RE: Fwd: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TX

[Guest guest]

Landau Kleffner? There is the steady state evoked potential test specifically to determine if one has LKS.. Dr. Gerry stefanatos developed it and patented it.. my son went through it to determine if he had the ability in his brain stem to understand receptive language. He passed... was your son seen by him? you said his pediatric neurologist? at the time my son was dx... his pediatric neuologist was dr. peter kollros .. both were from thomas jefferson university hospital in philly. They worked as a team on Dr. S's project. Peace, Lia

[Guest guest]

Joe,

I am sorry for your situation with Colton. Thank you for allowing the reporter to do the story on your family as it benefits us all to show what life with an autistic child is really like. May I ask, what was Colton dx with before age 14?

thanks,Heidi

From: JOE HARRIS` <ccdaddy57@...>Reply-EOHarm To: EOH <eoharm >Subject: Fwd: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 12:59:58 -0800 (PST)

This article was on my son Colton. What the article said about him curling up on his sheetless bed is only partly true. The rest of the story is that his mattress is being aired-out after having been changed multiple times throughout the night; along with his sleepwear.

This is a nightly occurance. He does not sleep on a sheetless bed. "signed his mom"

Note: forwarded message attached.

From: Anne Dachel <adachel06@...>jim.hayden@..., "jim.timmermann" <jim.timmermann@...>, "Jim.Ogle" <Jim.Ogle@...>, jleslie@..., jlyons <jlyons@...>, jmulder <jmulder@...>, jnelson <jnelson@...>, jneve <jneve@...>, ccdaddy57@..., john-mccarthy@..., stone.johndaniel@..., john_abramson <john_abramson@...>, jo'shea <joshea@...>, jrohman <jrohman@...>, jsaccenti <jsaccenti@...>CC: jsandford <jsandford@...>, jsegal <jsegal@...>, jthomas <jthomas@...>, jw4994@..., nneKing@..., jdeardorff@..., jkrasnow@..., jurimed2 <jurimed2@...>, jzsell@...Subject: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 10:32:41 -0800 (PST)

This is an excellent story on autism by Star-Telegram reporter Jan Jarvis, who actually DID TALK TO PARENTS! One of them is Joe who has a severely disabled son and is a tireless advocate.

I was also interviewed for this report. We can see the difference in the spectrum in the details about each of our sons.

Seeking hopeFort Worth Star Telegram, TX

Seeking hopeCentre Daily Times, PA

Seeking hopeBradenton Herald, FL

SEEKING HOPE .... The CAA is mentioned ...the one billion dollars over five years divided between research and intervention...........

The Combating Autism Act signed by President Bush last month authorized $920 million in federal funds over five years to pay for research, education, screening and intervention. Advocates praised leaders for acknowledging autism as a healthcare crisis. Others say there's too much focus on research when services require more immediate attention.

The standard reply from the medical community is also included ......

Experts in the field say there's no evidence that there are more cases; instead, physicians are better able to diagnose the disorder. The criteria for diagnosing autism have broadened and awareness has been heightened. Children who used to be diagnosed with having mental retardation are now being diagnosed with autism, said Dr. Karni, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

I want to write to ask Dr. Karni how she can say that the explosion in autism is simply due to doctors being better at recognizing the disorder.

My two responses to this claim are:

If these kids have always been here, we're just better at diagnosing the condition, then why are schools in such desperate struggles to provide for them? If they were called retarded in the past. we still would have had accommodate their special needs. My favorite quote was by a school superintendent several years ago who said, "One more autistic student in the district would be a 'train wreck coming' in terms of the cost."

My second argument is that the obvious proof of Dr. Karni's claim would be a study of older generations to find those mislabeled people with autism. That would end the debate over autism once and for all. IT'S NEVER DONE! These older autistic people at a rate of one in 166 simply don't exist.

Here's the media email for the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where Dr. Karni is affiliated.

donna.hansard@...

The CDC is off on a five year autism study. Why aren't they doing research to find the missed older autistic individuals since they're continually making the claim of "better diagnosing"?

Autism numbers in TX nearly doubled in five years. That ought put everyone in a panic.

New Center For Autism Provides Much Needed SupportCBS 11, TX -

According to the Texas Education Agency, over the last five years, the number of Texas children diagnosed with autism has nearly doubled, from 8,972 to 17,282. Some researchers insist the numbers are higher.

These are the numbers and this is the effect they're having everywhere.

http://www.vaproject.org/autismasdstatistics.html

Report: Provide funds for autismKentucky Post, KY

Autism fuels call for school vouchersHouston Chronicle, TX By GARY SCHARRER

Many Autistic Kids, Few Schools To HelpCBS News, NY

PS.....(I just wanted to add the details about getting his driver's license, a point mentioned in the report.)

"It took five tries, but Dachel's son was finally able to get a driver's license. The next hurdle is getting him a job, a task that will not be accomplished easily."

Actually, it took five tries to get his temps. I was afraid to tell people at the DMV that couldn't possibly take a written test in the chaotic confusion of the large DMV office where dozens and dozens were talking... announcements were constantly coming over a loudspeaker, ....all kinds of people were moving around. We just kept coming back day after day...finally, on the fifth day, the lady at the desk said, " your score gets worse each time you take the test. I don't understand this." She then gave him the test orally, and he got 100%.

When he took the road test........he knew what it would involve, it was just one person with him in the car....not too threatening.....(again, I was afraid to say anything to the examiner about his disability ... I just prayed a lot.)

They came back ...the man walked up to me and said, "Ma'am, your son's an excellent driver. He passed."

Mom almost fainted.................This is Asperger's. It's not the tragedy of severe autism.

Understanding isn't there for either end of the spectrum. I've spent most of 's life pretending there's nothing wrong with him, I guess. There's so much ignorance about autism out there, I'm afraid to honestly say to people, " has Asperger's. He's very intelligent, but limited in some regards. He's not retarded, not dangerous, just very quiet when he first meets people."

Maybe I just hate labels.

Anne

[Guest guest]

Joe,

I am sorry for your situation with Colton. Thank you for allowing the reporter to do the story on your family as it benefits us all to show what life with an autistic child is really like. May I ask, what was Colton dx with before age 14?

thanks,Heidi

From: JOE HARRIS` <ccdaddy57@...>Reply-EOHarm To: EOH <eoharm >Subject: Fwd: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 12:59:58 -0800 (PST)

This article was on my son Colton. What the article said about him curling up on his sheetless bed is only partly true. The rest of the story is that his mattress is being aired-out after having been changed multiple times throughout the night; along with his sleepwear.

This is a nightly occurance. He does not sleep on a sheetless bed. "signed his mom"

Note: forwarded message attached.

From: Anne Dachel <adachel06@...>jim.hayden@..., "jim.timmermann" <jim.timmermann@...>, "Jim.Ogle" <Jim.Ogle@...>, jleslie@..., jlyons <jlyons@...>, jmulder <jmulder@...>, jnelson <jnelson@...>, jneve <jneve@...>, ccdaddy57@..., john-mccarthy@..., stone.johndaniel@..., john_abramson <john_abramson@...>, jo'shea <joshea@...>, jrohman <jrohman@...>, jsaccenti <jsaccenti@...>CC: jsandford <jsandford@...>, jsegal <jsegal@...>, jthomas <jthomas@...>, jw4994@..., nneKing@..., jdeardorff@..., jkrasnow@..., jurimed2 <jurimed2@...>, jzsell@...Subject: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 10:32:41 -0800 (PST)

This is an excellent story on autism by Star-Telegram reporter Jan Jarvis, who actually DID TALK TO PARENTS! One of them is Joe who has a severely disabled son and is a tireless advocate.

I was also interviewed for this report. We can see the difference in the spectrum in the details about each of our sons.

Seeking hopeFort Worth Star Telegram, TX

Seeking hopeCentre Daily Times, PA

Seeking hopeBradenton Herald, FL

SEEKING HOPE .... The CAA is mentioned ...the one billion dollars over five years divided between research and intervention...........

The Combating Autism Act signed by President Bush last month authorized $920 million in federal funds over five years to pay for research, education, screening and intervention. Advocates praised leaders for acknowledging autism as a healthcare crisis. Others say there's too much focus on research when services require more immediate attention.

The standard reply from the medical community is also included ......

Experts in the field say there's no evidence that there are more cases; instead, physicians are better able to diagnose the disorder. The criteria for diagnosing autism have broadened and awareness has been heightened. Children who used to be diagnosed with having mental retardation are now being diagnosed with autism, said Dr. Karni, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

I want to write to ask Dr. Karni how she can say that the explosion in autism is simply due to doctors being better at recognizing the disorder.

My two responses to this claim are:

If these kids have always been here, we're just better at diagnosing the condition, then why are schools in such desperate struggles to provide for them? If they were called retarded in the past. we still would have had accommodate their special needs. My favorite quote was by a school superintendent several years ago who said, "One more autistic student in the district would be a 'train wreck coming' in terms of the cost."

My second argument is that the obvious proof of Dr. Karni's claim would be a study of older generations to find those mislabeled people with autism. That would end the debate over autism once and for all. IT'S NEVER DONE! These older autistic people at a rate of one in 166 simply don't exist.

Here's the media email for the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where Dr. Karni is affiliated.

donna.hansard@...

The CDC is off on a five year autism study. Why aren't they doing research to find the missed older autistic individuals since they're continually making the claim of "better diagnosing"?

Autism numbers in TX nearly doubled in five years. That ought put everyone in a panic.

New Center For Autism Provides Much Needed SupportCBS 11, TX -

According to the Texas Education Agency, over the last five years, the number of Texas children diagnosed with autism has nearly doubled, from 8,972 to 17,282. Some researchers insist the numbers are higher.

These are the numbers and this is the effect they're having everywhere.

http://www.vaproject.org/autismasdstatistics.html

Report: Provide funds for autismKentucky Post, KY

Autism fuels call for school vouchersHouston Chronicle, TX By GARY SCHARRER

Many Autistic Kids, Few Schools To HelpCBS News, NY

PS.....(I just wanted to add the details about getting his driver's license, a point mentioned in the report.)

"It took five tries, but Dachel's son was finally able to get a driver's license. The next hurdle is getting him a job, a task that will not be accomplished easily."

Actually, it took five tries to get his temps. I was afraid to tell people at the DMV that couldn't possibly take a written test in the chaotic confusion of the large DMV office where dozens and dozens were talking... announcements were constantly coming over a loudspeaker, ....all kinds of people were moving around. We just kept coming back day after day...finally, on the fifth day, the lady at the desk said, " your score gets worse each time you take the test. I don't understand this." She then gave him the test orally, and he got 100%.

When he took the road test........he knew what it would involve, it was just one person with him in the car....not too threatening.....(again, I was afraid to say anything to the examiner about his disability ... I just prayed a lot.)

They came back ...the man walked up to me and said, "Ma'am, your son's an excellent driver. He passed."

Mom almost fainted.................This is Asperger's. It's not the tragedy of severe autism.

Understanding isn't there for either end of the spectrum. I've spent most of 's life pretending there's nothing wrong with him, I guess. There's so much ignorance about autism out there, I'm afraid to honestly say to people, " has Asperger's. He's very intelligent, but limited in some regards. He's not retarded, not dangerous, just very quiet when he first meets people."

Maybe I just hate labels.

Anne

[Guest guest]

Hi thanks for your kind words his dx was landeauklefner as a guess by his pediatric neurologist what a waste of money.... Joe ------------------ txelevatordance <elevatordance@...> wrote: Joe, I am sorry for your situation with Colton. Thank you for allowing the reporter to do the story on your family as it

benefits us all to show what life with an autistic child is really like. May I ask, what was Colton dx with before age 14? thanks,Heidi From: JOE HARRIS` <ccdaddy57 >Reply-EOHarm To: EOH <eoharm >Subject: Fwd: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 12:59:58 -0800 (PST) This article was on my son Colton. What the article said about him curling up on his sheetless bed is only partly true. The rest of the story is that his mattress is being aired-out after having been changed multiple times throughout

the night; along with his sleepwear. This is a nightly occurance. He does not sleep on a sheetless bed. "signed his mom" Note: forwarded message attached. From: Anne Dachel <adachel06 >jim.haydenhollandsentinel, "jim.timmermann" <jim.timmermannhollandsentinel>, "Jim.Ogle" <Jim.Oglewkyt>, jleslie11alive, jlyons <jlyonsmercurynews>, jmulder <jmuldersyracuse>, jnelson <jnelsontallahassee>, jneve <jnevepaceamerican>, ccdaddy57 , john-mccarthyusa (DOT) net, stone.johndanielvirgin (DOT) net, john_abramson <john_abramsonhms (DOT) harvard.edu>, jo'shea <josheatribune>, jrohman

<jrohmanearthlink (DOT) net>, jsaccenti <jsaccentipacpub>CC: jsandford <jsandfordcitizen-times>, jsegal <jsegalmedicaljustice>, jthomas <jthomaskcstar>, jw4994earthlink (DOT) net, nneKinghawaii (DOT) rr.com, jdeardorfftribune, jkrasnowccs (DOT) k12.in.us, jurimed2 <jurimed2earthlink (DOT) net>, jzsell@...ry.netSubject: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 10:32:41 -0800 (PST) This is an excellent story on autism by Star-Telegram reporter Jan Jarvis, who actually DID TALK TO PARENTS! One of them is Joe who has a severely disabled son and is a tireless advocate. I was also interviewed for this report. We can see the difference in the spectrum in the details about each of our sons. Seeking hopeFort Worth Star Telegram, TX Seeking hopeCentre Daily Times, PA Seeking hopeBradenton Herald, FL SEEKING HOPE .... The CAA is mentioned ...the one billion dollars over five years divided between research and intervention........... The Combating Autism Act signed by President Bush last month authorized $920 million in federal funds over five years to pay for research, education, screening and intervention. Advocates praised leaders for acknowledging autism as a healthcare crisis. Others say there's too much focus on research

when services require more immediate attention. The standard reply from the medical community is also included ...... Experts in the field say there's no evidence that there are more cases; instead, physicians are better able to diagnose the disorder. The criteria for diagnosing autism have broadened and awareness has been heightened. Children who used to be diagnosed with having mental retardation are now being diagnosed with autism, said Dr. Karni, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. I want to write to ask

Dr. Karni how she can say that the explosion in autism is simply due to doctors being better at recognizing the disorder. My two responses to this claim are: If these kids have always been here, we're just better at diagnosing the condition, then why are schools in such desperate struggles to provide for them? If they were called retarded in the past. we still would have had accommodate their special needs. My favorite quote was by a school superintendent several years ago who said, "One more autistic student in the district would be a 'train wreck coming' in terms of the cost." My second argument is that the obvious proof of Dr. Karni's claim would be a study of older generations to find those mislabeled people with autism. That would end the debate over autism once and for all. IT'S NEVER DONE! These older autistic people at a rate of one in 166 simply don't exist. Here's the media email for the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where Dr. Karni is affiliated. donna.hansardutsouthwestern (DOT) edu The CDC is off on a five year autism

study. Why aren't they doing research to find the missed older autistic individuals since they're continually making the claim of "better diagnosing"? Autism numbers in TX nearly doubled in five years. That ought put everyone in a panic. New Center For Autism Provides Much Needed SupportCBS 11, TX - According to the Texas Education Agency, over the last five years, the number of Texas children diagnosed with autism has nearly doubled, from 8,972 to 17,282. Some researchers insist the numbers are higher. These are the numbers and this is the effect they're having everywhere. http://www.vaproject.org/autismasdstatistics.html

Report: Provide funds for autismKentucky Post, KY Autism fuels call for school vouchersHouston Chronicle, TX By GARY SCHARRER Many Autistic Kids, Few Schools To HelpCBS News, NY PS.....(I just wanted to add the details about getting his driver's license, a point mentioned in the report.) "It took

five tries, but Dachel's son was finally able to get a driver's license. The next hurdle is getting him a job, a task that will not be accomplished easily." Actually, it took five tries to get his temps. I was afraid to tell people at the DMV that couldn't possibly take a written test in the chaotic confusion of the large DMV office where dozens and dozens were talking... announcements were constantly coming over a loudspeaker, ....all kinds of people were moving around. We just kept coming back day after day...finally, on the fifth day, the lady at the desk said, " your score gets worse each time you take the test. I don't understand this." She then gave him the test orally, and he got 100%. When he took the road test........he knew what it would involve, it was just one person with him in the car....not too threatening.....(again, I was afraid to say anything to the examiner about his disability ... I just prayed a lot.) They came back ...the man walked up to me and said, "Ma'am, your son's an excellent driver. He passed." Mom almost fainted.................This is Asperger's. It's not the tragedy of severe autism. Understanding isn't there for either end of the spectrum. I've

spent most of 's life pretending there's nothing wrong with him, I guess. There's so much ignorance about autism out there, I'm afraid to honestly say to people, " has Asperger's. He's very intelligent, but limited in some regards. He's not retarded, not dangerous, just very quiet when he first meets people." Maybe I just hate labels. Anne

[Guest guest]

Joe:

My heart has always gone out to you and

your family. I hope Colton

continues to do well with his treatment.

I am sorry the media did not provide an

accurate picture, but keep telling your story….some day, some how they

will listen.

Keep up your courageous fight-

Medlin

From:

EOHarm [mailto:EOHarm ] On Behalf Of JOE HARRIS`

Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007

4:00 PM

EOH

Subject: Fwd: Fw: STAR

TELEGRAM Fort Worth TX

This article was on my son Colton. What

the article said about him curling up on his sheetless bed is only partly

true. The rest of the story is that his mattress is being

aired-out after having been changed multiple times throughout the night; along

with his sleepwear.

This is a nightly occurance. He does not sleep on a

sheetless bed. " signed his mom "

Note: forwarded message attached.

[Guest guest]

Hi Joe, Amazing article with your son in it. I am so sorry that you all are having such a rough time. Let's hope this artilce will bring help to you and others in the very near future. Maurine meleckJOE HARRIS` <ccdaddy57@...> wrote: Hi thanks for your kind words his dx was landeauklefner as a guess by his pediatric neurologist what a

waste of money.... Joe ------------------ txelevatordance <elevatordancemsn> wrote: Joe, I am sorry for your situation with Colton. Thank you for allowing the reporter to do the story on your family as it benefits us all to show what life with an autistic child is really like. May I ask, what was Colton dx with before age 14? thanks,Heidi From: JOE HARRIS` <ccdaddy57 >Reply-EOHarm To: EOH

<eoharm >Subject: Fwd: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 12:59:58 -0800 (PST) This article was on my son Colton. What the article said about him curling up on his sheetless bed is only partly true. The rest of the story is that his mattress is being aired-out after having been changed multiple times throughout the night; along with his sleepwear. This is a nightly occurance. He does not sleep on a sheetless bed. "signed his mom" Note: forwarded message attached. From: Anne Dachel <adachel06 >jim.haydenhollandsentinel,

"jim.timmermann" <jim.timmermannhollandsentinel>, "Jim.Ogle" <Jim.Oglewkyt>, jleslie11alive, jlyons <jlyonsmercurynews>, jmulder <jmuldersyracuse>, jnelson <jnelsontallahassee>, jneve <jnevepaceamerican>, ccdaddy57 , john-mccarthyusa (DOT) net, stone.johndanielvirgin (DOT) net, john_abramson <john_abramsonhms (DOT) harvard.edu>, jo'shea <josheatribune>, jrohman <jrohmanearthlink (DOT) net>, jsaccenti <jsaccentipacpub>CC: jsandford <jsandfordcitizen-times>, jsegal <jsegalmedicaljustice>, jthomas <jthomaskcstar>, jw4994earthlink (DOT) net, nneKinghawaii (DOT) rr.com, jdeardorfftribune, jkrasnowccs (DOT) k12.in.us, jurimed2 <jurimed2earthlink (DOT) net>, jzsell@...ry.netSubject: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM

Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 10:32:41 -0800 (PST) This is an excellent story on autism by Star-Telegram reporter Jan Jarvis, who actually DID TALK TO PARENTS! One of them is Joe who has a severely disabled son and is a tireless advocate. I was also interviewed for this report. We can see the difference in the spectrum in the details about each of our sons. Seeking hopeFort Worth Star Telegram, TX Seeking hopeCentre Daily Times, PA Seeking hopeBradenton Herald, FL SEEKING HOPE .... The CAA is mentioned ...the one billion dollars over five years divided between research and intervention........... The Combating Autism Act signed by President Bush last month authorized $920 million in federal funds over five years to pay for research, education, screening and intervention. Advocates praised leaders for acknowledging autism as a healthcare crisis. Others say there's too much focus on research when services require more immediate attention. The standard reply from the medical community is also included ...... Experts in the field say there's no evidence that there are more cases; instead, physicians are

better able to diagnose the disorder. The criteria for diagnosing autism have broadened and awareness has been heightened. Children who used to be diagnosed with having mental retardation are now being diagnosed with autism, said Dr. Karni, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. I want to write to ask Dr. Karni how she can say that the explosion in autism is simply due to doctors being better at recognizing the disorder. My two responses to this claim are: If these kids have always been here, we're just better at

diagnosing the condition, then why are schools in such desperate struggles to provide for them? If they were called retarded in the past. we still would have had accommodate their special needs. My favorite quote was by a school superintendent several years ago who said, "One more autistic student in the district would be a 'train wreck coming' in terms of the cost." My second argument is that the obvious proof of Dr. Karni's claim would be a study of older generations to find those mislabeled people with autism. That would end the debate over autism once and for all. IT'S NEVER DONE! These older autistic people at a rate of one in 166 simply don't exist. Here's the

media email for the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where Dr. Karni is affiliated. donna.hansardutsouthwestern (DOT) edu The CDC is off on a five year autism study. Why aren't they doing research to find the missed older autistic individuals since they're continually making the claim of "better diagnosing"? Autism numbers in TX nearly doubled in five years. That ought put everyone in a panic. New Center For Autism Provides Much Needed SupportCBS 11, TX - According to the Texas Education Agency, over the last five years, the number of Texas children diagnosed with autism has nearly doubled, from 8,972 to 17,282. Some researchers insist the numbers are higher. These are the numbers and

this is the effect they're having everywhere. http://www.vaproject.org/autismasdstatistics.html Report: Provide funds for autismKentucky Post, KY Autism fuels call for school vouchersHouston Chronicle, TX By GARY SCHARRER Many Autistic Kids, Few Schools To HelpCBS News, NY PS.....(I just wanted to add the details about getting his driver's license, a point mentioned in the report.) "It took five tries, but Dachel's son was finally able to get a driver's license. The next hurdle is getting him a job, a task that will not be accomplished easily." Actually, it took five tries to get his temps. I was afraid to tell people at the DMV that couldn't possibly take a written test

in the chaotic confusion of the large DMV office where dozens and dozens were talking... announcements were constantly coming over a loudspeaker, ....all kinds of people were moving around. We just kept coming back day after day...finally, on the fifth day, the lady at the desk said, " your score gets worse each time you take the test. I don't understand this." She then gave him the test orally, and he got 100%. When he took the road test........he knew what it would involve, it was just one person with him in the car....not too threatening.....(again, I was afraid to say anything to the examiner about his disability ... I just prayed a lot.) They came back ...the man walked up to me

and said, "Ma'am, your son's an excellent driver. He passed." Mom almost fainted.................This is Asperger's. It's not the tragedy of severe autism. Understanding isn't there for either end of the spectrum. I've spent most of 's life pretending there's nothing wrong with him, I guess. There's so much ignorance about autism out there, I'm afraid to honestly say to people, " has Asperger's. He's very intelligent, but limited in some regards. He's not retarded, not dangerous, just very quiet when he first meets people." Maybe I just hate labels. Anne __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

To Joe :

Hang in there.

We love 'ya.

Fwd: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 12:59:58 -0800 (PST)

This article was on my son Colton. What the article said about him curling up on his sheetless bed is only partly true. The rest of the story is that his mattress is being aired-out after having been changed multiple times throughout the night; along with his sleepwear.

This is a nightly occurance. He does not sleep on a sheetless bed. "signed his mom"

Note: forwarded message attached.

From: Anne Dachel <adachel06 >jim.haydenhollandsentinel, "jim.timmermann" <jim.timmermannhollandsentinel>, "Jim.Ogle" <Jim.Oglewkyt>, jleslie11alive, jlyons <jlyonsmercurynews>, jmulder <jmuldersyracuse>, jnelson <jnelsontallahassee>, jneve <jnevepaceamerican>, ccdaddy57 , john-mccarthyusa (DOT) net, stone.johndanielvirgin (DOT) net, john_abramson <john_abramsonhms (DOT) harvard.edu>, jo'shea <josheatribune>, jrohman <jrohmanearthlink (DOT) net>, jsaccenti <jsaccentipacpub>CC: jsandford <jsandfordcitizen-times>, jsegal <jsegalmedicaljustice>, jthomas <jthomaskcstar>, jw4994earthlink (DOT) net, nneKinghawaii (DOT) rr.com, jdeardorfftribune, jkrasnowccs (DOT) k12.in.us, jurimed2 <jurimed2earthlink (DOT) net>, jzsell@...ry.netSubject: Fw: STAR TELEGRAM Fort Worth TXDate: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 10:32:41 -0800 (PST)

This is an excellent story on autism by Star-Telegram reporter Jan Jarvis, who actually DID TALK TO PARENTS! One of them is Joe who has a severely disabled son and is a tireless advocate.

I was also interviewed for this report. We can see the difference in the spectrum in the details about each of our sons.

Seeking hopeFort Worth Star Telegram, TX

Seeking hopeCentre Daily Times, PA

Seeking hopeBradenton Herald, FL

SEEKING HOPE .... The CAA is mentioned ...the one billion dollars over five years divided between research and intervention...........

The Combating Autism Act signed by President Bush last month authorized $920 million in federal funds over five years to pay for research, education, screening and intervention. Advocates praised leaders for acknowledging autism as a healthcare crisis. Others say there's too much focus on research when services require more immediate attention.

The standard reply from the medical community is also included ......

Experts in the field say there's no evidence that there are more cases; instead, physicians are better able to diagnose the disorder. The criteria for diagnosing autism have broadened and awareness has been heightened. Children who used to be diagnosed with having mental retardation are now being diagnosed with autism, said Dr. Karni, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

I want to write to ask Dr. Karni how she can say that the explosion in autism is simply due to doctors being better at recognizing the disorder.

My two responses to this claim are:

If these kids have always been here, we're just better at diagnosing the condition, then why are schools in such desperate struggles to provide for them? If they were called retarded in the past. we still would have had accommodate their special needs. My favorite quote was by a school superintendent several years ago who said, "One more autistic student in the district would be a 'train wreck coming' in terms of the cost."

My second argument is that the obvious proof of Dr. Karni's claim would be a study of older generations to find those mislabeled people with autism. That would end the debate over autism once and for all. IT'S NEVER DONE! These older autistic people at a rate of one in 166 simply don't exist.

Here's the media email for the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where Dr. Karni is affiliated.

donna.hansardutsouthwestern (DOT) edu

The CDC is off on a five year autism study. Why aren't they doing research to find the missed older autistic individuals since they're continually making the claim of "better diagnosing"?

Autism numbers in TX nearly doubled in five years. That ought put everyone in a panic.

New Center For Autism Provides Much Needed SupportCBS 11, TX -

According to the Texas Education Agency, over the last five years, the number of Texas children diagnosed with autism has nearly doubled, from 8,972 to 17,282. Some researchers insist the numbers are higher.

These are the numbers and this is the effect they're having everywhere.

http://www.vaproject.org/autismasdstatistics.html

Report: Provide funds for autismKentucky Post, KY

Autism fuels call for school vouchersHouston Chronicle, TX By GARY SCHARRER

Many Autistic Kids, Few Schools To HelpCBS News, NY

PS.....(I just wanted to add the details about getting his driver's license, a point mentioned in the report.)

"It took five tries, but Dachel's son was finally able to get a driver's license. The next hurdle is getting him a job, a task that will not be accomplished easily."

Actually, it took five tries to get his temps. I was afraid to tell people at the DMV that couldn't possibly take a written test in the chaotic confusion of the large DMV office where dozens and dozens were talking... announcements were constantly coming over a loudspeaker, ....all kinds of people were moving around. We just kept coming back day after day...finally, on the fifth day, the lady at the desk said, " your score gets worse each time you take the test. I don't understand this." She then gave him the test orally, and he got 100%.

When he took the road test........he knew what it would involve, it was just one person with him in the car....not too threatening.....(again, I was afraid to say anything to the examiner about his disability ... I just prayed a lot.)

They came back ...the man walked up to me and said, "Ma'am, your son's an excellent driver. He passed."

Mom almost fainted.................This is Asperger's. It's not the tragedy of severe autism.

Understanding isn't there for either end of the spectrum. I've spent most of 's life pretending there's nothing wrong with him, I guess. There's so much ignorance about autism out there, I'm afraid to honestly say to people, " has Asperger's. He's very intelligent, but limited in some regards. He's not retarded, not dangerous, just very quiet when he first meets people."

Maybe I just hate labels.

Anne

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