Juice Plus+®

Free Tickets to TACA Picnic for Families in Need

Mom needs advice

Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques

NYT: A Season of Song, Dance and Autism

FREE Health Education Dinner Lecture

Autism Movement Therapy Dancers to Perform

March 26: Special Education Community Forum

Letter From San Diego Unified School District, re: Changes

Autism Services Foundation

Autism Speaks ENewsletter

I'm In Here - The Anthem For Autism

Autism And Music - TeamVico CD About the Autism Journey Releases April 2nd

Oprah's Big Give - San Diego

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Good Health is not Good Luck; it's Science!

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!

On June 1st, TACA will hold its 5th Annual Family Picnic at Camp James in Irvine, CA. The TACA picnic is by far one of the best run and most fun events all year for families as well as the sponsors! For the second year, I would like to help families attend who could not otherwise attend due to the cost of the tickets. This year, I donated over one thousand dollars to pay for seventy people (35 parents and 35 children) to attend the TACA picnic.

If you live in Southern CA and would like to request 2008 TACA Family Picnic tickets based on need, please contact Moira Giamatteo at TACA at moira@netzero.net.

Either way, I hope you can make it, and please stop by my table on June 1st for a free beach ball for your child, and a travel coffee mug for you!

Elizabeth C. McCoy
Attorney at Law
www.ca-specialneedstrusts.com

Hi:)
I have a 2.5 year old son very recently diagnosed with Autism. He is very high functioning and currently goes to a typical preschool (Tues/Thurs) in Rancho Sante Fe which up until recently I absolutely LOVED. Anyhow, we were given an Aide to go with him to school (which I fought for per what the Director said would be great for him and I felt that way too)...and when push came to shove and we obtained the aide, I told her the great news and she 180'ed on me. She told me that the parents that bring their kids to the school would feel that my son is getting "special treatment" and is now refusing to allow the aide to attend with him. She said she doesn't care that it would help him. I am really disgusted in her attitude and change of heart and I am now quickly looking for another preschool (one with the potential to allow an Aide for him). I live in Encinitas but am looking in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Cardiff areas. Anyone know of any preschools that are good around here? Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!
Sincerely,
Allie M

For those of you that do not have time and/or energy to go on a gluetin free casin free diet check out www.NAET.com. NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques). A technique to eliminate allergies permanently from the body towards the treated allergen. Developed by Dr. Devi S. Nambudripad in 1983 and practiced by over 4,500 medical practitioners worldwide. This technique is completely natural, non-invasive, and drug-free. It has been effectively used in treating all types of allergies and problems arising from allergies. Make sure you read the open letter. We have had tremendous results and have not had to take our son totally off milk, gluetin, eggs etc.
bvelier@san.rr.com

LOS ANGELES
ON a recent afternoon Elaine Hall, a petite acting coach, sat on the floor of the bare-bones rec room at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services and guided a half-dozen kids with autism through a finger-pointing, call-and-response game called Zip Zap. Then came a group singalong as the children crooned "Our circle is ready to start/Come share ideas, come share your heart" over and over. Before long Josh, Zoey, Shira and their friends were bunny-hopping across the room and improvising wild solo jigs to giddy applause.

This is the Miracle Project, subject of the documentary "Autism: The Musical," which has its debut Tuesday on HBO. It chronicles the 2005-6 incarnation of Ms. Hall's program by tracking a rambunctious cast of children with autism - and their parents - as they prepare to put on a show.

The documentary features Wyatt, 10 years old at the time of filming, who expresses uncanny insights about bullies and love; Henry, also 10, the son of the musician Stephen Stills and a fountain of knowledge about all things dinosaur; Adam, a curly-haired, 9-year old cellist; Lexi, a shy 14-year-old singer capable of performing Joni Mitchell songs with transcendent ease; and Ms. Hall's son, Neal, 12, an unpredictable blond charmer. Tricia Regan, the director of the documentary, said the project got rolling four years ago when her friend Janet Grillo, the mother of an autistic boy, asked for advice. "She and other parents wanted to make a film that reached beyond the autism community and expressed to the world how great their kids are.

"I said: 'Honestly, people would rather show up for a root canal appointment than sit through an hour-and-a- half movie about autism. It's painful, difficult and frightening. Why don't you turn that on its head by making a movie about kids who are struggling to achieve something, and autism is the obstacle that gets in the way of their success? Find a group of kids with autism who are trying to put on a play.' And it just so happened they knew Elaine."

Ms. Hall, nicknamed "the child whisperer" after she coaxed star-quality performances from toddler twins in the 1992 film "Honey, I Blew Up the Kid," shifted gears 12 years ago when she adopted Neal, then 2, from a Russian orphanage. As the boy began showing signs of autism, Ms. Hall put her career on a back burner to focus on his treatment. Then in 2004 she re-entered the workforce armed with a grant and a mission.

"I wanted to teach theater and dance to kids with autism, cerebral palsy," attention-deficit disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome, she said, "anything that gets somebody kicked out of everywhere else."

Dressed in a turquoise Miracle Project T-shirt, jeans and work boots and curled up in a folding chair, Ms. Hall recalled the project's tumultuous first season, which unfolded before Ms. Regan began shooting.

"The first 11 weeks were so chaotic, kids were literally hiding under tables and spinning around in circles," she said, and whispered: "Then all of a sudden they start coming together as a group. We wrote a play. We learned songs. We wore costumes. We no longer talked about Steven hiding under tables. We we're saying, 'O.K., what role do you think Steven should play?' "

Using videotape of Ms. Hall's classes to pitch their film project, a group of parents found financial backers and hired Ms. Regan to direct. She moved to Los Angeles from New York and in late 2005 began filming the six-month rehearsal process. Eight weeks in, money ran out. Ms. Regan persevered.

"If I walked away, there'd be no movie, and I'd be letting down so many people," she said. "I kept shooting while producers scrambled for cash just to pay my rent." Bunim/Murray Productions (of MTV's "Real World") eventually stepped in to finance the picture.

By then Ms. Regan had realized that her logistical problems paled next to the pressures faced by the parents she'd been interviewing using her mini digital- video camera; none of them sugarcoated their response to the stress of raising an autistic child. Wyatt's father used an expletive to describe his family's prospects after a disheartening conversation with a lawyer about educational options.

Lexi's mother tearfully confided that she was getting a divorce. Adam's mom had a meltdown at dress rehearsal when she learned his cello performance of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" had been cut from the show. And Ms. Hall faced an unexpected setback during a family outing at the park when Neal abruptly pushed a playmate to the ground.

It took some convincing before Ms. Hall understood why her personal struggles needed to be included in the documentary. "Seeing the movie for the first time, I loved it all the way up until Neal pushed," Ms. Hall said. "I thought it was going to ruin his life. I was afraid my future in-laws would write me off when they saw it. I was afraid everyone would be afraid that Neal would push their kid. So I asked him: 'There's this scene where you push the kid. How do you feel about that?' And Neal typed: 'I'm O.K. with it. We are messengers.' "

And their message is clear, as Ms. Regan explained: "The Miracle Project is this oasis where the kids come to relax, but the film wouldn't be successful unless we also saw how painful it can be for the parents of these kids. When you show both sides, it's not so scary anymore."

Please join Valerie Saraf for a FREE Dinner Lecture
Thursday, April 10th
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Holiday Inn Mission Valley - Stadium Room
3805 Murphy Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123

"BE YOUR OWN CAUSE"
Put yourself back on your priority list and build lifelong health for you and your family!
Presented by: Janet McGinn, RN
Janet has over 20 years of experience in Critical Care Medicine, Health Education and Health Care Administration.

Discover how to:

• Increase your vitality and "health span"
• Begin the "prevention" process vs the disease process
• Use basic good nutrition to build a strong immune system
• Identify harmful ingredients in the food we eat
• Protect you and your family from degenerative diseases
• Incorporate more fruits and begetables in your family's diet

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(805) 449-2700

Pre-show event begins @ 6:00pm - Autism Movement Therapy Dancers, Art auction, live music, etc.

THE SANDWICH KID(by the creator of Normal People Scare Me)
Presented by PAUSE4Kids

Friday, April 11th, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Fred Kavli Theatre (Films)

A Film About Siblings & Disabilities
Created by Keri Bowers, Featuring Jace King
90-minute feature film

Disabilities affect not only those who are diagnosed, but they have a strong impact on the siblings of people with disabilities. The Sandwich Kid seeks to give a voice to those who are impacted by the day-to- day living with a brother or sister having a developmental or other disability. The film is moved forward by 12 year old Jace King who we first met in big brother Taylor Cross' film, Normal People Scare Me. A formidable force, Jace uses wit, charm and keen insights as his "brothers keeper" to extract laughter and tears in the interviews he conducts with dozens of "sibs", ranging in age from 6 to 59. Along the way, he shares his own struggles and challenges to building a relationship after years of estrangement with his quirky brother. Bring a tissue.

March 26: Special Education Community Forum, 6:30 p.m., Lincoln High School, Room 601, 4777 Imperial Ave. The Community Advisory Committee for Special Education is holding community forums where parents, students, teachers and community members can learn more about the committee and provide input about special-education programs. Information: (858) 627-7270, ext. 3160 or cacsdusd@yahoo.com

Dear Valerie,
Please put the attached letter on Valerie's list.
Sincerely,
MarySue Glynn
Special Education Director
Eugene Brucker Education Center, Annex 6
4100 Normal Street
San Diego, CA 92103
Phone 619-725-7650
Fax 619-725-7246

March 21, 2008
TO: PARENTS OF CHILDREN RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICIES IN SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SHOOL DISTRICT

This information is regarding changes that you will begin to see on your child's IEP next year. These changes are about the way we refer to special education services and some increased options for where your child may receive services within the San Diego Unified School District.

While all of us know that special education is a service, the many years of using terms like "special day class" has confused people into thinking special education is a place. It is not a place that students go, but rather a service that students may receive in a number of different places. The Special Education Department for the State of California is now referring to primary special education service as "specialized academic instruction" (SAI). There will no longer be designations such as ILS, PACE, Non-severe, etc, as a primary service.

The IEP will now have:
· Primary Federal Handicapping Condition (FHC)
· Amount of time the student will receive SAI.
· Amount of time a student will receive SAI in or out of general education.
· Related services (e.g., speech and language) to be listed separately.

This change takes us away from labeling students and allows more opportunities for them. It requires that staff members think of students as individuals who have very unique needs and who need their school schedules to be highly individualized. It creates additional least restrictive environment (LRE) options by enhancing supports at every neighborhood school.

The IEP team will determine the student's individual schedules and will plan where the child needs to receive educational services. Some children, who have an existing IEP, may be transitioning this year to elementary, middle or high school. For those children, the teachers from the child's previous class will work with the receiving teacher to review the child's needs and decide where the child might best get special education services. For example, they will decide where the language instruction should take place; or whether some courses should be taken in the general education class; or how much time is needed generalizing skills out in the community; or how much time the child may need in a separate room (support room). A child may be in the support room for as little or as much time as they need. Not every child's schedule will be different from what it looks like today. At this point in time we see this affecting a small number of children. Parents will always have a say in their child's IEP. Our teachers are getting more familiar with these changes and you may feel free to talk with them about it.

In addition, you may be aware that The San Diego Unified School District contracted with Dr. Thomas Hehir and Associates to provide a comprehensive review of Special Education services. Dr. Hehir presented his findings to the Board of Education on January 22, 2008.

Three priority areas were endorsed by the Board of Education:
▪ Improve instructional programs for students with disabilities;
▪ Assure that general education, including Charter Schools, take greater responsibility for the education of students with disabilities; and
▪ Develop an effective Response to Intervention (RTI) model. (This is a general education initiative)

Many parents spoke in support of the goals. We are pleased to be able to begin working towards the recommendations that we will implement over a three-year period. Dr Hehir's complete report is available on the district website at http://www. sandi.net/ depts/specialed.

We are aware that change is always difficult. It makes everyone feel unsure and worried about the outcome. Between the changes in the language and the move toward neighborhood schools, folks feel like they are loosing equilibrium. This is a time for discussion and we will provide many venues for parents to meet with the special education staff. Please help dispel the inaccuracies that inevitably abound in times like this. Please review the chart below. We are commitment to provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education consistent with federal and state laws.

WHAT THE CHANGES MEAN

1. Services at Neighborhood schools will be enhanced in order for students to be able to get their needed services at their neighborhood schools.
2. Many parents will be happy that their children will not be sent away from their neighborhoods to get special education services.
3. . Children will be seen as students first and not be identified by labels.
4. Children will have individualized schedules; many students will continue to spend the majority of their day in classrooms with their special education teachers.

1. It does not mean that all children will have to go to their neighborhood schools.
2. It does not mean that Choice, Magnate, VEEP and Charter options will be eliminated.
3. It does not mean that children will have less service.
4. It does not mean that children will have to have their instruction in general education.

Autism Services Foundation, ASF, was founded in 2005 as a non-profit 501 (3) (c ) corporation. ASF was founded by the Board because of the passion to help families find and receive appropriate services for children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Robin La-Brie Jackson, the director, has 3 family members on the autism spectrum, due to this direct experience with autism she felt compelled to start ASF as a way to help alleviate the incredible burden placed on the family members when they have a child on the spectrum, to educate the public on the uniqueness of individuals with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome to change societal view of autism and to find services that truly help and inspire individuals with Autism. This organization is not about finding a cure but about 'celebrating the differences' of these unique individuals who have so much to offer society.

click below

My name is BJ McKelvie. My son battles autism. Out of all this a song has been birthed. I am one of the writers and singers of this powerful song. Please let it touch you deep inside.

A family's journey of Autism and Recovery is told through original music on rock and roll concept album.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 15, 2008 - "All parents respond differently to a diagnosis of autism. I write songs," Michael Giammatteo says about the upcoming release of a new CD by his band TeamVico.

Shadow Shines- A Story of Autism and recovery takes listeners on an emotional journey of heartbreak, courage and hope. It is a concept album that tells the story of his family's experiences since his son, Vico, was diagnosed with autism almost a decade ago.

Raising a child with autism carries with it extraordinary challenges. Documenting his experiences in song provided the outlet that kept Michael sane.

"All of our friends told my wife and I that we needed to write a book about our story, and suddenly I realized that I already had," he said. Although much has been written about autism, nothing captures emotion quite like a song.

"Going back and listening to the songs all together was cathartic for me, kind of therapeutic. I realized that the music could have a healing effect in the hearts of other parents of children with special needs," he said.

One in one hundred fifty children born in the US has autism. This is a complex neurological disorder with no known cure that within the last 10 years has reached epidemic levels. It is estimated that approximately 1 million children in the US have this disorder.

Michael believes that his son's story of recovery is not unique. "There are thousands of kids out there who are recovering to various degrees. There is lots of hope for our children," he said. Michael and his wife Moira are actively involved with the support group TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) whose spokesperson is Jenny McCarthy. "Jenny has done tremendous job of spreading the word that Autism is treatable," says Moira.

Shadow Shines documents a decade that starts with the joy of Moira's pregnancy and Vico's birth. It then takes a turn as his son regresses into autism. Eventually the musical story winds its way around to the stages of his recovery. The emotional sensations of youthful confidence in the opening track give way to richer and darker moments while never succumbing to a loss of faith, with one exception:

"Maybe it's me - or is that just an egotistical view on tragedy" sings Michael in Sometimes I Wonder, the CD's musical turning point. There is a sense of authentic emotion as the listener recognizes the pain and heartache in the vocal. "That one was written the day after my son was diagnosed with autism. The recording that you hear was completed two days after that. So it's pretty raw. Nine years on it's still difficult for me to listen to," he said. Questions of guilt and self blame are confronted as well as the hopelessness of not knowing what to do next. "My son's diagnosis was given to us like it was a sentence. There was no pamphlet telling us how to deal with it. It was, pretty much, 'Good luck with that' and we were sent on our way," he said.

While Shadow Shines covers a spectrum of emotions, it also runs the gamut musically from rock, to pop, to alternative, to ballads. It even incorporates psychedelic & Indian influenced sounds. "Yes," TeamVico guitarist David Wholihan agrees, "when we got it into our heads that this was going to be a concept album, we definitely got into a classic rock mindset."

This is not Michael's first musical project involving autism. He and David have previously released two in a series of music CDs designed to promote speech for children with autism. "When my son first started speech therapy, his therapist told me that, on commercial children's CDs, they sing too rapidly for our kids to understand the words. She asked me to record some traditional children's songs, but to slow down the tempo of the singing," Michael explains. "In order not to make it sound slow, we rocked up the music. Kids on the spectrum really took to it."

The first TeamVico CD won a Los Angeles Independent Music Award for "Best Children's CD of 2005". It was incorporated into the special needs curriculum of the Simi Valley School District & is being used by Speech & Language Pathologists across the country.

"We were going to begin work on the third children's CD but I felt compelled to tell the story that appears on Shadow Shines," Michael continues. "Nothing like this has ever been done before and I think it's important to get it out there."

TeamVico CDs are available for purchase on the web only at www.teamvico.com