VH-1 Classic has announced their new project - “Rock Autism“. This project will begin on April 1st to kick off Autism Awareness Month and is designed to raise awareness about autism. The announcement was made at the Cable Television Public Affairs Association annual conference by Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager of VH1.
“Autism is such a devastating disorder for so many families, and its rate of prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate, VH1 Classic has dedicated itself to making an impact on autism because many of our viewers are parents who are now dealing with this issue. We’ve also found over the years that this disorder has touched the lives of many of the artists and musicians that we work with at VH1 Classic.”
The campaign will include public service announcements, VH-1 Classic news breaks, and even on-air fundraising events. More information will be available in the coming days at a yet-to-be published website: http://www.rockautism.vh1classic.com/
Read the entire story here. VH1 Classic to Launch First-Ever Pro-Social Campaign
I ran across two interesting news bits today that I wanted to share.
Ped Med: Timing key to treating autism
An excerpt:
When it comes to treating autism, timing is everything, or at least a major
part, specialists say. Children with the neurodevelopmental disorder must be
taught what comes naturally to their peers, and while the brain is still pliable
enough to absorb the lesson, experts said. Because the immature nervous system
has a great deal of plasticity, many neuroscientists think early treatment may
enrich neural growth.
Parents Should Look for Autism Signs Early
An excerpt:
Doctors at Maryland’s Kennedy Krieger Institute, one of the country’s
leading autism centers, say they can now identify symptoms in children
younger than ever before.
These two articles are definitely related and of extreme importance in my opinion. The earlier autism is diagnosed, the earlier interventions specific to autism can start, and the chances of a better outcome. My daughter did not benefit from any Early Intervention services and that is partially my fault and partially the family doctor’s fault. The family doctor admittedly didn’t know much about developmental issues and felt that she was fine and would eventually catch up. It is my fault because I switched from a pediatric practice to a family practice early on in my child’s lives. I have since switched back to a pediatric practice for my children.
My daughter didn’t start receiving services until she was 2 years and 10 months of age and started at a developmental preschool run through the local school district. She has come a long way in the past five months and is starting to communicate quite well for which we are all thankful. It makes me wonder where she’d be had we started early intervention at 18 months or two years of age. I can’t get back that lost time so I don’t spend much time dwelling on it but everyone now and then I do think ‘what if’?
