Aspergers and Violence - Let's Stop the Rush to Judgment

In December, a horrific tragedy occurred in Connecticut.  As you are probably aware, the news was flooded with information about the killer having Asperger's and many stories were released about the connection between those with Asperger's and violence.  Check out the thoughts and opinions of noted authors and self advocates John Robison and Judy Endow.  They provide compelling and convincing arguments that discount any thoughts, beliefs, or arguments that a connection exists between autism and mass murder. 

Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Autism, 1/26/13

SAVE THE DATE:  Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Autism

To download a flyer about this event, go to www.waisman.wisc.edu/~palumbo/AutismDWE13.pdf
Hosted by the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin and the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Sponsored by the Friends of the Waisman Center

Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Autism Participants will learn about the latest advances in autism research, and will hear firsthand from a panel of experts-individual(s) diagnosed with ASD and their families.

Saturday, January 26, 2013
9:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
(Complimentary coffee & bagels at 8:30 a.m.) Friends of the Waisman Center Auditorium
1500 Highland Avenue, Madison WI 53705

*9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.    Welcome and Introduction to the Waisman Center
Marsha Mailick, PhD, Director, Waisman Center

*9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.   Psychiatric Comorbidity in Children, Adolescents, and
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Janet Lainhart, MD, Professor, Department of Psychiatry Depression, anxiety, inattention, and other neuropsychiatric conditions occur commonly in children, adolescents, and adults with autism. These conditions add substantial burden to affected individuals and their families and are challenging for researchers and clinicians. The conditions make it difficult for parents, schools, community service providers, and clinicians to improve the lives and outcomes of affected individuals. Lack of understanding of these conditions in ASD may also be a barrier to more complete elucidation of the causes of autism. This talk will address neuropsychiatric comorbidity: what it is, why it is frequent in individuals with ASD, how it can be treated, and the difference treatment can make.

* 10:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Update on Prevalence Trends and Risk Factors for Autism
Spectrum Disorder
Maureen Durkin, PhD, DrPH, Professor, Departments of Population Health Sciences & Pediatrics This talk will provide an update on trends in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders.  Associations between autism and risk factors such as pregnancy complications, parental age, birth order, gene mutations, socioeconomic status and co-occurring disabilities will also be described. Local, national and international trends based on the most recent data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network and other sources will also be presented.

*11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m.  What is the Autism Society?
Susannah Peterson, Executive Director, Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin

*11:15 p.m.-12:00 noon  LUNCH-Optional, $5 box lunches (Cousins Subs) available
for purchase. Gluten free options available.

*12:00 noon-12:45 p.m.  Community Support to People with Autism and Challenging
Behaviors
Paul White, MA, Director, Community TIES, Waisman Center The Waisman Center Community TIES program has provided outreach behavioral support to persons with psychological, behavioral and emotional challenges for more than 26 years. This presentation will offer an overview of practical strategies for families and their community support teams to consider in providing such support to people with autism.

*12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m.   PANEL DISCUSSION-A panel of experts that includes
individuals with ASD and family members.

Capacity is limited, please pre-register to attend the event at the Waisman Center.

To register go to: http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/events/experts/

For additional details call (608) 263-5837 or email to palumbo@waisman.wisc.edu

Yoga: good for the whole class

According to a recent study (referenced in this article:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/10/12/162782583/classroom-yoga-helps-improve-behavior-of-kids-with-autism


Early research suggests that yoga exercises help kids concentrate and focus, and improves their strength, motor coordination and social skills.

...yoga was effective because it seems to play to the strengths of kids with autism, while also reducing stress.

"We know that anxiety fuels a lot of the negative behavior, so the yoga program gives them a strategy to cope with it," Koenig tells Shots. "And if it's done every morning, it becomes an integral part of the day that sets the status of the classroom and allows the kids to become calm, focused and ready to learn."

So take a deep breath and explore the article and the possibilities it mentions. 

Hacking Autism: Technology/Innovation/communication

Technology and Hope

When touch-enabled computing was introduced to the world, no one could have anticipated that this technology might help open up a new world of communication, learning and social possibilities for autistic children. Yet it has.

Hacking Autism is a story of technology and hope and the difference it's making in the lives of some people who need it most


Read and see more here (Check out videos, information on apps in progress, ideas posted, and more)
http://hackingautism.org/

Reading Comprehension and Autism

Awesome thoughts and strategies that may help some students gain new skills and improve their ability to communicate about written material, "show what they know" brought to us by the awesome Paula Kluth

http://www.homeschoolconvention.com/blog/he-doesnt-understand-comprehension-support-for-children-with-autism/

Anti-Bullying. NOW!!!!

Hi there, I haven't found that the topic of bullying can be overstated. This article pairs that topic with disabilities. Lets all keep working on bullying never being acceptable.


http://specialneeds.thebullyproject.com/toolkit