[HM2Viking]

http://www.dds.ca.gov/Autism/pdf/AutismReport2003.pdf

The above is a report about Autism cases in California served by DDS.

[ivanaBEEaRN]

Originally Posted by Empress

Yes, my problem with this particular study and others pro-mercury is the underlying agenda, which is cold hard cash. Businesspeople and lawyers are involved in proving the mercury in vaccines=autism, preparing for the possible lawsuits against big pharma which could rival the ones against the tobacco company.

But at the same time, many families can not receive basic, proven therapies for autism because it is too expensive and/or insurance will not cover it. Early intervention funding is being slashed left and right. But evidently there's plenty of cash to fund these studies and commercials equating autism with dying in a car accident (re:Autism Speaks.)

But hey, I guess it will out okay when I get my million from the lawsuits in oh, 20 years.

Also, most peds doctors are not trained to recognize the signs of autism earlier. the sooner the treatment the better off, for the child. My sons first doctor just kept telling me he would eventually start talking, had to push for referrals to a specialist

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by ivanaBEEaRN

Also, most peds doctors are not trained to recognize the signs of autism earlier. the sooner the treatment the better off, for the child. My sons first doctor just kept telling me he would eventually start talking, had to push for referrals to a specialist

Yes, it makes me sad to know that peds are still telling parents ''let's wait and see''. Excuse me, but wait for what? Till they age out of early intervention? That is what my son's ped said to me 12 years ago. I will never forgive myself for listening to him.

[HM2Viking]

Originally Posted by ivanaBEEaRN

Also, most peds doctors are not trained to recognize the signs of autism earlier. the sooner the treatment the better off, for the child. My sons first doctor just kept telling me he would eventually start talking, had to push for referrals to a specialist

My wife is working on a project called First Signs (Goal is to recognize autism and other developmental delays earlier). One of her greatest struggles has been in getting the local Docs to implement a standardized screener. (You would be amazed at the number of spectrum kids who have "developing normally" entered for years on end in the health record.)

Anyway, probably the most important thing that you can do is to encourage parents to contact their local school district and ASK FOR ASSESSMENT. DON"T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER! There are some standardized online screeners out there. I think for 10 dollars you can have a report generated that you can use to have a conversation with your Doctor or School District. Also another assessment resource is to contact your state department of health and ask if they hold Developmental Clinics.

[geekgolightly]

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

http://pediatrics.aappublications.or...ract/112/3/604

Here is a Danish study that showed that Autism rates increased after the removal of thimerosol from vaccines.......

as was pointed out earlier, this study is flawed. they began to include outpatients after they stopped thimerosal


the thing is, the best most valid research would be abusive. i think with all of the warnings out there, and i've looked at both "sides" the only thing that makes sense to me is to continue withholding thimerosal from vaccines and even introducing single dose vials of the flu shot etc, because the chance that there is a link is far too great to ignore.

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

My wife is working on a project called First Signs (Goal is to recognize autism and other developmental delays earlier). One of her greatest struggles has been in getting the local Docs to implement a standardized screener. (You would be amazed at the number of spectrum kids who have "developing normally" entered for years on end in the health record.)

Anyway, probably the most important thing that you can do is to encourage parents to contact their local school district and ASK FOR ASSESSMENT. DON"T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER! There are some standardized online screeners out there. I think for 10 dollars you can have a report generated that you can use to have a conversation with your Doctor or School District. Also another assessment resource is to contact your state department of health and ask if they hold Developmental Clinics.

In California and some other states, the school district doesn't start providing services until age 3, just late enough to have aged out of the early intervention services offered by the Department of Developmental Services.

[HM2Viking]

Originally Posted by mercyteapot

In California and some other states, the school district doesn't start providing services until age 3, just late enough to have aged out of the early intervention services offered by the Department of Developmental Services.

I know that in Mn our school districts are mandated to provide services to infants with identified special education needs. Federal IDEA requires early intervention and assessment by the states. (SInce 1993).

Please look at http://www.pai-ca.org/Pubs/505201.htm. (This appears to mandate California to provide services to infants and toddlers under age three.)

The former Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was amended by PL 99-457 to establish important rights and essential services for young children with disabilities ages birth through 5 years and their families. The name of the Act was later changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). P.L. 99-457 added Part C, formerly known as Part H, to IDEA to govern the early intervention program for infants and toddlers, aged birth through 2 years. Part C went into effect in California October 1993. Statutes and regulations to implement the law are now in effect at both the federal and state levels. [20 United States Code (U.S.C.) Secs. 1431 – 1445; 34 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Sec. 303.1 – 303.670; California Education (Cal. Ed.) Code Sec. 59425 – 56432; California Government (Cal. Gov.) Code Sec. 95000 – 95030; 17 California Code of Regulations (C.C.R.) Sec. 52000 – 52175.]

Referrals:
A referral for early intervention services must be made to the regional center or school district. The referral may be made orally or in writing by the parent, a doctor, or any other service provider. A brief letter or phone call describing the child’s needs and making your request for early intervention services is sufficient to initiate the assessment process.

If a school district or regional service center ever refuses to assess a child from my reading of the extended discussion they are in violation of the law. I stand by my earlier assertion DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER from the school district. Unfortunately, as parents we have to be our children's strongest advocate when the system fails to meet its obligations. (Full disclosure I have a daughter who has apraxia so I know full well the challenges of the special education referral process.) Sorry that this has been so long but I thought that it was really important to bring forth the requirements that IDEA puts on the states and School Districts.

[HM2Viking]

Here is the link to the FIRST SIGNS project.....
http://www.firstsigns.org/

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

I know that in Mn our school districts are mandated to provide services to infants with identified special education needs. Federal IDEA requires early intervention and assessment by the states. (SInce 1993).

Please look at http://www.pai-ca.org/Pubs/505201.htm. (This appears to mandate California to provide services to infants and toddlers under age three.)

The former Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was amended by PL 99-457 to establish important rights and essential services for young children with disabilities ages birth through 5 years and their families. The name of the Act was later changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). P.L. 99-457 added Part C, formerly known as Part H, to IDEA to govern the early intervention program for infants and toddlers, aged birth through 2 years. Part C went into effect in California October 1993. Statutes and regulations to implement the law are now in effect at both the federal and state levels. [20 United States Code (U.S.C.) Secs. 1431 – 1445; 34 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Sec. 303.1 – 303.670; California Education (Cal. Ed.) Code Sec. 59425 – 56432; California Government (Cal. Gov.) Code Sec. 95000 – 95030; 17 California Code of Regulations (C.C.R.) Sec. 52000 – 52175.]

Referrals:
A referral for early intervention services must be made to the regional center or school district. The referral may be made orally or in writing by the parent, a doctor, or any other service provider. A brief letter or phone call describing the child’s needs and making your request for early intervention services is sufficient to initiate the assessment process.

If a school district or regional service center ever refuses to assess a child from my reading of the extended discussion they are in violation of the law. I stand by my earlier assertion DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER from the school district. Unfortunately, as parents we have to be our children's strongest advocate when the system fails to meet its obligations. (Full disclosure I have a daughter who has apraxia so I know full well the challenges of the special education referral process.) Sorry that this has been so long but I thought that it was really important to bring forth the requirements that IDEA puts on the states and School Districts.

Oh, California does provide early intervention services, including assessments. It is just that in this state, those services are initiated via the Department of Developmental Services, through Regional Centers for Developmental Disabilities, rather than through the school districts. To further complicate thingsm though, many school districts do contract with the DDS to deliver services, so it is right royal convoluted mess. One with which a confused and often overwhelmed parent shouldn't have to deal. Oh, btw, I remember at a meeting our state's Interagency Coordinating Council showed the First Signs video and discussed how it was being used in New Jersey and claimed they wanted to start using it here. That was 5 years ago... that's how efficient the system here is... sigh.

[HM2Viking]

Originally Posted by mercyteapot

Oh, btw, I remember at a meeting our state's Interagency Coordinating Council showed the First Signs video and discussed how it was being used in New Jersey and claimed they wanted to start using it here. That was 5 years ago... that's how efficient the system here is... sigh.

My wife has had tremendous succcess bringing First Signs to the Mankato MN area. Unfortunately, it takes a dedicated professional several presentations to "sell" the medical establishment on screening kids with norm standardized screeners. Bringing first signs to its full potential is probably a generational project. *sigh*. I want you to know as a professional with extensive experience working with developmentally disabled clients that I am equally frustrated by the slow progress in getting effective and prompt early intervention strategies in place for all children. Please send me a private message (PM) or email me through my profile page and I will get you connected with my wife and I am sure that she would be able to write out the strategy that she has used to get First signs going.

Please do not include personal email addies in post