News and Notes from The Johnson Center
Family and Food: Winter Squashes
JCCHD | Wed, August 15, 2012 | [Family and Food]Evidence has been found in caves in Ecuador and other parts of Central America that winter squashes have been planted and harvested for at least 12,000 years. The Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro discovered squashes on his travels through Peru. He tried to introduce them back home, but they were not very popular. Even the first colonists in early America were not receptive when the natives shared squashes with them; they were so unimpressed, in fact, that most reportedly fed the food to their pigs instead of eating it themselves.
Native to the Western Hemisphere, all winter squashes, and also cucumbers and zucchini, belong to the family curcurbit. Types …
Read moreQ & A: What are biomarkers and why are so many people researching them?
JCCHD | Thu, August 09, 2012 | [Autism Treatment][Q and A ][Research]Biomarkers are quantifiable, or measurable, substances that define what is ‘normal’ in our bodies, thereby providing a frame of reference for predicting or detecting what is ‘altered’ in a diseased state. Biomarkers are most commonly measured in blood samples, but can be measured in a variety of biological fluids and tissues. They are increasingly being investigated in studies of children with autism for many reasons.
First, if a biomarker for autism is identified (or more than one), it could provide a reliable screening tool for infants and children to determine their risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If we can accurately determine a young infant is at …
Read moreFamily and Food: Fabulous Flax
JCCHD | Wed, August 08, 2012 | [Family and Food]The use of flax can be traced back over 10,000 years—its cultivation is even mentioned in the book of Exodus. Ancient Egyptians used flaxseed not only as a laxative, but also to make mummy cases, fabrics, ropes, linens, and floor coverings. Murals from Ancient Egypt depict the production, spinning, and weaving of flax. Flaxseed oil was used in the embalming process. Culinary uses for flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L) are also noted in Greek and Roman history.
Currently, flax is not only used as a laxative, but also in cooking and baking. The known benefits include …
Read moreFamily and Food: Chickens and turkeys and ducks, oh my!
JCCHD | Tue, August 07, 2012 | [Family and Food]The consumption of poultry dates all the way back to medieval times, when many different types were eaten. Medieval recipes indicate that chicken was used quite often, as it is today; duck was also a popular option. Other less familiar varieties used then, as well as now, include goose, pheasant, quail, partridge, peacock, dove, pigeon, crane, heron, and swan.
Chicken is the second most widely consumed meat in the world, after pork. The raising of chickens for more than just their eggs dates back to the 1800’s when it was common to raise …
Read moreWe were considering an ABA program, but I’ve heard it makes children act robotic. Should we reconsider?
JCCHD | Mon, August 06, 2012 | [Applied Behavior Analysis][Autism Treatment][Q and A ]The notion that ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) makes children robotic is a misconception that may be rooted in the repetition that an ABA program sometimes uses; tasks are broken down into teachable steps and those steps are repeated (taught) until they are learned.
A quality ABA program will plan for and teach generalization and natural use of the steps and skills learned in a structured setting as well as in the natural environment. Ways to teach generalization include using a variety of instructions, a variety of stimuli including naturally occurring stimuli, using a …
Read moreQ & A: WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT GUARDIANSHIP, ESTATE PLANNING, & SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS?
JCCHD | Tue, July 31, 2012 | [Community][Q and A ][Webinars]When planning for the future there are many questions that come to mind, especially when you have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): When and how should I start my planning? What are the key aspects to focus on? How do I let future caregivers know what my wishes are? Is there any risk to leaving another family member in charge of my child’s assets? How do I address the daily assistance, social, medical, employment, and other activity care requirements after my child reaches 18?
To help with these and many other questions, The Johnson Center will be hosting a webinar to provide information and support on planning ahead for your child with special needs. It’s imperative that …
Q & A: Are there any medications that can assist with the symptoms and behaviors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
JCCHD | Mon, July 30, 2012 | [Autism Treatment][Healthcare][Q and A ]There is a saying within the autism community: “If you’ve seen one person with autism, you’ve seen one person with autism.” People affected by autism often present quite differently from one another. These differences require individualized interventions designed to address each person’s specific needs. Along with behavioral therapy, dietary support and intervention, and the use of appropriate supplements, medications can sometimes be used to address some of the behaviors that may be the result of illnesses and imbalances.
In 2006 the FDA approved the use of risperidone (Risperdal) for the treatment of irritability in people with autism, and …
Read moreSibCamp: New friends, knowledge, and fun
JCCHD | Thu, July 26, 2012 | [Community][Events][Sibling Spotlight]“This is my kind of camp” was just one of the comments we were delighted to hear as our SibCamp took place last week. SibCamp is a one-of-a-kind camp we created for siblings who have brothers or sisters with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It provided a chance for kids to connect with others “who get it.” Not only were valuable connections made, but the camp was jam-packed with fun, helpful activities.
SibCamp was developed and run by our Psychologist, Claire Schutte, and our Certified Child Life Specialist, Jeanna Martinez. The curriculum included lessons and activities from Sibshops, a program designed specifically for siblings of children with special needs, as well as programming devised by The Johnson Center. Each day was filled with different activities that created points of discussion, including …
Read moreFamily and Food: Seasons Eatings
JCCHD | Wed, July 25, 2012 | [Family and Food]Long ago people had no other option than to consume the foods that were produced in that season. Of course, nowadays we can access a wide variety of options throughout the year. But is this easy access to out-of-season produce a good thing?
There is evidence that foods produced out of season and shipped from other parts of the world are much lower in vitamin and mineral content than foods produced locally. Part of this is due to the distance the foods must travel. From the time the foods leave the soil, nutrients begin to deplete; the …
Read moreQ & A: My child with ASD won’t sleep. What should I do?
JCCHD | Thu, July 19, 2012 | [Autism Treatment][Q and A ]Along with eating a healthy diet and exercising daily, getting a good night’s sleep is the best thing we can do to improve health and well being. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 10-11 hours of sleep per night for children 5-10 years of age. The benefits of sleep have repeatedly been confirmed in the scientific literature. Insufficient sleep can increase inflammation and negatively affect growth and maturation [1-3]. Additionally, memory and attention are often affected by poor sleep [4]. Multiple studies have identified correlations between difficulties in sleep and decreased sleep duration with increased attention-deficit/hyperactivity behaviors [5-6].
Whether there are problems with sleep maintenance (maintaining sleep through the night) or sleep latency (time it takes to fall asleep), it is essential that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) …
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