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Sunday, 28 June 2009 21:30 |
New sports program geared toward youngsters with autism disorders Program geared toward youngsters with autism disorders
By JEFF MEYERS
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH — Wearing bright-yellow T-shirts with their team name emblazoned in orange and blue print, the MVP Kids hustled about the playing field with unbridled enthusiasm.
They were learning the game of baseball, but more importantly, they were learning how to play, cooperate and interact with one another while sharing a common goal — to have fun.
The kids, ages 5 through 8, were participating in a newly created sports league for children with autism spectrum disorders.
The idea is to help them become involved in group activities that they might otherwise shy away from.
"Most of these children don't care to be active or to go outside," said Katie Bond, who has coordinated the process for setting up the unique program.
"Being on a county or town team is difficult for them. Here, there is no judgment placed on them." |
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Thursday, 02 July 2009 21:30 |
Parents scramble for child care  Pyramids Child Center closing leaves nearly 200 children without provider
By STEPHEN BARTLETT
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH — Megan Morrissey-Kelly held out hope Pyramids Child Development Center would stay open.
But she learned otherwise Thursday morning, and starting at 7 a.m., scrambled to find another child-care option for her 4-year-old son, Declan.
By 10 a.m., all she had was one interview.
"Everything is waiting lists."
On Wednesday, a judge removed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from Pyramids, which is owned by Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli. Drowning in more than $1 million in outstanding debt, the center will no longer provide child care or services for children with special needs. |
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Wednesday, 01 July 2009 23:06 |
Pyramids Center to close
Judge lifts protection from Chapter 11
By JOE LoTEMPLIO
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH — Beset by financial woes, Pyramids Child Development Center will be closing, disrupting child-care and special-needs services for hundreds of local families.
The move comes after a judge Wednesday removed the protection of Chapter 11 from the center, freeing creditors to seek debts owed by Pyramids.
"We are all deeply saddened by this turn of events," Pyramids Executive Director Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli said in an e-mail to the Press-Republican. |
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Monday, 29 June 2009 15:24 |
NATIONAL AUTISM ASSOCIATION TEAMS UP WITH 12 ORGANIZATIONS TO END ABUSIVE RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION IN SCHOOLSNIXA, MO – The National Autism Association (NAA) along with 12 other organizations launched a campaign this week to spur letter writing and raise awareness about dangerous restraint and seclusion practices in schools. The initiative comes on the heels of the May 19th GAO Report that revealed no federal laws regulating restraint and seclusion in schools, no laws in 19 states, and “widely divergent” laws in remaining states.
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Tuesday, 16 June 2009 06:13 |
NATIONAL AUTISM ASSOCIATION'S FAMILY FIRST PROGRAM NOW PROVIDING FREE TOOLS TO HELP COMBAT AUTISM DIVORCE RATES NIXA, MO – The National Autism Association (NAA) announced today it will provide relationship-coaching tools at no charge to qualifying couples who have a child with autism. In response to the rise in divorce within the autism community, the NAA's Family First Program was developed in 2007 to provide funds to couples in need of marriage counseling. Now the organization is providing tools to anyone in need of relationship help. “Couples in need will receive a book and DVD presentation at no charge,” says NAA Executive Director Rita Shreffler. “These tools are filled with unique marital tips and relatable stories for couples that have a child with autism.” |
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Monday, 15 June 2009 06:17 |
Social Skill Problems - Why Your Child Has Social Skills Difficulties & What to Do About Itby Isa MarrsSocial skills difficulties sneak up on most parents. Suddenly the child who had played alongside the other kids is now feeling isolated and unable to make friends.
This happens because of how quickly social interactions change once a child moves out of toddler-hood. While being able to take turns was once enough, now the child must be able to:
- Grasp the nuances of both verbal and non-verbal language.
- Distinguish between literal and non-literal language.
And while we take it for granted, this is not an easy thing to do.
The worst part of the whole thing is that these children want to make friends. They just do not know how to make or keep friends.
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Thursday, 11 June 2009 06:23 |
Types of Autism - The Different Types of Autismby Caleb LiuThere are five distinct types of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) that are considered to be related to Autism because of the neuro development portions that have been identified under the Autism Spectrum. They are Autism Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS). Each of the five disorders are classified as pervasive in nature rather than Specific Development Disorders (SDD) because they are characterized by multiple disabilities in a variety of areas rather than focused on one particular issue. Let's take a brief look at each of the five types of Autism on an individual level. While many of the characteristics may be similar, the differences are distinct enough for them to fall under different categories. |
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Friday, 05 June 2009 11:13 |
Integrated 4 Part Therapy for Autismby Phil Bate, PhDIntegrated 4 Part Therapy for Autism There seem to be hundreds of therapies for autism on the market today and "on the market" seems to be the reason - money. However, there is no real integration of any of these therapies and little information for the "poor" parents with an autistic child (and "poor" is often correct as autism is a "bankrupting disease"). There are four different basic problems with four different therapies needed to solve them and work towards any cure or improvements. These are: |
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Wednesday, 20 May 2009 09:34 |
A Parent's Introduction To Aspergers Syndromeby Judson GreenmanAspergers Syndrome (AS) is in the category of developmental disorders of the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) that is under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders or PDD. It is different from Autism because there is not a specific delay of language or cognitive development, but does share the clumsiness (tripping, bumping, dropping things, etc.) aspects, although these are not particular to the diagnosis. Why call it Aspergers? It is named after Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger who, in 1944, described children in his practice who lacked nonverbal communication skills, failed to demonstrate empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy. It is sometimes referred to as a high functioning autism. |
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Tuesday, 19 May 2009 07:00 |
NATIONAL AUTISM ASSOCIATION PROVIDES FUNDS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN STAUNTON, VIRGINIA AND SUMMIT COUNTY, UTAH FOR PROJECT LIFESAVER EQUIPMENT RALEIGH/DURHAM, NC – The National Autism Association (NAA) announced today it has awarded grants to two more law enforcement agencies for Project Lifesaver Equipment through the organization's FOUND Program. Staunton, Virginia Police Department and Summit County Utah Sheriff's Department will both receive grants for $6800 for the equipment, which includes five wristbands for children with autism at high risk for wandering. FOUND was developed by NAA to counter the rise in wandering-related deaths among children with autism spectrum disorders. |
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