There's a new web-based "Autism Glossary".  It provides side-by-side videos of children with Autism and related disorders and typical children, and shows very clearly some of the early symptoms of autism.  I've watched most of it, and think it's interesting and balanced.  The target audience (in addition to parents) is professionals who can make early referrals for service.  There's alot we don't know about autism, but one thing we do know is earlier access to services is better.

Well, it's been an interesting news week - especially since the 4th of July week is usually a slow news time.  

In between all the news stories about men and women serving overseas, and various parades and celebrations around the country, we learned that BBC reporter Alan Johnstonwas released after 16 weeks in captivity.    I had been following this story since I listen to NPR and BBC World Service most mornings.  But I'm frustrated to say that I barely understand the politics of why he was abducted, and by whom, and why he was released.  I was glad to see his smiling face on the NYTimes site this morning, but still wish I knew more about Palestinian politics.

Jenny McCarthy, actress and author, believes that her young son Evan, who is autistic, is a "Crystal Child" and she is an "Indigo Mom", according to a recent blurb on Celebrity Baby Blog.  

What is an Indigo/Crystal Child?  According to Wiki:

The Indigo Child movement believes that the children in question are born with an empathic connection to Earth and others' thoughts......The Indigo Child movement therefore encourages parents to support those children in whom can be seen traits which are often labeled as negative by mainstream authorities but as positive by the Indigo Child.  Adherents believe that this new type of child has come forward for a reason; most often suggested is that they will improve the world in some way.

Some attributes of Indigo Children according to Carroll and Tober, authors of The Indigo Children:

They come into the world with a feeling of royalty.
They have difficulty with absolute authority.
They seem antisocial unless they are with their own kind. If there are no others of like consciousness around them, they often turn inward, feeling like no other human understands them. School is often extremely difficult for them socially.

   
More information here at Starchild and McCarthy's own website, indigomoms.com.

Of course, this is not without controversy:

Skeptics point out that the Indigo movement seems to lack verifiable evidence to support its claims....

Some skeptics are concerned that Indigo children might really be children who have special learning needs. They may have autism, Asperger's syndrome, non-verbal or even behavioural learning issues; by labeling children as "Indigo" such children do not get the services they need to succeed.

Critics have also voiced concern that teaching children that they are Indigo will encourage children to adopt sociopathic behaviors, such as a sense of human superiority, alienation, and a "bizarre" paranormal identity.

April is Autism Awareness month, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to share some information and experience.  I apologize ahead of time if you feel like you've been deluged with autism information in the last week - awareness activities are everywhere!  

But here are a few things that you might like to know.

A recent report came out in the press this week telling us what many of us have already figured out; all of those toys and DVDs that claim to boost your baby's brain power aren't all that powerful:

"While neural connections in babies' brains grow rapidly in the early years, adults can't make newborns smarter or more successful by having them listen to Beethoven or play with Einstein-inspired blocks," says Sara Mead, a senior policy analyst with Education Sector, a centrist Washington think tank.

Plenty of people have bought into the hype, including politicians:

In 2005, the market was $2.5 billion, according to Fortune.

In 1998, Georgia Gov. Zell Miller persuaded hospitals to send home classical music CDs with every newborn. Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt persuaded lawmakers last year to spend $2 million to support Parents as Teachers, a non-profit that publishes a curriculum for children as young as newborns.

Someone might want to let W. in on this news, as he chose to honor Julie Aigner-Clark, founder of the Baby Einstein Company at the State of the Union this year.  This was along with possibly the bravest man in the world, the one who saved a person having a seizure from a moving subway train in NYC.

I admit, I have a few of Ms. Aigner-Clark's DVDs around.  I remember the first one I played, Julie herself gave advice on how to use the DVD.  She advised that parents sit with their children and watch it and talk about the toys on the screen.  I had a good chuckle at that one.  While I certainly put my hours in playing with my baby on the floor, I needed her DVD to entertain my child for 20 minutes, so I could go to the bathroom and grab some lunch.