Don’t miss the opportunity to bid on rare experiences and one-of-a-kind items in the Autism Speaks online auction. Items range from walk-on roles in top-billed movies, to VIP tickets to the ‘09 Super Bowl, to exclusive autographed Autism Speaks items and top country club golf foursomes.

Bidding closes Friday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Visit the auction site and BID NOW!
A few sample auction items:
“While You Were In” Room Makeover from Your Favorite TLC Stars, Evan Farmer and Jason Cameron from “While You Were Out!”
 
Walk-on Role to “Duplicity” Starring Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti!
 
2 VIP Tickets to the 2009 Tampa Super Bowl
Visit the site to see them all!

The Phoenix Chapter of the Autism Society of America has announced that online registration is open for its 2008 conference.  The conference, scheduled for May 3 and 4th, will feature Louder than Words author Jenny McCarthy as a keynote speaker.  McCarthy will speak on May 4th at 8:45 am and will “discuss her personal experiences in helping her son Evan who was diagnosed with autism. She found that an intense combination of behavioral therapy, diet, and supplements became the key to saving Evan from autism. Jenny will shares the frustrations and joys of raising an autistic child and show how with love and determination a parent can shape their child’s life and happiness.”

Other notable speakers at the conference are Kathleen Quill, Ed. D, author of DO-WATCH-LISTEN-SAY, Zosia Zaks author of Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults and Doreen Granpeesheh, Ph. D, BCBA of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD).  In addition to discussions on vaccines, the GFCF diet and sensory integration, there will also be a three hour workshop for adults on the autism spectrum.

For more information on registration for the event, contact the Phoenix Chapter of the Autism Society of America at (480) 940-1093.

Source:  ASA-GPC

On February 14, Autism News Direct reported that the Arizona Autism Insurance Billhad passed its first hurdle by making it out of committee.  I am happy to report that as of this week, a little over 30 days from moving out of committee, the Arizona Autism Insurance Bill has been passed and signed into law by Governor Janet Napolitano.  This piece of legislation did not have its adversaries.  Insurance companies, small business owners, corporations, and even the Arizona Chamber of Commerce opposed the initial wording of the bill.  The claims were made that insurance premiums would increase across the state if this legislation were to be enacted and that some companies would no longer be able to offer insurance coverage as a result of the bill. 

There are some specific mandates that were written into the bill.  These include a limit of the requirement to employer-purchased plans in firms with more than 50 employees, a cap of $50,000 per year for children through age eight and a cap of $25,000 per year for children aged nine through 16.  An important part of this legislation is that it will cover children with Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS in addition to autistic disorder.  Currently, the State of Arizona’s Department of Developmental Disabilities provides no funding for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS leaving their parents to foot the hefty bills for therapy and other interventions.

In light of the recent publicity surrounding the concession made by the government in an autism/vaccine case, the American Academy of Pediatrics has released a statement on autism and vaccine safety.  Highlights from the statement include information on autism, mitochondrial disease, and general vaccine and vaccine safety information. 

From the AAP statement:

The AAP understands that parents may have concerns about vaccinating their children. Vaccines are one of the most successful medical advances of all time. Vaccine safety is an issue of great importance to the AAP and to pediatricians, who support ongoing research and increased funding in this area. In addition, the AAP supports further research into the causes of autism.

Despite the recent court ruling and other reports claiming a lack of evidence linking vaccines to autism, the debate will likely continue for some time.

Source:  Facts for Parents about Autism and Vaccine Safety

Blooming Kids Software (BloomingKids), a company that creates computer programs designed to teach children who have Autism, PDD and other needs requiring early intervention, has created eight additional educational programs. These programs were made in response to requests from parents and educators who asked BloomingKids to extend their product line in particular directions.

( PRWEB ) March 10, 2008 — Blooming Kids Software (BloomingKids), a company that creates computer programs designed to teach children who have Autism, PDD and other needs requiring early intervention, has created eight additional educational programs. These programs were made in response to requests from parents and educators who asked BloomingKids to extend their product line in particular directions.

These programs teach students to read a calendar, tell time, use a computer keyboard to learn basic typing, and to familiarize the student with months of the year, weather, seasons, days of the week, and times of the day.

The programs (Twenty nine of them) that were released on 2006 have been upgraded with customer feedback, new interface, new voice, new animations, and other features. Presently these revised versions and the eight new programs can be purchased on the web.

Many of the programs offer internal testing and reporting capabilities. All of the programs use colorful animations, pictures and music to help children to learn with enthusiasm and attention. Each exercise in the program rewards and encourages. Every correct answer earns positive reinforcement.

For more information, visit www.bloomingkids.com to view online demos of each program.

BloomingKids wants to help parents and schools. If any order goes above $200, BloomingKids will deduct 15% of all purchases beyond $200. The deduction will be retuned to the buyer as a refund after the purchase is made. Please make use of this good will offer before March 31, 2008, as it will not be available after this date.

About Blooming Kids Software, LLC.
BloomingKids is a software company based in Scarsdale, New York. The company, founded in 2004, is specifically designed to facilitate learning for children diagnosed with learning disabilities, Autism and PDD. BloomingKids will customize any product in order to meet the learner’s individual needs as identified by therapists, teachers and parents. The company’s mission is to deliver the highest quality, most effective and affordable educational software. For more information, please visit www.bloomingkids.com.

Contact Information:
Blooming Kids Software, LLC.
36 Lincoln Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-713-4440