The saying goes, “no news is good news.” However, there have been a number of positive and inspiring stories found in the world recently! Due to popular demand, here are a few blurbs on some of the good news found in the autism world.

Picture by mrbill on flickr

Kaleb Drew, a first grader at Villa Grove Elementary School, has been awarded the permission to keep his Labrador Retriever, Chewey, at school with him. Douglas County Judge Chris Freese, agreed that the dog is a service animal, similar to a Seeing Eye dog.

The school is was apprehensive about having the dog at the school because they were unsure of the reactions of other children in the class. They were trying to prevent allergic reactions and avoid problems if any of the other children are fearful of the animal.

“I’m very pleased and happy that Kaleb and Chewey are going to get to continue their work together and continue to grow as a team and learn from each other,” Kaleb’s mother said after the ruling.

Sesame Street recently celebrated its 40^th year on television. It is also celebrating the positive effect it’s had on children, especially those with autism and other disabilities.

Sesame Street has a very colorful cast including adults, children, monsters, animals, even imaginary friends. Several of the characters on Sesame Street, humans and puppets alike, have disabilities. Sesame Street strives to be an example to children by showing them that everyone is accepted.

Image by stev.ie on flickr

The show sends messages of love and acceptance. It gives daily lessons of how to handle emotions and feelings. It educates children about letters and numbers and even promotes games of make-believe. These principles make Sesame Street an ideal model for all children, and a perfect guide for those with autism.

Tender Care Human Services creator Yolanda Vitulli uses music and art as more than just a simple program to entertain disabled children in the Queens and Brooklyn NY area. She believes they can really expand the world of children with autism.

“They love coming here,” she said of the children in the program. “We had a break for the summer and they would be calling us, ‘When are we going to have that music therapy back?’”

The idea for Tender Care began when her son, Michael, 20, who has autism repeated a special purple dinosaur and told his mother “I love you” when he was six.  Vitulli was skeptical that he knew what he was saying. Michael was diagnosed with echolalia, and repeats things that he hears. After stating his love again and again, Vitulli declared her love as well.

Image by mourner on flickr

“He got a big smile and we had a big hug,” Vitulli recalled. “That’s when he started to develop his speech.”

While many of the stories seen in the news are based on tragedies and sad tales, it is up to the autism community to make sure new and wonderful things are happening that prevent these negative incidences from reoccurring. The smallest medical advances in autism can make a huge difference in the lives of effected children and their families.  Here at the International Center for Autism Research and Education (ICare4Autism), we are doing our part to spread awareness and educate the public about autism.

In elementary school it is a common and unfortunate occurrence for kids to be picked on, made fun of, even bullied. Some resilient kids learn to cope with it. They may fight back or ignore it. Other kids can take it badly and their self-esteem may be damaged. Then there is the rapidly growing number of kids on the autism spectrum who can not even recognize when they are being picked on.

All children should be protected from bullying.

“Children with special needs are more apt to be bullied,” said Lucie Chansky, a member of the government affairs committee at The Arc of Massachusetts, a Waltham-based disability advocacy group. “If they’re weak, and someone thinks they can take advantage of them, often they will.”

A bill has been introduced that would require schools to address bullying and how to identify it at special education parent-teacher meetings by Massachusetts state Rep. Barbara L’Italien. The bill also aims to have the teachers show children on the autism spectrum how to recognize bullying and what to do when it happens.

“There’s a tsunami with the number of kids with autism,” said Gary Blumenthal, executive director of the Waltham-based Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers. “Every child needs help with those issues. Every tool is helpful.”

Children with autism often have difficulties putting others’ mean gestures in perspective. They often do not have developed social skills. These kids are unable to comprehend nonverbal cues such as tone, body language, sarcasm, raising and lowering of eye brows, and other bulling indicators. Something that may seem insignificant like disrupting routine or shifting papers on a desk can cause a violent outrage in a child with autism.

“All children should be protected from bullying,” Chansky said.

The bill’s advocates said they want anti-bullying efforts to focus on the bullies and the bullied. They believe that if the school community is educated, the students will be more sensitive to those students with special needs, and teachers will be able to recognize the signs if they aren’t.

On Tuesday, September 22^nd, 2009, professionals in the entertainment, media and fashion industries were given the opportunity to have a positive affect on society while mingling. The ‘Network for a Cause’ event, which benefited ICARE4autism was held by Young Jewish Professionals (YJP) and Spectrum Magazine.

Honorary Guest, Matthew Hiltzik mingles with guests after giving his speech to the crowd

The elite evening was held at the YJP Headquarters located at 121 West 19^th street in Manhattan. The night’s honorary guests were Ken Sunshine of Sunshine, Sachs & Assoc.’s, and Matthew Hiltzik of Hiltzik Strategies. They both took time to address guests and were grateful for their support and donations.

ICare4Autism Founder, Joshua Weinstein, described the organization by saying, “Our goal is to become the catalyst that drives collaborations among similar institutions globally.” Weinstein continued on to say that ICare4Autism is “searching to discover the causes and to provide hope for parents and children with autism.”

The event featured a special wine tasting, sponsored by Royal Wine Company as a courtesy of the Herzog family. Featured wines for the tasting were valued at 40 dollars per bottle and up. There was also a premium open bar and appetizers.

Guests chat with Host Committee member, Melissa Modell (right)

A silent auction was held while an upbeat DJ filled the room with fist pumping music. Exclusive gifts such as Yankee Tickets, Mets Tickets, 2 David Letterman Tickets, the Jonas Brothers Band Limited Edition Masterpiece Collage, and a Twilight Limited Edition Movie Masterpiece Collage were presented.

Also, up for grabs were experience packages, which included; a swimming clinic with Olympic champion Michael Phelps, a football clinic with Giants’ wide receiver Steve Smith, a VIP tour of Yankee Stadium with a former Yankees World Series Champion, and a VIP tour of Madison Square Garden with Rangers’ forward Sean Avery.

Luxury Gift Bags were valued at over $350

Upon departure, all guests received a Luxury Gift Bag, valued at over 350 dollars! Items included: a gift certificate to Bare Spa for laser hair removal, a gift certificate to Bare Spa for waxing, products by Estée Lauder, a gift card for one free drink at “Stir Lounge,” Sonu bottled water, discount cards to Manhattan Judaica and more!

The event was good fun for a good cause. All proceeds benefited ICare4Autism, the International Center for Autism Research and Education, Inc. For more information on this organization please visit www.icare4autism.org.

I recently read an article that confused me. The story revolved around Illinois resident Winfred Cooper, a high school senior with autism. Cooper attends Elgin High School and recent scored his first and only touch down during a Junior Varsity game against Lake Park High School.

Cooper wishes to attend the Univ. of Michigan

“Cooper wove past a few Lake Park defenders, avoided a well-choreographed tackle attempt by Lake Park’s Mike Schenone, and went 67 yards into the end zone to tie the game 6-6.”

The coaches were hesitant to publicize the false touchdown, but in their opinion they saw it as a “teaching opportunity for the players”. At the end of this article, the young man was still unaware that his touchdown was guaranteed.

“Cooper tells everyone he’s going to the University of Michigan on a football scholarship now (he’s not, but he is applying to the school), and he told his dad he’s ready for an athletic shoe endorsement deal… His dad said he’s slept with it [the game ball] in his arms every night. He’s also re-watched the highlight tape from that game dozens of times.”

However, let me pose a question. What if this young man finds out it was all a fake? What if some malicious teenager sends him a copy of that news article with the incriminating details highlighted? Lake Park head coach Andy Livingston said, “There was a greater victory that morning.” But was there?