Exclusive: An autism report by RFK Jr.’s health department will say Tylenol use during pregnancy and folate deficiencies are among the potential causes of the disorder https://t.co/FqjGEeJOJW ...

[Music] Hello everybody. Mark Twain said two most important days of a human being's life. One the day he's born or she's born and the second the day they discover why.My why came good about 18 years ago when I was sitting shaky wobbly in the doctor's cabin and I was told my son my bundle of joy had autism to the world outside so many people don't even know what autism is and so was I. I was a banker back then. I had no idea and the ground underneath me crumbled.I so very clearly remember only feelings of sh ...

Autism Awareness and Treatment - Autism is treatable, contrary to some misconceptions [1] - Early intervention leads to better outcomes in autism treatment [1] - Increased awareness and early treatment plans can significantly improve a child's recovery [1] Prevalence and Trends - The prevalence rate of autism has increased significantly from 1 in 250 children in 2002 to 1 in 36 children in 2024 [1] - There has been a noticeable increase in the number of children seeking help for autism-related issues [1] Causative Factors and Misconceptions - Autism is not solely genetic; environmental toxins play a significant role [1] - Environmental factors such as toxins from vaccinations, antibiotics, and processed foods can accelerate the development of autism [1] - The concept of genetic predisposition suggests that while genes may load the gun, environmental toxins pull the trigger [1] Treatment Approaches - A comprehensive treatment plan includes behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, diet, and supplements [1] - Biomedical interventions like methylation, detoxification, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) are used in treatment [1] - Autism Institute of Pakistan provides one-on-one sessions tailored to each child's specific issues [1] Success Stories and Outcomes - Approximately 75% of students from the Autism Institute are integrated into mainstream schools, with some requiring shadow teachers [1] - Some students are pursuing O levels, A levels, and matriculation examinations, indicating positive outcomes [1] Importance of Parental Involvement - Building a strong connection between parents and children is crucial for identifying developmental issues [1] - Parents should be aware of the importance of healthy food and reducing exposure to toxins [1]

Neurodiversity Awareness and Understanding - The presentation emphasizes the need for increased awareness and understanding of neurodiversity, specifically ADHD and autism [1][25] - It highlights that ADHD and autism are spectrums with diverse presentations, challenging common misconceptions [2][3][13][14] - The speaker advocates for recognizing neurological differences as variations rather than deficits or mental illnesses [25] - The presentation addresses the limitations of a one-size-fits-all education system for neurodivergent individuals [5][9] - It encourages educators and others to consider alternative approaches to learning and problem-solving that accommodate different cognitive styles [10][12] Types and Levels of ADHD and Autism - The presentation clarifies that there are three types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive, and combined [15][16][17] - It explains that autism is categorized into three levels based on the amount of support an individual requires [19][20][22][23] - Level one autism (formerly Asperger's) may involve difficulty with social cues and transitions [20] - Level two autism requires substantial support, potentially involving antisocial behavior or distress when change occurs [22] - Level three autism requires high levels of support, potentially involving difficulty or inability to speak [23]

Autism Awareness & Advocacy - The speaker's curiosity about autism led to a calling to understand how individuals with autism perceive the world [4] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of believing in the potential of individuals with autism, rather than focusing on deficits [7] - The speaker highlights the need for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and patience when working with individuals with autism and their families [11] - The speaker underscores the significance of empowering and educating families to enable them to support their children with autism effectively [16] Program & Organizational Development - The speaker initiated a Saturday social skills training program to address the lack of socialization opportunities for children with autism [13] - The speaker's organization adopted a holistic approach, incorporating academics, life skills, and theater to support the development of individuals with autism [18] - The organization developed vocational training programs based on person-centered planning and community collaboration [20] - The organization's credibility and community support enabled it to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic [22] Personal Journey & Resilience - The speaker's personal experience with a partial facial paralytic attack provided a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families [24][25][26][27][28] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-belief, self-awareness, and trust in others in overcoming personal challenges [30]

Music Therapy & Neurodiversity - Music serves as a powerful medium to connect with disadvantaged communities, especially neurodiverse individuals including those with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and chromosomal abnormalities [2] - Indian classical music is utilized as a foundation for music-based interventions, drawing from ancient wisdom and cultural roots [4][5] - Music engages the entire brain, stimulating various regions regardless of active or passive participation, impacting memory, emotion, and reward perception [8][9][10] - Music is a multi-sensory experience involving kinesthetic, auditory, and visual systems, crucial for children playing instruments [12][13] - Individuals with autism may not perceive music as a whole due to sensory sensitivities, requiring a breakdown into elements [15][16] - Music perception involves multiple processes including sound, tone, emotion, and language [17][18] - Music can be collaborated with disciplines like psychology and neuroscience to provide scientific backing [26][27] - Music offers emotional resilience and can be used as a healing agent in a stressful world [28][30] - Music therapy emphasizes empathy over entertainment, aiming to understand and alleviate others' pain [32][33] Case Study - A case study highlighted a child with autism who initially struggled to differentiate between sound, music, and noise, but after intervention, could recite texts [20][21][22][23]

Public Health & Policy - The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is removing thimerosal from flu shots [1] - This action is considered a victory for antivaccine activists [1] Vaccine Safety Concerns - Antivaccine activists claim the mercury-based preservative thimerosal causes autism [1]

Project Overview - The "Little Blue Flower" project aims to acknowledge and support individuals with autism and their families, who are often the unsung heroes [13][14] - The project uses the blue flower as a symbol of calmness and safety, particularly appealing to autistic individuals [14] - The project involves an art exhibition in August to raise public awareness and endorse the often-neglected caregivers [15] Challenges Faced by Families - Families face misunderstandings and societal perceptions regarding autism, leading to isolation and difficulties in basic skill development [8][9] - Caregivers often experience sleepless nights teaching basic skills and face judgment from the public [8][9] - The societal tendency to treat autism as a problem needing to be fixed places a heavy burden on families [10] Call to Action - The speaker encourages smiling at overwhelmed children in public instead of staring, and supporting caregivers with simple acknowledgements [16] - The speaker advocates for inclusion by urging schools and businesses to adopt sensory-friendly environments [17] - The speaker invites the audience to join the campaign as allies, emphasizing that acknowledgement is a crucial first step [15] Exhibition Details - An art exhibition in Shenzhen featured 30 pieces created by autistic children, attracting approximately 20,000 paid visits in roughly two and a half months [4][5] - The exhibition highlighted the artistic abilities of autistic children, such as Leo, who could draw the entire playground from memory [3][5] - The exhibition aimed to showcase the "invisible artists" behind the visible art, the families who provide unwavering support [6]

[Music] I often feel that this question is blindly ignored among my fellow peers which is why I'm stepping forward today to ask how does it feel to be neurodyiverged. ent. Well, it's a question without a short answer.My name is Luke White Oak and I have a mental disorder called autism. And I want to show you how that feels for me. But first, we need to find the ethmology of this word.Neuro meaning mind and divergent is just a synonym for different. So, neurode divergence is just to have a different mind. I ...

Large population studies in America and Europe have consistently shown no link between exposure to thimerosal and autism https://t.co/dHgwErTG0X ...