The Absolute Power of Autism - Disability or Genius

The Autisarian Race
You would think that most of the time research into autism is not something people choose to do. Most of the time it's probably done because a person is faced with the challenge of raising an autistic child. This is a scary challenge, but what if you were faced with raising two autistic children? Consider the pain of watching them go through the effects of the disorder together, or one after the other. The good thing is that as a parent goes through trials and tribulations with their autistic child, they can become an expert in the art of managing the genius inside the disorder. If they learn to simply pay attention, they may find something amazing inside their child.
Most people don't consider the drastic longterm consequences of slow reaction to the alarming birthrate of autistic children. It seems likely if the puzzle isn't properly addressed soon, within the next ten to fifteen years the world may be responsible for what could be an entire race of adults who are unable function on their own. Take a minute to think about what would be a massive drain on the welfare system.
It's hard to imagine a disabled person has any connection to humankind's evolution.
A blind guy, a person with autism, or attention deficit disorder, no way these people could have anything to do with evolution. Naturally your first thought would probably be devolution, but if we closely examine what we know about what we don't actually know, we would be amazed by the possibilities. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the unexplained can't be explained because we haven't figured out how to use our brain's full potential. This means that as far as we know anything is possible.
If a man is born blind he can't value sight because he never had it. His lack of sight becomes a problem in his mind because people tell him he is disabled because he can't see. Because the man has no sense of sight his senses of hearing and touch are far above average, so he can hear and feel things like music astoundingly better than the average human being. This may give the man a natural ability to play a musical instrument far better than his human counterparts without instruction. This creates the question, is this man disabled? According to society he is, but Webster's dictionary calls him a genius. We have a nasty habit of negatively labeling things we don't understand, so similar arguments can be made using those labeled disabled because of ADD, or Autism. Are these labels a product our ignorance? Are these people disabled, or are they precursors to our evolution?
Autism has been around longer than most people realize, twenty years ago it was called mental retardation. We know very little about autism, but the number of children being born with it is astronomical, it's almost like some kind of invasion.
Great minds have consulted and surmised that this condition somehow interrupts the brains capability to communicate properly and since we don't understand it we label it a disability.
It seems when a certain power of the brain is taken away, or not included at birth other brain powers increase giving a person extraordinary abilities, or a certain knack for something. Unfortunately most of the time the knack is never discovered and this eventually creates a disabled person. The huge number of children being born with autism has uncovered some of these hidden knack's. If you research the definition of the word knack you'll find that it comes very close to the meaning of the word genius. Maybe we should stop trying to cure autism and try to manage the genius inside it instead.
If you think about it, an alarming number of people being born with extraordinary capabilities could be a push in the evolutionary process of humankind. Autism could be the creation of a new human being, the creation of the Autisarian.

The Inspire Weekly uses a book series called Survivor Evolution to motivate families affected by autism to search for the power behind the puzzle. The series was created by two autistic brothers who have publish three books so far. Support the Survivor Evolution Series. Start at the beginning and follow the series. Buy their first book; Flames of Avasten. http://www.theinspireweekly.com

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Symptoms of High-Functioning Autism

My first recollection of autism is connected to watching the 'Rainman' movie and thinking about what happened to that brilliant child on the screen. On one hand, so talented on the other so restricted. My next close encounter with the disorder took place when my daughter became a teacher for disabled kids ages seven through ten. I still remember that night when she came back home from school, I looked at her face and knew something tragic must have happen. She shared with me her experience with one of her students diagnosed with autism. Now she brings home the knowledge and awareness that I would not have otherwise. As with all critical occurrences, there is no one single description of the disorder or the cure of it.
Autism is in fact the core condition of a spectrum of disorders, which all share common characteristics and are demonstrated in very diverse ways within each individual.
Autism is a major disability, affecting communication and interaction with other people, but also with the world.
The degree of autism varies from severe to mild, but the consequence is always serious. Accordingly, someone with autism may have severe autism with severe additional learning difficulties, while others may have mild degrees of autism with normal or high levels of intelligence. The majority of those affected by autism have learning disabilities. Their language development varies greatly. Some may have very good speech, although lacking full comprehension, while a significant portion of those with autism will have no spoken language. Many may be hypersensitive to noise, light, touch or smell, and under-react to pain.
The particular causes of autism are not known; we do know however that it is a biologically based disorder affecting the brain development. The patterns of disorderly behavior do not emerge until the child is between 18 months and 3 years old. At times there is a period of seemingly normal development and then, between 18 months and 3 years, the child gives the impression to withdraw and lose skills. We do know that parents are not to blame for autism, but, actually, are the child's greatest resource.
As for the common signs of autism - those are social, communication and behavior. Autism is displayed in social settings, verbal communication, nonverbal communication, development of imagination and resistance to change of a routine.
Here are examples of such behaviors. Affected kid shows indifference; he or she joins activities with others only if adult insists and assists. The interactions in social settings are one sided. He or she indicates need by using an adult's hand, does not play with other children, talks consistently only about one topic, displays bizarre behavior. Very common is echolalia, when the child copies words. Laughing or giggling comes up in the most inappropriate times. There is no eye contact, variety is not spice of life, and there is lack of creative (pretend) play.
Some of the affected kids can do some things very well and very quickly, but those never involve social interaction. Early diagnosis of such condition is crucial in order to minimize the problems and maximize the full potential of the person.
I cannot tell if the explosion of autism since 1980 has been triggered by our ability to diagnose or by the actual changes in the fetus and baby development caused by the overdose of chemicals. I know though, that we managed to register 77,000 artificial food additives since 1940 and that an average American consumes 14 pounds of chemicals with their food per year. The results of these statistics cannot be ignored by our bodies. Simple reality check: if you would not put something into your fish tank, don't stick it in your body.
Maybe it will not happen to eliminate autism, but it will definitely help our health and the world.
In the mean time I would like to invite you to gain more information about the early detection of the disorder and ways to gain control of the situation.

Be am amazed with the value of experience that comes from a simple heart to heart conversation. Yes, when the words are missing, hearts talk. Breathe in the magnificence of life and breathe out the passion for love so others can be poisoned with it. http://lifelonghomebiz.com

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Autism: Disease, Disorder, Handicap or Disability?

As the parent of two young children with the Autism Spectrum Disorder, I have learned a lot since the initial diagnosis with my son. Like most people, Autism used to mean that people affected by it lived in their own world. In my mind, I used to associate the picture of "Rain Man" with ASD. Now, I now a lot more, thank God.

Nowadays, when I mention the word "Autism" to others, the main questions that people tend to ask are: "What is Autism? Is it a disease? Will it get better? Isn't it when people rock and are mentally challenged? Aren't they in their own world?" Some of these questions are on the right path while others can be downright offensive and/or plain wrong.

In fact, I even heard of people avoiding being near people with Autism simply because they thought it could be an infectious disease. Well, they could not be more wrong.

A disease is based either on a viral or bacterial infection, on the malfunctioning of body organs or even radiations. Its source is often exterior or eventually appears on its own as for ASD it is quite different. A disorder such as the Autism Spectrum Disorder is in fact a genetic condition that is part of the DNA of the individual as soon as the egg and the sperm cell became one, creating a new life.

You see, the organs such as the brain even developed differently affecting its processing of information and managing all bodily functions. In some cases, like in my son's, the brain also does not make enough Melatonin, which is the hormone that is responsible of both the cycle and quality of sleep. This is why often; individuals with ASD suffer from sleep problems.

Since Autism is also physical, does it become a handicap? Well, first of all, being a disorder which level of severity varies as it is on the spectrum, the effects on people's lives vary as well. For example, my son is considered non-verbal which prevents him from communicating verbally his needs, questions and emotions and may even become a safety issue. In this case, I would say that Autism can be a handicap.

My daughter, on the other hand, is verbal but has difficulty understanding questions. Well, as long as you say it differently, she will be able to give or understand a message. In her case, her problems with communication skills would be more of a disability.

What is the difference between a disability and a handicap? A disability is basically a task that you are unable to do without assistance. A handicap is something that is usually physical, that cannot allow someone to complete a task on their own or without the help of a mechanical device such as: a wheelchair, a special computer or technology, etc.

Since the Autism Spectrum Disorder is not always as obvious as a paraplegic sitting in a wheelchair, how can you identify and even assist someone with ASD? Well, unfortunately people with Autism are often misjudged as eccentric, a hermit or for children, little brats trying to get their way with their parents. And in other cases, when the parents remain calm and loving with a screaming child, they are being judged as bad parents.

Nowadays, some parents will either explain briefly to you or give you an explanatory card about their child's Autism. Unfortunately, unless you know what Autism is because you happen to know someone that is affected by ASD, it can be difficult to identify, most of the time.

So, just in case, never judge others' behavior as you may not be aware of what lies beneath the surface.

As the mother of two young children living with Autism, both my husband and I have learned an impressive amount of information since their diagnosis was made. If you wish to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder, I invite you to visit the following sites: http://autism-spectrum-disorder.com , http://autism.findoutnow.org or http://autismsymptoms.blogspot.com

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Finding a Dentist for Special Needs Kids

Good dental hygiene can be almost impossible for some special needs kids. The daily routines of life can make it easy to forget about brushing and flossing, and some kids with sensory integration issues may be very resistant to the activity.

Finding a good dentist may help. Dentists and their staff can help educate children about dental health and encourage children to brush, floss, and rinse. Parents may be able to learn tips on how to help their children take care of their teeth.

When seeking out a dentist for your child, keep in mind the uniqueness of your child and his or her needs. Here are some helpful questions to ask as your seek out a dentist.

Are your familiar with my child's disability?Many dentist offices will express their willingness to see patients with disabilities. However, as many parents know, sometimes "disabilities" are all "lumped together." There are many types of disabilities, each with unique characteristics. Successful dental appointments depend upon the dentist's and the dental staff's willingness to learn about your child's specific needs.

May we tour your facility before we visit? Going to the dentist can be scary! Touring the facility ahead of time will eliminate some of the "unknown" and perhaps ease some of your child's fears. He or she can sit in the dental chair (and maybe even make it work), look at the tools, and maybe even get a free toothbrush before the scheduled appointment. Receptionists and other staff will also be familiar with your child before the appointment. Meeting the dentist and staff ahead of time is especially helpful. However, scheduling and multiple locations may limit staff availability.

If touring is not practical, check out the office's website. Some have pictures and bios of the staff, as well as virtual office tours.

Do you have a private room for your special needs patients? In many dental offices, patients are seen in one big room, perhaps partitioned by cubicles or curtains. Kids with sensory issues could be overwhelmed by sounds such as drills, cleaning tools, or by other children. Some offices provide a calmer atmosphere in private rooms for their special need patients.

How do you handle tantrums and refusals of treatment? Pediatric and adolescent dentists are well-acquainted with these issues. The best prevention of tantrums is educating or preparing the parent and child before a procedure. Some kids will refuse to have their teeth polished. Find out if there is an alternative to the cleaning tools, such as simply brushing the child's teeth.

Do you provide anesthesia for dental work? If your child is already fearful of strangers and dentists, or has severe oral sensitivities, anesthesia may be an option for cleaning and dental work.This may be found on the dentist's website. If so, familiarize yourself with the different options they offer.

Is dental work done under anesthesia performed in the office or elsewhere? Some offices offer general anesthesia for major dental work, provided by an anesthesiologist. This might be done at an out-patient surgery center. If the child needs a filling, root canal, or crown, general anesthesia might be a good option. While the child is "under," the dentist may also provide a thorough cleaning.

How do you prepare your special needs patients for the procedures? Some dentists show the tools, demonstrate on dolls or their own teeth, or even have pictures of procedures. The dentist may have suggestions for preparing the child at home, too.

Will my child see the same dentist at every visit? For people with developmental disabilities such as autism, this may be important for continuation of care. The more interactions the child has with a dentist, the more trust builds.

Do you take Medical Assistance? Many dentists do not take medical help. However, if financially feasible, paying out of pocket for a dentist that fits the child can be worth it in the long run.

Finding a good dentist can be a long process. The search is worth it!

Elizabeth Givler and her husband raise three kids, two of which are on the autism spectrum. Elizabeth has a passion for equipping other special needs families to live as "normal" lives as possible. Elizabeth consults for non profit and faith-based organizations regarding inclusion and natural supports. Currently she teaches clarinet lessons to students with and without special needs and assists families with special dietary needs through her Wildtree business. Read her blog at http://www.elizabethgivler.com or contact Elizabeth at ehgivler@yahoo.com.

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Asperger Syndrome & High Functioning Autism - The Hidden Disabilities

As a therapist, I often refer to High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome as "Hidden Disabilities". Many myths exist about people who have High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome. People will often refer to them as "Rain Man", or make comments to them such as, "Wow, that is so cool, can he or she count cards." This can leave parents in a place of frustration...frustration over the hidden challenges associated with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome.

Little do people know who are not around children with High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome that there is a hidden disability associated with these two labels. Many challenges exist with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome, challenges that are "hidden" to most people on the street.

Children who have High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome look like typical kids. Looking back, we can probably all identify with somebody from our school years that possibly has High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome. They were probably in our regular classrooms because they typically have average or above average IQ, however, they were the children who had always appeared somewhat "quirky".

Kids with High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome have many areas of strengths such as ability to remember things, ability to pay attention to details, and ability to follow rules. Even though they have many positive strengths, they also deal with issues that are not always apparent to others they are around. They struggle with social skills, they get bullied, and they have a difficult time clearly communicating their desires. So, they will often get tagged in school as "quirky" or "defiant".

Another struggle that parents face is that diagnosing High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome is challenging. The symptoms are very subtle and can sometimes only be seen by people who are around them a lot or by a good clinician who has had a lot of experience with High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome. These two labels are typically diagnosed later in life (over age 5), so parents struggle before then in identifying with the challenges their children are facing.

Also, parents have difficulty explaining these two diagnoses to others. If you have not been around children with High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome, it is difficult to pick up on the subtle differences. However, these subtle differences can present mountains of challenges for some families.

Lastly, families who have children with High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome do not get the support they need, financially or emotionally. Many state programs do not cover services for these children because they do not have "mental retardation". Many people do not know how to emotionally support families with these children because it is such a "hidden disability".

In summary, High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome are "hidden disabilities". Families need more support and understanding from state programs, school programs, and community programs.

For more information on High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome, you should download our Free Special Report on High Functioning Autism and Aspergers. This highly popular, jam-packed resource guide is available for download right now at http://www.highfunctioningautism.org/signup/

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Autism Spectrum Disorders - What Does the Term "Autism Spectrum Disorder" (ASD) Mean?

Medical professionals often use the term Autism Spectrum Disorders (or ASD for short) to explain the large variety of symptoms, signs and characteristics associated with a diagnosis of Autism.

As we all know, more and more children are getting diagnosed with Autism everyday. According to the Center for Disease Control, Autism now occurs in one out of every 150 individuals. Some researchers account for the increase in Autism due to us better understanding the entire Autism spectrum.

The Autism spectrum, however, is sometimes difficult for parents to understand. Some parents say things like: "My child has Autism, but he does not do that!" or they will ask "My child will interact with other kids, does he still have Autism?" The answer is simply that Autism is a spectrum, but what exactly does this mean?

A spectrum means that there are children with Autism symptoms on one side, the other side, and everywhere in between. For example, let's take a look at communication and the Autism spectrum. You might have one child on one end of the spectrum that is non-verbal and will only use gestures to tell his or her needs. Then, you might have a child on the other end of the spectrum that can tell you every small detail and then some about his favorite dinosaurs. Both of these children have Autism, but they are on opposite ends of the Autism spectrum for their communication skills.

All of the fundamental deficits of Autism are a spectrum: communication, social skills, and behavior. Each child with Autism has skills that vary on each of the spectrums. Also, all of the types of autistic disorders make up this "Autism spectrum". The different types of autistic disorders include: Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

For more information on Autism Spectrum Disorders including signs, symptoms and treatment options, you should download our Free Special Report on Autism. This popular, jam-packed resource guide is available for download right now at http://www.AutismSymptomsChecklist.org

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What IEP Teams Need to Consider in Seven Areas - For Children With Autism

Do you have a child with autism that receives special education services? Would you like to know what information that needs to be discussed in 7 areas to benefit your child's education? This article will discuss what information special education IEP teams need to discuss in seven areas to determine what services a child with autism needs.

The seven areas are:

1. Nonverbal and verbal communication needs of the child,
2. social interaction skills of the child,
3. educational needs caused by sensory integration disorder,
4. needs caused by rigidity and resistance to change,
5. needs resulting from engagement in repetitive activities,
6. needs for positive behavioral interventions and plans for negative behavior that interferes with the child's education,
7. any other need the child has that negatively affects their education.

Consideration for #1 Verbal and nonverbal communication needs of a child with autism.
A. What the child's current level of communication is. This can be determined by a speech language evaluation.
B. What system of communication is effective for the child.
C. The child's ability to use and understand non-verbal communication (facial expression, eye gaze, body language).
D. Alternative assistive technology devices that could help the child with their communication needs.

Consideration for #2 Need for social interaction skills for the child
A. Types of social interactions the child is capable of.
B. The child's ability to respond appropriately to the social approach of others.

Consideration for #3 Needs resulting from sensory integration disorder
A. Tactile: Does the child have a need for a higher level of input in tactile experiences.
B. Sound: How does the child respond to loud noises?
C. Smell/taste: Is the child affected by certain smells? Does the child avoid certain foods due to the texture?

Consideration 4: Needs caused by rigidity and resistance to change
A. How the child reacts to changes in environment or schedule? How to prepare for transitions with visual supports and timers.
B. An individual visual schedule written, pictures, photos etc
C. Any other supports needed for successful transitions from activity to activity

Consideration 5: Needs resulting from engagement in repetitive activities
A. Determine the function of the behavior to the child.
B. Determine the extent to which the behavior interferes with the child's education.
C. The use of positive behavioral supports to encourage participation in social activities.

Consideration 6: Needs for positive behavioral interventions and plans for negative behavior that interferes with the child's education
A. Discuss the need for a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to determine what function the behavior has for the child.
B. Use the FBA to develop a positive behavioral plan and supports for the child. Also discuss needed teaching of appropriate replacement behaviors.

Consideration 7: Any other need the child has that negatively affects their education.
A. Medical needs that affect the child's education
B. Organizational needs
C. Direct instruction for learning new skills

By understanding what should be discussed for your child with autism at their IEP meeting, you will be able to be an active participant in the IEP process. By advocating for your child you will help them benefit from their education.

JoAnn Collins is the mother of two adults with disabilities, and has helped families navigate the special eduation system, as an advocate, for over 15 years. She is a presenter and author of the book "Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game." The book has a lot of resources and information to help parents fight for an appropriate education for their child. For a free E newsletter entitled "The Special Education Spotlight" send an E mail to: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com. For more information on the book, testimonials about the book, and a link to more articles go to: http://www.disabilitydeception.com

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Are You Concerned That Your Child Has Autism? 22 Signs and Symptoms of Autism to Look Out.

How Do YOU know if YOUR Child has Autism? Are you worried that YOUR child may have Autism?

Would you like to Learn to spot the Signs and Symptoms of Autism to look out for?

My background

I am a mother who has an autistic child who was diagnosed when he was just two and a half years old. So this is written from a real person with first hand practical experience of dealing with Autism. It is an article written by an experienced person not a Ghost Writer writing about Autism!
Want to learn more?

Here are just 22 Signs and Symptoms of Autism to look out for. Most of these signs and symptoms were displayed by my Autistic Son. The list is not exhaustive.

Just a few of these symptoms will give you the knowledge to determine whether Your child may have Autism or is showing signs of Autism.

22 Signs and Symptoms of Autism

1 Difficulty in expressing needs
2 Little or no smiling
3 At 1 year: no babbling, no pointing or these have stopped
4 At 16 months: no words or words have disappeared
5 At 2 years: no phrases or phrases have dropped
6 Prefers to be alone; aloof manner
7 Displays odd play such as playing with doors, fixated with spinning objects, stacking toys, lining up toys or more focused on part of a toy
8 Your child likes playing on their own - solitary play
9 Repetitive behaviour
10 Repeating words or phrases in place of normal responsive language. Even echolalia
11 Laughing or showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
12 Unexplainable excessive crying
13 Aggression which is unexplained
14 Little or no eye contact
15 Not using age appropriate words to communicate
16 Enjoys movement and is calmer when rocking, swinging or jumping or shaking body or head
17 Over sensitive to certain sounds such as vacuum cleaner sounds, dog barking, lawnmower
18 Self injurious behaviour such as head banging may be present
19 Flapping hands, tiptoeing or biting
20 Resisting change to set routines
21 Delay in spoken language
22 Completely indifferent to others feelings

Remember that no one single thing alone means autism. Autism is notable by a pattern of symptoms rather than any one single symptom. The main features of autism are impairments in communication, restricted interests with repetitive behaviour as well as social interaction difficulties.

Just becoming aware of the early signs of autism in a child AND seeking advice as soon as possible. Guidance from a Pediatrician is the first step, if you are worried that your child is displaying the signs and symptoms.
Early intervention is better the sooner it is received than later. Your primary concern is to get your child checked and ensure that help is given to support your child whether the child is Autistic or not. He may just have learning difficulties in some cases and it is still wise that early intervention will change both your outlook and your child's outlook.

This is Part 2 of the saga of a series of articles I am writing on Autism. Please check my website http://signsandsymptomsofautism.com

Sofina Aghios is a mother of an Autistic Child who lives in London. I have attended many courses to deal with Autism and to learn about the lifelong condition, including dealing with challenging behaviour of an Autistic child. I have supported my child with PECS to get him to communicate and successfully getting him a Statement of Education Needs (SEN) to help with his support at a Mainstream School, knowing that he could deal with it. Yes, mainstream school, some Autistic children can attend mainstream school with support in the UK.

My objective is to raise awareness of Autism and to bring my child up in a world where Autism is truly understood and is accepted.

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Autism Is a Gift!

Too often, we tend to think of autism as a disability. However, the word "disability" is typically defined as "lack of ability." It may be true that people with autism can lack some abilities, such as speech, the ability to potty train, empathy, withstanding touch or emotional control. Additionally, children with autism spectrum disorders often cannot tolerate everyday situations such as shopping, eating out or driving due to the inability to filter sensory input. These issues can be frustrating and downright depressing for parents, family and friends.

We must remember, however, that autism is not a disability. Autism grants its own gifts to those who have it. Those gifts can manifest themselves as stellar mathematical abilities, memory, creative writing, visual arts, or even acting. Some individuals with autism spectrum disorder even make fantastic teachers. In this role, the communication abilities of the individual shine in ways that parents, families and peers initially thought would never happen.

One organization, The Huckleberry Project Foundation in Oklahoma City, aimed to showcase the talents of autistic individuals through animation, storyboarding, voiceover work, and creative writing. Although Huckleberry was unable to maintain funding, the lesson learned was that the talents of autistic people are frequently as creative if not more so than neuro-typical individuals.

Many people with autism -- especially those with Asperger's or other high-functioning forms of autism -- gravitate to the fields of math and/or science. Some think that many of our greatest scientific minds had autism. The autistic brain often thinks of ordinary, mundane things in our world in entirely different ways and also grants extreme focus. These gifts sometimes allow the autistic individual with the ability to grasp the intricacies of physics, engineering and subjects such as quantum mechanics that neuro-typical individuals might find impossibly daunting.

With neuro-typical children, parents have the luxury of focusing on the child's gifts, because the parent is not having to deal with other behavioral issues such as the lack of potty training. As a result, parents of autistic children tend not to have as much time to nurture the gifts that autism bestows on their children. This is tough, and there is no way around that. However, focusing on the remarkable abilities of the autistic child must be done. Doing so is healthier for the child and, quite frankly, for the parents.

People with autism spectrum disorders can be quirky, profane, socially inappropriate, loud, emotionally uncontrolled and absolutely, undoubtedly talented beyond belief. As one autistic young lady put it: "We are NOT retarded. We are autistic, quirky, awesome f***ing people!" Somehow this seems to sum up the issue better than any Ph.d.'s assessment or scholarly paper ever could.

Shawn Garza is founder of http://LoveMyAutism.com and is current president of the Autism Society of Central Oklahoma http://www.asofok.org

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