Facing Autism in New Brunswick: A Shout Out for Heather Doherty Writes

Saturday, February 17, 2007

A Shout Out for Heather Doherty Writes

I am pleased to give a shout out for my wife, Heather, and her brand new blog site Heather Doherty Writes:

Apart from being a mother to two sons, one of whom is profoundly autistic, and working at the UNB Law School Library, Heather has found time to resume her education completing a BA (English), a writers program at Humber College and written a novel Goody Bledsoe which has been published by Oberon Press. Fortunately her husband (me) is a heck of a nice guy, easy to get along with ... etc etc etc.

http://heatherdohertywrites.blogspot.com/

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Why ABA For Autism?

The effectiveness of ABA-based intervention in ASDs has been well documented through 5 decades of research by using single-subject methodology21,25,27,28 and in controlled studies of comprehensive early intensive behavioral intervention programs in university and community settings.29–40 Children who receive early intensive behavioral treatment have been shown to make substantial, sustained gains in IQ, language, academic performance, and adaptive behavior as well as some measures of social behavior, and their outcomes have been significantly better than those of children in control groups.31–4

American Academy of Pediatrics, Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Research Awakening - Environment Plays Big Role, MUST Be Studied

My Autism Pledge For Conor

Today I pledge to continue; I Pledge to continue to fight for the availability of effective autism treatments; I Pledge to continue to fight for a real education for autistic children; I Pledge to continue to fight for decent residential care for autistic adults; I Pledge to continue to fight for a cure for autism; I Pledge to continue finding joy in my son but not in the autism disorder that restricts his life; Today, and every day, I Pledge to continue to hope for a better life for Conor and others with autism, through accommodation, care, respect, treatment, and some day, a cure; Today, and every day, I Pledge to continue to fight for the best possible life for Conor, my son with autistic disorder.

Dr. Jon Poling : Blinders Won’t Reduce Autism

"Fortunately, the ‘better diagnosis’ myth has been soundly debunked. ... only a smaller percentage of this staggering rise can be explained by means other than a true increase.

Because purely genetic diseases do not rise precipitously, the corollary to a true autism increase is clear — genes only load the gun and it is the environment that pulls the trigger. Autism is best redefined as an environmental disease with genetic susceptibilities."

We should be investing our research dollars into discovering environmental factors that we can change, not more poorly targeted genetic studies that offer no hope of early intervention. Pesticides, mercury, aluminum, several drugs, dietary factors, infectious agents and yes — vaccines — are all in the research agenda.

Dr. Jon Poling, Atlanta Journal Constitution, March 13, 2009