Community

Thursday, 18 March 2010
12:33PM

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Autism and Music Therapy
April is Autism Awareness Month.
Once considered a single disorder, autism is, in fact, a series of different neurological disorders, known as autism spectrum disorders. These include autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. These disorders affect a child's social interaction, communication skills and behavior. A child suffering from an autistic disorder may not be able to speak, may become fixated on a particular object or may not be able to tolerate a simple hug or other physical contact.

There is no known cause, and no known cure. Suggested causes include genetics, vaccines containing mercury, even men fathering children in older age, or the time of year a person is born. Also, diseases such as encephalitis, fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis and untreated phenylketonuria may trigger autistic behavior.
 

Someone asked CNN: What jobs can't I do if I have Asperger's syndrome? Read the answer from Mental Health Expert Dr. Charles Raison Psychiatrist, Emory University Medical School


BEYOND US with NANCY BEU (pronounced 'boy')

Beyond Us is a support group for parents and friends of people-of any age-on the autism spectrum. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 4131 North High Street in Columbus. The church is south of Henderson road and north of the Park of Roses.

Nancy Beu is the founder of Beyond Us and a former "Mother From Hell" She's the mother of Elizabeth Beu, 27. Listen to Christopher Purdy's conversation with Nancy Beu, and learn more about Beyond Us.Contact Nancy for more information: nancybeu@aol.com


Autism College Transition Program (ACT):
A collaboration between The Educational Service Center of Franklin County and Columbus State for residents of Delaware, Franklin and Union counties

Transitioning Young People on the Autism Spectrum into College
ACT students have completed high school graduation requirements and plan to attend college, but defer graduation to attend the one year program. Students enroll in Columbus State courses alongside traditional students, but receive support with academic coaching, time management, social skills and transition planning.

Christopher Purdy talks with Matthew Wilson, ACT Education Specialist
For more information on ACT, call Matthew Wilson at 614.287.2050


PLAN of CENTRAL OHIO:
Planned Lifetime Assistance Network

PLAN offers peace of mind by assisting in setting up a service plan (contracted services) which maintains continued care and supervision of the client. PLAN provides any service that will help individuals become more self sufficient and enhance the quality of life.

Christopher Purdy talks with Albert Acierno, PLAN of Central Ohio

Contact PLAN:
Phone: 614.586.4049
Email: planco@wowway.com


Aspirations
   Aspirations is a social and vocational skills support group for high functioning young adults on the autism spectrum. The program was established in 2002 by the Department of Neurology and the Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University. See www.aspirationsohio.org for complete information.

Click here for a round table discussion about Aspirations with Jeff Siegel, MSW, co-facilitator, and recent Aspirations participants: Dylan Bias, 17, a senior at Gahanna Lincoln High School; Eric Glassford, 21, student; Melanie Yeargeau, doctoral candidate in English and rhetoric, The Ohio State University, recorded at WOSU Public Media, March 24, 2009.


Be the Piece    Lori Bias is the mother of Dylan Bias, a young man with Asperger Syndrome.
She describes Dylan's life, and her own advocacy for persons on the autism spectrum.

Lori founded a scholarship program called Be The Piece. Visit www.bethepiece.org

Click here for a conversation with with Lori Bias, recorded at WOSU Public Media, March 19, 2009, with thanks to recording engineer Eric French

Ohio University
  
 
MUSIC THERAPY UPDATE
Christopher Purdy visited the music therapy clinic at Ohio University in Athens on April 23, 2008, to talk with Professors and therapists Anita Louise Steele and Kamille Geist, and student therapist Sarah Paysack. We listen in on a music therapy session with 10-year-old Christian, a young man with autism. He uses the piano and songs as a bridge to language. Listen to this interview by clicking here.
For more information, contact Professor Steele steelea@ohio.edu

JOHN AND JANNA BROCKERT are Christian's parents. They tell us about the struggles and the joys of raising a child with autism. The Brockstets describe the "early signs" of autism in Christian, plus struggles with school, family, and socialization. Listen to this interview by clicking here.


Ohio Department of Education
  
AUTISM SCHOLARSHIP-OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Parents can be reimbursed up to $20,000.00 in expenses for their autistic child's education.

Christopher Purdy talks with Paul Sogan and Carolyn Head, Educational Consultants, Department of Exceptional Children, Ohio Department of Education. Listen to this interview by clicking here.

Call them at 614.466.2650, or visit www.ode.state.oh.us (search 'autism scholarship')

How does my child qualify?
How do I apply for the scholarship?
What expenses are covered?
Must therapies come from one provider?
What if I can't find professional services in my district?

Paul Sogan and Carolyn Head can help with these and more questions.


Autism Society
  
 

AUTISM SOCIETY OF CENTRAL OHIO
www.autism-centralohio.com

This organization is a good introduction to local resources for parents and all those affected by an autism spectrum disorder. Listen here for a visit with Autism Society of Central Ohio President Pat Cloppert She also discusses a program for young adults with Autism at Ohio State, ASPIRATIONS

ASPIRATIONS contact: Jeff Siegel, MSW (614) 292-4185 siegel.45@osu.edu


  
 
Music Therapy and Autisic Children
Before there was language, there was music. Repetition, rhythm, melody, tone, duration, volume-all the facets of music working separately and together can unlock children sealed off from the world by Autism. On Music Therapy and Autistic Children, Christopher Purdy examines the effects of music therapy on autism.
Listen to this broadcast by clicking here

Or configure your podcasting client accordingly, and have it point to:
http://www.wosu.org/am/podcasts/purdy.php


Autism Ribbon         Reports from the Autism Awareness Rally at the State House, Columbus, April 2, 2008. Interviews by Christopher Purdy
 
Pat Cloppert is President of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Austism Society of America. Listen to this interview by clicking here

Dr. Morten Haughland is Director of the Haughland Learning Center in Columbus. Listen to this interview by clicking here
 
   Founded in 2005, Haugland Learning Center (HLC) was created to serve the educational needs of autistic children in Central Ohio. The center personalizes each child's curriculum to help fill the needs of that child, from ABA-based direct instruction to classroom inclusion with other children. HLC staff has extensive experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum.
 
Autism Diagram    Robert F. Kennedy Jr, wrote this article, entitled, 'Deadly Immunity,' in 2005. Click here to read it.
He encapsulated a controversy that persists concerning the safety of early childhood vaccines and explores a link between increased diagnoses of autism and the use of the preservative thimerosal (since discontinued).
Mr.Kennedy's views have been controversial and have sparked a great deal of debate among parents and medical professionals.

Here's an alternate point of view:
"Facts for Parents About Autism and Vaccine Safety" from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Click here to read it.


Additional material:

The Autism Collaboration Web site: http://www.autism.org

AN AUTISM FACT SHEET- some FAQs and links to resources

About.com:Autism - Do Vaccines cause Autism?

Frontline

FRONTLINE has served as American public television's - PBS - flagship public affairs series. Hailed upon its television broadcast debut as "the last best hope for broadcast documentaries," FRONTLINE's stature over 23 years is reaffirmed each week through incisive documentaries covering the scope and complexity of the human experience. Now the station is offering on-demand episodes. more...

In the Know

Sundays; 9am
Seen on WOSU TV, this ever-popular quiz program hosted by Bill Schiffman attracts enthusiastic participation from high schools throughout central and southern Ohio. The program host asks questions of eight students (four on each team), with a judge officiating and tabulating the scores. more...