from member Debbie Sage:

Hello,

I have a friend who has a child who has Autism and is doing a
research on Autism. Would anyone mind helping her out and send her
information? I have copied and pasted the note that she had sent
me. Thank you for your time.

Please reply to jmonie_1@..., her name is Janoah and her son
is Marshawn.

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Hi all!

Its thesis time for me, and due to a last minute change, part of my
topic is now focusing on autism!

For those who don't know, I am a journalism graduate student. For my
thesis, I am focusing on special needs of children from somewhat
different angles...

I am writing two seperate articles...one started out being about
drug treatment/therapy in children with depression...(definitely a
special need in youth in my eyes)... but I am now expanding on that
by looking into drug treatment for children with autism and adhd as
well. I want to talk about the safety of the medicines that are
prescibed, since there is often controversy about the effects that
some of these meds have on children. As some know, the FDA has said
that some of these meds cause an increased risk of suicidal thoughts
or behaviors, while other studies contradict this. I want to know
how parents(teachers, caretakers, etc) feel about it? Do the
medicines have more benefits than risks? How effective are drugs in
treating these conditions? And what do the "experts" have to say?

In the second article, I will be discussing autism - advocacy, the
Combating Autism Act, looking into the kinds of research that are
being done, and also biomedical, diet, vitamin, and/or alternative
therapies (such as chelation) etc.

I have a TON of factual information, (although if you want to send
that I welcome it...it may be something I haven't seen before!) So
basically I am looking for personal reflections on how autism has
affected parents, caretakers, etc in any of these areas. Also I am
particularly interested in anyone whose child has/is taken
RISPERDAL, or anyone who has tried CHELATION therapy. Also, if GFCF
or vitamin therapy has worked for you or you have tried it, I would
love your reflections on that.

Just a note, that if you decide to help, your first and last name,
as well as location (city, state) would be noted, as well as the
child's first name. Also for my source list I would need contact
info such as an email address or phone number.

So if anyone wants to share, I would be more than happy to hear your
stories! And also, I will be sharing part of my own story in a
publication called Trumpet Magazine in January 2007, so I will be
sure to keep you all updated!

Thanks for taking the time out to read this! If you live in the
midwest, that would be even greater! The closer to Chicago, the more
local my story angle will be...but people who have loved ones with
special needs are a community of our own, so I am happy to have
information from anyone who wants to share. I am looking to submit a
complete draft by Monday or Tuesday, which means I will be reading
and writing a lot between now and then!!! (As much as Marshawn lets
me!!!) Lol! But I look forward to any feedback, and I hope everyone
has a great weekend!

Thanks!

-Janoah

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