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2008 Conference

Helpful Sites

Recommended Autism Sites

Below is a list of websites which we recommend for their content on Autism.

• Defeat Autism Now! DAN!® (Defeat Autism Now!®) is dedicated to educating parents and clinicians regarding biomedically-based research, appropriate testing and safe and effective interventions for autism.
• Children of Destiny A diagnosis of autism can be an overwhelming, even devastating, event in any parent’s life. We know. In January 2001, our 2 year-old son, Nicholas, received such a diagnosis.. We give daily Bible Verses and Prayers for our children.
• Lyme Induced Autism 1 out of 150 children are diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many of these children have also been diagnosed with Lyme Disease/borrelia related complex, but most remain undiagnosed. It is estimated that up to 90% of children with autism may be also infected with Lyme Disease/Borrelia.
• Thoughtful House Fighting for the recovery of children with developmental disorders through the unique combination of medical care, education, and research.
• Autism Recovered Children The Autism Research Institute (ARI) is the hub of a worldwide network of parents and professionals concerned with autism.
• Fair Autism Media the internet's largest collection of video interviews with some of the top researchers, clinicians and activists within the autism community
• Generation Rescue is an international movement of scientists, physicians and parent-volunteers researching the causes and treatments for autism and mentoring thousands of families in recovering their children from autism. Much information on vaccines can be found here.
• Autism Action Network AAC is a national, non-partisan political action organization formed by parents in support of children with neurodevelopmental and communication disorders.
• Labosh Publishing Labosh Publishing was founded in 2003, by a mother and a couple of special education teachers who wanted to improve the lives of children with autism and their families.
• The Danger of Excessive Vaccination During Brain DevelopmentIn 1976, children received 10 vaccines before attending school. Today they will receive over 36 injections. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control assured parents that it was safe to not only give these vaccines, but that they could be given at one time with complete safety.
• Schafer Autism Report FThe most comprehensive and most read Autism publication . SAR monitors all major news sources, websites and the latest research for important and practical news and developments with a balanced, no-spin presentation.
• National Vaccine Information Center The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) is a national, non-profit educational organization founded in 1982. The oldest and largest consumer organization advocating the institution of vaccine safety and informed consent protections in the mass vaccination system, NVIC is responsible for launching the vaccine safety and informed consent movement in America in the early 1980's.

Below is a list of websites concerning diet provided during Laura Hunsberger's presentation at the 2007 Conference on autism and Lyme.

Pesticide Residue

• USDA’s Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Condensed copies of PDP Databases and complete copies of published PDP Annual Summary reports for the calendar year surveys 1992 - 2005. The 2005 Summary was published on November 8, 2006.
• FDA’s Total Diet Study (TDS) seventeenth annual report summarizing the results of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) pesticide residue monitoring program. Eight of the sixteen previous reports were published in the Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists/Journal of AOAC International.
• EWG Shopping Guide to Pesticides in Produce There is growing consensus in the scientific community that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can adversely affect people, especially during vulnerable periods of fetal development and childhood when exposures can have long lasting effects.
• Codex Alimentarius The Codex Alimentarius, or the food code, has become the seminal global reference point for consumers, food producers and processors, national food control agencies and the international food trade. The code has had an enormous impact on the thinking of food producers and processors as well as on the awareness of the end users - the consumers
• Pesticide Education Assessment Program This program helps pesticide applicators learn to use pesticides in the safest, most effective manner to control pest infestations while protecting the health of humans and the environment.

Organic Websites

• USDA National Organic Program A website held by the USDA National Organic Program with links to many useful sites.
• Organic Materials Review Institute he Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a national nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing.
• Organic Trade Association Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a membership-based business association that focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.
• USDA Economic Research Service Organic farming has been one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture for over a decade. The U.S. had under a million acres of certified organic farmland when Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
• Organic Farming Research Foundation Fostering the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming practices
• Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Whether you're a beginning farmer, or an experienced agricultural producer interested in transitioning to more sustainable practices, you may want to start by learning more about the principles of sustainable agriculture and some of the "systems" approaches associated with it.
• New Farm magazine The Rodale Institute®, a global leader in regenerative agriculture, is devoted to innovative agriculture research, outreach and training through The New Farm® programs.

Farming Websites

• Lower Eastern Shore Sustainable Organic Network (LESSON) The mission of the Lower Eastern Shore Sustainable Organic Network (LESSON) is to create a safe, just, and sustainable food system for the region (includes the Delmarva Peninsula; Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia).
• Future Harvest-CASA Future Harvest-CASA is a network of farmers, agricultural professionals, landowners and consumers living and working in the Chesapeake region. Future Harvest-CASA promotes profitable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable food and farming systems that work to sustain communities.
• Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association a regional network of people, farms and suppliers of sustainable, organic & certified organic products and food. Educating & communicating with our sustainable friends.
• The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station The mission of The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station is to develop, advance, and disseminate scientific knowledge, improve agricultural productivity and environmental quality, protect plants, and enhance human health and well-being through research for the benefit of Connecticut residents and the nation.

Helpful Lyme Sites

• Lyme Doctor Dr. and Mrs. Singleton spoke at The Autism and Lyme Conference of the East Coast, Inc. 2007 Conference. Dr. Singleton is the author of THE LYME DISEASE SOLUTION. His website offers information on integrating Lyme-literate medical principles with natural remedies and alternative therapies. He discusses the Lyme diet with his wife, who is a nutritionist.
• International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society The International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society offers basic information about the disease, ILADS position paper, officers and directors, events, articles and presentations, related sites and membership.
• Lyme Disease Association An all-volunteer national nonprofit, dedicated to Lyme disease education, prevention, raising monies for research, and patient support. Provides 98% of raised funds to programs (no employees, no office overhead).
• Columbia Medical Center The Lyme and Tick-borne Diseases Research Center was established as the first academic research center in the country to focus multidisciplinary research on chronic Lyme disease. In recognition that a growing number of patients experience ongoing or relapsing symptoms after having been treated for Lyme disease...
• Nutrition Essentials The Mission of the Nutrition Essentials, Inc. is to improve American health. A practical way that we can help this to happen is through the development of top quality unique nutritional supplements and homeopathic products designed to address identified health needs of targeted populations. Nutrition Essentials, Inc. is committed to a social mission of supporting non-profit organizations that benefit humanitarian causes, world peace, and environmental responsibility.
• Lyme Disease Network A non-profit foundation dedicated to public education of the prevention and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
• The Lyme Disease Foundation The Lyme Disease Foundation (LDF) is the premier nonprofit dedicated to finding solutions for tick-borne disorders. Realizing the ability to find solutions involves a multi-discipline effort, the LDF includes the four cornerstones of progress (businesses, patients, government, and the medical community) to work together to find solutions to tick-borne disorders.
• Lyme Info This site provides details about Lyme disease symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Advocacy info and peer-reviewed medical literature are also available. You will find articles as well as an extensive directory of information about Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. We hope this website will help you find exactly what you need.
• Better Health Guy A site that is purposed to share stories and helping educate its readers.
• Stony Brook University Medical Center The Department of Pathology at Stony Brook University Medical Center is dedicated to excellence in diagnostic service, education, and research. Members of our department serve as regional and national authorities in clinical and anatomic pathology, as innovators in graduate student, medical student, and resident education, and as national and international authorities in both basic and translational research.
• Tick Encounter Resource Center Provides you with information regarding ticks and tick-transmitted diseases, but also seek to interactively guide you through the most up-to-date, effective actions that you can take to prevent ticks from biting you, your family and your pets.
• Online Textbook of Bacteriology Its contents are suitable for reading or presentation in courses or course modules concerning general microbiology and medical bacteriology at the college and advanced high school levels of education.

Education

Graciously provided by Martha Gabler

There have been several responses of people interested in home- schooling a child with autism. I have been home-schooling my son since he was 4 years old, and the area that I know the most about is teaching methods, curriculum, and how to make adaptations to help such a child learn. Below is a brief list of methods that have worked well for us, plus my personal list of recommended books to read if you are fairly new to the task of teaching a child with autism.

First of all, I recommend that autism parents consider looking at the website of the Organization for Autism Research, a very reputable organization that has excellent information about teaching and other topics. Their website is www.researchautism.org, and they are located in Virginia.

Second, the educational approaches that work best for children with autism are all based on the science of applied behavior analysis. As it is a daunting task to educate a child with autism, and as it takes a lot of work and technical knowledge to set up a good program, autism parents may also wish to consider hiring a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to help them for the first few months. You can locate a BCBA at the website of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board at www.bacb.com. As with all autism treatments, the services of a BCBA will probably not be covered by your health insurance, but it doesn't hurt to check.

The following information lists a very brief description of, and contact information about, good behaviorally-based teaching methods for children with autism:

Educational Recommendations:

What has worked for us in teaching our special needs child If you are teaching a special needs child, I recommend highly the teaching methods, curricula and measurement practices used in the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis. The following list of methods and curricula all fall under the Behavior Analysis umbrella. Extensive information about Behavior Analysis and all these methods is available on the internet.

Verbal Behavior Therapy Verbal Behavior Therapy (VB) is a behaviorally-based, therapeutic approach for teaching children with autism and other developmental disabilities. VB teaches the functional units of language: receptive, expressive, mimetic/echoics, mands (requests), tacts (labels) and intraverbals. A VB program teaches the child across all units of language using Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Natural Environment Teaching (NET), and errorless teaching techniques. The Verbal Behavior Network is one of many groups that offers training. Address P.O. Box 2122, Brick, NJ, 08723, Phone: 732-840-1934, www.vbnetwork.org.

Direct Instruction Curricula for Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Language

For children (and adults): Direct Instruction (DI) Curricula are outstanding for teaching academic skills, especially reading, arithmetic and writing. See the Association for Direct Instruction, P.S. Box 10252, Eugene, OR, 97440, 1-800-995-2462, www.adihome.org. Direct Instruction curricula are available from SRA McGraw-Hill, 220 East Danieldale, Rd., DeSoto, TX, 75115, 1-888-SRA-4543, www.sraonline.com. They are superb curricula based on scientific principles of human learning, and have a 40+ year record of research validation; for detailed research information see www.SRADirectInstruction.com. For an inexpensive introduction to a Direct Instruction Reading program, see the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Dr. Siegfried Engelmann, readily available at bookstores and online.

TAGteach (Teaching with Acoustical Guidance)

For children and adults. TAGteach is a superior yet simple method for improving behaviors and teaching skills of all types. It is easy to learn, easy to implement and inexpensive. TAGteach combines an event marker signal with positive reinforcement. It has many features which make it particularly helpful in teaching children with autism. See www.tagteach.com.

Precision Teaching

For children and adults. A scientifically based method of measuring human behavior and performance using the Standard Celeration Chart. Excellent tool for improving behavior and learning. See. www.precisionteachingresource.net and www.precisionteaching.pbwiki.com

Now, for the reading list. I recommend the following books:

1. "The Out of Snyc Child" by Carole Kranowitz. This book is very parent-friendly and explains children's sensory profiles; very helpful in understanding your child's world.


2. "Don't Shoot The Dog" by Karen Pryor. This book is an excellent way to learn about behavioral principles and how to apply them. It is well-written and easy to understand.


3. "Educating Children with Learning and Behavior Problems" by Dr. Martin Alan Kozloff. This book is it! This book explains exactly and precisely how to educate a child with a disability. It has a Behavior Evaluation Scale that will help you assess exactly what your child's skill level is, and how to improve his/her skills. It explains exactly how to organize your teaching materials, how to teach, what to teach, and what to do next. Ironically, this book is now out of print, but you can easily find a copy in the used book market. I found my copy at abebooks.com for $2.17, and it is worth one thousand times that much money. Upon reading this book I was stunned to realize that the methods and the knowledge base for teaching a child with autism have been around since the 1960s, but they are still not implemented in schools. This book is 448 pages and will take any reader some time to get through, however, if you cannot afford private consultants and therapists, this book will provide you with almost all the information you will need to get going on your own and do a very good job with your child.

We started out with "traditional" ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), and I switched to Verbal Behavior Therapy (VB) as soon as I found out about it because it has more and better teaching procecures (in my opinion). Once my son started demonstrating some skills, I moved him into Direct Instruction (DI) curricula for reading, arithmetic and language. Direct Instruction is a very powerful and successful instructional technology; the programs are very expensive, but absolutely worth it. My son, despite the severity of his condition, can read, write and do math very well, plus he is very proud of his educational accomplishments and is very eager to learn more. Precision Teaching is excellent for developing fluency in academic and other skill areas, and for behavior management. And TAGteach is simply a fantastic method for teaching the non-academic skills: how to behave in public, what to do at the playground, and so forth.

I recommend these methods whole-heartedly to any parent of a child with autism.

Award Winning Films and Movies

• Beautiful Son In 2003, Hawaii filmmakers Don and Julianne King realized something was wrong with their three-year-old son, Beau. Around age two-and-a-half, Beau started loosing his ability to speak, his coordination, and was becoming disconnected from the outside world. Determined to help Beau, his parents brought him to the best doctors in the U.S. and took along a video camera to document the results. Two months later, Beau was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In BEAUTIFUL SON, Don and Julianne take us on their journey through the landscape of this debilitating neurological disorder as they attempt to recover Beau from autism. Along the way, through their research and personal interaction with various medical professionals, Don and Julianne come to believe the establishment has little to offer apart from advice of "good parenting" and behavioral therapy. Desperate to find help, they stumble upon a community of doctors and parents who are experimenting with alternative treatments and who are, they believe, successfully recovering some kids from autism. BEAUTIFUL SON is the story of an illness reaching epidemic proportion, now affecting one in 150 children. And, it's the story of a grass roots movement of parents and doctors who believe that vaccines, mercury and other toxins may be triggering some forms of autism and demanding research be done to help their children.
• Under Our Skin A dramatic tale of microbes, medicine & money, this eye-opening film investigates the untold story of Lyme disease, an emerging epidemic larger than AIDS. Each year thousands go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, told that their symptoms are "all in their head." Following the stories of patients and physicians as they battle for their lives and livelihoods, the film brings into focus a haunting picture of our health care system and its inability to cope with a silent terror under our skin.

Chemicals in Clothing and Textiles

This is the first version of a list of chemical substances, which one shall be especially aware of, that can be used in the production of clothes and textiles. The list has been prepared to be a practical help in production of and professional trading with textiles and clothes. The list will be a living document adjusted to the need of the users; it is our intention to develop it further as we gain experience from practical use of the list. Therefore, we are keenly interested in receiving comments from the users – what is your experience with the list in practical use, and what are your future requirements and wishes? This English translation of the list of chemicals has been financially supported by The Federation of Norwegian Commercial and Service Enterprises (Handels- og Servicenæringens Hovedorganisasjon - HSH) and The Ethical Trading Initiative - Norway (ETI-N). A great number of chemicals that can be applied in the production of textiles and clothes show hazardous characteristics. There is no problem to increase the length of the list. However, the list shall be a useful tool for practical purposes to help business make demands to their suppliers. This implies that the list cannot be exhaustive – it must not be too long and complicated.

• (PDF) The Norwegian Textile Panel - List of chemicals List of chemical substances used in the production of clothes and textiles.

About Us

• Martha Farace's Story:

  We are blest to be parents of four wonderful children, ages ranging from nineteen to four. All of our children have had medical issues; one life-threatening, several with asthma, all with allergies. All have “gut” issues.

  Our youngest was diagnosed with autism in 2004. We are grateful recipients of others' research into this neurodevelopmental disorder.

  Our youngest has gone from tantrums lasting hours, and no speech, to being in a typical preschool. He is able to speak allowing us to understand his inferential thinking and processing.

  Our youngest is hyperlexic, which is somewhat rare, and has been reading by decoding for years. The comprehension of most hyperlexics is based on experiential reference with literal interpretation.

  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Author and Giver of life. We believe He guided us to the information that has been so very enabling for our family. We are led to share with you information that aided us, and information that may aid you.

  All autism presents in each individual differently. Please know that the path for you may be very different than that which we have traveled.

  The Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) protocol of biomedical intervention addresses each individual differently. The dietary component for our children with autism is reviewed. The biomedical path is explored for each child. The educational piece incorporates Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

  For those who doubt these, for our child, within three weeks of beginning the casein-gluten free diet, speech came. There were whole words. As dietary and then biomedically investigated supplements, such as cod liver oil, were introduced, there was less tantruming. As the applied behavior analysis began, so did his understanding of what had been missed educationally.

  There are other diets effecting great change in our autistic children. There are many options for biomedical intervention. The educational component of ABA is still a part of our lives, just as the diet and the biomedical ends continue, but we have gone from intensive reinforcers of food to simple verbal praise, in many instances. We find great effect from low pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as well.

  Please know that we have prayed much over what we have, what we have dealt with, and what we present for you.

  The following update to this story may be considered graphic by some audiances. Continue

• • In the two and one-half years that we have been dealing with known autism in our youngest, he has developed from head-banging, stimming significantly, perseverating enormously, with no language spoken, and at times, non-ambulatory, with chronic diarrhea of every color, kind, consistency and odor, with fece spreading to a young man scheduled to enter typical kindergarten, on time, with no aide. We still work with a marvelous occupational therapist, our long term Applied Behavior Analysis therapist, who is very gifted, and we continue with a terrific speech pathologist. These and several other outside therapies along with much work at home, and with our DAN! practitioners, are continuing his healing. Please be encouraged for your child. We are happy to communicate with you if you would get in touch by email. Healing is possible, once the “gut” issues are being dealt with, establishing and enabling the gastrointestinal nutrients to feed the neurological pathways.

    The pain exhibited by our children when they press on the gut or throw their bodies into furniture, looking for all the world like an uncontrolled child, diminishes, and the body begins to heal itself with the appropriate replenishment of each individual’s missing vitamins and minerals. Yeast control is imperative, as well. We have the urinalysis just back and know that our youngest presents with mercury and lead from vaccines, and toys.

    We share this for your encouragement. We also pray that healing occurs for everyone who suffers from this gastrointestinal and neurological devastation. We respectfully request from our legislators that the question "What would Jesus do?" regarding safe vaccinations, toys, clothing and other textiles, would be one that they would continually ask as they make decisions about the people of the United States, and as they establish standards for the world to judge. As Christians we hope to promote health for all populations.

Teresa Davis' Story:

• My daughter Sam became chronically ill in November of 2000. We began a tour of medical professionals and children’s hospitals for the next three years. Samantha had been an honor student and a cheerleader. During these three years she became unable to walk without assistance, due to dizziness and, later, to an ankle that became too painful to touch, and, interesting, that physically drew up and was unable to be placed on the floor. She also could not eat solid food. Her vision became blurred, which disallowed reading. Her sensitivities to noise and light impacted her life in such a way as to significantly reduce her desires to even be around others. Samantha had exceptional weight loss as well as fatigue, sleeping up to twenty hours a day. She also had unexplained rashes and joint pain that moved throughout her body.

  The only thing that she did not lose at this time was her hope in the Lord. Through prayer and family and friends we were able to find an Ilads trained doctor who treats chronic Lyme disease and other tick born illnesses. Within two weeks he was able to diagnose her tick born illnesses. Also, during this time we began working with a nationally board certified holistic acupuncturist, and Oriental herbalist. This Christian acupuncturist came to be known to us through the prayers of Samantha’s twin brother. She began working with boosting Samantha’s immune system with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Without these two doctors Samantha would not be the beautiful young woman she is today.... Continue

  • The reason that Samantha and I want to share our story is to help parents and children who go down the path of no answers that we went for three years without any help or hope from the some of the world’s leading children’s health institutions. As most of us know, the practice of medicine has changed over the last few decades to increasingly rely on medical tests, which have impacted the reflection of symptoms, as well as impacted the ability to discern by observation and palpation. During these three years Samantha only got deeper into the symptoms of tick born illnesses as opposed to the next three years when we DID receive healing.

    Our hope is that we can share the hope of Christ and that there are more avenues for healing than is currently typical. Testing for Lyme disease and other tick born illnesses seems to be very inadequate, but there is Hope …

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