The Amazing Benefits Of Methyl-B12: Increase Your Child’s Ability For Speech. Parents have seen a dramatic improvement in the number of words used, complex speech, and the sudden ability to make complete sentences and UNDERSTAND the meanings. Yes, your child has the ability to be helped. Increased Environmental Awareness. Many parents report their child becomes more aware of their surroundings, more engaged with their environment – such as toys, other people, pets, etc. Better Attention & Focusing Abilities. Teachers and therapists often indicate better attention and focusing in school or therapy sessions with Methyl-B12. When this happens children become more receptive to learning and are more engaged in the learning process. Increased Mental Processing Skills. Parents, therapists and teachers will often report a greater capacity for memory recall and retention, academic skills, and more. Supports Normal Detoxification Capacity. Biochemically, Methyl-B12 assists in glutathione production which is involved in physiological detoxification at the cellular level. Methyl-B12 is an important switch that makes proper cellular function work more effectively. “Why is Methyl-B12 Therapy So Powerful in the Treatment of Autism, ADD, PDD & Other Spectrum Disorders?” Methyl-B12 Therapy positively impacts an important biochemical process in the body and brain called “Methylation.” Methylation is involved in awareness, focusing, attention, language development, immune support, brain chemistry and detoxification.

i have 5 children. three with autism. i feel that i have succeeded this far because i have not eaten a single child. this is why i call it stodmor's blog: surviving motherhood without eating your young. we laugh far more than we cry. i started this blog in april of this year and have found it so cathartic. i did not let anyone in my world for the longest time and i don't know why. this is our life, day to day. every triumph, joy, and failure. of course being the completely perfect mother i am there has yet to be failure..... of course i just lied. i would love to link with other mothers who find the joy and LAUGH about our wacky, quirky world. come and help me be cathartic!!

Passing this on. I am praying that we do not come off as nuts ( like we usually do when the autism vaccine connection is talked about) and that his changed how people see our kids. I am even staying home from Church to watch this! Thoughtful House on NBC News Story Scheduled to be Broadcast this Weekend August 25, 2009 Dear Friends, As some of you may have already heard, the NBC television network is producing a special on Thoughtful House and Dr. Andrew Wakefield. We are sending along this note to make you aware of the extent of coverage on various programs and the scheduled broadcast date. First, though, we thought it was important to help everyone understand our decision to cooperate with the reporter, Matt Lauer, and his producer, Ami Schmitz. In our estimation, there has not yet been any fair coverage in the mainstream media of Dr. Wakefield or the work of Thoughtful House. While we have a large community of supporters that know Dr. Wakefield's credibility and the accomplishments of Thoughtful House and our excellent physicians and clinicians, including Dr. Bryan Jepson, Dr. Arthur Krigsman, and Kelly Barnhill, CN, CCN, many of us in the Autism Advocacy Community spend most of our time communicating with people in similar situations. Our challenge has always been to reach out to a greater population that might not know or understand what is happening with regard to the autism epidemic and the lack of government research into potential causes, which includes looking at vaccine safety. We thought that if we ever were able to communicate with a fair-minded journalist working at a media outlet with both credibility and reach then it was likely to be worth the risk trying to tell our story. We have taken that chance with NBC. While we initially declined their invitation for a story, we were persuaded to move forward when Matt Lauer was proposed as the correspondent. His reputation for being objective and thorough prompted us to reconsider and ultimately to open our doors. In March, TV crews from The Today Show, Dateline, and NBC Nightly News began gathering material at Thoughtful House in Austin. This involved taping long interviews with Drs. Wakefield, Jepson, and Krigsman, some of our therapists, administrators, and, more importantly, a few of our families. The crews traveled to London to report on the Lancet controversy and interviewed many of the central figures relevant to that part of our story. They also taped interviews, presentations, and families in attendance at the Atlanta DAN conference. Dr. Wakefield was flown to New York by the network and received what he described as a "tough but fair" interview in a one-on-one with Today Show host Matt Lauer. The person we have dealt with throughout the course of this project is Mr. Lauer's producer, Ami Schmitz. Ami has a long resume as a medical journalist and was formerly Dr. Timothy Johnson's producer at ABC News. In our assessment, she has been thorough and diligent in gathering information, documents, and asking the kind of detailed questions that have been glossed over or conflated in previous reporting. We believe, based upon hours and hours of working with Ami, she is writing an even-handed report, which will be narrated and hosted by Mr. Lauer. Nothing is certain, of course, so we are taking a risk. However, we believe the potential reward is worth that risk; it's entirely possible this will be the first time this subject matter (autism, Wakefield, Thoughtful House, vaccine safety research) has been considered objectively in mainstream media. If that is the case, we have the possibility of communicating with millions of people and that will be nothing but positive for those of us dealing with autism in our own families. We will find out this Friday, August 28. A portion of Mr. Lauer's interview with Dr. Wakefield will be broadcast in an 8-10 minute segment on The Today Show. Either Saturday or Sunday, the NBC Nightly News Weekend will also broadcast a lengthy piece on Thoughtful House and vaccine safety. Coverage will culminate on Sunday night, August 30, at 7 pm EST, with an hour-long broadcast hosted by Mr. Lauer on Dateline NBC. This is scheduled to be adjacent to the Sunday night NFL football game on NBC, which means there is the potential for a large audience. In fact, the cumulative audience for all of these programs means there are likely to be no less than 5 million people who learn about autism and Thoughtful House and, quite possibly, as many as 20 million viewers will see the various broadcasts. Consequently, you see the reason we decided to cooperate with NBC. The program might just be a game changer in the conversation we are all having in our communities with our governments, health care providers, insurance companies, and overall policies within our culture that marginalize families dealing with autism. We all started off several years ago on what many of us believe is the correct course for treatment and research and it has led us to this moment, and we believe we've made the right decision. We would like to ask all of you that are active in the autism community to hold all judgment and wait to see the final broadcast. NBC has dedicated substantial time and resources to this story and the producer has made every effort to interview people from all points of view. Our hope is that a fair story will be told and you may submit feedback to the network after the shows have aired. Please do not attempt to contact them prior to the broadcast. Please share this information with your friends, and if there are any last minutes changes, which we are told is always possible in the news business, you can rely on us to bring them to your attention. Sincerely, Anissa Ryland Director of Operations Thoughtful House Center for Children

For some reason I felt horrible today for signing up Jaden for Social Security. Times is getting tough just with my husband working. It's very hard for me to work since I can't leave Jaden with just anybody. Also I fear leaving Jaden with a regular babysitter. He can't really speak or explain to me if something bad happened to him. So after a long time we bit the bullet and signed up for social security. I feel like a labeled him. I know I'm being dramatic but just answering all their questions made me feel like I put Jaden in a box. The trials and tribulations of a parent:(

I got this info in an email. It may help someone. This is a section I did a cut and paste from an email Joe Crimmins sent to me. It may be of interest to those of you who have children who are using aumentative communication devices. I am sending this information on with Joe's permission. Thanks, Joe! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hello Everyone: I’m sending this information along to make you aware of these AAC software applications now available for the Apple iPhone/iTouch devices.  Some of you know I’ve been looking for a software based system that would work on the iTouch for over a year. Our son Nick, who has Down’s Syndrome, navigates his easily and of course it’s very portable.  With this AAC software, augmentative communication is also finally affordable using a $230.00 iTouch as the hardware plus the cost of the software from iTunes (see prices in parenthesis below).   Our ENT Dr David Sabato from the South Bend Clinic made me aware of this during an appointment Nick had with him today.  Another patient of his told him about it.  I downloaded the $25 Look-2-Learn application to get started before diving in with the more expensive one but this one seems to take advantage of Apples ‘cover flow’ technology where one swipes across various categories in order for the user to communicate their needs.  Our son uses this cover flow interface with ease when he is selecting his favorite music on his iTouch. It’s very visual and interactive like flipping through a stack of albums.  One also can add images on the fly with a fair degree of ease it seems.  I’ve quickly glanced through the Look2Learn’s website tutorials this afternoon but it seems pretty straight forward.  Clearly there may be limitations but it’s a good start.   We had been trying out a device called Play it Again Sam on loan from the school corporation but this device is bulkier, with a steeper learning curve and since it not Apple, not quite as ‘cool’ for kids of all ages. For those in the tween, teen and young adult stages this may be important from an acceptance and integration standpoint with their non-special needs peers.  From our family’s standpoint, Nick would give the Play It Again Sam device a cool reception since it wasn’t something to which he was acclimated and accepted into his day.  Additionally, we found it less convenient to remember to take with us when we left the house.   He uses his iTouch to play games, play music etc so the familiarity hurdle is non-existent as far as the device.  Plus as a parent we don’t have to tote a large device around or worry about him dropping a $5k-$7,000 dollar piece of hardware.  It seems insurance compan ies may also be more receptive to paying for such software and the iTouch/Phone.  We all know firsthand the horror stories of getting other AAC devices approved for reimbursement.  And should they still refuse reimbursement, it won’t break the family bank.   Over time other publishers may offer competing solutions of course.  These popped up when I did a search in the iTunes store using the phrase: augmentative communication  so keep trying.   I’m glad someone is offering this AAC technology on an affordable, highly transportable, multipurpose and upgradeable platform. For those with iPhones/Touches at home it might be worth to download the two less expensive ones to try out. Please forward to anyone who you think may be interested that’s not on the list (speech therapist, parents of special needs kids or those with speech delays, friends with special needs etc).  Please note I have no financial interest in these firms (though I wish I had).  I just wanted to share what seems to be paradigm shift on the AAC device front.       NON-FREE APPS: http://www.proloquo2go.com/  ($150)   http://www.look2learn.com/look2learn/Home.html  ($25)   http://www.converseapp.com/  ($10)   FREE APPS: http://locabulary.com/      

Wynn has been getting MB 12 shots for several years now. I *think* that they are helping him--it is hard to tell when we are always doing more than one treatment at a time. When we first started them, the doctor had us keep very detailed records and I remember noting that he was asking more novel questions, interested in a bigger variety of things, and using new vocabulary. So, we have kept them up over the years. Now, a company has created MB12 lollipops (http://www.revitapop.com/). I've heard the testimonials and hope that they can replace the shots in the future. I ordered my first batch (they are about $1 a piece) and let my NT daughter try them out. She didn't know they were "special" lollipops but commented about how much energy felt after she finished eating it. "Must be a sugar rush" she determined. Maybe...or maybe not. Tomorrow, Michael Boll from autismpodcast.org and I are going to interview the founder of the company that produces the pops. Michael and I are going to try out the lollipops ourselves and will give you our feedback during the interview. If you have any questions that you would like us to ask about the lollipops, please respond to this post and I will try my best to ask them during the taping. If you have tried them, I would love to hear about your experience, good or bad. Thanks for sharing! Shannon

"Explosive Child" (title borrowed from Dr. Green's book of the same title) More on My Son (Part 31) August 17, 2009 Alright where to begin.... Well the past couple of weeks, we have gotten to the beach every weekend. He really loves the beach and we had loads of fun out there. We bought him a body board that he picked out with a shark (Bruce) on it. Him and I would wade out until he was about a little over waist deep. I would hole the board, and he would climb on... when a wave would come I would give the board a little push and off he would go... most of the time all the way until the board beached itself. The funny part was when he was on the board looking over his shoulder at the approaching waves saying.... "No, not this one, it's not a good one... ooo I see a good one, get ready daddy, get ready daddy... it's a good one.." We only had one bad melt down at the beach when he would not stop throwing sand.... but that was about it. The next biggest thing... "The Explosive Child" by Dr. Ross. OMG!! Everyone, simply everyone (parents, grandparents, teachers, therapists, babysitters, ect... any adult who interacts with your child(ren) should at least read, but most importantly study this book. I am already looking forward to his second one, about applying this technique in a class room setting, and if I like it half as much I will buy a copy for every teacher he ever has. Since using this technique I have avoided arguements, or confrontations at least 90% of the time. It teaches about important social and self skills to teach your child, and techniques for not just teaching them, but helping your child learn them. I cannot say enough about the book, but do not want to ruin it (actually get something wrong in my explanation of it). School Well it is that time of year again, and today my son went to meet his 1st Grade Teacher. He is still being mainstreamed in the regular classroom, which will probably cause me some sleepless, thougth / hope filled nights, in the coming year, but amd so excited and hopefull for him. My wife went with him today and has nothing but positive feedback about his teacher. So we are very hopefull. Actually find myself too excited to write much more right now... so I will try to write again soon and let everyone know how he is doing in 1st Grade.

sorry ya i have been Busy and not able to check all my Message Board Group for a while I will try to keep up a little Better. Take care Joel

what I have Learn is to take Thing on day at a time. and to expected the unexpected.

"God Does Not Make Garbage" "God Does Not Make Garbage" The live performance, a visceral experience of what life feels like living on the tightrope of autism. Formally presented at National Conferences all over the world including ASA and AUTCOM. It opens up a window that takes you directly into the world of autism. This powerful message alters the perspective and understanding of caregivers, service providers, educators and parents alike. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NANLcwOif0Q

You think English is easy??? Read to the end . . . a new twist 01) The bandage was wound around the wound. 02) The farm was used to produce produce . 03) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. 04) We must polish the Polish furniture. 05) He could lead if he would get the lead out. 06) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert. 07) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present . 08) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum. 09) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes. 10) I did not object to the object. 11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid. 12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row . 13) They were too close to the door to close it. 14) The buck does funny things when the does are present. 15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line. 16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow. 17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail. 18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear. 19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests. 20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend? Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on. English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ? You lovers of the English language might enjoy this . There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP.' It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ? We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special. A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP ! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP . When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP... When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so........it is time to shut UP! Now it's UP to you what you do with this.

http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=art890&zTYPE=2 Melatonin Update Breaking Research on the Body's Master Hormone By Linda Fugate, PhD If the body has a master hormone, melatonin may be it. The pineal gland, located in the brain, produces melatonin on a daily schedule. Most melatonin is secreted at night, less in the daytime. This hormone regulates the sleep-wake cycle, (1) as well as the eating cycle (2) and the production of other hormones. (3) Some plants contain melatonin, including several herbs used in Chinese medicine. (4,5,6) Melatonin is well known as a beneficial agent for jet lag and general sleep disturbances, sometimes called delayed sleep phase syndrome. (1) Older people are especially at risk. Approximately 30 percent of people over the age of 50 exhibit insomnia to a greater or lesser degree. However, doses of melatonin as small as 0.3 mg taken at bedtime improves sleep quality. (16) Melatonin provides numerous benefits for both healthy individuals and patients with specific medical conditions. Melatonin production decreases dramatically and predictably with age (Fig. 1). Melatonin Use in Serious Diseases Melatonin has been used in the treatment of serious illnesses such as cancer, conditions requiring surgery, schizophrenia with tardive dyskinesia, and blindness with circadian rhythmic disturbances. In addition, daytime sleepiness caused by nighttime sleep disturbances is the greatest identifiable cause of accidents in all modes of transportation. (8) ICU Psychosis and Melatonin Surgical patients commonly have their sleep cycle disrupted. (9) The hospital environment may include 24-hour light, noise, unusual activity, needles, tubes, and other disruptions to the patients normal routine. In severe cases, postoperative sleep-wake cycle disruption may result in delirium, which is associated with increased complications and death. The reported incidence of post-operative delirium or confusion is up to 78 percent. Sleep deprivation may even lead to psychosis. Melatonin prevented these postoperative complications in two patients in a preliminary research study at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Further research is expected to show benefits for a significant number of patients. (1) In another study of the effect of premedication with melatonin prior to anesthesia, patients receiving melatonin were found to have less anxiety, better response to anesthesia, and less impairment of cognitive and psychomotor skills. The melatonin doses were administered 100 minutes before standard surgical anesthesia. The optimum dose of melatonin was found to be 0.05 mg per kilogram of body weight. This treatment made the patients feel better while awaiting surgery, and did not impair their recovery. (11) Many other conditions respond to melatonin treatment as well. Melatonin Aids Cancer Patients Fighting Cachexia About half of all cancer patients suffer from cachexia, a condition associated with weight loss, psychological distress, and a lower quality of life.. Cachexia includes complicated changes in the bodys normal biochemistry. The appetite is suppressed, and the bodys tissues break down in a process called wasting. The wasting process includes increased cytokine production. Cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferons (IFN) can suppress appetite and disturb normal metabolic activity. Other alterations in interwww.y metabolism, including the release of lipid-mobilizing and proteolysis-inducing factors, speed up the loss of body mass. Appetite is strongly related to the sleep-wake cycle. I discovered this from personal experience on a trip to Germany. My first meal after the flight occurred at approximately 3:00 am in my hometown. I found it difficult to eat when my body thought it was time to sleep. Cancer patients are subject to surgery, sedating drugs, and other medical intervention, sometimes in the middle of the night. Without a normal sleep pattern, they may never feel that its time to wake up and eat. Melatonin treatment can normalize the eating cycle. Additionally, a recent paper reported that melatonin inhibits tumor-derived catabolic factors that produce the wasting effect (cachexia). (2) Melatonin and Schizophrenia Schizophrenics also benefit from melatonin. The drugs used to treat schizophrenia may cause tardive dyskinesia, a disabling movement defect. Up to 50 percent of patients hospitalized with schizophrenia suffer from this problem. Tardive dyskinesia is believed to be caused by increased sensitivity of dopamine receptors, plus neurotoxicity caused by oxidative stress. Melatonin has been shown to effectively alleviate these patients symptoms. Researchers in Israel showed that 10 mg per day of melatonin for 6 weeks significantly improved movement control of tardive dyskinesia patients. They attributed these benefits to melatonins antioxidant effects. Melatonin also tends to normalize dopamine release in schizophrenic patients. (12) Melatonin Improves Quality of Life for Blind People The quality of life for totally blind people is also improved by melatonin. Most blind people have free-running circadian rhythms that drift away from the normal 24-hour day. Recurrent insomnia and daytime sleepiness may cause significant problems to blind people who already have a difficult life. Melatonin administration can correct the problem in most totally blind people. In a recent study, seven blind people received 10 mg per day of melatonin, one hour before their preferred bedtime. At the beginning of the study, the circadian rhythms of these subjects ranged from 24.2 to 24.9 hours. After three to nine weeks, six of the seven subjects were sleeping on a 24-hour cycle. The dose of melatonin was then reduced to 0.5 mg per day over a period of three months. Once established, the 24-hour cycle persisted even at the much lower dose. (13) Melatonin and Aging Aging commonly causes an increase in abdominal fat, plasma insulin, and lipids such as cholesterol. Researchers at the University of Washington showed that melatonin supplements in elderly rats could prevent or even reverse these effects of aging. The melatonin-treated rats also returned to youthful behavior patterns, including response to novelty.. (7) In one animal model, melatonin supplements increased the lifespan. Older people are more susceptible to death from infection. Melatonin deficiency is related to decreased immune system function.16 One study showed that melatonin can rejuvenate the degenerative thymus (part of the immune system) in aging animals. (17) Melatonin plays a direct role in regulating ovarian function. Progesterone production and hormone receptor function were both improved by melatonin. (3) In another study, 2 mg per day of melatonin was useful in balancing the hormones of women 64 to 80 years of age. (18) A decrease in melatonin is also associated with male menopause, also called andropause or androgen decline in the aging male (ADAM). (18) Melatonin is a Powerful Antioxidant One important mechanism for melatonins anti-aging effects is its role as an antioxidant. Many researchers believe that antioxidants can prevent and delay the onset of chronic degenerative diseases, and possibly extend the lifespan. Unlike other antioxidants, melatonin reacts with oxidative molecules to produce other molecules which are also antioxidants. This phenomenon is called the free radical scavenging cascade reaction of melatonin. Because of this cascade, one melatonin molecule has the potential to neutralize approximately four reactive oxygenating species. This indicates that melatonin is several times more potent than Vitamin C or Vitamin E as an antioxidant. (19) Melatonin and Immune System Melatonin is also a potent stimulator of immune cells, but it should not be taken in combination with Echinacea. Many people take melatonin for sleep disturbances and Echinacea for virus infections, especially in the winter. Canadian researchers tested the effects of the combination of these two products on mice. They found that this combination inhibits the production of granular leukocytes from their precursors, called myeloid cells. Granular leukocytes are important elements of the immune system. Both melatonin and Echinacea stimulate the production of T, B, natural killer cells, and myeloid cells in the immune system, either separately or together. However, melatonin and Echinacea together appear to inhibit the maturation of myeloid cells into granular leukocytes. The exact mechanism for this action is not yet known, but it is not desirable to reduce the granular leukocyte count. (20) Since individual responses to any health product vary, those who respond poorly to Echinacea may want to consider melatonin as an alternative. Melatonin should always be taken near bedtime, even when it is used for purposes other than sleep regulation. Other Uses for Melatonin Preliminary research indicates other possible uses. Melatonin has shown some promise as a treatment for migraine headaches. (21) Cluster headaches have also been treated successfully with melatonin. At the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, two patients were given 9 mg of melatonin daily at bedtime, along with their usual headache medication. Both remained free of headaches during their six to eight month follow-ups. One patient required only two days of melatonin treatment to rid himself of the cluster headaches. (22) For cancers that are treated with Interleukin-2 immune therapy, the addition of melatonin may prolong survival time and increase the efficiency of Interleukin-2. This strategy appears to be superior to the use of high-dose Interleukin-2 alone. (23) Agomelatine, which makes melatonin more effective, has been shown to be beneficial in patients with major depression. (25) This result suggests that melatonin itself may be useful in treating depression. Conclusion Melatonin is an important hormone that declines with age. People over 50 benefit most from supplemental melatonin, but there are numerous uses for melatonin in people of all ages. The benefits of melatonin include: Sleep regulation for jet lag, shift work, or general insomnia Regulation of other hormone cycles Anti-aging and antioxidant protection Enhancement of immune function Better recovery from surgery Enhancement of cancer therapies Potential treatment of other diseases, such as tardive dyskinesia and migraine headache Because of its safety and numerous benefits on health and lifespan, (7,24) I think melatonin may be one of the most effective anti-aging substances currently available. References: 1. Melatonin Q & A, www.vrp.com. 2. Inui A, Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome: current issues in research and management, CA Cancer J Clin 2002 Mar-Apr;52(2):72-91. 3. Woo MM, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001 Oct;86(10):4789-97. 4. Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Melatonin: an antioxidant in edible plants, Ann N Y Acad Sci 2002 May;957:341-4. 5. Burkhardt S, et al. J Agric Food Chem 2001 Oct;49(10):4898-902. 6. Watanabe H, et al. Am J Chin Med 2002;30(1):65-71. 7. Zhdanova IV, Wurtman RJ, Regan MM, et al, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001 Oct;86(10):4727-30. 8. Rasmussen DD, Mitton DR, Larsen SA, Yellon SM. J Pineal Res 2001 Aug;31(1):89-94. 9. Rajaratnam SM, Arendt J, Health in a 24-hour society, Lancet 2001 Sep 22;358(9286):999-1005. 10.. Cronin AJ, et al. Lancet 2000 Oct 7;356(9237): 1244-5. 11. Hanania M, Kitain E, Melatonin for treatment and prevention of postoperative delirium, Anesth Analg 2002 Feb;94(2):338-9. 12. Naguib M, Samarkandi AH. Anesth Analg 2000 Aug;92(2):473-9. 13. Atkinson G, Buckley P, Edwards B, Reilly T, Waterhouse J. Int J Sports Med 2001 Apr;22(3):232-4. 14. Shamir E, et al. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001 Nov;58(11):1054-5. 15.. Sack RL, Brandes RW, Kendall AR, Lewy AJ, Entrainment of free-running circadian rhythms by melatonin in blind people, N Engl J Med 2000 Oct12;343(15):1114-6. 16. Karasek M, Reiter RJ, Melatonin and Aging, Neuroendorocrinology Letters 2002;23(Suppl. 1):14-16. 17. Tian YM, et al. J. Pineal Research 2001;31(3):214-221. 18. Pawlikowski M, Kolomecka M, Wojtczak A, Karasek M. Neuroendocrinology Letters 2002;23(Suppl. 1):17-19. 19. Morales A, Heaton JP, Carson CC 3rd, Andropause: a misnomer for a true clinical entity, J Urol 2000 Mar;163(3):705-12. 20. Tan DX, et al. Curr Top Med Chem 2002 Feb;2(2):181-97. 21. Currier NL, Sicotte M, Miller SC. J Leukoc Biol 2001 Aug;70(2):274-6. 22. Gagnier JJ. Altern Med Rev 2001 Aug;6(4):383-9. 23. Melatonin: New Relief from Cluster Headaches? www.vrp.com. 24. Lissoni P, Bolis S, Brivio F, Fumagalli L. Anticancer Res 2000 May-Jun;20(3B):2103-5. 25. Skolnick A, Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2002;17:239-247. 26. Medline abstract search, www.nlm.nih.gov.

Wow, has it really been so long since I last posted here? We are still edging forward slowly. Bri is on a many different supplements that all seem to be helping some. They work for a short while then we have to go back to the clinic and the dr. changes them or tweaks the dosages a bit and we are good again for awhile. Somedays things will be going along so well that I forget how hard life can be. It is like hitting a brick wall at 50 mph when reality comes crashing back to me. We have hit the tween/teen years. We are full of attitude and opinions. I know she is scared and lonely but she refuses to let me help. She badly wants to do it all herself and so I watch and try to pick up the pieces after the crashes. It sucks to be here where all I can do is pray for her. She is no longer capable of the cuddly moments we once shared. Even her hugs are arms streached out, fingers on my shoulders, with a world between us. We did discover some low level social skills she was lacking in. I am hoping that "Boost Kids" a computer program for kids 6-18 years old will help fill some of the gaps. She says "it's boring" but she complains about everything these days so I try not to listen. I tell her not everything can be theater(her obsession).

Subject: Needed - Parents of children with autism If you are the parent of a child with autism, only you know the daily reality of this disorder. Your participation in a short survey will help physicians and therapists understand how families cope with autism. The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete and is completely confidential. Your contribution gives your child and family a voice which must be heard. Please click on the link below or copy and paste the address into your internet browser to take you to the survey. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx? sm=TI4X9J_2b2AA5uXRts3EKwoQ_3d_3d Thank you for your support! This independent study is being conducted as part of the academic requirements for a PhD. Kathy Herziger-Snider PhD Candidate Cardinal Stritch University Milwaukee, WI

You are invited to a LAMP seminar: LAMP Seminars Present Tools and Techniques This workshop is designed for individuals who want to learn new AAC skills and strategies to enhance the lives of people with ASD. The seminar will examine the current research and the history of augmenting speech for people with ASD. Participants will study communication assessment and augmentative implementation procedures, with an emphasis on the use of multi-modal communication systems. Training Leader: Teresa Parrill, M.S., CCC-SLP Teresa acquired her undergraduate degree in speech pathology from the University of Northern Iowa in 1995, and her Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1997. She contracts with local companies to provide speech and language services for children ages 0-16. Her first love is augmentative communication and enjoys consulting with individuals around the state on providing the most appropriate means to enhance their communicative abilities. SEMINAR DETAILS: September 11, 2009 Supported Life Institute 2035 Hurley Way Suite 250 Sacramento, CA 95825 8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. ASHA CEU credits are available TO REGISTER: Please Call: Courtney Drown (800) 262-1984 ext. 262 or visit: www.prentrom.com/training/lamp Looking forward to seeing you there!!

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was a friday morning my comute is about 2 1/2 hour drive too work.. it was a georgeous day out today...i had just settled in too work and my wife was just getting in too her work.. my sonwho is 5 years old has now been in school for a few hours.. its now 9 a.m. and my wife gets a call from my sons school, they state that she needs too come get him because he's got a cut. so my wife informs me of this and i ask well why dont they give him a bandaid? he loves bandaids.. so calls back and they respond no,, u need too come pick him up.. im 2 1/2 hours away.. wife is 1 hour away... only alternative is to have my mom go pick him up.. not knowing how bad it is wife and i are both waiting for the results as too why my son is being sent home... 5 minutes later my wife contacts my sons one on one and she states that he has been hit exstrememly hard in the face with a metal stop sign and needs stiches in his mouth... ok,, now i get a call and immediatley heads too the school as my wife does too.. you have no idea what is running threw my mind doing 80 mph cause now my son is in need of medical help and no one is providing it for him... there was no information at all giving too us, just a cal saying u need too come get your son.. fianally after 3 hours of him waiting for someone too tend too him and lots of loss of blood my wife gets too him and rushes him too the hospital.. I on the other hand am on the phine the whole way talking and arranging help for him at the e.r. which they have no compassion too children with autism... over and over im exsplaining the situatuion and they are re assuring me everything will be ready when he gets there... they have a room for him... my wifes calling me and saying she cant keep him awake,, now im thinking because of loss of blood.. as we both pull in at the same time.. because i was really flying... we arrive. and we check him in..... 2 hours later this poor kids gets assistance... and im doing everyting i can not too blow up too raise tention too my son who is in pain... and fidgity... he does get glued and sterie strip cause they wont stich him cause of his fear right now bt it does go well.. but im stil not happy and am confused of how things were handled and what had happened.. from what i hear.. now,, this is the killer.. my son was on the play ground playing with his one on one and one of the teachers had said 5 more minutes till snack.. well that day it was my sons turn too be teachers assistant.. so he goes around and tells everyone 5 more minutes... so he gets too the last kid who is suppose too have a one on one but not htta day or wek cause she's on vacation... my son goes too him and tells him 5 more minutes and the kid picks this post and sidn up and swings it deliberatly across his face and gashhes him wide open... bleeding everywhere... non stop... they put his shirt arond him and call us too come pick him up he's got a cut...no nurse... no doctors call.. no 911 or rescue... mind you his clothes were covered in blood.. i later found out,, there is no nurse on site... there is no nurses office... they didnt call my doctor who is righ tin the same town.. they did not treat him of shock,, which im convince he was in during drive because he passed out.. so,, queston is,, what are my rights... what do i do.. what can i do too prevent anything like this happening too a kid and family again... my sone doesnt look in the mirror any more he doesnt like his picture taken.. its so sad right now... concern and confused daddy...

I am the editor of the online newsletter Positively Autism. An upcoming issue of the newsletter will be about Autism and spirituality. I am looking for churches, church schools, and other religious institutions that have special needs ministries to submit their favorite tip or strategy for including individuals with Autism in religious activities. All religions are welcome. Tips can apply to adults, children, or both. As a thank you for sharing your tips, a link to your church's website will be placed next to your tip in the newsletter. If you are interested, please send the following information to nicole@positivelyautism.com . I can also be reached through http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/ Name of Person Submitting Tip (first name will be included on website): What position do you hold within the church? Church/Religious Facility Name (will be included on website): Church/Religious Facility Website Link (will be included on website): Location of Church/Religious Facility (will be included on website): Your Tip or Strategy: