Today, my little nephew and I went to "Boo at the Zoo". He had a great time, walking in the parade, riding the tram around the zoo, eating all the sugar he could get his hands on, looking at the poisonous snakes and piranha fish, but mostly playing with worms. We discovered a "worm race" whereby the kids extracted a favorite worm from a pile of dirt, and placed it on a race "place". My little darling rooted around and found about 8 worms, and balled them up in his fist. After the "race" and returning the used worms back to their dirt...I reminded him that he HAD to wash his hands with soap and water before doing anything else. He agreed to do so, as he ran his hands through his hair. Ugh!!! Guess that's what being a boy is all about! The weather was beautiful, and there were plenty of improvements...inclusive of a new merry-go-round. We agreed to return SOON, to see what we did not get to do today, and to see the Zoo Lights. His little prize for being SO cute and wonderful today was a stuffed rhino. It is good for me to be around "normal" kids. I work with so many "un-normal" kids, with SO many sad problems, that when I'm around the "normies" it seems unusual.

I watched a very interesting special last night, about Savants. Specifically, blind, ADHD, musically gifted savants. My father's brother was blind. He was not born blind, but had a childhood illness, which took the sight of one eye, and weakened the other. Then, as a pre-schooler, a childhood friend accidently blinded the "good" eye. At least, that's how the story goes. He was sent to live in the School for the Blind, and there learned to play the piano. As an adult, he could play any song he heard, very much like a savant. He ended up playing music in nightclubs, etc. In the Special, the children almost seemed autistic. They did not communicate with each other, except through their music. They were easily distracted and over stimulated. However, when playing the piano, they were calm and focused. It was thought that music was the first language these children learned. I wonder if that is why children calm down when being sung to....?

Melatonin can help you fall asleep, but the pills you buy at health food stores may not be reliable. Ask your Doctor about a new drug, Rozerem, that works on the melatonin receptor in the brain. - Lois Krahn, M.D., Mayon Clinic Arizona. http://www.rozerem.com/

NAAR-FUNDED RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY AUTISM SUCEPTIBILITY GENE 20 October 2005
In the October issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, NAAR-funded researchers Drs. James Millonig, Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom and Linda Brzustowicz at Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ reported a significant association between specific modification in the expression of the ENGRAILED2 gene and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Alterations in this specific genetic marker were observed in three separate groups of families affected by autism spectrum disorders, further strengthening the evidence of an association. Dr. Millonig, senior author on the publication, commented that ”these findings provide further evidence of the ENGRAILED2 gene in ASD susceptibility, and may mean that as many as 40% of individuals with ASD may show this specific change in the way the ENGRAILED2 gene is expressed”.
In addition to the human genetic studies, Dr. DiCicco-Bloom, a neurobiologist at UMDNJ who also serves on the NAAR Scientific Advisory Board, demonstrated a mechanism by which alterations in this gene may lead to altered neuronal function. The experiments described in this article demonstrate a neurobiological link between neuronal development and genetic susceptibility, crossing both the basic and clinical sciences through collaborative research. NAAR continues to fund the exploration of the involvement of this gene in ASD by continuing to fund research projects led by both Drs. Millonig and Dr. George Wagner at Rutgers University in NJ. Dr. Wagner is working with Dr. Millonig to examine how mice without proper ENGRAILED2 functioning behave in the presence and absence of environmental toxicant exposure. These studies will help determine how alterations in this specific gene affect different aspects of behavior, and if any change in behavior is made more severe following toxicant challenge.
This research has led to greater funding for autism susceptibility genes from the NIH, however, Dr. Millonig remarks: “These studies would not have been possible without NAAR support.” For more information on this study click here.







Established in 1994, the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) is the first non-profit organization in the country dedicated to funding and accelerating biomedical research for autism spectrum disorders. The organization was established by parents of children with autism concerned about the limited amount of funding for autism research. To date, NAAR has committed $21.1 million in grants for biomedical research projects worldwide that seek to find the causes, prevention, effective treatments and, ultimately, cure for autism spectrum disorders. Walk F.A.R. for NAAR is the organization's signature fundraising and autism awareness event, which is held annually in numerous communities across the United States. Additionally, NAAR was instrumental in establishing the Autism Tissue Program, a parent-led brain tissue donation program for autism research.

Don't miss Embracing the Journey on Autism One Radio(www.autismone.com/radio) Friday night 8PM Oct 14. Our guest will be Shannon King Nash. Ms Nash is an accomplished attorney, writer and mother of a young son with autism. Ms Nash will be discussing her relationship with the emagazine, Celebrating Children (celebratingchildren.com), her upcoming book, and special needs trusts. Shannon's upcoming book will be acompilation of stories regarding children with autism. She is looking for parents that would like to submit an article(paid) for her book. Details for submission will be mentioned on the show.

Another TV Special on Autism
A Place in the WorldLiving with Adult Autism on ABC News "Nightline" FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005 6 October 2005
More than one million Americans are autistic. It’s the fastest growing developmental disability estimated at one in 166 births a year. Much has been reported on autistic youth and as we come to terms with this trend among children, many wonder: what happens when all these children grow up?
ABC News correspondent John Donvan and producer Caren Zucker offer an in-depth look at adult autism through the experiences of two autistic adults and their families in “A Place in the World” to be aired this Friday October 7 on ABC News “Nightline” at 11:35pm. Both Mr. Donvan and Ms. Zucker have family members with autism.
As Mr. Donvan reports, a significant challenge facing these families is establishing enduring support for their children to last through adulthood and life. Jim and Jen Hoppe of Wycoff, NJ, whose 21-year-old daughter Jamie is profoundly autistic, helped develop a school, where Jamie made enormous progress for 16 years. But, as Jen explains, there was no place for Jamie to go as an adult: “Nobody knows what the plan is. The number of people with autism has just overwhelmed everyone. …there is no plan… we have to make a plan.”
For the parents of Paul DiSavino, who is 36 and autistic, the concern now is what will happen to their son after they’ve gone. As Mr. Donvan reports, their current solution is a group home, but the alternative would be unbearable. Says Paul’s mother, Marlene DiSavino of Rivervale, NJ, “He will not survive it … it would be regressing back to the institutions, back to not caring, just doing, just warehousing them … not recognizing what’s important, and just abandoning them.”
“A Place in the World: Living with Adult Autism” airs on “Nightline” this Friday, October 7, 2005 at 11:35 p.m. (ET).
Ted Koppel is the anchor and managing editor of “Nightline.” Tom Bettag is the executive producer. “Nightline airs at 11:35 p.m. weeknights on the ABC Television Network.

Established in 1994, the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) is the first non-profit organization in the country dedicated to funding and accelerating biomedical research for autism spectrum disorders. The organization was established by parents of children with autism concerned about the limited amount of funding for autism research. To date, NAAR has committed $21.1 million in grants for biomedical research