State News: Austin Autism Clinic Raided by Federal Authorities

CARE Clinics in Austin was raided by the FBI and IRS agents today. According to the Austin American-Statesman, agents are removing dozens of boxes of documents but won't say what they are looking for. The clinic has been closed, "perhaps permanently."

Tomorrow's ARD Planning Workshop: 60% Discount at the Door!

Tomorrow's "Successful ARD Planning Workshop": Now just $20.00 at the door (a 60% discount)!

*** BCBA, BCABA & Certificates of Attendance will be Offered ***

July 15, 2009

10:00- 2:00

Presented by:

Kecia Adams-Wright, M.Ed., BCBA, Clinical Director, DFWCFA
&
Jessie Whitesides, Program Director- Outreach, DFWCFA

Location:

FEAT-NT Community Resource Center & Library
7286 Glenview Dr. Richland Hills, TX 7180

Are Your IEP Goals Measurable???

This is a critical training for parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and professionals working in or with local school districts. This workshop will aid participants in understanding and navigating the planning process for school age children with autism. The training will also build the capacity of parents and professionals to write measurable IEP goals, appropriate FBAs and BIPs. ARD Meetings will also be discussed with emphasis on how to achieve progress in a diplomatic fashion.
www.dfwcenterforautism.org

NYT Interview with Autism Researcher: "The Stress of Autism"

In a NYTimes.com "Well Blog" post today, health blogger Tara Parker-Pope interviews the associate director of the University of Washington Autism Center, who recently conducted a study of mothers of children with developmental disabilities.

National News: Disability Groups Unite Behind Sotomayor Confirmation

DisabilityScoop.com:

In a letter to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the organizations’ cited Sotomayor’s personal experience as an individual with diabetes and said her judicial record indicates “a good understanding of – and healthy respect for – the rights of persons with disabilities.”

Organizations that are part of the coalition supporting Sotomayor include the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Autism Society of America, the National Council on Independent Living, the National Disability Rights Network and the National Down Syndrome Society.

Judge Sotomayor's confirmation hearings begin today.

Autism Speaks Launches TV Ad Campaign Calling On Congress to End Insurance Discrimination Against Children With Autism

Click Here to Take Action Now!

Research News Roundup

UPI: Autism, Poor Visual Motor Skills Linked

ScienceDaily: Difference In The Way Children With Autism Learn New Behaviors Described
(re: same study as UPI article, but more detailed)

ScienceDaily: Mothers Of Children With Autism Have Higher Parental Stress, Psychological Distress (An obvious finding! But surprisingly, the research found "no link between a child's decreased daily living skills and increased parental stress and psychological distress.")

Celiac.com: Autism Linked to Mom's Autoimmune Disease—Including Celiac Disease

In research related news:
DisabilityScoop.com: Vaccine Issue Yields Second Defection At Autism Speaks

Sensory-Friendly Films: "Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" this Saturday

This Saturday, July 11 at 10am, 3 local AMC theatres will be showing "Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" as part of their "Sensory Friendly Films" program:

• AMC Stonebriar 24, Frisco, TX
• Parks at Arlington 18, Arlington, TX, and
• AMC Firewheel 18, Garland, TX

From autism-society.org:
In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.