mall manager if there was child in a wheel chair who wanted to come in an socialize, would you ask them to leave too? He stated, "Yes." I think that this is very sad. What would happen if other children wanted to go on the playground and they had autism with a sensory disorder and just wanted to play with socks off. Would they be asked to leave too? Would a child who has cerebral palsy be asked to leave? Isn't this discrimination. How can this be stopped for children who have

special needs. Shouldn't the community know about what the mall is doing? I have a feeling the Aventura Mall doesn't even know that this took place.Thank you so much for your support and I hope that the media can contiue to bring awareness to this disorder. I hope that with my sad story that had me in tears last night would be interesting enough for you to bring out to the public. Yours truly, Debi London Constituent's Corner: While You Were Living column #28To: Muñoz CONSTITUENTS' CORNER: WHILE YOU WERE LIVING By: Bruce A. Blitman, Esquire Constituency Board Member for Broward County With the hassles and stresses of daily living, it is almost impossible to keep up with what's going on in the world of autism and related disabilities. In the

twenty-eighth installment of this column, I will continue to share some new information about things I've watched on television and read about in the news. 1. AUTISM TREATMENT NETWORK TO TRIPLE IN SIZE: Autism Speaks announced that its Autism Treatment Network (ATN) would triple in size, expanding from five sites to fifteen sites across the United States and Canada. The ATN is a group of hospitals and medical centers dedicated to improving medical care for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to standardizing the care those individuals receive. The network aims to develop common clinical standards for medical care for individuals with ASD and to increase the pool of autism medical specialists through trainee mentorship and outreach to community-based physicians. 2. AUTISM SPEAKS FILES AMICUS BRIEF WITH U.S.

SUPREME COURT TO PROTECT "STAY PUT": Autism Speaks, through its Federal Legal Appeals Project (FLAP), filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to support the appeal bid of Florida triplets with autism who had been receiving services under Florida's Early Intervention program, but were denied "pendency" by their local school district when a dispute arose concerning the adequacy of the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that the school district offered to the children. Pendency, sometimes referred to as "stay put", is a statutory protection that operates to maintain the educational status quo and prevent lapses in services. 3. MS. JAIMEE SCHULSON PREPARING SENIOR THESIS ON EMERGING ADULTHOOD AND THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM: e is a college senior at New College of Florida in Sarasota. She is currently researching her senior thesis on how the transition to adulthood is experienced by individuals with

High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and how their experiences compare with those of typical emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25. The purpose of her study is to explore the distinct features of emerging adulthood in those with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome to see if they experience this developmental period and, if so, how does it compare with those experiences of typical emerging adults. e is looking for individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 who would be interested in participating in her study. Participation will most likely involve completing a survey about their perceptions of their adulthood, and their present life views and experiences during transition to adulthood. Anyone interested in this study can contact e for more information at: e Schulson, New College of Florida, 5800 Bay Shore Road, Box 784, Sarasota, Florida 34243 Telephone: or e-mail her at: e.Schulson@.... 4. COOPER CITY EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS: The program is set to music and includes moderate to active head-to-toe movements. Exercises are performed standing, bending and sitting on mats. Participants must be fairly indedpendent and able to follow simple and basic instructions, for ages 16 and older with developmental disabilities. This program is held on Thursdays, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST at Piccolo Park, 9501 Sheridan Street, City, Florida. To Preregister for this program, please call . 5. SKATER WITH AUTISM PERFORMED AT "THE MUSIC OF SEAL ON ICE": Krista Kellner, a teenage figure skater with autism, performed as part of "The Music of Seal On Ice." Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Seal

performed live while a cast of skaters including Olympic gold medalists Kristi Yamaguchi and Boitano, plus other world and national champion skaters, interpreted the music on ice. The event took place on December 18, 2007 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. and was televised on NBC on New Year's Day. $5.00 from every ticket sold was donated to Autism Speaks. 6. AUTISTIC STUDENTS MIGHT GET MORE HELP: An article by reporter Kathleen McGrory published in the December 19, 2007 issue of The Miami Herald reports that extra support may soon be on the way for the hundreds of autistic children in the Miami-Dade public school system. After three months of meetings, the district's Autism Task Force issued its recommendations on how to better serve students with the disorder. The task force offered more than two dozen recommendations, which include: (1) Implementing a parent liaison in schools with autistic

students. The parent liaison would welcome new families to the school, hold meeting and help new parents find community resources; (2) Increasing the number of staffing specialists and autism support teachers; and (3) Increasing access to schools of choice and summer-school programs. In Miami-Dade, more than 1,800 students have been identified as autistic. An additional 2,400 students in Broward County public schools have the disorder. Although some of the recommendations would come at no cost to the district, finding the money for the more costly proposals could present a challenge. The task force has not determined the cost of implementing the recommendations. 7. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI GENOMICS INSTITUTE OPENS: In November, 2007, the husband and wife team of Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance and Dr. Jeffery Vance, leaders of the UM Genomics Institute, watched as their research building opened. The Institute will focus on the genetic

origins of multiple sclerosis, age-related macular degeneration, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), tuberculosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, as well as cardiovascular disease, neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer. I will continue to use this column to exchange information and ideas about autism and related disabilities. I can really use your help. If you read an interesting book, article or magazine which discusses new developments relating to autism research, or watch a television show, documentary or movie with an autism-related theme, please let me know about it, so I can share this information with our fellow constituents. Thank you for your continued support of CARD. You can send your information via e-mail to: Bruce A. Blitman at my e-mail address which is: BABmediate@...

or call me at . Thanks for your assistance. Best wishes for continued good health, happiness, success and hope. I hope you and your families have a New Year filled with Good Health, Prosperity and Peace. concor28 *If you would like to be added to our email list or if you would like to be removed from our email list, please send an email to:

jamunoz@... UM-NSU CARD is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and related disabilities including deaf-blindness and pervasive developmental disorders. UM-NSU CARD does not endorse specific programs or points of view presented in this email.-- ACE Chair

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Craig London wrote: Dear Marla, Yes. I contacted the television stations. Channel seven was very interested in the story, and they were ready to do a 15 minute interview with my family for tv. They even e-mailed me to contact them about a time when we could meet. Then, the story was dropped a day later. It is strange. At least the Miami Herald found it interesting, and it will be published next week. Thanks so much for your support. Debi London Constituent's Corner: While You Were Living column #28To: Muñoz <jamunozmiami (DOT) edu> CONSTITUENTS' CORNER: WHILE YOU WERE LIVING By: Bruce A. Blitman, Esquire Constituency Board Member for Broward County With the hassles and stresses of daily living, it is almost impossible to keep up with what's going on in the world of autism and related disabilities. In the twenty-eighth installment of this column, I will continue to share some new information about things I've watched on television and read about in the news. 1. AUTISM TREATMENT NETWORK TO TRIPLE IN SIZE: Autism Speaks announced that its Autism Treatment Network (ATN) would triple in size, expanding from five sites to fifteen sites across the United States and Canada. The ATN is a group of hospitals and medical centers dedicated to improving medical care for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to standardizing the care those individuals receive. The network aims to develop common clinical standards for medical care for individuals with ASD and to increase the pool of autism medical specialists through trainee mentorship and outreach to community-based physicians. 2. AUTISM SPEAKS FILES AMICUS BRIEF WITH U.S. SUPREME COURT TO PROTECT "STAY PUT": Autism Speaks, through its Federal Legal Appeals Project (FLAP), filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to support the appeal

bid of Florida triplets with autism who had been receiving services under Florida's Early Intervention program, but were denied "pendency" by their local school district when a dispute arose concerning the adequacy of the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that the school district offered to the children. Pendency, sometimes referred to as "stay put", is a statutory protection that operates to maintain the educational status quo and prevent lapses in services. 3. MS. JAIMEE SCHULSON PREPARING SENIOR THESIS ON EMERGING ADULTHOOD AND THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM: e is a college senior at New College of Florida in Sarasota. She is currently researching her senior thesis on how the transition to adulthood is experienced by individuals with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and how their experiences compare with those of typical emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25. The purpose of her study is to

explore the distinct features of emerging adulthood in those with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome to see if they experience this developmental period and, if so, how does it compare with those experiences of typical emerging adults. e is looking for individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 who would be interested in participating in her study. Participation will most likely involve completing a survey about their perceptions of their adulthood, and their present life views and experiences during transition to adulthood. Anyone interested in this study can contact e for more information at: e Schulson, New College of Florida, 5800 Bay Shore Road, Box 784, Sarasota, Florida 34243 Telephone: or e-mail her at: e.Schulsonncf (DOT) edu. 4. COOPER CITY EXERCISE

PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS: The program is set to music and includes moderate to active head-to-toe movements. Exercises are performed standing, bending and sitting on mats. Participants must be fairly indedpendent and able to follow simple and basic instructions, for ages 16 and older with developmental disabilities. This program is held on Thursdays, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST at Piccolo Park, 9501 Sheridan Street, City, Florida. To Preregister for this program, please call . 5. SKATER WITH AUTISM PERFORMED AT "THE MUSIC OF SEAL ON ICE": Krista Kellner, a teenage figure skater with autism, performed as part of "The Music of Seal On Ice." Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Seal performed live while a cast of skaters including Olympic gold medalists Kristi Yamaguchi and Boitano, plus other world and national champion skaters, interpreted the music on ice. The event

took place on December 18, 2007 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. and was televised on NBC on New Year's Day. $5.00 from every ticket sold was donated to Autism Speaks. 6. AUTISTIC STUDENTS MIGHT GET MORE HELP: An article by reporter Kathleen McGrory published in the December 19, 2007 issue of The Miami Herald reports that extra support may soon be on the way for the hundreds of autistic children in the Miami-Dade public school system. After three months of meetings, the district's Autism Task Force issued its recommendations on how to better serve students with the disorder. The task force offered more than two dozen recommendations, which include: (1) Implementing a parent liaison in schools with autistic students. The parent liaison would welcome new families to the school, hold meeting and help new parents find community resources; (2) Increasing the number of staffing specialists and autism support

teachers; and (3) Increasing access to schools of choice and summer-school programs. In Miami-Dade, more than 1,800 students have been identified as autistic. An additional 2,400 students in Broward County public schools have the disorder. Although some of the recommendations would come at no cost to the district, finding the money for the more costly proposals could present a challenge. The task force has not determined the cost of implementing the recommendations. 7. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI GENOMICS INSTITUTE OPENS: In November, 2007, the husband and wife team of Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance and Dr. Jeffery Vance, leaders of the UM Genomics Institute, watched as their research building opened. The Institute will focus on the genetic origins of multiple sclerosis, age-related macular degeneration, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), tuberculosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, as well as cardiovascular

disease, neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer. I will continue to use this column to exchange information and ideas about autism and related disabilities. I can really use your help. If you read an interesting book, article or magazine which discusses new developments relating to autism research, or watch a television show, documentary or movie with an autism-related theme, please let me know about it, so I can share this information with our fellow constituents. Thank you for your continued support of CARD. You can send your information via e-mail to: Bruce A. Blitman at my e-mail address which is: BABmediateaol or call me at . Thanks for your assistance. Best wishes for continued good health, happiness, success and hope. I hope you and your families have a New Year filled with Good

Health, Prosperity and Peace. concor28 *If you would like to be added to our email list or if you would like to be removed from our email list, please send an email to: jamunozmiami (DOT) edu UM-NSU CARD is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and related disabilities including deaf-blindness and pervasive developmental disorders. UM-NSU CARD does not endorse specific programs or points of view presented in this email.-- ACE Chair Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.7/1232 - Release Date: 1/18/2008 7:32 PM Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Craig London wrote: Dear Marla, Yes. I contacted the television stations. Channel seven was very interested in the story, and they were ready to do a 15 minute interview with my family for tv. They even e-mailed me to contact them about a time when we could meet. Then, the story was dropped a day later. It is strange. At least the Miami Herald found it interesting, and it will be published next week. Thanks so much for your support. Debi London Constituent's Corner: While You Were Living column #28To: Muñoz <jamunozmiami (DOT) edu> CONSTITUENTS' CORNER: WHILE YOU WERE LIVING By: Bruce A. Blitman, Esquire Constituency Board Member for Broward County With the hassles and stresses of daily living, it is almost impossible to keep up with what's going on in the world of autism and related disabilities. In the twenty-eighth installment of this column, I will continue to share some new information about things I've watched on television and read about in the news. 1. AUTISM TREATMENT NETWORK TO TRIPLE IN SIZE: Autism Speaks announced that its Autism Treatment Network (ATN) would triple in size, expanding from five sites to fifteen sites across the United States and Canada. The ATN is a group of hospitals and medical centers dedicated to improving medical care for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to standardizing the care those individuals receive. The network aims to develop common clinical standards for medical care for individuals with ASD and to increase the pool of autism medical specialists through trainee mentorship and outreach to community-based physicians. 2. AUTISM SPEAKS FILES AMICUS BRIEF WITH U.S. SUPREME COURT TO PROTECT "STAY PUT": Autism Speaks, through its Federal Legal Appeals Project (FLAP), filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to support the appeal

bid of Florida triplets with autism who had been receiving services under Florida's Early Intervention program, but were denied "pendency" by their local school district when a dispute arose concerning the adequacy of the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that the school district offered to the children. Pendency, sometimes referred to as "stay put", is a statutory protection that operates to maintain the educational status quo and prevent lapses in services. 3. MS. JAIMEE SCHULSON PREPARING SENIOR THESIS ON EMERGING ADULTHOOD AND THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM: e is a college senior at New College of Florida in Sarasota. She is currently researching her senior thesis on how the transition to adulthood is experienced by individuals with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and how their experiences compare with those of typical emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25. The purpose of her study is to

explore the distinct features of emerging adulthood in those with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome to see if they experience this developmental period and, if so, how does it compare with those experiences of typical emerging adults. e is looking for individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 who would be interested in participating in her study. Participation will most likely involve completing a survey about their perceptions of their adulthood, and their present life views and experiences during transition to adulthood. Anyone interested in this study can contact e for more information at: e Schulson, New College of Florida, 5800 Bay Shore Road, Box 784, Sarasota, Florida 34243 Telephone: or e-mail her at: e.Schulsonncf (DOT) edu. 4. COOPER CITY EXERCISE

PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS: The program is set to music and includes moderate to active head-to-toe movements. Exercises are performed standing, bending and sitting on mats. Participants must be fairly indedpendent and able to follow simple and basic instructions, for ages 16 and older with developmental disabilities. This program is held on Thursdays, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST at Piccolo Park, 9501 Sheridan Street, City, Florida. To Preregister for this program, please call . 5. SKATER WITH AUTISM PERFORMED AT "THE MUSIC OF SEAL ON ICE": Krista Kellner, a teenage figure skater with autism, performed as part of "The Music of Seal On Ice." Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Seal performed live while a cast of skaters including Olympic gold medalists Kristi Yamaguchi and Boitano, plus other world and national champion skaters, interpreted the music on ice. The event

took place on December 18, 2007 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. and was televised on NBC on New Year's Day. $5.00 from every ticket sold was donated to Autism Speaks. 6. AUTISTIC STUDENTS MIGHT GET MORE HELP: An article by reporter Kathleen McGrory published in the December 19, 2007 issue of The Miami Herald reports that extra support may soon be on the way for the hundreds of autistic children in the Miami-Dade public school system. After three months of meetings, the district's Autism Task Force issued its recommendations on how to better serve students with the disorder. The task force offered more than two dozen recommendations, which include: (1) Implementing a parent liaison in schools with autistic students. The parent liaison would welcome new families to the school, hold meeting and help new parents find community resources; (2) Increasing the number of staffing specialists and autism support

teachers; and (3) Increasing access to schools of choice and summer-school programs. In Miami-Dade, more than 1,800 students have been identified as autistic. An additional 2,400 students in Broward County public schools have the disorder. Although some of the recommendations would come at no cost to the district, finding the money for the more costly proposals could present a challenge. The task force has not determined the cost of implementing the recommendations. 7. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI GENOMICS INSTITUTE OPENS: In November, 2007, the husband and wife team of Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance and Dr. Jeffery Vance, leaders of the UM Genomics Institute, watched as their research building opened. The Institute will focus on the genetic origins of multiple sclerosis, age-related macular degeneration, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), tuberculosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, as well as cardiovascular

disease, neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer. I will continue to use this column to exchange information and ideas about autism and related disabilities. I can really use your help. If you read an interesting book, article or magazine which discusses new developments relating to autism research, or watch a television show, documentary or movie with an autism-related theme, please let me know about it, so I can share this information with our fellow constituents. Thank you for your continued support of CARD. You can send your information via e-mail to: Bruce A. Blitman at my e-mail address which is: BABmediateaol or call me at . Thanks for your assistance. Best wishes for continued good health, happiness, success and hope. I hope you and your families have a New Year filled with Good

Health, Prosperity and Peace. concor28 *If you would like to be added to our email list or if you would like to be removed from our email list, please send an email to: jamunozmiami (DOT) edu UM-NSU CARD is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and related disabilities including deaf-blindness and pervasive developmental disorders. UM-NSU CARD does not endorse specific programs or points of view presented in this email.-- ACE Chair Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.7/1232 - Release Date: 1/18/2008 7:32 PM Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Craig London wrote: Dear Marla, Yes. I contacted the television stations. Channel seven was very interested in the story, and they were ready to do a 15 minute interview with my family for tv. They even e-mailed me to contact them about a time when we could meet. Then, the story was dropped a day later. It is strange. At least the Miami Herald found it interesting, and it will be published next week. Thanks so much for your support. Debi London Constituent's Corner: While You Were Living column #28To: Muñoz <jamunozmiami (DOT) edu> CONSTITUENTS' CORNER: WHILE YOU WERE LIVING By: Bruce A. Blitman, Esquire Constituency Board Member for Broward County With the hassles and stresses of daily living, it is almost impossible to keep up with what's going on in the world of autism and related disabilities. In the twenty-eighth installment of this column, I will continue to share some new information about things I've watched on television and read about in the news. 1. AUTISM TREATMENT NETWORK TO TRIPLE IN SIZE: Autism Speaks announced that its Autism Treatment Network (ATN) would triple in size, expanding from five sites to fifteen sites across the United States and Canada. The ATN is a group of hospitals and medical centers dedicated to improving medical care for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to standardizing the care those individuals receive. The network aims to develop common clinical standards for medical care for individuals with ASD and to increase the pool of autism medical specialists through trainee mentorship and outreach to community-based physicians. 2. AUTISM SPEAKS FILES AMICUS BRIEF WITH U.S. SUPREME COURT TO PROTECT "STAY PUT": Autism Speaks, through its Federal Legal Appeals Project (FLAP), filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to support the appeal

bid of Florida triplets with autism who had been receiving services under Florida's Early Intervention program, but were denied "pendency" by their local school district when a dispute arose concerning the adequacy of the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that the school district offered to the children. Pendency, sometimes referred to as "stay put", is a statutory protection that operates to maintain the educational status quo and prevent lapses in services. 3. MS. JAIMEE SCHULSON PREPARING SENIOR THESIS ON EMERGING ADULTHOOD AND THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM: e is a college senior at New College of Florida in Sarasota. She is currently researching her senior thesis on how the transition to adulthood is experienced by individuals with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and how their experiences compare with those of typical emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25. The purpose of her study is to

explore the distinct features of emerging adulthood in those with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome to see if they experience this developmental period and, if so, how does it compare with those experiences of typical emerging adults. e is looking for individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 who would be interested in participating in her study. Participation will most likely involve completing a survey about their perceptions of their adulthood, and their present life views and experiences during transition to adulthood. Anyone interested in this study can contact e for more information at: e Schulson, New College of Florida, 5800 Bay Shore Road, Box 784, Sarasota, Florida 34243 Telephone: or e-mail her at: e.Schulsonncf (DOT) edu. 4. COOPER CITY EXERCISE

PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS: The program is set to music and includes moderate to active head-to-toe movements. Exercises are performed standing, bending and sitting on mats. Participants must be fairly indedpendent and able to follow simple and basic instructions, for ages 16 and older with developmental disabilities. This program is held on Thursdays, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST at Piccolo Park, 9501 Sheridan Street, City, Florida. To Preregister for this program, please call . 5. SKATER WITH AUTISM PERFORMED AT "THE MUSIC OF SEAL ON ICE": Krista Kellner, a teenage figure skater with autism, performed as part of "The Music of Seal On Ice." Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Seal performed live while a cast of skaters including Olympic gold medalists Kristi Yamaguchi and Boitano, plus other world and national champion skaters, interpreted the music on ice. The event

took place on December 18, 2007 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. and was televised on NBC on New Year's Day. $5.00 from every ticket sold was donated to Autism Speaks. 6. AUTISTIC STUDENTS MIGHT GET MORE HELP: An article by reporter Kathleen McGrory published in the December 19, 2007 issue of The Miami Herald reports that extra support may soon be on the way for the hundreds of autistic children in the Miami-Dade public school system. After three months of meetings, the district's Autism Task Force issued its recommendations on how to better serve students with the disorder. The task force offered more than two dozen recommendations, which include: (1) Implementing a parent liaison in schools with autistic students. The parent liaison would welcome new families to the school, hold meeting and help new parents find community resources; (2) Increasing the number of staffing specialists and autism support

teachers; and (3) Increasing access to schools of choice and summer-school programs. In Miami-Dade, more than 1,800 students have been identified as autistic. An additional 2,400 students in Broward County public schools have the disorder. Although some of the recommendations would come at no cost to the district, finding the money for the more costly proposals could present a challenge. The task force has not determined the cost of implementing the recommendations. 7. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI GENOMICS INSTITUTE OPENS: In November, 2007, the husband and wife team of Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance and Dr. Jeffery Vance, leaders of the UM Genomics Institute, watched as their research building opened. The Institute will focus on the genetic origins of multiple sclerosis, age-related macular degeneration, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), tuberculosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, as well as cardiovascular

disease, neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer. I will continue to use this column to exchange information and ideas about autism and related disabilities. I can really use your help. If you read an interesting book, article or magazine which discusses new developments relating to autism research, or watch a television show, documentary or movie with an autism-related theme, please let me know about it, so I can share this information with our fellow constituents. Thank you for your continued support of CARD. You can send your information via e-mail to: Bruce A. Blitman at my e-mail address which is: BABmediateaol or call me at . Thanks for your assistance. Best wishes for continued good health, happiness, success and hope. I hope you and your families have a New Year filled with Good

Health, Prosperity and Peace. concor28 *If you would like to be added to our email list or if you would like to be removed from our email list, please send an email to: jamunozmiami (DOT) edu UM-NSU CARD is a state-funded resource and support program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and related disabilities including deaf-blindness and pervasive developmental disorders. UM-NSU CARD does not endorse specific programs or points of view presented in this email.-- ACE Chair Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.7/1232 - Release Date: 1/18/2008 7:32 PM Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.