Tag Archive for causes

Why Does that Kid Act Funny?

One in every 110 U.S. kids  has it, and 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.  Between 2000 and 2010, autism in our nation’s children increased by 119.4%, and it’s still increasing.  In fact,  autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S.

You probably know someone with it but think of the person as “a little off” because you don’t recognize his or her autism.

This is good month to learn about it, because it’s National Autism Awareness Month.  http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/nationalautismmonth.html gives an excellent summary of how autism affects a person, the characteristics you might notice, and how the American Autism Society is trying to spread the word about this condition with no known cause (no, vaccines don’t bring it on).

Another very good site is offered by Easter Seals, “Autism Signs and Symptoms,” including a list of behaviors with which you can evaluate your own child.

These sites are worth looking at, if for no other reason than they may lead people to be more tolerant and understanding rather than writing someone off as “odd,” “cold,” or “stand-offish.”

Is that Kid Autistic?

One in every 110 U.S. kids  has it, and 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.  Between 2000 and 2010, autism in our nation’s children increased by 119.4%, and it’s still increasing.  In fact,  autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S.

You probably know someone with it but think of the person as “a little off” because you don’t recognize his or her autism.  Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and April is National Autism Awareness Month–a great time to learn about it.

 http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/nationalautismmonth.html gives an excellent summary of how autism affects a person, the characteristics you might notice, and how the American Autism Society is trying to spread the word about this condition with no known cause (no, vaccines don’t bring it on).

Another very good site is offered by Easter Seals, “Autism Signs and Symptoms,” including a list of behaviors with which you can evaluate your own child.

These sites are worth looking at, if for no other reason than they may lead people to be more tolerant and understanding rather than writing someone off as “odd,” “cold,” or “stand-offish.”

Mother’s Day Spirit

Honor the early history and spirit of Mother’s Day in the U.S. (It actually goes as far back as the ancient Greeks.) On the first Mother’s Day celebration (1858) at a W. Virginia church, Ann Jarvis united mothers to fight infant mortality.  During the rest of the 1800s women’s peace groups perpetuated the idea of bringing together mothers for just causes.  After the Civil War Julia Ward Howe called on mothers to unite against war and promote social justice.  In 1872, Anna Jarvis suggested an official Mother’s Day.  She got the idea from her own activist social worker mom, who, noticing that adult Americans were neglecting their mothers, felt strongly that all mothers should be honored for their contributions.

Greeting card companies, florists, candy-makers, and others have commercialized the day, turning it into a sentimental occasion.  Of course, moms appreciate the attention from their kids.  Wouldn’t it be appropriate, too, to celebrate them as people who accomplished the difficult task of raising children while contributing time and effort to their community and world?

Although you’ve been gone many years, happy Mother’s  Day, Mom, and thank you for all you did for our family and the positive differences you made in so many lives.

 

Understanding Autism

One in every 110 U.S. kids  has it, and 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.  Between 2000 and 2010, autism in our nation’s children increased by 119.4%, and it’s still increasing.  In fact,  autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S.

You probably know someone with it but think of the person as “a little off” because you don’t recognize his or her autism.

This is good month to learn about it, because it’s National Autism Awareness Month.  http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/nationalautismmonth.html gives an excellent summary of how autism affects a person, the characteristics you might notice, and how the American Autism Society is trying to spread the word about this condition with no known cause (no, vaccines don’t bring it on).

Another very good site is offered by Easter Seals, “Autism Signs and Symptoms,” including a list of behaviors with which you can evaluate your own child.

These sites are worth looking at, if for no other reason than they may lead people to be more tolerant and understanding rather than writing someone off as “odd,” “cold,” or “stand-offish.”

 

 

Causes of Violence

Guns may not be the cause of all the violence we’re experiencing in our country.  In today’s Thursday Thought, Mahatma Gandhi gets down to the real root causes.

“The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacrifice, Politics without principles.” — Mahatma Gandhi