Autism Offers Clear Advantage, Study Finds

Some with autism have long stood out for their savant-like abilities, but new research suggests that even those without such obvious strengths have extraordinary talent as compared to typically developing individuals.

People with autism are significantly better at processing large amounts of information and are more skilled at identifying critical details, British researchers found in a study published this week in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
The finding could help explain why many with autism are able to excel in detail-oriented fields like information technology, they said.

For the study, a group of 16 adults with autism and 16 typically developing individuals were asked to identify certain letters from among a group of letters that were flashed on a screen. Meanwhile, participants were also asked to notice a gray shape that sometimes appeared on the screen as well.

When only a few letters were displayed, all of the study participants were able to complete the task. But as the number of letters increased, the typically developing adults exhibited greater difficulty spotting the relevant shapes and letters, while those with autism were still able to identify the critical pieces of information.
“People with autism have higher perceptual capacity compared to the typical population,” said Nilli Lavie, a professor of psychology and brain sciences at University College London who worked on the study. “This can only be seen once the task becomes more demanding, with more information to process. In the more challenging task conditions, people with autism are able to perceive significantly more information than the typical adult.”

Read more of Michelle Diament's Disability Scoop article HERE.

2012 Social Thinking Providers Conference June 22-24

2012 Social Thinking Providers Conference June 22-24
Featuring Internationally Renowned ASD Specialists Dr. Peter Gerhardt and Dr. Peter Vermeulen

South San Francisco Conference Center
255 South Airport Boulevard
South San Francisco, CA 94080


This is our biggest year yet! The Social Thinking Providers Conference offers practitioners of Social Thinking, nationally and internationally, the ideal opportunity to share ideas about advanced treatment and program ideas and to network with other professionals who also work with high-functioning individuals experiencing social and communication challenges.


Dr. Peter Vermeulen, co-director of the Centre for Concrete Communication and a renowned specialist on autism spectrum disorders from Belgium, will present his keynote talk on Teaching about Developing Intimate Relationships
Educators and therapists from around the country will present their innovative strategies in sessions.

More info at the Social Thinking website HERE.

Communicating with autism: The Golden Hat Foundation

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a series of conversations with Matthew about garden equipment. “When was the first time I saw a lawn mower? Was it gas powered or not? Did my dad let me use it? Does my dad believe in leaf blowers, or does he like rakes better? Do you think that David Lee Roth mows his own lawn? Can you go on the computer and find out?” The conversations can be draining. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve Googled weird things like “David Lee Roth mowing lawns” or “Best karaoke lounge on the border between Minnesota and South Dakota.”

Still, I’m aware of how incredibly lucky I am that Matthew can talk to me. So many of my friends have children who are non-verbal; they would give anything to have the kind of interaction I have with Matthew.

I was reminded of this when I learned about a new documentary, narrated by Kate Winslet “A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism,” about a young nonverbal Icelandic boy named Keli. Kate was moved by the efforts of Keli’s mom, Margret Ericsdottir, to find a way for her son to learn to communicate. “I simply couldn’t conceive of how devastating it would be,”Kate said, “not to be able to hear my children’s voices.”

Kate and Margret bonded through the production of the documentary, and brainstormed ways to help children like Keli and the Golden Hat Foundation was born. Ladies Home Journal features the story of Kate and Magret in this months issue. I applaud the magazine for shining a light on the importance of recognizing the needs of the underserved population of individuals with non verbal autism.

The Golden Hat Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers for people with autism around the world, and creating an environment that holds these individuals as intellectually capable.

The mission of the Golden Hat Foundation is the establishment of innovative campuses that offer people with autism the opportunity to learn to communicate effectively, receive an education, job training and enjoy recreational activities, all within a supportive social network.

Read more of Laura Shumaker's SF Gate article HERE.

Hope Builds for Treating Intellectual Disabilities

A common medication is one of several drugs that might correct or even reverse the effects of fragile X, autism and other developmental disorders.

Read By Melissa Healy's, Los Angeles Times article HERE.

We Care Parent Education Event. Son-Rise Program: A Parent’s Experience

Who: Danielle Bell
When: Thursday, April 14, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Where: We Care Services for Children
2191 Kirker Pass Rd., Concord
Fee: $10 per adult, or $15 per couple, payable at the door

Light refreshments will be served.
Childcare is not available for this event.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 12 to Vi Ibarra at
vibarra@wecarechildren.org or (925) 671-0777, ext 14.
See flyer HERE

Temple Grandin Gives Message of Hope on Autism at Monday's South Bay Event

Organized by Las Positas College's psychology department and chapter of the Psi Beta Psychology Honor Society, Monday's event drew more than 450 people.

An uninformed observer might not suspect she is autistic, although that hasn't always been the case.

Read more of Jeanine Benca's Contra Costa Times article HERE.

Greenville YMCA Project Looks To Touch Hearts Of Homebound Children

Hearts for Hope, a project provided by YMCA Adventure Guides, a program for fathers and children, will reach out to homebound children on the autism spectrum.

As part of the project, local kids will make personalized Valentine cards for 60 families with children on the autism spectrum who are homebound, and may not receive any Valentine cards.

Read more HERE.

Student David Champions Autism Bill (UK)

STIRLING University student David Nicholson is helping lead the way in helping to transform the lives of 50,000 Scots living with autism.

The 21-year-old, who is studying politics and law, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome – a high functioning form of the condition – aged 18.

Read more HERE.

National Centre For Excellence Supporting Young People With Autism

The Pears National Centre for Autism Education was developed over several years with parent-founded charity, The Tree House Trust, and is the first of its kind in the UK offering not only an 80 place school, but a national training centre and administrative workspace for the Trust which aims to increase the nationwide quantity and quality of autism education provision.

Read more HERE.

Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Mentor Training Program

The application and training dates for the 2011-2012 Social Thinking Mentor Training will be posted Feb. 1, 2011. More details HERE.

A Song for Autism: Talented Carer Lines Up All-Star Charity Concert

FOR 10 years, talented singer-songwriter John Taylor has worked as a carer for people with autism. But now he leaving the job he loves so much to pursue a dream career in music after being signed to a top American label.

Read more of Lindsay Clydesdale's article in the DailyRecord.UK.com HERE

Kate Winslet creates foundation to help those with autism

Kate Winslet creates foundation to help those with autism