The following press release comes from Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Autism and its Medical Management explains the medical aspects of autism and how both parents and professionals can use current medical knowledge to better understand how to address the medical aspects of autism.

The book begins with an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and how they are diagnosed, and goes on to identify the different types of autism and to describe relevant medical interventions. The author also provides an outline of recent research to enable parents and professionals to gain an understanding of the various factors that may contribute to the development of ASDs, as well as the latest available treatment options.
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The 2008 Pittsburgh Autism Expo is scheduled to be held on October 24 and 25, 2008 at the Pittsburgh Airport Crowne Plaza Hotel. David Kirby, author of Evidence of Harm, is schedule to present the keynote address.

David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 17 years, and has written for The New York Times for more than a decade. David Kirby’s first book “Evidence of Harm, Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic debuted at number 27 on The New York Times bestseller list. The book has sparked a national debate and Kirby has appeared on such varied media venues as Meet the Press, The Today Show, Imus in the Morning, Montel Williams and Air America.

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The following is from the USAAA Newsletter:

Doris J. Rapp, MD and Paul Shattock, PhD, OBE to Keynote at 2008 Conference

Dr. Doris J. Rapp, a board-certified environmental medical specialist and pediatric allergist and author of the best selling book “Is This Your Child?” and “Is This Your Child’s World?”, will make her Autism/Asperger national conference debut at the USAAA 2008 International Conference in Austin, Texas.
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Seeing as April is Autism Awareness Month, more media attention is being paid to the autism spectrum of disorders than at any other time.  As a result, many of these articles are about the rise of autism.  Is it an epidemic or simply a rise in diagnoses?  Today, Autism News Direct will provide you links to several different stories that address this question from a variety of viewpoints.
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From the April 2008 USAAA Newsletter:

US Autism and Asperger Association is the presenting sponsor for the 2008 TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) Annual Family Picnic and Fundraiser. More than 2,000 Southern California families who have children with autism will attend this extremely popular family event Sunday, June 1, 2008 at Camp James/Hidden Valley Park in Irvine, California.
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The following announcement was sent out by the Autism Research Institute.

Help Mark Rimland’s School Win Oprah’s Big Give

Vote Now to Help SMSC Win $10,000
One vote per email address daily till noon PT April 17

For more than 41 years, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) - a non-profit non-denominational organization in the San Diego area - has helped people with developmental disabilities, their families and communities, discover, explore, and nurture potential - giving thousands a chance to live life to the fullest.
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I received this email today and am passing it on to the readers of Autism News Direct.

This email contains a link to a national survey about autism in Army families. You are invited to participate in this survey and to distribute this email and information about the survey to members of your group and other individuals or organizations you think might be interested in participating.

The survey is for Soldiers and spouses associated with the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, or Active Duty Army who have a family member on the autism spectrum. There may be military members within your organization that you may not know about. Please consider distributing information about this survey to your entire constituency.

The survey contains 25 questions and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Individual responses will remain anonymous and will be combined with the responses of other families in considering what supports would be useful to Army families with a family member on the autism spectrum.

Both the Soldier and spouse, if applicable, can complete separate surveys. If a family has more than one member on the autism spectrum, a separate survey can be completed for each family member.

The survey has been reviewed by both civilian and military parents of children along the entire autism spectrum; military parents were affiliated with both the Active and Reserve Components.

Click here to take the Autism and Army Families survey.

–
Barbara Hall
Community Development Director
Citizen Soldier Support Program
Odum Institute for Research in Social Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
200 N. Greensboro St., Ste. D3
Carrboro, NC 27510
919.306.9336

If you know of a person or a support group that may find this information beneficial, please send them the following link:  Autism in Army Families Survey.

The following email was sent out by the Autism Society of America to help raise autism awareness.

The Autism Society of America is raising autism awareness around the nation during April for National Autism Awareness Month. What follows is our advocacy update prepared for our good friends like you, along with some suggestions on how you can help! Also, be sure to check out advocacy events this April.

Let Congress know you want more autism funding

The Autism Society of America hosted its Day on the Hill, with advocates from across the country storming Capitol Hill to support ASA’s legislative priorities.

The program included a rousing speech from the Chair of the Coalition for Autism Research and Education (Autism Caucus), Chris Smith (R-NJ), and legislative updates from Congressional staff, allies in the disability community and other supporters. Participants also received training on effective advocacy strategies, working with the media, and lobbying at the state and local levels. Armed with these tools, participants then took to Capitol Hill to build support for ASA’s legislative priorities.

Even if you weren’t able to travel to Washington for our Day on the Hill, you can still support ASA’s advocacy efforts by asking your legislators to cosponsor legislation to improve services for individuals with autism here at home, and around the world!

Support legislation to improve the lives of ALL individuals affected by autism.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to increase autism awareness, and promote early autism diagnosis and therapeutic research.

Sincerely,
Lee Grossman
President and CEO
ASA Member since 1991
Parent of a son with autism

April 2, 2008 has been declared World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations.  In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, CNN has scheduled several autism specials to be aired on 4/2.  You will need to check your local listings for channel and time information.

9:00 am Eastern - “We Have Autism”

6:00 pm Eastern - Larry King Live will focus on the autism/vaccine debate

9:00 pm Eastern - Anderson Cooper 360 will focus on Life as an Adult with Autism

In addition to the above shows, CNN.com also has a special site dedicated to autism spectrum disorders.

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!