1

What'sInside?

January 2010 - Issue #4

· Can diet changes help recover a childwith autism?

· What is organic food?· Recipe of the month· Calendar of events· And much more...

FREE

Take One

Healthy Nutrition ForOur Growing Super Heroes

2

Call us to find out about our monthly packages forHyperbaric Therapy

3

Contact Us.

To add an event in our monthly calendar, pleasesend the information with all the details to:

a u t i s m i n s i d e r n e w s l e t t e r @ g m a i l . c o mSubject: Calendar

(Make sure we receive the information the firstweek of the month prior to the event)To submit an article, send it to:

a u t i s m i n s i d e r n e w s l e t t e r @ g m a i l . c o mSubject: Article

To publish a small ad in the classified section(free of charge), send the information to:

a u t i s m i n s i d e r n e w s l e t t e r @ g m a i l . c o mSubject: Classified

For general information or advertisementopportunities, please call us at (954)584-3198 oremail at autisminsidernewsletter@gmail.com

Inside This Issue...

Luciana C Leo (786)306-4967Sarah Sweeney (786)413-8017

Autism Chatter

Fragile X by Randy Green Page 4

Articles

Can Diet Changes Help Recovera Child with Autism? Page 5Improving Brain Function with Foods Page 6What is Organic Food? Page 11

BioMedical Q&A

By Debbie Mellen Nurse Practioner Page 7

Book ReviewStrange Son by Portia Iversen Page 9

Events, support groups, activities and more Page 10

Recipe of the Month

GFCG Chicken Nuggets and Onion Rings Page 11

4

Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mentalimpairment and autism. It affects about one in 4,000 boys and onein 6,000 girls.

Fragile X is a single gene disorder on the X chromosome that occursin both males and females. Males are typically affected more severe-ly than females. The disorder can be passed down through genera-tions in a carrier status, with increasing chances of the geneexpanding into the full disorder. A mother who is a carrier can passit to a son or a daughter. A father who is a carrier can only pass it toa daughter. Approximately 1 in 250 females and 1 in 800 males arecarriers.

For between 2% and 6% of all children diagnosed with autism, thecause is the Fragile X gene mutation. Approximately one-third of allchildren diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome also have some degreeof autism.

Fragile X is associated with a wide spectrum of characteristics,which may or may not be seen in a given individual.

PHYSICAL FEATURESNormal statureBroad forehead, large headLarge, prominent earsFrequent ear infectionsFlexible jointsLow muscle toneSoft, fleshy skinFlat feetStrabismus (crossed eyes) or refractive errorsChest indentationMitral valve prolapse (benign heart condition)Seizures (in 10%)

DEVELOPMENTDelays in meeting milestones (sitting, walking, talking, toilet training)Speech and language delaysWide spectrum of cognitive functioning ranging from learningdisabilities to mild, moderate, or severe mental retardationSensory integration and processing problemsBEHAVIORSociable and loving personalityEnjoyment of humor and funHigh activity levelShort attention span

Perseveration (repetition of phrases and activities)ImpulsivityStereotypic movements such as hand flapping, toe walking, spinning objectsHand bitingTantrums or unusually strong reactions to situationsSensory seeking behaviors such as overstuffing mouth, mouthing orchewing objectsFleeting eye contactPoor adaptation to changes in routineResistance to being touched or heldSensitivity to touch, smells, and noisesShyness or anxiety around unfamiliar people

Genetic testing for Fragile X should be considered if your child exhibitsthese physical and/or behavioral characteristics, or if there are individualsin your family with a history of mental retardation or autism of unknowncause. Also if there are individuals over 50 years old who have tremors,balance disorders, or Parkinsonian-like findings without a diagnosis, theycan be tested for a condition called FXTAS (fragile X-associated tremorataxia syndrome). FXTAS is caused by changes in the same gene thatcauses fragile X syndrome and has been primarily described in individualsover 50 with a premutation in the fragile X gene.

For more information, contact:

The South Florida Fragile X ClinicMailman Center for Child Development1611 NW 12th Ave., Room 5040Miami, FL 33136Medical Director: Deborah Barbouth M.D.Clinic Coordinator: Jessica Zoladz C.G.C.jzoladz@med.miami.eduPhone: (305) 243-6383

National Fragile X Foundation800-688-8765http://www.fragilex.org/

FRAXA Research Foundation978-462-1866http://www.fraxa.org/

Autism Chatter is the parent’s corner newsletter. This section isdedicated to families in order for them to express themselves. If youwant to share a story or write about something, please send us an emailat: autisminsidernewsletter@gmail.com, subject: Autism Chatter.

Autism ChatterBy Randy Green

5

Can Diet Changes Help Recover a Child with Autism?

By Julie Matthews, Certified NutritionConsultant Parents of children withautism are learning that food choices canhelp their sons and daughters becomehealthier and reach their full potential. Inaddition to traditional behavioral therapyand other pharmaceutical treatments,pediatricians, researchers, andnutritionists increasingly recommendthat parents implement autism diets,autism-specific nutrition, and specializedsupplementation.

Event television's respected Dr. Oz recently said, "Some of the mostpromising treatments for autism come from changing the foods thatthe child is eating."The term “recovery” is best explained byorganizations such as Autism Research Institute (founded 1967) andGeneration Rescue. The word conveys the healing possibility forthese children--to reach their potential of health and happiness.Actress Jenny McCarthy's analogy aptly explains, while you can’t becured of getting hit by a bus, you can recover. Children have, and are,recovering from autism.Pursuing recovery is not about "curing" autism; it’s about believingin and taking action toward improved health and healing.

Doctors now recognize that the bodies of children with autism areunique and require very specific care, including special enzymes fordigestion, medical treatment for yeast infections and other commonconditions found during testing, attention to digestive issues, specialdietary requirements (autism diets), nutrient and fatty acidsupplementation, behavioral therapy, and more.

When I began researching nutrition intervention for autism 10 yearsago, 1 in 166 children had the disorder; in the early 1980s it was 1 in10,000. Current government (CDC) statistics indicate that it’s now1 in 91. General prognoses under traditional approaches areconsidered grim and offer little promise of improvement for thesechildren, as many believe that autism is a life-long condition. Butparents are not waiting for answers from a mainstream medical systemthat holds an antiquated perspective of their child’s condition.

The outdated model sees autism as a “mysterious” psychiatricdisorder that begins and ends in the brain—and reports that little canbe done to impact its effects. Through the breakthrough work of theAutism Research Institute a more appropriate “whole body disorder”(the brain is affected by the biochemistry generated in the body)perspective of autism has emerged.

When seen as a whole body disorder, parents and physicians are morelikely to identify the physical symptoms of autism that often getoverlooked including diarrhea, constipation, bloating and GI pain,inflammation, and frequent infections. With this broadercomprehension it becomes apparent that there is a great deal that canbe done to address these challenges. Step one is to take charge ofdiet.

When parents correctly implement specific autism diets,improvements in gastrointestinal problems (including diarrhea andconstipation), language, learning, focus, attention, eye contact,behavior, sleep difficulties, toilet training, and skin rashes/eczemahave been observed. Parents around the world are beginning to share

their stories of healing. Since every child is unique, improvementswill vary. It’s important to understand that these diets are customizedfood-focused strategies of nutritional intervention for autism. Goingfrom not considering the impact of food intake (standard Americandiet) to giving specialized attention (nutrition centered diet) is the keyto promoting systemic healing through autism diets. All autism dietsinvolve the removal of problematic foods and substances, and theaddition of easier to digest nutrient dense foods.Certain food substances, such as gluten (wheat) and casein (milk) areknown to be problematic for many children with autism, and shouldbe avoided – and other foods rich in healing nutrients are beneficialwhen added to children’s diets. Attention to these factors is intendedto help balance biochemistry, affect systemic healing, and providerelief of autism symptoms.

For many children with autism, nutrient deficiencies, chemicals infoods, imbalanced biochemistry, and digestive problems can play asignificant role in their physical conditions. Their physiological andbehavioral symptoms may stem from, or be exacerbated by, impaireddigestion and GI health. Altering food choices positively affects theseprocesses and helps improve symptoms.

There are several diets that are used by parents, autism nutritionistsand pediatricians. These diets include the Gluten-Free Casein-Free(GFCF) Diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), Gut and PsychologySyndrome (GAPS) Diet, Low Oxalate Diet, Body Ecology Diet,Feingold Diet and Weston A. Price dietary principles.

Parents begin with simple steps: more fresh fruits, vegetables andgrass-fed meats whenever possible. They read labels for ingredientsand clean out their cupboards. They shop for organic foods in orderto remove antibiotics, hormones, pesticides and PCBs from the dinnertable. They naturally avoid pre-packaged, canned or frozen foods thatcontain preservative, additives, colors and artificial ingredients. Theyimmediately decrease the amount of sugar they feed their children.The guidance of a qualified nutrition profession is alwaysrecommended. After the initial clean up steps are completed, parentsembark on the implementation of an autism diet, which typicallybegins with removing gluten and casein—as implemented in theGFCF diet. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, barley,commercial oats, kamut, and spelt. Casein is the protein found indairy. The GFCF diet has become popular for autism and the generalpopulation, and there are many GFCF foods available in stores.Parents applying a GFCF diet cook from great recipes they find onlineand in autism diet friendly cookbooks.

Autism Research Institute (ARI) surveyed thousands of parents andfound that 69% of those applying the GFCF Diet saw improvement.For the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, 71% noted improvement. Inrecent autism diet research funded by Autism Speaks, 82% of parentsreported “definite improvement” in their child's skills.

For the parent of a child with autism, the food that they choose toserve their children is vitally important to their healing. Autism dietsare an important first step all parents should consider as they arecreating a program for the improved health and well being ofchildren.Julie Matthews is an internationally respected autismnutrition specialist and author of the award-winning book,“Nourishing Hope for Autism” and the creator of “Cooking to Heal:Autism Nutrition and Cooking Classes” (DVD). Julie provides dietand nutrition intervention guidance backed by scientific research andapplied clinical experience. She presents at the leading autismconferences in the US and abroad. Visit www.NourishingHope.com

Can Diet Changes Help Recover a Child with Autism?By Julie Matthews, Certified Nutrition Consultant

6

Researchers have studied food since ages, and it has always been afavorite topic. Lately, there has been a lot of momentum indetermining whether certain healthy foods can help increase yourmemory and brain power or not. The concept of “Brain food” isnot new, and there is ample research to show that some foods canindeed maximize your brain’s potential, make you more alert,enhance memory and prevent or alleviate brain disease.“Brain power” is characterized by how alert, energetic, andconcentrated your brain is in response to a task. Food affects yourbrain power by affecting the production of neurotransmitters in yourbrain.The brain mainly uses carbohydrates for energy and omega-3 fattyacids to form its cell structure. B vitamins play an essential role inbrain function. In combination with folic acid, vitamin B6 andvitamin B12 help manufacture and release chemicals in the brainknow as neurotransmitters. The nervous system relies onneurotransmitters to communicate messages within the brain, suchas those that regulate mood, hunger, and sleep.In addition, foods rich in antioxidantsnutrients, such as vitamin C and vitamin E andbeta-carotene, help protect brain cells fromfree-radical damage. A balanced diet withprotein, good fats and complex carbohydratescan balance the activity in the temporal lobesof the brain. Eating protein at every meal canhelp stabilize blood sugar levels, and helpprevent the brain fog that sometimes happensafter high carbohydrate or high sugar meals.The following lists would help you add foodsto your child’s diet that will boost theirmemory and help with better brain food.

OMEGA -3 FATTY ACIDS - To improvebrain activityThese are a major component of the graymatter of the brain and can also improve brainactivity. The fat in the brain is essential toproper nerve function, in nerve membranesand as a component of brain synapses. Flax seed, walnuts, oliveoil, fish, tofu, beans and nuts are excellent source of these fats, andyou should include at least 2% of your child’s daily calorie intake.

ANTIOXIDANTS - To boost memoryAntioxidants in the diet can improve memory by decreasingfree-radical damage. Food highest in antioxidants include fresh,colorful fruits and vegetables. The best antioxidants are found inberries such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries andblackberries), spinach, brussel sprouts, plums, broccoli, beets,avocados, oranges, red bell peppers and cherries.

SPINACH AND STRAWBERRIES - Prevent decrease incognitive performanceSpinach helps protect the brain from oxidative stress. Strawberry-rich diets fed to animals have been shown to significantly protectthe brain from the decline cognitive performance associated withaging. Both of these can increase your child’s learning capacity andmotor skills.

EGG YOLKA healthy benefit of egg yolks is that it contribute “choline” to thediet, which is component of two fat-like molecules in the brain thatare responsible for brain function and health.

CRANBERRY - For memory and coordinationThey can protect brain cells from free-radical damage and thetartness in the fruit can enhance your child’s memory, balance andcoordination.

RAISIN BRAN - Prevent migraines and headachesRaisin bran provides carbohydrates, iron, B vitamins, folic acid,calcium and magnesium, which are all important nutrients for brainfuel, as well as health and vitality. In addition, magnesium is amineral that helps relax blood vessels, preventing the constrictionand dilation characteristic of migraine and tension headaches.

KIDNEY BEANS - to improve cognitive functionOne cup of cooked kidney beans contains almost 19% of the RDVfor the B-vitamin thiamin, which is critical for cognitive functionbecause it is needed to synthesize choline. Kidney beans are richin inositol, which again improves symptoms of depression and mood

disorders.

SWEET POTATOES, BEETROOT,CARROT - For nourishment of the brain.Tubers like sweet potatoes and beets arehighly nourishing for the brain. They are richin vitamin B6 as well as carbohydrates andantioxidant nutrients (vitamin C and beta-carotene), which not only purify the blood,but also help increase brain powersignificantly.

MUSSELSThese and other shellfish, like clams are agood source of protein and iron. Getting yourdaily dose of iron is crucial for concentration.Iron deficiency has been linked to lower IQ.A protein rich lunch that is light incarbohydrates may help you r child stayfocused in the afternoon

GREEN TEAGreen tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant.The super nutrient EGCG, a flavonoid in green tea, has been linkedto enhancing learning and memory.

WATERWater is crucial for maintaining concentration. Even the mildestdehydration may affect your child’s ability to stay focused. Aperson should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily in order to preventdehydration. Remember that 85% of brain tissue is water.Dehydration can also cause energy generation in the brain todecrease.

HONEYThe research carried out in 2007 on rats at the University of Waikatoin Hamilton, New Zealand shows that diets sweetened with honeymay be beneficial in decreasing anxiety and improving memory.Honey may boost memory due to its antioxidant properties, whichhelp to prevent free radicals damaging cells in the body.

AVOCADOIt is a great source of B vitamins, including riboflavin, which helpsconvert the energy we get from food into a form our cells can use.

7

BioMedical Q&ABy Debbie Mellen, Biomedical Practioner

Debbie Mellen ARNP is a nurse practitioner who blendstraditional medicine with biomedical interventions. She is abiomedical practitioner at BodyMed Wellness Center inDavie, Fl.

Dear Ms. Mellen,

What is all this talk about “the diet” and autism? Why shouldI take my child off of milk and bread? These are things I grewup eating every day.

Wheat and diary can cause a lot ofproblems for some people if theycannot digest it properly. The proteinsfound within the wheat (gluten) anddairy (casein) can turn into opiatecompounds. This maldigestion ofgluten/casein is possibly due to a lackof digestive enzymes.The gluten in wheat when eaten turns

into gluteomorphin; likewise, the casein from dairy turns intocasiomorphin. The gluteomorphin and the casiomorphin nowpass into the blood stream and circulate throughout the body.When they travel into the brain, they settle on a receptor andmake their home there. The receptor was not designed for thegluteomorphin or casiomorphin; it is designed for an opiate.This receptor is designed to work with chemicals or drugs likemorphine to set into this receptor. So when the casein or glutenpeptide sits on that receptor, it can cause serious neurologicalproblems. The signs and symptoms of problems with caseinor gluten when eaten by people who are sensitive to gluten andcasein are: Foggy thinking, loss of pain sensation (hits self,bites self, bangs head) confusion and the child is content in hisown world.Another biomedical problem related to food is foodsensitivities (the inability to process a food). Food sensitivitiescan cause inflammation and gut injury. The inflammation addsto a problem with the intestine to ‘leak out’ food products thatare not ready to move yet into the blood stream. Problems mayshow up in the behavior of our children that have foodsensitivities. The behaviors that we see with food sensitivitiesare: Hyperactivity, restlessness, irritability, aggression, tempertantrums, depression, fatigue, being withdrawn, and physicalsymptoms like constipation, diarrhea, muscle aches,headaches, stomach pain and many more. (Rapp, 1991:195)What we end up with is a chronic inflammatory condition.Scientists and doctors have looked for evidence ofinflammation in the brain and have found neuroinflammationin the brain of individuals on the autism spectrum. This isassociated with an abnormal immune response to foods likecorn, soy, gluten and many more. Food sensitivities caninterfere with the immune response and “turn on” the immunesystem. The immune system becomes hyper-vigilant andattacks foreign bodies and healthy tissue too. This is a bad

situation and is called auto immunity dysregulation. Foodsensitivities treated can help reduce these symptoms and assistwith behavior and learning. I frequently see grouped togetherproblems like food sensitivities, yeast overgrowth, gutinflammation and damage to the GI tract. It is like a dominoeffect. Defective enzymes and intestinal permeability arefound so we treat it. But there are chronic inflammation andauto immunity issues. Many times there is found a decreasein secretory IgA level (reduction in immune tolerance). Whenthe IgA scores are low, there is often found an altered immunityconsistent with the inflammatory response. The gut is nowset up to grow yeast and other organisms that produce toxins.The body goes into a hyper-immune response. Now we haveinhalant and chemical allergies or sensitivities surfacing. Theimmune system is now not working properly.Biomedically, we can try food allergy testing with a blood test.We will detect which foods have developed sensitivities. Wethen begin a dietary intervention which is very individualized.Most are taken off of casein and gluten. It takes a lot ofpatience and when the right combination of foods is found, theresults can be dramatic. If you have not already done so, pleaseeliminate sugars, junk foods and preservatives from the diet.As much as possible, eliminate toxins in food, water andenvironment. Replenish the body with probiotics and enzymesto give the intestines what it needs for optimal function. Oneexample of an important enzyme is DPP4. It is responsible fordigestion of opiate-like peptides contained in casein (milkprotein) and gluten (cereal grain protein). Add vitamins,minerals and the essential fatty acids. To repair the gut optionsavailable to most are natural antivirals, antibacterials,antimicrobials, antifungals, and antioxidants. The hyperbaricoxygen chamber is really great for decreasing inflammation inthe gut and in the brain.When there is a problem with the processes digestion, it cancontribute to: immune function dysregulation, neuro-toxins,microbial imbalance, gut permeability, dysfunctional opiatesand endorphins, gut inflammation, food sensitivities, allergiesand more. Thankfully, we have been able now to connect thedots between food and behavior. Amazing things can happenwith diet control.

Debbie MellenNurse Practitioner

Do any readers have any questions?

Email at:

autisminsidernewsletter@gmail.com

Subject Ask Ms. Mellen.

8

Addressing Medical Issues for Children with AutismBy Luciana C Leo

We are finding that moreand more children are beingaffected by autism than everbefore. Each year we learnthe numbers are higher.Currently the over-allnumbers where we find achild on the autismspectrum is one of ninetyone children; for boys it ishigher, with one out of fiftyeight on the autismspectrum. More and morechildren are being affectedby this disorder, but whatexactly is autism?The definition of autism isbased on meeting certaincriteria found in the

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Version4 (DSM IV). Autism is considered a syndrome; meaning theaffected person can have a group of symptoms that present atdifferent levels of intensity for each individual. For example,repetitive movements, obsessive behaviors, high pain tolerance,lack of eye contact, delayed or no language development and headbanging are just some of the symptoms that occur with childrenon the autism spectrum. Most people who have heard about autismare aware of the symptoms or behaviors just mentioned becausethese are expected behaviors with children on the spectrum, butwhat many people do not recognize is that the children have someother problems that are referred to as, “comorbid conditions”.These conditions are basically secondary disorders that presentwith the primary problem. For example, a person withhypertension can develop headaches and neck pain when the bloodpressure is too high. The headaches and neck pain are consideredto be the comorbid conditions. Children on the autism spectrumalso present with many comorbid conditions happeningsimultaneously such as food allergies, sleeping problems, painfulgastrointestinal issues, constipation, diarrhea, bacterial and viralinfections, immune system dysfunctions, dermatologicalmanifestations, lack of focus, aggression, poor concentration andmore. Most of the time, these conditions are considered to be justpart of autism because they present at the same time as the primarysymptoms. Many practitioners share the idea that main problemfor the children on the autism spectrum is really the “comorbidconditions”. Why? Because they are medical conditions, some ofthem are causing pain, and they need to be addressed. Forexample, if a child breaks his arm, it needs to be taken care ofright away. Therefore, if a child with autism has gastrointestinalissued that are causing pain, they need to be taken care of rightaway too. Whenever these conditions are addressed, the behaviorscan improve to one degree or another. Illness is an illness andneeds to be treated.What is going on inside the bodies of the children with autismspectrum disorders and why do they have so many medicalproblems??? Well... We find that they have either an excess ofsomething or a a deficiency of something. Excess conditions arefinding things in the body that are not supposed to be in there; like

candida (yeast) or bacteria overgrowth, heavy metal toxicity orsome chemical/metabolism imbalances. A deficiency would bethat certain things that the body needs for optimal health is lacking,like enzymes or vitamins. Vitamins deficiency can be caused bya poor or imbalanced diet, mal absorption of the nutrients, or whenthe body is not able to break down or metabolize the nutrientsproperly. The goal in treating children with autism spectrumdisorder is to balance their body by getting rid of the excess andreplenish the deficiencies.One of the major problems with the children concerns theirgastrointestinal tract. Seventy percent of our immune system liesin our gastrointestinal system. That means that if the gut is notfunctioning correctly, the immune system will not functioncorrectly either. If a child is not properly digesting food it isusually because they are deficient in enzymes. This improperbreaking down of the food can “leak” through the gut wall andinto the blood stream. Immediately the immune system willdefend the body sends its soldiers in to action, creating a constantwar in the gut between the defense of the body (soldiers) and thefood (enemy). As a consequence, there is a lack of detoxification,virus, yeast and bacteria overgrow, and more and more allergiesappear.Without the ability to get rid of the heavy metals out of the body,they start to build up ion the body causing more problems. Doyou know that mercury inside the body likes to stick to the nerve’scoat (myelin) like a strong magnet? Due to this the body thinksit is under attack sending the soldier into action against thatprotective coat, and as a result the nerves are exposed and thebrain-body communication is diminished. This is just one of themany severe medical problems that we find with children on theautism spectrum.It has been prove that by treating the children’s medical symptomstheir quality of life improves and most of the characteristics thatare associated with autism diminish. Every child has the right toreceive medical treatment in order to achieve their optimal health.Many children in the autism spectrum do not have a voice, wehave to learn to read their expressions and their body talk.Everything they do has a meaning for them. For example, thechild that puts pressure on his tummy by laying against the coffeetable or the sofa may be having stomach pain, or the child thatputs pressure on his ears can have ear infection. Follow yourparents instincts and pay attention to what your child’s body istelling you.

9

Portia Iversen, is the mother of an autisticchild, who describes an extraordinarilypromising new teaching methodpioneered by another mother fromhalfway around the globe. Furthermore,Iversen recounts how their joint search forbetter treatment methods and a cure hasprompted leading scientific experts toquestion fundamental beliefs aboutautism and to undertake new types ofresearch.

After her son Dov was diagnosed withsevere autism at the age of two, Iversenand her husband consulted every source

on the subject they could find, and tried virtually every treatmentavailable. They put their careers on hold – she as an EmmyAward-winning art director and sitcom writer, he as a movie producer– and struggled to maintain a normal family life for their two otherchildren. They became dedicated autism activists and established theCure Autism Now Foundation (CAN; cureautismnow.org), whichquickly grew into one of the world’s largest private funding sourcesfor autism research. Yet nothing brought about any substantialimprovement in Dov’s condition. Then Iversen learned about aseverely autistic boy from India named Tito Mukhopadhyay, whohad an IQ of 185 and was an accomplished poet. His mother, Soma,had developed a revolutionary teaching method that allowed him tocommunicate by pointing at letters on an alphabet board, and later bytyping on a laptop computer.

Iversen had to find out if Tito was a one-of-a-kind genius, or whetherSoma’s technique could work for Dov and other severely autisticchildren as well. Perhaps they too had intact minds, despite theirbizarre behavior and apparent lack of interest in communicating withothers. Iversen set out to track Tito down in India, where he and Somakept moving around because people were afraid of him. “If Tito wasfor real,” she writes, “his very existence meant that autism was nothopeless. Finding Tito was not optional. Finding Tito was a matterof life and death. Or perhaps I should say it was like being told thatmaybe, just maybe – you could bring someone back from the dead.”

CAN brought Tito and Soma to California, where Tito was putthrough a battery of rigorous tests whose results challenged the verydefinition of autism. Although autistic people had long been thoughtto have very limited language skills at best, Tito composed eloquentpoetry and had a wry wit. Tito also raised the possibility that therewere at least two different types of autistic people – not only thosewho preferred visual communication, who fit the standard definition,but those who were able to absorb information through hearing, likeTito. Iversen, who delved deeply into neuroscience, explains howTito’s experience of a fragmented reality sheds new light not only onautism but on the workings of the normal human brain. Moreover,Tito’s poems, his articulate email exchanges with Iversen, and hisinsightful journal entries take readers on a fascinating and sometimesheartrending journey into the mind of an autistic person and what Titohimself calls “the rich experience of this strange life of mine.”Eventually Soma began working with Dov to see if her teachingmethod would be effective with him. After six weeks, she reportedthat there had been a major step forward, but Iversen remainedskeptical. As it happened, Iversen went to see Soma and Dov worktogether on September 12, 2001. Soma read to Dov from a textbook

about the solar system and then asked him to give the definition of agalaxy. “C’mon! Show, show, show!” she commanded, proddinghis knee with her thumb as she urged him on. Slowly, he spelled out“group of stars” – this from a nine-year-old boy who did not seem toknow his colors, numbers, the alphabet, or how to spell his own name.

Iversen was dumbfounded. “I could barely begin to comprehend whatthis meant,” she writes. “It meant that Dov was intelligent – far moreintelligent than we’d dared to hope or than he’d ever been able toshow us. It meant that he was not retarded. It meant that he’d beenin there . . . all these years. I could barely keep from crying. Theworld can be changed forever in a day. Yesterday, my world as Iknew it was destroyed. And on this day, an entirely new world wasborn. Everything I thought I knew about Dov, about learning andintelligence, about language and speech, about development andbehavior, about thinking and being, was turned upside down.” Thenext day, Iversen and her husband watched in tears as Soma read toDov about the meaning of the Jewish New Year. “What did you feelwhen you went to Temple?,” Soma asked. “Close to God,” Dovanswered letter by letter. And then: “I hope this new year is a callfor all like me to find some hope.”

The miracles continued as Soma and Dov gave a demonstration atDov’s school for autistic children. While Soma worked with Dov,his classmates seemed to pay no attention as they persisted with theirusual flapping, rocking, running, and shrieking. But when thedemonstration was over, the children ran to Soma one by one, satdown beside her, and began to answer her questions by pointing atletters as Dov had done. Now Iversen knew for certain that Tito andDov were not the only two autistic people who could respond toSoma’s method – they were simply the first of many who couldpotentially be released from their inner prisons.Today, Soma and Tito live in Texas, where Soma has opened a privatepractice to help autistic children.

Like Sylvia Nasar’s A Beautiful Mind, STRANGE SON is aprofoundly touching story of human triumph that vividly portrays amental state that is almost impossible to imagine from the outside.Blending the intertwined personal stories of Tito, Soma, Dov, and theIversen family with news of cutting-edge autism research, it is afrontline dispatch from the deepest, darkest trenches of a secret worldin the words of two boys who live there. An inspiring memoir of howtwo mothers from disparate parts of the world united in an untiringeffort to communicate with their severely autistic boys, STRANGESON offers badly needed hope and fresh knowledge for the familiesof autistic people.

Book ReviewSTRANGE SON by Portia Iversen

Focusing on all behavior issuesand the autism spectrum

Aeleen B. Garrido-Tortorici MS LMHC

P (954) 434-5784 - C (786) 251-9479www.all4kidz.info

10

Meetings

Parent to Parent Miami(305) 271-9797 Registration required

IEP WORK GROUPWeekly on Fridays

9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

TAKE THE LEAP Transition from Early Steps

to Pre-KJanuary 26, 2010

6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

INDIVIDUAL WITHDISABILITIES

EDUCATION ACTJanuary 12, 2010

6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

TherapiesHorseback

Project Stable FoundationTuesdays and Saturdays

(954) 680-8069

EXERCISE PROGRAMTree Tops Park (Davie)For ages 16 and up with developmental disabilitiesMonday 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Free.The program is set to music and includes moderate toactive head-to-toe movements. Exercises areperformed standing, bending, and sitting on mats.Participants must be fairly independent and able tofollow simple and basic instructions. Pre registrationis required. For registration or further information,call Special Populations at 954-357-8170/8160

BOWLINGStrikers Family Sports Center (Sunrise)For adults with developmental disabilities.Tuesday 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.$5.50 includes two games and shoes.Participants will socialize and bowl two games toimprove and maintain their bowling skills. Preregistration is required. For more information, call theSpecial Populations Section at 954-357-8170/8160

PINS ‘N’ PALS YOUTH BOWLINGStrikers Family Sports Center (Sunrise)For ages 8 to 21 with developmental disabilitiesTuesday 4:30 to 6 p.m.$5.50 includes two games and shoes.There are two leagues -- one of ages 8 to 17 and theother for ages 18 to 21. Participants will socialize andbowl two games to improve and maintain theirbowling skills. Participants should be fairlyindependent requiring minimal supervision, able tofollow directions, and have independent bathroomskills. Family member(s) is (are) encouraged to attendor be readily available. The 16-week league endsDecember 15. Pre registration is required. For moreinformation, call the Special Populations Section at954-357-8170/8160

Friday, January 15 2010From 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm7450 Griffin Rd, Suite 250

Davie, Fl 33314

Join us for a nice evening!!! Network with parents, family members, professionals and other

providers involved in the autism community.

SEASONAL DANCESDJ Music, Dancing, Refreshments, Socializing andFunAges +18

Friday, January 8, 7-10 p.m.Winter WonderlandQuiet Waters Park401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, Shelter #10954-360-1315

Friday, April 16, 7-10 p.m.Spring FlingQuiet Waters Park401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, Shelter #10954-360-1315

Friday, July 16, 7-10 p.m.Summer SocialTree Tops ParkPre registration required by Thursday, July 8, 2010Call the Special Populations Section at954-357-8160/8170.3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie, Main Building954-370-3750

11

Recipe of the Month

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

FOR SUPPORTINGTHE AUTISMCOMMUNITY

www.soloprinting.com

What is organic food?

Organic food is food grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers,sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation.Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do nottake antibiotics or growth hormones.

The USDA has identified for three categoriesof labeling organic products:

100% Organic: Made with 100% organicingredients

Organic: Made with at least 95% organicingredients

Made With Organic Ingredients: Made with a mini-mum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on theremaining 30% including no GMOs (genetically modified organ-isms)

Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may list organi-cally produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, butmay not make any organic claims on the front of the package.

Top reasons to support organic food:

Reduce the Toxic Load: Keep Chemicals Out of the Air,Water, Soil and our Bodies

Organic farmers work in harmony with nature

Organic products meet stringent standards

Organic food tastes great

What to buy organic:

Eggs, milk, poultry, meat (grass feed), potato, lettuce, spinach, peach,nectarines, apples, grapes, pears, strawberries, cherries, celery, peppers,baby foods, juices and corn.

Other important aspect to consider:

Remove: offending foods: by keeping a food diary and rotating foodsyou can identify the harmful foods and remove them. Remember tomake one small change at a time.Remove artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, MSG, aspartame,corn syrup, high fructose, trans-fats, nitrites and sugars.Add: Enzymes, probiotics, supplements, omega, minerals and water.

GFCF Chicken Nuggets with GFCF Onion Rings

Onion Rings Ingredients

� 2 medium to large onions� Potato starch, arrowroot,

almond flour or other starchflour

� 2 beaten eggs� 2 tablespoons of CF yogurt� 2 cups of finely crushed

cassava bread or rice cereal� pinch of salt and pepper� canola or coconut oil for

frying

Chicken Nuggets Ingredients

� 3 organic chicken breast(cooked)

� ½ onion� 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise� 1 egg� 2 cups of finely crushed

cassava bread� sat and pepper

Slice the onions into rounds. Pushout the centers and save foranother use. Add some of thestarch you picked (start with 1/4cup, you can always add more ifneeded) into a large ziploc bag.Take a handful of onion rings, putthem into the bag with the potatostarch and shake the bag to coat.(You can reuse this starch flour

for more onion rings)Remove the onion rings from the potato starch bag, shaking offexcess starch flour. Place the onion rings in a medium bowl with thebeaten eggs and the CF yogurt, toss to coat well.Put some crushed cassava bread or rice cereal (about 1/3 cup) in adifferent ziploc bag and throw in a pinch of salt and pepper. Shakethe bag to distribute. Take the egg-coated onion rings, shake offexcess egg and quickly place into the bag with the crushed cassavabread or rice cereal. Shake to coat well. (Don't reuse the rice coating,toss it and add unused rice coating and another pinch of salt andpepper.)Remove the onion rings from the ziploc bag and place them in thefryer basket (or pot of hot oil). Cook in hot oil 5- 8 minutes or untilgolden brown. Drain and serve hot. Serves 4.

1. Mix the onion, the mayo,the egg and the chickenbreast and blended to make athick paste.2. Use your hands to giveform of chicken nuggets tothe prepared paste.3. Prepare a bowl or a Ziplocbag with the crushed cassavabread, salt and pepper.4. Toss the chicken nuggets

in the bowl or bag with seasoned flour mix.5. Fry in skillet with 1/2 - 1 inch oil. Turn to cook on all sides.

Note: To make oven-baked chicken nuggets, spread 2 tablespoonsof oil in the bottom of a 9"x13" baking dish. Arrange coated chickennuggets in a single layer. Bake in 375 F oven for 30 minutes.

By Sarah Sweeney

12

Applied Behavior Analysis ServicesOur ABA programs focus primarily on language and communicationSupervised weekly by a doctoral level BCBA-DDiagnostic ServicesStandardized Psycho-educational AssessmentsNatural Environment TherapiesBehavior Modification/ReductionIndependent Living SkillsSocial Skills Groups

Children’s Center For Development & Behavior440 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Suite 106. Sunrise, Fl 33325

(954)745-1112www.childpsych.org

Psychological ServicesIndividual CounselingEvaluations and Assessments-Psycho-educational-Neurodevelopment-Learning Disabilities-IQ / Gifted-ADHD-Depression and Anxiety

Educational ServicesCertified ESE TeacherStandardized AssessmentsTutoring

We utilize an interdisciplinary team approach to maximize the benefits for our clients and their families.

Rehabilitative ServicesSpeech TherapyOccupational TherapyAssessments and TreatmentSensory Integration StrategiesHanen CertifiedPrompt Trained