Hola amigos listeros,

Compartiendo el contenido de un panfleto publicado recientemente a
raíz de la celebración efectuada en USA cada Abril sobre el
"esparcimiento del conocimiento sobre el autismo". El cartel lista
10 cosas que un niño con autismo quisiera que la gente supiera y
entendiera:


1. Soy un "niño" con autismo. No soy primariamente "autístico."

2. Mis percepciones sensoriales están desordenadas. Las vistas, los
sonidos, los olores, el gusto y los tactos del ordinario vivir
pueden ser dolorosos para mi.

3. Distingue por favor ente "no lo haré" (elijo no hacerlo) y "no
puedo" (soy incapaz).

4. Soy un pensador concreto. Esto significa que interpreto el
lenguaje muy literalmente.

5. Sé paciente por favor con mi vocabulario limitado. No siempre sé
las palabras necesarias para describir mis sensaciones y es muy
difícil para mí decirte lo que necesito.

6. Me oriento muy visualmente. Demuéstrame cómo hacer algo en cambio
de solo pedirmelo verbalmente.

7. Por favor construye y enfocate sobre lo que "puedo hacer" en
cambio de lo que "NO PUEDO HACER."

8. Ayúdame por favor con las interacciones sociales.

9. Intenta identificar qué dispara mis frustraciones.

10. Si tu eres un miembro de la familia, ámeme incondicionalmente,
por favor. Paciencia. Paciencia. Paciencia.


La información fue recogida y publicada por el autor Ellen Notbhom,
también un padre de niños con autismo. El mensaje concluye con un
pensamiento para los padres, los profesores y los tutores
encargados: "Tu eres mis cimientos. Piensa sobre algunas de
esas "reglas sociales" y si no tienen sentido para mí, déjelas
pasar. Sé mi abogado, mi amigo y observa que tan lejos puedo llegar.

------------
Más información en Periódico del Area de Boyertown:

THE BOYERTOWN AREA TIMES

http://www.berksmontnews.com/site/news.cfm?
newsid=16477917&BRD=2694&PAG=461&dept\
_id=552976&rfi=6

04/13/2006
Parents are spreading awareness about autism
By: Diane Van Dyke

Prepared by local parents, Kara and Jason Renninger, and created and
donated by Scepter Sign and Electric Company, Stowe, the sign lists
10 things a child with autism would like other people to know and
understand:

1. I am a child with autism. I am not primarily autistic.

2. My sensory perceptions are disordered. Ordinary sights, sounds,
smells, tastes and touches of every day can be painful to me.

3. Please distinguish between won't (I choose not to) and can't (I
am unable to).

4. I am a concrete thinker. This means I interpret language very
literally.

5. Please be patient with my limited vocabulary. I don't always know
the words to describe my feelings and it's difficult for me to tell
you what I need.

6. I am very visually oriented. Show me how to do something rather
than just telling me.

7. Please focus and build on what I can do rather than what I can't
do.

8. Please help me with social interactions.

9. Try to identify what triggers my meltdowns.

10. If you are a family member, please love me unconditionally.
Patience. Patience. Patience.

The information was collected and published by author Ellen Notbhom,
also a parent of children with autism. The message concludes with a
this thought for parents, teachers and caregivers: "You are my
foundation. Think through some of those social "rules" and if they
don't make sense for me, let them go. Be my advocate, my friend and
see how far I can go.

What is autism?
According to Autism Society of America (ASA), autism is a complex
developmental disability that affects an individual in the areas of
social interaction and communication. The developmental disorder
occurs in roughly one in every 166 people, according to the National
Institute of Health.

Autism has no known cause or cure. However, intervention -
particularly
early intervention in the preschool years - improves the quality of
life and eventual outcome.

Not everyone with autism has the same symptoms or sensitivities,
because it is a spectrum disorder that affects each individual
differently and to varying degrees of severity.

Autism and its related cousins fall under the umbrella of pervasive
developmental disorders, as defined by the American Psychiatric
Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders. The five categories are autism, Asperger's syndrome,
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett's syndrome and PDD-NOS (not
otherwise specified).

During the month of April, and throughout the year, you may notice
people wearing or displaying the colorful Autism Awareness puzzle
ribbon. The puzzle pattern reflects the mystery and complexity of
autism. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of
the people and families living with the disorder. The brightness of
the ribbon signals hope-hope through research and in the increasing
awareness.

Education and support
Founded in June 2000, the Autism Society of Berks County is a
registered chapter of the Autism Society of America. This volunteer
organization is made up of parents and family members of individuals
affected by an autism spectrum disorder, as well as professionals
working in the field.

Meetings are usually held the second Monday of each month at the
Reading Jewish Community Center, 1700 City Line Street, Reading from
7 to 9 p.m. Babysitting services are free and available for persons
who call or e-mail in advance.

For more information or to join, visit www.autismsocietyofberks.org
or call 610-736-3739.

The Autism Society of Berks County is hosting its 7th Annual
Conference, "Autism in the Family: Perspectives from Real Life," on
Thursday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Inn at Reading.

This year's presenters are Dr. Robert Naseef and Jerry L. Tanenbaum,
Esq.
Dr. Naseef, a father of a son with autism, is a psychologist in
Philadelphia and a consultant to numerous schools and human service
organizations.

His first book, "Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles
and Rewards of Parenting a Child With a Disability" received
international recognition. He has lectured internationally and
appeared on radio and television.

Tanenbaum is a partner in the Cherry Hill office of Schnader
Harrison Segal &
Lewis, LLP. He represents children with special learning needs or
other disabilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in matters
involving the provision of a free and appropriate education,
placement and tuition reimbursement, student discipline and school-
related bullying and harassment.

The Autism Society of America, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, was
established in 1977 by parents "with a strong desire to band
together and be a united voice to represent individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorders and spread awareness."

The Philadelphia Chapter is hosting its annual Puzzle Ribbon
Campaign during April, distributing thousands of puzzle ribbons to
create awareness in schools in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware
and Philadelphia counties.

It is also hosting its seventh annual Autism Awareness Day at the
Philadelphia Zoo. Special events will be held throughout the day, as
well as an informational display. For more information about ASA of
Greater Philadelphia and to sign up for daily updates on the latest
information about autism, visit www.asaphilly.org.

On May 5 and 6, the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh ASA chapters will
host the Pennsylvania Autism Showcase Conference, Holiday Inn
Conference Center, New Cumberland, Pa.

The conference will focus on the recommendations of the Pennsylvania
Autism Task Force. Organized by 274 volunteers in 2003, the Task
Force studied 12 areas of autism-related interest and concern. It
concluded in 2005 "that in every area of need, present services for
those with autism spectrum disorders in PA are either seriously
deficient or non-existent."

For more information about the conference or to attend, contact
PennSAC at 412-856-7223 or asapgh@....

Contact assistant editor Diane Van Dyke at 610-367-6041, ext. 228 or
dvandyke@....