Environmental Health Issue

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Environmental Health Issue FIFTH EDITION 2006, Volume 45 R5 Environmental Health and Autism In thIs Issue: Time To GeT a Grip By martha r. Herbert, m.D., ph.D. Beyond Behavior—Biomedical Diagnoses in Autism spectrum Disorders By Margaret L. Bauman, M.D. transforming the Public Debate on neurotoxicants By Elise Miller, M.Ed. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Autism does not have to be a life sentence You’re not about to give up on your child. Neither Are We. Since , the Autism Treatment Center of America™ has provided innovative training programs for parents and professionals caringifor children challenged by Autism Spectrum Disorders and related developmental difficulties. • Practical Tools • Powerful Results • Limitless Hope c Help your child improve in all areas of over p learning, development, communication and hoto skill acquisition. : © W I Join us for our internationally-acclaimed ll T ERR Son-Rise Program® Start-Up, a y comprehensive weeklong training program for parents and professionals. We don’t put limits on the possibilities for your child. Free 25-Minute Initial Call 877-766-7473 We’ll give you the keys to unlock their world. HOME OF THE SON-RISE PROGRAM® SINCE 1983 South Undermountain Road Sheffield, MA - USA Telephone: -- • E-mail: [email protected] www.autismtreatment.com Copyright © 2006 by The Option Institute & Fellowship. All rights reserved. 02.06-6 CONTENTS December 2006 page 18 SpOTlIGHT Time to Get A Grip By marTHa r. HerBerT, m.D., pH.D. Does an environmental role in autism make sense? How do we decide? And if environment is involved in autism, what do we do about it? These are challenging questions. Because our available information is complicated in many ways, each of us answers these questions based on our own judgment and deeply held worldviews. An Interview with Dr. tom Insel, nIMh Director Autism’s new Paradigm: Seeking Answers “We can’t wait. We have to find out about to Environmental Threats FeAtuRes which treatments will work for our children.” By Michael Lerner, Ph.D. By Bleu Blakslee PAge 13 PAge 11 c over arTiCLeS p hoto Biomedical Factors in Autism treatments for Autism : © W 27 Beyond Behavior—Biomedical Diagnoses in Autism 47 Biomedical Treatment of Autism By John Green, M.D. Spectrum Disorders I ll T By Margaret L. Bauman, M.D. 51 Effective Treatments for Autism ERR y 30 The prenatal Environment and Neuroinflammation in Autism By Doreen Granpeesheh Ph.D., BCBA By Susan L. Connors, M.D., Carlos A. Pardo, M.D. and 52 The parents’ Role in Biomedical Treatment for Autism Andrew W. Zimmerman, M.D. Spectrum Disorders 32 Gastrointestinal Illness in Autism: An Interview By Lisa Ackerman with Tim Buie, M.D. Autism: First Person Perspective By Kulani Mahikoa 35 Evidence for Metabolic Imbalance and 56 Autism’s McGuffin By Dan Olmsted Oxidative Stress in Autism 58 Exploring the Role of Toxicology in the Etiology of Autism: By S. Jill James, Ph.D. A View from the Spectrum and a call to Action 38 Environmental Mercury Release and its Association with By Stephen Shore Changing Autism Rates 59 Rescuing a Generation By Raymond F. Palmer, Ph.D., and Stephen Blanchard, Ph.D. By J.B. Handley 60 There is Hope: children with Autism can Recover 41 Why Time Trends in Autism Matter By Mark F. Blaxill By Judy Chinitz Gorman 42 Transforming the public Debate on Neurotoxicants: 71 Fighting for Our children: Advocacy in The learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative the Age of Environmental Awareness By Elise Miller, M.Ed. By Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. 44 Requirements for Good Scientific Inquiry By G. Jean Harry, Ph.D. DeparTmenTS 45 The ‘Three Strikes’ concept of Autism What’s New at ASA Interviewed by Judy Chinitz Gorman; 65 Edited by Dr. Ian Lipkin and Dr. Mady Hornig • Advocacy • conference For more articles, please visit www.autism-society.org/advocate. • News Advocate FIFTH EDITION 2006 3 MESSAGE FROM THE ASA BOARD CHAIR In Memoriam Autism Society of America Board of Directors (July 2006-July 2007) The Autism Society of America (ASA) announces with profound OFFICERS: Lee Grossman, President & CEO sympathy the death of our founder, Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. Bernie Cathy Pratt, Ph.D., Board Chair Ruth Elaine Hane, First Vice Chair Rimland was among the first to realize the importance of combining a John Shouse, Second Vice Chair John S. Reedy, Treasurer focus on medical interventions with treatments, supports and services. Elizabeth Roth, Secretary There is not one parent or professional who has not been impacted by BOARD MEMBERS: the knowledge, dreams and thinking of Bernie. Andres Filippi Carolyn Gammichia A pioneer in the area of autism diagnosis and treatment, Bernie Artie Kempner David K. Humphrey transformed the prevailing pessimistic view of autism in the medical Evelyne Milorin Stephen Shore and scientific community and built the largest parent support Jerry Silbert Dean Wilson organization in the United States. Along the way, he inspired hundreds PANEL OF PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS: of thousands of parents, advocates and professionals to treat individuals James Ball, Ed.D. Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D. with autism with respect, dignity and care. Co-Chairs His 1964 book, Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and its Implications HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS: Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. for a Neural Theory of Behavior, was responsible for challenging Ruth Christ Sullivan, Ph.D. and changing the long-held belief that autism was an emotional auTiSm Advocate disorder caused by poor mothering. Autism is now recognized as a ASA’s Premier Magazine on Autism Spectrum Disorders biomedical disorder. Bernie devoted himself tirelessly to conducting PUBLISHER Lee Grossman, ASA President and CEO and disseminating the results of research on methods of diagnosing MANAGING EDITOR and treating the full spectrum of autism. These treatment modalities, Kate Ranta DESIGN n2design, Inc. “There is not one parent ADVERTISING SALES Potomac Media or professional who has ASA DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Marguerite Kirst Colston not been impacted by the The Autism Advocate is a publication of the Autism Society of America, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD, 20814. Copyright 2006 by Autism Society of America. All knowledge, dreams and rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage thinking of Bernie.” and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. The information, views, and any recommendations or endorsements expressed by authors, advertisers, and/or once considered radical, are now gaining wide acceptance as the news other contributors appearing in the Autism Advocate do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or recommendations spreads about formerly autistic children who have been reclassified or endorsements of the Autism Society of America. The as normal. publication of such information and the advertisements included within the Autism Advocate do not constitute an endorsement of such information or of any treatment, Bernie’s determination was spawned by his own son’s diagnosis of product, methodology, and/or service advertised. autism, at age two, in 1958. He was a hero to the autism community The Autism Advocate is published five times a year. To receive and his legacy will live on through the work of the Autism Research the publication, please join the Autism Society of America. For more information, please visit www.autism-society.org. Institute, the Autism Society of America and the good work of others. To contact the editor, please email [email protected]. This special edition of the Autism Advocate is dedicated in Bernie If you are interested in advertising in the Autism Advocate, please contact Reem Nourallah at 202-333-8622 or Rimland’s memory. [email protected]. All other inquiries should be directed to: Autism Society of America 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300 Bethesda, MD 20814 Cathy Pratt, P.h.D. Toll free: 1-800-3AUTISM | Fax: 301-657-0869 www.autism-society.org 4 Autism Advocate FIFTH EDITION 2006 Autism Advocate FIFTH EDITION 2006 5 ARI_Parent_Ad_Revised3.indd 1 9/11/2006 8:12:32 AM MESSAGE FROM ASA PRESIDENT & CEO On behalf of the Autism Society of America (ASA), its board of directors, our tens of thousands of members and supporters, and our network of almost 200 chapters, I wish to thank the contributors to this special issue of the Autism Advocate, “Environmental Health and Autism.” Representing a seminal treatment of this topic, this special issue contains the most up-to-date research and opinions from a variety of thought leaders that consider and challenge the many long-held concepts on the causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This special issue is part of a larger project at ASA, which boldly Lee grossman proposes a new paradigm in how we deal with ASD issues. The collective wisdom of those contributing to this journal supports new theories, while at the same time factoring important lessons learned and showing the utmost respect and concern for all those affected by ASD. Many have asked why ASA is becoming involved with environmental health and autism now, but when we look back at our history, our organization has always been concerned with this issue. Our founder, Dr. Bernard Rimland, has been on the forefront of this for decades, and we This special issue is part have held conferences and produced numerous articles in of a larger project at ASA, our publications on this subject. which boldly proposes a new Moreover, our public policy initiatives have been consistent paradigm in how we deal and vocal in the need for further with ASD issues. and expanded research. Nonetheless, we have witnessed over the past few years that the effects of environmental toxins have become much more visible, and thus the debate more global.
Recommended publications
  • A Risk/Reward View of Vaccines
    A Risk/Reward View of Vaccines Addressing the confusion and presenting a different approach to the vaccine question as it relates to the frum community For those interested in minimizing the growing Machlokes Ver. 11/14//2019 (latest version at www.rodefshalom613.org) email [email protected] or leave a message at (414) 751-0001 with any corrections DRAFT Table of Contents Page Time to Read Introduction 4-9 5 Min. Main Presentation 10-41 15 min Critical Update as of 4/9/19 40 Appendix A - Wakefield: Defended/Exonerated 42 Appendix B - Scientists and Doctors on Vaccine Harm 43-44 Appendix C - Literature about Vaccine Harm 45-46 Appendix C1 - Vaccines and SIDS 47-48 Appendix C2 - Vaccines, Autism, and Under 5 Mortality 49 Appendix D - Ingredients in Vaccines 50 Appendix D1 - The Difference Between Vaccines and Chemical Drugs 51 Appendix D2 - Some Biologic (Vaccine) Recalls 52-54 Appendix E - What about Herd Immunity? 55-56 Appendix F - But They Can't All Be Wrong - Can They? 57 Appendix G - Is the CDC Lying? 58-59 Appendix H - How Profitable is the Vaccine Industry? 60-62 Appendix H1 - Conflicts of Interest in the Vaccine Industry 63 Appendix I - Dr. Paul Offit on Metziza B'peh and Bris Milah 64-65 Appendix J - Why Don’t Doctors See This? 66-68 Appendix K - Specialist vs General Practitioner - Who do you go to? 69 Appendix L - Rav Osher Weiss Psak - Comprehensive Review 70-79 Appendix M - Alternate Shailos for a Posek 80 Appendix N - An Open Letter to Poskim who demand vaccination 81-84 2 Table of Contents (cont) Page Time to Read Appendix O - Religious Exemption - Do you really want to give that up? 85-86 Appendix P - Ethical Argument 87-88 Appendix Q - Books - Is it responsible to Pasken without even reading one of these? 89 Appendix R - Smallpox and Polio 90-91 92 Appendix S - Flu Vaccines 93 Appendix T - Additional Resources and Interesting Articles 94 Appendix U - A critical lesson from the Ukraine 95 Follow-up Opportunities 96 3 -An important NOTICE for you- This presentation is not pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine.
    [Show full text]
  • To Vaccinate Or Not to Vaccinate: a Qualitative Description of the Information Available on Popular Search Engines Regarding the Vaccine Debate
    Butler University Digital Commons @ Butler University Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection Undergraduate Scholarship 2016 To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate: A Qualitative Description of the Information Available on Popular Search Engines Regarding the Vaccine Debate. Madeline Rhinesmith Butler University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/ugtheses Part of the Communication Technology and New Media Commons, and the Health Communication Commons Recommended Citation Rhinesmith, Madeline, "To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate: A Qualitative Description of the Information Available on Popular Search Engines Regarding the Vaccine Debate." (2016). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection. 343. https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/ugtheses/343 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Undergraduate Scholarship at Digital Commons @ Butler University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Butler University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate: A Qualitative Description of the Information Available on Popular Search Engines Regarding the Vaccine Debate. A Thesis Presented to the Department of Science, Technology and Society College of Liberal Arts in Sciences and The Honors Program of Butler University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Graduation Honors Madeline Louise Rhinesmith April 25, 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT 1 INTRODUCTION 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 6 METHODS 12 TABLE 1 15 RESULTS 21 TABLE 2 22 DISCUSSION 23 TABLE 3 24 CONCLUSION 30 REFERENCE LIST 32 Abstract The current study looks at the assumption that that more information, along with improved access to that information could lead to more informed decisions through evaluating and critically reflecting on the vaccine debate.
    [Show full text]
  • Measuring the Effectiveness of Play As an Intervention to Support
    Measuring the Effectiveness of Play as an Intervention to Support Language Development in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Hierarchically- Modeled Meta-Analysis by Gregory V. Boerio Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in the Educational Leadership Program Youngstown State University May, 2021 Measuring the Effectiveness of Play as an Intervention to Support Language Development in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Hierarchically- Modeled Meta-Analysis Gregory V. Boerio I hereby release this dissertation to the public. I understand that this dissertation will be made available from the OhioLINK ETD Center and the Maag Library Circulation Desk for public access. I also authorize the University or other individuals to make copies of this thesis as needed for scholarly research. Signature: _______________________________________________________________ Gregory V. Boerio, Student Date Approvals: _______________________________________________________________ Dr. Karen H. Larwin, Dissertation Chair Date _______________________________________________________________ Dr. Patrick T. Spearman, Committee Member Date _______________________________________________________________ Dr. Carrie R. Jackson, Committee Member Date _______________________________________________________________ Dr. Matthew J. Erickson, Committee Member Date _______________________________________________________________ Dr. Salvatore A. Sanders, Dean of Graduate Studies Date ii © G. Boerio 2021 iii Abstract The purpose of the current investigation is to analyze extant research examining the impact of play therapy on the development of language skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As rates of ASD diagnoses continue to increase, families and educators are faced with making critical decisions regarding the selection and implementation of evidence-based practices or therapies, including play-based interventions, to support the developing child as early as 18 months of age.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Law 109-416
    PUBLIC LAW 109–416—DEC. 19, 2006 120 STAT. 2821 Public Law 109–416 109th Congress An Act To amend the Public Health Service Act to combat autism through research, screen- Dec. 19, 2006 ing, intervention and education. [S. 843] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Combating Autism Act of SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 2006. 42 USC 201 note. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Combating Autism Act of 2006’’. SEC. 2. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE; IMPROVING AUTISM-RELATED RESEARCH. (a) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE REGARDING RESEARCH ON AUTISM.—Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.284g) is amended— (1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘AUTISM’’ and inserting ‘‘AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER’’; (2) by striking the term ‘‘autism’’ each place such term appears (other than the section heading) and inserting ‘‘autism spectrum disorder’’; and (3) in subsection (a)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and (B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the fol- lowing: ‘‘(1) EXPANSION OF ACTIVITIES.—The Director of NIH (in this section referred to as the ‘Director’) shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder, including basic and clinical research in fields including pathology, developmental neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, pharmacology, nutrition, immunology, neuroimmunology, neurobehavioral development, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and toxicology. Such research shall investigate the cause (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or rule out, early detection, prevention, serv- ices, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
    [Show full text]
  • Association Between Maternal Use of Folic Acid Supplements and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children
    ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION Association Between Maternal Use of Folic Acid Supplements and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children ˚ ´ Pal Suren, MD, MPH Importance Prenatal folic acid supplements reduce the risk of neural tube defects Christine Roth, MSc in children, but it has not been determined whether they protect against other neu- Michaeline Bresnahan, PhD rodevelopmental disorders. Margaretha Haugen, PhD Objective To examine the association between maternal use of prenatal folic acid supplements and subsequent risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) (autistic disor- Mady Hornig, MD der, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified Deborah Hirtz, MD [PDD-NOS]) in children. Kari Kveim Lie, MD Design, Setting, and Patients The study sample of 85 176 children was derived from the population-based, prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study W. Ian Lipkin, MD (MoBa). The children were born in 2002-2008; by the end of follow-up on March 31, Per Magnus, MD, PhD 2012, the age range was 3.3 through 10.2 years (mean, 6.4 years). The exposure of Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud, MD, PhD primary interest was use of folic acid from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after the start of pregnancy, defined as the first day of the last menstrual period before conception. Synnve Schjølberg, MSc Relative risks of ASDs were estimated by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs in a logistic George Davey Smith, MD, DSc regression analysis. Analyses were adjusted for maternal education level, year of birth, and parity. Anne-Siri Øyen, PhD Main Outcome Measure Specialist-confirmed diagnosis of ASDs. Ezra Susser, MD, DrPH Results At the end of follow-up, 270 children in the study sample had been diag- Camilla Stoltenberg, MD, PhD nosed with ASDs: 114 with autistic disorder, 56 with Asperger syndrome, and 100 with PDD-NOS.
    [Show full text]
  • Lower Autism Risk with Folic Acid Supplements in Pregnancy 12 February 2013
    Lower autism risk with folic acid supplements in pregnancy 12 February 2013 Women who took folic acid supplements in early of folic acid supplements in the mother during pregnancy almost halved the risk of having a child pregnancy and a reduced risk of childhood autism. with autism. Beginning to take folic acid supplements later in pregnancy did not reduce the "The study does not prove that folic acid risk. This is shown in new findings from the ABC supplements can prevent childhood autism. Study and Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort However, the findings are so apparent that they Study published in the Journal of The American constitute a good argument to further examine Medical Association (JAMA). possible causal mechanisms. It should also be ascertained whether folic acid is associated with a Women who took folic acid supplements from four reduced risk of other brain disorders in children," weeks before conception to eight weeks into says Surén. pregnancy had a 40 per cent lower risk of giving birth to children with childhood autism (classic Emphasises the importance of folic acid autism). Use of folic acid supplements midway supplements through pregnancy (week 22) had no effect. The results support the Norwegian Directorate of The findings only apply to a lower risk of childhood Health's recommendations for folic acid autism, the most severe form of autism. The supplements during pregnancy and emphasise the results show no reduction in the risk of atypical or importance of starting early—preferably before unspecific autism. The study also investigated the conception. prevalence of Asperger syndrome, but the number of examined children was too low to give a reliable Method result.
    [Show full text]
  • Disability in an Age of Environmental Risk by Sarah Gibbons a Thesis
    Disablement, Diversity, Deviation: Disability in an Age of Environmental Risk by Sarah Gibbons A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2016 © Sarah Gibbons 2016 I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract This dissertation brings disability studies and postcolonial studies into dialogue with discourse surrounding risk in the environmental humanities. The central question that it investigates is how critics can reframe and reinterpret existing threat registers to accept and celebrate disability and embodied difference without passively accepting the social policies that produce disabling conditions. It examines the literary and rhetorical strategies of contemporary cultural works that one, promote a disability politics that aims for greater recognition of how our environmental surroundings affect human health and ability, but also two, put forward a disability politics that objects to devaluing disabled bodies by stigmatizing them as unnatural. Some of the major works under discussion in this dissertation include Marie Clements’s Burning Vision (2003), Indra Sinha’s Animal’s People (2007), Gerardine Wurzburg’s Wretches & Jabberers (2010) and Corinne Duyvis’s On the Edge of Gone (2016). The first section of this dissertation focuses on disability, illness, industry, and environmental health to consider how critics can discuss disability and environmental health in conjunction without returning to a medical model in which the term ‘disability’ often designates how closely bodies visibly conform or deviate from definitions of the normal body.
    [Show full text]
  • Cambridge University Press 978-1-108-41059-5 — Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Edited by Fred R
    Cambridge University Press 978-1-108-41059-5 — Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Edited by Fred R. Volkmar Index More Information Index AAC, see alternative follow-up/outcome studies APA, see American Psychiatric communication in adulthood, 225 Association (APA) strategies (AAC) future directions, 238–40 applied behavior analysis AAP, see American Academy quality of life and mental (ABA), 197 of Pediatrics (AAP) health, 231–8 growth in United States, 199 ABA, see applied behavior trajectories of development multi-state program to ASD analysis (ABA) from childhood to insurance, 210–12 ABC Hyperactivity subscale adulthood, 226–30 applied research, 193 (ABC-H subscale), advocacy, 192, 195, 198, 204, ARBD, see Alcohol-Related 164–5 210, 212–13, 215 Birth Defects (ARBD) ABC Social Withdrawal sub- AEDs, see Antiepileptic drugs aripiprazole, 159–60 scale (ABC-SW), 167 (AEDs) ARND, see Alcohol-Related Aberrant Behavior Checklist– afective disorders, 232 Neurodevelopmental Irritability subscale Afordable Care Act (ACA), Disorder (ARND) (ABC-I subscale), 159 198, 211 articulation development, 94 ACA, see Afordable Care Act AFIRM, see Autism Focused AS, see Asperger syndrome (ACA) Intervention (AS) adaptive behavior, 65–7, 179, Resources and ASD, see autism spectrum 228 Modules (AFIRM) disorder (ASD) impairments, 67 age-appropriate language ASHA, see American Speech- informant ratings of work- forms, 98 Language- Hearing ing memory, 64 AIR-B, see Autism Association (ASHA) patterns of change in, 226 Intervention Research Asperger syndrome
    [Show full text]
  • Autism CARES Act of 2014’’
    PUBLIC LAW 113–157—AUG. 8, 2014 128 STAT. 1831 Public Law 113–157 113th Congress An Act To reauthorize certain provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to autism, Aug. 8, 2014 and for other purposes. [H.R. 4631] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Autism Collaboration, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Accountability, This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Autism Collaboration, Account- Research, Education, and ability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2014’’ or the Support Act ‘‘Autism CARES Act of 2014’’. of 2014. 42 USC 201 note. SEC. 2. NATIONAL AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER INITIATIVE. 42 USC 280i (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services note. shall designate an existing official within the Department of Health Consultation. and Human Services to oversee, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Education, national autism spectrum disorder research, services, and support activities. (b) DUTIES.—The official designated under subsection (a) shall— (1) implement autism spectrum disorder activities, taking into account the strategic plan developed by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee under section 399CC(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–2(b)); and (2) ensure that autism spectrum disorder activities of the Department of Health and Human Services and of other Federal departments and agencies are not unnecessarily duplicative. SEC. 3. RESEARCH PROGRAM. Section 399AA of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Autism Financial Aid and Grant Resources
    GRANT RESOURCES ACT Today! SOS Program ACT Today! SOS is a program dedicated to supporting the immediate and imperative needs of those impacted with autism. ACT Today! Grant Programs established in 2005 do provide access to vital and effective treatments for autism through our quarterly grant cycles. www.act-today.org/SOS AutismCares AutismCares supports individuals with autism and their families during natural disasters and other catastrophic life events. www.autismcares.org Autism Care and Treatment Today! ACT Today! is a nonprofit501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to increase access to effective autism treatments. Our goal is to help facilitate treatment by providing the necessary resources including funding, information and referrals to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and their families. www.act-today.org Autism Consortium: Raising A Child with an ASD All too often, parents of children with ASD incur unexpected and immense out-of-pocket costs for treatments and services. Through the generosity of foundations and, sometimes, public funding, applicable grants might help parents offset these costs. The Autism Consortium has compiled a list of grant opportunities. Be sure to read each option carefully and understand that specific criteria pertain to each. www.autismconsortium.org Autism Escapes Autism Escapes will serve as an Angel Network for families of children with autism. Its primary purpose is to arrange air travel on private jets for families in need of medical care for their children. www.autismescapes.org Disabled Children's Relief Fund Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization provides disabled children with assistance to obtain wheelchairs, orthopedic braces, walkers, lifts, hearing aids, eyeglasses, medical equipment, physical therapy, and surgery.
    [Show full text]
  • Anti-Vaccine Activists, Web 2.0, and the Postmodern Paradigm –Anoverview Of
    Vaccine 30 (2012) 3778–3789 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Vaccine j ournal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/vaccine Anti-vaccine activists, Web 2.0, and the postmodern paradigm –Anoverview of tactics and tropes used online by the anti-vaccination movement ∗ Anna Kata McMaster University, Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, 555 Sanatorium Road Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L9C 1C4 a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: Websites opposing vaccination are prevalent on the Internet. Web 2.0, defined by interaction and user- Received 26 May 2011 generated content, has become ubiquitous. Furthermore, a new postmodern paradigm of healthcare has Received in revised form emerged, where power has shifted from doctors to patients, the legitimacy of science is questioned, and 25 September 2011 expertise is redefined. Together this has created an environment where anti-vaccine activists are able to Accepted 30 November 2011 effectively spread their messages. Evidence shows that individuals turn to the Internet for vaccination Available online 13 December 2011 advice, and suggests such sources can impact vaccination decisions – therefore it is likely that anti- vaccine websites can influence whether people vaccinate themselves or their children. This overview Keywords: Anti-vaccination examines the types of rhetoric individuals may encounter online in order to better understand why the anti-vaccination movement can be convincing, despite lacking scientific support for their claims. Tactics Health communication Internet and tropes commonly used to argue against vaccination are described. This includes actions such as skew- Postmodernism ing science, shifting hypotheses, censoring dissent, and attacking critics; also discussed are frequently Vaccines made claims such as not being “anti-vaccine” but “pro-safe vaccines”, that vaccines are toxic or unnatural, Web 2.0 and more.
    [Show full text]
  • CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE June 23, 2005 Please Read This Article
    June 23, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 13935 why rescind support for highly re- rifice to be remembered for the good (Mr. WELDON) believe, that mercury spected objective news programs like and honorable actions he was doing in should be taken out of all childhood the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and Iraq. vaccines and in fact all vaccines. Frontline? His service showed the true American We need to ask ourselves one simple Why cripple excellent radio stations spirit. While the Lapinskis lost their question: What is right? The answer I like WUKY and WEKU in my district, son, they know that he died preserving think is very clear. Get mercury out of jeopardizing shows like Morning Edi- and fighting for democracy. all vaccinations. tion and All Things Considered? Mr. Speaker, I ask all Americans to In reality the answer that is given by Why indeed? I cannot answer such join me in honoring a true American far too many officials in our govern- questions. The very notion of turning hero. ment, health agencies and some Mem- bers of Congress, sorry, we cannot help away from the future of public broad- f casting is preposterous. I am fearful you, and the need to protect the phar- ORDER OF BUSINESS this is an administration effort to ei- maceutical industry is so great, we ther censor public broadcasters or in- Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- cannot do much about it. timidate them into favorably reporting er, I ask unanimous consent to claim b 1745 the time of the gentleman from Min- on the current administration.
    [Show full text]