Great Statement on Neurodiversity! - "From 'Cure' to 'Communication.'"

I recently read this statement from Ari Ne'eman, the President of The Autistic Self Advocacy Network. I thought it was a great explanation of how we should respect the individuality of autistic people, and still teach functional skills. This is what our research priorities should be; stop wasting money on a "cure!"


"I consider it a grave human rights concern that many autistic individuals continue to be unable to communicate because the assistive communication technology and educational methodology research that could help many more adults and children convey their needs is being ignored in favor of eugenically oriented genetic research aimed at finding a 'cure' for a natural and legitimate part of human genetic diversity. The autism spectrum is not a recent epidemic but a neurological condition that has always existed, but is only now being diagnosed at incidence rates that approach accuracy.

The autism spectrum often comes with significant disabilities that require substantial support. However, rather than trying to eliminate us, we can and should be taking steps to mitigate those disabilities while empowering the strengths that we possess and respecting our legitimate place in the spectrum of human diversity. We encourage this Committee to take the first steps towards shifting the main buzzword about autism from 'cure' to 'communication' and ultimately, to moving the dialogue about the autism spectrum to one of acceptance, inclusion and, above all, respect."

- Ari Ne'eman, President of The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/

Source: http://autism.about.com/b/2008/03/16/autism-self-advocate-addresses-the-interagency-autism-coordinating-committee.htm

Custom Immunization Scheduler - Please Advise Me!

First of all, let me say that I do NOT believe that vaccines cause autism. However, having a newborn son, I have been looking at the recommended vaccine schedule. The BabyCenter.com website has a custom immunization scheduler, where you can enter your child's birthday and it will give you an outline of what vaccines your child should have when. http://www.babycenter.com/immunization-scheduler I was looking at it, and there are a lot of shots given at one time! Autism aside, it seems like this is a lot for a baby to handle at once!

Here was what the website listed for my son:

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Tristan's Recommended Immunization Schedule:

March 2008 (Birth to 2 months)
Hepatitis B

April 2008 (1 to 4 months)
Hepatitis B

May 2008 (2 months)
DTaP
Hib
Polio (IPV)
Pneumococcal (PVC)
Rotavirus

July 2008 (4 months)
DTaP
Hib
Polio (IPV)
Pneumococcal (PVC)
Rotavirus

September 2008 (6 months)
DTaP
Hib
Pneumococcal (PVC)
Rotavirus

September 2008 (6 to 18 months)
Hepatitis B
Polio (IPV)
March 2009 (12 to 15 months)
Hib
MMR
Pneumococcal (PVC)
Varicella

March 2009 (12 to 23 months)
Hepatitis A

June 2009 (15 to 18 months)
DTaP

March 2010 (2 to 6 years)
Hepatitis A

March 2012 (4 to 6 years)
Varicella
DTaP
Polio (IPV)
MMR

March 2019 (11 to 12 years)
TDaP (DTaP booster)
Meningococcal (MCV4)
HPV (girls only)

Note: Your child should receive a flu shot every fall after turning 6 months old.

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I want my son to be vaccinated, since I believe that it is very important. However, are there any other options than having so many at one visit? Please let me know!

Spectrum Parents: Do You Talk to Your Baby? Research Says It's Helpful

I was recently reading a blog on www.BabyCenter.com, and saw the following post: "Talk is the greatest teaching tool." The blog reported that a study examined the relationship between a child's language development and talk from parents. The study's results indicated that "a child’s intellectual success is directly related to the amount of talk the child hears from birth to age three."

I thought that this was interesting, and wondered how much other parents on the spectrum talk to their children. I find myself talking to my son a lot, but I honestly do feel a little silly doing so! I talk with him about the weather outside, how cute he is, what our pets are doing, etc. I also sing to him frequently ("Babe" by Styx!). I honestly don't know what else to do to interact with him at this age. Sometimes, I just hold him while playing some quiet classical music or a music box.

So, what do you think? Is talking to your child at this age so important? How often do you talk to your babies and toddlers?


P.S. Here is the link to the BabyCenter blog post: http://blogs.parentcenter.babycenter.com/momformation/2008/02/24/talk-is-the-greatest-teaching-tool/

Welcome baby!

Tristan is here! He is a happy and healthy baby boy! More information and updates will be coming soon. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. :)