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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.
JEROD SMALLEY
Sportscaster for Columbus’s WCMH NBC TV 4, Jerod is the father of Brady and Tyler, who are both on the autism spectrum. Jerod has been instrumental in providing information for persons with autism, their parents and their friends through WCMH NBC TV 4’s The Autism Puzzle. Don’t miss the next broadcast on Wednesday, April 21 at 7 PM on TV 4. Jerod and his family are involved in the annual Autism Walk in Central Ohio and he has become known as the “go to” guy for anyone seeking the latest information about the autism spectrum. Jerod Smalley shares some of his experiences with his two children and his own journey through the maze of autism with Christopher Purdy.
Rupert Isaacson’s film journey with the his autistic son and the wild horses of Mongolia. Presented by WOSU Public Media and The Autism Society of Central Ohio.
FREE SHOWING - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
TUESDAY, APRIL 27 7 PM THE GLENMONT FACILITY AUDITORIUM 470 GLENMONT AVENUE, COLUMBUS (formerly COSERCC)
With a panel discussion at 8 PM hosted by WOSU’s Christopher Purdy:
Carol Lebeiko, M.D. - Child and Adolescent psychiatry in Central Ohio Angela Denny, PhD. - Autism Society of Central Ohio Robert L. Gordon, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychology Christy Richmond - Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Jeffrey Siegel, M.S.W. - OSU Nisonger Center
TIM PAGE
Pulitzer Prize Winner Tim Page is the author of Parallel Play-a memoir of growing up with Asperger Syndrome. Page has been classical music critic for Newsday, The New York Times and The Washington Post. He is currently professor of music and journalism at the Thornton school of Music at the University of Southern California. Tim Page is largely responsible for re-introducing the works of Dawn Powell, through his biography of the Ohio born writer plus editions of her letters and diaries. The father of three boys, Tim Page recently discussed his life before and since his 2000 diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome by phone from his home in California to WOSU’s Christopher Purdy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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...
Hear concerts performed in our listening area, and occasionally outside of it. Opera Columbus, Chamber Music in Columbus, the Jefferson Academy of Music, the School of Music at The Ohio State University, the Columbus Bach Ensemble, the Mansfield Symphony and the Brass Band of Columbus are some of the organizations featured. Sundays at 6 pm.more...
