Intestinal hyper permeability syndrome or as it is commonly known Leaky gut syndrome is something that is very commonly found in children on the autism spectrum. I have previously addressed how to tests for leaky gut syndrome and here I will briefly touch on one of the important components in treating a leaky gut syndrome. Dealing with leaky gut involves removing any dysbiosis (growth of bad bacteria,, parasites or yeast ) in the intestinal tract , controlling blood sugar levels, and taking specific supplementation to repair lining. Stress is a factor which can also influence your attempts to repair the lining of your gut. One of the most important parts of a program to repair intestinal hyper permeability is to remove irritants. This is done through the elimination diet. Here is a nice link giving you the basics of the elimination diet.  This information is not from in autism web site but the basics of the diet are the same. http://www.curezone.org/faq/q.asp?a=4,99,699&q=54

I was recently asked about H1N1 vaccine for those on the autism spectrum. I posted a few sites with contrasting information. This isn’t scientific but this video is so strong that I had to post it. It is not an autism video but it is relevant to the autism community as vaccines are such an integral part of this community.

http://www.generationrescue.org/desiree_jennings.html

I just wanted to let you know about the World Premiere screening of Autistic License at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on November 1st.

Autistic License is a surprisingly funny, heartbreakingly tragic, authentically surreal and unflinchingly honest play which offers a glimpse of the rewards and struggles of raising a child with autism. This critically-acclaimed play goes beyond the statistics and divisive headlines to provide audiences with the personal experience of living with disability. Autistic License is ultimately about family, love and relationships. Autism may be the vehicle that drives this theatrical piece, but the true message speaks to anyone who thought their life was going in one direction, only to find themselves on a completely unintended journey. Autistic License shows how we can love someone for who they are and not for who we thought they would be — or even who we wanted them to be.

We are teaming up with many organizations across the world, across demographics, and across agencies to promote these areas and create change. We have two worldwide events scheduled for January 31st, and April 9-11th.

AUTISTIC LICENSE’s World Premiere is just the beginning. I hope you can join us November 1st, 10:30 am, Cinema Paridiso, Ft.

Lauderdale.

We are also have educational versions of the DVD available, accompanied with a 16-page Discussion Leader’s Guide to assist in promoting awareness, building community, producing educational events and generating political action.

Please share this with your mailing lists!

You can see the trailers and audience commentary at www.

autisticlicenseplay.com.

You may view the festival details

Shine!

Julie Rappaport

President, Smokin’ Yogi Visions, LLC

Executive Producer, Autistic License

www.autisticlicenseplay.comwww.smokinyogi.comhttp://www.fliff.com/film.asp?filmID=2674&submit.x=132&submit.y=19

Yesterday, I received an e-mail from someone in our support group www.hitautism.net inquiring as to whether they should vaccinate their child who is on the autism spectrum with the   H1N1 vaccine. This person had heard that the  vaccine contained thimerosal and as would be expected for anyone in the autism community was  concerned. This question  of course is the subject of great debate. There are different points of views with different risk/reward ratios to be considered.  My opinion is that the vaccines are one of many epigenetic triggers that can affect a prediposed child. Was your child’s autism temporally related to the vaccine? Is his detoxification system more developed now than it was before? In the end this is an individual decision. This is one however that should be made on an informed basis. I have provided below three links with different perspectives on the subject. Ultimately, this is individual decision but one that should be made on an informed basis. I hope that these three links provide enough information for you to make your decision or at least provide you a place to begin your search. Please continue to look up information until you are comfortable with your decision.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/top-stories/autism-activists-question-h1n1-vaccine-1.1815379#

http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/09/thoughts-from-the-vaccine-frontier—cdcs-novel-h1n1-stakeholder-engagement.html

http://autismsciencefoundation.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/novel-h1n1-vaccine-and-autism-what-you-need-to-know/

Most times when patients most times when parents present to my office with a child who is on the autism spectrum they have already tried the gluten free casein free type diets.D.A.N.! Defeat Autism Now! is by far the largest “alternative medicine”  organization available and forum on the Internet and this  is a big part of their protocol. GFCF is one of the mainstays of their program.  The gluten and casein sensitivity and its association with autism spectrum disorders is fairly common. Logically a GFCG  diet would follow. This is a big part of the Biomedical treatment approach that parents come across in their search to help their children. This link has a nice article on how to get started with the GCFC diet as well as a link to a list gluten-free items.  http://glutenfreequestions.com/ask-gfq-how-do-i-start-the-gluten-free-diet/

This past Saturday was our first buddy baseball game. We sponsored a team that were almost all kids that treat at the office. These kids need social exposure as well as involvement in mainstream type games as a therapy and as for social integration . I always say that none of this happens in a bubble. The kids got a chance to participate in a non competitive atmosphere and have all the positive reinforcement that they could get. The smiles on the kids and parents faces were great. The sense of accomplishment was great. For some it was a bit overwhelming but I am sure as the weeks go on it will get easier. We sponsored a team but the real credit goes to  Russ Oberbroecking for putting it all together. For more information about something great to do in your city go to  www.buddybaseball.org

Pear upside down cake. This looks delicious. Easy instructions, nice pictures and great taste. Enjoy!!

http://afewshortcuts.com/2009/10/snackurday-pear-upside-down-cake/

I found this on this web site  http://addhelpsite.com/ the link didn’t quite work for me but I wanted to give them credit. Apparently, this is a free program that is available that can help those with ADHD and LD etc. As always, whenever I find something like this that I thik may help others I try to pass it along. Hope it helps someone. http://theeasyessay.com/

I was made aware of this by Kim Hammons. Thanks again Kim

Free communication devices are available to Pennsylvanians through a generous donation from AstraZeneca.

The Zam Communicator is a lightweight, two-sided communication device that does NOT generate speech. It was developed to help improve communication between patients who are unable to speak and medical professionals. The device offers a keypad for spelling out words and icons representing medically related messages. The messages are displayed on a dual sided LCD screen at the top of the communication device.

Zam Communicators are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis to individual Pennsylvanians. Individuals will be asked to pick up the device from PIAT’s main office or pay for shipping. Photos of the device are included in the attachment.

AstraZeneca is a Delaware-based pharmaceutical company that donated these devices to Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology. These devices must be distributed directly to patients and may not be distributed to or through physicians, other health care professionals, medical group practices, or to hospitals. They can be distributed directly to patient groups in individual, outpatient, or health clinic settings. Health care and disability professionals can promote the availability of these devices and encourage individuals to contact their Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) (for a listing of ATRCs, go to http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/atlend/atrc.shtml. )AstraZeneca and Temple University make no warranty and assume no liability on the device or any of the included components.

If you or someone you know could use a communication device, such as the Zam Communicator, please contact PIAT at 800-204-PIAT (7428), (866) 268-0579 (TTY) or atinfo@temple.edu.

Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), a program of the Institute on Disabilities at the Temple University, helps Pennsylvanians with disabilities learn about and acquire the tools they need in order to learn, work, play, and participate in community life. If you have any assistive technology needs, please contact PIAT at (800) 204-PIAT (7248) voice), or (866) 268-0579 (TTY), atinfo@temple.edu or visit www.disabilities.temple.edu/piat.

–
Jennifer M. Seale, M.S. CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Services Coordinator
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
Suite 610 University Services Building
1601 North Broad Street
Philadelphia PA 19122
215-204-3032 (office)
seale@temple.edu
“This virtual community is funded by the Office of Developmental Programs, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and implemented by the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University”

Our mailing address is:

Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
1414 N. Cameron St.
Harrisburg, PA 17103

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