Autism

TV Tropes has some pretty good (and understandable!) notes on Asperger's and Autism:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...pergerSyndrome
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...ctioningAutism

Also, it makes a rather interesting note about the "vaccines cause autism!" thing -- in that one of the known causes for autism is when a pregnant woman gets rubella (German measles) ... which can be prevented with a vaccine. Whoops.

The pharmaceutical companies have to prove whether or not there is a causal link. Dollars & cents instead of common sense. It's all about the damn profit.

There is no damn causal link. That study was refuted years ago.

The unfortunate thing is that diseases which had previously gone away (due to the "herd immunity") are coming back because of this damn thing.

Beatle fans with autism is a large demographic.

I posted this in MI, but for me this is a MAJOR thorn in the side and I wanted to spread the word on this. Caps and bold is for emphasis only.

I PITY THE FOOL WHO CALLS AUTISTIC PEOPLE R*** M**! THAT DAMN SAVANT IN THE MOVIE IS JUST A CARICATURE AND A DAMN STEREOTYPE! THE REAL PERSON ON WHOM THAT DAMN MOVIE WAS MADE WASN'T EVEN AUTISTIC! KIM PEEK, WHO DIED IN 2O009 HAD FG SYNDROME WHICH INCLUDES LOW COGNITIVE ABILITIES AND PHYSICAL ANOMALIES. PRODIGIOUS SAVANTISM AFFECTS UNDER 10% OF THE AUTISTIC POPULATION! BOY, THAT DAMN MOVIE MAKES ME VERY BECAUSE IT HINDERS UNDERSTANDING OF AUTISM! IT IS TO AUTISM WHAT AMOS & ANDY WERE TO BLACK AUDIENCES. R*** M** IS A SLUR IN AUTISM CIRCLES AND IS JUST AS HURTFUL AS ANY ETHNIC SLUR!

I'm beating on the high frequency different drum for autism:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syl...r_title_full_4

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syl...r_title_full_9

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syl..._title_full_12

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syl..._title_full_16

Be sure to check out these Lone STARR State autism organizations. Austin, the state capital is also known as Autism for all the major groups there.

http://goldenhatfoundation.org/

Hats off to the celebrities who are a part of these organizations. Let's hope they'll keep on banging on the high frequency different drum and not lose interest because autism is an equal opportunity condition. It makes no distinction on who has it. And while I'm at it, being a good person is 100% and 100 times better than being a hero. A good person acts with no thought of return. To me, a hero is someone seeking accolades and public recognition. REAL altruism is natural and genuine and seeks no return.

Horse Boy is another. The book and movie are excellent.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Horse-Boy-...8744274&sr=1-1

Soma and her son Tito have written many books. Tito has severe autism. He is also a gifted writer and poet. HALO, Helping Autism through Learning & Outreach is their brainchild.

http://www.halo-soma.org/main.php?se...e2e11777151289

People from ALL OVER THE WORLD come to Halo. It is true that miracles have taken place there. Soma's method of RPM (Rapid Prompting Method) is very effective.

Tito is also a gifted writer. He has written 2 autobiographies, "The Mind Tree" and "How Can I Talk if My Lips Don't Move?" He has also written a collection of short stories called "Gold of the Sunbeams (and other stories)." I think you'll enjoy these books. I really got into the book about RPM and seriously, all I can say is that it is very effective and has provided a way for individuals who are very severely affected by autism a wonderful way of communicating AND learning.

I saw a film about Soma. Her methods are interesting. I wonder if they are effective with higher functioning autism. My son has trouble putting his feelings into words.

Her methods are VERY effective.

Soma's books are Godsends. Thanks to Soma and her son Tito, a whole new aspect of Autism Understanding has opened up. In her books she explains what she does and the rationale for same. She has made a MAJOR difference in the lives of many people.

my boyfriend's brother has autism.

and i stood up for some one at school who is autistic

I've recently read John Elder Robison's two books. Both are excellent! His autobiography, "Look Me In the Eye," was so interesting. He has really worked with his differences to create a fulfilling life. I enjoyed it so much, so it was great to know he had another book out, "Be Different." That book also has life anecdotes, but he explains how he methodically works his unique qualities in life to create personal and business fulfillments. I highly recommend both books!

I enjoyed Tony Atwood's "Complete Guide to Aspergers" as well.

I've read a few others, but they were not as impressive or informative.

Robison's books ARE excellent. His son John, now 19 was featured in the New York Times some several months ago and he's also an Aspie. Robison is very funny. That trick with the formica was sheer genius.

Tony Attwood, Bernard Rimland (1928-2006) and Travis Thompson are considered saints in the Autism community. These three wonderful doctors have worked tirelessly to lift the Veil of Stigma off of autism. Dr. Rimland was the first doctor to write that autism is a NEUROLOGICAL/NEUROBIOLOGICAL condition and not an emotinoal one. His tireless efforts have helped people ditch Kanner, who coined the word "autism" in 1943 (the same year George Harrison was born) and who started that fallacy about refrigerator mothers. That was one stupid and sick fallacy that hurt many people.

For Pete's Sake! Who in the blue hell would make their child autistic? Dr. Attwood is a leading expert on Asperger's and his books are the first books I would recommend. Dr. Thompson has a grandchild with autism. As early as 1968, Dr. Thompson worked in institutions with people who had autism and he joined forces with Dr. Rimland. He is a very astute and compassionate man.

Dr. Attwood's books are the best, bar none, THE BEST books about autism/Asperger's Syndrome. You might also enjoy reading Dr. Asperger's works (translated by Uta Frith in 1981) as he was the first known professional to recognize this brand of autism in a group of kids on his watch. His work is interesting for sheer historical value. For the straight dope on Asperger's, Tony Attwood and Travis Thompson (saints to many ) are the best sources.

Has anybody else read Temple Grandin's books or seen the movie featuring Claire Danes as Temple Grandin? Or seen "Autism: The Musical" or "Adam," a movie about a man with Asperger's? Or "Miracle Run," a true story (the book is better) about a single mother of twins who have severe autism and who later excel in different arenas -one in track and the other in music. I just love that book!

Has anybody else read Temple Grandin's books or seen the movie featuring Claire Danes as Temple Grandin? Or seen "Autism: The Musical"

Yes, yes and yes.

Originally Posted by beatlebangs1964

Robison's books ARE excellent. His son John, now 19 was featured in the New York Times some several months ago and he's also an Aspie. Robison is very funny. That trick with the formica was sheer genius.

He is very funny! I hope he continues to write more.

Originally Posted by beatlebangs1964

Tony Attwood, Bernard Rimland (1928-2006) and Travis Thompson are considered saints in the Autism community.

I haven't read from Travis Thompson yet. He sounds really wonderful. Thanks for the heads up!

Originally Posted by beatlebangs1964

Has anybody else read Temple Grandin's books or seen the movie featuring Claire Danes as Temple Grandin?

I've read a little bit from Grandin, but not much, just what was basically an article. This past week though, a friend and I were discussng animal rights, and he mentioned Grandin's book "Animals In Translation." I may join in reading that one this summer, it sounded fascinating!

Dr. Grandin has written several books. I find it interesting that she literally thinks in pictures and has to translate images into words. Not everybody with autism thinks in pictures, however. I don't know what the percentage is, but not everybody with autism does.

Dr. Travis Thompson is revered in the Autism Community. I love the man and find him a font of compassion. I think you'll enjoy these books:

Individualized Autism Intervention For Young Children

Freedom From Meltdowns: Dr. Thompson's Solutions For Children With Autism

Making Sense of Autism

Dr. Thompson's Straight Talk on Autism

His Amazon page is here.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_..._id=B001HPWKX2

Beautiful and Inspiring documentary stream free on Hulu "Wrethchers and Jabberers"
http://www.hulu.com/watch/337446

Dr. Grandin has written several books. I find it interesting that she literally thinks in pictures and has to translate images into words. Not everybody with autism thinks in pictures, however. I don't know what the percentage is, but not everybody with autism does.

I don't know about thinking in pictures, but my son is very visual. He does well if he can see what someone is talking about. He struggles if he has to hear a long lecture with no visuals.

There is a young lady on my Facebook friends list with autism and recently she has been making headlines over an incident with American Airlines. Her name is Carly Fleischman.

Here is the link to the story.

Under the comments section, I'm known as "SteelCity Canuck".

Yes, and her dad wrote an excellent book called "Carly's Voice." I saw her videos on YouTube and I read about that incident on FB.