This past weekend, catching up on emails as I do, I came across a blog from Seattle Mama Doc. All that showed from my inbox was a partial subject line: “The Link Between Vaccines and …”. Now, we have worked with Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson on several occasions and know her as a pro-vaccinator— so needless to say my curiosity was piqued. What are vaccines linked to? What breaking news did I miss? Eagerly, I followed the link. Read full post »
Thanks to Barbara and Charlie Burnett for a Life-Changing Opportunity
Last summer I was asked to speak at the annual fundraiser, Unspoken Angel Golf Invitational. At this event an announcement was made that Seattle Children’s was the recipient of a most generous gift and that Children’s would open and manage the new Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center in Bothell. As a parent of a teen who has but a few years left in the school system, the opening of a center focused on providing lifelong learning was exciting news.
Opened in January of this year, the center with a long name is also affectionately known as “The ABC”, “Alyssa’s Center” and the “Burnett Center”. Last week we had my daughter’s intake meeting there and once again, I found myself feeling very grateful to the people behind this life-changing opportunity.
Today, I share with you the words I had for them last summer. Read full post »
Autism and Recent Research
We often get queries from parents about research studies they hear about in the media. Often they relate to potential treatments and parents wonder if it is something they should try for their child.
In order to help parents better understand various studies, TheAutismBlog will post from time to time on studies we think worth mentioning. We’ll translate the scientific language found in peer-review journals and provide more depth than media sound bites, aimed at grabbing attention.
Today we share with you two studies focused on possible treatment for autism. Read full post »
Autism: Where Are We Today?
If you ever have the opportunity to hear Dr. Bryan King talk about autism, go! Dr. King has the unique ability to deliver complex information about autism in a concise and remarkably clear manner. His unique use of metaphors help make overwhelming and confusing information comprehensible. Dr. King skillfully addressed important topics such as the cause, treatments, new DSM criteria, and advancements in research at the Autism 200 class in January at Seattle Children’s.
Please take advantage of this rare opportunity to quickly update your knowledge and understanding regarding the state of autism in 2014. Watch Autism 201: The State of Autism in 2014.
The Journey and the Now
A little life lesson…
So often, some of the greatest lessons we learn in life come in times and places when we are least expecting them. Last week offered one of those moments…
As our monthly movie night at the Burnett Center came to an end, as we turned off ‘The Incredibles’ and vacuumed up popcorn debris, a new friend, who will be participating at the center, asked if he could talk to me about some things he had on his mind.
Curious, I welcomed the conversation as this bright, charming and contemplative young man talked about planning for the future and how the unknown can be overwhelming for people with autism. For him, this was in regards to his life and wondering about girlfriends, marriage, even heaven… and for me, in Read full post »