Hi Everyone!
As you probably already know, TACA is very important to our family. Why? It’s simple: TACA helps families NOW with practical support that leads to real, positive changes. We help families connect with the right services and support to help their child. I continue to volunteer in our local chapter as a Coordinator and Parent Mentor because Quinn would not be where he is today if it weren’t for the support we received from other families early in our journey.
It’s been a busy year.
Here are a few highlights from 2011-2012:
The Good
Quinn participated in a study at the National Institutes of Health. The study looks at kids like Quinn who have recovered or nearly recovered from autism. Participation involved a detailed review of records and two trips to Washington, D.C. The time at the NIH included a full psychological evaluation and comprehensive medical evaluation and testing including an MRI and an EEG with a sleep study. This research is incredibly important as it will establish in the scientific literature that some children do recover, and our hope is that subtypes of autism and patterns of treatment will be identified that can translate into real, effective treatment plans for other children. The results of the study have not yet been published.
My article “Just Another Mom at the Park” was published last May in the premier issue of the journal Autism Science Digest. The article details our journey from diagnosis to recovery and what it is like to live in the typical world while still very much involved with the autism community. Please email me personally if you’d like to read it!
The Bad
Quinn was diagnosed with epilepsy. The irony is that we would not have known about his sub-clinical seizures if he weren’t doing so well. It was the EEG at the NIH that revealed frequent centro-temporal spikes of brain activity (both awake and throughout the night). A follow up Ambulatory EEG showed more abnormal activity and a few small seizures during sleep. The good news is that we are able to treat the epilepsy before it becomes full-blown seizures.
The Ugly
At the end of March, the CDC released new prevalence numbers. This represents children who were born in 2000 who are now 12 years old.
AUTISM NOW AFFECTS 1 IN 88 CHILDREN
AUTISM NOW AFFECTS 1 IN 54 BOYS
This represents a 78% increase in autism
prevalence in just 10 years.
So, this year I am once again asking you to consider making a donation to help TACA help families. The numbers are staggering, so please be as generous as you can with your tax deductable donation.
And, with these new numbers in mind, whatever amount you choose to give, please consider adding in an extra 88 cents.
Every penny counts!
Thank you for your support!
Holly