I am someone who remembers events in her life from many, many years ago with
breathtaking clarity. Anybody know of any books that address memory?
Excellent memory where one remembers minute details (example, what they were
wearing on the last day of camp one year) vs. people who. as my friend would
put it. "just don't remember shit" (ie the kind of person who could see an
elephant stampede through their backyard and not remember it years later)? I
really would like to read a book about this kind of thing. Anybody who can
help, let me know.

JE



----------------------------------

Coming soon! www.esris.com and www.galil95-98.net



"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
--Albert Einstein



"Experience is the worst teacher; it gives the test before presenting the
lesson." --Vernon Law



"It's hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head." --Sally Kempton











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The link below has a link for a conference call made between several
prominent autism bloggers and a couple of clinicians.  The conference
is about an hour long.

~Marcie

http://www.autismvox.com/speaking-about-autism-on-revolution-health-
bloggers-doctors/

In February, 2007, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced the
results of two surveys of autism spectrum disorders covering 22 states.
Using the newly funded Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring
Network (ADDM), CDC researchers found an average rate of 1 in 150
children with an autism spectrum disorder, with New Jersey at the top,
with a rate of approximately 1 in 100. On the surface, these figures
suggest an epidemic.

http://www.unstrange.com/essay.html

Autreat 2007 will be held on June 25 through 29 in Philadelpia, PA.
This is a retreat run by people with autism for people with autism.
You can get more info here.

http://ani.autistics.org/aut07.html

And here. This is a group for Autreat planning/questions.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/autreatinfo/

~Marcie

Carrie,

   As a mother of an AS child, I think the "head" piece would benefit during some
events, such as riding the bus or other cases when the noise and overload of the
sound are too much for him to continue and stay in touch.

   Please keep me informed and stay in touch.

   T. Latshaw

higgs_carrie <higgs_carrie@...> wrote:
           My name is Carrie Higgs and I am currently studying design at Robert
Gordon University, Aberdeen. My Honours Project aims to design a
product that will benefit children with an ASD (Autistic Spectrum
Disorder).

My interest in ASDs has grown during my time working as a part time
support worker at the Grampian Autistic Society where I work with
children aged 5-16 who have an ASD or communication difficulties.

At the moment I am developing two concepts for my honours project.
The first of these concepts aims to address sensory overload. I
have observed that sensory sensitivities can be a pivotal difficulty
in group situations, such as playschemes. I hope that by addressing
this, individuals will find it easier to integrate within a group,
or at least to cope better with playing alongside other children.
Though my concept is not finished, I hope to design a
headpiece that can reduce sensory overload. The child would have
choice and control over the headpiece. The aim is that the
headpiece would be in use while the child is distressed only. It
would address sound, sight and pressure (the application of pressure
around the head can be comforting for some individuals.)
At the moment, I am considering a simple, sound proof head
band with a push down visor. The head piece can be tightened if you
wish. Thus the pressure and light deprivation are optional.

The second concept looks at play and imagination. I have observed
that the most popular toys at the playscheme are those which are
simple and adaptable, (particularly those that can provide an
action), such as a parachute or big, bouncy ball.
I hope to design a large tree. Its branches could be
manipulated to provide the opportunity for numerous play movements
such as under, over, in etc. This would also assist children to
train their motor skills and sense of balance.
I hope that by designing an adjustable toy it will encourage
the use of the child's imagination regardless of where they lie on
the spectrum. I hope that this will also encourage customisation
and a high level of choice. As the children move a part of the tree
they can produce a slide or a shelter and the tree's form and beauty
will grow.
This product should help develop proprioception, balance,
imagination and interaction: turn taking, sharing and be fun to play
with!

It is vital that my outcome is primarily user orientated.
Continuous observation and collaboration with the user group will
ensure that my designs reflect social behaviour and relate to how
the product is used in reality.

Consequently, I would be very grateful if you could provide me with
information, opinions, ideas or preferences for either concept.
Which product do you think would be more successful? Any feedback
would be much appreciated and would be considered as I develop the
concepts.

Thank you for your time,

Carrie Higgs






---------------------------------
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
  Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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3576ea.jpg_
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_http://a501.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01524/00/54/1524294500_m.jpg_
(http://a501.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01524/00/54/1524294500_m.jpg)

_http://a36.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01524/53/02/1524302035_m.jpg_
(http://a36.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01524/53/02/1524302035_m.jpg)

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ages01/20/m_4ff9acc0a04c4975bf1cd018df80dda2.jpg_
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dda2.jpg)


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eeef8a.jpg_
(http://a267.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/62/m_143d1992d1a58f4123cceac2dbee\
ef8a.jpg)


Here above are pictures of my two nieces,  Savannah and Adelyn.
Hello everyone:
Lawyer Agency: I Plan On Hiring :   _http://cohenandmalad.com/_
(http://cohenandmalad.com/)
Currently, I plan on getting a lawyer, taking  the case to court, and getting
full custodial rights and guardianship of my two  nieces, Savannah and
Adelyn.
Within this journey, I'd like to ask everyone  for assistance, you can assist
in the following ways:
°  Making a contribution toward lawyer  fees  - (Any amount is welcome)
°  Giving advice in a private message  and/or on the blog board
°  Having your church pray for my two  nieces or pray individually for them
°  Other
Evidence so far:
° Father has a neglectful nature (leaves  children with Mother), in which
neglects the children. The Mother has put the  baby in a dog cage, catering her
away from getting hurt, she stated, and let the  oldest child fall down a
flight of stairs without tending to her needs after she  broke her chin. The
Grandmother stated she was scared and that's why she didn't  take the oldest
child
to the hospital. Therefore, she had a nurse come out to  the home and glue her
chin back on. If it was me in this case, I would have  definitely have taken
the child to the nearest hospital for her medical  needs.
° Father has a violent history
° Sister is currently using  drugs.
° Sister is being beat by a man she is dating  outside the marriage. Found
out through mother-n-law, in which she was visiting  and saw fist marks on her
body underneathe clothing  attire.
° Man she is currently dating has a criminal  record and is a child molester
° Sister is confused, staying up all night,  and hasn't called her immediate
family in 1-2 weeks. We're finding out  evidence from other family members (in
which are located closer to her).
° Other information, in which I'll mention  privately in a private message.
I'd appreciate any assistance you can give,  as lawyer fees are very
expensive, I'd appreciate any help. Thank  you!
Sincerely,
Michelle



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello all!

My local newspaper, Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, has a
feature article in the Sunday Everyday section about
aytistic children becoming adults.

You can access the URL below to read the article, and
see the photos that go along with it. Photos are
removed in a few days. Now to read the article:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/everyday/story/9040A998E1\
40DAEF862572C100776629?OpenDocument&highlight=2%2C%22autism%22

Also in Sunday's paper here, The parade section has
info about the daughter of Burt Baccarach comming
suicide at age 40. She had AS according to parade.

That is all from me here. I am babysitting my
granddaughter, and we are having a blast!

Best to all!!!!

Terry Klasek
Saint Louis, missouri

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

My name is Carrie Higgs and I am currently studying design at Robert
Gordon University, Aberdeen.  My Honours Project aims to design a
product that will benefit children with an ASD (Autistic Spectrum
Disorder).

My interest in ASDs has grown during my time working as a part time
support worker at the Grampian Autistic Society where I work with
children aged 5-16 who have an ASD or communication difficulties.

At the moment I am developing two concepts for my honours project.
The first of these concepts aims to address sensory overload.  I
have observed that sensory sensitivities can be a pivotal difficulty
in group situations, such as playschemes.  I hope that by addressing
this, individuals will find it easier to integrate within a group,
or at least to cope better with playing alongside other children.
         Though my concept is not finished, I hope to design a
headpiece that can reduce sensory overload.  The child would have
choice and control over the headpiece.  The aim is that the
headpiece would be in use while the child is distressed only.   It
would address sound, sight and pressure (the application of pressure
around the head can be comforting for some individuals.)
         At the moment, I am considering a simple, sound proof head
band with a push down visor.  The head piece can be tightened if you
wish. Thus the pressure and light deprivation are optional.

The second concept looks at play and imagination.  I have observed
that the most popular toys at the playscheme are those which are
simple and adaptable, (particularly those that can provide an
action), such as a parachute or big, bouncy ball.
         I hope to design a large tree.  Its branches could be
manipulated to provide the opportunity for numerous play movements
such as under, over, in etc.  This would also assist children to
train their motor skills and sense of balance.
         I hope that by designing an adjustable toy it will encourage
the use of the child's imagination regardless of where they lie on
the spectrum.  I hope that this will also encourage customisation
and a high level of choice.  As the children move a part of the tree
they can produce a slide or a shelter and the tree's form and beauty
will grow.
         This product should help develop proprioception, balance,
imagination and interaction: turn taking, sharing and be fun to play
with!

It is vital that my outcome is primarily user orientated.
Continuous observation and collaboration with the user group will
ensure that my designs reflect social behaviour and relate to how
the product is used in reality.

Consequently, I would be very grateful if you could provide me with
information, opinions, ideas or preferences for either concept.
Which product do you think would be more successful? Any feedback
would be much appreciated and would be considered as I develop the
concepts.

Thank you for your time,

Carrie Higgs

Hi folks -

Since the issue is coming up, it is important to note that the
mental disorder associated with Seung-Hui Cho is believed by
people knowledgable in the field is best described as

   Paranoid Schizophrenic Disorder

The spectre of autism was brought up when he was 8 years old,
and as far as I am aware was never an accurate description of
his conditions.  Not everything that appears as autistism is
autistic.

More to the point, the possibility of autism was raised over 10
years ago, was investigated thoroughly and was deemed irrelevant
to Seung-Hui Cho's diagnosis.  He was not autistic.  Cho had
been determined not autistic by professionals who raised the
issue and could have taken the "easy way out" by making a
determination of autism.

- Stan
Stan Protigal

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=31610@wbbm.dayport.com&cid=11

Grinker discusses his new book on autism.

Dear All,

ASAN-Baltimore Chapter will be holding our monthly meeting on Sunday, April
15th at 1:30 PM. The location is below. If you have difficulty getting
there, feel free to call the number indicated. The meeting is open to *all
individuals on the autism spectrum without charge. *At some point in the
future, we hope to hold meetings on general advocacy issues open to both
autistics and neurotypical allies, but our monthly meetings are limited to
our autistic members. We plan to discuss general issues related to the
autism spectrum as well as future advocacy and activity ideas for the
chapter. Our meetings have a light, informal member-driven approach and we
discuss whatever our members are most interested in.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please e-mail me to let me know you're
coming and feel free to forward this message on to anyone interested in
attending. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you this coming
Sunday!

ASAN-Baltimore April Meeting
Where:
Little Theater Classroom, 3rd Floor, Levering Hall
Johns Hopkins University
Homewood Campus
3400 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
732-763-5530

Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, President
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
info@...


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org/?p=345

This is a link to a new short video by Amanda Baggs, which talks about
autism through the analogy of rocks (Autism Rocks ;-)

~Marcie

Just Be <oxeneyed@...> said...
> > Makes me wonder what happens to us if they find the genetics are
> > extremely developmental. Means they might find a way to prevent...
> > then what would they do with us?
>
> Some people pay lip service to taking out the "bad" and leaving
> the "good".  If they can find a way to prevent it, you can bet they
> will.  Not that I won't be protesting with the rest.  And I'm sure if
> they make everyone homogenous people are going to eventually regret
> it.  We already know what too much homogeneity does to domestic
> animals and plants.  Species are supposed to have variety...

No no no. Species are supposed to be PURE BRED.

I saw a beautiful "Cavalier King Charles Spaniel" yesterday and
asked the owner about it. One of the nicest, cutest dogs. Just the
right size for me. So I looked it up. A genetic time-bomb. Attempts
to keep the breed pure have resulted in an almost obscene situation.

Lack of genetic diversity is VERY BAD.

-- Sean

Health

The breed suffers from a number of severe genetic defects. If considering
a puppy, ask to see its parents' heart and eye certificates to reduce the
chance your puppy will have the defects described below. [...]

Mitral valve disease

Virtually all Cavaliers suffer from mitral valve disease, causing
progressively worsening heart murmurs leading to heart failure. This
condition can begin to emerge at an early age, and is present in more than
half of all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by 5 years of age. [...]

Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia (SM) is a condition affecting the brain and spine,
causing symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain and partial
paralysis. [...]

Episodic Falling (EF)

Episodic Falling is an 'exercise-induced paroxysmal hypertonicity disorder'
meaning that there is increased muscle tone in the dog and the muscles
are unable to relax. [...]

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common genetic disease in the Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel. [...]

Luxating patella

Cavaliers, like many toy breeds, are subject to a genetic defect of the
femur and knee called luxating patella. The disorder is believed to affect
20% to 30% of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. [...]

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Another common defect among Cavaliers is keratoconjunctivitis sicca,
colloquially known as "dry eye". The usual cause of this condition is an
autoimmune reaction against the dog's lacrimal gland [...]

> Makes me wonder what happens to us if they find the genetics are
> extremely developmental. Means they might find a way to prevent...
> then what would they do with us?

Some people pay lip service to taking out the "bad" and leaving
the "good".  If they can find a way to prevent it, you can bet they
will.  Not that I won't be protesting with the rest.  And I'm sure if
they make everyone homogenous people are going to eventually regret
it.  We already know what too much homogeneity does to domestic
animals and plants.  Species are supposed to have variety...

Marcie

> Nope.  Shows high; but it's a known family trait

Mine is too, from my father who also has AS.

Marcie

Makes me wonder what happens to us if they find the genetics are
extremely developmental. Means they might find a way to prevent...
then what would they do with us?

WD Loughman <wdloughman@...> said...
> Just Be wrote:
> >
http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117177694297300.xml\
&coll=1
> >
> >   The UMDNJ researchers say they have found that children with autism are
unable to metabolize key fatty acids that help the body fight inflammation that
causes damage to the brain and other organs.
>
> Umm: "The New Jersey scientists are _cautious_, however, about their
> _preliminary_ results,..."  [Emphasis is mine. -wdl]
>
> >   I'm wondering if anyone else here, besides me, has had problems with their
cholestrol/trigylceride levels or inflammation.
>
> Nope.  Shows high; but it's a known family trait, probably genetic, and
> everyone in my family - for at least 3 generations - has lived in
> usually good health to beyond 90.
>
> >
> >   Marcie
>
> - Bill, AS

Just Be wrote:
>
http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117177694297300.xml\
&coll=1
>
>   The UMDNJ researchers say they have found that children with autism are
unable to metabolize key fatty acids that help the body fight inflammation that
causes damage to the brain and other organs.

Umm: "The New Jersey scientists are _cautious_, however, about their
_preliminary_ results,..."  [Emphasis is mine. -wdl]

>   I'm wondering if anyone else here, besides me, has had problems with their
cholestrol/trigylceride levels or inflammation.

Nope.  Shows high; but it's a known family trait, probably genetic, and
everyone in my family - for at least 3 generations - has lived in
usually good health to beyond 90.

>
>   Marcie

- Bill, AS

http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117177694297300.xml\
&coll=1

   The UMDNJ researchers say they have found that children with autism are unable
to metabolize key fatty acids that help the body fight inflammation that causes
damage to the brain and other organs.



   I'm wondering if anyone else here, besides me, has had problems with their
cholestrol/trigylceride levels or inflammation.

   Marcie


Recipes for mono-taskers
   http://www.freewebs.com/recipesfortherest/



---------------------------------
Need Mail bonding?
Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm looking for ways to make my house more sensory friendly.  Any idea?

Thanks,
Marcie

I finished my recipe website - or at least it's close to being
finished.  Basically, right now, it's just my recipe book on-line
(which is going to be really convenient for me when people ask me for a
recipe).  In the process of doing it, I realized that my recipes use a
lot of ingredients, which may seem daunting, but then because of my
sensory sensitivies, I've had to utiliize a lot of weird recipes that
blend ingredients together.  Also, there are bound to be typos and
such - and I can't get all the fraction looking a like.  Well here it
is:

http://www.freewebs.com/recipesfortherest/

Marcie

From: Gracie Groove <mscoolout@...>
> I can see a certain forebodingness(?) about either.

I would presume it relates to what some or all clocks do, and people's response
to them.  The obvious connection would be to an alarm clock, which makes a
sudden noise.  Also people often respond in an agitated manner to alarm clocks.

Perhaps, when the kid is old enough to understand phobias, she can be encouraged
to play with a Big Ben or the like in order to build a tolerance.

> My thing is with mirrors, though.

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out why they always break when I get near them.

- s

> Digital as well as analog, or just one of them?>

Both.

--- In AS-and-Proud-of-it@yahoogroups.com, "alfamanda" <alfamanda@...>
wrote:

> She used to have an article up about this, and I've read some of the
> things from her family and friends at the time this came out.

http://web.archive.org/web/20021210024422/www.donna.inuk.com/autie/

That's her article.

Amanda

--- In AS-and-Proud-of-it@yahoogroups.com, "Mircea Pauca"
<mircea.pauca@...> wrote:

>     Can anyone figure out the information carried in
> http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/hstories/hr290796.htm
> I find this talkshow-transcript format extremely confusing !
> Are some (or all?) of them try to 'say without saying'
> that Donna Williams may not be autistic ?

She used to have an article up about this, and I've read some of the
things from her family and friends at the time this came out.

Her advisor at university was stalking her for a long time.  He dug up
a lot of people who had bullied her in university (as written about in
_Somebody Somewhere_) and asked them to say this stuff about her (an
experience I had something similar happen to recently, where a former
bully came out and told some distorted "facts" about my life while
leaving out many of the realities).  The old teacher of hers turned
out to have been something like a substitute teacher who'd only met
her once, if that.  People who knew her and could verify that she was
autistic were not allowed to be interviewed.  Her father objected to
this piece, because she was considered possibly autistic from a young
age and sent to a special ed preschool on that basis.

Basically, this radio show was the result of a really nasty man, and
should not be taken seriously.  Plus, all it does is trot out autism
stereotypes that are not true.  And it takes places where she made
*genuine* social skills mistakes and makes it sound like *those* are
proof she's not autistic too, when it's more like the opposite.

I have emailed with her online and she intuitively knows things that
no non-autistic person could come up with.

Amanda

--- Just Be <oxeneyed@...> wrote:

> I was talking to a parent of an autistic child the
> other night, and she
> told me that her daughter has a problem with clocks.
>  When there's one
> in the room, she tends to cling to her mother and
> eye it suspiciously.
> It happen with any sort of clock, so we don't think
> it's the sound or
> the moving second hand.  Does anyone have any
> suggestions as to why
> this might happen?

Digital as well as analog, or just one of them?

I can see a certain forebodingness(?) about either.
My thing is with mirrors, though.

====================================================

"...But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common
humanity to pray for the one sinner who needed it most?"

- Mark Twain



________________________________________________________________________________\
____
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with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started.
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Just Be wrote:

> I was talking to a parent of an autistic child the other night, and she
> told me that her daughter has a problem with clocks.  When there's one
> in the room, she tends to cling to her mother and eye it suspiciously.
> It happen with any sort of clock, so we don't think it's the sound or
> the moving second hand.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to why
> this might happen?

Perhaps an experience with a clock with an alarm that went off
unexpectedly.  I don't know, it's hard to tell.

I had a roommate once that was infuriated by the thermostat, because
twice every day, it clicked.  He ended up removing the little posts
that change the temperature in different times of the day because the
unexpected click bothered him so much.

I'm not particularly fond of having clocks around, but that is because
they seem to always be wrong.  I have a watch that I keep accurate,
and the clocks on my computer are always correct.  Previous roommates
put up a bunch of other clocks.  The batteries have since died, and I
like them much better that way.

Dave

On 25 Feb 2007 Just Be wrote:

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to why this might happen?

Only time will tell.

I was talking to a parent of an autistic child the other night, and she
told me that her daughter has a problem with clocks.  When there's one
in the room, she tends to cling to her mother and eye it suspiciously.
It happen with any sort of clock, so we don't think it's the sound or
the moving second hand.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to why
this might happen?

Marcie

--- In AS-and-Proud-of-it@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Nordlund"
<gsn10@...> wrote:
>
> I find that Amanda's video reminds me very much of abstract
expressionist
> paintings or free improvisational music (and likely also a large
part about
> what attracts me to those things).  It seems to be based on a very
similar
> mindset, in the sense of interacting with one's environment in an
extremely
> focused way that progresses to a sublime meditative state.


I've done a lot of research on altered states of conscious.  I think
what drew me to the subject was that I was looking for years to
explain my own experience. However, when first studying ASC, I
thought it was just something interesting to delve into and didn't
realize the possiblity that I was living in one constantly.  I
eventually came across the definition of ASC as something like,
stripping of the layers of cultural heirarchy.  Besides making sense,
it reminded me of reverse Sensory Integration, at a cultural instead
of a sensory level.  And then, I came across idea that sensory input
and the changing of sensory input is a major catalyst for ASC.  So
eventually (I had come across autism at some point) I put it all
together and realized that since I had a different way of taking in
sensory information, it was a cause (though not necessarily the only
cause) of perceiving society differently and not understanding the
layers of meaning others did.  So, autistics are living in ASC.  Then
I came across Autism Oddizms neat graphic - which I cann't seem to
find right now - that says "Exploring Alternate Realities is
something autistics do all the time". OK so my idea wasn't original
but at least I'm not going off the deep end. The above is a very
brief summary.  For more info, check out Charles Tart,ed "Altered
States of Conscious" and also "Free Rides: how to get high without
drugs".  More recently, I've come across Donna Williams "Autism and
Sensing", which relates to everything I just said, a lot better than
I said it.

-Marcie

> Mainstream opinion isn't going to change appreciably because of one
> story. Turning points are arbitrary. Tomorrow is the first day of the
> rest of your life, and in that, tomorrow is no more unlike any other
> day than any other day from another. People want to know more about
> Anna Nicole Smith today.
>
> Funny nobody said anything about 300,000,000 Americans "trapped" by
> mass culture. No, it's all about being trapped by autism.


There's another article here with videos:
Living with autism in a world made for others
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/02/21/autism.amanda/index.html


I can't get the first link that was sent out to come up, but I noticed
that one of the videos attached to this article, the reporter still
couldn't help but say something like "such a brillant
woman...trapped...".  Well, it's a start - the rest of it shed some
hope.

-Marcie