Autistic Artists

I've been bad with keeping up with the blog lately.

A friend sent me this website and it really touched me.  It says a lot about Autism Spectrum Disorders without any words.  The imagery is beautiful.

Take a look:   Autistic Artists

I'll try to update more often.

Articles on Autism & A Poem

I have some current news articles on autism.

Here is a USA Today article that talk about how some kids with autism can recover and become undiagnosed.

Here is an article from Time on a genetic clue that may eventually explain why autism affects boys rather than girls.

I also found a poem that touched me. Read below.

Walk With Me

Walk in my shoes
for one single day.
Then you'll see why
I need to pray.
Come live in my home
for a week or two
and then remember
I am just like you.
I didnt ask for the things I was given
I didnt choose this road I have taken
Walk a mile with me hand in hand
Then perhaps you will understand.

I'm not really complaining
about the stress in my life,
I know that we all have
some toil and some strife.
But walk with me, when you think
I am wrong, walk with me
and you'll start to belong.
Embrace my sorrows,
like they are your own,
And then you will know me
And see I have grown.

The journey I take
is different from yours
My life took one of those
unexpected detours,
But this road that I travel
is not really so long,
If the people who watch me
will join in my song.
Listen to my footsteps
and watch how I dance
And then you will know me
and give me a chance.

Take heart and remember
It can happen to you,
who knows where my pathway
will cross over to you?
So speak to me softly
if you can't understand
Remember I once stood
right there where you stand.
And walk with me gently
when the day is at end.
And then I will know
I can call you my friend.

copyright 1999
Sally Meyer

2 articles on CNN

CNN had 2 stories on Autism today.

Find them here and here.

The first one is a case of PDD-NOS, which is what I believe is going to be John's diagnosis.

Websties on Autism

I thought I'd spend today's topic on places you can visit online for more information on Autism. This are provided for research purposes only and are not an endorsement for the information provided within the pages or the organizations themselves.

Clicking on the name will take you to the website.

Autism Speaks
Autism Society of America
Generation Rescue (Jenny McCarthy)
National Autism Association
TACA - Talk About Curing Autism
Unlocking Autism
Autism Research Institute

Redbook Articles

Redbook published two artices on Autism. Click on title to read.

Autism: "There's No Such Thing as Too Much Hope"
Autism Activist Moms

Newsweek Autistic Traits in Adults Test

Awhile back Newsweek had this test/questionnaire to measure autistic traits in adults. It's online and you can take test here.

Newsweek article on Autism

Today, I came across yesterdays Newsweek. It's about recognizing early signs of Autism, especially with the way children play with toys as early as 12 months old.

Here is one paragraph:

"The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants be screened for autism twice before they are 2. Pediatricians look for language delays and lack of interest in people, such as not responding to their name and failing to make eye contact. But these can be present even when autism is not. The latest findings are not perfect either, but they are something parents can watch for every day rather than relying on—and waiting for—a short visit to the doctor. “There is an urgent need to develop measures that can pick up early signs of autism, signs present before 24 months,” Ozonoff says. “The finding that the unusual use of toys is also present early in life means that this behavior could easily be added to a parent check-list.”"

Here is the article: