The Reason For It All

Heart of Sailing in San Diego

S4EA Community Resource Fair

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

Why Juice Plus+???

4 Free Training Sessions on Special Education

TERI's Art Show & Potpourri Sale - July 24th

The San Diego Social Skills Camp: PALS

FORBES: Autism advocates praise La. law requiring coverage

Crimson Center expanding to North County

UNC, Caltech research finds further evidence for genetic contribution to autism

Autism Treatment Costs Should Not Fall on Insurers

SDASA: Sixth Annual Fall Conference

Chula Vista: Parent Information and Support Night

Nature-Nurture Gene Link Sheds New Light On Autism

Melaleuca, The Wellness Company

Interactive autism event coming to Temecula

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

Heart of Sailing introduces sailing to children, teens and adults with disabilities as a form of education and recreational therapy. A safe and fun family outing!!

Click for Daysails in San Diego

SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes is hosting our 2nd Greater San Diego SPORTS Festival on Saturday, August 2nd at Tierrasanta Park & Recreation Center, 11220 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, 92124.

We would like to include a Community Resource Fair for our athletes and their families that would include other non-profits in the community that serve individuals with developmental disabilities. I would like to invite your organization to join us.

The Community Resource Fair will take place from 10am - 12pm. The exact location in the park is yet to be determined but will be near the center of activities. A table and 1-2 chairs will be provided. You are welcome to arrive early and/or stay late to take part in the fun. Family is welcome.

Opening Ceremonies and lunch will take place from 11:15 to 12:00pm so most of the participants will be together in a central location during that time.

Greater San Diego SPORTS Festival General Information

Sports: Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Figure/Speed Skating, Flag Football, Floor Hockey, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball & Walking
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2008
Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Tierrasanta Park & Recreation Center (11220 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego 92124)
What: Athletes with developmental disabilities, families, friends, coaches, volunteers, supporters, and others in the community are invited to play in our Greater San Diego SPORTS Festival. Join in the fun & games! Play as many sports as you want. There is no cost to registered S4EA athletes, families, coaches, volunteers & supporters.

Clara Downes
Associate Director
clara@s4ea.org
858-565-7432 office - 619-770-8229 cell

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.
Both flavors are certified GF/CF and dairy free and of course Kosher.

Are you confused? Do you have any questions before you embark on this little experiment? No worries. Please just email me at ValerieSaraf@aol.com and 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!!!

Starting in September, I will be having Juice Plus+ In-Home Parties. It is a great way to learn more about good, lasting health and JP+.

Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
(Soon to be Disability Rights California)
and
The Exceptional Family Resource Center

Present: Special Education, You Can Do It!
4 Free Training Sessions on Special Education

SESSION 1 / July 29, 2008 7-9 pm: What is Special Education?

SESSION 2 / August 5, 2008 7-9 pm: Eligibility and Assessments

SESSION 3 / August 12, 2008 7-9 pm: Demystifying the IEP process

SESSION 4 / August 19, 2008 7-9 pm: Ongoing Advocacy Discipline, Due Process, Compliance Complaints

San Diego City College, 1313 Park Blvd. Rm. A-15, San Diego, CA 92101

Come to all sessions or any sessions of your choice!

Materials and parking will be provided!

If you need accommodations, parking, or interpreters please call at least one week before each training

RSVP - 619-239-7861

Join us for our Art Show & Sale at Potpourri on the Coast next Thursday, July 24th, 4-6pm. We are also having a fantastic sale on new items we are waiting to display at Potpourri just for this day! Don't miss our adult TERI artists as they create their work onsite and enjoy some wine and appetizers while you shop!

TERI's Center for the Arts & Adult Education Presents:
STYLE
The Grand Opening of "The Gallery at Potpouri"
Thursday, July 24th
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Potpouri on the Coast
1024 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054
760-722-1880

Seeking Campers who are Ready to Hit the Trail for an Adventure! Applications are due by Monday July 21st

PALS: The San Diego Social Sills Camp is pleased to announce our third annual summer camp program for school-aged children with ASD and other language deficits. This 5-week cam experience was created by Kara Dodds and Associates, Inc. and The Music Therapy Center, Inc. children will have the opportunity to enhance their language by engaging in cooperative play, crafts, storytelling, drama, music and cooking activities. Using integrated speech and music therapy techniques, campers will practice turn-taking, sharing, role-play social situations, conversational skills and best off all, make new friends.

Following each weekly camp day, staff will provide on- site consultation and generalization activities for parents. On the last day of camp, the campers will present a special program featuring the skills and projects that they have worked on during the camp.

Dates: July 23rd through August 21st
When: Wednesday 9-10:15 am
Thursday: 2:45-4pm
Cost: $350 (for 5 weeks)
Location: Kara Dodds and Associates clinic in Encinitas, 681 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas 92024
Download an application at www.themusictherapycenter.com

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at 619-299-1411. We hope to see your child there!

BATON ROUGE, La. - Autism advocates are praising a new Louisiana law that forces employers to offer health insurance covering treatment of the disability.

The bill by Rep. Franklin Foil requires companies with more than 50 employees to offer insurance that pays for applied behavior analysis, a treatment for autism that advocates say is especially effective for preteen children. The new mandate on employers takes effect in January and applies to children 16 and younger.

Shelly Hendrix, director of state advocacy for the group Autism Speaks, said Louisiana is one of only eight states with such a program.

The measure won unanimous support in both legislative chambers, despite opposition from the powerful Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Annual costs are capped at $36,000 per child, a maximum of $144,000 for four years of treatment. The treatment can include rehabilitation, prescribed medicine, a psychiatrist, a psychologist and therapy.

Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the measure into law last week and staged a ceremonial bill signing Wednesday at the Baton Rouge Chapter of Families Helping Families, a nonprofit that will circulate information about the law.

Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact.

The condition affects about one in every 150 children. Foil, R-Baton Rouge, said the new law could help thousands in the state.

We are pleased to announce the expansion of our speech-language therapy to include San Diego North County, and in-home services for children 0-3, beginning August 1, 2008.

Our new San Marcos office will be available for intakes, clinic meetings, and treatment of older children, adolescents and adults with communication disorders. Consultations and assessments will also be available on a monthly basis in Mission Viejo. In- home treatment for children under the age of three is available in several locations throughout the county.

Appointments can be made by calling our Miramar office at (858) 695-9415. We bill most insurance, SDRC, TriWest, and the Centre for Healthcare HMO. For further information, call director Karyn Lewis Searcy at 858 695 9415, or email at Karynls2@aol.com.

CHAPEL HILL - Some parents of children with autism evaluate facial expressions differently than the rest of us - and in a way that is strikingly similar to autistic patients themselves, according to new research by psychiatrist Dr. Joe Piven of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and neuroscientist Ralph Adolphs, Ph.D., of the California Institute of Technology.

Piven, Adolphs and colleague Michael Spezio, Ph.D., formerly of Caltech but now at Scripps College in Claremont, Calif., collaborated to study 42 parents of children with autism, a complex developmental disability that affects an individual's ability to interact socially and communicate with others. Based on psychological testing, 15 of the parents were classified as being socially aloof.

"This manifests as a tendency not to prefer interactions with others, not to enjoy 'small talk' for the sake of the social experience and to have few close friendships involving sharing and mutual support," said Piven, senior author of the study, Sarah Graham Kenan professor of psychiatry in the UNC School of Medicine and director of the newly established Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. "This characteristic is really a variation of normal and not associated with any functional impairment."