More on Tim Howard

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100621038

Tim Howard says Tourette's is a help, not a hindrance

Here is a nice article about Tim Howard, goalkeeper for the U.S. men's soccer team.

Andrew Wakefield Banned in Britain

Andrew Wakefield, the British doctor who claimed that the MMR vaccine was linked to autism, has been found guilty of professional misconduct by the General Medical Council. Wakefield says he is not going to go away, however.

Behavior therapy effective in reducing tics

Courtesy of Science Daily: A study at UCLA finds that behavior therapy can be a very effective means of reducing tics in individuals with Tourette Syndrome. Basically, when the individual feels the premonitory urge to tic, s/he is taught to engage in an action that is incompatible with the tic (e.g., instead flinging your arms out behind you cross the in front of your chest).

Now, unfortunately my son tried this method, and we discovered that he is among the minority of individuals who actually will experience more severe tics after implementing this approach. This does not detract from my support of use of the method in general. I am fully in favor of finding non-invasive means of managing TS.

Support NJCTS in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge

Tim Howard, goalkeeper for the U.S. World Cup soccer team, has Tourette Syndrome. He uses the visibility his job brings him to advocate for children with TS. Right now, Tim Howard is participating in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge. By clicking on this link, you can vote for the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome (NJCTS) , the charity Tim is representing. The charity that gets the most votes in this challenge will receive $50,000.

NJCTS provides support for children and families in New Jersey who are dealing with TS through referrals, support groups, advocacy, and research support. Our family has benefited greatly from the services NJCTS provides, and we all ask you to take a minute to click on the link and vote. You do not need to register, and you can vote as often as you like. Thank you!

Autism connection?

From Time magazine: "Studies Link Infertility Treatments to Autism."

From the Department of the Obvious

I double-checked to see if I had posted this before, since the notion seemed so bloody familiar. Apparently, though, I am not re-posting this, so here goes: Parents of Children With Disabilities Face More Daily Stress. No kidding!

Thanks to Shulamit for the link. Thanks to other folks for reminding me of a response to "Welcome to Holland," written by Cathy M., who says what I so often want to say, and says it so much better than I can: http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/articles/hollandresponse.html