As you may know, next Wednesday, April 2nd has been designated 'World Autism Awareness Day'. Events intended to share the knowledge about Autism have been planned world-wide. Island Autism Moms (IAM) has arranged to have two tables set up, one at T&C and the other in front of Lollipops from 9 am until 4 pm. We will be handing out balloons, flowers, Autism Speaks pamphlets, research materials, and display books for children and adults. This isn't about raising funds or collecting signatures, it's about raising Autism awareness.
Please come join us to show your support for this amazing day of national recognition for a disorder that now affects 1 in 150 children. If would like to help out on World Autism Awareness Day, please email Carie Bude at catb@IAM-HOPE.org or visit us on April 2nd, enjoy a flower and balloon and show your support for the those touched by Autism.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Letter to Bainbridge Island School District
Please contact me if you are interested in supporting this effort! catb113@comcast.net
As parents and advocates of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Bainbridge Island School District, we write to express the need for a comprehensive early intervention program including a developmental kindergarten for our children. In the fall of 2008, approximately 22 special needs preschoolers will be making a transition to kindergarten. Many of these children have profound social/emotional deficits that require a specialized educational setting featuring highly qualified special education teachers with experience and training in this complicated disorder.
The Center for Disease Control reports that 1 in 150 children in the United States are diagnosed with ASD. ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability in the nation, with an annual growth rate of 10-17%. We need to be proactive and focus on early intervention during the critical developmental years in which the potential for progress is greatest. A 2001 London School of Economics study projected that the cost of lifelong care could be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention. In the long run, early intervention saves dollars.
Highly regarded professionals including Stephan Glass, M.D. a Seattle area neurologist who specializes in treating children with ASD are of the professional opinion that neither a regular kindergarten with some support nor a self contained special education setting without neurotypical peers are appropriate options for children with ASD. These children require a kindergarten setting tailored to their special needs with the following features: 1) low teacher to student ratio, 2) special education teacher with experience and current training in ASD, 3) social skills and self regulation focus, 4) exposure to neurotypical peers.
Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) in Bellevue and the Experimental Education Unit (EEU) in Seattle offer state of the art programs for ASD children. The Bainbridge Island School District needs to examine other successful educational program models and create a comprehensive plan for this special needs population.
We, as parents and advocates of these special needs children in the Bainbridge Island School District, need to see the District focusing on best practices and research-based strategies. The November 27, 2007 front-page article published in the Wall Street Journal, reports that parents of children with ASD are not advocating mainstreaming in the public schools. We share the concern raised by other ASD professionals that the combination of noise, visual over stimulation, complicated social setting, and inability to provide individualized educational programming, can make typical classrooms unbearable for children with autism and quite possibly lead to regression. Not to mention the disruptions our children with ASD can create for general education teachers and students.
We urge the District to take action in a timely fashion in order to meet the staffing and planning requirements necessary to serve this population. We would like to work collaboratively with the District to create an optimal comprehensive curriculum plan that will meet the public educational needs of these children.
As parents and advocates of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Bainbridge Island School District, we write to express the need for a comprehensive early intervention program including a developmental kindergarten for our children. In the fall of 2008, approximately 22 special needs preschoolers will be making a transition to kindergarten. Many of these children have profound social/emotional deficits that require a specialized educational setting featuring highly qualified special education teachers with experience and training in this complicated disorder.
The Center for Disease Control reports that 1 in 150 children in the United States are diagnosed with ASD. ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability in the nation, with an annual growth rate of 10-17%. We need to be proactive and focus on early intervention during the critical developmental years in which the potential for progress is greatest. A 2001 London School of Economics study projected that the cost of lifelong care could be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention. In the long run, early intervention saves dollars.
Highly regarded professionals including Stephan Glass, M.D. a Seattle area neurologist who specializes in treating children with ASD are of the professional opinion that neither a regular kindergarten with some support nor a self contained special education setting without neurotypical peers are appropriate options for children with ASD. These children require a kindergarten setting tailored to their special needs with the following features: 1) low teacher to student ratio, 2) special education teacher with experience and current training in ASD, 3) social skills and self regulation focus, 4) exposure to neurotypical peers.
Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) in Bellevue and the Experimental Education Unit (EEU) in Seattle offer state of the art programs for ASD children. The Bainbridge Island School District needs to examine other successful educational program models and create a comprehensive plan for this special needs population.
We, as parents and advocates of these special needs children in the Bainbridge Island School District, need to see the District focusing on best practices and research-based strategies. The November 27, 2007 front-page article published in the Wall Street Journal, reports that parents of children with ASD are not advocating mainstreaming in the public schools. We share the concern raised by other ASD professionals that the combination of noise, visual over stimulation, complicated social setting, and inability to provide individualized educational programming, can make typical classrooms unbearable for children with autism and quite possibly lead to regression. Not to mention the disruptions our children with ASD can create for general education teachers and students.
We urge the District to take action in a timely fashion in order to meet the staffing and planning requirements necessary to serve this population. We would like to work collaboratively with the District to create an optimal comprehensive curriculum plan that will meet the public educational needs of these children.
More on Going-Gluten-Free!
Island Autism Moms February 27, 2008
Going Gluten-Free continued….
I have never heard of a child with ASD not benefiting from a change in diet. Gluten is responsible across the board for many varying neurological and gastro-intestinal disorders (ASD, ADD, ADHD, Celiac disease, psychological irregularities and metabolic disorders, to name a few.) When a parent ‘tries’ going-gluten-free and feels it does not help their child, it is my feeling that they either didn’t give it a chance (sometimes takes up to 9-18 months to see improvement) they gave up because most often their kids get ‘worse’ after beginning the diet, or they are not careful about implementing the elimination of gluten.
Here are some tips about truly going GLUTEN-FREE:
Please read the cross-contamination pointers about home food-prep on the blog. It will take a while to set up a gluten-free prep area at home, but soon it will be second nature!
Be aware of cross-contamination of gluten-free items found in bakeries, cafes and grocery stores. Remember, there is a difference between ‘’gluten-free’ and no-gluten-added (or gluten-less) food items. If a food item is marked by a manufacturer as ‘gluten-free’ it has been ‘certified’ that it does not contain any gluten ingredients AND was produced in a gluten-free production facility.
For example—locally Black Bird Bakery often makes what they label ‘gluten-free’ scones, biscuits, cookies, brownies, etc. BUT these were made on the same counters, bowls and ovens that wheat, oat, bran etc, flour items were produced. Even in the best kitchens—cross contamination is tricky, so please be careful and wary of trusting an unwrapped food item in a non-gluten free facility to be truly gluten-free! Also, keep in mind that gluten-free is not also dairy, milk, butter, casein free, so check ALL of the ingredients in anything that you are planning to give your child that you did not personally make yourself.
That said, here are some sneaky ingredients that can interfere with going-gluten-free:
Candy: Wheat is used as a thickener in many gummy-type and licorice-like candies. Candies are often produced on machinery or counters that are dusted with flour—and the companies making the candy are not obligated to disclose the use of flour as a non-stick surface agent, only if it is used as an ingredient.
Caramel Color: beware if it is made of malt syrup or starch hydrolysates. (malt sneaks its way into rice-milk and beverages and many cereals!)
Dextrin: Found in hot-dogs, pasta sauce and processed foods. Sometimes made from corn or potatoes, but also wheat.
French Fries: In packages, wheat is often used as a browning or crisping agent. Read the label! In restaurants fried foods share the same batch of oil; breaded items, and floured items contaminate the oil.
HVP or Hydrolyzed Veg. Protein: Found in canned mixed foods; soups, sausages and hot dogs and OFTEN INJECTED IN TURKEY.
Modified Food Starch: Often derived from wheat and found in processed foods as a thickener.
Rice Syrup: Beware of malt in it!
Vinegar: Found in many condiments-ketchup, mustard, mayo, salsa…not to mention pickled foods. Only properly distilled vinegar is acceptable (vinegar is derived from fermented grains) or apple cider, rice, wine and fruit vinegars are ‘safe’. Don’t forget to read your salsa labels!
Other foods to consider avoiding or reading labels: Most contain wheat or grain:
· Soy sauce
· ‘natural flavorings’
· Bouillon cubes and flavorings
· Spices and table salt—some contained anti-clumping agents derived from wheat
· Corn starch and Powdered sugar-same reason as above
· Liquid Baking flavorings that contain alcohol: vanilla, almond, maple, orange, etc.
REMEMBER:
1. Read labels
2. Look for ‘hidden’ ingredients
3. Be skeptical unless an item is certified ‘gluten-free’.
4. Even if a food does not contain gluten, did it come down the same conveyor belt as a food that does or was the machinery cleaned thoroughly between batches? Was it made on the same counter or by hands handling gluten foods?
5. When ordering at a restaurant, do they fully understand the precautions required to avoid gluten?
6. When in doubt—be conservative! It’s worth it!
7. Try to stay positive! Don’t think elimination—think substitution! We live in a time when there are great ingredients, stores and resources!
SUGGESTION:
Keep a food diary or chart:
1. Note changes both positive and negative behaviors such as:
++ Increase in Verbalization
++ Better processing of instruction and information
++ Calmer more regulated, easier to soothe
++ Clearer, less ‘zoning’ or stimming
--Aggression
-- Anxiety
--Hyperactivity
--Rocking, head banging, flapping…..
2. Note physical changes such as:
Upset stomach, stomach pain, diarrhea, regularity, appetite, sleep, etc
3. Give each item a measurable ‘grade’ each day for a realistic evaluation.
Resources:
Living Well Without Wheat, The Gluten-Free Gourmet by Bette Hagma
Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa Lewis
Going Gluten-Free continued….
I have never heard of a child with ASD not benefiting from a change in diet. Gluten is responsible across the board for many varying neurological and gastro-intestinal disorders (ASD, ADD, ADHD, Celiac disease, psychological irregularities and metabolic disorders, to name a few.) When a parent ‘tries’ going-gluten-free and feels it does not help their child, it is my feeling that they either didn’t give it a chance (sometimes takes up to 9-18 months to see improvement) they gave up because most often their kids get ‘worse’ after beginning the diet, or they are not careful about implementing the elimination of gluten.
Here are some tips about truly going GLUTEN-FREE:
Please read the cross-contamination pointers about home food-prep on the blog. It will take a while to set up a gluten-free prep area at home, but soon it will be second nature!
Be aware of cross-contamination of gluten-free items found in bakeries, cafes and grocery stores. Remember, there is a difference between ‘’gluten-free’ and no-gluten-added (or gluten-less) food items. If a food item is marked by a manufacturer as ‘gluten-free’ it has been ‘certified’ that it does not contain any gluten ingredients AND was produced in a gluten-free production facility.
For example—locally Black Bird Bakery often makes what they label ‘gluten-free’ scones, biscuits, cookies, brownies, etc. BUT these were made on the same counters, bowls and ovens that wheat, oat, bran etc, flour items were produced. Even in the best kitchens—cross contamination is tricky, so please be careful and wary of trusting an unwrapped food item in a non-gluten free facility to be truly gluten-free! Also, keep in mind that gluten-free is not also dairy, milk, butter, casein free, so check ALL of the ingredients in anything that you are planning to give your child that you did not personally make yourself.
That said, here are some sneaky ingredients that can interfere with going-gluten-free:
Candy: Wheat is used as a thickener in many gummy-type and licorice-like candies. Candies are often produced on machinery or counters that are dusted with flour—and the companies making the candy are not obligated to disclose the use of flour as a non-stick surface agent, only if it is used as an ingredient.
Caramel Color: beware if it is made of malt syrup or starch hydrolysates. (malt sneaks its way into rice-milk and beverages and many cereals!)
Dextrin: Found in hot-dogs, pasta sauce and processed foods. Sometimes made from corn or potatoes, but also wheat.
French Fries: In packages, wheat is often used as a browning or crisping agent. Read the label! In restaurants fried foods share the same batch of oil; breaded items, and floured items contaminate the oil.
HVP or Hydrolyzed Veg. Protein: Found in canned mixed foods; soups, sausages and hot dogs and OFTEN INJECTED IN TURKEY.
Modified Food Starch: Often derived from wheat and found in processed foods as a thickener.
Rice Syrup: Beware of malt in it!
Vinegar: Found in many condiments-ketchup, mustard, mayo, salsa…not to mention pickled foods. Only properly distilled vinegar is acceptable (vinegar is derived from fermented grains) or apple cider, rice, wine and fruit vinegars are ‘safe’. Don’t forget to read your salsa labels!
Other foods to consider avoiding or reading labels: Most contain wheat or grain:
· Soy sauce
· ‘natural flavorings’
· Bouillon cubes and flavorings
· Spices and table salt—some contained anti-clumping agents derived from wheat
· Corn starch and Powdered sugar-same reason as above
· Liquid Baking flavorings that contain alcohol: vanilla, almond, maple, orange, etc.
REMEMBER:
1. Read labels
2. Look for ‘hidden’ ingredients
3. Be skeptical unless an item is certified ‘gluten-free’.
4. Even if a food does not contain gluten, did it come down the same conveyor belt as a food that does or was the machinery cleaned thoroughly between batches? Was it made on the same counter or by hands handling gluten foods?
5. When ordering at a restaurant, do they fully understand the precautions required to avoid gluten?
6. When in doubt—be conservative! It’s worth it!
7. Try to stay positive! Don’t think elimination—think substitution! We live in a time when there are great ingredients, stores and resources!
SUGGESTION:
Keep a food diary or chart:
1. Note changes both positive and negative behaviors such as:
++ Increase in Verbalization
++ Better processing of instruction and information
++ Calmer more regulated, easier to soothe
++ Clearer, less ‘zoning’ or stimming
--Aggression
-- Anxiety
--Hyperactivity
--Rocking, head banging, flapping…..
2. Note physical changes such as:
Upset stomach, stomach pain, diarrhea, regularity, appetite, sleep, etc
3. Give each item a measurable ‘grade’ each day for a realistic evaluation.
Resources:
Living Well Without Wheat, The Gluten-Free Gourmet by Bette Hagma
Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa Lewis
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sensory Integration Presentation
Free Presentation for parents, teachers and caregivers
“Practical Solutions to Manage Sensory Integration Issues”
February 21st, Thursday 7:00-8:00
Time for individual questions and sharing afterward
presented by:
Catherine M Whiting, MS, OTR/L
13881 John Street NE
Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110
directions: www.CatherineWhiting.com
No children, please
RSVP preferred.
“Practical Solutions to Manage Sensory Integration Issues”
February 21st, Thursday 7:00-8:00
Time for individual questions and sharing afterward
presented by:
Catherine M Whiting, MS, OTR/L
13881 John Street NE
Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110
directions: www.CatherineWhiting.com
No children, please
RSVP preferred.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Help with Kitchen Cross-Contamination
Tips below were listed on the Gluten-Free Forum website. Since we haven't been able to have detailed discussions about cross-contamination, you may find these ideas informative.
Here are cross-contamination potential issues:
1. Replace toaster/toaster oven. Never use the same toaster/oven that gluten products have been used in.
2. Replace all cutting boards. Old boards may be kept separate for use with gluten foods.
3. Replace wooden or Teflon cooking utensils. Old utensils may be kept separate for use with gluten foods.
4. Replace porous pots/pans/skillets. Teflon and cast iron are porous and retain gluten from past cooking.
5. Replace pans with seams. Past gluten products can easily be retained in the seam.
6.Never wash gluten and gluten-free dishes in the same dish water.
7.Use disposable rags/sponges if your kitchen is not totally gluten-free.
8. Many issues one forgets to look at: can openers colanders pets (food, licking) stamps, envelopes stamp hinges (for collectors) lipstick toothpaste
9. Very important: silver drawer: there are always crumbs there.
10. shared tables, like at work. I frequently sit down to have lunch & find someone else's sandwich crumbs all over.
11. Perhaps remembering to wash your hands before eating finger food. I know our moms always told us to do this, but it's easy to forget. There are so many potential contaminants in the house, especially for those of us with pets or kids, that you might not even realize you've touched something that's potentially dangerous.
12. bulk bins at the grocery: it has one of the most cross-contaminated potential. One has to ask the owners to put some aside when they have a new bag.
13. At school: Gym class was held in the multi-purpose room (lunchroom) where kids had just eaten breakfast. Custodians swept the floor after breakfast, but didn't wash it. My son crawled around on the floor during gym class, wiggled his loose teeth...gluten. Kids met for chess club in the library during lunch, so they ate their lunch in the library. Crumbs on the carpet get on little fingers. Kids eat snacks in the hallways. Crumbs get tracked into the classroom. Five year olds spent a lot of time crawling on the floor. Some brands of play "clay" (ex. Rose Art) contain gluten. Some finger paints also do. Check out all art supplies used in the art room and in the classroom.
14. the conveyor belts at the checkout counters in supermarkets: for ex.: leaking flour bags, etc
Ideas from others: I have color-coded all the gluten-free stuff and have separate drawers and cupboard areas for my pans, cooking utensils, plastic ware, etc. I also have a separate storage area for my pasta, flours, etc. I know that I am lucky to have a kitchen that allows this. I gather that some people just make their entire kitchen gluten-free, and I would like to do that, so I wouldn't always be having to clean the buttons on the microwave and the handle of the refrigerator, but I think they'd really revolt. So I just try to be super-careful, and never lay anything down on a counter without a paper towel or a plate under it, even on the counter that is the gluten-free area.
Information can be found on http://www.celiac.com/ under the Gluten-Free Forum
Here are cross-contamination potential issues:
1. Replace toaster/toaster oven. Never use the same toaster/oven that gluten products have been used in.
2. Replace all cutting boards. Old boards may be kept separate for use with gluten foods.
3. Replace wooden or Teflon cooking utensils. Old utensils may be kept separate for use with gluten foods.
4. Replace porous pots/pans/skillets. Teflon and cast iron are porous and retain gluten from past cooking.
5. Replace pans with seams. Past gluten products can easily be retained in the seam.
6.Never wash gluten and gluten-free dishes in the same dish water.
7.Use disposable rags/sponges if your kitchen is not totally gluten-free.
8. Many issues one forgets to look at: can openers colanders pets (food, licking) stamps, envelopes stamp hinges (for collectors) lipstick toothpaste
9. Very important: silver drawer: there are always crumbs there.
10. shared tables, like at work. I frequently sit down to have lunch & find someone else's sandwich crumbs all over.
11. Perhaps remembering to wash your hands before eating finger food. I know our moms always told us to do this, but it's easy to forget. There are so many potential contaminants in the house, especially for those of us with pets or kids, that you might not even realize you've touched something that's potentially dangerous.
12. bulk bins at the grocery: it has one of the most cross-contaminated potential. One has to ask the owners to put some aside when they have a new bag.
13. At school: Gym class was held in the multi-purpose room (lunchroom) where kids had just eaten breakfast. Custodians swept the floor after breakfast, but didn't wash it. My son crawled around on the floor during gym class, wiggled his loose teeth...gluten. Kids met for chess club in the library during lunch, so they ate their lunch in the library. Crumbs on the carpet get on little fingers. Kids eat snacks in the hallways. Crumbs get tracked into the classroom. Five year olds spent a lot of time crawling on the floor. Some brands of play "clay" (ex. Rose Art) contain gluten. Some finger paints also do. Check out all art supplies used in the art room and in the classroom.
14. the conveyor belts at the checkout counters in supermarkets: for ex.: leaking flour bags, etc
- Don't use the same cloth to wipe both 'gluten' work tops and the 'gluten free' area. Use separate cloth kitchen towels [or disposable ones] for your gluten-free area in kitchen.
- Rinse off ordinary breadcrumbs or ordinary flour sauce before putting items in dishwasher.
- Gluten crumbs on the floor [crawling toddlers, pets transfer]
- Can opener [have a separate one for gluten-free]
Ideas from others: I have color-coded all the gluten-free stuff and have separate drawers and cupboard areas for my pans, cooking utensils, plastic ware, etc. I also have a separate storage area for my pasta, flours, etc. I know that I am lucky to have a kitchen that allows this. I gather that some people just make their entire kitchen gluten-free, and I would like to do that, so I wouldn't always be having to clean the buttons on the microwave and the handle of the refrigerator, but I think they'd really revolt. So I just try to be super-careful, and never lay anything down on a counter without a paper towel or a plate under it, even on the counter that is the gluten-free area.
Information can be found on http://www.celiac.com/ under the Gluten-Free Forum
Friday, January 25, 2008
Interesting Reading
Both Discovery Magazine and Harvard Magazine (an alumni publication) published excellent articles focusing on Autism during the month of January. I hope you take time to read them!
Autism: It's Not Just in the Head
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/apr/autism-it2019s-not-just-in-the-head
A Spectrum of Disorders
http://harvardmagazine.com/2008/01/a-spectrum-of-disorders.html
Autism: It's Not Just in the Head
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/apr/autism-it2019s-not-just-in-the-head
A Spectrum of Disorders
http://harvardmagazine.com/2008/01/a-spectrum-of-disorders.html
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