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Jul 25, 2008

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Gender: Female
Sign: Capricorn

Country: US

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August 11, 2008 - Monday

AutieMoms and Me - I’m back.... ;-)
Current mood: determined
Category: Life

Hello all,

Yes, it's me!!! LOL

I know it's been quite some time but you know what I've been dealing with and if you don't...cancer...but I'm still around and I'm still trying to get AutieMoms off the ground.

Anyway, many of you have written to ask me how things are going and whether your help was still needed and the answer is a resounding YES!!!!

I'm almost done with chemo and I've only recently felt well enough to get back to working on this site. There were/are many of you who had sent me your email addresses with regards to helping with the AutieMoms site.
In going through chemo, my site email lapsed and I lost all of your info so please, if you're still interested in helping out, email me at tlee@autiemoms.com and we'll get back on track together! ;-)

If you visit www. autiemoms. com, you'll simply see a hold page there with basic info.
There is also a link to the AutieMoms blog - http://blog. autiemoms. com.
I just started that today but here is where you can check back weekly to see the progress of the site.
I'll let you know what's happening, what's needed and how you can help!

As for the cancer battle - again, I'm still here and I refuse to believe that I'm going anywhere anytime soon so I'm determined to see this site up and running! I want to take this time to thank ALL of you for your words of encouragement, your prayers, your notes, your phone calls and more. I love you people. I've never been a part of a community that embraces and supports like this one and I am so grateful to you all. You uplift me and motivate me and I'm taking it all in.
;-)

I look forward to hearing from you all and I look forward to hearing from those of you again who so graciously offered your assistance for the site. Feel free to repost this bulletin, blog about it, email it...whatever you need to do to get the word out!

Again, email me at : tlee@autiemoms.com
Check out the blog and let me hear from you.

Live freely!
Trae

5:19 PM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

March 4, 2008 - Tuesday

Ode to My Son - Happy Birthday
Category: Life

Happy Birthday Dear Son,

On March 5, 10 years ago, I waited patiently for you to enter this world. I'd no idea whether you would be a boy or a girl. Secretly, I'd hoped for another boy as our house had enough girls in it already. Your older brother needed someone to play with, wrestle with and be a big brother to.

FINALLY, you made your entrance and yeahhh, a baby boy. I'd toyed around with a few names and while holding you in my arms, said a prayer for you and named you Jabrien. Your father seemed happy to have another boy in the house!

Everyone says their children are the most beautiful in the world. I believe all children are beautiful and you were no exception. You were two days beyond your due date but no matter, you were here now and I was happy.

You were always a peaceful baby. You smiled a lot, never seemed to be overly fussy, slept well etc. As you began to crawl, you liked to hide in my cabinets. I could never figure out why you liked to hide under the sink. I thought it was cute. You met your "normal" milestones; walked on time, said "mama" and "da-da". You were able to put two words sentences together and all of those signifiers professionals use to classify one as "typical" or "normal".

As time went on, you seemed to lose your words and walk funny. At age 2 1/2 I would ask a doctor about this and be told that "boys develop slower than girls" and that I was being overly attentive to "little things". By age 3 1/2, I would be told that you were autistic.

If I'd known then what I know now. If I'd paid more attention, not worked so many hours...I played the blame game for a long time. I never blamed you though.

Doctors couldn't seem to place you in one set category.

"He exhibits autism but he likes to hug...he tries to communicate, most autistics don't..." On and on the doctors went with THEIR ideas of what or who you should be. Evaluators told me that I shouldn't expect you to talk as you tested in the "severly autistic" category. I told them they had no idea of whom you had as a mother!

Day by day, I worked to understand autism. Month by month, I struggled to comprehend your actions, tantrums and behaviors. I kept looking for answers online and in books - that's why we have our own little autism library.

One day, I finally got it. While I certainly needed to understand what autism was and how it would impact our lives, the most important thing I needed to understand was YOU! I adopted that philosophy and ran with it. I followed your lead instead of trying to always make you follow mine. I allowed you to use your voice instead of trying to give you mine.

We have had our good days and our bad days but each day has been a different accomplishment. I want you to know that no matter what label you are given or what you are told that you can NOT do, that I believe in you dear son. I believe in you because you have shown me that autism does not define who you are.

You've changed my idea of what life with autism was going to be like. You've shown me that I can't depend upon what a doctor or professional tells me you're "supposed" to be doing or not doing. I know that it's important to value you not as my "autistic son" but as my son...who just happens to have autism.

I do not need to use your autism as an excuse for anything. You once told me that you wanted to be normal. Well, sweety, there's no such thing as a universal normal because EVERYONE has their own definition of normal.

Everyone is different. Everyone has something that sets them apart from everyone else and by that token alone, you fit right in! I used to try to figure out how to bring you into my world. Now I'd love to get a glimpse of life the way you see it.

So on your birthday, I thank you Jabrien. I thank you for the gift that your life has given me.

I thank you for the "inappropriate laughter" at times, it teaches me not to be so uptight.

I thank you for the way you "tell it like it is", this world could use more of that.

I thank you for the hugs when no one else can seem to tell I need one.

Most of all, I thank you for the blessed gift of being your mother.

You are loved dear son!

Trae - aka MOMMY!

Currently listening :
Infinite Possibilities
By Amel Larrieux
Release date: 15 February, 2000

9:09 AM - 22 Comments - 38 Kudos - Add Comment

January 30, 2008 - Wednesday

Democrats and Autism
Current mood: inquisitive
Category: News and Politics

For those of you who may be wondering what the Democratic candidates "plan" on doing about autism, there are links to each of their plans. Try, as I might, I couldn't find anything for the Republicans. Anywhoo, just passing along the information.

Hiliary Clinton's Plan to Help Children and Families Affected by Autism

Barack Obama's Plan for a Healthy America

John Edward's Promise and Potential: A Plan for Autism

Even though Edwards has bowed out of the race, I've still included his plan. While I know who I'm voting for, this information is not an endorsement of any candidate in particular. Merely an attempt to inform and, as usual, start dialog.

Peace,
Trae

5:45 PM - 8 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

American Academy of Pediatrics vs ABC (Eli Stone) - really????
Current mood: annoyed
Category: Life

You may or may not have heard about the controversy revolving the premiere episode (Jan. 31 on ABC) of Eli Stone. If not, here's the skinny. The American Academy of Pediatrics is asking that ABC cancel the airing of the episode because it spotlights a case in which a mother is going to court regarding vaccines and her son's autism. Apparently, and I'm about to ruin it for you, she wins her case.

The AAP's position is basically that parents are going to be so alarmed by the show that they won't vaccinate their children. I, for one, take offense that the AAP believes parents are that ignorant. Of course, they also make it a point to note that "no link between vaccines and autism has been proven." They want ABC to at least put a disclaimer on the episode.

Look, I have my own opinions about the vaccine/autism link but I don't purport to force them on anyone else. This is a tv show and I can hardly believe that we are so desperate for an "I told you so" that we would take it as anything but what it is...a fictional take on a very real issue.

So, what do you think? I've included a link to the video/story on CNN. Do you think the episode should be canceled? Why or why not? Let's get some dialogue going people....

Eli Stone Controversy

Peace,
Trae

1:28 PM - 16 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment

SOAR Initiative for Autism - Make Your Voice Heard!
Current mood: thoughtful
Category: News and Politics

Take action for autism! This email initiative is in support of the Promise to Individuals with Autism Act of 2007, which provides much needed services to those with autism. The initiative targets the US Senate, specifically Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who is the chief Democrat of the senate commitee of Health, Education, Labor and Pension. The Act has been read twice and then sent to the comittee, where there has yet to be any action taken.

*Text taken from the posting on change.org

The link below will take you to the page where you can read about the campaign and sign the initiative. I just did!!!

Sign the initiative. Make your voice count!!

11:56 AM - 5 Comments - 9 Kudos - Add Comment

November 12, 2007 - Monday

Study on the effects of environmental & genetic factors
Category: News and Politics

Assessing The Effects Of Environmental And Genetic Factors On Children's Health

05 Oct 2007

The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities has been selected as one of 22 new study centers for the National Children's Study, a nationwide project designed to assess the effects of environmental and genetic factors on children's health in the United States. The study center will manage local participant recruitment and data collection for the largest study of child health ever conducted in the United States.

The National Children's Study is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services (including the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

"This study is big science and it will be one of the most important generators of new knowledge on child and adult health and development ever attempted," said principal investigator Dr. Neal Halfon, professor of pediatrics, public health and public policy at UCLA and director of the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities. "It will help children across the U.S. and shape child health guidance, interventions and policy for generations to come."

The National Children's Study will eventually follow a representative sample of 100,000 children from before birth to age 21, seeking information that will help prevent and treat some of the nation's most pressing health problems, including autism, birth defects, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. To better understand the impact of exposures on the developing fetus, infant and child, the study will recruit pregnant women, as well as women who are likely to become pregnant, in order assess environmental health influence during the pre-pregnancy and prenatal period.

The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities is an internationlly distiguished leader in child health research and policy. The grant will be housed within the division of child health policy and community pediatrics at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. The UCLA-based team of scientific investigators will be joined by collaborating investigators from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the University of Southern California, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, First 5 Los Angeles County, the Ventura County Public Health Department, First 5 Ventura County, the Research Triangle Institute and the Rand Corp.

The NIH has approved $47.9 million to launch the study and enroll 5,000 children in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, in waves of 1,000. The first installment of funding, $14.7 million, will cover the establishment of the study center, a 22-month planning phase and a 38-month enrollment of the first 1,000 children. Actual data collection for this first wave is scheduled to begin in the late summer of 2009.

The National Children's Study is on a par with other major scientific projects like the Human Genome Project and the Women's Health Study, and the NIH estimates that the study's price tag the over the next 30 years will reach the $3 billion mark. At this point, Congress has yet to authorize the full amount needed for the study and has chosen to provide incremental funding.

"While $3 billion is a lot of money, over this 30-year period it will represent less than 1 percent of the NIH annual research budget," said Dr. Michael Lu, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and public health at UCLA and a lead investigator for the study.

Supporters of the study further argue that six of the health conditions the study will target -- asthma, obesity, schizophrenia, autism, learning disabilities and injuries -- currently cost the nation more than $600 billion dollars a year. If knowledge resulting from the study was to reduce expenditures for these conditions by 1 percent, the study would pay for itself many times over.

The University of California is well-represented in the study and will contribute much-needed expertise. In addition to UCLA, other new study centers were awarded to UC Irvine (for San Diego and San Bernardino counties, to go along with the existing Vanguard Center for Orange County) and UC Davis (for Sacramento and San Mateo counties). With the collaboration between the lead UC centers and additional sites, it is projected that more than 10,000 Californians will be enrolled in the study.

When fully funded, the study will be conducted in 105 study locations across the United States. A national probability sample was used to select the counties in the study, which will be representative of the U.S. population as a whole.

The National Children's Study began in response to the Children's Health Act of 2000, when Congress directed the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and other federal agencies to undertake a long-term national study of children's health and development in relation to environmental exposures. A group of more than 2,000 scientists from across the U.S. have been designing and planning the study for the past six years.

The announcement of the new study centers follows earlier study milestones, including the 2004 announcement of the 105 study locations and the establishment of the seven Vanguard centers in 2005.

"We urge the public to watch out for future announcements about the National Children's Study and opportunities to enroll children from Los Angles County starting in 2009 and Ventura County at a later date," said co-principal investigator, Dr. Calvin Hobel, who is vice chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and holds the Miriam Jacobs Chair in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. "This is a historic and once-in-a lifetime opportunity that will advance our understanding of the causes and prevention of some of the common and rare disorders of childhood."

----------------------------
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
----------------------------

For more information on the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities, please visit http://www.healthychild.ucla.edu/.

Source: Amy Albin
University of California - Los Angeles

9:34 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Test for new autism treatment - hmmm
Category: News and Politics

New Autism Treatment Tested

31 Oct 2007

Today, like every day, 75 more children will be born with autism.* It is the fastest growing developmental disorder in this country.** While there is no cure, there is hope for a new, more effective treatment. Doctors are turning to a drug that's been used for generations to treat other diseases to see if it will help with a new generation of autism patients.

Even though he's only 5 years old, Jack Otte is reading at a 5th grade level. His mom, Alicia, says he taught himself to read. And while she's astounded by those flashes of brilliance, she's also frustrated. Jack has autism and at times, it won't let him interact in his class at school.

"You get that initial diagnosis and you're completely devastated. And that devastation somewhat turns into desperation because then you're immediately trying to find treatments and asking what's the best treatment," says Alicia.

It turns out the next new treatment might be something that's been around for generations. It's a drug called mecamylamine, and it was the first pill used to treat high blodd pressure in the 1950's.*** By the time Alicia was a child, it was nearly obsolete. Now, it just might help her son, and a million more children with autism.

"If it works, it would be a really important breakthrough," says Eugene Arnold, MD, with Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. Arnold and his team of researchers will test the drug on children with autism. He says it's not what the drug did in the 50's to help with high blood pressure that's giving them hope, but what it's done recently. Mecamylamine has been effective in helping children control the symptoms of conditions like Tourette Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder. He hopes it may do the same in autism.

"There is some hope that it will make a significant improvement in the core symptoms: the social impairment, the communication, the repetitive behavior, such that it will help them to faster get along the road to rehabilitation," says Dr. Arnold.

Autism affects four times more boys than girls and the number of cases has increased ten-fold in the past decade alone.****

For more information, go to Ohio State University Medical Center's website http://medicalcenter.osu.edu and click on "news & media room."

* Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov

** Facts and Statistics, Autism Society of America, http://www.autism-society.org

*** Mecamylamine, National Institutes of Health, http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids

**** "Autism Speaks Approves More Than $15 Million in New Research Grants", Autism Speaks, http://www.autismspeaks.org

For further information please go to:
Ohio State University Medical Center

9:27 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Fellow AutieMom needs some advice. Let’s go community!
Current mood: working
Category: Life

I received the following inquiry from a fellow AutieMom (Cherice). Please read and see if you can offer some insight. It's that COMMUNITY thing I was talking about people! ;-) Please feel free to leave your advice/support by comment. If you want to contact Cherice, you'll notice her name highlighted in the FROM line below. You should be able to click on the link and be taken to her page.

Peace,
Trae
===================================================================

From: Cherice
Date: Nov 12, 2007 5:59 PM

I have a question....do any of you parents out there have a child whose front teeth are wearing away? Or more like chipping away? And you were puzzled for the longest time, and finally figured it out? Okay, let me give you a little back log...I have a 6 year son who is diagnosed with autism, he is non verbal, and has sensory issues (sensory seeker) A few months back I caught him chewing on the corner of the wall (on the metal that is under the mud on dry wall...) I immediately went out and bought a chewer thing (I don't remember the brand name, but they are 'P' shaped and come in different strengths, textures, and scents) I went with the strongest one they had, seeing how he was chewing on metal, but after a few days he didn't want much to do with it, buthe wasn't chewing on anything hard anymore either. He's always been very sensory, especially oral, and tactile (kid will do anything for a stick of gum) We usually catch him chewing on things with a similar consistancy to gum (wadded up paper, play doh, clay, rubber stretchy toys, etc) This was like 4-6 months ago, and I haven't caught him chewing on anything hard or out of the ordinary, but like 3 1/2 weeks ago I noticed his front teeth were wearing down, and looked jagged, like they were actually be chipped away...I made an appointment immediatetly for the dentist (which was long overdue anyhow) but couldn't get in til December 3rd....and then tonight I noticed they are worn or chipped down even more, and one tooth is almost at a 20-30 degree angle. I guess I'm just looking for some more ideas of what it could be, or what he might try...is there a supplement that people have tried for chewing, or even teeth grinding? It seems like I've read somewhere that magnesium is helpful, but I can't remember....just looking for any advice...all will be accepted :) Thank You!

Cherice & Family

8:59 PM - 6 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

October 3, 2007 - Wednesday

Describing Autism to Kids
Current mood: working
Category: Life

What do you think of this explanation of autism for kids? Agree/disagree with the content? Here's the link for the pdf: Just for Kids

WHAT IS AUTISM?
When a person has autism, it means that something in their brain is different
from other peoples' brains. This causes them to act differently than other
people.

People with autism sometimes have trouble understanding what other people
are saying. They can have a hard time using words to say what they need, and
they might end up saying the same word or sentence over and over.

Children with autism might play in a different way than other kids. They may
like to stare at something for a long time or maybe twirl a piece of string or
spin a toy car around and around. A lot of times they may play by themselves
because they don't know how to play with other kids.

Some kids with autism might be happy, but all of a sudden they will become
sad or mad and might even have a tantrum. It might be because they can't tell
people what they need or want.

DO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM GO TO SCHOOL?
Yes, children with autism go to school to learn just like you. You might even
know someone who has autism! They could be in your class or maybe in a
class that is just for them. Their teachers give them lots of practice to help
them learn new things. Just like you, they have some things that come easily
and other things that are more difficult.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE WITH AUTISM LIKE WHEN THEY GROW UP?
Lots of people with autism can learn to do all sorts of things when they
grow up. They might have a job at a grocery store or as an artist or even
working on a computer. Even though autism never goes away, many people
with autism learn to make friends, do a job and have a very happy life.

HOW SHOULD I ACT AROUND SOMEONE WITH AUTISM?
Just remember that people with autism aren't that much different from you. Just like you, they can do some things better than others. Just like you, they have lots of different feelings. They might feel happy, sad, excited, frustrated, proud, lonely,
or loving – just like you.

It's important to know that even if someone with autism acts different from you or your friends, they still have feelings and they care about other people. You should always try to be a caring person too! So just be yourself when you're with someone who has autism. You may even make a new friend!

9:58 AM - 8 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

September 20, 2007 - Thursday

6 Yr. Old Autistic Child Criminally Charged
Category: News and Politics

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=1faaed2c-0902-4c23-8d9a-52c47e6bd24f

6-Year-Old Autistic Student Criminally Charged After Alleged Assault

Last Update: 9/20 2:57 am
..> ..>

Reported by: Lance Barry
Photographed by: Jason Garrison

A six-year-old autistic boy has been charged criminally after an incident inside his school where he allegedly assaulted a teacher's aide.

It's a story you saw first on 9News.

The incident happened earlier this month at Taylor Elementary School in Brooksville, Ky., located in Bracken County.

He is in kindergarten at Taylor Elementary, but 9News was told that due to his autism and other conditions, his mental capacity is the equivalent to a child half his age.

But despite that condition and his age, it still hasn't stopped a school employee there from holding him accountable: criminally.

Whether it's playing outside with his parents, or coloring SpongeBob Squarepants pictures, Nathan Darnell isn't much different than other kids his age.

But two things that do make him different from many other six-year-olds is his autism – and his criminal rap sheet.

"We are not denying that he did what they are saying, but we are denying he is culpable," said Tony Darnell, Nathan's father.

It was just last week when Nathan's teacher's aide, Glenda Schiltz, filed a juvenile fourth degree misdemeanor assault charge against him.

"What human being with a heart would do that to a six-year old?, asked Cathy Darnell, Nathan's mother. "Seriously, who would do that? I know I wouldn't."

According to the affidavit which 9News obtained, Schiltz alleges that on September 5, Nathan grabbed her by the shirt, pulled her backwards and began punching and kicking her.

"He admits to shoving her down, but he says he didn't pull her backwards," said Tony Darnell.

"She is no small person, she can defend herself," said Cathy Darnell.

So what does the school have to say about the matter?

Superintendent of Bracken County Schools Tony Johnson would not appear on camera but did say in a statement, "I believe we followed proper procedures and I have full faith in my staff".

Despite being autistic, Nathan is integrated with all kindergartners at Taylor Elementary.

His parents believe Schiltz and other teachers there are ill-prepared to handle special needs students.

His mother openly questions Schiltz's credentials.

"[She believes] you need to take him behind the woodshed and teach him something," Cathy Darnell, said. "That is her mentality, beat it out of him."

"Most of the time it [Nathan's behavior] is whining and screaming. I am sure that is hard on teachers and stuff, but we find a way to deal with it," said Tony Darnell.

On Wednesday the family went to the county courthouse, where an inquiry was held and it was decided the criminal case against Nathan will indeed move forward.

It's likely then that Schiltz will have to be there.

But until they get a chance to tell her personally, Nathan's family, in the meantime, does have something they want to say to her.

"She is a cold-hearted woman, that she has made every teacher look bad," said Cathy Darnell.

Repeated attempts to contact Glenda Schiltz were unsuccessful.

9News also was in communication with several school board members and none wanted to comment on the matter.

This is all heading to a proceeding scheduled for next week in which six-year-old Nathan will appear in juvenile court as a defendant.

10:41 PM - 8 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment