e-Speaks || February 20, 2009 Autism Speaks Walks with ‘Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!’ for World Autism Awareness Day Autism Speaks is partnering with Wubbzy – star of Nick Jr.’s television series “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” – to promote World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) on April 2. Wubbzy will star in a public service announcement and on a special web site to encourage supporters to participate in the virtual Walk on the Web. Read more.  Autism Speaks Announces Results from SOFIA Pharmaceutical Trial Autism Speaks announced initial results reported for the first industry-sponsored trial of the Autism Clinical Trials Network (ACTN), the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). These results showed that fluoxetine was not effective for reducing repetitive behaviors in children and adolescents with autistic disorder as compared to placebo. Read more.  Sports, Exercise and Physical Activity Show Benefits for Individuals with Autism New research and anecdotal evidence suggest that some alternative therapeutic choices that include sports, exercise and other physical activities can be useful adjuncts to traditional behavioral interventions, leading to improvement in symptoms, behaviors and quality of life for individuals with autism. Reviewing some of the current literature, Autism Speaks’ Chief Science Officer, Geri Dawson, Ph.D., and Assistant Director of Research and Public Health, Michael Rosanoff, MPH, demonstrate that physical activity may be an effective supplement to, and potentially enhance the benefits of proven behavioral interventions. Read more.  Five States Enter the Fight for Autism Insurance Reform The list of states with endorsed autism insurance reform bills has grown to 19, with five more introductions. State legislatures in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin have all introduced bills that would require private insurance companies to provide coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. To find out more about the recently endorsed bills and to take action by sending an e-mail to state legislators, click on the following links: Georgia – SB 161/HB 426; Iowa – HF1/SF1; Nevada – AB 162; Ohio – HB 8; and Wisconsin – SB 3-SSA 1. IAN Reports on Social Skills Groups The Interactive Autism Network (IAN), a project collecting information online from families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) throughout the United States, surveyed parents about social skills groups, which are intended to address the core social deficit in ASD by improving social understanding and interaction. IAN reports that more than 14% of participating children are taking part in a social skills group. This percentage is even higher for older children, and children with PDD-NOS or Asperger’s syndrome. In this report, IAN researchers share information about families’ experiences with social skills groups. Read more.  Kickoff for a Cure IV Gala Honorees Announced Autism Speaks and The Gillen Brewer School will once again team up for the Kickoff for a Cure IVdinner gala on March 11 at the Waldorf=Astoria hotel in Manhattan. A group of NFL greats, past and present, will be on hand to salute the evening’s honorees: Harold McGraw, III, Chairman, President and CEO, The McGraw-Hill Companies; Jeff Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles owner; Larry Babbio, former Vice Chairman & President, Verizon Communications, Inc.; and Eugene Napoleon, CEO / President of Nap Records and Nap Sports, LLC., and best-selling author of “Dream Real.” Last year’s event raised nearly $2 million. Read more about the upcoming event here. Read a recap of last year’s event and view photos and video here.  “First Look for Charity” Raises More than $60,000 for Autism Speaks For the eighth consecutive year, Autism Speaks was selected as one of the benefiting charities of the prestigious Chicago Auto Show “First Look for Charity” event, which took place on Feb. 12. The 2009 event raised more than $60,000 for Autism Speaks. Read more and view photos here.  Family Services Launches Community Connections  Autism Speaks’ Family Services department has launched Community Connections, a new monthly feature which offers practical suggestions to help individuals with autism, their families, and others have a positive experience in their local community. This month’s edition focuses on Social Mixers, community events where individuals with autism can practice their social skills. Learn more and read details of one family’s successful event here.    Donor Story: Ewing Irrigation Products  Our latest donor story tells how employees of a Phoenix-based company raised $50,000 for Autism Speaks by participating in the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon. Read more.  Plus, read other donor stories here, and donate to Autism Speaks here.  In Their Own Words: Heroes and Daddy In our latest “In Their Own Words” essay, a father tells how a classroom assignment completed by his eight-year-old son with autism reminded him what really defines a “hero.”  Read more.  Coming SoonFeb. 21:  Palm Beach County Walk Now for Autism  (West Palm Beach, Fla.)  Treasure Coast Walk Now for Autism  (Jensen Beach, Fla.)  Feb. 22:  Miami-Dade Walk Now for Autism  (Key Biscayne, Fla.)  Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (El Segundo, Calif.)  Feb. 24:  Northern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Hackensack, N.J.)  Feb. 26:  Chicago Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Rolling Meadows, Ill.)  Feb. 27:  Southern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Collingswood, N.J.)  Feb. 28: Sonoma Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Sonoma, Calif.)  Chicago Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Park Ridge, Ill.)  Cincinnati Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Mason, Ohio)  Mar. 1:  Georgia Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Atlanta, Ga.) Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Glendale, Calif.)  Mar. 3:  Utah Walk Now for Autism Kick-off  (Salt Lake City, Utah)  Spring Walk Now for Autism events begin on February 21, 2009. Find a Walk near you!  Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day The second annual World Autism Awareness Day will be celebrated on April 2. Learn more about World Autism Awareness Day and planned worldwide activities here. Help raise funds for Autism Speaks by participating in this year’s Walk with Wubbzy on the Web. Stay tuned for updates regarding World Autism Awareness Day events, fundraising opportunities and merchandise.

Note/Warning:

Autistic people have fought the inclusion of ABA in therapy for us since before Autism Speaks, and other non-Autistic-led autism organizations, started lobbying legislation to get it covered by insurances and Medicaid. 

ABA is a myth originally sold to parents that it would keep their Autistic child out of an institution. Today, parents are told that with early intervention therapy their child will either be less Autistic or no longer Autistic by elementary school, and can be mainstreamed in typical education classes. ABA is very expensive to pay out of pocket. Essentially, Autism Speaks has justified the big price tag up front will offset the overall burden on resources for an Autistic’s lifetime. The recommendation for this therapy is 40 hours a week for children and toddlers.

The original study that showed the success rate of ABA to be at 50% has never been replicated. In fact, the study of ABA by United States Department of Defense was denounced as a failure. Not just once, but multiple times. Simply stated: ABA doesn’t work. In study after repeated study: ABA (conversion therapy) doesn’t work. 

What more recent studies do show: Autistics who experienced ABA therapy are at high risk to develop PTSD and other lifelong trauma-related conditions. Historically, the autism organizations promoting ABA as a cure or solution have silenced Autistic advocates’ opposition. ABA is also known as gay conversion therapy.

[Note: Autism is NOT a disease, but a neurodevelopmental difference and disability.]

Fact: Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism.