Autism -Unraveling The Mystery

Autism is what every parent of an autistic child says it is. It also is what doctors and scientists say it is. Parents, people with autism and doctors agree on many aspects of the brain disorder. They disagree on a number of issues as well. There are contradictions and controversies and perhaps, above all else, moving and emotional stories to be told about autism and its impact on individuals and the people who love them.

There is so much to autism that CNN has begun special coverage titled "Autism - Unraveling the Mystery." This broad, deep examination of autism is being featured online and on CNN, CNN International and Headline News

On Wednesday, the U.N. World Autism Awareness Day, the coverage continues with more online material and an hourlong special simulcast on CNN and CNNI. "We Have Autism" focuses on the experiences of families living with autism around the world. The program airs at 12 p.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT.

On Wednesday night, be sure to watch a special hour of Anderson Cooper 360 reported by Gupta. "Finding Amanda" tells the story of one woman's atypical life with autism. We see the way she interacts and communicates with the world and how she inspires a young man named D.J. "Finding Amanda" airs at 11 p.m. ET.CNN's reporting on the global impact, latest science and controversies related to autism is designed to raise awareness of this brain disorder and provide useful information and insight

Visit the CNN website for more information at http://www.cnn.com

Study Finds Individuals with Dyslexia More Likely to Become Millionaires

In an attempt to learn more about the minds of millionaires, a team of psychologists and business experts, spent a day testing a group of entrepreneurial millionaires. They were put through a series of tests. Fourty percent of the 300 millionaires who participated in the more comprehensive study had been diagnosed withdyslexia. Adrian Atkinson, a business psychologist who worked with the research group, noted that "Most people who make a million have difficult childhoods or have been frustrated in a major way. Dyslexia is one of the driving forces behind that." (The Sunday Times, October 5, 2003).

Ali Bazley, of the British Dyslexia Association, suggests that dyslexics who struggle make up for it by being more creative, and looking at the bigger picture. "People with dyslexia, are often very good lateral and strategic thinkers." (Express & Echo, Exeter, October 8, 2003.)

Another reason individuals with dyslexia may do well is the fact that due to their academic struggles they often find themselves outside of the mainstream social groups in school. Feeling alone, they compensate by spending time exploring ideas, learning new strategies, and working to find a model of success.

Sir Richard Branson, a billionaire and the head of Virgin Industries, made his first million by the age of 18. He is dyslexic. Walt Disney, and Donald Winkler, former CEO of Ford Credit, are other very successful people with learning disabilities.

What else did the study find about millionaires? Millionaires know that mistakes are OK. They know speed is the key to business advantage and they work within their strengths. Rene Caraylol, a business adviser and another member of the research team, stated "They don't do failure, they redefine it. (Excerpt from Family Voices of Oklahoma March newsletter)

We Need To Hear From You!

Sooner SUCCESS is currently conducting a Community Needs Assessment for Blaine, Canadian, Creek, Garfield, Kingfisher, Logan, Major, Tulsa, and Rogers County and we need your opinion!
If you are the parent, grandparent or guardian of a child with special needs or a professional who works with children with special needs and/or their families, then we are looking for you!
Our survey can be completed in 5 minutes, but your participation is vital. We need to hear from you which issues are the most important in your county.

• Do we need more mental health counselors that serve children?
  
• Is it hard to find a dentist that will accept Sooner Care?
  
• Are the specialists your child needs too far away to see without missing time from work?
  
• Does your church need help figuring out how to include your child?
  
• Do you want to connect with other parents for support, but don't know how to find the

Sooner SUCCESS wants to put the collective energy and resources of our coalition to work solving our county's most urgent challenges, but first we need to hear from YOU which issues are the most important.
To Request A Survey:

Contact Billie Roane at 580 791 0341 or by email at billie-roane@ouhsc.edu.

Completed surveys can be returned by pre-paid postal mail to the OU Child Study Center (envelopes are provided with each survey)

The survey can also be completed online at: http://soonersuccess.oucpm.org

And as our way of saying thank you, all family members who complete the survey with contact information will be entered in a drawing for a $50.00 Gift Card!

Don't Delay!! The survey ends March 31, 2008!

Wrightslaw Website and Newsletter

The Wrightslaw newsletter and website provide trustworthy information and support for families and individulas with disabiblites. Here is an excerpt from the Special Ed Advocate newsletter with information on how to receive the newsletter by email.

One obstacle in advocating for a child with a disability is finding the time to do research. We spend hours collecting information so you can spend your time learning, not searching.
Download a free copy of New Career Paths for Students with Disabilities. Go to the Wrightslaw College page, Download Free Pub.

Here's a free Financial Aid Resource Guide.
Federal Financial Aid and College: An Overview for Students with Disabilities. This resource guide contains:
federal financial aid programs
state vocational rehabilitation services
regional and local sources
a listing of nationally awarded grants
a pre-college checklist to search for funds
Free Pubs PageWhen you visit our Free Pubs page, you can download free publications about IEPs, special education, transition, reading, children's mental health, discipline and behavior, harassment, high-stakes testing, retention and social promotion, and No Child Left Behind. We continually add new publications, so the contents of the Free Pubs page changes often

This issue of the Special Ed Advocate provides loads of resources, in-depth information guides, and good advice about planning for the transition to further education.
Sign up free today!