AutismOregon.org

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The parents of two 10-year-old boys who believe vaccines caused their sons to develop autism brought their case to U.S. federal court on Monday, arguing a mercury preservative in the shots caused a rare reaction.

Their case is the second of three being heard by a special court trying to determine if autism might sometimes be caused by vaccines. Although most medical experts say there is no link, the court can rule there is a plausible association and allow parents of children with autism to get federal compensation from a special vaccine fund.

Did you ever wonder why an autism organization didn't have nationwide fundraising efforts like the Multiple Sclerosis Association, Juvenile Diabetes Association, Children's Miracle Network and many others? Why big box stores didn't have huge drives to raise funds for autism?

Well no more. I walked into the new T.J. Max store in Corvallis and low and behold they are pushing every single buyer to donate. My mouth almost fell on the floor. I couldn't help but donate $5 - I was proud. Our causes are finally making the big time.

Dana Campbell from SOARS (Salem Oregon Autism Resources) found this gem: Free lifetime access passes for people with permanent disabilities AND their family members (up to 4 adults) to ALL national parks. With proof (see below), you can pick up a pass at various locations (see below). Dana found that the BLM Salem Office (1717 Fabry) can issue the pass. It must be requested in person.

From: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/access.html

ABOUT THE ACCESS PASS

The Medically Involved program is part of the Oregon Developmental Disability Services Children’s Intensive In-Home Services Program. It was developed to provide flexible, family-friendly, culturally sensitive service choices that families need in order to support children who are significantly medically involved in their own home. It is designed to use State Resources more efficiently while providing fair, equitable services based on the needs of the child and family

http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/posts/list/754814.page

Autism in Oregon
Posted by Sarah Jane Rothenfluch on Thu, Jan 31

I'm the parent of a young child, and this is what could happen to me tonight: I put my one year old to bed and head out to the couch to watch a bit of television before I go to bed myself. ABC's premiering a new legal drama, Eli Stone -- perfect relaxation TV, I figure.

Then the show starts and I discover this episode is focused on the link between autism and vaccinations. It is a fictional show, but still: fear strikes.

An autism drama on ABC will cover the topic of an attorney that worked for a vaccine manufacturer that turns around and sues said manufacturer on behalf of a mother with a child with autism. Somehow thimerisol becomes "mercuritol." Oh the shame. GlaxoSmithKline actually commented that they hoped parents didn't stop vaccinating based on this fictional drama. Maybe GlaxoSmithKline should comment on independent studies they should be doing showing that vaccines are actually effective - and not harmful.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/arts/television/23ston.html?8dpc

Apparently there is a way to order vaccine titers directly from http://drtenpenny.com. The MMR titers looks to cost about $150 - but it is an option for those that need to prove there are titers but don't want to re-vaccinate to catch the last 2-3% of the population.

The website is a pain to navigate but you can get to the page directly by scrolling to the bottom of this page: https://orders.directlabs.com/dl-locator/order_tests.aspx?re=40

The Oregon Autism Alliance is a grassroots campaign focusing on legislated policy regarding autism spectrum disorders. Currently, we are launching a tour in January, 2008 to educate parents state-wide about insurance coverage for autism treatments as legislated by SB1 and HB2918.

Another find from Regina. You can click here:

http://pspb.org/live/autism/

To find many videos and audio recordings of workshop speakers from last year. This year the conference will run from July 30-August 3 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College, Pennsylvania. More than likely videos will be available again (hopefully).

Regina came across some great videos that are available for free on http://childnett.tv. This website was created from Dan Marino's Foundation and you can tell it has some time, energy, and money behind it.

This link is a short workshop by Dr. Vince Carbone:
http://www.childnett.tv/videos/lectures/vincent_carbone_verbal_behavior

This is one on how to select ABA service providers:
http://www.childnett.tv/videos/lectures/jerry_evans_selecting_aba_servic...