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Autism organizations strongly oppose proposed Compounding Act
Legislation would eliminate compounded medicines prescribed to treat children with autism
The National Autism Association called upon autism groups nationwide to support concerns regarding draft legislation that would restrict or eliminate access to compounded medicines doctors prescribe to treat children with autism. US Autism and Asperger Association strongly supports the autism organizations’ position statement. Click here to read the autism groups call on Congress to protect options for children with autism, "Unintended Consequences of Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007 Endanger Children with Autism." Click here to read the " Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007 (SDCA)" discussion draft, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for safe and appropriate compounding drugs by licensed pharmacists and physicians..
USAAA thanks Wendy Fournier, president of NAA, for coordinating the autism coalition efforts and drafting the position paper.
In USAAA's WeeklyNews email newsletter dated March 27, 2007, we introduced you to this crisis. USAAA cannot emphasize enough the negative impact this amendment will have on our children if the SDCA bill passes. Please take action now.
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Tell Congress: Don't Take Away My Compounded Medications! Click here to take action and to learn more. |
"We have an absolute epidemic of autism in this country,” said Representative Dan Burton (R-Indiana). “Parents and doctors are struggling to find appropriate treatments options; and I personally believe that Congress has a responsibility to make sure that children with autism and their families receive the help that they need. Any legislation that unnecessarily limits medical treatment options is, in my opinion, deeply troubling, and potentially dangerous and should be opposed." |
The Nigel Thomas petition
Autism: stop the deceit: start the treatment
My name is Nigel Thomas and I am petitioning on behalf of my two brothers and many thousands of children and young adults worldwide (View the video - there's a link on the right-hand side of this page). These youngsters are physically ill, and in almost all cases are being refused treatment; most have also been refused adequate educational provision and those who are now approaching adulthood face a life of uncertainty and continued suffering. Most regressed into autistic-like disorders in early childhood.
Whilst experts argue about whether the catastrophic rise in the rates of Autism Spectrum Disorders is due to better diagnosis, better services or maybe even watching television, children continue to suffer. At the same time a growing body of evidence of environmental contributions to these conditions continues to be systematically and ruthlessly discredited. The reason these youngsters are ignored is that many of their parents have dared to attribute their condition to environmental exposures such as childhood vaccines. Some of the very few medical professionals offering hope have been summoned to appear before the UK General Medical Council (GMC) in July this year. This is the body which regulates UK medical practice and it has the power to prevent a doctor practicing at all. The threat that faces Dr. Andrew Wakefield, Professor John Walker Smith and Professor Simon Murch is that they may be struck-off the medical register for daring to investigate why these children are so ill, which no-one else has been prepared to do. The GMC hearing, currently scheduled for the 9th July this year, will be a highly publicized event which many see as an opportunity for the truth to be aired. Others believe the outcome may already be pre-ordained. Whichever is the case, the parents, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbours and professionals who know these children have decided that enough is enough.
This is not just about MMR, not just about mercury in vaccines and in the end, not just about autism. This is about a public health disaster of gigantic proportions that will affect this generation and generations to come, and those responsible must be brought to account. It is about the refusal of mainstream medicine to accept the consequences of their actions. It is about the refusal to treat a condition that is becoming almost commonplace; a condition for which the medical profession is largely responsible; a condition whose existence the medical profession ruthlessly denies in the light of its culpability. |
"The fact is that sooner or later, Andrew Wakefield will be exonerated, his theory will be accepted and a vaccine-autism connection will be proven."
— F.E. Yazbak, MD, FAAP (2005)
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Click here to read the petition.
Click here to read a statement in support of the petition and information about Dr. Andrew Wakefield from Mark Blaxill, Vice-President, SafeMinds. |
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USAAA appoints Dr. Kurt Woeller, Shannon Kenitz and Theresa Wrangham to USAAA Advisory Board
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Kurt N. Woeller, DO
US Autism and Asperger Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Woeller to the USAAA Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Woeller is an osteopathic physician who specializes in traditional osteopathic medicine, cranial osteopathy and integrative medicine. His primary focus is providing and researching various biomedical treatments for children (and adults) with autism-spectrum disorders. Dr. Woeller is a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and an active DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) referral physician since 1998. He holds advanced certification in functional medicine from BioHealth Diagnostics, and is currently the medical director for Stillpoint Center for Integrative Medicine, a multi-faceted health clinic in Temecula, CA. Dr. Woeller is also the Autism Outreach Clinical Director for The Great Plains Laboratory outreach clinics and works as a consulting physician with Great Plains Laboratory and BioHealth Diagnostics. He continues to teach other physicians through seminars and individual training regarding the assessment and treatment of patients with chronic illness. Dr. Woeller is a graduate of the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) in Maine in 1995. After completing his postgraduate training in 1996 from Mesa General Hospital in Arizona he returned to San Diego, CA to begin private practice. He currently lives and practices in Temecula, CA. Dr. Woeller is licensed from the Osteopathic Medical Board of California as an Osteopathic Physician. |
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Shannon Kenitz
US Autism and Asperger Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon Kenitz to the USAAA Advisory Board. Degreed in psychology, Shannon is the Executive Director of the International Hyperbaric Association, a non-profit association that promotes hyperbaric oxygen therapy through education and research. Shannon knows firsthand the heartbreak and struggles of having a child with a disability. Her youngest daughter, Grace, was diagnosed with a very rare mitochondrial disorder that kept her in the hospital virtually for the first three years of her life. Grace more recently has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Shannon did not accept the recommendation to cease life-prolonging measures. And because of that, Grace progressed to feed herself, recover from blindness, and at almost 7-years old, walk for the first time unassisted on January 20, 2006.
Shannon has appeared on many national media outlets including the Montel Williams Show and the CBS morning show. Grace’s story in one of national attention and has been published in over 35 print media outlets as well as being heard in Washington at the Congressional hearing on health care reform.
Shannon will present "Hope and Possibilities," as a featured speaker at the USAAA 2007 International Conference in Denver, Friday, August 10, from 9:00am - 10:00am. She will also appear on a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Presentation and Panel Discussion led by Dr. James Neubrander from 4:45pm - 6:00pm, Friday, August 10th. Click here for a bio of Shannon. Click here to preview Shannon's presentation from the USAAA 2006 conference. Click here to preview an abstract of Shannon's presentation for the USAAA 2007 conference.
Click here to read more about Shannon who was interviewed on AutismOne Radio in March, 2006. |
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Theresa K. Wrangham
US Autism and Asperger Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Theresa Wrangham to the USAAA Advisory Board. Theresa is currently a stay-at-home mother of two daughters, Rachel, 16, who is diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Deanna who is 14. She is a co-founder of the Autism Society of Boulder County (ASBC) in Colorado; a chapter of the Autism Society of America. Theresa is ASBC's current President and Chair of the Board. In this role, she has successfully collaborated with other state agencies to create treatment programs for autistic individuals not included in state-funded programs, as well as influence legislation within the state of Colorado. Theresa has an extensive administrative and accounting background. Theresa serves on the Executive Board of SafeMinds and assists in maintaining SafeMinds' infrastructure and administrative proficiency. Theresa previously served on the board of the Autism Society of Colorado and her local PTA. She also is a retired massage therapist.
Theresa believes that the grassroots voice of parents will assure strong programs and services, compassion and support for families and assure positive long-term outcomes for individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders.
Theresa is responsible for helping bring the USAAA 2007 International Autism and Asperger Conference to Denver, Colorado August 8-11. |
Realities of child nutrition clash with vaccine policy, and no one seems to be paying attention
For the first time in US history, children are more vaccinated - and sicker - than ever before.
by Judy Converse MPH, RD, LD
An appeal to Harvey Fineberg, MD, PhD, President, Institute of Medicine
Excerpts from Ms. Converse's appeal to Dr. Fineberg
"Policy and practice for reducing child morbidity and mortality are often driven by maternal and child nutrition initiatives in the developing world. This link needs attention in the United States. We cannot say that we do not have child nutrition problems – indeed, we now have staggering problems that were unthinkable in the late 1980s."
"I rarely heard of autism during my studies, but now I am contacted weekly by other nutrition professionals, not to mention a steady stream of afflicted families, asking me how to provide therapeutic diets for these children. This has quite sadly been my specialization since 1999, or 1996 if you count the time I spent cutting my teeth providing this for my own child. The silver lining here is that therapeutic diets can work very well for these children."
"Children with autism are not usually in normal nutrition status. Though they may grow (and they often do not grow typically), they show multiple signs of nutritional failure and compromise. This is what I fix in my obscure practice, and these children begin to recover. Usually, they also need a skilled gastroenterologist to resolve things like impactions, florid gut inflammation, lymphoid hyperplasia, pancreatic insufficiency, and so on. It is worrisome that pediatric providers skilled with these problems are few and far between." |
Judy will present "Nutrition, Growth, Development, and Learning: Medical Nutrition Therapy for ASD at Any Age," at the USAAA 2007 International Conference in Denver, Friday, August 10, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Click here for a bio of Judy Converse. Click here to preview an abstract of Ms. Converse's presentation for the USAAA 2007 conference.
To view the entire conference schedule, click here.
Autism education making advances
No waiting list, and all services are provided at no charge
By Valerie Close and Judy Newman
The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA
May 1, 2007
Tyler is a 4-year-old boy who goes to a neighborhood preschool, likes to build large structures with Legos and can identify all the letters of the alphabet. An early childhood special educator helps his teacher adapt activities so he can learn. Ryan is a 4-year-old boy who goes to an intensive specialized preschool where he practices specific skills and is learning to use pictures to communicate. Tyler and Ryan both have autism, yet these boys have very different educational needs. Ten years ago, the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality educational programs for children like Tyler and Ryan were still in the early stages of development.
Click here for entire story.
Virginia fails to provide care for children with autism
Fauquier Times - Democrat, www.timescommunity.com
May 2, 2007
It is important to note that autism by itself is not defined as a "disability" that qualifies for benefits such as Medicaid. As the article states, the diagnostic spectrum of autism is vast and includes children who are highly functioning, children who cannot talk, and everywhere in between. Although it has been proven that early intervention is vital for children with autism, the Commonwealth of Virginia offers empty promises. It was only a couple of years ago that Virginia ranked at the bottom for providing services to children with disabilities. No other state offered less than we did - a stunning indictment, considering our vast wealth. Families who have children with autism are desperate. Their children need extensive occupational, physical and speech therapies.
Click here for entire story.
REGISTER NOW for the USAAA 2007 conference
Register now for the US Autism & Asperger Association, Inc. (USAAA) annual International Autism and Asperger Conference in Denver, Colorado, August 8-11, 2007. Thirty-three of the world’s most renowned leading autism experts will present new interventions and new research in both education and medicine. The conference is co-hosted by Autism Society of Boulder County (ASBC) and will be held at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center. The conference is presented in part by International Hyperbarics Association.
Click here for more conference information. To register, click here. For conference partial scholarship information, click here.
TIP of the week - "Know what you want. When you first approach your pediatrician, have your goals and objectives written in detail."
(excerpt from Diagnosis Autism: Now What? 10 Steps to Improve Treatment Outcomes; A Parent-Physician Team Approach
Click here for more information.
Quote of the week -"Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."
— John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Tony Blair, Lee Scott Presented With A Nimal Mendis Song For Autism
May 2, 2007
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and the influential parliamentarian Lee Scott MP for Ilford North were recently presented with a song for Autism, 'Open Every Door,' recorded by the Sri Lanka-born singer/songwriter, Nimal Mendis. Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that may affect 1 in 100 children in the United Kingdom and 1 in 150 children in the United States. In Sri Lanka - the land of birth of Nimal Mendis - they say there 39,000 children with autism who are struggling to have access to education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care. There are 60 million people with autism around the world.
Click here for entire story.
Pioneering Supported Housing Scheme for People with Autism
UKPRwire, May 02 2007
Thanks to a pioneering scheme, people with autism in Waltham Forest will be able to live in a supported living environment and enjoy a more active role in the community. This scheme has been specially designed for people with autism. It has been developed in partnership by Waltham Forest Housing Association, Waltham Forest Council, support provider Adepta, Frankham Consultancy and telecare specialist Tunstall. It was funded through a grant from the Housing Corporation. The partners have involved those who will be living here from the start. This scheme is exceptional in the way that the internal design features have been guided by each individual’s needs and tastes, as well as safety features in addition to focusing on tailored support to meet individual specific needs. The partners have all been closely involved in the planning and development of the scheme as a positive alternative to residential care. Telecare technology will aid Adepta’s specialist team providing on site support. Iain Duncan Smith, the local MP said: “This is a marvellous concept and everyone involved is to be congratulated for bringing it through to completion. Autism is one of the undiscussed problems that face our community and this project will go a long way to help those affected by autism maintain their independence.”
Click here to read entire story.
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