ButterflyEffects.com Feed

Gluten Free Casein Free Diet

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:06:08 GMT

We are about to try this with my son - he isn't diagnosed autistic, just developmentally delayed and SPD -but I don't know what else to try at this point. I hate to say this, but he has become intolerable to everyone who knows him. He is 3 years old, and really a very sweet kid - plays nice with his siblings, shares, very gentle and affectionate - however his hyperactivity is driving me nuts! Any attempts to curb his behavior result in total meltdowns. He is happy to spend most of his day alone in his room... but HE'S THREE! I just can't feel okay about letting him do that, especially because I believe he needs the interaction but he is SO hyper he can't seem to focus and I really just dread him waking up in the morning and look forward to putting him to bed at night. I want to enjoy my son again. Sorry this turned into a vent, I had some questions though.

The gfcf can that help other children other then children with autism?

do I need to worry about the gluten withdrawal? if so how can I prevent or minimize that?

A strong willed child

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:46:51 GMT

By 1212 on Sep 24 8:46 pm

I am working with a strong willed child...

Currently I am going to her daycare to see her, she is 4 years old.

Issues:

She has a problem with nap time in school and following prompts from her teachers

She steal's other people's food, and actively gorges on food

Last week I worked with her for 4 hours. I put her in timeout for not follow directions several times and systematically explain to her what she needs to do in timeout and behavior I expect when she goes back in her classroom. She will complete her timeout and go back to not having acceptable behavior for the teachers. She also scartched and bit me during that time. I dont believe timeout is working for this child. I asked the mother if she could keep her home once a week from daycare so I can work with her independently like I did for her brother for a couple months to get him on track with the daycare routine of following prompts. The mother flat out said "NO!!!"

I never had a problem working with this child until I started going to the school. Please help, I am open for suggestions.

Behavior Analysis CEU event at UM

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:18:53 GMT

By agutierrez on Jul 28 10:18 am

The University of Miami is presenting a CEU event for Behavior Analysts on August 15th from 1 to 4 p.m.

The event is titled Assessment and Intervention Targeting Joint Attention Skills for
Young Children with Autism and will offer 3 ceus for $45.

Registration is required so please call 305.284.5263

Anibal Gutierrez, Ph.D., BCBA

Three of Hearts Foundation for Autism

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:49:54 GMT

By cfadmin on Jul 7 11:49 am

Please check out this website for assistance as well as making donations:

Three of Hearts

http://3ofhearts.org/foundation_004.htm

Email: autismsupport@3ofhearts.org

Bring your team together.

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:51:49 GMT

By jpignatiello on Jun 30 11:51 am

I just wanted to share that I have been seeing a great success with many children who have a true team approach to the therapies they are receiving. Parents, try to bring your team together as much as possible, talk to the members of the team and fill out consent forms where needed to be sure that your team is working together. Bringing school, behavior, speech, OT and the various doctors involved with your child together can make the world of difference when it comes to progress.

"Graduating Peter" Documentary on Inclusive Education

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:56:56 GMT

By tmills on Jun 23 5:56 pm

There is a very well made documentary showing a great model of inclusion. Film makers shadowed Peter, a young boy with Down's Syndrome from grade 3 through high school graduation. It is on HBO Family, showing again this Thursday. I recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about inclusion.

Sibling Rivalry

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:37:23 GMT

By jpignatiello on Jun 9 9:37 pm

http://www1.wsvn.com/features/articles/parent/MI86201/

There is a video clip with the news report as well. Sibling rivalry is so common and is coming up quite a bit when talking to parents.

Urge YOUR Representative to Support the Sestak Amendment!

Mon, 19 May 2008 16:41:10 GMT

By cfudge on May 19 4:41 pm

Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen.

Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-7) has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that will help military families with an individual with autism receive additional funding for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. This amendment will raise the monthly cap for ABA therapy from $2,500 to $5,000 a month.

Why Should YOU Take Action? Passage of this amendment is not just important to military families, though. Providing increased funding for autism therapies for military families will have far reaching effects for non-military families who are currently fighting for autism insurance reform in many states accross the country.

Action Needed:

1. CALL YOUR Congressional Representative and encourage their support for the Sestak Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act! Not sure who to call? Find out HERE!

Make sure you let them know that you are THEIR constituent
Let them know if you are member of a military family
If you are not a member of a military family, PLEASE still make this call and let them know how important passage of this amendment is to you, YOUR family, and the millions of families across the country struggling to cope with the financial burdens of autism without ANY help from private insurance!

2. Click to EMAIL YOUR Congressional Representative with the same message! The email is all set up. All you need to do is type in your address, add your own words (optional) and hit send!

Thank you for taking action on this important issue!

Elizabeth Emken
Vice President, Government Relations
Autism Speaks

Toys for Autism

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:43:48 GMT

By Tammi.Aldrink on Apr 8 3:43 pm

Toys 'R' Us second annual fundraising campaign benefits Autism Speaks, the nation's leading organization dedicated to facilitating research that will uncover the causes of, develop treatments for and discover a cure for autism. Through May 2, Toys 'R' Us will collect cash donations in all 585 Toys"R"Us stores across the country and online at www.Toysrus.com/AutismSpeaks.

High School Volunteer Programs

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:36:20 GMT

By jpignatiello on Apr 7 9:36 pm

Over the past two years, I have seen Miami offer many programs for children with autism and other developmental delays that involved high school students volunteering and running camps including soccer and basketball. It was great to see the high schoolers interaction with the kids, the interaction of the kids with each other and the amount of fun they had. I would love to see programs like these in other counties. If anyone has knowledge of any such program or how to get one started, please post.

Easter Egg Toy Recall

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:38:48 GMT

By luvmykids123 on Mar 26 9:38 am

Isn't anything safe these days? There was a recall by Hobby Lobby for about 13,000 Easter egg toys. The ones being recalled are camouflage and spinning top eggs. They are being recalled due to excessive lead in the paint (I thought that problem was fixed YEARS ago)!

The Camouflage Easter Egg Treat Containers have Item #1031 printed on the front of the packaging and are white, brown and green camouflage colors, sold in a package of eight eggs. “Made in China for Tony Development and Mfg Ltd; TST, Kin, HK” and UPC code number 43078 01031 are printed on the back of the packing.

The Easter Spinning Egg Tops have Item # 1054 printed on the front of the packaging and are multi-colored and come in packages of a single egg and a rip cord. “Made in China for Tony Development and Mfg Ltd. TST, Kin, HK" and UPC code number 43078 01054 are printed on the back of the packaging.

You can find more information on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

PTSD Symptoms

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:03:35 GMT

By smithmom on Mar 25 4:03 pm

I am worried about my 7 year old daughter. She has been receiving ABA therapy but with some outside research I am beginning to wonder if she is not suffering from PTSD. Some of her symptoms are:

losing interest in activities
having physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches
showing more sudden and extreme emotional reactions
having problems falling or staying asleep
showing irritability or angry outbursts
having problems concentrating
acting younger than their age (for example, clingy or whiny behavior, thumbsucking)

She went through a particularly trying event about six months ago, and it seems that since then it has just been getting worse. Do you think that it could be PTSD? Or am I just an overreacting mother?

Jenny McCarthy's Son on 20/20

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 12:50:29 GMT

By ifrflyer on Feb 23 12:50 pm

Did anyone see the 20/20 program on Jenny McCarthy's son who was diagnosed with autism. She really, really believes in a gluten, casein free diet to eliminate or at least control her son's autism. She says that he is still has seizures. Do any parents here currently have their kids on any of these types of diets and if so what are your thoughts and opinions?

BCBA's

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:47:50 GMT

By Anonymous on Feb 1 6:47 pm

Is it better to hire a BCBA with a publication record in peer reviewed journals?

Home VS Group Home

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:32:50 GMT

By momof2 on Jan 16 9:32 am

My son (Dx Autism) currently lives at home. His functioning level is low and his behaviors are very challenging including self injurious and aggressive. I am a single parent and the struggle with the challenges my son's disability has brought about has become a long everlasting battle. I see children with his same diagnosis make progress and function in their environment as well as intergrate into society,but have yet to see that with my own child. Many people have brought up the idea of group home placement. Although this was a heart aching thought I did visit a local group home.Sadly never in a million years can I bring myself to accept the idea that my son would go to live elsewhere nevertheless a place like the one i visited. The behaviors are challenging but there is a wonderful boy in there that is aware of his environment ,that does desire to be a part of my world but just lacks skill and is very frustrated.Is there anyone out there who has experienced this or can advice on what the route to finding a solution without losing my precious boy to an even further degree than AUTISM has already made me lose him?

Educational Videos

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:25:44 GMT

By JillBCABA on Jan 3 6:25 pm

I know that there are many educational DVDs out right now, and I am curious on Parent's opinions on the different DVDs.

Yoga for Kids

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:24:54 GMT

By JillBCABA on Jan 2 2:24 pm

I have heard so much about taking children, especially those with autism and other developmental delays, to yoga classes. I was just wondering if anyone has tried it and what they felt the results were. If anyone has any information on this subject, please post.

Summer Camp Programs

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:59:37 GMT

By JillBCABA on Dec 19, 07 10:59 pm

What makes a good summer camp? If anyone has ideas of what they would like to see in a summer camp program, please post! I would love to know what parents are looking for and what they would want a program to include.