Fwd: Autism: Our kids are cognitively exhausted

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From: newsletter@...To: badillo9@... (AT) aol (DOT) comSent: 10/3/2011 8:02:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight TimeSubj: Autism: Our kids are cognitively exhausted

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US Autism & Asperger Association

October 3, 2011

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MySpaceWelcome to USAAA WeeklyNews, an email newsletter that addresses a range of topics on Autism Spectrum Disorders including Asperger's Syndrome.

Advice for a parent who hears those words, "Your child has autism"

Jama Lambert interviewed Dr. C. DeMio at the US Autism & Asperger Association's 5th Annual World conference in the fall of 2010. Dr. DeMio will be presenting at the USAAA 6th Annual World Conference October 27-30, 2011 in Seattle, WA as well as holding a biomedical overview course during the conference.

"What advice can you give to a parent who for the first time hears those words, "your child has autism".

Jama Lambert: What advice can you give to a parent who for the first time hears those words, "your child has autism".Dr. DeMio: "Being a practitioner, I never forget when a person comes to me and their child is newly diagnosed and you get these little toddlers who are supposed to be the little rising star of the family. It's devastating. Your hopes and dreams seem shattered. As a practitioner, it's important for the parents to know that there is hope. They are often told that their child is not going to do well, that they are not going to have a good life. Many of the parents are still told to institutionalize their child, that there is no hope for autism, they will never get better, never function, and a bunch of "nevers", as Theresa Wrangham puts it (they will never talk, never walk, never get out of diapers, never live on their own, never get a job or never go to college). Many people walking around here [at the US Autism & Asperger Association annual conference] are proof that's not true." FULL INTERVIEW

USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington

To leave comments, go to our Blog.

"As a practitioner, it's important for the parents to know that there is hope. Many of the parents are still told to institutionalize their child, that there is no hope for autism. Many people walking around here [at the US Autism & Asperger Association annual conference] are proof that's not true."

Dr. DeMio will be presenting "Beneficial Interventions and Critical Health Challenges in ASD" on Friday, October 28, at the USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington. He will also be a panelist on "The Doctors Who Treat Autism Spectrum Disorders" on Sunday, October 30.

In addition to Dr. DeMio's featured presentation and participation on the Doctor's Panel during the general sessions for the public, Dr. DeMio, along with Dr. Jerry Kartzinel and Dr. Neubrander, will be teaching an extensive one day Biomedical Overview Course for health care practitioners, scientists, professionals, parents and the general public on Sunday, October 30. Seating is limited, so be sure to register online. Dr. DeMio, Dr. Kartzinel and Dr. Neubrander are three of the most respected physicians in the autism community who have treated thousands of individuals with ASD.

Our kids are cognitively exhausted

Jama Lambert interviewed Marlo Payne Thurman at the US Autism & Asperger Association's 5th Annual World conference in the fall of 2010. Marlo will be presenting at the USAAA 6th Annual World Conference October 27-30, 2011 in Seattle, WA.

"What advice do you have for parents on the subject of education for a child who is challenged with autism or Asperger's Syndrome?

Jama Lambert: What advice do you have for parents on the subject of education for a child who is challenged with autism or Asperger's Syndrome? Marlo Payne Thurman: "First, I try to contribute this notion that so many of these kids have a lot more ability and capacity for learning and doing things that we give them credit. There is this underlying unmet cognitive ability. We need to help parents understand that their children have a tremendous amount of potential, but maybe we don't understand or recognize that potential. The more we can do to contribute to help our children get those skills out and find a way to get them to demonstrate their strengths will allow them to work and go to school."

"Second of all, keep the kids rested. We get caught up in multiple therapies and programs. These kids are cognitively exhausted. It takes so much energy just to filter their sensory world that it really makes it hard for them to feel good, rested and relaxed. We don't give them the down time. There is nothing really wrong with taking some time away from people to recuperate. Since we are so concerned with the social piece, we don't give them their down time, their rejuvenation time, and they need more of that than other people because they are tired." FULL INTERVIEW

USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington

To leave comments, go to our Blog.

"Keep the kids rested. We get caught up in multiple therapies and programs. These kids are cognitively exhausted. It takes so much energy just to filter their sensory world that it really makes it hard for them to feel good, rested and relaxed.

Ms. Thurman will be presenting "Continuums of Cognition and Sensory Processing" on Saturday, October 29, at the USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington. She will also be available at the US College Autism Project (US CAP) booth.

Music may be the means of communication

Jama Lambert interviewed Dr. Shore at the US Autism & Asperger Association's 5th Annual World conference in the fall of 2010. Dr. Shore will be presenting at the USAAA 6th Annual World Conference October 27-30, 2011 in Seattle, WA.

"How does music help children communicate?

Jama Lambert: What advice do you have for parents on the subject of education for a child who is challenged with autism or Asperger's Syndrome? In your book, "Beyond the Wall", you have a chapter called music for the child with autism. How does music help the ASD children communicate?Dr. Shore: "A message that I want people to take home from my lecture at the USAAA conference is that there is a myriad of approaches and research should be focused on matching best practice to the needs of children on the autism spectrum. Sometimes I see too much of a focus on one approach being better than another. Really it is that one approach may be better for a particular child at a particular time."

"Music is great for a whole number of reasons. As for communication, I found that for children who seem more severely impacted, and maybe non-verbal, music may be the means of communication. For those children that have some verbal ability, music will help spur that along. For those children whose verbal ability is intact, music may act as sort of organizing carry signal as to manage communication. FULL INTERVIEW

USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington

To leave comments, go to our Blog.

"I found that for children who seem more severely impacted, and maybe non-verbal, music may be the means of communication.

Dr. Shore will be presenting "Obstacles Into Opportunities: Turning Away From Closed Doors and Opening Up New Ones" on Friday, October 28, at the USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington, and he will also be participating in the Self Advocacy - Experiences, Perspectives, and Challenges Panel following his presentation.

October 27-30: USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington

Whether you've just received a diagnosis of autism or you've struggled for years to find answers, you know how difficult it can be to find hope. The vast amount of information, in cyberspace or print, from doctors to friends, on special diets to social skills, can overwhelm even the most dedicated parent. How can you sort through the junk mail and begin down the road to success?

"The primary function of the USAAA conference is where parents, caregivers, health care practitioners, individuals with autism, students, educators, therapists and anyone who wants to learn more about services and treatment for persons living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can learn about effective interventions – both medical and educational.

Introducing the US Autism & Asperger Association 2011 World Conference & Expo. The theme: "Autism Education and Treatment: A Road to Wellness." The goal: to demystify the confusion around autism and to arm you with tools of practical protocols and new resources. After four days, you will leave the conference with a considerable head start down the road to wellness.

With an unprecedented conference format and presentations from some of the most respected experts in the international autism community, the USAAA conference is a can't-miss opportunity. Here's a sneak peek at just a few of the conference highlights:

"Meet Temple Grandin's Mother - Coming to Terms with Expectations" "The 7 Keys to Unlock Autism" "The Doctors Who Treat Autism Spectrum Disorders" Panel workshops on advocacy, adjunct therapies, biomedical interventions, nutrition, support services, and more

"Full 4-day packages start at just $95.

Full conference information.

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ONLY 24 DAYS LEFT to REGISTER ONLINE for the 2011 USAAA WORLD CONFERENCE

Don't miss this extraordinary four day event in Seattle, WA October 27-30!

In this issue:

Advice for a parent who hears those words, "Your child has autism"

Our kids are cognitively exhausted

Music may be the means of communication

October 27-30: USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington

Upcoming Conference

October 27-30: USAAA 2011 World Conference & Expo, Seattle, Washington

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