National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) Workshop on Autism

The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) will be holding a workshop entitled "It Has to be Said" with Dr John McEachin a Clinical Psychologist who works with children with autism.

Workshop Details

Date : 16 December 2007 (Sunday)

Time : 8.30am to 4.30pm

Venue : Singgahsana Hotel, Persiaran Barat, Selangor

Contact : NASOM - Tel 603 7710 4098 / secretariat@nasom.com.my

Download the Flyer - here

PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN

• The latest research about autism and recovery.


• What is recovery and how it is commonly defined.


• About the predictors of outcome for young children with autism


• The multitude of ways ABA can help children with autism learn very advanced skills, not just beginning programmes. Stress management, creative thinking, conversational
  skills and advanced social skills will be discussed.


• The many different teaching techniques, that can be used that are ABA based.


• Hints and tips for integrating children with autism into mainstream schools.


• How to develop a successful integration plan for shadow support.


• How to make the best use of social settings to teach social skills.
  

ABOUT THE SPEAKER


John McEachin is a licensed psychologist who has been providing behavioural intervention to children with autism as well as adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities for more than 30 years.

He received his graduate training under Professor Ivar lovaas at UCLA on the Young Autism Project. His research has included the long term follow up study of young autistic children who received intensive behavioural treatment

Dr. McEachin has lectured throughout the world and consulted to numerous families and agencies, assisting in the development of treatment programmes and providing
training to parents , group home staff, and classroom personnel.

In 1994 he joined with Ron Leaf in forming Autism Partnership which he co directs.
They also are the co-authors of a book A WORK IN PROGRESS, one of the most recommended books on behavioural intervention.


Download the Flyer - here


The National Autism Society of Malaysia

35A Jalan SS 21/37
Damansara Uptown
47400 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Phone : 603 7710 4098
Fax : 603 7710 4149
Email : secretariat@nasom.com.my
www.teleautism.net


[tags : disability NASOM autism children pediatric neurology national autism society of malaysia john mceachin]

The Legal Battle : Claims that Autism caused by Childhood Vaccines

In excruciating detail, an Arizona mother on Monday described severe autism and devastating health problems that plague her 12-year-old daughter and asked a court to find common childhood vaccines were the cause.

The test case is being closely watched by nearly 5,000 families of autistic children who have lodged similar claims for compensation from a federal fund.

The case of Michelle Cedillo, of Yuma, Ariz., is the first alleging a vaccine-autism link to be heard in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. It and eight other test cases are important because they will guide the handling of the other pending claims. Most contend that a mercury-rich preservative called thimerosal is to blame for the impaired social interaction typical of the disorder.

Should they prevail, the families will be eligible for compensation from a federal vaccine injury fund established by Congress to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines by shielding manufacturers from lawsuits. No autism claim has been paid from the fund thus far.

Large scientific studies have found no association between autism and vaccines containing thimerosal.

Government attorney Vincent Matanoski dismissed much of what the plaintiffs are expected to present during the three-week hearing as conjecture or speculation.

"You'll find their hypotheses untested or, when tested, have been found false," Matanoski said.

Theresa Cedillo said her daughter suffered five days of fever, her temperature often spiking to 105 degrees, after receiving a measles, mumps and rubella vaccination at age 15 months. Michelle was a happy, robust, responsive and loving child - in short, normal - but hasn't been the same since, her mother told the court.

Wearing noise-canceling headphones, Michelle was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair at the start of the proceedings. She stayed only a short time, moaning audibly several times. Besides autism, Michelle suffers from inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma and epilepsy. In addition, her bones, weakened by years of malnourishment, are prone to breaks, Theresa Cedillo said. Everything she eats is pumped in through a feeding tube, except for crackers and water.

"Clearly the story of Michelle's life is a tragic one," Special Master George Hastings Jr. said in thanking the family for allowing theirs to be the first test case. Hastings pledged he and two other special masters would listen carefully to all evidence.

Theresa Cedillo and husband Michael allege thimerosal-containing vaccines weakened their daughter's immune system and prevented her body from clearing the measles virus after she was immunized. That theory is one of three alleged by the thousands of plaintiffs. The others claim either thimerosal or the measles vaccine alone caused their children's autism.

"We hope to find out what happened and hopefully get the help she needs," said Theresa Cedillo, who takes care of her daughter full time at home.

The burden of proof is easier than in a traditional court. Plaintiffs only have to prove that a link between autism and the shots is more likely than not, based on a preponderance of evidence. But many parents say their children's symptoms did not show up until after their children received the vaccines, required by many states for admission to school.

"These are families who followed the rules. These are families who brought children in for vaccines. These are families who immunized their children," Cedillo attorney Thomas Powers said. Later, outside court, he cast aside any suggestion his clients were anti-vaccine.

Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction. Those affected often have trouble communicating, and they exhibit unusual or severely limited activities and interests.

In 1999, the U.S. government asked vaccine manufacturers to eliminate or reduce the use of thimerosal in childhood vaccines to limit infant exposure to mercury. Today, the preservative is no longer found in routine childhood vaccines but is used in some flu shots.

The nine test cases will be heard consecutively over the next year. A ruling in the Cedillo case could take months or longer, attorneys said.

Source

[tags : disability autism children vaccines ]

WeBehave.com Offers Resources for Children with Special Needs

WeBehave.com offeres some interesting resources for children with special needs.

Check out their section at WeBehave.com

Products Feature:
- Videos
- Books
- Clothing
- Laces
and more



Special Stuff for Special Needs

Learning Videos for Special Kids Informative! Effective! Soothing! Appropriate for children with learning disabilities like Autism, Down Syndrome, Asperger's, Cerebral Palsy, Dyslexia, etc. To find out more about these helpful videos, click here.

Books & Stuff for Kids with Special Needs (their Parents and Siblings, too) Lively, heartwarming and supportive -- these books and products help kids with special needs feel good about themselves, and provide valuable insights for their family members, too! Click here for more.

Great behavior management, emotional growth and character development program. To find out more, click here.

Adaptive Clothing Adaptive clothing that can make your life a little easier -- like bibs to protect clothing from spills and ponchos that cover you and your wheelchair. Find out more about our helpful adaptive clothing here.

'Lastic Laces These elastic no tie shoelaces are a boon to the elderly and physically challenged. You lace them once and never again. The elasticity built into these coiled shoelaces keep shoes snug on feet, yet stretch so it's easy to take shoes on and off. See more about our great elastic shoelaces here.

Care From Special Toddlers to our beloved Seniors, you'll find these products a blessing!! Click here for great products that help you through the daily routine.

Need Special swim wear or incontinence products? Click here.

[tags : disability epilepsy autism children pediatric neurology]

Malaysia Metabolic Society is ONLINE

What is Malaysia Metabolic Society (MMS)?

Malaysian Metabolic Society was founded at 22nd July 2005. It serves as a central network for the advocacy and effective coordination of all viable efforts to sustain a better quality of life for the individuals with inborn errors of metabolic (IEM) diseases in Malaysia.

Why setup MMS?

The objectives and aims of MMS are:

• To give support and help the children, teenagers, adults and families affected with IEM diseases including medical care, rehabilitation, education and career.
  
• To provide accurate & latest information on IEM to all the members. We also promote public education and raise awareness by the help of media and radio.
  
• To form a network among the members whose families are affected by IEM.
  
• Our society are ready to work together with pharmaceuticals agencies & research companies in developing new drugs to diagnose and prevent IEM diseases effectively and able to improve the quality of life for all patients affected with these disorders.
  
• To conduct fund raising in order to support our activities as mentioned above.

Click here to learn more about - IEM (Inborn Error Metabolism)

Malaysia Metabolic Society's Webpage

- http://mms.org.my -

[tags : disability epilepsy autism children pediatric neurology]

Better Hearing & Speech, Resources on Sale by Speechelp

The month of May has been dedicated to promote better hearing and speech internationally by Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

In conjunction with this, SpeecHelp is having some offers, discounts and rebates.

RESOURCES FOR SALE
1 st May-31 st May 2007
Shop for your clients, families and friends!
Visit the Speech Shop for more information on discounts


SPEECH ASSESSMENT SUBSIDIES
1 st May-31 st May 2007
This year, SpeecHelp is happy to provide a 50% assessment subsidy for all children or adults with • Down Syndrome • Those afflicted with difficulties of the Cleft Lip & Palate and other Craniofacial challenges

All assessments are by appointment only.
Please contact the SpeecHelp Clinic at 03-7954 2288 to book your appointment today.
Visit us at www.speechelp.com




The SpeecHelp Team SpeecHelp Therapy & Resources Sdn Bhd

Your One Stop Speech Spot www.speechelp.com
No 20, Jalan Bukit,
Section 11/2
46200 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor
Malaysia
Tel/ Fax 03- 7954 2288



[tags : disability epilepsy autism children pediatric neurology]