Optimism

[Guest guest]

> if I believed optimism/emotional energy could be an effective shield

> against EMFs, I would be all for it! Haven't figured out a way to do it

> yet though. :-)

I'm usually optimistic about any device I purchase. However, with

a few of them, I've gotten terrible reactions almost immediately.

So maybe in reality I'm just a pessimist... :-)

Also, whenever I sit down to use my home computer, I am always

confident that my EMF devices will keep me from having a bad

reaction. However, on several occasions in the past several years,

after some number of minutes have passed, I find myself having

a bad reaction. So I then look around, and realize that I don't

have my devices with me. So evidently *thinking* your devices

are helping you aren't as good as actually having them

there with you...

Marc

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

>>My 3 year old son was dx autistic in January. We've seen so much

improvement since he's been getting help. His autism seems mild. I

want to be optimistic and believe that with enough help my son can

overcome his challenges, be happy and productive, have conversations,

go to college, get a job, have his own family some day, etc.

My question for all of you: Are you optimistic? Hopeful? <<

It is of course impossible to predict the future, but there is no reason not

to be hopeful. Look at all the people with ASD who are adults now (and many

not even knowing why they feel 'different'), with jobs and families - and

spreading the ASD genes! He may not turn out exactly as you would want, but

that is often the case with our non-ASD children too!

Carry on with the interventions which work for your son and you will see

progress.

in England

mum to 19 year old with AS who has just finished his 1st year at university

[Guest guest]

Hello, this list has been a lifesaver for me as well, just knowing others face similar situations and understand where you are coming from is a real blessing. Not to mention all the wonderful resources we receive through here! I am optimistic and hopeful with my dd who is 13 BUT I also force myself to understand the reality of her situation. Meaning I am on the lookout for the niche where she will "fit" and be comfortable being herself but still be able to function on her own and interact with others but I understand that that may be in an environment where she lives with others who have HFA, AS etc and has limited supervision as opposed to being on her own totally. Or she may need to be with us longer than usual or even indefinitely. So I hope for the best and strive to help her find it but "plan" for the worst. As my mom used to say. Although in this case, "planning" for the worst means I accept that it may happen and try to do things like get her approved

for SSI so if she needs it later in life, it will be in place, get her the network in place she may need for support alone later now etc. all the time hoping she will not need it. This is just my opinion but it is how choose to deal with it. I guess I am the type who would rather think the worst will happen and be proven wrong and have a much better result, than to hope for the absolute best and be let down. I deal with a "pleasant suprise" much better than an emotional letdown. That is just my personality. Hope this helped in some way. Good luck and God bless! DeeDeenighthockey27 <yvonnegirard@...> wrote: Hi All! I don't post often, but I love reading this list and learning so much from everyone. I'm hoping that some in this list can help me sort through my feelings...My 3 year old son was dx autistic in January. We've seen so much improvement since he's been getting help. His autism seems mild. I want to be optimistic and believe that with enough help my son can overcome his challenges, be happy and productive, have conversations, go to college, get a job, have his own family some day, etc. My question for all of you: Are you optimistic? Hopeful? Also, if anyone could direct me to inspirational stories of ASD recovery, I would find that comforting.Thank you all in advance!

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Optimistic? Hmmm, I am not sure that I am optimistic, but I absolutely refuse to close the "net of diagnosis" around my kid's future. I do not think that you can "cure" autism, I think that the autism is part of who they are, however, I do a lot of tech work, and have seen brilliant techs and scientists who are very obviously in the spectrum, I try not to only see the "disorder" but the child underneath. My kids know their condition, they also know that I can be harder on them than anyone, and that after school, no one else is going to make excuses or allowances for them. That may sound harsh, but so is life! I am simply blessed however, Hope especially, has taught me that I am capable of whatever life throws my way, and that my family can be resourceful, hopefull, and we can all laugh. Sure there are things that make me want to lay down and give it all up (like Regional

center etc). I am particularly blessed right now as my baby brother and his wife just split up and he is down here with me, with my niece and nephew - he has been a tremendous ally, and a breath of fresh air. Jennighthockey27 <yvonnegirard@...> wrote: Hi All! I don't post often, but I love reading this list and learning so much from everyone. I'm hoping that some in this list can help me sort through my feelings...My 3 year old son was dx autistic in January. We've

seen so much improvement since he's been getting help. His autism seems mild. I want to be optimistic and believe that with enough help my son can overcome his challenges, be happy and productive, have conversations, go to college, get a job, have his own family some day, etc. My question for all of you: Are you optimistic? Hopeful? Also, if anyone could direct me to inspirational stories of ASD recovery, I would find that comforting.Thank you all in advance! If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they wentWill There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.Ben A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loveshimself.Josh Billings

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

nighthockey27 wrote:

>

> My 3 year old son was dx autistic in January. We've seen so much

> improvement since he's been getting help. His autism seems mild. I

> want to be optimistic and believe that with enough help my son can

> overcome his challenges, be happy and productive, have conversations,

> go to college, get a job, have his own family some day, etc.

> My question for all of you: Are you optimistic? Hopeful?

> Also, if anyone could direct me to inspirational stories of ASD

> recovery, I would find that comforting.

I hate saying this, but I don't know of any recovery stories. That's

probably because autism is genetic (or so goes the research thinking

right now). If he is extremely high-functioning, it's highly likely

that he'll do the things you dream of....if he wants to. And that's a

" kid " thing, wanting to make one's own way.

Optimistic? Let me tell you a little story.....

Our son Louie was dx'ed at two and a half as APDD with autistic " notes, "

then later as autistic, then HFA, then finally HFA/AS when he was in his

early teens. When he was first diagnosed, we were advised by the drs.

who did the testing that the best thing for our family (Louie has an

older sis) would be to put Louie into the local institution for the

retarded, go visit once a week or so, and get on with our lives.

Needless to say, that didn't happen. But they held out very little hope

to us that Louie would ever talk again, that he'd be able to leave home

at his majority, that he'd hold a job or anything else. This was in 1982.

Flash forward a few years.

Louie began talking again (in sentences!) at 6, about the same time he

potty trained. He was on the Honor Roll all the way through middle

school. High school was a dismal, warehousing nightmare; I won't go

there except to say that he survived it, barely, until it was time for

transition training. He graduated (yes, graduated) at 21 with a real

diploma, not a certificate of achievement; this is because his dad & I

insisted they change his text books every year to the one that was being

used in the regular classrooms he'd be in if he was typical.

Flash forward again to now.

Louie has been in assisted living for 5 years now. He's 26 years old

and 6 feet plus tall, with looks that turn girls' heads (dark hair and

blue eyes with lashes at least a foot long? go figure.). He has 4

roomies, all autistic and all the same approximate ages and functional

levels. They live in an historic restored hacienda (La Castilla) near

our Old Town, in one of the neighborhoods most coveted by typical people

his age here. He has his own suite of rooms (as do they all), with a

bedroom, private full bath, and a sitting room where he keeps his TV and

his library. He's been working at the same job for almost 3 years now,

being an assistant church sexton. And they're increasing him to a five

day week very soon now (same hours per day, though). He has a second

job in lawn care at an apartment complex. He volunteers to fill the

wild bird feeders in a local wildlife center. And he's learning to care

for a very patient horse named Rocky, with an eye to maybe working in

the stables at our local track. He an his roomies have an active social

life. They go to the movies at least weekly (same theater, not

necessarily the same movie). In the summer, they go up to the condo

someone donated to the agency; it's in Taos, and they lax out in the hot

tub and go riding and antiqueing for a weekend at a time. He's medalled

(gold) for the past 3 years (or 4?) in Special Olympic track (I knew

that elopement speed would come in handy someday!). He is a very happy

and contented guy, knows he's autistic and always has known, and lives

his life as he wishes (more or less). We didn't take guardianship when

he reached his majority, since we wanted him to learn to make decisions

and do for himself (we're not immortal after all). And he's done great

at that.

I shiver to think what would have become or our Louie if we had listened

to the " experts " when he was small.....

So, yeah, there's hope! And great reason for optimism!

BTW, I'm Annie in Albuquerque NM.

Annie, who loves ya annie@...

--

Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the

spark that must not go out. -- Baldwin

[Guest guest]

go to college, get a job, have his own family some day, etc. My question for all of you: Are you optimistic? Hopeful? Also, if anyone could direct me to inspirational stories of ASD recovery, I would find that comforting.*

Hi

My son is a senior this year in high school. He is Aspergers. I would have never known, until he was 10 , when he was diagnosed. He was very severe at age 3, and so until age ten we had only the diagnosis of ADHD. He was als diagnosed Aspergers at age ten. That is when the term was more widely known and understood in the US. He is now 17. He started his senior year two weeks ago.

This is now the end of the IEP years for us. We have had them since he was in preschool. He went to the developmental preschool here in our district at age 4.

He is getting all As in high school, works hard, does great in school, taking all honors and regular classes. He is taking Physics , Pre Cal and AP English this year. This is NOT typical of every child with AS of course. My son is Aspergers and ADHD. This is truly not the case for many.

However, just to be sure that you know, that sometimes we are surprised. We were.

You might be too.

NEVER< NEVER give up.

Never think your child has to do something less than what others do.

My son does not do everything above others, but he does do some things. He is behind in his motor skills and has trouble writing, so the school has given him OT services and in high school he has been using a WRITER. They are going to apply for a grant for him to try to get a LAP TOP for college.

My son does plan to go to college.

Make sure that you never listen to the stories of others and think that is the outcome of your son. You son, with your help, can succeed. I always made sure I was an advocate for him. However, looking back when he was in preschool, I would have only known that he was very bright, but never actually could see the future as BRIGHT as it is for him. I never knew what the future held. I often felt so pessimistic, but I did not let it last.

I never could have imagined things going as well as they are. I thank God for this and I truly believe we worked hard as parents and we learned all that we could. I study all the time online about ASpergers and other things to help my son. We were never online until early 1998 when he was in third grade. The Internet has taught me and helped me and so have the people and groups online. I sure wish I had it early in his life, but it was not really around much back then.

Do not give up!

in IL

[Guest guest]

Annie, it sounds like a great place for Louie and his

friends. I hope my boys are as lucky to find a nice place to

live, work, etc... If you don't mind answering? Does he pay

for the place, get voc rehab or anything?? Toni

>

> Optimistic? Let me tell you a little story.....

>

> Our son Louie was dx'ed at two and a half as APDD with

> autistic " notes, " then later as autistic, then HFA, then

> finally HFA/AS when he was in his early teens. When he

> was first diagnosed, we were advised by the drs. who did

> the testing that the best thing for our family (Louie has

> an older sis) would be to put Louie into the local

> institution for the retarded, go visit once a week or so,

> and get on with our lives. Needless to say, that didn't

> happen. But they held out very little hope to us that

> Louie would ever talk again, that he'd be able to leave

> home at his majority, that he'd hold a job or anything

> else. This was in 1982.

>

> Flash forward a few years.

>

> Louie began talking again (in sentences!) at 6, about the

> same time he potty trained. He was on the Honor Roll all

> the way through middle school. High school was a dismal,

> warehousing nightmare; I won't go there except to say

> that he survived it, barely, until it was time for

> transition training. He graduated (yes, graduated) at 21

> with a real diploma, not a certificate of achievement;

> this is because his dad & I insisted they change his text

> books every year to the one that was being used in the

> regular classrooms he'd be in if he was typical.

>

> Flash forward again to now.

>

> Louie has been in assisted living for 5 years now. He's

> 26 years old and 6 feet plus tall, with looks that turn

> girls' heads (dark hair and blue eyes with lashes at

> least a foot long? go figure.). He has 4 roomies, all

> autistic and all the same approximate ages and functional

> levels. They live in an historic restored hacienda (La

> Castilla) near our Old Town, in one of the neighborhoods

> most coveted by typical people his age here. He has

> his own suite of rooms (as do they all), with a bedroom,

> private full bath, and a sitting room where he keeps his

> TV and his library. He's been working at the same job

> for almost 3 years now, being an assistant church sexton.

> And they're increasing him to a five day week very soon

> now (same hours per day, though). He has a second job in

> lawn care at an apartment complex. He volunteers to fill

> the wild bird feeders in a local wildlife center. And

> he's learning to care for a very patient horse named

> Rocky, with an eye to maybe working in the stables at our

> local track. He an his roomies have an active social

> life. They go to the movies at least weekly (same theater,

> not necessarily the same movie). In the summer, they go

> up to the condo someone donated to the agency; it's in

> Taos, and they lax out in the hot tub and go riding and

> antiqueing for a weekend at a time. He's medalled (gold)

> for the past 3 years (or 4?) in Special Olympic track (I

> knew that elopement speed would come in handy someday!).

> He is a very happy and contented guy, knows he's autistic

> and always has known, and lives his life as he wishes

> (more or less). We didn't take guardianship when he

> reached his majority, since we wanted him to learn to make

> decisions and do for himself (we're not immortal after

> all). And he's done great at that.

>

> I shiver to think what would have become or our Louie if

> we had listened to the " experts " when he was small.....

>

> So, yeah, there's hope! And great reason for optimism!

>

> BTW, I'm Annie in Albuquerque NM.

>

> Annie, who loves ya annie@...

> --

> Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred.

> Ritual is the spark that must not go out. --

> Baldwin

>

>

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy

today. I can CHOOSE which it shall be. Groucho Marx

_________________________________________

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Login from home, work, school. Anywhere!

[Guest guest]

Annie, it sounds like a great place for Louie and his

friends. I hope my boys are as lucky to find a nice place to

live, work, etc... If you don't mind answering? Does he pay

for the place, get voc rehab or anything?? Toni

>

> Optimistic? Let me tell you a little story.....

>

> Our son Louie was dx'ed at two and a half as APDD with

> autistic " notes, " then later as autistic, then HFA, then

> finally HFA/AS when he was in his early teens. When he

> was first diagnosed, we were advised by the drs. who did

> the testing that the best thing for our family (Louie has

> an older sis) would be to put Louie into the local

> institution for the retarded, go visit once a week or so,

> and get on with our lives. Needless to say, that didn't

> happen. But they held out very little hope to us that

> Louie would ever talk again, that he'd be able to leave

> home at his majority, that he'd hold a job or anything

> else. This was in 1982.

>

> Flash forward a few years.

>

> Louie began talking again (in sentences!) at 6, about the

> same time he potty trained. He was on the Honor Roll all

> the way through middle school. High school was a dismal,

> warehousing nightmare; I won't go there except to say

> that he survived it, barely, until it was time for

> transition training. He graduated (yes, graduated) at 21

> with a real diploma, not a certificate of achievement;

> this is because his dad & I insisted they change his text

> books every year to the one that was being used in the

> regular classrooms he'd be in if he was typical.

>

> Flash forward again to now.

>

> Louie has been in assisted living for 5 years now. He's

> 26 years old and 6 feet plus tall, with looks that turn

> girls' heads (dark hair and blue eyes with lashes at

> least a foot long? go figure.). He has 4 roomies, all

> autistic and all the same approximate ages and functional

> levels. They live in an historic restored hacienda (La

> Castilla) near our Old Town, in one of the neighborhoods

> most coveted by typical people his age here. He has

> his own suite of rooms (as do they all), with a bedroom,

> private full bath, and a sitting room where he keeps his

> TV and his library. He's been working at the same job

> for almost 3 years now, being an assistant church sexton.

> And they're increasing him to a five day week very soon

> now (same hours per day, though). He has a second job in

> lawn care at an apartment complex. He volunteers to fill

> the wild bird feeders in a local wildlife center. And

> he's learning to care for a very patient horse named

> Rocky, with an eye to maybe working in the stables at our

> local track. He an his roomies have an active social

> life. They go to the movies at least weekly (same theater,

> not necessarily the same movie). In the summer, they go

> up to the condo someone donated to the agency; it's in

> Taos, and they lax out in the hot tub and go riding and

> antiqueing for a weekend at a time. He's medalled (gold)

> for the past 3 years (or 4?) in Special Olympic track (I

> knew that elopement speed would come in handy someday!).

> He is a very happy and contented guy, knows he's autistic

> and always has known, and lives his life as he wishes

> (more or less). We didn't take guardianship when he

> reached his majority, since we wanted him to learn to make

> decisions and do for himself (we're not immortal after

> all). And he's done great at that.

>

> I shiver to think what would have become or our Louie if

> we had listened to the " experts " when he was small.....

>

> So, yeah, there's hope! And great reason for optimism!

>

> BTW, I'm Annie in Albuquerque NM.

>

> Annie, who loves ya annie@...

> --

> Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred.

> Ritual is the spark that must not go out. --

> Baldwin

>

>

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy

today. I can CHOOSE which it shall be. Groucho Marx

_________________________________________

Check your Email accounts at MyEmail.com

Login from home, work, school. Anywhere!

[Guest guest]

The belief that autism is genetic is only held by some autism

researchers. There are many others that believe it is environmental

and that belief is growing. Another camp believes it is a combination

of both. I believe it is a combination but more convinced that

environment is the main factor. The idea that autism is purely genetic

to me is not logical. It is impossible for a genetic condition to

become an epidemic. Autism has exploded in the last 15 years.

I have seen very young kids that have been diagnosed with autism lose

their diagnosis and in my opinion are no longer autistic. I have seen

others that after years of therapy are said to be " cured " but it

appears they have just learned how to adapt and appear typical. I have

been watching the RDI DVD which shows certain kids over the years and

their progress. Some of them appear to certainly be cured. They have

gone from being completely in their world oblivious to others and later

have very fluid interaction with others. I believe it is possible for

kids on the spectrum to be cured.

My first son is aspergers and has had no therapy. He is now 14 and

though he has his struggles, I am convinced he is going to do well in

life. He is learning to pick friends that have similar interests and

actually has girls interested in him. This last school year, I have

focused on him developing his areas of interest (photography, computer

repair, cartooning and sound design) and now see he could have a

wonderful career in each area. He is not cured because though he hides

it well, he still struggles with his deficits.

My second son is low-functioning and non-verbal. Five years of ABA

therapy has not made much improvement. Only one month of dabbling in

RDI therapy and he has several words he is now using regularly. After

years of trying to get him to learn how to use a mouse, he figured it

out this weekend and I have been amazed how well he is doing with

educational computer programs. Diet has been a major factor with him.

I put him on the GFCF diet at age 2 and within a week, most of his

behaviours (self-abuse, poor eye contact, avoidance of people, feces

smearing, screaming etc) went away. Now that I have discovered RDI, I

have high hopes for his future.

My third son was following in the footsteps of his brother. At a young

age he had poor sleeping habits, no eye contact, no attempts to

communicate, self-abusive etc. At 10 months, I put him on the diet and

in 2 days, most of those symptoms went away. I also put him on a very

slow vaccine schedule and no MMR. By his first birthday, he had 20

words and 18 months he had over 100. Now he is 5 years old and has

absolutely no symptoms of autism whatsoever. I believe he was caught

in time.

I myself am aspergers. One might think that would prove it is genetic

but I don't believe so. I still think it is environmental. When my

mom was pregnant, she was given an experimental medication which made

her hair fall out. I believe it was that medication that affected me

as well as her. When I suspected aspergers for myself, I showed the

list of symptoms and she felt they fit her since that time. I have

read alot about research that has been done regarding the physically

passing on of environmental toxins. Studies of cord blood have found

toxins that have been banned from use for generations. I believe what

some thing might be genetic due to several in the same family having

certain conditions may actually be due to toxins being passed on from

mom to child.

As for a cure, I don't believe I have been cured but I have done well

at hiding my deficits. I have been happily married for almost 20

years, work full-time as an accountant and have 5 wonderful kids. I

have a number of friends but find I relate best with those that are on

the mild end of the spectrum or I suspect may be. I struggle daily but

have found that if I keep my diet free of the food additives that

affect me, I no longer struggle with agression, brain fog, some sensory

issues and reversals (I'm also dyslexic). Changes in routine are still

difficult but my diet helps me better be able to " go with the flow " .

> I hate saying this, but I don't know of any recovery stories. That's

> probably because autism is genetic (or so goes the research thinking

> right now).

[Guest guest]

, Interstingly enough you mention your sons IEP. I found out something the other day from my advocate that I had no clue about. Her son also has AS. He is currently in college going to CSUN. Somehow she managed to get him an IEP at a University. I did not know it was possible but apparently.........it is.......Just something you may want to think about since your son is almost done with High School. My advocates website is www.asdatoz.com in Lancaster, CaLaha1960@... wrote: go to college, get a job, have his own family some day, etc. My question for all of you: Are you optimistic? Hopeful? Also, if anyone could direct me to inspirational stories of ASD recovery, I would find that comforting.* Hi My son is a senior this year in high school. He is Aspergers. I would have never known, until he was 10 , when he was diagnosed. He was very severe at age 3, and so until age ten we had only the diagnosis of ADHD. He was als diagnosed Aspergers at age ten. That is when the term was more widely known and understood in the US. He is now 17. He started his senior year two weeks ago. This is now the end of the IEP years for us. We have had them since he was in preschool. He went to the developmental preschool here in our district at

age 4. He is getting all As in high school, works hard, does great in school, taking all honors and regular classes. He is taking Physics , Pre Cal and AP English this year. This is NOT typical of every child with AS of course. My son is Aspergers and ADHD. This is truly not the case for many. However, just to be sure that you know, that sometimes we are surprised. We were. You might be too. NEVER< NEVER give up. Never think your child has to do something less than what others do. My son does not do everything above others, but he does do some things. He is behind in his motor skills and has trouble writing, so the school has given him OT services and in high school he has been using a WRITER. They are going to apply for a grant for him to try to get a LAP TOP for college. My son does plan to go to college. Make sure that you never listen to the stories of others and think

that is the outcome of your son. You son, with your help, can succeed. I always made sure I was an advocate for him. However, looking back when he was in preschool, I would have only known that he was very bright, but never actually could see the future as BRIGHT as it is for him. I never knew what the future held. I often felt so pessimistic, but I did not let it last. I never could have imagined things going as well as they are. I thank God for this and I truly believe we worked hard as parents and we learned all that we could. I study all the time online about ASpergers and other things to help my son. We were never online until early 1998 when he was in third grade. The Internet has taught me and helped me and so have the people and groups online. I sure wish I had it early in his life, but it was not really around much back then. Do not give up! in IL

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[Guest guest]

, Interstingly enough you mention your sons IEP. I found out something the other day from my advocate that I had no clue about. Her son also has AS. He is currently in college going to CSUN. Somehow she managed to get him an IEP at a University. I did not know it was possible but apparently.........it is.......Just something you may want to think about since your son is almost done with High School. My advocates website is www.asdatoz.com in Lancaster, CaLaha1960@... wrote: go to college, get a job, have his own family some day, etc. My question for all of you: Are you optimistic? Hopeful? Also, if anyone could direct me to inspirational stories of ASD recovery, I would find that comforting.* Hi My son is a senior this year in high school. He is Aspergers. I would have never known, until he was 10 , when he was diagnosed. He was very severe at age 3, and so until age ten we had only the diagnosis of ADHD. He was als diagnosed Aspergers at age ten. That is when the term was more widely known and understood in the US. He is now 17. He started his senior year two weeks ago. This is now the end of the IEP years for us. We have had them since he was in preschool. He went to the developmental preschool here in our district at

age 4. He is getting all As in high school, works hard, does great in school, taking all honors and regular classes. He is taking Physics , Pre Cal and AP English this year. This is NOT typical of every child with AS of course. My son is Aspergers and ADHD. This is truly not the case for many. However, just to be sure that you know, that sometimes we are surprised. We were. You might be too. NEVER< NEVER give up. Never think your child has to do something less than what others do. My son does not do everything above others, but he does do some things. He is behind in his motor skills and has trouble writing, so the school has given him OT services and in high school he has been using a WRITER. They are going to apply for a grant for him to try to get a LAP TOP for college. My son does plan to go to college. Make sure that you never listen to the stories of others and think

that is the outcome of your son. You son, with your help, can succeed. I always made sure I was an advocate for him. However, looking back when he was in preschool, I would have only known that he was very bright, but never actually could see the future as BRIGHT as it is for him. I never knew what the future held. I often felt so pessimistic, but I did not let it last. I never could have imagined things going as well as they are. I thank God for this and I truly believe we worked hard as parents and we learned all that we could. I study all the time online about ASpergers and other things to help my son. We were never online until early 1998 when he was in third grade. The Internet has taught me and helped me and so have the people and groups online. I sure wish I had it early in his life, but it was not really around much back then. Do not give up! in IL

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[Guest guest]

currently in college going to CSUN. Somehow she managed to get him an IEP at a University. I did not know it was possible but apparently.........it is.......Just something you may want >>>>>>

Hi thanks

Something I have learned, a college or univ, does NOT have to comply with an IEP. However, they do have to follow 504 plan recommendations.

I have heard of some colleges having some placements and accommodations like an IEP, but it is not a true IEP and past secondary Ed, in high school, a college does not have to do anything at all, except for that which falls in the 504 laws.

in IL Thanks for the web site, will check it out! :_)

[Guest guest]

M Strahlendorf wrote:

>

>

> Annie,

> My in laws live in Albuquerque. Up near Coors Rd I think. I'm going to

> have to take you for a cup of coffee next time I am in town.

>

> in Lancaster, Ca

Cool! We live on the East edge, in the foothills. Right around Lomas &

Tramway, in fact. And I'd love to go for coffee!

Annie, who loves ya annie@...

--

Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the

spark that must not go out. -- Baldwin

[Guest guest]

kbtoni@... wrote:

>

>

> Annie, it sounds like a great place for Louie and his

> friends. I hope my boys are as lucky to find a nice place to

> live, work, etc... If you don't mind answering? Does he pay

> for the place, get voc rehab or anything?? Toni

I don't mind atall! Louie has gotten SSI and Medicaid since he was

around 3, and started receiving the DD Waiver help when he moved out

(it's why he could do that!). So the way the agency that runs his house

(and several others, in regular neighborhoods) does things is thus:

Each resident is charged a reasonable rent; this comes out of the

SSI/SSD check. The agency is their representative payee on this and

keeps everybody's bank accounts and bookkeeping together. Each resident

is charged a portion of the groceries too, and they figure the split

after the shopping is done; the guys go along for grocery shopping, so

they know where their money's going. Whatever's left from their gov't.

checks and paychecks (they all work) is their pocket money for the

month. However, since the guys in Louie's house don't have much of a

concept of money, this is given to them in the form of a check each

Friday, just like another paycheck. From that comes Louie's magazines,

books, newspapers and personal needs. Also the guys go to the movies at

least once a week, and they pay for that out of their pocket money as

well. And if the house decides to go to Taos to the condo for the

weekend, they each kick in $50 to cover gas and take along their own

fundage for food (they like to eat out in Taos). It works out very

well, and each of the roomies must sit and go over their books monthly

with their aide so they know absolutely where their money's gone and how

much they have left in the kitty. That last generally goes into

savings; Louie's saving up for a big flat screen TV. So Louie never

has to worry about running out of money or losing his place to live; the

agency makes sure that will never be a worry for him.

It's a pretty good deal! The lady who set it up (her son's autistic and

she didn't like what he was offered as an adult) said that how you find

the initial funding is to find out where the money comes from in the

case of the death of a parent or guardian. When you find that money

fund (it's governmental), then you can start putting together an agency

like hers; it acts as start-up funds. It's how they bought their first

one or two houses. The place is called MaxCare; Max is the lady's son,

who lives in one of the houses.

Hope this answers your questions!

Annie, who loves ya annie@...

--

Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the

spark that must not go out. -- Baldwin

[Guest guest]

> That explains it very well, thank you! He is so lucky to have such a place to

live and yet be able to do'normal' things like going to Taos. That is WONDERFUL!

Thanks Annie! toni (who loves ya back!

> From: Annie <annie@...>

> Date: 2006/08/30 Wed PM 12:17:52 EDT

> Autism and Aspergers Treatment

> Subject: Re: optimism

>

> kbtoni@... wrote:

> >

> >

> > Annie, it sounds like a great place for Louie and his

> > friends. I hope my boys are as lucky to find a nice place to

> > live, work, etc... If you don't mind answering? Does he pay

> > for the place, get voc rehab or anything?? Toni

>

> I don't mind atall! Louie has gotten SSI and Medicaid since he was

> around 3, and started receiving the DD Waiver help when he moved out

> (it's why he could do that!). So the way the agency that runs his house

> (and several others, in regular neighborhoods) does things is thus:

> Each resident is charged a reasonable rent; this comes out of the

> SSI/SSD check. The agency is their representative payee on this and

> keeps everybody's bank accounts and bookkeeping together. Each resident

> is charged a portion of the groceries too, and they figure the split

> after the shopping is done; the guys go along for grocery shopping, so

> they know where their money's going. Whatever's left from their gov't.

> checks and paychecks (they all work) is their pocket money for the

> month. However, since the guys in Louie's house don't have much of a

> concept of money, this is given to them in the form of a check each

> Friday, just like another paycheck. From that comes Louie's magazines,

> books, newspapers and personal needs. Also the guys go to the movies at

> least once a week, and they pay for that out of their pocket money as

> well. And if the house decides to go to Taos to the condo for the

> weekend, they each kick in $50 to cover gas and take along their own

> fundage for food (they like to eat out in Taos). It works out very

> well, and each of the roomies must sit and go over their books monthly

> with their aide so they know absolutely where their money's gone and how

> much they have left in the kitty. That last generally goes into

> savings; Louie's saving up for a big flat screen TV. So Louie never

> has to worry about running out of money or losing his place to live; the

> agency makes sure that will never be a worry for him.

>

> It's a pretty good deal! The lady who set it up (her son's autistic and

> she didn't like what he was offered as an adult) said that how you find

> the initial funding is to find out where the money comes from in the

> case of the death of a parent or guardian. When you find that money

> fund (it's governmental), then you can start putting together an agency

> like hers; it acts as start-up funds. It's how they bought their first

> one or two houses. The place is called MaxCare; Max is the lady's son,

> who lives in one of the houses.

>

> Hope this answers your questions!

>

> Annie, who loves ya annie@...

> --

> Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the

> spark that must not go out. -- Baldwin

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you everyone for your responses to my post. This group is

wonderful!

[Guest guest]

, I recently started Hope on the diet, and even our neighbors have raved about the difference, they say that she is a different child. I am not sure if I am going to go "all out" with finishing the no no foods, because she has done so well. We still have almost no services other than what the Navy provides. Hubby is getting out this year and that is problematic. I love hearing your input, I think you are more in tune with all of this than I am, but I tend to have very scattered thinking. Would love to hear more. cubicmonica <cubicmonica@...> wrote: The belief that autism is genetic is only held by some autism researchers. There are many others that believe it is environmental and that belief is growing. Another camp believes it is a combination of both. I believe it is a combination but more convinced that environment is the main factor. The idea that autism is purely genetic to me is not logical. It is impossible for a genetic condition to become an epidemic. Autism has exploded in the last 15 years. I have seen very young kids that have been diagnosed with autism lose their diagnosis and in my opinion are no longer autistic. I have seen others that after years of therapy are said to be "cured" but it appears they have just learned how to adapt and appear typical. I have been

watching the RDI DVD which shows certain kids over the years and their progress. Some of them appear to certainly be cured. They have gone from being completely in their world oblivious to others and later have very fluid interaction with others. I believe it is possible for kids on the spectrum to be cured. My first son is aspergers and has had no therapy. He is now 14 and though he has his struggles, I am convinced he is going to do well in life. He is learning to pick friends that have similar interests and actually has girls interested in him. This last school year, I have focused on him developing his areas of interest (photography, computer repair, cartooning and sound design) and now see he could have a wonderful career in each area. He is not cured because though he hides it well, he still struggles with his deficits.My second son is low-functioning and non-verbal. Five years of ABA therapy has not

made much improvement. Only one month of dabbling in RDI therapy and he has several words he is now using regularly. After years of trying to get him to learn how to use a mouse, he figured it out this weekend and I have been amazed how well he is doing with educational computer programs. Diet has been a major factor with him. I put him on the GFCF diet at age 2 and within a week, most of his behaviours (self-abuse, poor eye contact, avoidance of people, feces smearing, screaming etc) went away. Now that I have discovered RDI, I have high hopes for his future.My third son was following in the footsteps of his brother. At a young age he had poor sleeping habits, no eye contact, no attempts to communicate, self-abusive etc. At 10 months, I put him on the diet and in 2 days, most of those symptoms went away. I also put him on a very slow vaccine schedule and no MMR. By his first birthday, he had 20 words and 18

months he had over 100. Now he is 5 years old and has absolutely no symptoms of autism whatsoever. I believe he was caught in time.I myself am aspergers. One might think that would prove it is genetic but I don't believe so. I still think it is environmental. When my mom was pregnant, she was given an experimental medication which made her hair fall out. I believe it was that medication that affected me as well as her. When I suspected aspergers for myself, I showed the list of symptoms and she felt they fit her since that time. I have read alot about research that has been done regarding the physically passing on of environmental toxins. Studies of cord blood have found toxins that have been banned from use for generations. I believe what some thing might be genetic due to several in the same family having certain conditions may actually be due to toxins being passed on from mom to child. As for a cure, I

don't believe I have been cured but I have done well at hiding my deficits. I have been happily married for almost 20 years, work full-time as an accountant and have 5 wonderful kids. I have a number of friends but find I relate best with those that are on the mild end of the spectrum or I suspect may be. I struggle daily but have found that if I keep my diet free of the food additives that affect me, I no longer struggle with agression, brain fog, some sensory issues and reversals (I'm also dyslexic). Changes in routine are still difficult but my diet helps me better be able to "go with the flow".> I hate saying this, but I don't know of any recovery stories. That's > probably because autism is genetic (or so goes the research thinking > right now).

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they wentWill There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.Ben A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loveshimself.Josh Billings

Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Why would a college HAVE to follow a 504 and not an IEP? It doesn't make sense to me.Laha1960@... wrote: currently in college going to CSUN. Somehow she managed to get him an IEP at a University. I did not know it was possible but apparently.........it is.......Just something you may want >>>>>> Hi thanks Something I have learned, a college or univ, does NOT have

to comply with an IEP. However, they do have to follow 504 plan recommendations. I have heard of some colleges having some placements and accommodations like an IEP, but it is not a true IEP and past secondary Ed, in high school, a college does not have to do anything at all, except for that which falls in the 504 laws. in IL Thanks for the web site, will check it out! :_)

[Guest guest]

>

> > I hate saying this, but I don't know of any recovery stories.

That's

> > probably because autism is genetic (or so goes the research

thinking

> > right now).

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go

where they

> went

> Will

>

> There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your

face.

> Ben

>

> A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves

> himself.

> Josh Billings

>

> i am new to this grop what is the diet you talk about i have 2

kids with pdd and mr and i was just wondering i have been at my

wits end trying everything imaginable to get them doing better .the

younger of the 2 has major sleeping problems and doesnt sleep unless

medicated .the oldest of the 2 constantky talks to himself and moves

furniture around ad turns lights on and off opens wiondows and

closes them there is all kinds of other things that they do meds

help some what but not all my youngest screams out swearing and

hitting himself for no reason i am a single mother trying to raise 4

kids by myself and have a hard time with certain areas like bedtime

and bathtime.my 12 year old has developed fully and all that but

still can not shower on his own if he does not everything gets

cleaned or he uses the soap and shampoo all gone i have heard the

letters rdi b4 but cant remember what it was for .and hearing about

this diet has got my attention .but also is it okay for my kids cuz

on top of all that they all got high cholesterol (3 out of 4 kids

and myself)is this something they could still be on .

>

> ---------------------------------

> Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help.

Small Business.

>

[Guest guest]

There are sugar-free beverages out there that do not useAspartame. They can be hard to find, but if you live in or near a majormetropolitan area, you should be able to find a reliable source>>

** THE IEP laws, under the IDEA end in the secondary education schools, high school. Starting when a child is graduated from high school, and goes to college, only the laws that pertain to everyone such as the 504 laws exist. Those laws protect people in the work force too, against any prejudices in their disabilities. This 504 law is for those who need accommodations at work and need to have certain modifications. AN IEP is an INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION. That does not exist in college. In college, one gets certain ones that many can get, not specific modifications for their needs.

in IL

[Guest guest]

good question...........claire <daisygoogles@...> wrote: Why would a college HAVE to follow a 504 and not an IEP? It doesn't make sense to me.Laha1960aol wrote: currently in college going to CSUN. Somehow she managed to get him an IEP at a University. I did not know it was possible but

apparently.........it is.......Just something you may want >>>>>> Hi thanks Something I have learned, a college or univ, does NOT have to comply with an IEP. However, they do have to follow 504 plan recommendations. I have heard of some colleges having some placements and accommodations like an IEP, but it is not a true IEP and past secondary Ed, in high school, a college does not have to do anything at all, except for that which falls in the 504 laws. in IL Thanks for the web site, will check it out! :_)

How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

The problem with gluten and casein is two-fold. First, our kids lack

the digestive enzymes to completely breakdown food. Then they have

what is called leaky gut which is basically where the pores in the

intestines that open and close to take in nutrients are widened to

where they can no longer close. What happens is food that is not

completely broken down goes into the bloodstream prematurely. This

causes a physical reaction this is determined by what food it is.

Many deal with this by simply never feeding their child the foods

that cause the most problem. There is another way though. If one

were to give their child digestive enzymes, they would be able to

completely break these proteins down so there is no reaction.

Thousands have been able to successfully go off the GFCF diet and

take enzymes with no difference or with better results (since the

enzymes help digest other foods and the child is able to utilize the

nutrients better from the foods he eats). I have only heard of 3

kids where enzymes were not sufficient. The other beauty of enzymes

is it covers many foods so if your child is actually more reactive to

another food, you will not have to play detective to uncover which it

is.

>

> > I hate saying this, but I don't know of any recovery stories.

That's

> > probably because autism is genetic (or so goes the research

thinking

> > right now).

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go

where they

> went

> Will

>

> There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your

face.

> Ben

>

> A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves

> himself.

> Josh Billings

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help.

Small Business.

>

[Guest guest]

There are sugar-free beverages out there

that do not use

Aspartame. They can be hard to find, but if you live in or near a major

metropolitan area, you should be able to find a reliable source

>>

My kids drink Vitamin water or

water.

They are both on additive/coloring free

diets and as organic as possible.

[Guest guest]

Charlotte wrote:

>

>

>

>

> There are sugar-free beverages out there that do not use

> Aspartame. They can be hard to find, but if you live in or near a major

> metropolitan area, you should be able to find a reliable source

>>>

Look for the Splenda mark on the side of the bottle.

>

> My kids drink Vitamin water or water.

>

> They are both on additive/coloring free diets and as organic as possible.

>

When Louie was home, he drank Kool-aid and I got to control the sugar

levels. Now he's a fan of GatorAde at the monthly dance night. When he

comes to visit here most Saturdays, he drinks what I drink. This means

Santa Fe Springs sparkling spring water in Berry, or Talking Rain

sparkling spring water in Lemon/Lime, or Talking Rain Ice sparkling

juice beverage in Black Raspberry. The first three have nothing but

water, bubbles, and fruit essence. The last one, according to the

label, has sparkling water, natural flavors, marion blackberry juice

concentrate, malic acid, sucralose, potassium sorbate, and vitamin C.

Oh, and 1 gram of sugars per 8 oz. serving. Comes in lemonade, too. I

get all of these at the Albertson's near us (in Albuquerque NM). And

they're comparable in price to regular sodas....when they're not

cheaper. Best of all, Louie's talked his house into keeping the

Talking Rain lemon/lime in the fridge. He's 26, BTW.

This is how I weaned myself from sodas.

Annie, who loves ya annie@...

--

Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the

spark that must not go out. -- Baldwin

[Guest guest]

kbtoni@... wrote:

>

>

>

> > That explains it very well, thank you! He is so lucky to have such a

> place to live and yet be able to do'normal' things like going to Taos.

> That is WONDERFUL! Thanks Annie! toni (who loves ya back!

Oh, he doesn't work at MaxCare! Louie has two part-time jobs, one as

assistant sexton in our church (he went through the same employment

process as anyone else), the other in lawn care at an apt. complex. Of

course he has a " shadow " aka job coach with him on his jobs, but his

employers are very pleased with his work; one of his " autie-isms " is

perfectionism, which works really well on the job. The asst. sexton

job is getting ready to move him to an entire week rather than two days

a week, they're that pleased. Still part time, because they're

sensitive to the income limit where his gov't. check starts going down

and the Medicaid goes away.

We really are pleased with how he's grown since he began earning his own

money. Plus he has a great bunch of employers, too! The church gives

him his vacation time during Vacation Bible School every year because

they know he can't handle being around children (he doesn't trust them).

Annie, who loves ya annie@...

--

Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the

spark that must not go out. -- Baldwin