The Reason For It All

TACA Meeting - San Diego

Autism and a Link to Brain Development

Juice Plus+ "Thins" and it's effect on Anxiety and OCD

Why Juice Plus+???

Grandma has questions....

Model Me Tips & Tricks DVD

Mom needs advice on Special Day Non-Severe K1 Class at Hancock Elementary

Hepatitis B Vaccine: Good for 'Newborn' Prostitutes and Drug Users, but Who Else?

Dance Class Needed

Looking for someone to shadow our son Trent in Preschool

State's schools lack cohesive plan for autism

Heart of Sailing Back in CA

'Escondido Autism Meet Up' and More!!!

Mom needs help with Sunday School

Melaleuca, The Wellness Company

Empowering Through Information & the Fostering of Connections

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 thoroughly 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
My enewsletters are archived on my website:
www.ValeriesList.com

Julia Berle and Bonnie Myers
"Recovery, Hope and The Importance of Maintaining our Children's Health"

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
6:30 - 8:30 PM

Julia Berle is mother to Baxter who recovered from autism three years after receiving the diagnosis through a variety of biomedical and traditional therapies. She and Baxter have shared his success story on Good Morning America, Dateline NBC, numerous local California news stations as well as in a variety of printed publications.

Bonnie Myers is a parent to a 9 year old son who is recovering from autism. He had extensive therapy and biomedical treatments starting at 25 months. She worked with him on a daily basis, and was involved in all aspects of his intervention. Her college degree is in Sociology/Psychology with an emphasis in child development/family relations. Bonnie has read over 60 books, attended many conferences, and traveled throughout the United States to get medical care for her son. She believes with hope, determination, and persistence that every parent can improve their child's quality of life.

Rancho Bernardo Presbyterian Church (Directions below)
Directions to Rancho Bernardo Presbyterian Church: 17010 Pomerado Road, San Diego, CA 92128. From I-15, exit Rancho Bernardo Road and travel east to Pomerado Road. Turn left (north) at the stoplight. The church will be on your left hand side.

Room Change: TACA is now meeting in the Lower Fireside room. The Lower Fireside room is downstairs in the main church building. Park in the lower (southern) lot for best access to this room.

It's been an amazing year for discoveries about autism and genes-and it's only July. The latest news: Some genes involved in the disorder may affect the brain's ability to develop in response to experience, a key aspect of learning.

That follows the report in January that scientists with the Boston-based Autism Consortium had found a genetic variation on chromosome 16 shared by 1 percent of people with autism. In March, researchers reported that about 15 percent of autism cases result from random spontaneous mutations that are unique to each person, rather than an inherited "disease gene."

Juice Plus+ Thins® is a healthful, whole food based snack. These specially formulated chewable wafers contain a carefully balanced blend of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers that help reduce hunger - without the use of any stimulants or drugs.

The above information is what the Juice Plus+ company says about it's product: "Thins". Now I will tell you what effect "Thins" had on my son, Tony, who has autism.

First, it is important that you all understand, and I make it very clear, that this is NOT scientifically backed.

About two years ago, I started to give Tony the Juice Plus+ "Thins" as a precautionary measure against him developing diabetes. When Tony turned 18 (he is now 24), we had to put him on Zyprexa, because of an increase in violent behaviors. Dr. Feder informed me that having Tony on Zyprexa would increase his chances of developing diabetes. In the Juice Plus+ literature, which of course I have, I read that the "Thins" product helps to regulate insulin levels in the blood.

So, I started to give Tony "Thins" everyday, starting just 2 years ago, with no other medication or change. After a couple of weeks, I noticed that Tony was more relaxed. Less anxiety. And, even more remarkable his repetitive, obsessive behaviors dropped about 80%. Changes in his routine/schedule became much easier, new experiences were no longer hard. Repetitive behaviors/routines nearly disappeared.

I was stunned and kept waiting for them reemerge, but to this day they haven't. I told Dr. Feder about it and he has no explanation for it. I showed him the ingredients of "Thins" and he said that there was nothing in them that would be harmful in any way.

Does this mean that somehow insulin levels in the blood have something to do with anxiety and/or OCD??? Your guess is as good as mine. Medical science does know that insulin levels can effect moods and behaviors, so maybe there is a connection.

I have no idea if this is something that is relevant only to Tony and his system, or if this would help other individuals with autism, calm their anxiety and/or OCD. Since I have giving him the "Thins" I have been able to reduce his medications: Zyprexa, Celexa & Tenex.

If you would like to try Juice Plus+ "Thins" with your loved one with autism, here is how I suggest you do it:

First of all JP+ "Thins" come in 2 flavors: Apple Cinnamon and Chocolate. JP+ offers a variety pack that includes both flavors, so I suggest you go for that one until you find out which your child/teen/adult prefers. The wafers are large, but they can be easily cut.

When you order the box of "Thins" you will see that there are 8 bottles in the box. DON'T Panic!! If this doesn't work with you child/teen/adult with autism you can send back any unopened bottles for a refund -- be sure to keep your receipt and the box!

In placing the order, go for the four monthly installments, which is $27.50 per month. That way you are not investing a lot of money on what is an experiment that may or may not work. Don't worry about the automatic reorder every 4 months, as I can go into the system and delay it to any date in the future.

Dosage: An adult can chew up to 12 wafers a day. Tony chews just 6-8 and it works fine. He has 3-4 in the morning with breakfast and 3-4 with dinner. For a child under 7, I would give 1 wafer in the morning and 1 wafer in the evening, probably best with food. For kids, 8 to 16, I would give 2 wafers in the morning and 2 with dinner, again best with food. Kids over 16 would be considered an adult and it would be 3 to 4 wafers in the morning and 3 to 4 in the evening. Always start out low and slow and work your way up.

"Thins" ingredients:
Apple Cinnamon:
Special dietary fiber complex (apple pectin, apple fiber, plant cellulose, fructooligosaccharides, carageenan, locust bean gum); absorbalean Fruit Source fruit juice solids; rice syrup solids; fructose; flavors; Malabar tamarind fruit extract (garcinia cambogia with (-) hydroxycitric acid); stearic acid; lechitin; hawthorne berry powder; special enzyme blend (bromelain, papain, protease); trivalent chromium; and stevia leaf powder.

Chocolate Fudge:
Special dietary fiber complex (apple pectin, apple fiber, plant cellulose, fructooligosaccharides, carageenan, locust bean gum); absorbalean Fruit Source fruit juice solids; rice syrup solids; fructose; flavors; Malabar tamarind fruit extract (garcinia cambogia with (-) hydroxycitric acid); stearic acid; lechitin; hawthorne berry powder; special enzyme blend (bromelain, papain, protease); trivalent chromium; and stevia leaf powder.

Are you confused? Do you have any questions before you embark on this little experiment? No worries. Please just email me at ValerieSaraf@aol.comor ValeriesList@aol.comand I will answer your questions and help you in any way. I have several Medical Professionals who are very involved in Juice Plus+ that I can go to for advise, etc.

Want to give it a go? Just go to my website: http://www.valsarafjuiceplus.com, click on "Store", then on "view all products". Juice Plus+ Thins Variety Pack is the fourth item. Follow the instructions from there. I hope that this does work for other individuals with autism, as it has made Tony's and my life soooooo much better.

Why Juice Plus+?
The best way to answer that question, is to ask another. How do you think you would feel; how healthy would your body be; how much positive energy would you have, if you ate a serving of 15 different fruits and vegetables and 2 grains EVERYDAY?
That is what JP+ is and that is what it does.

Juice Plus+ provides the natural nutrition (millions of nutrients) of fully ripened, RAW fruits and vegetables in a capsulated form for adults and chewables and gummies for kids.

The cost for adults is $41.50 per month, or $1.36 per day. (Could your buy a serving of 15 fruits and veggies, and eat all of them, RAW for $1.36 per day?)

The cost for kids for Chewables or Gummies is $22.50 per month, or .74 cents per day? Could you even get your kids to eat 15 RAW, fruits and veggies per day?

For more information about Juice Plus+ and/or purchase it, please visit my website here. JP+ is certified GF/CF Dairy Free and Kosher!!!

We cannot get our grandson to try any clean clothes - he wants to wear the same outfit to bed and during the day. We are worried about how we are going to get him to school because of this. The regional center has not yet assigned a case worker for my grandson and it could be months. In the meantime, my grandson is having constant meltdowns. Does anyone know if we have any legal recourse, or any help. Does anyone know of any medication for these children in a patch form?

I have been checking some sources where they do brain mapping and would like to know if anyone has any info. There is a Drake institute here in Riverside and Irvine that does brain mapping and has a program that they say is successful in helping these children with aspergers. However, independent sources that I have researched have not spoken favorably about Drake Institute.

Having said that I am interesting in only the portion where the brain mapping is done and I am wondering if anyone knows if their method of Brain mapping is reliable. Is anyone familiar with the brain mapping done at the Psycho Neuro Plasticity Center in Texas (by Dr. Lawlis from the Dr. Phil show) Would these methods be comparable?
Grandma
madb@cox.net

The Model Me Tips & Tricks DVD features upper elementary, middle, and high school-aged children demonstrating social skills at school and in the community. Each scene lasts between 30 seconds and 3 minutes, depending on the chapter. At the end of each chapter is a storyboard summarizing the rules taught.

The San Diego Unified School District just assigned my child to the special day non-severe K1 class. Does any one have any good or bad experiences with this school or classroom that they would like to share. I believe the teacher's name is Riva Bugera. Unfortunately, our home school doesn't offer this program. I would really appreciate any advice or input to determine if I need to "Choice" into another school. Also, any advice on some great schools that offer this program would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
olsjas@yahoo.com

(NaturalNews) The Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine is considered one of the most controversial vaccines in the pediatric vaccination schedule. Why are we giving it to newborns and what are the adverse reactions associated with such an early vaccination?

Hi Valerie
Just wondering if you could post this:
I live in the San Diego (Point Loma / PB Area) and I have an 8 year old little girl with Autism.

Just wondering if anyone has had a good experience with a dance class (hip hop or ballet) for a child with special needs.

She likes to dance, so we thought she might enjoy a class either group or private, for fun.
Thanks =)
**Rose

My name is Wes Collier. My wife Patricia and I are looking for someone who has experience in being an aid or who is willing to receive training to be an aid, and to shadow my son at his preschool in Carlsbad. He is not 3 yet so he won't star preschool until Nov. The preschool is in Carlsbad near the intersection of HWY-78 and El Camino Real. The training would start sometime around late Sept. to early Oct. He would start preschool right around his birthday of Nov, 20th. The training would be provided at our home in San Marcos by a vendor. We would pay this person an hourly fee during their training, as well as for shadowing our son. We plan for him to attend preschool in the afternoon, 2 to 3 days a week, for a half day. We want him to be around typical kids in a normal environment, and this would help him in doing so. If anyone is interested in this opportunity, please contact me or my wife (Patricia), for more information.

Wes Collier- (734) 250-0533 weslyc1775@yahoo.com

Patricia Collier- (734) 250-0077 patriciaannmartinez@yahoo.com

Left to himself, 11-year-old Jonah Kasoff slips easily into what his family calls Jonahworld, an inner sanctum where he can flutter his fingers and utter "whoa! whoa! eh, eh" for as long as he likes.

His family would rather that he study math.

"Make no mistake - Jonah is clearly severely impacted by his autism," said his grandfather Marv Kasoff of San Francisco. "But it turns out that he is bright and can learn and make progress."

Heart of Sailing introduces sailing to children, teens and adults with disabilities as a form of education and recreational therapy. Very safe fun for the whole family.

San Diego
Ventura

website