Spring!

Spring has sprung ...a photo taken with my iPhone and the hipstamatic app on my way to work. The tulips made me very happy!

My Rallying Cry - Protect our Personal Rights

Dear Reader... I know, I know... money is tight for all of us. I am trying to raise $200 for the American Rally for Personal Rights. That's it -- $200. And I pledge to try to get one other person to raise $100! Just a few people, donating just a few dollars, can get this done! Learn more about the rally at my ChipIn page and click on the "Chip In" button below. Thanks for your support!

More on Milo and Chad

Following up on my recent post about Milo and his wonderful autism service dog Chad, Milo's mom Claire has shared with me more articles published about this dynamic duo and I wanted to pass them on to my readers. The first was published online and the second was published in the Long-Islander newspaper - Both are about Milo and Chad and the welcome and understanding they have received at Gersh Academy.

What a team! And what a mom!

Book Review: Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism

A really short review of Ken Siri's and Tony Lyon's new book "Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2010-2011", newly released by Skyhorse Publishing, would be "WOW!" That single word really captures how amazing this book is.

I believe that this book should be required reading for anyone whose life is affected by autism. In one volume, Ken and Tony have brought together mainstream and alternative treatments, long-standing protocols and cutting edge therapies. I have never seen such a comprehensive book, presenting so many different options in one place and the information, succinctly presented, to allow parents to make informed decisions about treatments they would like to explore further. There truly is something for everyone in their book and, even for an old-timer like myself, some new things to learn.

Even with respect to "traditional" therapies, such as speech therapy, the chapter's authors address innovations in their field and offer practical advice to parents (disclosure: Lavinia Pereira, one of the chapter authors, has treated my son). Each chapter is authored by someone with particular knowledge of the chapter's subject - the specialists discussing their areas of expertise, rather than a generalist trying to take it all on.

I appreciate that the book is organized into small, self-contained chapters so that a busy parent can can pick up the book, soak up a chapter or two, and easily come back to it later. This book is a real gift to the autism community and, in that spirit, a portion of the proceeds are being donated to AutismOne.

Isn't the cover terrific too - a little boy uplifted by his dad and reaching for the sky -- just what we want for all our children. . . what wonderful imagery!

The book is available online from B&N and Amazon and other booksellers . . . I encourage you to read the book and post a review online as well (I did!)

Bowling for Autism Dollars: A Bowlathon to Help Autism Families

I am thinking of all my bad bowling puns... let's strike autism, Let's roll over autism.... I could go on but I will "spare"you (sorry, couldn't resist!) - at least my mind is not in the gutter (oops, I did it again!).

This Sunday is the National Autism Association New York Metro Chapter's bowlathon -- donate now -- or even in the days following if you cannot right now! Every dollar helps us help families in the NY Metro area. Your support is MUCH appreciated.

Milo's Gift: Chad, an Autism Service Dog

Last year, my dear friend Claire and her family brought an autism service dog -- the incomparable Chad -- into their lives from Oregon-based Autism Service Dogs of America. Chad has made a tremendous difference in the life of Milo, Claire's son with autism -- and the lives of their whole family! Milo and Chad are featured in Rachel McPherson's book Every Dog Has a Gift, just released. In the moving video below (see parts 3 and 4 featuring Claire), Claire discusses Chad's incredible gift. Her own words are more powerful than anything I can say:

Autism Hero Needs Us Now

One of Autism's true heroes needs our help now:
http://nationalautismassociation.org/jo.htm
Jo is in my thoughts and prayers. If anyone can beat this, she can.