Lunch
with Harvey
"Harvey" is a play written by Mary Chase in
the 1940's. It won her a Noble Prize, and also led to
an Oscar for the actress who played Elwood's sister, both
in the film with James Stewart and the stage production.
It's a sweet comedy about a middle aged man very fond
of whiskey - and his 6'3" invisible rabbit friend,
Harvey. His insistence on introducing every person in
town to Harvey leads his sister, oh so embarrassed, to
attempt to com mitt Elwood P Dowd to the local mental
institution, Chumley's Rest. Things go awry for Elwood's
sister, but his pleasant demeanor demonstrates to all
that being different is often a good thing.
Our guest MC, Tim Chuey, and I will be performing an
adapt ion/excerpt from the play at "Lunch with Harvey",
our only every-other-year silent auction luncheon fundraiser.
I'm hoping Harvey himself will appear as promised.
My wife Nel and her fellow musicians will throughout
the afternoon be providing the gentle sounds of Shona
style mbira, a traditional Zimbabwean thumb piano, as
"Mudzidzi Mbira".
Our menu is an Italian Buffet with vegetarian and gluten
free choices, desert and wine (red or white) included
for a very reasonable price.
We will have a fun standard auction for a few of our
most highly prized donations, including weekends at the
Yachats Inn and creations by Mary-Minn. We have silent
auction items to bid on from many generous local eateries,
crafts people, professionals and retailers. Prizes and
party favors come with KindTree's kind of fun.
We depend on this event to help fund our newsletters,
art program, Autism Camp/Retreat, support group, website,
and all that we do. Please come join in the fun and make
a reservation today. OK?
Tim Mueller, Sec / Treas.
ACTION
The Oregon
Network
A project of the
Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities
and the Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition.
The Oregon Network is
a collaborative statewide network of disability organizations
and their members, including people with disabilities,
their families, friends, providers, and policymakers.
Members of the Oregon Network share information with
one another, receive Oregon Perspectives and other publications,
can learn about training events and empowerment opportunities,
and have the chance to voice opinions on policy issues
at the local, state and national levels.
Learn More here...
Oregon
Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder created
In response to the issues of the rapidly growing population
of children and adults identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD) in Oregon the Governor has issued an executive order
creating the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Reports available.
Learn
more about the Commission.
House Bill
3000 - Health Insurance
House Bill 3000 requiring health insurers
to reimburse for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum
disorder was heard today by the House Health Care committee.
Sponsors Rep. Buckley and Rep. Chris
Edwards led testimony that also included Autism Speaks.
A 16-year-old sophomore who told the committee
that he was missing basketball practice to testify said
that although he doesn't remember ABA, he is very happy
about where and who he is.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield submitted
written testimony and Kaiser testified in opposition
of HB 3000. The Kaiser Government Relations representative
testified that they were pleased to attend the outreach
meetings held in August, September, and March, and were
glad to see the Governor's Executive Order creating
the Oregon Commission on Autism where they want to play
an active role.
Call to action: You can call or e-mail
members of the House Health Care committee. Contacts
are MOST effective when they come from a constituent.
Note to my friends in S OR that Rep. Maurer - Josephine
Co. is Vice Chair. Please send this to your interested
contacts in these legislative districts:
E-mail subject line: I support HB3000
* Education and Medicaid are at the
table and HB3000 brings insurance to the table as well
in an integrated approach.
* Autism can be compared to diabetes,
cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other medical conditions
diagnosed during childhood and how they are covered
by insurance policies.
* Indiana's mandate for autism insurance
coverage went into effect July 2001 and reports negligible
changes in insurance premiums due to this coverage.
* The most commonly prescribed treatment
for autism is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The Med
Report identified by the Oregon Health Resources Commission
(HRC) in 2008 reported that data is inconclusive to
support ABA as evidence based. Notwithstanding research
methodologies, the Surgeon General, the National Research
Council, and the American Association of Pediatrics
have all endorsed ABA.
* Your personal experience.
From an Autism Speaks press release, March 31, 2009:
Sponsored
in the Oregon State House by State Representative Peter
Buckley (D-5), HB 3000 includes coverage of Applied
Behavior Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based, medically-necessary
autism therapy.
“We
applaud and thank Representative Buckley for his leadership
on this issue of critical concern to thousands of Oregon
families,” said Elizabeth Emken, Autism Speaks Vice
President of Government Relations. “Autism Speaks joins
Oregon’s autism community in calling on the legislature
to pass HB 3000...
April
29: Autism Adocacy Day at the Capitol building
room 350, 9:30 - 5pm.
Thanks,
Janel Salazar
541-324-6660
NEWS
Police locate missing autistic
man
by Su-jin Yim, The
Oregonian, Sunday April 05, 2009, 5:26 PM
Authorities have located an autistic man who was involved
in a crash over the weekend.
Nathanael William Forbister, 18, of Milwaukie left home
April 3 to attend classes at Portland Community College.
He was found this morning by Clackamas County authorities.
He was not hurt and has been returned to his family.
Forbister was seen at 8 a.m. Saturday in Canby walking
away from his crashed 1991 Volvo.
COMMENTS and Conversation...
Posted by jean7342 on 04/05/09 at 7:12PM
You mean being autistic does not present an obstacle to
getting a driver's license? Well let's see now, what's
next? Illegal aliens, autistic, maybe we can train seeing-eye
dogs to work the brakes and turn signals (although they
might just do a better job than some of those mindless
morons with a cell phone stuck in their ears).
Posted by gat09 on 04/05/09 at 7:29PM
I'm sorry your so angry jean7342... But do you even know
what Autism is? Most autistic people are probably a lot
smarter than you or I and a lot of the time they really
only lack things like social skills. Keep your lame prejudices
to yourself.
Posted by PEARLJAM550 on 04/05/09 at
7:30PM
So, is autism really a birth defect/disability like people
are screaming?
must not be too bad if ya can get a drivers license?
Posted by BostonBeav on 04/05/09 at 7:34PM
jean7342 - Autism is a pretty broad term, and there are
some very high-functioning individuals in that spectrum.
He's clearly got some function going if he's taking classes
at a community college. If he can pass all the tests that
everyone else has to pass to get a license, why shouldn't
he have one?
Posted by jean7342 on 04/05/09 at 7:40PM
to gat09, How can you be so presumptuous as to think you
know if I am angry or not? I most definitely know what
autism is, having a medical background, which isn't really
necessary to know what a "pollyanna" complex
is. Get real!
Posted by MontyCari09 on 04/05/09 at
8:04PM
As someone who is in the spectrum of Autism, and someone
who holds several degrees, I find some of the comments
made here out of line. Education truly sets one free.
I am a professional with a very high I.Q. and I also hold
a driver's license! Imagine that. It is sad to see how
some still think in such a small box...
My concern is for this young man. I feel for him and his
family. I can just imagine his fear if he is alone and
lost. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Certain types of Autism ( in the spectrum ) is genetic
such as Asperger Syndrome. Remember we who are inflicted
with these disorders are human just as you are.
Posted by BostonBeav on 04/05/09 at 8:07PM
Well put, MontyCari09.
Posted by tazman2k on 04/05/09 at 9:00PM
Jean 7342, if you truly understand that autism is a label
for an incredibly broad spectrum of neurological and behavioral
syndromes that are characteristically atypical but hardly
in all (or even most) cases definitive of a lack of function,
then you are indeed above average amongst those with "medical
backgrounds".
Numerous studies and surveys conducted over the past four
decades in both the UK and the US indicate that those
with medical backgrounds exhibit no superior (or even
adequate) knowledge of autism; this has fueled a rampant
social trend of ignorance, inappropriate behavior, incompetent
diagnoses and ineffective treatments of those individuals
presenting clinical evidence of some or all of the over-broad
list of neurological and behavioral markers for autism.
I think what strikes those who read your posts most poignantly
is that you seem to grossly over generalize in your implication
that autism must be a disability that disqualifies one
for a driving license. This exposes significant ignorance
on your part, as:
1. There exists no statute in Oregon that disqualifies
one from holding a driver's license on grounds that one
is diagnosed somewhere (anywhere) on the autism spectrum.
2. Nothing in the above news article cites the subject's
autism as a causative factor with regard to the accident.
Do you have additional factual information to validate
your implication that this particular autistic individual
should not have been issued a driving license?
3. Autism is not always a disability. In some notable
cases, the autistic individual is remarkably empowered
by the neurological differences in his/her body and mind,
and while different, the autistic individual is in no
way inferior to the bulk of the so-called "normal"
population.
It's important to understand that your remarks served
to victimize the subject of the article --- something
I personally believe was unintentional on your part, but
nonetheless, you erred so as to cause harm, however small
in this case.
With all due respect, Jean 7342, I have made similar mistakes:
open mouth, insert foot; or, post in haste, regret at
leisure. There is no honorable way to defend your gaffe
--- repent, and try to avoid a repeat.
Oregon
tracks special ed students after high school
by Betsy Hammond, The
Oregonian, Wednesday April 01, 2009, 8:51 PM
During their first year out of
high school, more than one in four special education students
in Oregon never held a paying job or enrolled even part
time in college or job training, a new state report shows.
It marks the first time that Oregon has tried to determine
what happens after high school to students who received
special education services. Telephone surveys of former
students in every school district found that about 1,150
of the 4,200 special education students who finished their
high school education in 2006-07 spent the next year without
getting a job that paid minimum wage or any post-secondary
education.
| This year, nearly 73,000 students are enrolled in
special education programs, or about one in eight
students in Oregon public schools. Most have learning
disabilities, speech disorders or attention deficits. |
|
The survey shows that results vary widely across communities.
The West Linn-Wilsonville school district, for instance,
reported only 44 percent of its former special education
students found paying work or enrolled in post-secondary
education, while Hillsboro found 84 percent of its former
special education students succeeded in getting a job
or enrolling in college or job training.
State and national officials called the results a big
success, simply because schools are finally tracking what
happens to students with disabilities once they leave
school, information that will help them better prepare
future students.
A panel of Oregon parents, educators and advocates for
those with disabilities had set a goal of getting 74 percent
of recent special education students employed or enrolled
in college or job training. The state got within 1 percentage
point of that goal.
"It is absolutely our responsibility as educators,
under the law, to prepare all students to succeed in that
next step in life, whether that be employment, post-secondary
school or community living," said Jackie Burr, who
coordinated the post-school outcome survey for the Oregon
Department of Education.
Read
more here...
Replies
to Doug Richards Commentary
From the
Register Guard Visit them for more comments.
Regina Claypool-Frey
04/13/2009 03:49AM
I agree with Doug on many of the points, esp. that children
with autism and, in fact, teens and adults with autism
are capable of amazing things with the right support and
opportunities, and also that there are many doing fine
work on an individual, organizational and community basis,
and I include the families and parents themselves. In
the interest of open disclosure, I am the parent of a
young person with autism.
However, I noted a pretty significant hole in this article
in not pointing out right now that during this autism
awareness month, beyond the Governor's Task Force, that
there are many bills in our legislature at the present
time addressing at least some of the conditions that he
discusses and in the U.S. Congress, others that specifically
look to increasing assistance with treatments, education,
transition and adult employment. These are significant
pieces of legislation with important implications.
While awareness of problems is a realistic starting place,
I might suggest that if we want to address some of the
omissions that we know exist in societal support, that
as a community and interested stakeholders, we might put
more emphasis on keeping our attention on the policy and
political opportunities that could help to address them,
esp. when those opportunities present themselves.
Tim Mueller
04/14/2009 12:24PM
Mr. Richards does great work for the Bridgeway House and
the people they serve. I suggest folks consider attending
their May 2 fundraiser to help out. But I do think he
suffers from a narrow view.
Eugene also hosts KindTree Productions - Autism Rocks,
another local nonprofit serving the Autism Community.
This organization exists to "Serve and Celebrate
the Autism Community." Celebrate is the key word.
I agree we should do all we can to help our kids integrate
with the world, through treatments, therapy and political
action. But it is equally important to celebrate who they
are today, for it is the image of oneself as a capable,
loved and supported person that leads to confidence and
success.
Kids, no matter what their level of functioning, are
a source of joy, today and in the future. Be sure they
know that. Be sure you feel that. Because they will know,
and it will make a huge difference.
Autism has a positive side
Doug Richards’ autism article (Commentary, April
12) evoked frustration for me. Of 20 paragraphs, only
one was positive. My son and I both live with an autism
condition. We do amazing math in our heads, process information
more quickly than others, think faster, and school is
ridiculously easy (academically) for us.
Expenses? We tried public school. The staff was unwilling
to work with him so we enrolled him in private school
again. A dedicated staff makes the difference. He’s
a fourth-grader doing seventh-grade math.
Employment? Clock-punching jobs are likely not the best
setting for a person with a spectrum condition, but there
are great opportunities. I own a real estate company,
making great success (well, besides this little market
downturn thing).
Relationships? Challenging — we don’t understand
social cues, and I hate being touched. Touch is painful
for me. Many people consider it standoffish, but it isn’t.
My marriage? Wonderful. I married a man who understands
my quirks and can figure out how to work with them instead
of against them.
Incarceration? I did get a speeding ticket one time.
We both take medications for some of the behaviors caused
by our condition. With medication, loads of therapy and
a positive environment, we make great strides. Though
spectrum people are not “normal” by society’s
standards, we can adapt and participate.
For this letter I asked my son his favorite part of his
condition. He giggled and said, “Intelligence.”
He is 9 years old. I wouldn’t change him, even if
I could.
Tara Nagelhout, Eugene
ASO
Respite Program Extended Through 2009:
Take a Break on ASO
New rules this year
Read
more here... |
Autism
fails to slow Salem swimmer Kevin Zwart
By Chris Hagan • Statesman
Journal • April 12, 2009
As a child, a disability pulled Kevin
Zwart to the water. But what Zwart has done since he got
there is all his doing.
Swimming is what you make
it," said Kate Phifer, coach with the Bearcat
Swim Club. "And that's for everything in your
life, whether it's your job or what you do for athletics."
Most successful swimmers profess a deep love of
the water. For many it's a small, almost irrational
exuberance that has untraceable roots.
But for Zwart, 19, it's hard-coded in his DNA. |
|
Kevin Zwart and Coach Sue
Hill |
"He was what we called a deep pressure kid,"
mother Lisa Zwart said. "They used to roll him up
in futons and that kind of therapy and it helped him in
school. Weighted vests, that kind of thing."
Diagnosed with autism as a child, therapists
and doctors quickly discovered Kevin responded well to
pressure. But Kevin found the water all on his own.
"It all started when we used to
have a hot tub in our backyard," Kevin said. "I'd
step into the tub without any jets turned on and I would
reach to the bottom of the tub."
He continued the game at local pools,
which often clashed with the posted safety rules.
"He'd sit there, just sit on the
bottom of the deep end," Lisa said. "Many times
he would be rescued by a lifeguard and I'd have to go
in and explain to them he's fine, he just does this."
The pressure helped calm Kevin's hyperactive
sensory system, Lisa said, and she used the technique
outside the water as well.
"When we would go to grocery stores
when he was little and I was taller, I would just kind
of walk behind him with my hands on his shoulders and
that would tend to calm him down, especially when you're
going into new situations," she said.
The family kept a schedule for Kevin
broken into 15-minute increments to help him deal with
changes during the day.
"Anything new, we had a schedule,"
Lisa said. "That's pretty hard. It's easy enough
to make a schedule but to follow it is another."
Eventually Kevin was coaxed into swimming
lessons and then the Special Olympics.
And the coaches quickly found he was
good. Very good.
Read
more here...
"I've Got You"
Lexi Sias
|
|
What's
New at KINDTREE.ORG
Still
Room for YOU
Silent Auction Luncheon Fundraiser
"Lunch with Harvey"
Sunday, April 26, noon-3:30
Do you remember Harvey?
He's the large white rabbit (Pooka) who was James Stewart's
best pal in the movie "Harvey". Come enjoy the
bunny theme at the Hilton's top floor with great food
and wine, music, entertainment and terrific auction items.
KindTree knows how to have fun.
Tickets
on sale here!
KindTree
Artist Publishes
New Affirmation Book
Suzie
Noel Duncan Winn and her Mom have put together this heartwarming
collection of self-affirming messages coupled with Suzie
Noel's charming illustrations.
See more
here...
"Celebrate Life"
Suzie Noel Duncan-Winn
Bonnie Dawn Duncan
Autism
Artism 2009
Artists' entries are in,
the jury will be assembling, and the GALA OPENING is scheduled
for Saturday, June 20, 4pm
at the LCC Art Gallery
We have received
entries from Grant Recipients Stephen Peeler, Lexi Sias,
Leah Demonia and D J Svoboda, and well as newcomers Marcy
Deutch and the return of Melissa Dahl!
Mark your calendar for the Gala Opening,
and prepare to enjoy some of the best Eugene has to offer.
"Lake
Scene"
Marcy Deutch
EVENTS
APRIL
IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
April
19th Autism Walk-a-thon,
Sunday, Oaks Park, SE Portland. The largest autism event
during Autism Awareness Month, will be here for the 7th
annual Autism Walk-a-thon. Join us, along with fun entertainment
from the Sellwood Marching Band, BJ the Clown, Radio Disney,
Camper Leaders from the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, Face Painters
and a really cool craft table, for this community event.
April 25th
Saturday The 3rd Autism Ball will be held on ,
at the Melody Ballroom at 6:00 p.m. We will have a silent
auction, dinner, dancing. Tickets are $100/person.
April 25th
Sponsored by ARRO, Sean’s Run From Autism, to be
held at Oaks Park
April
26, noon-3:30 pm
KindTree Silent Auction Luncheon
"Lunch with Harvey"
Reserve your seat here...
Join
Us for Autism Day at the Capitol
April 2 9 th, 2009
Oregon State Capitol, Salem,
Room 350
9:30 – 11:30
Introductions
Greeting from Rep. Buckley and Edwards
Legislative updates
Tips on the Legislative Process and Public Testimony
11:30 – 1:00
Tour of the Capitol / Floor Session Introduction
Lunch provided
Individually arranged meetings with Legislators / Staff
1:00 -3:00
Hearing in the House Committee on Education
· What is working in Education for students with
ASD? What is not working? What can be done to make it
better?
· Invited Testimony (one hour)
· Public Testimony (one hour)
Individually arranged meetings with Legislators / Staff
Please RSVP Let us know
if you will be attending. We want to make sure we have
sufficient materials and lunch! RSVP by calling (503-986-1414)
or emailing Rep Chris Edwards at rep.chrisedwards@state.or.us.
Make appointments to meet with your Representative
and / or Senator in advance of coming to Salem. Check
the Legislative Website if you need help finding your
Legislators or making contact: http://www.leg.state.or.us/
May 2nd, 2009
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Auction for Bridgeway
House
May
12, 4:30 - 6pm
KindTree Peer Support Group for adults
with autism
Call first 541 689 2228
June
20, 4-8pm
"Autism Artism 2009"
Details to come...
JULY 23rd AND
24TH
FUTURE HORIZONS IS PROUD TO BRING TO Portland,
Oregon, FOUR OF THE BEST KNOWN SPEAKERS IN THEIR FIELD
- THIS NEVER BEFORE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE YOURS THIS JULY.
Temple Grandin and Tony Atwood
Dr. Temple Grandin will be speaking of her life from childhood
to adulthood with candid information on sensory, behavioral
and adult issues.
Dr. Tony Attwood will be talking about emotional management,
friendships, relationships and peer pressure.
YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS DYNAMIC CONFERENCE AND
THE INVALUABLE CHANCE TO GET ALL THIS INFORMATION IN ONCE
PLACE.
For more information on registering for this conference
please view the attached save the date flyer.
By registering before June 1st, you will receive a free
DVD entitled "Asperger's Syndrome: Millions Undiagnosed".
This DVD features Dr. Tony Attwood, Carol Gray, Dr Jeannette
McAfee and Mr. Jerry Newport.
More
at fhautism.com
August
21-23
KindTree Autism Camp/Retreat
registration available NOW.
'Buddy system' helps autistic students in Canon-McMillan
Thursday, April 02, 2009
By Crystal Ola
Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette
South Central Elementary School
kindergarten teacher Carla Mastrian works with students.One
group of kindergartners is so welcome in South Central
Elementary School that fourth-graders are vying
to spend time with them and, at times, treat them
like celebrities, said the teacher of the kindergartners.
The popular youngsters are seven
autistic children who are part of an innovative
classroom headed by teacher Carla Mastrian. She
combines different types of teaching programs to
help her students integrate smoothly into regular
education classrooms.
The fourth-graders help by taking
part in a buddy program, which pairs them with the
kindergartners for specific activities, including
gym and recess.
"We're just really happy how
things have worked out with this class," Miss
Mastrian said. "All their milestones here are
so great."
Read
more here...
Mother's
Day SHOPPING?
Autism Rocks T-shirts, Note Cards,
Gift Items,
Original Art,
Apparel and More
T-shirt
Page
Cafe
Press Merchandize Page
Bouquet Card Page
Happy Mother's Day
Autism
carries enormous costs for us all
The consequences
of the epidemic will include higher rates of incarceration,
divorce and unemployment
By Doug Richards
For The Register-Guard
Posted to Web: Sunday, Apr 12, 2009
04:34PM
Appeared in print: Sunday, Apr 12, 2009, page G4
April 2 was the United Nations’ second international
Autism Awareness Day, and in Lane County it seemed
to pass with little fanfare. We all lead busy lives,
and isn’t there some sort of U.N. awareness
day for everything?
Well, not for health-related issues; only AIDS, diabetes
and now autism have that dubious distinction. Sixty-seven
million people have been diagnosed with autism worldwide,
but tens of millions more live with it each and every
day as the parents and caregivers for those living
on the autism spectrum. Society will pay for this
challenge for decades to come.
According to the textbooks, autism is a lifelong
neurological condition then affects how a person relates
to the world. Because it is a spectrum disorder, meaning
that its effects can range from mild to severe, some
people with autism exhibit only the most subtle differences
from you or me and may be thought to be nothing more
than a bit quirky. Other people with autism may never
break through the bottleneck that keeps them from
participating in our world and may have extreme behavior
challenges.
To date we are not exactly sure what causes autism,
and there is still more than a little controversy
surrounding this mystery. We know that in some cases
there is a genetic component, and it has been suspected
that there is some sort of environmental trigger or
triggers. We do know that most children with autism
are not mentally retarded. In the past it was thought
that nearly 75 percent of children with autism were
mentally retarded; today we know that nearly the opposite
is true.
Autism carries some enormous social costs. Sadly,
children with autism are more likely to be incarcerated
at some point in their lives than neuro-typical children.
The incidence of divorce among families who have a
child with a developmental disability such as autism
is more than 50 percent higher than the national rate.
Because of an inability to understand social situations,
consistent rewarding employment can be elusive for
people with autism. We will all pay for the autism
epidemic in some shape or form.
Today many children, not just ones with autism, are
not getting the right structure and support they need
to reach their full potential. Children with autism
have myriad treatment needs and educational challenges,
ranging from sensory and social to behavior issues
and learning skills. These are all interconnected,
and addressing them can be complex and expensive —
but we know it does pay dividends.
These dividends come in many forms that may be off
in the distance (reduced incarceration, lower divorce
rates, more productive employment) but this does not
make them any less real.
However, because these dividends are off in the future
it is easy to focus on very real financial challenges
today and let the long-term costs of autism be someone
else’s problem. This is a fine tradition in
American policymaking — look at Social Security
and Medicare.
With more than $50 trillion of wealth vaporized in
the current financial downturn, there are many voices
that are louder than those of families living with
autism, many of whose children don’t speak.
Having attended a school board meeting, it was obvious
that the stark economic realities have been present
for educators for some time, and they are bracing
for more. Difficult decisions are being made around
the nation with respect to cutting programs and staff,
delaying maintenance and improvements to schools,
and just trying to ride out the storm.
Autism also comes with a pretty grim economic reality.
Harvard researchers estimated several years ago that
the lifetime costs of treating and caring for a person
with autism might reach $3 million; given the number
of people diagnosed with autism globally we face a
challenge that through this century will be measured
in the tens of quadrillions of dollars — yes,
quadrillions. As someone once remarked, now we’re
talking real money.
Our response today as a community, as a nation and
as a planet to these children and their families can
make an enormous difference in what this future looks
like. There are a number of courageous people and
organizations who are making a difference today for
the future.
Largely because of the efforts of state Rep. Chris
Edwards, D-Eugene, and his colleagues, Gov. Ted Kulongoski
has formed an autism task force to examine the issues
surrounding autism and to craft responses to the autism
epidemic. I am looking forward to the attention and
interest generated by this task force and am optimistic
that it will make a difference.
Two Eugene programs, EC Cares and the Willow Learning
Center, are on the front lines of the education issue
and are providing hope to families with early intervention
and education services. The people who work for these
agencies are wonderful and care about the children
they work with. Sadly, they continue to see a massive
influx of children who are being diagnosed with autism
— and like so many agencies, are being forced
to do more with less.
Bridgeway House continues to provide social groups
to help children through high school age to learn
the social skills necessary to be successful. This
is in addition to the intensive therapy provided by
their home programs for families, which studies have
shown to be one of the most effective forms of treatment.
The newest program at Bridgeway House involves academic
services. A limited number of students benefit from
one-on-one instruction and programs that are tailored
to their unique behavior challenges and academic needs
while addressing their sensory concerns. I can personally
say what an incredible difference that makes in the
lives of these children, and I know that if Bridgeway
House could serve more children it would without any
hesitation. Bridgeway House relies largely on donations
and community support. With more resources and greater
support Bridgeway House could do more with all of
its programs. Because of the enormous need in our
community, there are waiting lists for these programs
now.
Though April is Autism Awareness Month in the United
States and International Autism Awareness Day passed
more than a week ago, here in Lane County several
hundred families are aware of autism and living with
it every day. Lane County has one of the highest per-capita
rates of autism in America, but this does not mean
there is no hope for these children and families.
Locally, people can make a difference all year long,
not just during Autism Awareness Month. When you see
a parent struggling with a child who is exhibiting
behavior issues, offer a smile and not a disapproving
look — this does make a difference. Support
the organizations that help children and families
affected by autism. These organizations really can
make a little go a long way.
It is still a dream to establish a regional center
of excellence here in Lane County to help offer treatment
and explore new treatments, to provide education and
to conduct research into the mystery that is autism.
There is a long way to go, and in my mind it is the
right thing to do so that we can start to export answers
and hope around the world.
Yes, autism is a life-long condition, and some children
will never hit the traditional milestones of attending
the high school prom or being a star athlete, but
children with autism are capable of amazing things
if given the right structure and support. You can
see for yourself at the Hult Center on April 25 at
a talent show entitled “Soaring at Soreng”
with a cast entirely of children who live with autism.
April is Autism Awareness month, and I thought you
should know: My family is more aware of autism than
we ever imagined we would be.
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