Autism Bites

THIRD ANNUAL TELEVISON ACADEMY HONORS TO CELEBRATE EIGHT PROGRAMS

2010-03-18T17:01:00.002-06:00

Our family has done two documentaries, for the Discovery Health Channel, to help promote the awareness and acceptance of Autism. The second, Unlocking Autism, is to receive honors as told in the press release below. Our family is the third and last segment shown.

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THIRD ANNUAL TELEVISON ACADEMY HONORS TO CELEBRATE EIGHT PROGRAMS THAT EXEMPLIFY “TELEVISION WITH A CONSCIENCE”

May 5th Ceremony to Spotlight Series
From ABC, CBS, Current TV, Discovery Health, FOX, HBO, and National Geographic

North Hollywood, CA, March 17, 2010 – The eight programs to be honored at the Third Annual Television Academy Honors were announced today by Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chairman and CEO John Shaffner. The evening will celebrate the power of television to change attitudes and lives – and specifically, eight programs that have had significant impact on the viewing audience. These programs concern vital issues ranging from capital punishment to racism, prescription drug abuse and trafficking, autism, the military escort for fallen service members, physician-assisted suicide and important disability issues.

The star-studded evening at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Wednesday, May 5th will recognize and pay tribute to the honored programs which were telecast in 2009 on ABC, CBS, Current TV, Discovery Health, FOX, HBO, and National Geographic and exemplify “television with a conscience.” Phil Gurin (The Singing Bee, Miss Universe Pageant) will produce the ceremony for the third consecutive year.

Recipients of the third annual Television Academy Honors are:

CSI “Coup De Grace”– One of America’s most popular dramas tackles the still important and challenging questions of race, profiling and assumptions about racial prejudice. “Coup De Grace” is an emotionally charged story of a veteran cop who kills another off-duty officer by accident and the infighting that ensues between the police and the local community as they work out the ugly details of the case. (Produced by CBS Productions in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television)

GLEE “Wheels”– This dynamic episode weaves three main threads together to paint a portrait of how we treat others – and how we can do it better. In “Wheels,” Will (Matthew Morrison) encourages the Glee Club to support Artie (Kevin McHale), by asking each of them to spend a week in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Rachel (Lea Michele) compete for a solo traditionally sung by a female performer, while cheerleading coach Sue (Jane Lynch) chooses a student (Lauren Potter) with Down syndrome to join the squad. (Produced by Ryan Murphy Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television)

“Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?” - This film tells five stories of children, ages 6-15, who are coping with grandfathers or grandmothers suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Maria Shriver provides commentary and delivers valuable lessons for the kids, urging them not to blame themselves for what their grandparents do or say. Maria's own father, Sergeant Shriver, suffers from the disease. The film offers up a variety of perspectives on how kids can handle a grandparent's loss of memory through kindness, patience and compassion. (Produced by HBO Documentary Films)
Explorer: “Inside Death Row” - “Inside Death Row” interviews three inmates in Huntsville, Texas, as their dates of execution draw near, and follows the stories of their families and loved ones as they deal with death firsthand. This story is not one of guilt or innocence; it is about how the State of Texas carries out the death penalty, as well as the men and women who, by choice or circumstance, become players in the act of executing another human being. Lastly, it explores how the residents of Huntsville feel towards living in a town that is ground zero for capital punishment in the United States. (Produced by Mannucci Inc. in association with National Geographic Television)

Private Practice “Nothing To Fear” – This thought-provoking episode tackles an issue that is often considered taboo: physician-assisted suicide. In “Nothing to Fear,” Sam (Taye Diggs) and Pete (Tim Daly) struggle with the moral, legal and ethical dilemma of Dr. Ball’s (Joel Grey) request to help him die. Their predicament brings all issues raised by physician-assisted suicide into focus, and the actors’ honest performances shed light on a topic that is often avoided. (Produced by ABC Studios)

Taking Chance – This non-political film about the war in Iraq tells a first-person account of a young Lieutenant Colonel (Kevin Bacon) and his journey accompanying a fallen solder’s remains to his family in Dubois, Wyoming. In the process and through a first-person account, the film gives insight into the military’s policy of providing a uniformed escort for all casualties of war. “Taking Chance” has changed U.S. public policy, allowing families to decide whether the dignified transfers of fallen service members’ remains at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, should be open to the news media. (Produced by the Motion Picture Corporation of America and Civil Dawn Pictures in association with HBO Films)

Unlocking Autism – “Unlocking Autism” explores autism from both a scientific and human perspective, showcasing leaders in the field who are slowly chipping away at the mystery of autism on many different fronts – from the potential causes to effective therapies. This documentary provides an intimate look at those personally affected by autism as they share their hopes and frustrations about coping with the disorder. (Produced for Discovery Health by Figure 8 Films)

Vanguard: “The OxyContin Express” – In the season premiere of “Vanguard,” correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to South Florida, the “Colombia of prescription drugs,” to expose a bustling pill pipeline that stretches from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale to the rolling hills of Appalachia. “The OxyContin Express” is an in-depth investigation of the growing, devastating effects of prescription drug abuse. (Produced by Current TV)

“This year, we were impressed by not only the number of entries received but also by the breadth of subject matters addressed,” says Shaffner. “We went to great lengths to select programs that reflect the mission of the Television Academy Honors committee - to highlight the power of television and its ability to initiate important dialogue and ultimately instigate change.”

Lynn Roth, co-chair of the Television Academy Honors committee, adds, “Television Academy Honors is a very special night where we have the rare opportunity to recognize programs that are using the power of television in a positive way. This year’s honorees have created moving and thought provoking television that not only entertains, but informs the audience of important social issues.”

Television Academy Honors held its inaugural ceremony in 2008. Past honorees include:

A Home for the Holidays (10th Annual)
Brothers and Sisters
Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Stand Up to Cancer
Whale Wars
30 Days
Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq
Boston Legal
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

Eligible programs for this year’s Television Academy Honors aired from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2009, and were submitted for fiction/nonfiction as a whole series, single episodes or story arcs up to three episodes. Made-for-television movies, miniseries and fiction/nonfiction specials were also eligible to apply for The Television Academy Honors. For complete details, please visit www.emmys.tv. To purchase tickets, please email honors@emmys.org.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, founded in 1946 at the birth of the medium, is a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of telecommunication arts, sciences and creative leadership. Known for recognizing outstanding programming through its Primetime Emmy® Awards, the Television Academy also publishes emmy magazine. Its charitable Foundation operates the Archive of American Television, College Television Awards, acclaimed student internships and other educational outreach programs. For more information on the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, its many industry-related programs and services, including year-round events, please visit www.emmys.tv.
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Contact: Chris Dilorio/Joanna Cichocki
PMKBNC
310.854.4800

Autism x 6 - How It All Started

2010-01-12T10:58:00.002-07:00

This is the story in our local newspaper that started us on the road to "fame".

Autism x 6: Family's kids all have the disorder
By Angie Welling
Deseret Morning News
Published: Sunday, June 3, 2007 12:21 a.m. MDT

MURRAY — One minute they're sitting, the next they're gone. Off the couch and onto the rocking chair, into the corner of the room, anywhere but where they were.

The children move quickly, often too fast for their parents — or even the camera's lens — to catch them.

This speed, this constant flash of children, is why the Kirton house looks like it does: a veritable maze of locked doors and makeshift barricades that are designed to keep kids in, or out, of certain areas. It is why the Kirton parents can keep talking through just about anything, hardly raising their voices while 8-year-old Nephi has yet another "meltdown" as 5-year-old Sarah, aka "Tigger," bounces madly on the couch beside them.

After all, if John and Robin Kirton focused too much on these incidents, who would catch 3-year-old Ammon, lovingly referred to as "The Destroyer," before his little hand finds its way into his dirty diaper? And where, during all of this, are the older children, Bobby and Emma, or the baby, Mary?

Life with six children is tough. Life with six children with autism practically defies description.

The stress has landed the family in juvenile court, following an offhand comment from a frustrated mother, and cost John Kirton his job and the family's medical insurance. But it has also helped the Kirtons — who now market their own "Autism Bites" T-shirts — recognize the healing power of laughter.

"We use sarcastic humor to diffuse our stress," Robin Kirton said with a smile. Added husband John: "If we didn't laugh, we'd cry."

Dubious distinction

In Utah, 1 in every 133 children has autism, according to a recent study that placed Utah's rate about 12 percent higher than the national average. University of Utah researchers found that the rate is even higher for boys, at 1 in 79.

Even with such high state rates, having six children from the same family on the autism spectrum is extremely rare, said Judith Pinborough Zimmerman, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the U.

"What tends to happen is sometimes families, if they have one child with autism, they tend to stop having other children," she said. "Geneticists refer to it as stoppage."

Autism is characterized by impaired social, communicative and behavioral development. It is a spectrum disorder, with symptoms and characteristics ranging from mild to severe. Common characteristics include resistance to change, a difficulty expressing needs, tantrums, difficulty socializing with others, an obsessive attachment to objects, over- or under-sensitivity to pain and a preference for being alone. There is no medical cure for autism.

Autism cannot be detected by medical tests; diagnoses are based primarily on observation. Its causes are unknown, though research indicates that genetics can be a factor, while many believe that environmental factors and even childhood vaccines may be to blame.

The Kirtons note all of these factors when questioned about the cause of their children's autism. They also point to John's age as a possible factor, as he was over 40 when all of his children were born. (Bobby, the oldest boy, is Robin Kirton's son from her first marriage.)

The Kirton's own research, through Internet searches, online discussion groups and local autism conferences, has led the family to believe it may lead the nation in the number of children with autism. It's a dubious distinction to John and Robin Kirton, but they also see it as an opportunity to educate others about the disorder and, maybe one day, start their own nonprofit organization to raise money for other families with autistic children.

This week, researchers from the Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, a joint project between the state health department and the U. medical school's department of psychiatry, will visit the family's home to draw blood from each family member as part of an ongoing study into the role of genetics in autism.

'Dangerous thoughts'

John and Robin Kirton bristle when asked the all-too-familiar question about their family: Why didn't they, as many parents do, stop having children?

Depending on their mood, the Kirtons respond with humor, frustration or defensiveness. Regardless, the answer remains the same — all of the Kirton children were already born when Bobby's fifth-grade teacher told John and Robin she suspected the boy suffered from Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism.

According to the Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, signs of autism-spectrum disorders are often the most obvious in 3 and 4 year olds, while more mild forms are often not diagnosed until later in childhood.

After observation tests confirmed Bobby, now 13, was a high-functioning autistic, the Kirtons began to become concerned about their other children. Sarah's diagnosis came next, then Ammon's.

"That's about when my grieving period started," John Kirton said.

The Kirtons sought early intervention services for the two children, each considered "classic autistic." Falling at the severe end of the spectrum, each child is still in diapers and has limited verbal skills. It was one of those early intervention workers, from a local nonprofit organization that contracts with the Utah Department of Health, to whom Robin Kirton made the comment last fall about the family's Murray home being so dirty that some days she was tempted to "burn the whole thing down and start over."

The remark was never meant seriously, said Robin Kirton. It was simply one of those "dark and dangerous and scary thoughts that crosses the minds of all parents but you don't do."

Still, within an hour, workers from the state Division of Child and Family Services were at the front door. One week later, all six children were at the Christmas Box House, where they lived for two weeks while their mother's mental state was evaluated.

"I feel like my character was, at first, so smeared," Robin said. "At the same time, I know they were doing their job. I've just had to prove myself and earn our freedom back.

"It really helped humble us. It made us appreciate the children more."

It also led to an official diagnosis for the other three Kirton children after the juvenile court judge ordered that they be tested for autism, as well. Last November, the news finally came: Emma, 9, and Nephi also have Asperger's syndrome and 2-year-old Mary has PDD-NOS, which stands for "pervasive developmental disorder — not otherwise specified."

The news, Robin said, "was hard to take." However, the diagnoses also helped the family in certain ways, she said. "For one, it helped make sense of all the stress."

'Armageddon level'

The Kirtons will be back in court late next month for what they hope will be their final court hearing. "The thing with the thing," as John Kirton refers to the state intervention, is finally winding down.

The pair has made necessary changes to their home, and John Kirton has found work driving a truck for a local excavation company. The owner is sympathetic to the family's situation and the fact that John misses at least one day of work every couple of weeks to tend to his family — the reason he lost his previous job. And although John and Robin are without health insurance, three of the children receive Medicaid and the other three are on federal SSI (supplemental security income) through Social Security.

Meantime, the couple, who celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary in late May, will continue to cope with their situation in their own ways. John blogs on their Web site autismbitestheblog.blogspot.com/ about his family and rents World War II movies because, "even though I know how it ends, I like to see the fighting and how they got there." Robin, on the other hand, steals whatever free time she can to play her favorite computer game, Snood.

Recently, while reaching the highest level in the puzzle game, Robin reached an important conclusion about her life.

"I realized that the lower levels aren't fun now, because I'm good at it," Robin Kirton said. "If I had, say, six normal kids or less kids that were normal, that would be easy for me. God knew I was up for the challenge, so he made it.

"Six autistic kids is my Armageddon level."

Sorry for Being Gone

2010-01-08T19:19:00.003-07:00

Well, I'd imagine that we've lost just about every follower that we had for this blog by now. But, I quess that it will give me a place where I can write and not worry too much about what I say.

The car contest was a BIG flop. So much for 6 weeks of work to create the video. Some people were very helpful watching it a bunch, but that was about it... a few people. Got a lesson in knowing how many people were able to help us, I thought I was more known about or something. Boo Hoo...LOL!

I and Robin have been hanging out a LOT more on Facebook the past month. I've also been doing a lot of Twittering and on the business site: LinkedIn.

I've decided that I will leave this blog just for family stuff only, and of course when I can get to it. I've been very busy launching my business expansion. Here are some links to find the other places I hang out. Be my friend there if you like.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube

Dad

Autism x 6 Dad Working to Win a Smart Car

2009-12-14T10:49:00.009-07:00

A few months back I became a distributor for MonaVie.

My website

Company Awards received: Inc 500 #1 Inc 500 #14 Inc 500 #31
MonaVie takes top honors for Utah growth

I discovered that they had a contest running each month until the end of December. The Grand Prize? A Smart car with a pretty cool paint job.

After six weeks of working on this YouTube entry (click here to watch) my video is: E and the MonaVie Girls. The person who gets the most views each month has the chance to go for the car in January. When I get the most views then, the car is mine!

But I need everyone and their friends, on FaceBook, MySpace, blogs, groups, etc. to tell ALL their friends and their friends, etc. to pull this off. I'd appreciate your help. Thanks!!

Dad

Autism x 6 Benefit Concert to feature Lady GaGa and David Archuleta...?

2009-11-25T09:51:00.004-07:00

An amazing thing happened to us yesterday. Robin got a phone call from Todd of EATON Alliance. They are an organization that helps people with Autism adjust to life. It seems that we missed a past email in our autism_bites@yahoo.com email box that he had sent. (like we don't do that very often, LOL) Check their site for additional details.

Anyway, Todd said that they want to do a benefit concert in Provo, Utah on or about the 17th of December. The musicians are still yet to be determined but a quick poll from the family came up with a short list of who we'd like to see:

Lady GaGa - Her songs that are favorites with the kids is "Paparazzi" and "Pokerface". She obviously is NOT an unrevealing or conservative dresser-- and not to start any rumors but, with her musical genius and very creative outfits I've been wondering if she may be an undiagnosed Aspergers. And I hope that if this blog is somehow read by Lady GaGa I do not intend ANY disrespect. Our Aspergers children are very talented and we love them and their creativeness. Will she be there? That would be sooooooo awesome!!!

David Archuleta - The whole family watched American Idol that season and voted for David from the beginning. Of course part of our hopes for David to win is because we know him. It's been mentioned he is from Murray, Utah (the same city we live in) and that he is a Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), we are too. But he also lives just a few blocks from our house. Bobby goes to Boy Scouts and knows David's younger brother. And in the past month I've seen him at church twice. Will he be there? That would be sooooooo awesome!!!

Jerico Road - Robin has enjoyed their music for years and is hoping to have their music on the soundtrack of the movie script she is writing. She and Bobby went to a concert of theirs last year. Will they be in Provo that night? I think they live there. We hope they can be a part of the concert. That would be sooooooo awesome!!!

We are honored and humbled by EATON Alliance's wanting to have this concert to raise Autism awareness and as a benefit for us. Truly honored.

If you live near by or not, and would like to be there, check with Todd for additional details. They also plan to have tables available for people or organizations that work with people with Autism to set out their information.

Dad

The Chicago Tribune Takes on Alternative Autism Treatments

2009-11-23T22:12:00.002-07:00

Below is the blog post of Lisa Jo Rudy of About.com Guide to Autism. To use the links in the story go to her original post here. At the end of the article you will see how I feel about it.

"This week, the Chicago Tribune came out with a long piece entitled Autism treatment: Science hijacked to support alternative therapies and subtitled Researchers' fears about misuse of their work come true. In essence, the article is a condemnation of the Defeat Autism Now or DAN protocol and other biomedical treatments for autism. Among the article's statements:

Most physicians recommend intensive behavioral therapy and, if asked, warn parents away from experimental treatments.

Even so, studies have found that up to three-quarters of families with children who have autism try at least some alternative therapies.

Physicians and others in the movement -- many affiliated with the organization Defeat Autism Now! -- say their treatment protocols rest on a foundation of solid science. But the Tribune found otherwise after speaking with dozens of scientists and physicians and reviewing thousands of pages of research and court testimony.

Later this week, another article came out entitled Autism treatment: Success stories more persuasive to some than hard data. The gist of the second article: kids with autism may improve with or without therapies, so it can be very hard to know what's "really" working.

As might be anticipated, the articles have raised a storm of protest -- and an equally hefty shower of approval. Two regular About.com commenters, Harold Doherty and Autism News Beat, take opposite perspectives. Harold is disturbed by what he feels is an anti-therapy stance by the Tribune, while Autism News Beat says "It's called journalism..... Get used to it. Expect more in the coming months as the news and entertainment media's narrative switches from "alternative medicine produces miracles" to "science is being highjacked to fool parents". Age of Autism, some of whose writers are specifically presented in a negative light in the Tribune articles, are predictably vocal in their criticism.

Whatever happens next, it seems clear that the autism wars are nowhere near over. In the present battle, the Chicago Tribune has made its point of view very clear indeed. It will be interesting to see whether Autism News Beat is right that the "narrative is changing."

My guess is that consensus is a very, very long way away."

My comments:

The fights and arguments will continue to go on and on and on... until someone does a COMPLETE study of all that is out there without bias.

Is that someone the government who is joined at the hip with the AMA, FDA, the big drug companies and more? Or will it be Autism Speaks funded by well meaning parents and concerned others?

Either way those two DO have biased agendas. And that leaves parents and their children on the sidelines still waiting for the shining knight to come riding over the hill with help. I don't think it'll happen.

I think we (Autism parents) are going to have to do it on our own if we can expect to see any real results. But how to afford it? That's the 64 million dollar question.

I hope that we can joined forces to create the wealth needed to say to hell with the government and the promises of hope from others that will never be fulfilled to make a difference for our children today.

Dad

Beating Up Autistic Kids

2009-11-17T20:36:00.004-07:00

I just read a story from Texas where teachers are hurting children with special needs in the name of discipline.

On the Facebook forum I answered questions from a concerned parent: I do not have an autistic child but ... My children attend a school that does have autistic and other special needs students. What is the best way to handle a situation where a student with special needs does harm someone else or does bully or spit on someone? I know it happens but do not know what parents of special needs children think is proper procedure. If my son spit on someone or bullied someone or hit someone they would be disciplined and possibly suspended and I am wondering what is acceptable punishment for special needs students. I am sorry if this upsets anyone but I really want to know?

I said: "I have my methods that work very well, however I will probably upset some 'gentler' folks. I use what has been termed in the past as 'tough love'. Bottom line I don't let them get away with anything. It probably helped that I had 4 NT children in a first marriage. I treat our 6 ASD pumpkins like I would an NT child and do not let them get away with bad behavior because they are 'disabled'.

At our school they use a two hand to one arm hold on a child to guide them away from a situation and to a classroom set aside for children having problems. An aide or teacher is there to help direct their emotions away from things harmful or disruptive.

For a school to allow a child to be physically harmed in the name of discipline is criminal and arrests and jail time need to be given. If a parent did the same thing it's abuse and the state steps in. School districts and teacher must be held to the same standard. If I can help in any additional ways please let me know. That goes for anyone else reading this too."

What do you think?

Dad

Created a New Tote

2009-10-18T12:33:00.003-06:00

When Robin and I got the ideas for our t-shirts, we were only thinking about how they would help our lives. However, when other parents and families of Autistic people heard about them they wanted us to make them available to anyone. Thus our Autism Bites t-shirts were born.

Since that day I've had a few requests to add to the choices available. I was recently contacted by a parent and a group of teachers that wanted a tote bag with a face and saying combonation that we did not have. Here is what they wanted -

Its a great idea and one that can be used for any disorder, not just Autism. Christmas is approaching, if you can't find what you like in what we are offering let me know and I'll see what I can do. Thanks!

Dad

Swine Flu Shots?

2009-10-08T17:22:00.002-06:00

Every year the "experts" predict what flu shot is needed for the upcoming season. From many reports and books I've read on the subject (what parent of an Autistic child hasn't studied this subject?) the favored choice is effective less than 25% of the time.

It's a crap shoot.

Then there is the 'extras' that are included in each dose. The thimerosal content of a lot of shots has been greatly reduced, but not necessarily the aluminum or formaldehyde, or the use of fetal and animal tissues in the manufacturing of them.

I've read that this shot DOES include thimerosal. Thanks for your concern CDC, but no thanks!

Autism x 6: How Do We Do It?

2009-10-07T21:48:00.002-06:00

We've been getting this question a lot recently in emails. And it is a question that we've been getting from day one. My wife is the glue that holds us together and works hard to make our family feel more 'normal'.

We both grew up not knowing what a special needs family was. The last few years have been a crash course, near literally. We are not perfect or have any unusual talents that help us make it though each day. We just plug along and do the best we can.

Some days it is overwhelming and maybe we escape with too many DVD rentals or midnight snacks, but you do what you have to do to maintain your sanity.

No one asks for challenges like these precious angels bring to a family. However, we figured that God must really want to straighten us out to have given us six children with Autism. I feel they are here mainly for us to learn from them, instead of the other way around.

We used to complain a lot more (i.e. not enough money, need a home of our own, etc) but we are getting better. Hey! It looks like the children are doing a good job with us after all.

They are the special ones. Me? I'm just the Dad.

Autism Rate Now 1 in 100, Still Autism x 6 for Us

2009-10-03T09:49:00.001-06:00

1 in 100? It's scary, it's terrible, it's the end of the world!! Naaaah, if you have children with Autism you just learn to deal with it.

However, friends don't come over any more, family avoid you, you're in foreclosure or going bankrupt. If you are so bold as to step out into the outside world you get the "look" or stares usually followed by unsolicited parenting advise.

You may not be able to hold down a regular job. You need a lot of time off. You had the hope that there was a government program, an agency or charitable organization that could help with SOMETHING.

Then 'how life really is' sets in.

After awhile you come to realize its all up to you. You stop feeling sorry for yourself. You stop caring about the mean people, uncaring family members or government indifference to your plight.

You come to accept your life with an Autistic child(ren). Then you learn to embrace it. To appreciate their innocence.

Sure the meltdowns, the poop, the constant messy home STILL aren't that much fun -- but you deal with it. You realize your blessings and find peace in your life.

1 in 100? It's still 6 in 6 for us.

Dad

Autism X 6: A Year Later

2009-09-29T21:13:00.003-06:00

On October 1st Discovery Health channel will be showing our family story... again. During this past year it's been aired about 8 - 12 dates that we know of. It was shown in Australia and in England as well. Discovery Health did not tell us about the Australia showing (they don't have to). We found out from a number of emails from some new Aussie friends.

The show in England had a bit of lead up advertising and media attention. Robin was interviewed by a woman's magazine, we asked for a copy like we always have done with the other media, but we didn't get it. The most amazing thing for us was that we did not get a single response to the documentary from anyone in England. Maybe something was lost in the translation. Not sure.

We've had all the range of responses as you might expect. People wondering how we do it, other wondering WHY we did it. We received email from well wishers and others calling us the foulest names possible. Some have told us we deserve a Extreme Home Makeover show, and others said we don't know how to clean up a home. We've been accused of using our kids for financial gain, but the truth is we are worse off financially then a year ago -- just like the rest of the country.

But we are glad that the show was made and the other documentary, Keys to Unlocking Autism, that we were a part of. Awareness is the key and the beginning steps to making the life's of persons with Autism better. But even though the term 'Czar' is getting a bad rap lately -- we need one. An Autism Czar to coordinate the efforts correctly, as much as possible.

We call ourselves 'Autistic Parents', other parents know what we mean. Some goofs have thought we were saying we are Autistic too. We know how to handle the joys as well as the crap, literally, being parents to six children with Autism. And we're still plugging away a year later.

Dad

Autism x 6: Update to Our Main Website

2009-09-11T17:07:00.005-06:00

I've made changes, updates and have refocused the meaning of our website: AutismBites

Autism with six children is still not the best part of the day, however we want to focus more on the positive. We've found that certain things work for us and make life A LOT better. Maybe it can help your family too.

Updates are on the main page, about us and links. Who can tell me first, the major change made to our blog?

Dad

I'm Coming to a Town near You

2009-07-17T07:42:00.002-06:00

Life is settling down to somewhat of a routine once again and I'm back to blogging and Autism advocating. I've added videos back onto our YouTube page and will be adding more as I'm able.

As I travel in my 18-wheeler doing my new job as a trucker, I make stops all over the USA. I would like to meet as many of you as I can. As I receive assignments to know where I'm going, I'll post to this blog what truck stops I expect to stay at at the end of each driving day. If you live in the area I'll be staying, send me an email at: autism_bites@yahoo.com with a subject of: truck stop visit. Include your phone number, I'll call to set up a time and we can get together. I'd like to take pictures too and include them in this blog if you don't mind.

Let me know what you think and any suggestion you may have.

Dad

Life on the Road

2009-06-14T22:48:00.003-06:00

This is just the second time I've been home since May 28th when I started my final "on the road" training to be a truck driver of a 74' tractor and trailer. I've been to WI, MI, IN, UT and CA, then of course through the states in between. Two things have been the hardest so far: trying to sleep on the bed in the sleeper of a moving truck as it bounces along the Interstate roads and getting a sore butt while driving for 9 - 10 hours straight.

Two more weeks and I'll be assigned my own truck and I'll be able to better establish a routine for me and my family.

Dad

Things Are Looking Up

2009-05-23T23:24:00.005-06:00

I like many have been struggling with earning what our family needs lately. Last year was going well until November when the economy took its hit. I've tried to continue to earn with our internet businesses, BUT it wasn't making it. I sent out nearly 100 resumes in the last couple of months and only got a few nibbles. So after much discussion between Robin and I... prayers etc. we decided that I should go through the training of becoming a over the road trucker.

The accelerated class I started 2 weeks ago had 42 students, yesterday just 13 were left that passed all the requirements. I was in that group, of course ;) By the end of this coming week I'll be hitting the road for an additional 14,500 miles with a driving trainer to learn the actual on the road experiences. It will be somewhat difficult for Robin and the children, but I have to earn for our needs of course. Please pray for her especially and the family generally if you would. After I get settled into the job I'll be back on this blog and some of our other online hangouts.

Dad

Catch You All Later

2009-05-03T15:57:00.000-06:00

Hey followers... I'm bugging out of here for I don't know how long. Life is crashing around us lately.

Autism Awareness Month - So What !!

2009-05-01T18:37:00.000-06:00

So what has Autism Awareness Month done for you? Did you think more about your child and their Autism? Let me guess, you think about it all the time anyway. An 'awareness' month, has not really changed how you deal with Autism. Am I right?

What about your family? Did they come over to the house against their self-imposed avoidance of your family? No? Huh, really. You mean they didn't offer to watch the kids? Give you a break? Nothing?!? Didn't they know that it's Autism Awareness Month?

OK, ok. But, I bet you saw THAT celebrity on the talk shows again with their latest book on curing Autism. Do you wonder if it's all about adding some extra zeros into their bank account? Most of the blogs and posts believe that. I don't know, I'm not them. I hope they have a higher goal then just money.

But, there sure have been lots of newspaper stories and local TV reports. So at least some 'awareness' is going on. Right? Did you hear about some sort of new laws... or mandates that came out of Washington this month? Have we seen any real details and how it can positively affect families of Autism? No? Me neither.

I was hoping that since President Obama had lots of changes in mind, that it would include Autism. Autism IS high on his list of things to do. It says so on the White House website. There is next years Autism Awareness Month I suppose. Hmmmm, there still are a couple of days before the end of the month. Maybe we'll get a surprise Autism birthday present!

Hey! Stop holding your breath, I'm afraid you'll pass out.

We should be grateful that we have our own month. But is it for us? Are we getting any real benefit? What do you think? Is it just a bunch of lip service? To make us think that the media, government, etc. do actually care and are concerned?

If not, you need to get off the couch and DO SOMETHING about it! Every MONTH needs to be Autism Awareness Month, where things are getting done to help your situation. Not just a bunch of talk. If you as a parent or a person of Autism don't speak up and I mean really do some shouting... otherwise, we are just sheeple (people that act like obedient sheep) and be thankful for whatever crumbs fall off the 'table' of resources and finances that happen to come along. I'm just one voice, we need many more!

Otherwise, Autism Awareness Month is not for parents or persons of Autism... is it?

Dad

Chicago Police Officer Beat Autistic Teenager

2009-04-26T16:56:00.002-06:00

Another story of an Autistic person not being understood. Two posts below this one is a link to a training video for police officers. Please post the HECK out of this link!

The boy in the above story sounds a lot like a 16 year old version of my Ammon (5). Like Ammon, he was watching cars drive by and when someone came up to him to see what he was up to, he ran off. That is EXACTLY what Ammon would have done.

Just because someone does not recognize a policeman's authority does not deserve a belt to the head needing EIGHT staples! I'm hoping that there is more to this story then some rogue policemen whacking teenage Autistic kids.

I LOVE my children with Autism, and do not want to change them just to make ME feel better. It's stories like these that make me want to find that elusive 'Autism Cure' so they will better understand the world.

Dad

Fed Up With Autism Fighting

2009-04-17T14:49:00.003-06:00

Here is a great posting opinion from Tiffany and my comments too:

Tiffany this is a fantastic post and one that EVERYONE should follow the advice of. Every family is different, each Autistic child is different from every other Autistic child. No one should tell another parent or person with Autism what they should be doing with their life... even if they think they KNOW that family from watching them on TV. ;)

Our family goal is to increase the awareness, acceptance and understanding of Autism and all of it's various aspects and effects on families.

Some have accused me of trying to make money from my children. First if they follow your post's advice they shouldn't assume they know what I'm doing and be quite. However we've made money from our situation from a 'location fee' from the film production company. This is a standard in their industry. Then we have made an income from the sales of the Autism t-shirts that Robin and I designed.

But all the other TV, radio, magazine, blog and internet interviews we have received nothing. AND I'm not asking that they do.

95% of the comments we get on our blog or from emails have been positive and supportive. And I will continue to advocate for my children until the day I die. We too did not yell, "Yipee!" when we got the diagnosis for the children. We too did LOTS of grieving, for around 1 1/2 years. I was let go from the job I had at the time because quite frankly, at the time I was useless and not able to have my head into work. Worrying and wondering about what life was going to be like with Autistic children was just too much. It was tough and still is and IS financially hard. And I'm not sorry and will not apologize for mentioning that Autism hits families in the wallet. We've received many, many emails confirming this from other families. And they too are glad that the world is starting to understand those financial hardships. Its a FACT that people need to realize.

We need to stop the fighting among ourselves. It's a waste of time, effort and emotions. Another parent may want to chelate or put their children through test after tests or treatment after treatment after treatments. Or do nothing. Another parent may not agree with either and you know what? Each one is doing right thing for THEM.

That "Autism Czar" appointment that President Obama promised? He/she should understand all the above of what you and I have said here. And have a plan for ALL families and persons affected by Autism. And we need to get the support from this Czar... NOW. Too much talk and not enough action.

My creed: Autism IS a Spectrum Disorder, CAUSED by a spectrum of reasons, needing a SPECTRUM of treatments or solutions and requiring a spectrum of funding.

Peace and Blessing to all... Nuff said.

Dad

New Law Enforcement and Autism Training Video

2009-04-13T17:16:00.003-06:00

Last week Robin and I attended the Autism Council of Utah (ACU) It was the second I had been to and it is always well attended by various state agencies, other public and private groups and parents.

One of the highlights was the showing of a DVD geared toward Law Enforcement and Autism. SaharaCares developed the video that can be used to train police officers on how to recognize signs of Autism, and gives constructive suggestions for dealing with people that have Autism.

I hope that this can go out to police departments all over the country. Too often we heard of some Autistic person having a bad experience in this area. After watching the video tell me if you too teared up like I did.

The website link with video, click here

Dad

Autism X 6 and Other Media Appearances

2009-03-30T18:31:00.003-06:00

Mark your calendar for April 6. Unlocking Autism will be on that day, click here for times. Our producers did a great job again. This documentary shows four families that have children with Autism. You will see our family as the last profiled. That will be followed by our documentary, Autism X 6. For those times click here.

I was interviewed a few months ago and this article came out this past Sunday across the US in American Profile.

Dad

Utah Lawmakers Say No to Autistic Kids

2009-03-15T23:45:00.002-06:00

Thousands of parents made the trek to the State Capital building many times over the past couple of months. They attended the announcement, committee and floor votes for Clay’s Law. Just what was this landmark proposal? During the past legislative session parents were hoping to get financial relief for treating their Autistic child. What we they asking for? Large grants for experimental treatment methods? No. Did they want a free gift from taxpayers for unproven therapies? Nope. Parents just wanted their insurance companies to provide coverage for early intensive behavioral intervention for children with Autism. Interventions that were already known to be the most effective methods to help these affected children.

But, the costs would way too much for policy holders that may never need these services, opponents claimed. This proposal would have resulted in a less than 1% increase in insurance premiums. The ‘big money’ fact to consider is this: Untreated autism is estimated to cost approximately $3 million over the person’s lifetime. Intensive early behavioral intervention, the type covered by the bill, can cut this down by $1 million. That means the bill could pay for itself with the savings from just three or four children. With 1 of 79 boys in Utah receiving an Autism diagnosis the long term savings would have been tremendous.

So what will they be getting? An option to purchase a ‘rider’ type of policy before the child reaches 3 months of age. Not much help because of the fact that the average ‘severely’ Autistic child is not diagnosed until 18 – 24 months. What about the parents of children who already have an Autism diagnosis? Nothing. Chalk up another one for the insurance companies who seem to be better at taking care of themselves lately.

Dad

President Obama, Autism ‘Change’ I’m Looking For

2009-03-10T00:20:00.003-06:00

See the YouTube video here

President Obama, congratulations on the new job -- hope all is going well so far. I hope and pray that the ‘change’ you want to achieve can be realized, especially regarding, Autism. I know who you are; let me introduce myself. My name is John Kirton and my wife, Robin, and I are the parents of six Autistic children. Yes, that’s right… six children on the Autism Spectrum.

Last year we were in People Magazine, Good Morning America, Inside Edition and Larry King Live. The documentary about our family, Autism x 6, first aired on the Discovery Health channel in October 2008. And was on again this past week. Not quite the media attention you’ve received but we are still working on that. You may ask, what are our goals? To increase the awareness, acceptance and services for people and families affected by Autism.

Let me get to my main point for sending you this message. Last year during the campaign, you said you would appoint an ‘Autism Czar’ to deal proactively with Autism. Mr. President, as a Dad of 6 Autistic children, I’m asking you to please appoint a qualified coordinator—NOW!

What are some of the qualifications that I and most parents of Autistic children are looking for? We need someone who truly, TRULY understands Autism. Not, an academic. Someone who understands the ‘real world’ of Autism. He should be a father of Autistic children, with at least a couple of children on the spectrum. Why is that so important? He needs to have firsthand knowledge to understand parents and their struggle with the emotions and finances of Autism.

When Congress passed the Combating Autism Act they recommended the establishment of an Autism Advisory Board made up of scientists, clinicians, and advocates. Now, it may be all well and good to have an ‘advisory board’ IF Autism was not a National Health Emergency, which it is. There is WAY too much talk and thinking about doing something about Autism. The time for action in NOW — Mr. President!

The Autism Czar position must not be a ‘paper tiger’ this tiger MUST have teeth, BIG teeth – that carries the weight of the President behind it. Funding must not be only, allocated, but available immediately. If we don’t spend the pennies it will take TODAY, it will cost many, many dollars in the future.

Across this nation, State legislators are working on insurance mandates, that aren’t getting out of committees or are watered down. This is not helping families of Autism. We need someone, like you Mr. President, to care about us and our children.

Imagine for a moment that your daughter, Natasha, who is almost the same age as my Sarah, has Autism. Natasha wears diapers, she spends much of her waking hours tearing the sheet rock paper off of the walls in her bedroom. Natasha is only able to talk with guttural sounding words, such a MAAA for Mom or DAAA for Daddy. Many of the times you talk to her, Natasha stares off into space like she doesn’t hear a word you are saying. You worry about her future. Will Natasha be able to carry on a conversation with you one day? Will she fall in love, can she? Will Natasha get married? What will her life by like? Can you imagine this for Natasha? I don’t need to imagine this about my Sarah. This IS her life and I DO, indeed, worry about her future life.

Like the ‘war on terror’ and the ‘war on drugs’, we need a “War on Autism”. Someone with military experience may be a plus.

Some want to discover what causes Autism, however maintaining a focus on the WHY of Autism may cause us to lose sight of what Autistic persons and their families have concerns about as well, like housing, education, employment, quality of life issues and long-term support.

The Autism Czar or coordinator must understand and work on a wide variety of issues and concerns within the Autism community. The following, not in any peculiar order, needs to be on his ‘short’ list.
• Have an Autism Czar for each state
• Each state needs an clearinghouse of information and services
• Dr. training is needed to help them recognize Autism
• Mandating that insurance companies cover Autism treatments
• Overhauling the IDEA program to insure that Individualized Education Plans are actually tailored to the students' particular learning needs, not to the schools needs, beliefs or budget constraints.
• Increase the scope of the IEP to add behavior training and nutritional needs
• Maintain a blog that accepts comments from the public
• Lets expand the availability of services that help Autistic children, such as ABA
• And let funding for research focus on finding more of what will help, not necessarily what caused the Autism
• Many parents believe that they are not getting straight answers on Autism from the CDC, let’s check into that
• Insure that all areas of Autism’s perspectives are addressed, such as
• Biomedical research on causes, treatments, and cures
• Disability services
• Accessibility
• Community inclusion
• Education and therapy for self improvement
• And public education for autism acceptance
• Create a coordinated effort for research to prevent duplication or wasting of funds
• Let’s loosen up SSI requirements to include those diagnosed with milder forms of Autism
•And also include SSI for families that (quote) make too much, when you have child with Autism money dries up VERY quickly
• This list just the beginning, the Autism Czar will find a lot more that needs to be addressed

Let these services, treatments and accommodations be available to all Americans, but not be mandatory. If a person with Autism does not want to (quote) be fixed, that needs to be their choice. Personal and parental choice MUST be honored and maintained.

It’s been said that when you see one person with Autism, you’ve seen ONE person with Autism. So again the Czar must have firsthand knowledge of the ranges of Autism in individuals. That is all I have to say for now, however I’d be very happy to meet with you or your staff to discuss in detail some of the points that I’ve brought up.

Thank you for your time and concern, Mr. President, we pray every night that you will help us, and the Autism community. Thank you.

Autism Opinions and Noses, Everybody Has One

2009-03-04T09:05:00.001-07:00

Now it's Schizophrenia. The bad thing about research is for every 'study' that supports one set of views, there are three others that support an opposite conclusion. Autism? It's the water, bad parenting, vaccinations, genetics, heavy metals, pollution, preservatives, etc.. etc., etc...

As the Dad of six children with Autism I'm more concerned with research that can help the Autistic person to have a more full life. Research to uncover the best in education, social training, nutrition and treatments. Some funding spent on 'why' is acceptable, but the bulk needs to be addressing the here and now and plan for the future.

Funding for Autism research is good, funding to help with day to day living, is better.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, caused by a spectrum of reasons, needing a spectrum of treatments and a spectrum of funding. (Spectrum: A broad sequence or range of related qualities, ideas, or activities).

Our country must get moving to discover what can be done improve this situation. If every parent of Autism will be an advocate we can make a HUGE difference for our children. So make calls, write, search and read. Do what you can when you can. We are all in this together and we need each one of us.

New Autism x 6 Dates and a Podcast

2009-02-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

Our documentary, "Autism x 6", is back after a two month break. It will be showing on the Discover Health channel the following times: Mar 04, 8:00 pm, Mar 04, 11:00 pm, Mar 07, 1:00 pm (all times are EST).

Also I've been interviewed by the Autism Hangout. My podcast is here

Enjoy some ramblings and blather from a Dad with 6 Autistic children.

Parents of Autism - Keep and Protect Your Children

2009-02-19T08:53:00.002-07:00

When I read this article my blood reached the boiling level very quickly. If you haven't read it yet in some of our previous blogs, our children were removed from our home for 2 weeks by the state of Utah. Read this and make sure you get involved to protect your rights... Dad

Giving the State a Grasp on Your Kids

Part II of an in-depth look at Article 18 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

When Kevin and Peggy Lewis volunteered their child for special education services, they never dreamed they would need a lawyer if they wanted to change their minds.

After their son developed several learning issues, including an inability to focus in class and difficulty processing and understanding oral and written communication, the Lewis's turned to the Cohasset Middle School in Massachusetts for help.1 But after a year in the school's special education program, their son was not improving academically, and felt harassed by school officials who were closely monitoring and reporting on his behavior - everything from chewing gum in class to forgetting his pencil.2

Initially, the Lewis's requested that the school pay for private tutoring, but as their relationship with the administration continued to decline, the exasperated parents finally decided to withdraw their son from the school's program and to pay for private tutoring out of their own pockets.3

Apparently, that option wasn't good enough for the school.

In December 2007, Cohasset hauled Kevin and Peggy into court, claiming that the parents were interfering with their son's "constitutional right to a free and appropriate education."4

After a day-and-a-half of argument, the judge sided with the school in an unwritten opinion.5

"This is truly devastating to all parents who have children on an IEP," Peggy said, referring to the individual education plans for special education students. "What it means in fact when you sign an IEP for your child, you sign away your parental rights. . . . Now Cohasset has their grasp on my kid."6

"Help" for Parents

At first glance, it seems odd that a school would take parents to court to compel them to accept state services. After all, as observers of the case commented, schools usually objects when parents demand more aid for their children, not when the parents try to withdraw their child from the program.7

But according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child ,once parents have asked the state for assistance in raising their children, the state has both the responsibility and the authority to see the job through - even if the parents no longer support the state's solution.

In addition to imposing legally-enforceable "responsibilities" on parents, Article 18 of the Convention also requires states to "render appropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities," and to establish "institutions, facilities and services for the care of children."8

At first glance, the offer of "assistance" to parents may appear harmless, and even generous, but appearances are often deceiving. While the government may claim to offer services to parents on a purely "voluntary" basis, parents soon discover that government "assistance" isn't always free.

When "voluntary" doesn't mean "voluntary"

For examples of this dangerous trend, one need look no further than the nation of Sweden, the first western nation to ratify the Convention.

In addition to mandatory sex-education, free child care for working parents, and a national ban on corporal punishment, Sweden's local municipalities are also required by law to offer parents a broad array of "voluntary" services that promote "the favourable development of children and young persons."9 Unfortunately, according to Swedish attorney and activist Ruby Harrold-Claesson, voluntary care "in no way is voluntary since the social workers threaten the parents to either give up their child voluntarily or the child will be taken into compulsory care."10

If the state determines at a later date that the "voluntary" services are not helping, the municipality has both the responsibility and the authority to physically "take a child into care and place him in a foster home, a children's home or another suitable institution."11 According to Harrold-Claesson, since the emergence of such programs, "children are being taken from their parents on a more routine basis."12

Unfortunately, these disturbing trends are not confined to Sweden. Even here in the United States, "voluntary" services for parents are often the first step toward state control of families.

Holding Children Hostage

As a young mother of three, "Katianne H." faced tremendous difficulties in making ends meet.13 Although she was never unemployed, Katianne had difficulty putting her job ahead of the needs of her young family. So when her three-month-old son Xavier developed severe allergies to milk and soy protein, her pediatrician recommended that she relieve some of the pressure placed upon her by requesting that her son be placed in "temporary out-of-home care."14 Thinking such a placement was truly "voluntary," Katianne agreed.

Within a few months, Xavier was weaned from the feeding tube to a bottle, but when Katianne sought to bring him home, the state refused.

It would take more than two-and-a-half years - and a decision from the Nebraska Supreme Court - before Katianne would win her baby boy back.15

In a unanimous ruling, the court said the child should have been returned to his mother as soon as his medical condition was resolved. Instead, state authorities drew up a detailed plan requiring the mother to maintain steady employment, attend therapy and parenting classes, pay her bills on time, keep her house clean, improve her time management, and be cooperative with social workers. When she failed to fully comply with all these obligations within fifteen months, her parental rights were terminated.16

The Court condemned the state for keeping Xavier "out of the home once the reasons for his removal had been resolved," and warned that a child should never be "held hostage to compel a parent's compliance with a case plan" when the child could safely be returned home.17

A familiar pattern

According to studies, scholars, lawyers, and advocates, voluntary placement in the United States - like "voluntary" placement in Sweden - is often the first step toward the state getting a grasp on children. Here are just a few examples from within our own borders:

· A 1994 study in New Jersey found that "parents often report signing placement agreements under the threat that court action against them will be taken if they do not sign," particularly parents who have "language or other barriers making it difficult or impossible for them to read and understand the agreement they were signing."18 There are also no "clear legal standards to protect a family once it has entered the system," even if it enters voluntarily: "existing legislation grants judges and caseworkers virtually unrestricted dispositional authority."19

· In 1998, Melville D. Miller, President and General Counsel of Legal Services of New Jersey, warned that when parents sign voluntary placement agreements, parents give the state "custody of their children without any decision by the court that they have abused or neglected them."20 In addition, voluntary placement often waives a family's opportunity for free legal representation in court, leaving families - particularly poor families - with "no assistance in advocating for what they need" when disputes with the state arise.21

· In 1999, Dr. Frank J. Dyer, author and member of the American Board of Professional Psychology, warned that parents can be "intimidated into "voluntarily" signing placement agreements out of a fear that they will lose their children," and that in his professional counseling experience, birth parents frequently complain that "if they had known from the outset that the document that they were signing for temporary placement of their children into foster care gave the state such enormous power over them, they would have refused to sign and would have sought to resist the placement legally."22

· The Child Welfare League of America, in its 2004 Family's Guide to the Child Welfare System, reassures parents that the state "do[es] not have to pursue termination of parental rights," as long as the state feels that "there is a compelling reason why terminating parental rights would not be in the best interest of the child."23 If parents and social workers disagree about the fate of a child in "voluntary placement," the CWLA simply states that "if you decide to bring your child home, and the agency believes that this would interfere with your child's safety, it has the right to ask the court to intervene. You also have the right to explain to the court why your child's safety would not be in jeopardy if he came home."24

· The National Crittenton Foundation, in a web booklet published for young, expectant mothers who are currently in the foster care system, warns in large, bold print that by signing a voluntary placement agreement, "you will most likely lose all custody of your baby, even if you want to regain custody of your baby after you turn 18."25

Never Too Late

If one can learn anything from the stories of the Lewises, Katianne, and the plight of Swedish parents, it is that the government wields incredible power over parents who have "voluntarily" accepted its aid when caring for their children. These parents are often poor, struggling, and searching for the means to keep their families together, but instead of helping them, the open hand of the state can easily become a clenched fist, either bullying parents into submission or forcibly taking their children from them.

Thankfully, it is not too late to protect children and their families by protecting the fundamental right of parents to raise their children, and to reject government programs that are unneeded or unwanted. The state should only interfere with the family for the most compelling reasons - not because loving parents were misled about the true nature of "voluntary" care.

Please consider sending this message to your friends and urging them to sign the Petition to Protect Parental Rights.

This article was written for ParentalRights.org by Peter Kamakawiwoole, Jan. 29, 2009.

The article with links is here

Your Aspergers Neighbor's Guide to Social Graces

2009-02-10T17:20:00.004-07:00

This is a copy of my response to an email I received from someone who sought advice on dealing with his new neighbor who is an adult with Aspergers syndrome because this new neighbor is showing up at his door and talking about the same stuff way too often...

"I totally understand what you are starting to experience. I have an adult autistic friend who says the SAME things to me over and over again, and every time I see him. Another one calls me about ten times a day, ahh!

This is very common behavior with Asperger's syndrome. For, these folks have a hard time socially. They have difficulty with social graces because they have a hard time catching on and understanding what the rest of us consider to be socially appropriate. They are often very literal in their understanding and often don't understand, perceive and empathize with others feelings and points of view. They can be or seem self-absorbed and be emotionally immature at times or often, and dependent also, especially when someone is kind to them. My opinion is that this new neighbor that keeps showing up at your door wants to be friends, friendly or neighborly with you. And, he doesn't realize he's becoming a pest. I've found that the best way to handle such an abundance of friendliness is polite honesty. For example, I told my phone friend I can only talk to him about once a week. So, I pick up the phone only about once a week. I also politely remind him that I have six kids, a messy house, etc to take care of. He takes it very well. As for my friend that repeats, I half tune him out, and say an occasional "Yeah", "Okay" and "Uh huh". And, when he kept flaking out when we made appointments at the barber for him, I finally said that if he doesn't show up next time, then he's not getting a haircut ever again--so he showed up next time. I haven't had an autistic friend show up at my door at all times of the day and night before, but we have had a neighbor boy show up about that often. We told him not to come over on Sundays, and we set a few rules that he needs to follow or he goes home.

Basically, your neighbor is socially and emotionally innocent, like a child. Just be patient, kind, honest and straight forward. He may very well not understand, get confused and get mixed messages if you don't tell him in plain terms when are good times to visit, including specific hours and days, how often, etc. But also keep it short. I think that a good idea to do the next time he shows up at your door, ask him what he wants, does he want to come in and visit, is he lonely, bored, want to be your friend, etc. Asking him what is up and what he wants every time he comes would be good. And, if he shows up more often than you tell him he can, at the wrong times, or when you don't feel like visiting, the first few times, tell him that he's coming over too often, at the wrong time, that you're busy or it's not a good time. He will probably comply with your request. However, if he still doesn't get it, I advise you to close the curtains and don't answer the door. Like the rest of us, autistic folks have different personalities and it's possible he may get hurt, offended, angry, etc. But if so, don't worry, he'll get over it. And, you'll know he'll be over it when he starts showing up again, heh heh... My repeating friend sometimes doesn't call me for months because he got upset at something usually trivial I said or done, then calls again when he's gotten over it--and wants my help again. I know of another autistic adult who gets so easily offended at stuff--usually minor again-- that he doesn't call his family for years at a time.

...Thank you for seeking help about this situation. I'm glad you wrote me, you obviously have a lot of care and concern about others, and asking for advice in dealing with your neighbor shows this. And, I also applaud you for taking steps to be polite to your neighbor while at the same time, protecting yourself so that you don't get emotionally drained...

Sincerely,

Robin Kirton

(Mom)

Be an Autism Advocate

2009-02-07T11:49:00.005-07:00

Making calls and emails are good starts. Do a search on the web page of your closest major newspaper and see what kind of Autism stories they've done. If they haven't done anything in the last six months... call them.

How we got started: We found out all 6 were Autistic in fall of 2006. While watching "Extreme Home Makeover" in Feb 2007 they said the family had the most documented Autistic children in one family... five. Robin and I looked at each other, "Guess we have the most". I emailed the local ABC station the next morning that we have 6 ASD kids and got an email from a reporter back right away. They were doing a story that night and wanted some footage on our family. We were on the news that night.

A month or so later I called our two major newspapers. One was more excited then the other to do our story. An interview and photos later and we were on the front page of the Sunday paper. (Check it out and add a comment to their website, that can insure that it stays available) That was June 2007.

Because of that newspaper article we were contacted by Readers Digest, People Magazine and Figure 8 Films (fro Discovery Health). People came in July for the interview, the photographer came in December. (long story). The film crew first came in Dec 2007 for the next 6 months. Each visit was 2-4 days.

The People magazine article came out in Feb 2008 and the interviews with Good Morning America, Inside Edition and Larry King soon followed. We had also been contacted by the Helen DeGeneres show and Oprah. Nothing has come of those as of yet. "Home Makeover" did contact us and wanted us to apply, but you need to own your home or have property they can build on. We rent and have no land.

Between the beginning and now I've made calls (lots) and emails to many politicians and various groups and individuals (the rich and famous). You wouldn't believe how many people who SAY they support Autism have never responded. I even sent Jenny McCarthy one of our t-shirts and never heard back.

Yes, the hours are long and there are many disappointments in trying to increase Autism awareness. But, as I tell many people, Autism IS my life. I figure it's my job and "calling" in life to do all I can. I've felt dumb standing around an event where I know nobody and try to start conversations. Then try to bring the conversation around to Autism. I've actually created a Autism business card for myself and Robin.

But, to do nothing... I feel is just not acceptable. Do something, anything... it will make a difference. If every parent will be an advocate we can make a HUGE difference for our children. So make calls, write, search and read. Do what you can when you can. We are all in this together and we need each one of us.

Dad

Help Me Get a Meeting with President Obama

2009-02-03T21:06:00.002-07:00

President Obama ran on a campaign of change. Recently I did a lot of soul searching as to what I need to do to help the Autism community this year. What came to me is that I need to bring some MAJOR recognition to Autism. To do that I felt a meeting with our new President between now and Autism awareness month (April) is needed.

We need changes to the direction of the funding Autism is currently receiving. What I'm hoping that you can help me with is this:

1) Sent me all the stats you have, local especially and nationally too is fine. I need major talking points. I will be posting to our blog to kick this off.
2) If you known someone who knows someone who knows someone, that can get me an appointment... help.
3) If YOU could talk to the President about Autism what would you say?
4) Anything else you think this meeting needs to be or how to make it happen.

Thanks,
Dad

Poll Responses

2009-02-02T18:02:00.004-07:00

I was really glad to see the religious poll do so well. Remember, there is no way that I know who fills out a poll. It's completely anonymous. So, everyone please answer each poll. Thanks!

Dad

Real Mothers

2009-01-30T10:15:00.001-07:00

A friend send this to me recently, thought you would enjoy it as well:

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEAR S OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Our BIG Autism Day

2009-01-23T08:58:00.003-07:00

Yesterday we met with one of the social workers at Ammon and Mary's Autism school. They called the meeting to go over a STRESS survey. We were concerned and wanted to make sure we did not miss the appointment. We had run ins with social workers in the past. But all was well and we were told that we were doing a good job in spite of having our 6 ASD pumpkins. Whew!

That was at 9am. At 11am there was a press conference at our state capitol building. Another mom of Autism that we know, got a Senate sponsor for a bill to get insurance companies to cover Autism treatments. I went to offer my support and was able to get the reporter who did our GMA followup story at the local ABC channel to talk with us (click on Autism story).

During that time Robin stayed at the children's school to help Ammon's teacher who was short staffed. She caught a ride home on their bus. The coordinating of getting Bobby over to church for a special youth meeting. Calling the school for Emma and Nephi to meet me out front instead of walking home. Getting a call from the bus assistant for Sarah to have the bus bring her back to the school (they were in front of the house) so I could get her Emma and Nephi into the car and rush to the bus stop where Mom, Ammon and Mary were waiting to be picked up. Pant! Pant!

Later in the evening I left at 6:15pm to go to a speaking event with Temple Grandin at the Salt Lake City Library, about 25 minutes drive. But, I got there early enough to get a good seat. Afterwards she signed books. I gave her a copy of the People magazine with our article and a DVD of our Discovery Health documentary. She said she had not heard of our family yet. Dang, I've got to do a better marketing job! LOL

At 10:05pm I got a call from my 26 yr old son (first marriage) to ask what I was doing to be on the news that day.

Most days aren't this busy, but it's getting to be more and more each month.

Autism Gospel, According to John

2009-01-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

From a recent post at a group I belong to, it was asked about how neighbor kids and their parent relate to your Autistic child.

I said: it is very difficult to find parents and children that are accepting of an ASD child. We have discovered who our real friends and family are since getting our dx on the children in Oct 2006. We have everyone we know falling into one of 3 groups. Accept us, hate us or ignore us. The largest for our experience is, ignore us. Then hate us, and the smallest is accept us. Unfortunately a lot of family and friends are NOT in the accept us group.

But, like I said, you really find out about people when Autism comes into your life. It hurts for awhile, but we have made new friends and 'family' to replace the old. Find local groups to be a part of, learn from and develop friendships in groups like these and work on developing a thicker skin.

I feel that we, and all Autistic parents, were chosen by God to care for these special spirits he has entrusted us with. And where much is given, much is expected. We have children of light that must not be hidden, but should be placed on a hill for all to witness and enjoy. If ignorant and uncaring people cannot see that they are indeed special, and not in the typical 'special' label way, then that is their failing.

I really believe that the rise in Autism is part of the preparation for Christ's return. If someone cannot be accepting of a child or adult with a disability, then they can have no part in his kingdom. He must separate the wheat from the chaff, the good from the bad. We and our families are his servants doing some sifting.

Now, I'm not saying that I'm some saint or that I'm perfect. But, I do feel that we have been given a task and there may be some suffering, like the early Christians, for us to bear. If we stand strong, do not wilt and move forward with conviction we will be able to increase the acceptance and tolerance of people with Autism. "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

I'll get down from the pulpit now; I hope that I have not offended anyone. I just feel very strongly about our roles as parents of Autistic children.

Dad

Parents of Autism Helping Each Other

2009-01-08T09:49:00.002-07:00

Hey parents, how's finances? Does one or both parents stay home to help with your Autistic child? Do you run a home business?

Well this blog's for you: http://autmart.blogspot.com/

I just put it together a few minutes ago. Had a brain storm this morning, water EVERYWHERE! Ha! Any way check it out and get involved

Now even though I got this idea, I can't do it all by myself. I need partners to help contribute and help out. Either email me: autism_bites@yahoo.com or twitter me: http://twitter.com/johnkirton

Dad

Resolutions, Promises and a few Fibs

2009-01-03T20:44:00.004-07:00

Well 2008 was certainly a banner year as far as media attention for the Kirton's of Utah. We know of only an additional documentary on the Discovery Health channel this January, as we've been told.

I have recently set up an account on Twitter (http://twitter.com/johnkirton), we've had our YouTube channel since April 2007, Facebook and MySpace as well. And we're joining many other various groups and social websites to get more of our presence out there.

My goal is to stay on top of all these outlets and make more of an impact on Autism awareness and acceptance. If I get into a few verbal tussles with ignorant or mean people along the way - so be it. I'll try to be as nice as possible, however when someone comes along with some 'out there' comments... well this Daddy will not roll over and play dead.

Dads are the protectors and providers. I take that role seriously and I hope to have other parents of Autistic children, especially the Dads, help in that cause. Lurking on websites/blogs and standing back in the shadows may be fine for NT parents. If we are to have support, services and other needed things for our children we need to be out front.

Your state and national reps should know who you are. This past year I've met with our city Mayor, the Governor and one of our Senators. I plan to do more. To have the time and finances to do all this, my new website: www.BillionsToGive.com will need to be successful, I feel it will be. I hope some readers here will be a part of those efforts, but that will be your choice.

But, however we choose to further the cause of Autism awareness, sitting back and watching someone else do it all--is not an option. In my opinion.

So what are the resolutions, promises and a few fibs? I resolve to do a better job on this blog and promise to do so. If I don't hit those goals? Well, that where the few fibs come in. :)

Dad

Bringing in the New Year with the Kirton's

2008-12-30T14:42:00.002-07:00

I signed up to be notified whenever our latest showing of 'Autism x 6' is going to be on the Discovery Health channel. Yesterday I was doing some Autistic surfing and went to their website.

The program will be on tomorrow night, December 31st at 8pm and 11pm, Eastern time.

So if you like to hang around the house on New Years Eve or, like us, never go much of anywhere anyway. Watch us again or for the first time. I did post a video on YouTube with a January 2009 suprise from the Kirton family. Check it out.

Dad

Easter Seals Doing a Better Job Then Autism Speaks?

2008-12-18T23:06:00.007-07:00

There certainly is strong feelings about Autism Speaks (AS) as an organization, both good and bad. I'm glad for all the awareness they create. We're doing as much as that as we can ourselves. But what is AS doing for Mom and Dad Autism?

Many people get pretty heated when it is brought up that AS is putting their money towards research and nice salaries for company executives. Sure research is all well and good, BUT again, what about Mom and Dad? Learning about the causes of Autism are a bit of a moot point for parents financially strapped trying to help their children with Autism. Wouldn't it be nice if some organization was there for parents... NOW?

Easter Seals to the Rescue

Easter Seals has come out with a new study: Living with Autism Study. Here is some information about it:

Autism affects more than 1.5 million Americans and their families. Critical services and supports are needed to raise a child with autism, but they are few and far between.

In cooperation with the Autism Society of America, Easter Seals surveyed over 2,500 parents of children with autism and typically-developing children -- about daily life, relationships, independence, education, housing, employment, finances and health care.

The results gathered from our groundbreaking autism study paint a startling picture of the life-long fears and anxieties people with autism and their families face ... and the disparities among parents of children with autism as compared to parents of typically developing children:

• Nearly 80% are extremely or very concerned about their child’s independence as an adult.
• Only 14% feel that their child will be able to make life decisions.
• Only 17% think their child will make friends.
• They report that they’re “financially drowning,” with concerns for their child’s financial future.

Thanks to the generous support of MassMutual Financial Group, the findings are now available to you. As an Easter Seals national corporate partner and the study sponsor, MassMutual is committed to serving children and adults with autism through its exclusive SpecialCare program, a solution that gives families living with autism and other disabilities access to information, specialists, and financial strategies that can help improve their quality of life.

Millions of families are desperate for solutions and resources. Easter Seals and others in the autism community are doing their best, but current systems, structures and resources to help people with autism and their families do not adequately meet the growing need, especially for adults with autism.

Easter Seals will use these findings to raise awareness of and advocate for the life-long services families living with autism desperately need.

Story and how to get the study link

---------------------------------

Wow, isn't it about time? I think many were hoping that this is what AS should have been doing years ago. But, finally someone is, Easter Seals. Looking at their website I find that they are like AS and do ask for donations. I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I'm ready to go to an Easter Seals version of Walk for Autism. What do you think?

Dad

(Here is a cute Ammon and Mary pictures with Santa, for those who've asked for cute pictures)

Holiday Tips for Families with Autism

2008-12-17T08:22:00.003-07:00

I've recently discovered the Autism blog on the Easter Seals website. One that you should definitely bookmark. Here's a recent great blog (my comments are in red):

Holiday tips for families with autism

Posted by Beth Finke on December 15th, 2008

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for people with autism. And who can blame them? Changes in routine, different demands, new foods, sounds, textures — what a challenge!

A holiday post on the ABA4Autism or other Neuropsychological Disorders blog offers tips to make the winter holidays better.

1. Try to keep your child in his or her usual routine as much as possible.

2. Sensory over stimulation — the lights, the sounds, the smells, the relatives touching your child — are the main culprits during the holidays. Eliminating or minimizing these culprits are your best bet.

3. Some families who have children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders wait until Christmas Eve to put up their tree and decorate. (That's what we do. We haven't decorated in years mainly because of Ammon "The Destroyer" and Sarah "Miss Touchy, Feely, Licky". And because they must knock down the tree we have used a painted tree that a great friend at church made for us)

4. Some families let their children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders do all of the decorating. Children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders may line up or stack decorations rather than decorate in the traditional way, but so what. (Our nativity scene is one that Emma makes with her Barbies)

5. Rather than try to do the Christmas shopping with children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders in a crowded, noisy mall, many families shop by catalogue or online and let the child point to or circle the toys he/she wants. Websites, such as www.stars4kidz.com, offer a variety of toys for children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders. Just type “autism toys” in your search engine. (We've been using this website for everything else: http://www.marketamerica.com/6asdkids/)

6. Tactile toys are often a better choice for children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders. Toys that make sounds or involve too much stimulation or are too complex may not cause an aversive reaction in the child. As mentioned above there are web sites that sell toys designed for children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders. Try ordering some of these toys and then let your child select the ones to play with as they are unwrapped.

7. Talk to relatives before they come over about the best way to behave with children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders. Have them read my article, “What Horses Tell Us About Autism,” which is available for free on the second page of my website. (Do your relatives visit you? The ones that care are too far away and the ones that are close don't come around anymore.)

8. Generally, kids with autism or other neuropsychological disorders do better in the morning than in the late afternoon or evening when they are tired. It may be better to schedule Christmas events at these times.

9. The parents of children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders need to relax themselves. Often the child with autism picks up on the parents’ stress and that is enough to ruin Christmas. (Autism causes stress?!)

10. And last but not least, realize that you are probably not going to have a perfect food, perfect decorations, and perfect gifts. Christmas with children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders may not be traditional, but it can still have real meaning. (Sometimes I wonder if children with autism or other neuropsychological disorders know that Christmas has become too commercial.)

We’re off to Wisconsin this weekend to celebrate an early Christmas with our grown son Gus in his group home. I’ll keep some of these tips (especially the one reminding parents to relax!) in mind.

http://autismblog.easterseals.com/holiday-tips-for-families-with-autism/

"Have yourself a Merry little Christmas..." ~ Dad

Utah May Mandate Health Insurance for Autism Therapy

2008-12-16T00:44:00.005-07:00

By: Heather May
The Salt Lake Tribune (http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11238552)
Updated: 12/15/2008 04:59:59 PM MST

Leeann Whiffen made a promise that when it was over -- two years of intensive therapy to free her son from the grip of autism -- she would do what she could to help other parents afford the same sort of expensive treatment.

The Highland mother says her son, Clay, is now recovered from the disorder that had muted her babbling toddler and traded his peek-a-boo play for obsessions with round shapes and tan foods. Not even his third-grade teacher would know he was once labeled autistic, she said.

But she had to take out a second mortgage on her home and put every expense she could on credit cards to free up $30,000 a year for treatment. Knowing other parents aren't so lucky, Whiffen is working to force Utah health insurance companies to cover autism therapy.

"People need to know these kids can get better," Whiffen said this week. "I can't imagine what life would have been like for him if we wouldn't have been able to do this program."

This fall, over breakfast at Mimi's Cafe, Whiffen and another mother of an autistic child, Brittany Recalde, easily persuaded Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, to sponsor the bill in the upcoming legislative session.

"It's a draconian society that would knowingly watch children grow past the window of opportunity [for treatment] without [providing] assistance," said Stephenson, who has successfully sponsored an autism treatment bill in the past.

Stephenson said "Clay's Law" is still being drafted, but would include an annual coverage cap, likely around $30,000, and a to-be-determined lifetime cap. It will also require families to contribute.

To receive coverage, the children couldn't be older than 5, since research has shown the most dramatic benefits occur the earlier the treatment starts, Stephenson said.

'Dramatic gains' » Insurers would likely only be required to cover what is known as applied behavior analysis, or ABA therapy. It provides one-on-one treatment for up to 40 hours a week at home, reinforcing communication and appropriate social behavior and discouraging negative behaviors.

Instructors break down skills like following directions and carrying on a conversation. It has been criticized for not helping children form social relationships, but according to the National Institute of Mental Health, ABA is widely accepted as effective.

Claims of an autism cure are controversial. But studies have shown 30 percent to 40 percent of higher-functioning autistic children who receive two years of intense ABA therapy "will be indistinguishable from normal children 10 years down the line," said William Jenson, an educational psychology professor at the University of Utah who supports the bill.

Leann Whiffen, of Highland, is behind an effort to require insurance companies to cover autism therapy like the kind she used for her son, Clay. Clay was diagnosed with autism when he was 2. After two years of expensive therapy (at a cost of $30,000 a year), Clay, now a third-grader, was considered cured.

"They probably still are autistic, but they've made such dramatic gains that you can't distinguish them from other kids," he said.

Other children show gains but still need special-education support, and some don't benefit. Jenson cautioned it is impossible to predict how children will respond.

The bill's emphasis on ABA is based on research by Jenson, who helped start the ABA-focused Carmen B. Pingree School for Children with Autism. He recently analyzed 19 studies published over the past 40 years and found ABA was the only intensive early intervention that provided significant improvement in IQ, language and self-help skills.

"If you waste time in that window from 18 months to 5 years with ineffective therapies, you are probably going to decrease this child's chances in making dramatic gains through adulthood," Jenson said.

Questioning the cost » Supporters expect opposition from proponents of non-ABA treatments. And the Utah Health Insurance Association is worried about cost and effectiveness, said Kelly Atkinson, executive director.

Self-insured companies and the federal government would be excluded, leaving smaller employers to bear the costs, which Atkinson predicted would be "substantial."

Insurers say states should subsidize the therapy as an educational intervention, but also question whether it is proven. Atkinson cites the work of a Brown University professor who notes that the primary study used to tout ABA included only 19 children. The professor also points to research showing other interventions work, even beyond age 5, and to a study showing only up to 4 percent of children will recover.

"We have to see the scientific data that demonstrates that this is a proven successful therapy for the majority of people who participate in it," Atkinson said.

Countering the cost argument, supporters of Arizona's recent similar mandate estimated the monthly price at $1.50 per insured customer. Proponents also argue treated children will need fewer state services in the future.

For Whiffen, there is no question the therapy was worth the money. Between the ages of 2 and 4, Clay spent up to 40 hours a week slowly learning how to talk, play with toys, sit in a chair. A video she shows is striking: In one of his first sessions, Clay lets out a sustained, guttural scream as an instructor tries to get him to place blocks in a bucket. Two years later, he sits calmly at a table, laughing and talking with his instructor about forming a triangle with the markers.

Whiffen, who had wondered if her son would ever know who she was, started noticing a difference earlier.

"He looked me in the eye, called me mom and held out his cup," she said. "It was like seeing him being reborn."

hmay@sltrib.com

My posted comments to this article:

This bill is a start and we must start somewhere. Three of my children have and do attend the Carmen Pingree school for Autistic children. ABA does work.

With 1 of 150 children having Autism it's not just 'our' problem, Santiago, it's everyone’s.

It's pay now or pay later. And the costs WILL be higher as children with Autism become adults. If you think your insurance rates may be higher with the passing of this bill, just wait 10-15 years if we don't.

Sticking ours heads in the sand won't make this problem go away.

I do have some serious problems with the age limit up to age 5. My youngest is 4. Are we to just throw our hands up and say "Oh well, I guess that's tough luck for us!?"

And this isn't just a Utah problem. It's a national epidemic. In Utah 1 of 94 boys have Autism and we are the 3rd highest in the US. A serious NATIONAL plan MUST be put together... NOW!

If ABA is the only proven method to work let's find some other methods. One method used up to age 5! It's like putting a band aid on a severed arm.

But hey, it's a start.

~ Dad

Changing of the Polls

2008-12-09T11:05:00.002-07:00

It's way past time to update and record our poll results. If you'd like t0 revisit past polls just find the 'polls' labels on the right side lower on this page.

Poll: Are You Getting The AutismBites T-shirt Newsletter?

Yes 8%
No 21%
Didn't know you had it 77%

I thought a LOT more people who were frequent visitors here knew about the t-shirt newsletter. I was wrong. Hmmmm... Anyway, if you would like to get this newsletter go to the AutismBites t-shirt link: http://www.cafepress.com/autismbites and on the left side at the bottom you will see a sign up for the newsletter. I try to get one out weekly. HA! But usually it's monthly.

Poll: Parents: How's Your Marriage?

Strong 46%
Struggling 33%
On the rocks 12%
Divorced 7%

I was wondering if all the doom and gloom we here about parents of Autistic children having a higher then usual divorce rate was true. With our group... not. Good for us. Some have asked us how we do it. Email us directly and let's chat: autism_bites@yahoo.com

Please participate in our newest poll.

Dad

Study Shows Families' Financial Strain From Autism

2008-12-03T17:20:00.005-07:00

More than half a million U.S. children have autism with costly health care needs that often put an unprecedented financial strain on their families, national data show.

Compared with parents whose youngsters have chronic health care needs but not autism, those with autistic children are three times more likely to have to quit their jobs or reduce work hours to care for their kids. They pay more for their kids' health needs, spend more time providing or arranging for that care, and are more likely to have money difficulties, the study found.

"This is the first national survey that looked at the impact on families of having kids with special health care needs," said lead author Michael Kogan, a researcher with the government's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

The results are from a nationally representative 2005-06 survey of nearly 40,000 children with special health care needs. These children have a broad range of chronic conditions, including physical and mental illness, requiring more extensive than usual medical care.

A total of 2,088 children with special health needs had autism, which translates to about 535,000 kids aged 3 to 17 nationwide, the study authors said.

The study appears in December's Pediatrics, being released Monday.

Autism typically involves poor verbal communication, repetitive behaviors such as head-banging, and avoidance of physical or eye contact. Affected children often need many more types of treatment than kids with other chronic conditions, including speech and behavior therapy and sometimes medication. Kogan said that may explain the disproportionate strain on their families.
Jacquie Mace, whose 12-year-old son, Austin, has autism, said the study presents a "very realistic" picture of the challenges affected families face.

Mace said she spends "easily $15,000 to $20,000 out of pocket" yearly on supplies for behavior treatment she provides for her son.

She's still working to pay off a $7,000 bill for dental work Austin had last year. He has to be sedated and hospitalized for dental care because he can't sit still in a chair, Mace explained. Austin's health insurance doesn't cover any of it, she said.

Some states require insurers to cover certain autism treatment while similar proposed measures are pending in others, including Illinois.

Mace hasn't had to quit her job helping local families find autism resources, but knows of many parents who've had to leave work to care for their autistic kids.

She is divorced — another common casualty, she said, of the challenges of caring for autistic kids.

Story link: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/01/america/MED-Autisms-Costs.php

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For we that are parents of children with Austism, this story falls into the catagory of: 'about time others figured this out'. Since we have not had anyone come forward to help with the creation and financing of the AutismBites Foundation (see AutismBites website link for more info:
http://www.autismbites.com/foundation.html) we have come to the conclusion that we will have to do it by ourselves. The process and grants to families in need will unfortunately be much slower, my goal is to start helping families this Spring.

Dad

Surprise, We're Back...

2008-11-28T13:37:00.003-07:00

When flipping channels on Wednesday, Robin discovered that our program "Autism X 6" was playing. The last we heard was that we would be on again in January side-by-side with a new Autism program that our production company has been working on.

So, I checked the listings for the next month on the Discovery Health channel and here are some additional times:

Nov 29, 1:00 pm
Dec 14, 10:00 pm
Dec 15, 2:00 am

The times are likely for the Eastern timezone, but we've been surprised before. Check local listings to be sure.

Dad

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2008-11-21T17:10:00.003-07:00

First Ammon got it, then Sarah was the next day and then last night Robin had it. So far the rest of us are OK, but we'll see what the weekend will bring. **UPDATE** Saturday: Mary had it last night and Bobby has it today, and on his birthday too. Poor boy...

Dad

Beware of Carmel Financial

2008-11-11T19:05:00.008-07:00

Thought I'd give everyone a heads up on this company so you don't have to waste nearly 4 weeks of your time and have your hopes dashed like we just experienced.

They (http://www.carmelfinancial.com/) supposedly have financing for an air cleaning machine that filters the air almost as well as a hospital. If you're like us you worry about your Autistic children and doing anymore environmental damage to their systems with dust, germs, etc. that may be in the air.

Everything was going slow (like I said about 4 weeks) but steady to get financing for the machine. We did not anticipate any problems as we had recently financed a $12,000 car loan. All t's were crossed and i's dotted and we were told to expect delivery this week. Then we found out yesterday, in an email, that since we rent our home our contact was cancelled.

That's swell...

We've lived here 5 years, have a good relationship with the landlord, but we don't qualify. I'd think that with so many mortgages going into default now days that we'd be a better credit risk. May want to avoid this company like the plague.

Bummed Dad

Trying to Be More Like Jesus

2008-11-10T13:39:00.002-07:00

On Sunday, November 9, 2008--yesterday--we did something we have rarely attempted over the last couple of years or so...we all went and stayed at church, ahh!!!!

It was a special occasion. The children's group at our church, called the Primary, put on their annual sacrament meeting presentation. Our "sacrament meetings" are when the entire congregation gathers together in the chapel for one hour church service, this is in addition to a couple of hours of classes. The children ranged in ages from 3 to 11, and even though our group of kids is kind of small--we have a lot of empty nesters and senior citizens in our congregation--it's always a BIG deal. After all, hearing kids sing and gave little talks during church service is absolutely precious. Those beautiful young faces looked like little angels up there.

Our youngest, Mary, 3, was wearing an all white ruffled dress that kind of bounced and flowed along with her as she moved. She has been able to join and stay with the Primary most of the time with the help of a bag of books the leadership put together to help encourage and calm her down. But, apparently there was just too much stimulation with the entire congregation and their visitors like grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins to keep Mary with the program, literally and figuratively! First, she wanted to draw, then she wanted to sit on my lap, then she kind of wanted to join her class, but when she started climbing the steps to the stand, she turned around and smiled like a little showman. She then started jumping up and down on the stairs, beaming all the while as she made a louder and louder thumping sound. After whispering a few times to get down, she had to be fetched. She didn't last much longer and Bobby, 14, had to chase after her into the hallway.

Ammon, who just turned 5, always loves being in the chapel when we sing hymns, he loves music. But, when we're not singing, we lose him quickly. I think we almost got through to the passing of the sacrament--the bread and water in our religion, to help us remember the body and blood of Jesus Christ who sacrificed Himself for us so that we can receive a remission, or forgiveness, of our sins--when John had to take off into the hallway with Ammon and Sarah. Sarah lasted the longest, was pretty calm and quiet until she kept bouncing and making her sounds that got too loud and distracting.

So, after the passing of the sacrament, they started the Primary program. Mary was supposed to be one of the first speakers, she'd be repeating a couple of sentences with help from a leader. She made it back to the chapel by then, but kept going here, there and everywhere, and Bobby ended up having to follow her out again. So, Mary didn't make it to the pulpit--like she cared anyhow little stinky winky....

Nephi, 9, did an amazing job singing. He forgot his glasses, so he couldn't read the visuals for the lyrics, but he moved his mouth almost the whole time during the songs. He also did a good job reading.

Emma was asked to write a short little talk, and we realized that maybe we should have remembered to look at it before hand, some of it that is....She talked of her family. She said that she and all her brothers and sisters have autism, then she mentioned the severity of each kids autism. She said that we're a very close family, how sweet. She then said that mom and dad get mad and yell sometimes, but they still love us! She then said that Extreme Makeover Home Edition called us and wants us to apply, that we really need a new house because it's little and the babies destroy it, but we can't get on the show because we're renters. She then mentioned our documentary and that everyone should watch it when it reruns on Discovery Health and TLC. We're very proud of her, spoken from the depth of her heart, nothing genuine held back, and with the charisma of a true spokes person.

Near the end of the program, they did a little presentation of the special needs primary children. Unfortunately Sarah was in the hallway screaming her head off, so she didn't make it and Mary was AWOL with Bobby. A 10 year old boy started counting, this is huge for this child because he has classic autism and has been making huge strides in his language the past couple of years. This boy also said "Jesus!"

Then, one of the leaders talked a bit of how special these children are, and I think it may have included some talk of tolerance, patience, respect, and how much like Jesus these children are. We believe in our religion that kids and people with mental challenges are innocent, that they were already perfect in Heaven before they came to earth, but that they needed to come to earth to get a body more than anything, that and to be a learning experience and example to the rest of us, to help the rest of us become better and make it to Heaven too. The leaders tried to encourage and help Ammon hold up a picture of Jesus Christ in the garden of Gethsemanie. The children then sang "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus". This song is my favorite of all the children's songs in our religion. It was so touching. I usually tear up when I hear this song, but there was just too much going on for me to soak it in--and before the song could end, Ammon dove head first from the dividing wall on the stand, then ran off, that boy!!!!

Here is a link to the song "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" by Janice Kapp Perry--I think it's sung by Felicia Sorenson though...

Sincerely,

Robin Kirton

Ammon Turns Five

2008-11-08T11:01:00.010-07:00

Ammon's birthday was yesterday. He still tries to touch the candles instead of blowing them out, but he has made so many improvements this past year. Just this morning when he was out of breakfast cereal he came to me with the bowl and shook in in front of me. As if to say, "Hey my bowl is empty!" It was cute.

This year he has gone from no words to at least a dozen. Maw (Mom), Be Be (Baby) he usually uses this to bring attention to his needs, he's the Be Be. And so far we haven't received calls from school that he has bitten someone. Overall great progress for the little guy.

Watch Out, I'm in a Mood

2008-11-03T16:19:00.002-07:00

I guess we've lost what following I 'thought' we had. Or maybe people have been too busy, or worried about the election or they know how to use their mouse but NOT the keyboard. If you'll look at the last post, I asked a couple of questions.

No responses...

Well I'll give it a week. Get the election out of everybody's minds and see how it goes. I've been very busy with work (at home) related issues and have not had the time to post much lately. Just like people have not had the time to comment much too.

If you'd like us (mainly me since Mom sleeps most the time, if you don't know why check past blog posts) to keep this blog going... let us know.

Dad

Where's Dad?

2008-10-19T21:38:00.002-06:00

I know I let things slip WAAAAAAY to often, but that thing called LIFE sneaks up on you and before you know it another day has come and gone. Today was a tough day. Mom wasn't feeling well and the special class at church had no teachers that could be there for Ammon and Sarah.

So I stayed home to let Robin sleep.

I dropped off Bobby at church but the rest stayed home. Emma and Nephi? If they were going to have a meltdown at church one of us needs to be there. Since we weren't... they stayed home too.

So before our documentary came out I busted my behind to update and make needed changes to the www.AutismBites.com website. My sister-in-law added some nice touches. Was it worth the effort? Did you like all the extra links? What do you think?

I'm almost ready to finish the start of a new project. See what I'm doing here: http://www.meetup.com/dreamteam100/

I'll also be ready to launch a way to help moms and dads stay home, and earn what you need, within the next few weeks. Now I'm counting on those 20-30% who answered one of my previous polls to become partners with me. There will be some small start-up costs but the rewards will be far greater. If your budget is very small I've got ways to get around that as well. Small budget? Been there, done that.

Well, I've got tons more to do and not a lot of time to do it in. Keep those cards and letters coming!

Dad

Autism X 6, FAQs

2008-10-06T23:02:00.003-06:00

Frequently Asked Questions. In case some of you haven't heard what FAQs are. So, the past few days I've done a bit of lurking on blogs that have been talking about our documentary. I'm wondering if they watched the same one that I saw last Wednesday.

So I've decided to create a recurring post, called simply "FAQs". To make them easy to find, I will have a 'label' category of just the FAQs post. I hope to clear up a large number of misconceptions, misquotes and misinformation about us.

Question: Why did you keep having children when you knew they had Autism.

Answer: All of the children were born before we knew anything. We were first told that Bobby should be evaluated for a 'communication disorder' when he was 11 1/2, Mary, our youngest, was almost 5 months old. This was May 2005.

Question: How old were the rest of the children at that time?

Answer: Emma - 7, Nephi - 6, Sarah - 3 and Ammon - 1 1/2

Question: Wasn't Sarah the next child that you thought may have Autism?

Answer: We were concerned that something may be going on with Sarah. (May 2005). That summer Robin's parents visited us for their vacation. We live in Utah, they live in Minnesota. Robin's mother suggested that maybe something was wrong with Sarah's hearing. She didn't talk, but we weren't overly concerned because Nephi did not talk until he was 3 1/2. Sarah wasn't that old yet.

Question: So when did you find out about Sarah's Autism?

Answer: After Robin's mother's concerns we asked people at church and other friends what they thought. Some also suggested that something may be wrong. We were told of a pre-school in our school district where Sarah could be evaluated. This was August 2005. Two special education teachers visited with Robin and Sarah. They told Robin that they thought she was Autistic. We were shocked, we had no idea what Autism was. We thought she was like Nephi, just a slow talker. We didn't know yet that Nephi had Asperger's Syndrome. Looking back now, we figured that we were too close to the situation and had no idea that something serious was going on.

Question: Come on, you had no idea? No Doctors said anything?

Answer: No, not a single one. We suspected nothing ourselves until Bobby's school said he may have a 'communication disorder'.

Question: So you knew that Sarah had Autism in August 2005.

Answer: No, the preschool said they thought she was. They said they would need to do testing and evaluations once she was enrolled in the pre-school. The determination from the school was in December 2005. They said Autism. However, she did not have an official Doctors diagnoses until October 2006.

Question: Why did it take so long to get the Doctor diagnoses for Sarah?

Answer: John had just started working for a company with great pay and benefits when Sarah's school suggested Autism. (August 2005) We both took it hard, but it affected John's work performance as well. In December 2005 the pre-school said that Sarah HAD Autism. John's father died a few days later, after a long illness. It was a bad month. John asked for a lighter workload, but was told that he should take care of his family problems... at home. John's supervisor said that John had quit. This was not true. But, he had neither the physical or mental strength to fight it out. So we had no insurance for official Doctors diagnoses. We had to wait until Sarah's medicaid kicked in and then wait months for a Dept. of Mental Health appointment.

To be continued...

Autism X 6, Why We Did It

2008-10-04T09:51:00.003-06:00

I received a very sad email from a mother that has it as bad or worse then us in regards to the number and severity of her children's Autism. However she was angry that we are 'getting rich' from 'exploiting' our children. I hope that my response can help to further clarify who and what we are. Our goals and dreams we hope to accomplish by appearing in a documentary about Autism.

My response:

I'm sorry to have offended you, it sounds like you are in the same boat as us; or maybe worse. Your situation is one of the main reasons we decided to put our family 'out there' in the first place.

The average Joe out there has NO idea what it is like to raise children like we have. The medical bills, the special diets, various treatments and more. Sure some will judge and complain, but that is their problem not ours.

We'll continue to try and educate and increase the level of tolerance and acceptance toward our children. It's not much yet but we have been able to help raise nearly $25,000 for a number of charities that help Autistic families. (not for the AutismBites Foundation however) Many of the links on our website have benefited from us placing them on our site. That is our intention, to help others as well.

We don't have the pulling power of a Hollywood celebrity or have written a best-selling book. But we feel an obligation to let people know that there are many people that are having a VERY tough time raising Autistic children. Not just us or you.

We haven't been paid for any magazine, newspaper or TV interviews (that's a myth). It has made people aware of us and we've sold a number of t-shirts. But, 95% or more of the costs of those shirts goes to shipping and production for the website that makes them for us. And we're losing count of the number of free t-shirts that we've sent to families that have a difficult time affording them.

The film production company did pay us a 'location fee' to film us, and even though we appreciated it very much; it wasn't that much. We aren't rich now. The money is not rolling in like some seem to believe.

After trying to maintain a 9 to 5 job these past couple of years, I gave up. The workplaces just weren't able to have me take off for appointments, emergencies or sickness. I can understand that and harbor no hard feelings. But I still need to provide for my children. That is why I need to have a blog and website that may include some advertising, links to businesses or various offers.

I sent out our 'invitation' email to only those who kindly emailed us messages of hope and understanding. I'm sorry you got on the list by mistake. I'm sorry to have given the impression that we are doing this for money. I guess that people assume that when a sad tale is told that they are expecting a handout. We got a ton of emails from people that wanted a mailing address to send things to us. Others wanted to donate money, so our website manager put a PayPal button there. They feel good, we are very grateful and our children lack for a bit less. WIN-WIN-WIN

We aren't exploiting our children, we are showing the world how beautiful they are and how blessed we are. Our new business link on our home page has products that people buy every day. We aren't begging anyone to buy, but we hope that some will. It's my home business just like your doll hospital.

I'm sad to hear that you have no help, no respite, no breaks and no 'loot' rolling in. We have NO help, 4 hrs of respite for 2 children a week, NO breaks and NO loot rolling it. And that's OK for us too.

Sort of.

I want money to 'roll' in for my family. I want to take care of them and give them what they need and a few wants. I DO want money rolling in from MY efforts, the businesses I create and put together. I DO NOT want to barely 'get by' and barely make it each day. I want a better life for my children, they've already been given a hard road in life and they deserve better. And somehow, some way I'll work and scratch and find a way to do that for them. They are my children I love them and I don't think I need to accept a vow of poverty to be in the good graces of the rest of the world.

I wish you all the best and hope you find peace and blessings in your life.

John

A Story of Giving and Compassion

2008-09-28T13:05:00.006-06:00

I received this story in an email to our autism_bites@yahoo.com account.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Folded Napkin

I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Down’s Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade. The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ", the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.

I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot. After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nike's, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table.

Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto the cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met.

Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work.

He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something, put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Down’s Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.

A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine. Frannie, the head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news. Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table. Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look.

He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?" he asked.

"We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay."

"I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?"

Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: "Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK," she said. "But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is." Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables.

Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do. After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face.

"What's up?" I asked.

"I didn't get that table where Belle Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off," she said. "This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup." She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed "Something For Stevie". Pony Pete asked me what that was all about," she said, "so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this" She handed me another paper napkin that had "Something For Stevie" scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds. Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: "truckers."

That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work. His placement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called 10 times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back. Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting.

"Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast," I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. "Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate you coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!"

I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room. I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins.

"First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess," I said. I tried to sound stern. Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had "Something for Stevie" printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table.

Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his mother. "There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on the table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. "Happy Thanksgiving."

Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well. But you know what's funny? While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table. Best worker I ever hired.

If you shed a tear, hug yourself, because you are a compassionate person.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We’re not in as dire straits as this young man was, however, we continuously receive emails from ‘Parents of Autism’ that tell of stories similar to this one. Sure we’ve had a bit of struggles with our six and because of that we understand the need for the ‘AutismBites Foundation’ we have been attempting to create.

Please visit our website again, http://www.autismbites.com/. Read about what our hopes are for the Foundation on its page. Then if YOU are able, click the donate PayPal button. If you are not able, send the information to someone who may be able to help with a donation.

P.S. We've just started a family business where you will learn how to be rewarded for every online purchase you make:
https://www.marketamerica.com/6asdkids/index.cfm?action=main.wLogin

Thanks,
Dad

Discovery Health Profiles the Inspiring Kirton Family in Autism x6

2008-09-16T07:54:00.002-06:00

This is the press release from Discovery Health about our documentary.

Autism T-Shirt Contest Winner

2008-09-07T21:48:00.005-06:00

I know... I know... the contest has been over for a week. AND, I've been wanting to put out a new post. But, that little thing called LIFE has been getting in the way. I'm still working on my 'business at home' website. Besides it being a new creation to earn us the moola for me to continue to stay at home; it will also be a vehicle to help Parents of Autism stay home if they choose. More about that later...

Anyway here is the winning story. There were some really good ones, sorry we couldn't send you all a shirt.

The story:

Wasn't sure where to send this, or even if this is a valid entry or not, but here goes.

We don't have an autism bites t-shirt, but GOODNESS I wish we did, so instead of telling you a story about when our t-shirt helped or hurt us the most, I will tell you about when we Wished to heaven we hadn't put it off to buy one.

My Name is Nicole ..., and I have 4 wonderful children, all of them special needs, but at this point only one has been diagnosed with an ASD, she is currently diagnosed with PDD NOS, with secondary OCD, but my sister who works in a school with autistic children every day says "get a second opinion" and so, slowly we are.

My Three year old, my angel, Keira is our youngest, and also our autistic child. given that she is also developmentally delayed, she is JUST hitting what for her are the terrible twos, which means (you guessed it) an increase in the meltdown tantrums that we have become so accustomed to. You know the ones, they sound like her world is coming to an end, that you just told her that her puppy was dead, and that her favourite blanky had been thrown in the trash, and that her favourite "baby" had been kidnapped by dingos, and that IF she could understand these statements coming from you, this is how you would expect her to react... Head thrown back, mouth open wide, starting with a heart wrenching cry that escalates into an ear piercing screech that would scare the dog away... if you hadn't just told her he was dead... then the body hits the floor, or anything in arms reach gets thrown, THEN she hits the floor... I am sure you know the meltdowns I am talking about.

So here we are, travelling from point A to point B, and we hear from Keira, who was non verbal 6 months ago, but who has made leaps and bounds in the past few months "I honry" (translation I'm Hungry) so we pull into a restaurant from one of those big chains, that are usually noisy enough as it is, so as not to be concerned that her excessive noise will disrupt other patrons. we walk in and you can hear the crickets chirping outside and down the block... there are three tables with people in them, and the bar upstairs sounds empty. UH OH, I think I hope we get fast service... when Keira wants something she is rarely patient about it, and it has gotten so, we know before we walk in what we are ordering her, so that we can order it WITH the drink order and have it there before anything else... welllllllll

the hostess seats us, and we put Keira into the highchair, and HERE starts meltdown number one, she yells she screams, the crayons fly, the coloring page goes the way of the wind her cutlery gets thrown and knocks over the salt and pepper, we offer her a dessert menu to have something to look at, and she throws it and beans my 5 year old in the head with it, who then starts crying of her own right because it hurt. the couple two tables down gets up and leaves after quickly receiving their bill for drinks only, and gives us a disgusted look on the way out...
This carries on for about 5 minutes, till Dad gets frustrated and goes outside with Keira until we at least have drinks, and maybe appetizers, something to keep her busy...

Another 5 minutes, still no waitress, no acknowledgement from ANY of the servers that we are even there. two more minutes thinks I as I ready myself to pack up my 5 year old and 10 year old and leave with dad to find a golden arches (the 16 year old wasn't with us that day)

Just as I give up, and tell the kids lets go, this fresh faced MAYBE 20 year old waitress comes rushing to the table...

"I'm so sorry" says she, "no one told me they sat my table" (again three other tables of patrons, we were hard to miss) " are we waiting for two more? or should I start with the drink orders?" she says indicating dad and Keiras chairs

"no," I reply calmly "my three year old autistic daughter (we don't bother trying to explain PDD NOS to people, they don't get it) was screaming and scaring away the customers so my husband decided to take her outside until we had food or something on the table, so she wouldn't disturb anyone else"

and the reply, TOTALLY baffling to my ears... "OH I heard the screaming, thought it was just some kid being bad, we get those ALL the time, I didn't realize it was my table though..." (it would help if you looked at your tables, I think but I don't say it out loud, because the statement would be wasted, so Instead I say)

"we're ready to order," and I order for all of us at once, SPECIFYING that the children's meals should come out first, so that dad and Keira can come back inside... but just as I say this, they come back in anyways...

10 minutes later, mine and dads meals come out, followed by the other two kids meals a few minutes later, with Keiras coming dead last (and all we ordered her was sliders) but somewhere in the middle of all the food orders, our waitress finds the time to come over and say to us, trying hard to be heard over the tantrumming child "awwww whats wrong sweetie? you look so sad!" and when Keira "ignores" her, she looks dad square in the face and says "is there any way to quite her down? the other customers keep looking over here, like she's bothering them"

"HOT DOG WE HAVE A WEINER" I think knowing full well that anything I say at this point will mean nothing to miss university, because she has no idea what autism is, or that the best we could do is just what we are doing, deep pressure stimulation, and talking to her calmly until she relaxes, so dad says instead (quite sarcastically I might add) "she cant cry and eat at the same time" (ok we all know she can, but I think he made his point) so she hurried away, and yet another couple walks by, looking disgustedly at us as our daughter screams her head off) and the waitress FINALLY returns with Keiras dinner... suddenly... silence

Dad and I finally turn to our cold dinners, and all I can think of is... wish I had one of those shirts
we will be ordering three as soon as possible... and we won't be going back to this particular outlet of this restaurant

Nicole

--------------------------------------------------------

We too have been in the same type of situation as Nicole. I'm sure that MANY of you have had similar fun outings. And that is the reason we came up with the AutismBites t-shirts in the first place. Life is sooooooooo much easier when they wear them.

Nicole will have one less t-shirt to buy now.

Dad

Autism Family on Discover Health Channel

2008-08-23T13:02:00.000-06:00

We now have a date (not the time yet) for the documentary about our family. We believe the title is: Autism X 6. It will be shown on October 1st. We have seen the films 'rough' cut and they have shown our family just the way we are. It's not always pretty, but many of you will relate quite well I'm sure.

It will be a good idea to have your friends, neighbors, family and church members watch so they can begin to have an idea what you go through each day. Thanks for your continued support.

John and Robin Kirton

Back to Minnesota for a Wedding

2008-08-21T19:05:00.018-06:00

Sorry guys, I've been pulling all nighters getting ready to put up a new business website. Not done yet however.

Then we've been doing a lot of running around getting the gang ready for school this next week. ALL of our pumpkins will be in school for the full day! We'll miss them, BUT we will sure be able to get a lot more done around the house.

Oh yeah, THE WEDDING... My oldest son, Ben and I made the trip alone. Robin stayed home and went crazy with the children.

The lovely bride is my sister's daughter, Deanne (you can see that see gets her looks from my side). Her soon to be husband, Tony.

This is me and my sister Sherri...

My sister-in-law said she had better not see any pictures of her, this is one of her daughter Shannon. Not sure who the other lady is (wink, wink). The other picture here is of my other cute little niece, Maria.

Then there was this young man I kept running into. He was always texting. I never really got a good look at his face because he was always looking down. But, I'd swear he looks a lot like my eldest son, Ben.

I gave my Mom one of our AutismBites t-shirts. Mom has always been one to tell you like it is, this shirt definitely reflects that.

The main reason we went was for Ben to finally meet his Grandmother 'in the flesh'. The wedding gave us a good excuse to make the four day there and back driving worth it.

Dad

Thought We Disappeared?

2008-08-14T18:35:00.002-06:00

Nope! We had out of town visitors, see their blog: http://bentonhouse.blogspot.com/ and I was away for almost a week for my nieces wedding in Minnesota. I'll blog soon about that and include pictures. Maybe even the ones my sister-in-law said she had better not see on any blog. Haaah!

Dad

We Are So Spoiled by David Letterman

2008-08-04T16:49:00.002-06:00

I'm usually a Jay Leno viewer as opposed to David Letterman. I received this in an email today and hope that indeed he said this. If so, my respect for Mr. Letterman has jumped dramatically.

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David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see...

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' ' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

David Letterman

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Dad

Something Happens Every Day

2008-07-29T23:42:00.003-06:00

Today when we weren't looking, do they ever do naughty things when you are? We came into the living room to an usually sweet smell. Mary had something like lotion on her hair and hands. But, we were unable to locate what and where the source was.

We were to find... later, wet sticky spots on furniture, the rug and other locations. Robin did some cleaning in the living room a bit later in the evening and found a LOT of gooey stuff in the corner of the room next to the couch. We still didn't know what it was.

Later when we were gathering the children for family prayers, Sarah sits next to Mom on the arm of the recliner holding a plastic bottle. It was a nearly empty bottle of expensive natural hair conditioner that had been purchased just the night before. Where it had been hiding all that time we'll never know.

Mary fell asleep before we were able to wash out the conditioner. But, she sure did smell good!

Dad

Michael Savage Autism Comments vs. Wendy Fournier Statement

2008-07-25T08:39:00.006-06:00

This is a must read for everyone involved with Autism. Michael Savage had a chance to redeem himself and become informed and completely failed as a media source and as a man! See our Michael Savage t-shirts. Wendy Fournier is an Autism hero. (My comments are in red) ~ Dad

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A Statement from Wendy Fournier, NAA President (National Autism Association)

For the last week, our community has been completely enveloped in the Michael Savage controversy. It infuriates me that this one man has managed to take away so much of our already limited time and energy by forcing us to defend ourselves and our beloved children against his vile remarks. Amen

When I first became aware of Savage’s comments, I immediately got in touch with Mark Masters, the CEO of Talk Radio Network and Savage’s boss. Mark was aware of the comments but had not yet listened to the show. We spoke for a long while and I quickly came to realize that I was speaking to a kind and compassionate husband and father. Mark said that while he hadn’t yet heard the tape, he suspected that Savage was talking about one of the issues that bothers him most, the over-diagnosing and drugging of children in America, and that it was possible that his remarks were being taken out of context. Having dealt with the media and having seen the ridiculous way members of our own community have been edited to look like crazy, desperate parents, I was open to the idea that Mark’s suggestion may have been a possibility. Mark promised to speak with Savage and to give us the opportunity to refute his comments on the air.

On Monday evening, Mark fulfilled his promise and I was able to speak with Savage on his show. Leaving the door open to the chance that he was indeed taken out of context, I pushed my anger toward him aside and discussed with him many of his views about healthcare in America and the sad reality that families affected by autism face. Savage has several problems with the medical community in general that I personally agree with, the most frustrating of which is the over-zealous desire to drug our children.

However, when it came to Savage’s views on Autism specifically, he was completely misinformed and off the mark.

He believes that autism is being over-diagnosed. There may be a relatively small number of children who are wrongly diagnosed with an ASD, but for the most part, an autism diagnosis is not something that is given lightly. Those of us whose children have been through the evaluation process know that it is extensive.

On the subject of diagnosis, our kids are diagnosed based on observation of skills and behaviors. All the while, the medical community completely fails to investigate what might be causing those behaviors. This needs to change. We need research to turn away from number-crunching epidemiological studies and the search for the elusive Autism gene, and start looking from a biological standpoint at the children who are currently affected. She is so right! It may be nice to know for informational purposes, but now what. Now that we have an Autistic child what can be done? Your child may very well meet the current diagnostic criteria for Autism, but what if he or she is really suffering from heavy metal toxicity or auto-immune encephalopathy, for example? Those illnesses are known to cause symptoms of Autism. If your doctor kept digging to find the cause of your child’s neurological dysfunction, you would likely come out on the other side with a treatable illness and hope for the future, not to mention health insurance coverage for treatment. But instead, you are told that your child has autism, there is no treatment, hurry to get on a waiting list for behavioral therapies. If we have to stay in this 'too bad for you, life stinks' mode, progress for these children will never happen. Mainstream physicians need to start recognizing and treating the underlying medical issues that are causing the symptoms we collectively observe and diagnose as autism, only then will we start to make some real progress. My hope is that one day, no child will be diagnosed with “Autism”, that all sick children will be properly diagnosed and successfully treated for the illnesses that they truly suffer from.

Back to Savage and his misconceptions, this one is almost amusing. He actually thinks that having a child with autism opens the door to free medical treatment and services from the government, suggesting that parents might actually push for a diagnosis in an effort to screw the government and our fellow taxpayers. Yep! That's what we are all in it for THE BIG BUCKS! ~ I hope you noted the dripping sarcasm. Those of us in the trenches know that the word “autism” is the last thing a parent wants to hear. Savage’s implied freebies are nowhere to be found. The minute your child is diagnosed, you need to fit yourself with a suit of armor, a shield and a big-ass sword, because you have just taken the first step into a never-ending fight to get the services and medical care that your child needs. Our kids are placed on waiting lists for services that can be years long, our health insurance companies turn their backs on us, and our overwhelmed and under-funded school districts I do feel for our school district. Last year our elementary became the headquarters for Autism in the city. There are other affected children at our school, but with our three at that school alone, I'm sure they felt the need to make that their main district location. force us to fight for even the most basic services to help our kids. The number of families facing bankruptcy and losing their homes to provide their children with the care they need is staggering.

Savage also thinks that greedy lawyers are somehow involved, looking for ways to milk the pharmaceutical companies for families who claim that vaccines caused their child’s regression. He is completely ignorant to the fact that manufacturers are protected from all liability on vaccine injury claims thanks to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. I tried to point this out to him, but he pushed on with this false assumption. What I didn’t realize until hearing the show later, was that my phone line was completely muted when Savage was speaking. There were several times when I tried to interject and disagree with him, and I was simply not heard. This is misleading and my silence could be interpreted by some of his listeners as agreement. I’m not happy about that. We learned about how that works also with our Larry King interview.

Savage’s producer asked me to have several other guests from our community standing by to be interviewed during the show. I did that, and not one of them was included. Not that big of a surprise really. Just seems to be a part of media's "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality. And it looks like some don't care if our children are the ones bleeding. The callers who were put on the air appeared to be hand-selected to participate in the show with the sole purpose of allowing Savage to backtrack and basically cover his own behind.

Savage claims to be an advocate for children’s health. One might think that instead of ranting about bad parenting, he would be questioning why we have so many sick children in this country. Coinciding with the increase in recommended vaccines, we’ve had an increase in chronic diseases including Asthma, ADD, ADHD, Juvenile Diabetes, and yes, Autism. Why do our government health agencies refuse to compare the overall health outcomes of vaccinated versus unvaccinated children? Why do they continue to inject our babies with substances that are known to be toxic to the developing brain and immune system? Why is our government being allowed to treat an entire generation of children like lab rats, by requiring an ever-increasing number of vaccines and conducting absolutely no safety studies on their cumulative effects?

Last night, I received an email with a link to a new website, savageonautism.com. He’s got a website for this now? On this site, there is a link to an audio clip of my discussion with Savage. It noted, “Savage speaks with Wendy Fournier, President of the National Autism Association who says that she has much common ground with Savage”. Again, misleading. I do not appreciate the implication that I am in any way on his side and I will not be used as a pawn in his attempt to backtrack on his comments. I contacted Talk Radio Network about this and the reference was promptly removed.

Mark Masters from TRN has offered to air public service announcements on their nationally syndicated shows in an effort to educate listeners on the reality of autism. For that I am very grateful. I hope that it will undo some of the damage that has been done. I hope that they follow through on their offer. We've had a number of 'offers' that were never fulfilled.

That damage is very real, and it frightens me for our children. I just got a phone call from a 74-year-old lady from California who was literally screaming at me, saying that we are a bunch of hysterical mothers who refuse to discipline our kids. She could barely catch her breath, and she’s calling us hysterical? I ended up hanging up on her and she’s called back 6 times already - that’s how fired up and anxious she is to criticize us as parents and the children we love. This is the damage that Mike Savage has done, And I for one, will do my best to help reverse his damage also. whether he meant to or not is completely irrelevant. There are people out there who are taking his words at face value and his message is one of hate.

To the fine people who are sending me hate mail about freedom of speech, you can stop. I’m all for it. You can say anything you want to in this country, but if you choose to attack our kids, be ready to defend your comments. Ditto!! We’re already suited up and are getting pretty good at wielding our big-ass swords.

In closing, I have listened with an open mind to Savage’s claim that he was taken out of context. My personal conclusion is that he was not, he’s lying to us. There are several reasons why I don’t believe him, but I keep coming back to one very significant quote. Savage claims he was talking about the “misdiagnosed”, not kids that truly have autism. But during his deplorable rant he said, “What do you mean they scream and they’re silent?” He was talking then about children who are silent, children who are non-verbal, children who are severely affected by autism, children like my beautiful little girl.

Michael Savage, take your father’s advice. Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Whether you actually meant to hurt suffering families or not, the simple fact is, you did hurt us. And for that alone, you should man up and apologize.

Wendy Fournier, PresidentNational Autism Association
wendy@nationalautism.org

Spongebob and The Great Giggle Box

2008-07-24T09:00:00.008-06:00

A couple of nights ago, the night after our PARTY FOR THREE, Mary, 3, woke up crying. I sort of woke up from it, but then staggered to bed when I saw John awake. I assumed he was going to deal with her. In time, I kept hearing John moan and groan as Mary kept crying. John was too tired to be very patient, and was letting her cry for a time seeing if she would fall asleep again, like she usually does.

Well, Mary kept crying and John was losing it. So, I got up and told him to go to bed, I'll deal with her. I asked Mary "You wanna hold mama?" She said "Mama hold you." Sometimes mom is the only thing that will make a child happy. We had to put on a Spongebob DVD because that's Mary's current obsession. It used to be Blue's Clues and Elmo. She won't watch Blue anymore, and Elmo not so much, it's almost always "Bah Bob on DVD!" now. As John and I were talking in the middle of the night while I was changing Mary and getting her ready to sit with me, from down the hall we heard a little "Hee hee!" We kept hearing it over and over again and were looking at each other like "Uh oh." So, John got Sarah, 6, our little giggle box, and brought her into the living room to change a rank bomb in her pants. He then went to bed as me and the little girls had a slumber party. Sarah bounced and frolicked around giggling like there was no tomorrow. She likes to get real close right in my face and roar with laughter, nearly making me deaf in the process. I tried to sleep in the recliner, but couldn't get comfortable enough. Mary finally passed out cold and laid down on the couch. Sarah was still bouncing off the walls in a jovial frenzy with more "Hee hee!"'s in my face. I was so wasted, I'd had enough. So, I replayed Spongebob and made sure the room was safe--the dividing wall up and the bathroom locked--then I went to bed.

A few hours later, I came into the living room to check on them. Sarah was leisurely sitting in my recliner, and as I looked at her in the dimly lit room, she looked right at me as her mouthful of teeth emerged, her eyes lit up and twinkled and she went "HEE HEE!"

She started to nod off about then, but then perked up again. She giggled all the way to the bathtub and in the bathtub. Later, when I called her name a few times to tell her I needed to dry her hair, she said "Say ah, Say ah." She's never said her name so clearly before!!!!!

Here's Sarah after she got home from school yesterday....

By the way, Ammon, 4, is progressing so well in his communication. After he had his after school snack, he comes up to me and sticks his finger in my face with gooey and chunky brown stuff on it--and I didn't give him chocolate. Hey, at least he didn't wipe it on his clothes and not tell me about it. For that, I totally couldn't get upset with him, I was just SO PROUD of my boy!!!

Sniff sniff...

Mom

A Party For Three

2008-07-23T18:30:00.008-06:00

Hi folks!

Please forgive me for not writing much lately, I'm just so tired most of the time, argh. Well, I just had to tell you about some of our latest adventures with the little ones around here....

We were invited to a neighborhood block party yesterday evening. We were looking forward to it. So, although I could picture in my mind how it was going to be with our little ones once we got there, we chanced it anyhow. After all, we like being social, we really like our neighbors and we don't get out much. We made sure not to forget to put their autism bites shirts on as well since we may not already know everyone there.

So, we put Ammon, 4, in the stroller, Mary, 3, walked with Nephi, 9, and Sarah walked with me holding the side of the stroller as we moseyed down the street. We went into the back yard where we saw two guests that had arrived so far, and the children immediately went into a frenzy on the teeter totter and trampoline as these guys looked on in awkward silence. However, Sarah, 6, went straight for the flower garden until the dogs came excitedly running out. Sarah then screamed loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear, which made the dogs even more excited as they ran up to her this time going "Ar ar ar ar ar!!!" So, Sarah continued to scream bloody murder. The dogs soon ran off elsewhere while Sarah was still shaking in her sneakers, but then...."Ar ar ar ar!!!!" again. The owner of the home then came out and loudly exclaimed something like "Don't run from the dogs or yell and scream because that just makes them get louder and more agitated!" Well, I stood there stunned. Well, it was private property and a happy event, so I kept my emotional reaction to myself and quietly started taking off with Sarah and Ammon as fast as I could. As I was leaving, the wife of the home kindly told me that they put the dogs in the house. I said something like "Oh, it's okay. She pulled up some of your flowers too."

So, I took them to our favorite hamburger joint, Arctic Circle. I prayed mightily to God that they would behave there, especially since it was just them and myself. On the way in, Ammon ran around some cars in the drive through, but we otherwise made it in alright. Ammon immediately went to the play land, and Sarah sat at the high table patiently waiting--I think God is very generous with tender mercies, especially when they are much needed.

A young family was sitting in the booth Ammon usually sits with us at. He tried to sit with them and started going for their food when I said "Nuh uh, Ammon" as he smiled slyly, then went off to the play land. Sarah and Ammon soon inhaled every last morsel of their fries and chicken rings. With Ammon, when he finally joined us, he started scooping his food up with his hands. I looked away for a moment and when I looked back, it was ALL gone. I looked to see if it was on the floor, then noticed that his cheeks were stuffed full as he was quickly and carefully chewing it all before it went down the hatch.

They soon were playing, and then Ammon was playing with the door. A 7 yr old boy with high functioning autism next to us told me that my son was at the door. I thanked him for telling me, that he's a good helper. Ammon had vanished right before that in what seemed like an instant. The 7 yr old boy's mom and I started visiting and by the time Ammon ran to the drive through for the third time, I had it. I gave Sarah what was left of my pop so she wouldn't fuss and I scooped up Ammon and we went to the car....Back at home, I watched them play outside in the back yard. In a first, Ammon kept coming up to me with a big sweet smile and taking his hands behind my back and butt to try and bring me to the swing where I had to swing him for like an HOUR. He was quite the laughing, happy boy as Sarah frolicked around the yard trying to eat dirt and unripened fruit from the trees.

...We may very well have to wait for the next life to be able to have and go to parties like everyone else. Oh well, this life is real short compared to eternity anyhow....

Robin Kirton.....the mom

Michael Savage Autism Comments

2008-07-22T10:39:00.004-06:00

As many of you know we like to say how we feel on t-shirts. We have come up with three shirts that tell Michael Savage exactly what we think.

Dad

Autism Parents 'Infection Risk'

2008-07-22T07:12:00.003-06:00

I've been wondered why we seem to get sick way too often. The color comments are mine.

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Caring for children with developmental problems such as autism or Down's syndrome can weaken parents' immune systems, research suggests.

Researchers at Birmingham University found they had a poorer immune response to a vaccine against pneumonia.

It appears that stress causes the immune system to function less efficiently, the team wrote in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.

Charities called for better support for parents struggling to cope. (Hello, I'm over here ~ hand waving frantically)

Previous work has shown negative effects in elderly people caring for a spouse - but this is the first time that a similar result has been seen in a younger, healthier group providing round-the-clock care, the researchers pointed out.

A total of 60 parents received the pneumococcal vaccine as part of the study - half of whom had children with developmental disabilities.

Blood tests showed that those caring for a child with developmental disability had lower levels of antibodies to the vaccine than those whose children did not have such difficulties.

After one month, 20% of parents providing long-term care had an ineffective immune response, compared to 4% of the control group. At six months this had risen to 48% while the levels in the control group remained the same.

Stress

Study leader Stephen Gallagher said low levels of antibodies suggested parents' ability to fight infection was weaker: "This is a good indication that their immune systems are not functioning efficiently." (Knock me down with a feather!)

Stress was likely to be responsible for the immune deficiency, he added. (Stress? Do any of you get stressed?)

"These parents are sometimes extremely stressed and what they need is appropriate help and training." (Helloooo... me over here again)

Co-author Dr Anna Phillips said parents caring for these children are "incredibly dedicated" and not in a position to take time off. (What's time off? Was it sunny of rainy today? I just didn't get a chance to even look outside today.)

"However, knowing the effects that providing round-the-clock care can have on their health may help raise awareness that these parents need help (helloooooo?) to manage their burden of care."

She said the parents should be added to the list of vulnerable groups eligible for vaccinations such as the flu jab. (no thanks!)

"We are continuing this work by looking at how sleep patterns affect the rates of infection in these parents," she added. (Sleep? Do people really NEED sleep? That's funny, I thought that needing sleep was a myth.)

Amanda Batten, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: "Carers often display great strength and resilience whilst coping with this complex disability, but many receive very little help and support, and are under considerable stress as a result. (Glad someone out there realises this)

"It is imperative that carers are given access to services such as short break schemes to help them before they reach a crisis point." (Are there such services? We haven't found any.)

Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, added: "I am not surprised at the results of this study. It just confirms what we already suspected might be one of the consequences of the constant stress that families have to endure." (Amen brother... I mean sister!)

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7513661.stm Published: 2008/07/19 23:29:32 GMT© BBC MMVIII
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Can we all shout out a big Hallelujah !?! Looks like the British are getting this figured out. Hope we can have more of the same over here soon.

Dad

Autistic Parents Polling Results

2008-07-20T11:21:00.012-06:00

The results are in from the last two polls that we've had here. Actually the first poll has been done for over a month now but I'm just getting to it. The first poll is:

Parents of Autistic Children Only: How do you support your family?

1. Dad works regular job <107> (82%)

2. Mom works regular job <49> (37%)

3. Receive gov't help (SSI, etc) <38> (29%)

4. Relatives give cash regularly <7> (5%)

5. Relatives give cash sometimes <15> (11%)

6. Mom or Dad work 2nd job <13> (10%)

7. Doing eBay sales <7> (5%)

8. Doing direct sales (i.e. MLM) <5> (3%)

9. Selling something else (i.e. t-shirts) <4> (3%)

10.Would like to belong to 'Parents Group' to buy and sell with each other <15> (11%)

Total votes: 130

Here's how I fit into the poll. I used to work a regular job until last October. I drove a 17 ton dump truck for a excavation company. I had this job for about a year and a half and referred to it as the job where 'I didn't have to think', I just worked. This is the job I had during all of our struggles with the state of Utah. The owner was very understanding about our situation, but toward the end he just needed someone that could keep the truck running 10-12 hrs a day. That didn't work very well with me needing to help Robin and all of the other needs of the children. In case you didn't hear about our 'state problems' from past blogs or media articles, this is where we had the children taken away for 2 weeks, having our lives turned upside down to comply with the state juvenile court system, etc. for 11 months.

The "thinking" job I had before that, I worked as a 'lease banker' for a capital equipment leasing company. I was there just 6 months when we found out about Sarah being classic Autistic. I was worthless as an employee most of the time after that and when my father died that December it kind of pushed me over the edge of despair. I asked my boss, one of the VP's, if I could adjust my work load or anything else to keep the job and continue to provide for my family. He was aware of our newly discovered Autism situation as I had let him know months before (initial school evaluation). But, he said that he would 'accept' my resignation. I had not offered it, but I found out (later) that he had told his boss, the president, that I had quit. I could have fought it to get unemployment I guess, but I didn't have it in me at the time.

So when the dump truck job was coming to an end I looked for something else and did do a brief stint of 3-4 weeks, but the hours were messing up the family life again. So I'm where I'm at today. We manage by doing 3, 5, 8 and 9.

From the results it looks like it's kinda tough for the families out there. Nearly 40% the Dad and Mom are working. Then 3 of 10 families don't earn all that much and qualify for SSI. Not a lot of financial support from relatives with barely 1 of 10 getting some money. Then 10% have one parent working two jobs. This has got to make it hard on the child(ren) who already have difficulty forming relationships, where one of the parents are hardly at home. Very sad. A ray of hope is that some are looking beyond the traditional job and being some what of entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, it's less then 5% in 3 different areas.

The last question tells me that we have too many 'lone rangers' out there. We should help each other so that if one of our group can provide a service or product that we could use... use them. Of course family members would be first in this situation, but if they don't... let's use one another.

Next poll: How many Autistic children do you have?

1. 1 <67> (61%)

2. 2 <22> (20%)

3. 3 <7> (6%)

4. 4 <5> (4%)

5. 5 <1> (0%)

6. 6 <4> (3%) (Note: The actual vote total was: <3>)

7. A mix of both <25> (22%)

8. Would like to work from home if the money was right <25> (22%)

Total votes: 109

To explain question #6: One day while looking at this blog the poll on my screen showed that I had not voted. I assumed that some sort of glitch had occurred and voted as having 6 ASD children. Now it added my original vote and this new one and I was not able to fix it.

We had heard there are other families that may have had as many as us, but really did not KNOW. With this poll it looks like there are two other families just like us, unless someone out there had a glitch or a slip of the mouse. However, if there truly is more like us we (my wife and I) would like to know you. Please write to us at our email: autism_bites@yahoo.com I promise to not reveal to ANYONE here on this blog, email or ANYWHERE who you are if that is your desire.

Now I know why so many other Autistic parents have told us that: (1) we inspire them (2) give them hope (3) wonder how we can do it (4) etc. It appears that 81% of the families have just 1 or 2 Autistic children. Now let's not get any feathers ruffled out there. We know that even 1 Autistic child is a tough job... we know. But, when we have 6, 1 to 2 to us is 'just'.

Please comment, so we know you are alive. These polls prove that at least 130 couples or parents visit here monthly.

Dad

Government's Defense Of Mercury In Vaccines Shaken By Withdrawal Of Expert Reports

2008-07-14T10:40:00.005-06:00

Found this VERY interesting bit of news (highlights are my own):

PRESS RELEASE CONTACTS: For Immediate CoMeD President [Rev. Lisa K. Release Sykes (Richmond, VA) 804-364-8426] July 13, 2008 CoMeD Sci. Advisor [Dr. King (Lake Hiawatha, NJ) 973-263-4843]

WASHINGTON, DC - In the United States Court of Federal Claims, National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, the contention by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), that mercury in vaccines does not cause autism, has suffered an unexpected setback. In a June 27, 2008 Autism Omnibus Proceeding (OAP) conference, attorneys for the DHHS announced that they were withdrawing two key written reports and any statements which relied on those reports. Those key reports, written by two world-renowned toxicologists (Dr. Laszlo Magos, formerly from the Medical Research Council Laboratories, England, and Dr. Thomas Clarkson, from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY USA), were the toxicological pillars underpinning the government's claim that Thimerosal does not cause autism.

On July 3, 2008, the three OAP Special Masters recorded that they had granted the DHHS' request to withdraw the expert reports of Drs. Magos and Clarkson. In addition, their court order[1] stated: ". respondent would be permitted to withdraw any reliance on those two expert reports, and that we would not consider those reports at all in resolving those test cases."

Ironically, though Drs. Magos and Clarkson were expected to testify to the safety of Thimerosal in vaccines, their previous publications clearly document its significant toxicity. For example, Dr. Clarkson, working under a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), essentially declared that organic mercurial antiseptics, including Thimerosal, should be heavily restricted or withdrawn, "as the fact that mercury readily penetrates intact membranes and is highly toxic seems to have been forgotten" in a peer-reviewed study published in 1977.[2]

With the recent publication of studies proving a link between Thimerosal exposure and autism, the current exodus of experts who are willing to testify for the DHHS that Thimerosal does not cause autism appears to be escalating.

Tellingly, Dr. Bernadine Healy, the former director of the National Institutes of Health, also recently said: "I think the government or certain public health officials in the government have been too quick to dismiss the concerns of these families without studying the population that got sick."
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Our opinion? Autism is a spectrum disorder caused by a spectrum of reasons such as genetics, environmental and/or vaccines.

Dad

ANWR Oil - I Need Some, What About You?

2008-07-06T14:16:00.016-06:00

I apologize for being a bit 'political' here. However, the truth is the truth and I have a family that has needs. And when politicians want to play politics that affect my family's well being... I get a bit hot under the collar.

I've taken this info from a recently received email. I've heard the statistics but these pictures and facts really bring it out. I have 6 children and we NEED our large 2002 Chevrolet Suburban to get them safely and comfortably around our city. See why I know the government could be doing better for us ALL. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you know what ANWR is? ANWR = Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Now, a comparison...

And some perspective.

NOTE WHERE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AREA IS.
(it's in the "ANWR Coastal Plain")

THIS IS WHAT THE DEMOCRATS, LIBERALS AND "GREENS" SHOW YOU WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT ANWR and they are right, these ARE photographs of ANWR

ISN'T ANWR BEAUTIFUL? WHY SHOULD WE DRILL HERE (AND DESTROY) THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE? WELL. THAT'S NOT EXACTLY THE TRUTH.

Do you remember the map? The map showed that the proposed drilling area is in the ANWR Coastal Plain. Do those photographs look like a coastal plain to you? WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. THAT IS NOT WHERE THEY ARE WANTING TO DRILL!
THIS IS WHAT THE PROPOSED EXPLORATION AREA ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IN THE WINTER ...

AND THIS IS WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IN THE SUMMER ...

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE AREA WHERE THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT DRILLING IS A BARREN WASTELAND. OH... AND THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL WILDLIFE. HERE IS A PHOTO (SHOT DURING THE SUMMER) OF THE"DEPLETED WILDLIFE" SITUATION CREATED BY DRILLING AROUND PRUDHOE BAY *. DON'T YOU THINK THAT THE CARIBOU REALLY HATE THAT DRILLING?

HERE'S THAT SAME SPOT DURING THE WINTER.

HEY, THIS BEAR SEEMS TO REALLY HATE THE PIPELINE NEAR PRUDHOE BAY *.

*The Prudhoe bay area accounts for 17% of U.S. domestic oil production.

NOW, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE LYING ABOUT ANWR?
REMEMBER WHEN AL GORE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK TO ARTIFICIALLY RAISE GAS PRICESTO $5.00 A GALLON? WELL. AL GORE AND HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS HAVE ALMOST REACHED THEIR GOAL!

NOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN LYING,WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Remember this???

In the year 2000, (the very first day of his presidency), George Bush was talking about our energy crisis and the need to drill in ANWAR. The oil, (conservative projections say 20 Billion Barrels), would now have been flowing to the U.S. over the past 2 to 3 years. (That is enough oil to allow us the option to import 0 (that's zero, zilch, none, nada!!!) barrels from foreign countries for a period of 30 years, hum???) Perhaps it's time we get started going after some of our own energy resources...

Did you know that other countries, (including Mexico and Cuba), are drilling just 90 miles off shore of Florida and California? We let them do that, but our own Government won't allow American Companies to do the same thing. I would trust U.S. Companies over Mexican and Cuban Companies any day of the week to do it wiser and safer. Did you know that the 'Green Peacers' have not allowed us to build a single oil refinery in this country in the last 35 years? And we wonder why the price of oil is so volatile.

It's time to drill here, drill now, and pay less. Think about it when you vote in November...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The CAPS in this story were there from the original and I didn't feel like taking the time to decap it and tone it down a bit. But, I'd say that I'd agree with nearly 99% of the story in total. I've written to my senators and congressman. We are the greatest and most powerful country in the world. We COULD have $1.00 a gallon of gasoline again IF we went after what we have right here in our own country.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." ~Edmund Burke

Dad

Autism Myths

2008-07-01T09:47:00.003-06:00

I've had a good reason this time for being gone the last week or so. Somehow I got either a bad case of food poisioning or the worse stomach flu I've ever had in my life.

It started last Thursday and I was just starting to feel like myself again yesterday when my head got clogged and the nose started running. Waaaaaaa!!! Today? I'm probably at 90-95% of normal.

I found this info and thought I'd pass it along:

http://renaeden.autiblogger.com/2008/06/29/autism-myths/

Autism Myths

A diagnosis of autism is not the end of love and hope. But media stories thrive on the most overwhelming and horrifying circumstances. Here are just a few of the myths perpetuated by TV, magazines and movies:

1. Autistic People Are All Alike

Myth: If I’ve met an autistic person (or seen the movie Rain Man), I have a good idea of what all autistic people are like.

Fact: Autistic people are as different from one another as they could be. The only elements that ALL autistic people seem to have in common are unusual difficulty with social communication.

2. Autistic People Don’t Have Feelings

Myth: Autistic people cannot feel or express love or empathy.

Fact: Many — in fact, most — autistic people are extremely capable of feeling and expressing love, though sometimes in idiosyncratic ways! What’s more, many autistic people are far more empathetic than the average person, though they may express their empathy in unusual ways.

3. Autistic People Don’t Build Relationships

Myth: Autistic people cannot build solid relationships with others.

Fact: While it’s unlikely that an autistic child will be a cheerleader, it is very likely that they will have solid relationships with, at the very least, their closest family members. And many autistic people do build strong friendships through shared passionate interests. There are also plenty of autistic people who marry and have satisfying romantic relationships.

4. Autistic People Are a Danger to Society

Myth: Autistic people are dangerous.

Fact: Recent news reports of an individual with Asperger Syndrome committing violent acts have led to fears about violence and autism. While there are many autistic individuals who exhibit violent behaviors, those behaviors are almost always caused by frustration, physical and/or sensory overload, and similar issues. It’s very rare for an autistic person to act violently out of malice.

5. All Autistic People Are Savants

Myth: Autistic people have amazing “savant” abilities, such as extraordinary math skills or musical skills.

Fact: It is true that a relatively few autistic people are “savants.” These individuals have what are called “splinter skills” which relate only to one or two areas of extraordinary ability. By far the majority of autistic people, though, have ordinary or even less-than-ordinary skill sets.

6. Autistic People Have No Language Skills

Myth: Most autistic people are non-verbal or close to non-verbal.

Fact: Individuals with a classic autism diagnosis are sometimes non-verbal or nearly non-verbal. But the autism spectrum also includes extremely verbal individuals with very high reading skills. Diagnoses at the higher end of the spectrum are increasing much faster than diagnoses at the lower end of the spectrum.

7. Autistic People Can’t Do Much of Anything

Myth: I shouldn’t expect much of an autistic person.

Fact: This is one myth that, in my opinion, truly injures our children. Autistic individuals can achieve great things — but only if they’re supported by people who believe in their potential. Autistic people are often the creative innovators in our midst. They see the world through a different lens — and when their perspective is respected, they can change the world.
_________________________________________________________________
Autism Myths by author Lisa Jo Rudy. She also wrote Top Terrific Traits of Autistic People.

Dad

LUVS Funny Diaper Deal

2008-06-25T08:11:00.005-06:00

We found out about this LUVS diaper promotion. If you even come close to 3 kids in diapers like us, you'll want to save a few bucks with this deal. Click the links for the fun and silly videos.

From the website - Understanding that many families across the country are more financially conscious than ever, Luvs has partnered with mom-comedienne, author and overnight internet video sensation, Anita Renfroe, to encourage parents to brave these times without losing their minds, wallets or their sense of humor. Renfroe will unveil her latest comedic song and video – a sequel to the original “Mom-sense” jingle set to the William Tell Overture that millions of people have viewed and enjoyed – available to view or download for free exclusively at Luvs.com starting June 25. Luvs is also offering a $5-off coupon via its Web site and encourages moms everywhere to take a stand against pricier diapers by pledging to choose products that offer premium features for no extra cost. Quantities are LIMITED and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Here's the discount offer link.

Dad

Autism Media Hounds...woof...woof

2008-06-22T22:12:00.003-06:00

We don't think of us or anyone else being a 'media hound' for Autism is bad. Autism Speaks are media hounds, to raise funds. Mom26 is a hound to raise awareness and acceptance, as are we! We have been accused by some of going after the media spotlight for financial gain. I guess I'm guilty in some respects. I did some major grieving as we discovered that all six of our children were on the spectrum. Now what, I thought. How can I support the added expense we are and now having to bare?

I love my children and want the best for them. But, the best COSTS , I figure that I need to be rich (6 figures plus) to get a decent house, therapies and to protect them from themselves. If 1,000,000 people bought just one of our Autism t-shirts... we'd be set. Until that happens we'll manage as best as we can.

I'm on the constant prowl for ways to make money at home and things are picking up. However, if anyone is doing something right now that is working for them... let me know. In my searching as I find good home money making methods I'll get the word out. And if anyone thinks we're slacking, give me a call and I'll invite you over to spend a day. Give you a little reality check.

I need a 'financial mentor', someone who knows how to do it and would be willing to teach me.

Just the DAD

Where's Dad?

2008-06-19T10:15:00.004-06:00

No we've not been on vacation, I've just been spending my days in the hunt for the elusive buck. Money for the family that is. I'm somewhat surprised with the current poll on how families provide for themselves financially.

It looks like most Autistic parents aren't able to relate to our situation. It has been VERY difficult to have a 9-5 job with the children having their needs and Robin's fibromyalgia where she needs at least two naps a day. I thought that a lot of other parents would have to be more 'stay at home' like us. But, then I got to thinking a bit and I'm guessing that most of the parents here have a lot less Autistic children then we do.

Duh!!

So please participate in the new poll to help us understand where you are coming from as far as family make up. Thanks

UPDATE: Question on the poll, someone said they have six Autistic children also, we like to meet/talk. Please email us at autism_bites@yahoo.com

Dad

John and Robin Kirton Family's NEW Autism Book

2008-06-09T12:35:00.004-06:00

We would like your opinion as quickly as you are able. We've been thinking that it would be a good idea to tell our story in a book and we'd like your help. What information or area in our lives would you like the most to know about? Please respond with your ideas to our email address: autism_bites@yahoo.com.

We want to have the book published before our documentary is shown on Discovery Health channel in October.

Thanks,
John and Robin Kirton

Family Grant Money - Autism Speaks Forum

2008-06-06T14:24:00.004-06:00

I was on the Autism Speaks forum earlier today where a post was giving information on some of the FEW resources that there are for parents to help their families. After reading of how little there is and going to some of the sites mentioned, plus the comments from parents who are at the end of the ropes... I added my two cents. Since it was somewhat lengthy and most visitors want more of our input on this blog I'll put it here for you as well - - -

We KNOW how hard it is to find ANYTHING or organization out there that can provide needed funding. With our six its been a journey of frustration and a whole lot of 'why bother any mores'.

Some examples are: We are low income, not by choice however. I've lost jobs, been told time needed to take care of family needs, "aren't working out for the company" or had to quit because I just need to be home to help my wife. She is such a hard working Mom, but with near clinical depression and fibromyalgia she needs her Zoloft and 2 plus naps a day to just make it.

We get SSI for the 3 youngest, the 3 oldest are not 'severe' enough. Our state has a program for respite, but only 2 qualify. We were hoping to actually GET respite, but at least 2 of the children get some time out for a couple of hours a week.

There is a state medical program that would provide some services for us and the three oldest, but after going back and forth for 5 months trying to gather info from places that wouldn't cooperate and every other roadblock imaginable we've said to heck with it.

No OT, PT or MSG :D We've made inquiries of various state offices about additional services but none either know of any or are of the understanding that what we have is about as good as it gets.

I've sent letters, emails and made calls to see what various businesses and organizations could do BUT I've yet to get any offers. Now don't get me wrong here, I don't want a free ride just because we have 6 ASD children. I'd be VERY willing to give speeches, presentations, etc. either for pay or exchange for services given. I guess with us having 6 on the spectrum they see costs being too high and 'head for the hills'.

If it wasn't for a couple of months of great t-shirt sales, some generous donors and that tax rebate we'd be on welfare right now. But, we are trying to stay off and not be anymore of a burden on the system then we are already.

We are just looking for what we can do to help these 6 beautiful children we've been blessed with to have a better life. To be able to communicate, understand and participate in the world around them.

So we try to maintain a cheerful appearance as much as possible and I feel we do pretty good most of the time. I'm glad for the Autism research and information organizations HOWEVER, there are too many parents that search and struggle to find the means to help their own children.

We know.

Dad

We've Joined the YouTube Website

2008-06-01T21:30:00.006-06:00

It looks like the links are coming down on our website where we showed some of the various programs we've been on (i.e. Good Morning America, Inside Edition, etc.). We had asked to have copies on DVD of the shows sooooo... we are going to put them on YouTube.

The Inside Edition story was pre-empted in Utah by the NCAA tournament and we never saw it until our DVD arrived 3 weeks later.

Here is the link to the Inside Edition story. I'll be adding more as I can. Update: I've now added the Good Morning America story. Their website is no longer showing the video, here it is again for those who missed it.

Dad

Speaking About Autism

2008-05-29T07:13:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of being the last speaker for the annual fundraising breakfast for the Arc of Utah. Here is the the text of my speech:

The ARC Fundraising Breakfast
Hogle Zoo – May 28, 2008

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is John Kirton and I live just down the road here in… Murray. It’s possible you may recognize me. The past few months my family has received a LOT… of media attention. My family is with me today (show picture), however in spirit only. I’ll explain why in a few moments.

In case you’ve missed seeing us in the media attention I mentioned, we have been on the front page of the Sunday edition of the Deseret Morning News, we were in a 6 page article of ‘People’ magazine, we have been featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, Larry King and locally on channel 2 and 4 (twice) and recently mentioned on channel 5. We have also been interviewed on 4 radio programs including KSL radio locally. We have our own website, a blog and our own line of t-shirts. AND… we have just completed filming and now begins the editing process, for a documentary about our family, to be shown this fall on the Discovery Health channel. We are not as well known as our fellow Murray resident, David Archeleta, but we are trying.

But… this is the first time we’ve been asked to speak. I’d like to thank Emily Flinkstrom of the Arc of Utah for inviting me here today to help with this VERY worthy and needed cause.

So who in the heck (HECK, that’s a little Utah lingo for those from Tooele) are we? It turns out that we are the ONLY family in the United States, to have six biological… Autistic children… in one family. And to clear up a question we get all the time… Mary, our youngest, was around 18 months old when we first started to find out about the Autism the children had. So they were all here already and NO we don’t have Munchhausen syndrome. Bobby, the oldest, is from my wife’s first marriage and the other five we’ve had together.

The reason my wife could not join us today is because we have 3 schools we have to get the children off to each morning and she is taking care of things this morning. Our day begins at 5:45 and it usually goes something like this:

1. The alarm goes off, Robin gets up, turns it off and gets into the shower
2. I roll over
3. Robin comes back into the bedroom and tells me I need to get up soon
4. I roll over again
5. Robin gathers the 3 youngest children’s clothes in the living room
6. Robin tells me I need to get up!! and get baths started
7. I roll… out of bed and start to fill the bath tub
8. I open up the little children’s door and Ammon (4) bursts out and runs for the bathroom, he flaps his hands and shakes his head excitedly, waiting to be undressed.
9. Meanwhile… Robin is shoveling down a bowl of cereal
10. Ammon is pouring water on his head as I get Mary (3) out of bed, half of the time she is happy the other half she’s crying like she lost her favorite toy, and into the bathroom to be undressed and in to join her brother
11. Sarah (6) is still making noises from under her blankets while I start to wash the children.
12. I finish Ammon, get him dried off and give him a hug and send him into the living room where Robin gets him diapered and dressed
13. Next finishing her bath is Mary, dried and hugged and she is off to Mom to be diapered and dressed
14. Sarah is still hiding under a blanket, I need to coax her out usually involving a lot of fussing and screaming
15. But when she is finally in the tub, she submerges so that her nose and mouth just barely pokes above the level of the water
16. The other kids are getting cereal while they watch Sesame Street and Robin tells Bobby (14) that it’s now time for him to get up
17. I finish Sarah’s bath, dry and give hugs and send her in to the living room to be diapered and clothed as well.
18. Did you count the number of diapers? Yes it’s THREE.
19. Bobby’s now in the shower and one of us tells Emma (10) she has 5 minutes before she needs to get up, if we forget to give her a warning each morning she’ll likely have an emotional meltdown
20. Now it’s 7:15 and I help Robin get the 3 youngest into the car for the trip to the bus stop
21. Back in the house I’ll let Nephi (9) know that it’s time to get up and get going
22. Bobby’s eating, Emma is hopefully in the shower by now and Nephi is rolling out of bed
23. Robin gets back about 7:40 and Bobby hops in the car for a ride to his school
24. I usually have to tell Emma to not use all the hot water so Nephi can have his shower, to which she’ll grump… that she’s almost done
25. Oh, did I forget to mention… we have ONE bathroom?
26. Nephi is now showering as Emma eats, then she informs us that she can’t find any underwear, so we must stop everything else and help her search for them
27. By now Nephi is eating breakfast, Emma is still looking for missing clothes
28. Nephi is done eating and is just about ready, Emma is finally dressed and eating, by now its ten minutes before they are to be at school and Emma still needs her hair dried ARGGGH!!
29. It’s now 8:40… all the children are where they are supposed to be, Robin is heading into the bedroom for her morning nap, she has fibromyalgia and tires easily. Me? I’m just glad for a few moments of peace and try to not think that tomorrow… we have to do it all over again.

Our journey, of the discovery, that we have SIX children with Autism has been very, very difficult. Six with Autism, we have the most in the country, maybe the world. We have received many comments to our blog and emails from people asking us how we do it. Many are in awe that we are able to make it through each day having so many disabled children. Some days, we amaze ourselves.

But, we don't feel we are 'special'. We just wanted a larger family. We love our children. But, now we have a much larger challenge… then just a large family. Each of our children have special needs, many needs. Needs they cannot tell us about. Even the older ones who can talk, but are not able to express their feelings verbally very well. It can be very frustrating AND tiring trying to figure out what we, as parents, can do.

When our People magazine article first came out. Robin commented, to family and friends that we were hoping to finally get some help that we need. Some thought we were looking for a free ride in life. Poor us, look how tough our lives are. That is not what she meant! She was talking treatments, schooling, diet, and supplements... any and all things we can do to help our children.

My last 3 jobs I've either lost, left or been told that with taking time off to help my family... “It’s not working for the company”. I’ve since had to start a home based “business consulting” company where I can take time for my family as needed. Nearly ALL insurance companies pay for NO Autism treatments, not that we have any insurance ourselves, like MANY other families of disabled children. And most Doctor's don't know what to do.

Parents with disabled children are often alone in their struggles. So WHY did we put ourselves out there in front of the world? And to speak before groups, such as this, here today? I wrote this on our blog recently.

We have 3 main reasons to get the word out… about our family.

1) Increase the awareness and understanding of Autism.

2) From our example (we know we're not perfect) give hope to other parents struggling with their marriage and children.

3) To increase the giving of funds to help families struggling with disabilities

For me personally, I want to help the Dads out there, that are ready to throw in the towel. DO NOT abandon your child; DO NOT abandon your wife and family. Too often we hear that the mother is alone… caring for a disabled child, because the father couldn’t ‘handle’ the disability diagnosis. TOO BAD, TOO BAD… life is not all sunshine and lollipops. But… if you could use someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on… here I am. You can call me anytime. I DO understand EXACTLY what you are going through.

Sorry for getting on my soapbox there for a minute, I’m just a little compassionate about the subject.

So… how do parents and families like ours, afford it all? The treatments, interventions, schooling, diet, and supplements, etc., etc., etc? Surely the state has funding or probably the Federal government helps, right? Unfortunately, the disability population is found wanting for needed services. We cannot rely on services offered through our government because they are limited, if available at all, to many families. The Arc of Utah is a private nonprofit and therefore, is funded through private donations, grants, and fundraisers. Families receive help from organizations like, The Arc of Utah who offer support, information and all the wonderful programs you’ve heard about this morning.

People with disabilities DO deserve to live happy and fulfilling lives… just like you and I. They can and DO contribute wonderfully to society and our communities. It is EXTREMELY important to support a cause, like the ARC of Utah, to improve their lives and their families. Today you have heard, several testimonials emphasizing the life changing ability of The Arc’s services. This is your chance to help The Arc continue… to help.

In the business world there are ‘angel investors’ who save struggling companies. Angels in another definition can ‘save individuals in perilous times’. The ARC helps struggling families, who are in perilous times. Would you be our ‘angels’ today?.....

Your table captain has passed out a pledge form to each of you. Please take a minute to look it over, fill it out, and return the top copy, along with your donation, to your table captain. You can also take the form with you and mail it to The Arc of Utah with your donation. No amount is too small, especially if you can pledge that amount each month for one year. The 50th Birthday Pledge listed on the form is a great way to honor The Arc’s 50 years of service. Together, we can make a big difference. Ladies and gentlemen… please get out your checkbooks. If what has been said today has touched your heart… be generous. I know that checks with lots of zeros will be much appreciated, however any amount… again… will be gladly accepted.

As a reminder, some of you may work for companies that match donations; this can be a great way to double your donation. All donations are tax deductible of course.

I want to thank our sponsors… Wells Fargo, Human Capabilities, and the Hogle Zoo. If anyone has any questions for me, I’ll be glad to stay afterwards.

Thank you for coming and supporting such a worthy cause. (End of speech)

It was pretty cool to be asked to give the talk and it gave us the opportunity to give back somewhat. I haven't heard what the total amount received yet was, but I'm hoping that it will be something BIG.

Dad

To Poll or not to Poll

2008-05-27T07:40:00.011-06:00

Even though we realize our blogging shortcomings with our most recent poll (70% would come here more often if we blogged more often) we hope we don't lose any viewers/lurkers/commenters. The nice thing with the polls is that we can see how many people are actually coming to the blog. It's my assumption that nearly everyone will do the poll.

However, unless those five poll responders, who said they would watch our children so we can blog more, could actually help... we will just have to do the best we can and hope you still come by to see what we are up to.

Here is what our house looked like this morning:

This is our bedroom, that high back chair is where I'm sitting right now typing this blog.

Here is the 3 youngest children's room, this is a GOOD day.

The living room. The kitchen.

And the older boys room:

It doesn't always look this bad, some days it's even worse! So I'm sorry to not be able to honor the poll results as well as I would like, but it's OK because we are doing the best that we can. Hope you can understand that.

Dad

Autistic Boy Banned From Church

2008-05-19T10:16:00.003-06:00

Robin's mom sent us this story from Minnesota: Autistic Boy Banned From Church

I did not see a Dad in the story here, likely he removed himself from the family because of the son, we hear of this a lot. Makes me mad and sad that Dads don't stick around. I hope that this is not the situation for this family and that they just didn't get Dad on camera.

We take ALL the children to our church. Ammon and Sarah go to a 'special needs' Sunday school class along with another boy who is Autistic. Mary used to go as well, but has adjusted and is now able to attend classes with other 3 year olds.

However, when it is time for the sacrament or congregational meeting we swap off taking the 3 youngest back home while the other parent attends with the 3 oldest. Just another in life's challenges for parents of children with Autism.

(BTW: where are the 4 people, see the poll, that have said they will watch our children so we can post more often? ; )

Dad

Another Busy Week for the Kirton Family

2008-05-13T17:24:00.002-06:00

Last week was CRAZY! Our film crew for our documentary did our last shoot (it was our sixth in as many months). And my oldest son, from my first marriage, got transferred to New Jersey and needed help with trips to the storage place, etc., etc.

I'll update this more soon, but I hear Ammon crying...

Givers and Receivers

2008-05-04T20:54:00.007-06:00

My step-mom, Marie, and I were having a discussion a few weeks ago. I was lamenting that we have been getting or receiving a lot these past few months and that we haven't been able to give as much as we would like to. She pointed out that we do have a lot to take care of and that our time and especially resources are very limited. True, true I said but it bothers me to be what I call a 'sponge'. Then she said something was very profound:

If there were no receivers... there could be no givers.

Yep, she's right. We give what we can and we want to do more, but there must be both. In fact, a bit over a month ago we were contacted by the Arc of Utah. They had a volunteer group, University Health Care, that wanted to be 'givers'. They wanted to know if we would be the 'receivers' of a yard makeover and a living room painting party. We accepted. The Arc also wanted to know if we would be their speakers for an annual fund raising breakfast that is coming up at the end of this month. Now we could be 'givers' as well.

Yesterday we were part of Utah's first 'Walk Now for Autism'. As we were leaving to go to that, the volunteers from University Health Care were arriving to give our yard a makeover. After we were done with the Autism walk we were told to go to a local indoor play park for children. The ARC had made arrangements for us to play while they fixed up the yard and painted the living room and hallway. They also installed a swing set in the backyard and gave us two brand new bicycles for the children. What GREAT givers!!

Here are pictures of our day:

Thank you to everyone from The Arc, University Health Care and Lowe's.

Dad

Autism and AutismBites Polls

2008-04-30T13:13:00.005-06:00

I don't know about the visitors to this blog, but I like the polls we can put up here. I've noticed that A LOT more people will anonymously answer a poll question then will comment to the posts. That's good, because I can find out more about our visitors as a whole... especially the shy ones. Now for historical value here is a post of the past polls:

What is the greatest need for the Autism community?

More funding for research 223 (25%)
National funding for 8 hours daily of ABA for each ASD child 352 (39%)
Funding for families financially devastated by Autism (i.e. AutismBites Foundation) 520 (58%)
Total Votes: 883

My notes: This is exactly what I thought and was very glad to see that I was not alone. Our total votes were VERY high because I put up this poll right when our Good Morning America story came out, sure wish we could get those numbers again. Research is good, however day to day needs of families is where the greatest need is felt. ABA for children was high as well, but not as high as I thought it might have been. From every thing I heard and experienced its the best education were have available so far, it just COSTS SO DARN MUCH!! Next poll:

Why Do You Like AutismBites T-shirts?

They are cute 45 (43%)
Says what I feel 49 (47%)
Increases tolerance 42 (40%)
People are nicer to my child 17 (16%)

Total Votes: 104

My notes: Now I was somewhat surprised with the results on this one. We have found that NT people ARE nicer and more tolerant of our children when wearing their t-shirts. Most did not find this too be the case it looks like unfortunately. But hey! If it 'says what you feel' and our most popular shirt is: I'm Autistic, what's your excuse'... great. We are filling a need and that is what we hoped to do with the t-shirts.

I will try hard to keep at least one poll going at any given time. If you have a subject or question you would like to see let us know here or email us at: autism_bites@yahoo.com Later...

Dad

Vaccine-Autism Question Divides Parents, Scientists

2008-04-26T13:41:00.004-06:00

We get a lot of Autism email, newsletters, etc. as I'm sure many of you do. I received this newsletter today, subtitled: A critical look at the public deception perpetuated by hidden personal agendas. The article:

13-year old Michelle Cedillo is at the center of a court case pitting thousands of families of children with autism against the medical establishment. While a number of prestigious medical institutions say there is no link between vaccines and autism, the families believe vaccines caused their children's autism, and have taken their case to court.

Theresa and Mike Cedillo, Michelle's parents, believe the MMR vaccine, which at the time contained a mercury-based preservative, drastically altered the course of their daughter's development. Within days of receiving the injection, Michelle suffered from a high fever, persistent vomiting and problems with her digestion -- and also stopped speaking and no longer responded to her name.

Dr. Paul Offit, chief of infectious diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, claims the apparent connection between vaccines and autism is “nothing more than a sad coincidence.”

But families who believe vaccines can trigger autism point to the case of 9-year-old Hannah Poling; the U.S. government conceded that vaccines "significantly aggravated" her underlying illness, predisposing her to symptoms of autism.

The court heard testimony in the Cedillo claim in June of 2007. Testimony in other test cases is scheduled for 2008.

Sources:
CNN.com April 2, 2008

(The newsletter commenters response)

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The debate over whether or not vaccines contribute to the onset of autism is heating up.
I commented on another vaccine-autism article just a few days ago. If you missed it, please review it now to find out more about common sense prevention strategies, and how you can treat autism if your child has it.

But today, I’d like to talk about misinformation, deception, and personal agendas.

Who is Dr. Paul Offit?

Some of you may recognize the name of Dr. Paul Offit, as he is a fairly frequent commentator for the pro-vaccination camp. But what do you know about Dr. Offit?

Dr. Offit, a.k.a. Paul “For Profit” Offit, by some vaccination opponents, is not just a doctor who believes that vaccinations save lives.

Dr. Offit is also one of the patent holders of the rotavirus vaccine (Patent Application number 353547), and the recipient of a $350,000 grant from Merck for its development. Additionally, he is a consultant to Merck Pharmaceuticals.

Talk about conflict of interest. Jeesh! But that's not all.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a 15 member panel of immunization experts, selected by the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. They provide advice and guidelines to the Secretary for Health the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine-preventable diseases.

As a member of the ACIP, starting in 1998, Dr. Offit voted “yes” three times out of four on issues pertaining to the ACIP’s rotavirus statement, including, voting for his own vaccine to be included in the immunization schedule.

He is also the doctor whose incomprehensible statement, “an infant can safely receive up to 10,000 vaccines at once,” will live on in infamy.

So the question is: if YOU held a patent for a product of enormous income potential, would you even consider the possibility that your cash-cow might be doing more harm than good? Would you admit that a similar product might be the cause of needless suffering?

And if you WERE able to consider it, would you admit there might indeed be a problem?

Here’s the deal, folks. It’s not enough to look at the obvious credentials of your spokesmen, whether they’re pro- or anti- an issue. Today, you also have to consider the hidden motivations behind their recommendations. Where is their loyalty? How do they feed themselves? And by that I don’t mean, “what’s their nutritional type?” I mean, who pays for their lifestyle? Where is the money coming from?

Do you believe Dr. Offit is an independent, neutral expert on the vaccination issue? Do you believe he’s looked at both sides and made an educated and honest judgment call?

I guess that depends on just how independent and honest you believe a man can be when there’s pharmaceutical patent money at stake.

Hilleman’s Confidential Memo

To give you another glimpse of the reality behind the Big Pharma curtain, Maurice R. Hilleman, Ph.D. is another leading expert on immunization, in the sense that he developed more than 40 vaccines and published close to 500 articles on virology, infectious diseases, epidemiology and immunology.

In 2005, a confidential memo was discovered that was written in 1991 by then senior Merck Vice-President, Maurice Hilleman, to Dr. Gordon Douglas, then head of Merck's vaccine division. (Douglas is now a consultant for the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institutes of Health.)

In the memo, Dr. Hilleman wrote:

“The regulatory control agencies in some countries, particularly Scandinavia (especially Sweden) but also UK, Japan, and Switzerland have expressed concern for thimerosal, a mercury preservative, in vaccines. Some countries require absence of thimerosal from single-dose package. This trend will probably spread… Sweden is requiring thimerosal free single-dose packaging of all products as soon as can be reasonably achieved. The deadline for DT is January, 1992… “

The focal point for present concern is in Scandinavia… The immediate Merck concern is to be able to qualify for sale of single-dose products in Sweden and in Norway and Denmark…

The public awareness has been raised by the sequential wave of experiences in Sweden including mercury exposure from additives, fish, contaminated air, bird death from eating mercury-treated seed grains, dental amalgam leakage, mercury allergy, etc… In some instances, public immunization programs may be endangered by public refusal to accept vaccines with thimerosal.”

Dr. Hilleman went on:

“For babies: The 25 µg of mercury in a single 0.5 ml dose and extrapolated to a 6 lb baby would be 25X the adjusted Swedish daily allowance of 1.0 µg for a baby of that size…

If 8 doses of thimerosal-containing vaccine were given in the first 6 months of life (3 DPT, 2 HIB and 3 Hepatitis B) the 200 µg of mercury given, say an average size of 12 lbs would be about 87X the Swedish daily allowance of 2.3 µg of mercury for a baby of that size.”

And finished off the memo with the statement:

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ... does not have this concern for thimerosal."

So, in 1991, the premier U.S. vaccine expert told the chief of the largest U.S. vaccine manufacturer that they had to immediately produce mercury-free vaccines for Scandinavian children because the Scandinavians refused to expose their children to these unacceptable levels of mercury, which would eliminate Merck’s Scandinavian market share.

(It should also be noted that the Swedish maximum daily allowance of mercury from fish is roughly the same guideline used by the U.S. FDA.)

Meanwhile, the U.S. continued to produce and administer mercury-containing vaccines to American children throughout the 90’s. It wasn’t until 1999 that U.S. federal health officials admitted that infants were in fact being exposed to mercury through their vaccinations.

Are ALL Vaccines Now Mercury-Free?

NO! They’re NOT!

That’s another cry you hear over and over again: that “we’ve now removed mercury from all vaccines.”

But a more accurate statement would be that mercury has been removed from MOST vaccines – not all – and several still contain traces of mercury, at a level so low the actual amount doesn’t have to be stated.

Here is the most current schedule (updated January 28, 2008) disclosing the amount of thimerosal and mercury contained in U.S. vaccines. It’s also available as a printable PDF.

The following vaccines still contain 25 mcg of mercury per 0.5 ml:
DTwP
DT (diphtheria and tetanus) multi-dose vial
Tetanus
Several brands of the 2006/2007 influenza formulas
Meningococcal multi-dose vial

Interestingly, as they’ve removed mercury from most childhood vaccinations, the flu shots still have plenty of it – courtesy of a 2007 Presidential veto against its removal. And guess what? Now the standard recommendation is to vaccinate your child against the flu EVERY YEAR. Come on!

Why the persistent insistence on injecting mercury into our children?

How Much Does Conventional Medicine Know?

That’s actually a great question, and it was originally posed, not by me, but by the journal BMJ Clinical Evidence.

They found that of about 2,500 treatments offered in conventional medicine:

13 percent are beneficial to the patient
23 percent are likely to be beneficial
8 percent is a trade-off between benefits and harm
6 percent are unlikely to be beneficial
4 percent are likely to be ineffective or harmful
46 percent have unknown effectiveness

States BMJ: “…the figures above suggest that the research community has a large task ahead and that most decisions about treatments still rest on the individual judgments of clinicians and patients.”

So, in conclusion: if you believe conventional medicine is based on scientific, cold hard facts, think again. It’s a crap shoot -- a 64 percent chance that the treatment will be either harmful, ineffective, or “gee, we have no idea what might happen.”

There’s no more scientific proof of the safety and effectiveness of drugs and vaccinations than there is for natural treatment methods against the same ailments. The only real question is: how high is your risk tolerance? --End of article

A VERY enlightening article. Makes me wish we lived in Sweden in the 90's! Here is the link to the original. Until next time...

Dad

Walking For Autism

2008-04-15T15:04:00.005-06:00

Our family will be a part of the "Walk Now For Autism" event here in Utah on May 3, 2008. This is our AutismBites donation page if you'd like to support our efforts.

Where have we been otherwise? Just being Mom and Dad to the six pumpkins. Cleaning up (Mom was the lucky one this time) 12 oz. of Garlic Powder from the children's room (sorry no pics) and it still smells 3 days later. Going to school conferences last week and the IEP for Emma and Nephi this morning.

The biggest event the last few weeks has been starting the children in Sound Therapy treatments. Dorinne Davis of the Davis Center evaluated our children and make recommendations. They offer remedial and / or enhancement therapies that address challenges related to Autism, ADD, ADHD, APD, Apraxia, Dyslexia, Hyperlexia, Downs Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, learning disabilities, central auditory processing (CAPD), other minor learning / attention / focus related skills, and health and wellness issues.

Also last week I was interviewed by Dorinne on her monthly radio program on AutismOne.org. So we've been involved in doing the therapy which initially took over 2 hours a day for all the children, to now less then 10 minutes per child.

Keep those cards, letters and comments coming... Dad

The Other Side of Larry King

2008-04-03T07:33:00.010-06:00

I thought it would be interesting to show some of the 'other side' of the cameras from our interview with Larry King and Jenny McCarthy yesterday. We were very glad to have been included in the program and discussion. We were hoping to have had another question or two to answer, but hey... that's live TV I guess.

Here's the scene in front of our house and my gorgeous wife in the makeup chair.

We had a 'pre-interview' on Monday to help the program and Larry create the questions to ask while on the air. The one question we've received the most in the last few months is, "why did you continue to have children when you knew the first couple were Autistic." We didn't know. It has been brought out in other interviews and written in People magazine that ALL the children were born, THEN we got an 'observation evaluation' from Bobby's school. We did not have an official diagnosis until October/November of 2006. Mary, our sixth, was born in 2004. I asked specifically that they help us to clarify this point during the interview. Larry's question was worded badly and did not help to clear this up, but hey... that's live TV I guess.

Of course Robin's answer is how we feel about being parents of six children, regardless of the Autism. We love them, we are happy (yet challenged) to be their parents and we will continue to do our best to make their lives better.

Dad

Mayor Daniel Snarr Meets With Dad

2008-04-02T08:07:00.011-06:00

Mayor Snarr of Murray, Utah (the city we live in) and I got together to talk about Autism. One of the first questions he asked was: "How do you and your wife do it?" I said with loving each other, being friends, looking at the positive, humor and a whole lot of prayers.

I also wanted to let the Mayor know about the 'Walk Now For Autism' event sponsored by Autism Speaks that is being held in his city on May 3, 2008. (NOTE: if you could support our family team we'd be very thankful).

Mayor Snarr is a very friendly and, I believe, humble man. He asked many questions about the children and how they are doing. When he asked about their school I was surprised to find out that the school Emma and Nephi go to holds a favorite place in his heart. It is a tradition on Valentines Day that Mayor Snarr rides his Harley Davidson motorcycle down the hallways of their school. The children are very excited, he relates, when he stops at each classroom where they sit on the motorcycle and beep the horn.

I asked Emma if she remembers some guy riding down the hallways. She smiled really big, "Yeah, it's cool. One of my friends got to sit on it". "Do you remember who he was? I asked. "He's the mayor" "Does the sound of the motorcycle hurt your ears?" "No" she said, "I like loud sounds. I don't even hold my ears when the fire alarm goes off." I learned something new with that.

I also wanted to let the Mayor know why we are involved in our family mission of media exposure:

1) increase the awareness and understanding of Autism.

2) help people to be more tolerant with Autistic people (i.e. how our AutismBites t-shirts help us with this)

3) jump start our efforts to create our AutismBites Foundation. That goal being to help put funds directly into parents hands for whatever, without a lot of red tape and hoops to jump through.

Why all the pictures? If you don't know by now that I like to be a little goofy, you do now. Plus Mayor Snarr said these are the kind of poses he does all the time. I think he's a little goofy too.

Dad

FYI, we will be joining Jenny McCarthy on CNN's Larry King Live tonight at 7PM MDT. Be sure to watch.