[Andrew Kavchak]

Just when you thought you heard it all…

Sabrina, you'll have to add a new chapter to the next edition of your treatment evaluation text! I don't know if there are any sound studies showing the usefulness of marijuana consumption as a treatment for autism, but I suspect the second-hand smoke may have the side effect of taking the therapists' mind off things or skewing their perception of whether the child's performance is improving.
___________________
Salem-News.com (May-05-2008 08:54)

Autism, ADD, ADHD and Marijuana Therapy

Dr. Phil Leveque Salem-News.com

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician, Toxicologist and Pharmacologist. He is an expert in medical marijuana treatment.

Image courtesy: medicalmarijuanablog.com

(MOLALLA, Ore.) – It has been known for at least 2,000 years that Marijuana/Cannabis is a psychotropic that affects the brain and central nervous system. (The Scythians) The first western references seem to be that it was a euphoric, in other words a central nervous system stimulant not like cocaine or amphetamines but a gentler pleasant stimulant.

Dr. W.B. O'Shaunessy (see: Medical Marijuana Feb-21-2008) found it to be an anti-convulsant against Tetanus, which may seem to cloud the issue. It is also a good anti-epileptic and centrally acting analgesic even effective for migraines as well as an anti-depressant and anxiolytic.

Dr. Tod Mikuriya has written that it promotes homeostasis or normalization of function in many various systems of the body and also modulates or moderates emotional hyperactivity such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, often known simply as PTSD.

I had heard or read about California marijuana doctors reporting that it was effective for the treatment of ADD and autism. These were single or isolated reports because physicians seemed to be reluctant to even talk about what the U.S. government constantly bleats about a "dangerous addicting drug", marijuana.

Dr. Mikuriya reported in 2006 in O'Shaunessy marijuana magazine that a 15-year old child was brought to him by his mother. He had been diagnosed with ADD and psychoses and had been given over 30 different kinds of drugs including pulverized kitchen sink, most of which made him combative and worse. He had used marijuana at age 11 with older friends.

It had a calming effect but his use brought police action and three court ordered rehabs which really drove him crazy. His mother found Dr. Mikuriya who prescribed Marinol which worked. A judge would not let him use ut, but a second judge did allow it and he got a marijuana permit and smoked it with dramatic improved results.

I decided a search of the Internet was advisable and I typed up marijuana autism with the surprising finding that the Autism Research Institute posted an article by Bernard Rinland Ph.D. Medical Marijuana: a valuable treatment for autism in 2003. The site discussed a letter from a mother of a violently autistic child. A friend suggested a marijuana brownie cookie which in the words of the mother "saved my child's life and my family's life."

The article continues to state that many parents in the same situation have reported marked success.

A second article from the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis (AAMC) in 2002 written by Jay R. Cavanaugh Ph.D. titled Medical Cannabis and Brain Disorders reported effective use as follows: Bipolar disease (81 patients or 20%)ADHD/ADD (53 patients or 13%)Multiple Sclerosis (32 patients or 8%)and neuropathy (35 patients or 9%).

Other interesting findings were PTSD (30 patients at 7%) and obsessive compulsive disorder (2.4 or 6%). They also reported successful treatment of Tourettes, Parkinson's, and Autism (10 patients or 2%)

It is time we got our medical dinosaurs M.D.S. out of the closet and educated to the marvelous benefits of this safe effective NEW-OLD medicine.

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hi Folks,
I just sent the message below to the heads of the Autism Society of Canada and the Autism Society of Ontario. If anyone understands Premier McGuilty's logic, please explain it for us.
Thanks.
Andrew Kavchak
______________________________

Dear ASC and ASO,

As you should know by now, there have been a few recent articles and press releases about the growing wait list for autism treatment in Ontairo. In the recent issue of Macleans.ca the Premier of Ontario is quoted as saying:

"The wait list is getting longer because the province is putting more money into providing therapy for autistic children, said Premier Dalton McGuinty."
http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=n042946A

Would you please consider writing to Premier McGuinty and asking him to explain his Orwellian logic. What the Premier said is unbelievable. Using the Premier's logic, we may see a reduction of program funds to reduce waiting lists, and eventually the cancellation of the programs as a solution to the wait lists crisis.

This is another fine example of provincial negligence and irresponsibility when dealing with the autism crisis in Canada and it is utterly sickening. Clearly, we need some federal leadership in developing a National Autism Strategy. Please consider writing to Health Minister Clement using this growing waiting list situation and the Premier's ostrich approach as an example of the need for urgent movement.

Thank you for all you do for the autism community.

Andrew Kavchak
Parent of a child with autism
Ottawa, Ontario

[Andrew Kavchak]

Well, you just had to know that someone was going to reply…
________________________
April 24, 2008

THE DAILY GLEANER (FREDERICTON)
PAGE: C8

Letters to the editor | Cerebral palsy letter was rude

This is a response to the letter to the editor about children with cerebral palsy in The Daily Gleaner on Wednesday, April 23.

I am a parent of an autistic child and I found it very rude to have compared these children and their circumstances.

Every child with a disability, whether it be diabetes, epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy etc., struggle to get a diagnoses, and help.

Everyday is a struggle with any child needing help. We, as parents, need to rely on ourselves to be our child's advocate.

If we are not, no one else will.

We, as parents of autistic children, fight on daily basis for diagnoses, treatment, resources, funding. We write letters daily to our MLAs , newspapers, anyone who will listen to us. Yes, there is a need for all children with a disability to receive more help. It was unfair of you to compare the two. We, as parents, teacher, caregivers, volunteers, and heath care professionals, need to stick together and fight for the rights of all our children with a disability.

Melanie Watt
Fredericton

[Andrew Kavchak]

When Canadians use autism policies, programs and services as a model aspire to, you know we are in trouble! A doctor? Under Medicare you mean? What a shame that people continue to be so terribly misinformed! It ain't rudeness, just ignorance of the truth.
____________

April 23, 2008

THE DAILY GLEANER (FREDERICTON)
PAGE: B6
Letters | Cerebral palsy can be a huge challenge

I am writing this letter in hope that other parents in Fredericton will speak out, too, and demand help for our children.

I have a beautiful two-year-old daughter who was affected with cerebral palsy at birth.

Children are supposed to be our hope for the future but yet the children, who have disabilities, are left behind.

In no way am I trying to be rude, but if there was half the help out there for kids with cp as there is autism, perhaps, my daughter would get the help she so deserves and needs.

As a parent, you want your child to grow and be all that he or she can be but with such a huge obstacle in front of you it, at times, seems impossible.

I wish so hard at night that there would just be something, anything, such as a new doctor who might come to town to help these precious kids and give them the chance they deserve.

Nobody can imagine the pain of looking at your child and knowing there is nothing you can do, unless you've been in the situation.

Maybe it's a hopeless dream but I know I am not giving up and I will fight for my daughter until the day I leave this world.

I need others to step up and demand the same.

We can't do it alone.

But with the more voices which speak out we may just get us the support we all need.

Brittini Sowers
Fredericton

[Andrew Kavchak]

Here is another message I received on the topic…
________________________

What do governments need to track to better understand Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), and improve policy, programs and services for individuals and their families? Tell us now at http://www.asdsurveillance.ca.

Tracking autism – We want to hear from you!

In November 2006, the Government of Canada committed to consulting with stakeholders about the feasibility of developing surveillance on ASDs in Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada is now in the process of considering what information would be important to track about ASDs and how this information could be collected.

Over the past few months, the Public Health Agency of Canada has been working with Autism Society Canada, the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Canadian American Research Consortium (ASD-CARC) and the Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network (CAIRN) to consult with individuals, families, doctors and ASD researchers to see what can be done to track ASDs in Canada. Now we need your help.

Tell us what you think we should be tracking

Together we have developed an on-line survey to gather input on what information about ASDs is important to track among the group of Canadians with ASDs.

We want to hear from all members of the ASD community (including Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Not Otherwise Specified), – individuals with ASDs, family members and other caregivers, doctors and service providers who diagnose and treat those with ASDs, school teachers and early childhood educators, adult service providers, those involved in policy and program development, and researchers studying these conditions.

The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses will be kept strictly confidential. The survey will be posted until May 20th at http://www.asdsurveillance.ca. But why wait? Go to the web site now. Tell us what information you think is important to track about ASDs. Help us plan a better future for all Canadians.

Adding the Questionnaire Link to Your Website

By posting a live link to http://www.asdsurveillance.ca on your website, the questionnaire will be available to a larger audience and more individuals will be able to use the internet-based consultation to share their views. Title: Tracking ASDs in Canada:http://www.asdsurveillance.ca

(See attached file: Surveillance des TSA au Canada.jpg – tracking ASDs in Canada logo v2.jpg)

Keep in mind

We want to hear from all members of the ASD community (including Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Not Otherwise Specified), – individuals with ASD, family members and other caregivers, doctors and service providers who diagnose and treat ASD, school teachers and early childhood educators, adult service providers, those involved in policy and program development, and researchers studying these conditions. http://www.asdsurveillance.ca

In an attempt to reach as many ASD stakeholders as possible, we are asking for your help. Please forward this questionnaire link to anyone you think might be interested: http://www.asdsurveillance.ca

[Andrew Kavchak]

Three to one.

On World Autism Day, two statements were made in the House of Commons.

Yesterday was World Malaria Day. Six statements were made in the House of Commons.

Interesting…How many Canadians have the misfortune of contracting malaria in this country?

[Andrew Kavchak]

April 14, 2008

CTV – CANADA AM

TIME: 08:12:10 ET

Group wants autism covered universally under medicare

O'REGAN: Fighting for autism, a group from BC will be in Ottawa this morning to launch a nationwide campaign to elect members of Parliament who will support including autism treatment as part of medicare.

And joining us now from Ottawa to talk about the campaign is organizer Jean Lewis.

Good to talk to you.

LEWIS: Good morning.

O'REGAN: Firstly, what is the story right across the country? Health care is a provincial jurisdiction, and I'm just wondering, does it vary across the country, the amount of coverage for autism treatment?

LEWIS: Well, absolutely. The problem is, autism treatment isn't covered at all across the country. Currently, across Canada there is a patchwork of autism services that are not treatment. They're respite care, babysitting, childcare, those types of things. They are provided by the provincial social services ministry.

Right now, autism treatment — science-based autism treatment — is not covered. The Canada Health Act is federal legislation, not provincial legislation. So, we need children diagnosed with autism to have universal access to health care through medicare.

O'REGAN: Now, you have attempted this, as I understand, at the provincial level in British Columbia. How effective was that?

LEWIS: Well, we actually sued the provincial government, the BC provincial government, almost 10 years ago and won at the BC Supreme Court in the Auton landmark case, which eventually was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada. And one of their main arguments was — or decisions was — is that it really is a matter for Parliament to decide how to spend health-care dollars.

So, we have taken the Supreme Court of Canada at their word and we've gotten political in a nonpartisan way. So, our campaign is to elect MPs, regardless of what their party affiliation is, who, if elected, will support legislation which will amend the Canada Health Act to include medicare coverage for the treatment of autism.

O'REGAN: What kind of response have you gotten amongst members of Parliament?

LEWIS: Well, it's very interesting. We started this campaign in the last federal election just in British Columbia in five ridings where in the previous election the margin of victory was less than 2 percent. And I have to say, in the five ridings that we initiated this campaign in it would be fair to say that we affected the vote in at least two of them.

We have now extended it. We are here in Ontario, meeting with parents and supporters and looking at some constituencies here. Also in the Maritimes.

So, we have captured attention. The MPs who were elected, who did publicly support us, have been actively assisting. Such as Peter Stoffer, Shawn Murphy, Andy Scott, Dawn Black. There are a number of them.

O'REGAN: So, what you're saying is if people do not support that position then you are recommending that people do not vote for them? If this is an issue that they consider a priority?

LEWIS: Absolutely. And I think it's important to understand that this issue no longer is just pertinent to parents of children with autism. We had a rally in Burnaby at the beginning of March where 400 people attended. And 25 percent of those people who attended were not parents of autistic children. They were other, fair-minded Canadians who are absolutely outraged that this has not been solved after this length of time.

After the Supreme Court of Canada decision in 2004, Ipsos-Reid did a poll: 89 percent of Canadians polled said that autism treatment should be in medicare. So, it tells you there is this huge disconnect between the voters and those who govern us.

O'REGAN: Thank you very much, Ms. Lewis, for your time.

LEWIS: My pleasure.

Jean Lewis, Director, BC Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT)

[Andrew Kavchak]

On Wedneday an announcement made (see below) that Justice Michel Bastarache will be retiring from the Supreme Court of Canada. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on September 30, 1997.

Some of you may recall that he was one of the Justices who supported the disgraceful unanimous November 2004 written decision of Chief Justice Beverley McLaughlin in the Auton case which effectively gutted the equality provisions of the Charter and rendered them considerably less than meaningful.

I frequently reflect on the sloppiness of the decision. When I attended Osgoode Hall Law School in the 1980s many of my professors routinely made fun of the "Supremes". I used to think that they were unjustifiably disrespectful…but that was before I found out the hard way just how truly defective our justice system is. My favourite part of the decision was where McLaughlin wrote that so much of Lovaas' groundbreaking work was done in Texas. Since when is UCLA in Texas? It may sound trivial, but it is just one example of flaws that suggest to me that the decision was made before the hearing and the briefings submitted by the families were simply not read. Getting the facts straight was immaterial detail that should not get in the way of the court's desired outcome and the whole thing was not even worth some elementary "fact checking" by an articling student.

Let us all mark and celebrate this retirement as it deserves to be!

Let us further pray that the next judge to occupy the seat will have the wisdom, courage and sense of right and wrong to be able to withstand the intimidation and culture of political correctness in Ottawa and actually believe that "equality" in the Charter might mean something.

One of the other elements of the shameful treatment of the Auton case in Ottawa was that the federal Justice Department lawyers intervened against the kids with autism. At the time the Minister of Justice was "human rights lawyer" Irwin Cotler. I subsequently sent him a letter asking him "how could you?", to which he replied that under the Constitution his job was to advise the government. I gathered that this meant that his "human rights" work would take a back seat to his desire for a successful career in politics. His removal from the Justice portfolio at the hands of the electorate was also an event that was celebrated in some households!
_______________

OTTAWA, April 9, 2008 – The Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada, announced today that Justice Michel Bastarache has written to the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Robert Nicholson, to advise that he will retire at the end of the spring session of the Court, effective June 30, 2008. “Justice Bastarache has served on the Court with wisdom, and made enormous contributions to the Court and to Canada. He is a valued colleague and a friend, who will be missed by all the members of the Court”, said the Chief Justice.

For his part, Justice Bastarache said, “It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to be a member of the Supreme Court of Canada. There are but a small number of jurists who have had the opportunity to serve their country in this capacity, and to have had the chance to participate so directly in the development of the law. I am extremely grateful for the privilege of serving as a member of the Court.”

Justice Bastarache was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in September 1997, after serving on the New Brunswick Court of Appeal.

“I know that the Canadian Government will consider the appointment of a new justice with the care and deliberation required”, Chief Justice McLachlin added. “I am hopeful that the appointment will be made in time for the fall session of the Court, in October 2008.”

For further information contact:

Jill Copeland
Executive Legal Officer
Phone: (613) 996-9296
Fax: (613) 952-3092

[Andrew Kavchak]

From the medical news today website…

Frankly, I think they are low-balling it. When one parent gives up their full-time job, or reduces their working hours to part-time status, and the other spouse is so stressed out that they stop playing the corporate game to get the next promotion, then it seems to me that suggested annual income losses $6,200 does not even come close to reality.
___________________________

Childhood Autism Linked To Substantial Loss Of Household Income

08 Apr 2008

Families of children with autism incur substantial out-of-pocket costs for educational, behavioral and health care services. A new study in the journal Pediatrics found autism also has an impact on the income side of the family economy.

The study, "Association of Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders and Loss of Family Income," drew on the results of a 2005 national survey of 11,684 households with children enrolled in kindergarten to eighth grade. The sample included 131 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and 2,775 children with other disabilities. Researchers found both having a child with ASD and having a child with other disabilities were associated with lower household income regardless of parental education, family structure, parental age, rural or urban location or minority ethnicity.

The average loss of annual income associated with having a child with ASD was $6,200 or 14 percent of a family's annual reported income. The authors speculate the most likely explanation is that parents of a child with ASD make different working choices, such as working part-time, because of the needs associated with autism and the lack of community-based resources.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

American Academy of Pediatrics
————————————————-

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/103175.php

[Andrew Kavchak]

Funny how the government funds some projects but ignores what the project recommends…

__________________

April 8, 2008 MONTREAL GAZETTE PAGE: A6

Guide will help spot autism earlier, foundation says

Aim is to start treating children sooner. Quebec urged to 'deal with ridiculously long waits'

CHARLIE FIDELMAN, The Gazette

With autism reaching alarming proportions, a Montreal organization is set to publish national guidelines designed to improve early detection.
Developed with a federal government grant and the help of leading autism experts, the guide, published by the Miriam Foundation, is aimed at professionals, caregivers and parents to help assess children quickly so treatment can begin early.

It's not yet clear whether the rate of autism – estimated at one in 165 children – is on the rise because better screening and wider definitions of the disorder are catching more cases.

"But the issue is how the government is going to deal with the ridiculously long wait lists on both on the diagnostic and services side," said Warren Greenstone, executive director of the Miriam Foundation, a non-profit group that helps autistic individuals and people with other disabilities.

Complications include severe language and social impairments and unusual, repetitive behaviours.
In Montreal alone, 760 children are stuck waiting for an evaluation.
They wait twice – first for the assessment, then for publicly funded therapy.

"No parent wants to waste a day," Greenstone said.

Distributed to pediatricians, the 90-page guide will be accompanied by brochures and posters as a quick reference to alert parents that they may need to speak to a specialist. An on-line version will be posted at the foundation's website. http://www.autismcentral.ca

The foundation also launched a six-month computer pilot project with 20 Montreal families currently on a wait list for an evaluation. These families are using AutismPro, an online interactive program that trains parents to provide treatment at home.

"We want to evaluate how effective it is for the children and the parents," Greenstone said.
Early therapy can have a huge impact on development, said Louis Côté, director of planning at the Montreal Health Agency, which is looking at improving services with an additional $200,000 this year for behaviour therapy at five rehabilitation centres.

Also, the agency is working on fast- tracking children suspected of having autism or developmental disorders.

"The sooner we intervene, the better," Côté said. To that end, the agency launched a $480,000 pilot project this fall. About 90 children suspected of having an autism disorder will be directed into an early stimulation program while they await a final diagnosis.
The program is expected to start in the spring at three community health centres.

Outlying regions have been allocated funds to open their own evaluation services, Côté said.
For early stimulation programs, call the West Montreal Rehabilitation Centre, 514-363-3025, and ask for the access-to-services department.

The Pat Roberts Centre offers early stimulation for a fee. Call the West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped, (514) 694-7090, Local 14, or visit http://www.wiaih.qc.ca
cfidelman@thegazette.canwest.com

Soundoff

Are you a parent of a child with autism? What more needs to be done to help ? What obstacles have you encountered? What methods have you developed to help your autistic child? Share with us at montrealgazette.com/soundoff

[Author]

Posts