The idea for MyVoice has been a long time coming. As parents of a child with autism, we understand, at a very deep level, the desire to be able to communicate with your child even on a basic level, and the frustration of not being able to do so. We experimented with many many different methods of communication, from sign language to icon boards, and none were satisfactory. Some were free (sign language) and some were very expensive (thousands of dollars for a dedicated AAC device) but they all suffered from the same flaw: they required an abstract connection between a thing and a concept that our daughter wasn’t getting. A picture board solved this to some degree but was neither portable nor easily modifiable. Enter MyVoice. It allowed us to create a “digital” picture board as well as let her hear the phrase spoken every time she requested something. She not only heard the phrase, but she heard it in the exact same way every single time. After a few weeks of using MyVoice, she began to get it. In the 10 years since her diagnosis she’s never used a word appropriately (except in mimicking what we said) until now. Now, on occasion she’ll say the word before touching the picture. Her temper tantrums (which were mostly due to lack of an ability to express her desires) have dramatically reduced. Now we’d like to try to do the same thing for other non-communicative children, and help some charities along the way.

Click here for more info–>www.discovermyvoice.com

I noticed another group that is also helping to support autistic people as well. It was posted on ksby.com. I have been to San Luis Obispo, it is a really beautiful place as is the event mentioned below.

It was standing room only at the Arts for Autism Gala in San Luis Obispo Saturday night.

The crowd packed the Rossi Grand Lobby at the Performing Arts Center to show their support for the Central Coast Autism Spectrum Center.

The night started with an art exhibition and reception and ended with a performance of the Firebird Ballet.

Please click here for the rest of the story–>http://www.ksby.com/news/arts-for-autism-draws-big-crowd/

In order to really fulfill our mission, we need to become a non-profit. The state non-profit paperwork should be submitted soon after the 10th of April. After that I will begin work on our 501c paperwork. I want to help autistic people and their families.

Specifically I want to help with scholarships to either colleges or universities or technical training from cooking schools to plumber’s training or computer repair schools. We want to help autistic people to start the career of their choice.

The second thing that I want to do is to help with education, entertainment and culture. We want to make it possible for autistic people and their families to purchase computers, and tablet pc’s and other needed technology and the third part is helping to attend events such as plays, movies, concerts, and go to places to enrich their lives such as camp and Disneyland.

The final thing that I want to help with are other organizations that help the community as well as I can.

Since my twin sons were premature and relatively low birth weights, 4 pounds 1 ounce and 4 pounds 11 ounces I was quite intrigued by the recent article that I noticed on Autism Speaks website.

As advances in medicine and discoveries in health sciences have lead to increased survival of infants born prior to 33 gestational weeks, there is a greater interest in understanding the later health and development of these children as they develop. This year, multiple studies reported findings of increased risk of autism in cohorts of infants born prior to 33 weeks or with very low birth weight (less than 3 lbs, 5 ounces). Researchers studied cohorts from across the globe and screened for multiple behavioral outcomes from age 4-14 years of age, including ADHD, autism, conduct disorders, phobias, cognitive delays and emotional problems. These findings expand and complement previous reports using cross sectional designs that have identified low birth weight and gestational age as risk factors for autism1.

Here is a link to the article and the references for the data:–>http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science_news/prematurity_as_risk_factor.php

I came across an article with reference to the passing of an autism insurance bill in West Virginia.

It would be great if more states, and the United States would do the same.

It is something that would benefit many families.

Please take a look at the article snippet below and the following link as well.

by Jared Hunt
Daily Mail Capitol Reporter
Advertiser

CHARLESTON, W.Va.–Kanawha County Delegate Mark Hunt was saying “thank you” a lot to his fellow lawmakers Saturday night.

For the past six years, Hunt, a Democrat, has been pushing legislation aimed at easing the burden on families with autistic children.

That’s included proposing tax credits for autism treatments as well as mandating insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder.

But in each of those years, the state Senate and House of Delegates were unable to reach agreement on the measures, drawing criticism from Hunt.

But in the waning hours of the legislative session Saturday, the House unanimously approved an amended a version of House Bill 2693, which requires the Public Employees Insurance Agency, Children’s Health Insurance Program and most private insurers to cover autism treatment beginning July 1, 2011.

Here is a link to the excellent story–> http://www.dailymail.com/News/statehouse/201103130272

Here is a video of the water fall, it was quite nice to see. I had heard about it for years and now we actually go to go and see it. The kids liked it. If you come out to Las Vegas for a trip, it is worth seeing.

Here is a nice video from our excursion to Red Rock Canyon. It is a video of the creek.
My wife and I and our 3 kids decided to go out and get some fresh air and exercise.

This weekend We went to the Red Rock Canyon, Near Las Vegas for a hike. I went to Highschool, with Katie who works there. She is their educational coordinator. It is a nice place to visit with your kids and friends.