Juice Plus+®

Vancouver couple show autism, romance can coexist

UNI profs probe link between mercury and autism

"Rock the Lights Out for Autism!"

CARD's Feeding Disorders Clinic, March 15th

PECS Intensive Summer Program 2008

A Festival of Friendship

Hope for Today, A Plan for Tomorrow

France: Vaccine Companies Investigated for Manslaughter

"Eat more fruits and vegetables."

It's the one recommendation in almost every diet plan, every guide to nutrition, every fitness book. Even organizations such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the World Health Organization, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion agree. But as much as it's preached, most people still don't eat enough fruits and vegetables every day.
That's why there's Juice Plus+®.

If you can't afford prevention, then how will you afford disease?

Get Kids Involved
Give your kids some hands-on experience in the kitchen, and let the Fruit & Veggie Color Champions teach them about the importance of eating a colorful variety of fruits and veggies. These colorful friends guide children on fruit and vegetable exploring adventures that make learning fun. Join the Champions as their escapades take them through games, coloring, puzzles, and rhymes.

I never endorse anyone or anything. Opinions expressed in what I send out, may not be shared by me. Everything is for informational purposes only.

People who "advertise" through this newsletter have never been checked out by me. This includes professionals and even people who are interested in babysitting, etc.

Please take the time to throughly check out anyone and everyone that will be working with or caring for your child. We are all sadly aware, through news stories and word of mouth, of people who pray upon special needs children because of their extra vulnerability.

Thank you,
Valerie Dodd-Saraf

Check out my new website!

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Emilia Murry Ramey and Jody John Ramey met through a mutual friend. They soon discovered they had more in common than their friend. Both were students at Portland State University. And both have autism.

The Vancouver couple are among the estimated 1.5 million Americans living with the effects of some degree of autism.

CEDAR FALLS - A research article published by a pair of University of Northern Iowa professors concludes the link between mercury and autism can't be ruled out and needs further study.

The results don't prove mercury exposure causes autism, a developmental disability that can affect language and social skills.

Autism's prevalence has burgeoned in the last two decades, and is estimated to affect one in 150 children in the country.

The article drew both quick rebukes and enthusiastic praise from those debating the link between mercury in vaccines and autism.

But Catherine DeSoto and Robert Hitlan, both psychology professors, said their work doesn't directly address the controversial issue because mercury exposure can occur in more than one way.

Autism Tree Project Foundation's
5th Anniversay Gala
"Rock the Lights Out for Autism!"

DATE: Saturday
March 29, 2008

TIME:
5:30pm
Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:00pm
Dinner, Live Auction & Entertainment

LOCATION:
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
One Market Place
San Diego, California

Black-tie
$175per person
$1,600 per table

Celebrity Ambassadors James "Lights Out" Toney
Heavyweight Champion
Lorenzo Neal
San Diego Chargers Fullback

Performances by
Culture Shock
After Midnight Project

Co-Chairs
Robert & Melia Crousore
Dr. Michael & Karen Levy
Dr. Luis & Anamaria Sanchez

Honorary Co-Chair
Dr. Doris Trauner

Please respond by March 20th, 2008
Register online at:
www.autismtreeproject.org

For more information, contact:
Dayna Hoff 619-980-8614
Marley Nelms 619-540-5912

A benefit to support the programs of the Autism Tree Project Foundation

Hi Valerie,
I was wondering if you wouldn't mind posting information about CARD's feeding disorders clinic on your upcoming newsletter.

CARD San Diego will be hosting a Feeding Disorders clinic at our office on Saturday, March 15, 2008. This event is open to parents and professionals, and will assist in identifying potential causes of a feeding disorder as well as various techniques to use to improve a child's feeding as well as tools to ease mealtime frustration. There is a fee to attend this event, and registration is recommended. Please visit our website for registration or more information: http://www.centerforautism.com

Thanks Valerie!
Emelia Young
Case Supervisor
7297 Ronson Rd. Ste. H
San Diego, CA 92111
Office: (858) 278-6603
Fax: (858) 278-6605
e.young@centerforautism.com

Santa Rosa, California
July 28-August 8

My name is Michela Figini-Myers and I am a PECS / Pyramid consultant. I wanted to let everybody know that we are now accepting applications for our Summer PECS Program, which will take place in Santa Rosa, CA from July 28th to August 8th, 2008. This is an intensive two-week program designed for children ages 2-6 who have never used PECS but need to learn an effective communication system, as well as children who currently use PECS and need to fine-tune their skills or are having difficulties getting past a certain phase. Children will be attending classes for ten days ( 6 hours a day ) and the focus will be on communication ( PECS and additional critical communication skills ) within functional activities.

Parents will also receive 3 days of PECS training which coincide with the first 3 days of the Program.

While the children are learning, parents and families will be able to enjoy the beauties of the nearby wine country ( Napa valley ), visit San Francisco and go shopping in the Bay Area!

If you know of a child who might benefit from camp, or if you want to know more about this wonderful opportunity, request information:

Intensive Summer Program information can be found by clicking here! www.pecs.com/Camp.htm

On Saturday, March 1st, 700+ festival attendees will meet at San Diego High School to celebrate the simple yet powerful bond of friendship at the annual Festival of Friendship: Best Buddies Bash. Best Buddies is an international nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for friendships and employment.

The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a 5K Friendship Walk, where Best Buddies, participants, and supporters who have raised money through pledges and/or sponsorships, will walk. After the walk, there will be a celebration; including carnival booths, live entertainment, and a myriad of dynamic activities to enjoy. There will be over 25 San Diego County High Schools in attendance, as well as the Best Buddies San Diego Citizens program.

Best Buddies has programs for people with intellectual disabilities on all age levels. Best Buddies facilitates one-to-one friendships for teens through the Best Buddies Middle School program and High School program, where students with intellectual disabilities are paired with other high school and middle school students. Best Buddies Colleges was the first unified, international, recreational and social program to bring young adults with intellectual disabilities together with college students. The Best Buddies Citizens program pairs adults in the corporate and civic communities. In cyberspace, e- Buddies® creates online friendships between people with and without intellectual disabilities. There are more than 350,000 people participating in Best Buddies in all 50 states and 28 countries.

"There is nothing more inspiring and motivating when individuals who appear to have nothing in common come together in a unified way to overcome the ills of our community" said Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International.

For more information please visit us online at BestBuddiesCalifornia.org or contact Leslie Dykstra at lesliedykstra@bestbuddies.org. For media inquiries, please contact Annelise Cohon at (619-584- 5450) or AnneliseCohon@bestbuddies.org.

The First Ever Autism Town Meeting
Saturday, March 8, 2008 -- 10am to 5pm
FREE Admission

Santee Educational Complex
Los Angeles Unified School District
1921 South Maple Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90011


This event is being presented by The Foundation in association with Autism411. To register and for more info, please contact: info@autism411.net or 818-889-8001