Nathan – Melts Our Hearts

Nathan is three and a half years old. He was diagnosed with mild autism about 4 months ago. We noticed that things were different with Nathan compared to our other children when they were that age, but we just thought he was really stubborn from the time he was two years old. Since he started on solids when he was a year old, he only eats crackers, plain waffles, dry cereal, fries and chicken nuggets (they have to be a certain texture), he used to panic when we would try to put him on the ground outside with no shoes on. He is very particular about the way things are done, likes to turn all of the lights on in the house, lines up his cars, smells Scentsy candles for hours, growls at people when they try to talk to him, has a hard time controlling his emotions when he is upset, answers yes when we ask him open-ended questions, has texture issues and much more. Nathan is very funny and his laugh is contagious. Blonde hair and blue eyes he is going to be a heart breaker when he is older.
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What’s the Hardest Part of Autism? One Mom’s Answer…

This post is by Lauren Casper a mother of a child on the autism spectrum. “Part of the problem with the word ‘disabilities’ is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can’t feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren’t able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness and find in life no joy, no love? These, it seems to me, are the real disabilities.” Fred Rogers CLICK HERE to get “Embracing Autism – The Autism Answer” for $7 Direct From The Publisher – FREE Shipping Worldwide – Save Over 50% On Amazon’s $14.95 Price Last year a friend asked me if it was hard and how I manage and if I ever just want to lose it. “It” being this whole raising a child with autism thing. Of course
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Groundbreaking! Is This a Major Turning Point in Autism Research?

There’s newfound hope on the horizon for those with autism and their families. Two major studies conducted through the combined efforts of dozens of labs across the world have identified more than 100 genes’ association with autism spectrum disorders. 14,000 DNA samples were used in the groundbreaking study that scientists are calling a significant turning point in the quest to understand the inner workings of autism. CLICK HERE to get “Embracing Autism – The Autism Answer” for $7 Direct From The Publisher – FREE Shipping Worldwide – Save Over 50% On Amazon’s $14.95 Price Of particular interest to those involved in the study is the de novo mutation–one which occurs  in an egg or sperm cell’s genes, or those mutations which take place directly following fertilization. Further understanding of what the de novo mutations do and how they work should lead to physicians’ abilities to detect the disorder earlier in children then prescribe an appropriate treatment plan,
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To Hug His Son Is The Greatest Gift In Life.

Chris Davis was born with autism and has had many other conditions affect him since birth.  Chris experienced obstacles in eating, speaking, sleeping, and self injurious behaviors.  His father, Bill, says that “it was a 24-hour day job.” But Chris’ parents came up with a way to help Chris flourish: they started a school.  They recruited interns from Penn State and Franklin and Marshall College to work with Chris and ended up starting one of the first centers for Applied Behavior Analysis therapy (ABA). Bill Davis says that he felt, when they first started out, “if I could hug him, that would be the greatest gift in life,” and at the end of the video, he gives Chris a kiss. CLICK HERE to get “Embracing Autism – The Autism Answer” for $7 Direct From The Publisher – FREE Shipping Worldwide – Save Over 50% On Amazon’s $14.95 Price See this inspiring story of parenthood here. Read more at http://blog.theautismsite.com/chris-school-aba/#tOiuq8HtD2BTgvAm.99
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What the Doctors Didn’t Tell My Parents the Day They Got My Diagnosis

Dear parents of children diagnosed with special needs: please don’t give up. Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE On the day of my diagnosis, there was so much they didn’t tell my parents and me. They told us everything I likely wouldn’t do. They evaluated and pointed out my struggles and challenges. Appointment after appointment, my parents heard and had to be part of conversations about what I couldn’t do and what I likely may never be able to do. Professional after professional, year after year, diagnosis after diagnosis, appointment after appointment, meeting after meeting, time and time again this repeated itself. You see, I wasn’t diagnosed with autism as a young toddler or preschooler. 17 years ago, when I was 4 years old, autism wasn’t as well-known and definitely wasn’t a likely diagnosis for a little girl who talked early. When the pediatrician asked my mom if I could say a three-word sentence at age 2, I told the docto
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Goofy Girl

Katie is a happy 10year old girl. She s funny, creative, loves to draw, bubbles and play video games. Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE When she was in preschool, they said she had a developmental delay because of her lack of speech skills for her age. Things in school weren t easy for her and she had some massive melt-downs. When they brought in a specialist for her in 1st grade, she was finally diagnosed with autism. She had been recieving speech therapy already, and other special classes, but was stuck in the special education room most of the day. She is very social, and this made her very upset, so much so that I was called almost daily because of the melt-downs she had. I finally had had it with that school after many broken promises. We moved before she started 4th grade, and she hasn t looked back since! She is in a normal classroom with kids her age almost 70% of the day, she LOVES it! The move was made easier for her due to that her grandma works at the
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Embracing Autism – The Autism Answer

Book Review:   Embracing Autism The Autism Answer , by Dr. Frank Lawlis Perhaps the best part of this book is the spirit in which it is written.  This is a book that truly embraces autism, and will help you as a parent embrace it more than ever. The premise is simple: by embracing autism, you and your child are empowered by autism and your child is able to achieve his or her maximum potential in life. CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO GET EMBRACING AUTISM THE AUTISM ANSWER FREE The book is a thorough, yet simple to follow resource.  The author covers a lot of ground, and ultimately will help you get a more thorough understanding of your child s strengths and challenges. And while you may believe that you already know your child in every way possible, the author recognizes that you are the ultimate expert on your child.  The material helps you organize that knowledge in a way that allows you to determine the best options for your child, The book is an educational read, but it s also ver
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8 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Belly Fat

It is difficult to get rid of belly fat but we found ways to eliminate belly fat forever. 1. Start your day with lemon juice This is one of the best therapies to eliminate belly fat. Pinch some yellow juice into a glass of warm water and add some salt to it. Continue drinking this every morning to boost your metabolism and to get rid of that paunch. 2. Stay off from white rice Replace white rice with various wheat products. Include brown rice, brown bread, whole grains, oats and quinoa in your diet. 3. Avoid sugary substances Stay away from sweets, sweetened drinks and foods rich in oil. Consuming these foods can increase body fat around various areas of your body like abdomen and thighs. 4. Drink plenty of water If you want to get rid of your belly, then drink sufficient amount of water every day. Drinking water, after regular intervals will help to boost your metabolism and remove toxins from your body. 5. Eat raw garlic Chew two to three cloves of garlic every morning, and drink a
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Positive Effects of Classical Music

By Beth May 8th, 2011 About a week ago, I was running quite a bit early to pick up my friend in the middle of the afternoon.  She mentioned that she would call when she was done getting ready.  Respectful of her space and time and feeling a bit sleepy, instead of calling and rushing her, I parked my car on the street on the side of her house and decided to recline the drivers seat to a laying down position. All of a sudden, it started raining.  I turned up the volume on my radio slightly and laid back in the seat. I was perfectly cozy.  The station I was listening to at the time was 89.3. Slow and somber classical music tickled my eardrums with total calm.  I fell asleep.  In and out of sleep, I heard different pitches come and go, loud and soft and fast and slow classical music played through my car speakers. No matter what the intensity of the classical music, it inspired a good feeling while I peacefully napped in my car that afternoon.  After having such a positive experien
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By Beautiful Smart Corran Ocean

Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE At two days old Corran rolled over by him self it was amazing! At a week old he got jaundice and it seemed to me as the mother he changed after that. He did not roll over again until months later. Corran was always such a calm happy baby and Him being the first born I did not notice he was different until later down the road. Corran also played different with toys then the other children. At home he could organize his toys by type and line them up. He could also find the on off switch on any toy. He was also a late walker, and never actually crawled. It seemed like one day he just decided to walk and he did like a pro, it was kinda odd. At the age of 3 and 1/2 I had to have answers so we took Corran to see a developmental pediatrician for he was still not talking. Corran was then diagnosed with high functioning autism or previously known as Aspergers. The doctor stated that his autism is very isolated to his communication skills.
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Blue Valley students build chairs that snuggle children with autism into calm

Stuart Jackson was on a mission. For years, the Overland Park father had searched for a way to help his son find relief from the stress and anxiety often experienced by children with autism. Like many of those children, Joshua could be soothed through deep touch pressure — the kind of feeling one might get by being tightly hugged or squeezed. Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE Jackson came across a few potential solutions on the market, but they tended to be clunky, noisy or ineffective. And way too expensive. So he took it to CAPS — the Center for Advanced Professional Studies in the Blue Valley School District. And the engineering students rose to the challenge. Using such items as a papasan chair, an inflatable air bag, a swimming pool noodle and a remote control air pump, they designed and built a device that not only provides deep pressure to calm the user, but is affordable and looks like a regular piece of furniture. It could work in th
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Quiznos Restaurant to Employ Students With Autism

January 13, 2015 A newly-opened Quiznos sandwich shop on Texas Tech s campus will provide more than just food: it will provide valuable work experience to young adults on the autism spectrum. Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE The corporation partnered with the College of Education s Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research to bring the shop to the campus. The school s Hospitality Services staffers will manage the restaurant, but most of the line employees will be Burkhart students, all of whom fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. After Janice Magness, the director of the Burkhart Center’s Transition Academy, approached Hospitality Services to build a coffee shop in the new building — which would give students a place to work where faculty could be close by and help as needed — the idea expanded. Hospitality Services managing director Kirk Rodriguez wanted to provide something more expansive than a coffee shop, since it would only
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Don’t drink green tea for weight loss until you read this guide

Green tea drinkers have one thing to celebrate about: this beverage helps in fighting unwanted fats in the body and boosts metabolism as well. There are plenty of green tea products available, from iced tea to green tea flavored ice cream. You have various choices, but these questions remain: are they all the same? Do they all offer weight loss benefits that will help you shed some pounds? Luckily, these questions and others related to drinking green tea for weight loss have been answered: Fresh Green Tea Although green tea does not go bad, it is always best to consume a fresh tea bag. Once used, make sure you drink it up within six months. An old tea bag can still aid in losing weight, but the antioxidants present will soon diminish. Brand Matters There are brands that offer high-quality green tea products and these are more preferred when you truly want to lose weight. The tea leaves used as well as the ingredients matter. Green tea does have numerous health benefits, but remember t
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4 Ignoble Deaths in Classical Music History

Classical music has a long, rich history of talented people creating magnificent art. There have been composers of noble birth who, after a lifetime of moving audiences to tears with splendid music, are honored upon their deaths with great ceremony. These are not their stories. Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) If you were a French aristocrat during the 17thcentury, you probably spent your afternoons making sure your lead-based facepaint was slathered on just right in case you ran into Jean-Baptiste Lully. The most influential and important French composer of the time, Lully was also an accomplished ballet dancer, a prolific composer of operas, and best mates with King Louis XIV. In those days, orchestras were smaller than they are now and the position of conductor wasn’t really a thing yet. Instead, the composer (usually) stood off to the side of the ensemble, rapping the deck with a large staff. During a particularly spirited moment while conducting his own Te Deum setting, Lully ac
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Jack Black And Wyatt Isaacs Take The Stage And Rock For Autism!

When Wyatt Isaacs and Stephen Stills wrote and produced the song “Sensitive,” Wyatt, who has autism, had no idea that he would eventually be rocking out with Jack Black!  The Miracle Project supports children with autism and other disabilities through art and music, giving them a creative outlet for communication, energy, and creativity.  Wyatt took the stage with Stills and Black to perform his song at the Autism is Awesomism benefit concert in LA.  In the video you can tell that Wyatt and Jack are nervous before they get on stage but once they get up there, the fun they have is palpable.   And contagious, too! Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE Watch till the end to see Wyatt and Jack Black dancing as they perform! Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE Read more at http://blog.theautismsite.com/jack-black-autism/#KcythX7LlSU73xtu.99
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My Husband Has Grown Through Aspergers & I Have Grown From It

I met my husband on the bus in 10th grade. While I never figured we d ever date, we did quickly become friends. After a while, we did begin dating. He had broken up with me to date someone else, but we stayed friends. However, upon being verbally abused by a girl who ridiculed him for being weird , he realized that, of all the girls he dated, I was the ONLY one who didn t hold his differences against him. If anything, I had accepted his differences, even admired them. He didn t like being touched, but he was so intelligent and thought outside of the box in such a way that d leave you in awe. He couldn t process too many noises, but with his music, he could express himself in such a way that hit you right in the heart. It didn t take long after he broke up with me to realize how much he really did love me, and shortly afterwards, we were back together. Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE After dating for a couple of years, we finally got engaged and are now married w
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A Playground Specifically Designed for Kids with Autism

An organization in Iowa is combatting cabin fever and offering kids with autism a space to play in a place called Sensory World, KIMT reported. Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE The indoor playground, complete with inflatables, toy trains and a ball pit, is located at Southbridge Mall in Mason City and was designed specifically for kids with autism. The idea was spearheaded by program coordinator Kathy Steenblock, a committee member on the board of Special Kids Special Love. “It’s hard for autistic kids to be in social environments,” Steenblock told KIMT. “It might be overwhelming or, it might be too stimulating and sometimes it’s hard because others don’t understand their condition, so they don’t feel as comfortable, but we are hoping to provide a comfortable place where they can be themselves and have fun with other kids.” Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE Read more about the new space on KIMT.com. See more
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Researchers say Beethoven’s music evidence composer suffered irregular heartbeat

Sketch of Ludwig Van Beethoven, German composer (AP) Researchers analyzing patterns in Beethoven’s music believe the famous composer may have suffered from an irregular heartbeat, evidenced by what they say are musical arrhythmias found in some of his work. The authors, which include a medical historian, cardiologist and a musicologist from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, further suggest that Beethoven’s believed deafness may have heightened his awareness of his heartbeat, causing him to compose music by following his heart. Arrhythmia refers to any change from the normal sequence of electrical impulses that causes the heart to beat too fast, too slow or erratically, according to the American Heart Association. They can be completely harmless or life-threatening. In the study, which was published in the journal Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, the team analyzed several of Beethoven’s compositions and f
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Avocado Hummus

Avocado Hummus Ingredients 1 (15 oz) can chick peas, well drained 2 medium ripe avocados, cored and peeled (13 oz before cored and peeled) 3 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for serving if desired 1 1/2 Tbsp tahini 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice 1 clove garlic, peeled Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/8 tsp cumin 1 2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro leaves, for topping Red pepper flakes, for topping Directions 1. Pulse chick peas, olive oil, tahini, lime juice, and garlic in a food processor until smooth, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I did a scant 1/2 tsp salt and about 1/8 tsp pepper), add cumin and avocados and pulse mixture until smooth and creamy, about 1 2 minutes longer. 2. Serve topped with more olive oil if desired and sprinkle with cilantro and red pepper flakes. Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips.
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How a Boy With Autism Learned to Say “I Love You”

Six-year-old Oliver has a visual impairment, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and autism. For a long time, he wouldn t express his emotions with his family. That changed when a dog, Lucy, entered his life. Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE From the very start whenever Oliver had an meltdown he would shout for Lucy and she would come and lie down next to him and calm him down. The effect she has on him is incredible, Oliver s mother, Sarah Smith told BBC News. Guide Dogs UK unites families with dogs that have been trained to become official guide dogs, but didn t quite make the cut. The dogs are re-purposed through the program to become buddy dogs for kids who are partially blind and could use the training the dog has been given, the BBC reported. He never said I love you before, but he said it to Lucy after meeting her for 30 seconds. Then it took him about a month, after the first month I found him one night, I was away with work, and he said I ve got
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A tuition-free charter school specifically for those on the spectrum? Awesome!

The Arizona Autism Charter School is a brand-new tuition-free school — the first of its kind in Arizona. It’s set to officially open for the 2014-2015 school year on August 6th. It will enroll students in grades K-5, with a plan to add an additional grade level each year until they reach grade 12. Each class will cap at only 9 students, with a 3-1 staff to student ratio overall. The small class sizes, personalized attention, and spectrum-specific teaching methods will help students with autism learn in an environment that’s tailored to their needs. Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE Take a look at the video to learn more about this promising new school! Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE Read more at http://blog.theautismsite.com/new-arizona-autism-charter-school/
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This aspect of autism is all too real for some families — but Joey’s parents handle it like pros.

Autism has its ups and, unfortunately, its downs. However, families living with autism have learned how to deal with the challenges that come with autism in a productive, calm, and safe way. Discovery Health gets a look into Joey’s life as his mother (Carol) and father handle one of Joey’s outbursts. Watch as in a matter of seconds, Joey has a tantrum, but like clockwork his parents calm him down. From breathing exercises to a glass of water, Carol wants parents to know that this is what autism entails and to accept what comes with it. Autism bring its challenges but also has its breakthroughs. Read more at http://blog.theautismsite.com/the-reality-of-autism/#Sp5ogJPihfuwW1xC.99
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The Time I Got Stuck on a Roller Coaster with My Son with Autism

This is a post by Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty, mother to two sons on the autism spectrum and an Autism Family Partner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Kim is also the author of a blog about her two children with autism, at autismmommytherapist.wordpress.com. This past summer my family and I spent a day at Great Adventure.  It’s the only place Justin, my severely autistic son, willingly stays for more than an hour (I have often joked with my husband that wherever we live has to be within a thirty minute radius of a Six Flags parks.)  It’s usually a very fun excursion for us, mostly free of angst, and something I truly enjoy doing as a family. Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE On our last trip there however, things got a little bit interesting. We were all safely ensconced on the Runaway Train roller coaster, rushing precariously along to our first hill, when I looked ahead and saw a man in the front row waving his camera. I heard one of t
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Water Recipe that can Flush Away Fats!

This is another version of the fat flush water, it also promotes energy and good health. Not just delicious but this drink can play a huge role in your flat belly diet! Enjoy! Ingredients: 2 liters water 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1 medium cucumber, sliced 1 medium lemon, sliced 12 small spearmint leaves Place all ingredients in a large pitcher, let blend together overnight, the next day drink the whole pitcher during the course of the day. Hello fast weight loss!
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A History of the Symphony Orchestra

People have been putting instruments together in various combinations for as long as there have been instruments, thousands and thousands of years. But it wasn t until about the last 400 years that musicians started forming into combinations that turned into the modern orchestra. In the old days, when musicians got together to play, they used whatever instruments were around. If there were three lute players, a harp, and two flutes, then that s what they used. By the 1500 s the time known as the Renaissance, the word consort was used to mean a group of instrumentalists, and sometimes singers too, making music together or in concert . Early Renaissance composers usually didn t say what instrument they were writing a part for. They meant for the parts to be played by whatever was around. But around 1600 in Italy, the composer Claudio Monteverdi liked things just so. He knew just what instruments he wanted to accompany his opera Orfeo (1607), and he said exactly what instruments should p
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Having Autism Didn’t Stop Me From Releasing My First Album

This guest post is by Andrew Greenspan, an adult on the spectrum who has become an accomplished musician.This post is part of an initiative  called “In Our Own Words: Living on the Spectrum,” which highlights the experiences of individuals with autism from their perspectives. Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE My name is Andrew Greenspan. I am twenty two years old living in Nyack, NY. I have been a striving musician for my entire life and when I was eighteen, I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. ASD has given me struggles, and obstacles that I never thought I would be able to move forward with, pursuing a musical career. I ask for your help in sharing my story amongst the Autism community. I am going to do whatever it takes to try and gain all of the support that I can get to accomplish my goals. I mention my idols in this video: Elton John, Billy Joel, My Chemical Romance, and I hope that with your help, one day in the near f
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Why I’m Running for Autism Speaks in The Walt Disney World Marathon

Ian Senior is participating in his third Walt Disney World Marathon weekend for Team Up! with Autism Speaks. This year he and his wife are doing the Goofy Challenge, running the Half Marathon and Marathon on January 10 and 11. Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE I m originally from the UK, growing up in Leeds in the northern part of England. In my day job I m an internal auditor. I told my 7 year old son when he joined me recently on Take Your Kids to Work Day as we walked past the C-Suite that my job is to keep those folks out of jail! I began running August 2, 2010 and was totally unprepared, confirmed by the fact that I couldn t walk properly for days after that. My primary motivation was health. I was more than 50 lbs. overweight and couldn t keep up with my then 3 and a half year old running across a field. I guess the time was right for me to do something. Now I run for fitness and yes, even for pleasure. In 2011 I read about the Walt Disney World Marathon in
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Incredible! A Freak Car Accident Jolted A Young Boy With Autism To Finally Speak.

When Nikko Tolman was 8 years old, a 17-year-old drunk driver crashed his car into the side of Nikko’s house — pinning him underneath it.  When the medics arrived, Nikko had no pulse. He was rushed to the hospital. As his mom was sitting by his bedside holding his hand, Nikko looked at her and said, “Mom, don’t cry.” Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE For a nonverbal boy on the spectrum, speaking those three words was close to miraculous. And Nikko hasn’t stopped speaking since! Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE Watch the video to learn more about this extraordinary story! Read more at http://blog.theautismsite.com/nikkotolmanspeaks/#0h1QCcFf2YI65qu8.99
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A Dog That Can Track A Child With Autism? Ruby Can!

When the Tingum family learned that one of their twin boys, Garrett, had severe autism, they were more than concerned for his well-being. When Garrett grew older, he started wandering into the street, making it difficult for him and his family to freely and safely leave the house. However, when Garrett’s parents came across Ruby, a golden retriever service dog, they knew they had found the perfect match for young Garrett! Learn how Music And Rhythm Can Help Your Child’s Autism – CLICK HERE See their inspiring story in this video. Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE Read more at http://blog.theautismsite.com/rubyandgarrett/#RB6C2MjqBb55d4eg.99
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Leading scientist ejected by audience after ‘trying to crowd surf’ at classical music concert

Photo of Bristol Old Vic Scientist is thrown out of accessible and informal classical concert by fellow audience members after attempting to crowd-surf
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Paris classical music row intensifies as new concert hall prepares to open

A computer-generated image of inside the Philharmonie de Paris, which is part of the state-run Cité de la Musique complex. The opening of a state-of-the-art concert hall in a top European city should be a cause for celebration. Not so in Paris, where the inauguration of the new Philharmonie, scheduled for 14 January, has been accompanied by stress and anger. The director of the Philharmonie de Paris has confessed to be plagued by sleepless nights over whether it will be able to make good on its bold promise to democratise classical music by moving the capital’s principal venue to the periphery of the city’s north-east. But his concerns have been dwarfed by protests following the decision to take classical music performances away from the Salle Pleyel, which has hosted concerts for well-heeled audiences for almost a century. The art-deco venue is owned by the state-run Cité de la Musique complex which the new Philharmonie is part of. The decision infuriated the Salle Pleyel’s f
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Police Officer Brightens Boy With Autism’s Day

December 31, 2014 Five year old Cayden Carbone had just had a bad day at school when an interaction with a Malden, Mass. police officer turned his whole day around. Get The Autism Answer on Paperback FREE – CLICK HERE He is on the autism spectrum so it’s hard for him to overcome things that throw him off so he was in a tailspin,” Cayden’s mother Sheryl Carbone told CBS Boston. Cayden had been crying and when he walked up to officer Steven Mulcahy at a Burger King, the officer knew something was wrong. Mulcahy spent the rest of his break with the boy, even letting him climb into his cruiser. It made a huge difference in the boy s day. “I think Cayden would not have gotten through Christmas had that interaction not occurred,” Sheryl told CBS Boston. Mulcahy explained that he and other Malden police officers had recently received training on how to interact with individuals with special needs, and now he considers Cayden a friend for life. The two met again this week, and Cay
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The real reason you have a post-pregnancy belly bulge

You were probably elated when your belly started to grow during pregnancy, but now that you’ve given birth, it’s not so endearing. Even if you eat healthy and exercise regularly, that belly pooch can stick around. Chances are it’s due to diastasis recti, a common condition that can actually start before pregnancy but can linger on for months, even years, if it’s not corrected. Find out what causes diastasis recti, the easy fix and why you should avoid crunches at all costs. What is diastasis recti? Stop comparing yourself to celebrities who are walking the red carpet weeks after giving birth. Maybe they’re wearing layers of Spanx, but the reality is that there’s no magic way to have a flat stomach right after giving birth. Six to eight weeks postpartum, your uterus is still shrinking back to its normal size so give yourself and your body a break. After the first few months however, that belly pooch can stick around in spite of your best efforts. It’s known as diastasis r
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She Gave A Homeless Woman A Coat And Got Yelled At

This is the story of Veronica, a girl from Detroit, who thanks to a college class got an idea that would end up changing lives of hundreds of homeless people. She is only 24. Veronica wanted to design a coat that transforms into a sleeping bag for a school project, but ended up doing much more than that. She gave people using homeless shelters one thing they needed most. This girl is the real life example of a proverb “Give man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”
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Orchestra Tries Playing After Eating World’s Hottest Chili Pepper (Video)

Classical music is one of the last remaining bastions of refinement that people can turn to when they want to feel superior to everyone else, and based on the number of times my roommate has kept me up by practicing the violin for hours on end, nobody takes things more seriously than the people who play it. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not allowed to have a little bit of fun every once in a while, which is why the Danish National Chamber Orchestra decided to mix things up by having every musician eat an incredibly hot chili pepper while performing “Tango Jalousie.” As much as I would have loved to watch an absolute train wreck unfold on stage, members managed to keep their composure (to a certain extent). For a second, I thought we were going to lose one of the bassoon players, but he managed to pull through and contribute to a surprisingly enjoyable performance.
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Five Tips for Grandparents of a Child with Autism

This post is by Jane Springer, a grandmother to six-year-old twins, one of whom has autism. Jane is a certified life and wellness coach who helps parents and grandparents of children on the autism spectrum. Jane recently shared a post about her life as a grandmother and in the post below, she shares her top five tips for grandparents of a child with autism.  1. Expect the unexpected – be prepared. With a child with autism, you never know when something will throw them into a major meltdown.  It can happen when you least expect it.  Case in point. My grandson is in vacation bible school this week.  At the end of the program, there were 300+ kids in the big church with a loud speaker leading the group in song.  He had his hands up to his ears, which generally means there is too much noise or he is in unfamiliar territory.  The leader said a prayer and then said Amen (Ahmen).  He went into complete meltdown mode because he thought it should be pronounced Amen (long A).  Tear
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Wendy Grew Up Not Knowing Why Her Mother Was Different. Now She’s Raising Awareness.

Wendy Hamilton was raised by a mother with autism. The thing is, her family didn’t know that “Moppy” was on the spectrum until 2007 — after her kids were grown up. As a child, Moppy slipped through the cracks in the system and her struggles were brushed off as simply being lazy. Wendy and her sister always felt like something was different about their mom, and it wasn’t just that she wanted her kids to call her “Moppy,” or that she called her daughters “Fred” and “Leroy.” Moppy required hours upon hours of alone time; she didn’t cook or clean; and she didn’t give the girls much affection as they grew up. While having a professional diagnosis has certainly explained a lot and relieved some of the feelings Wendy and her family have had, Wendy realized that there are few resources available for adults with autism. And she’s aiming to change that. “We must remember — we must remember — to train our communities, and ourselves, to remember that autism does
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New Study: Sleep Loss = Weight Gain (and tons of other diseases)

Here’s something that hopefully will not keep you awake at night. New study published in the journal Cell on the negative effects of irregular sleep patterns reveal that lack of sleep means weight gain. The study surprised even the researchers after they found out that volatile sleep and eating patterns in mice and humans can lead to negative metabolic changes in the microorganisms found in their stomach. These changes are specifically associated with higher obesity rates, heart diseases, diabetes, cancer and weaker immune system. Lose sleep and you ll gain a few pounds, it s that simple.  As it turned out metabolic disruption at the microbial level due to lack of sleep has big and profound effects even on humans. Health problems, obesity, heart disease, cancer and susceptibility to infection are not rare, and as the research found out one of the major contributory factors to them is very common as well. The research also noted that lack of sleep can also affect hormonal fluctuatio
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12 Things I’ve Learned Growing Up With Autism

A few weeks ago, I was getting ready to go out when I stopped by my parent’s room where they were watching some baby videos of me. In the video, we were at my aunt’s house where I was cheerfully traveling around from room to room while my dad was getting some close up shots of me eating some bacon. While the video continued on, I started to remember that I had seen this video before just about a year back. I was probably the happiest kid you would ever meet, but my speech was not there at all. I made sounds but nothing close to what I should have been saying at one and a half. A year later, I was still non-verbal and even though I started talking shortly thereafter, I got a diagnosis of autism when I was four. Every once in a while now I start thinking about that kid I now watch in the videos and think to myself what would have happened if I never started talking. Would I live a happy life some day as someone who was non-verbal? Today I know of great success stories of people like
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