Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Free Developmental Screening this Friday

Is your child developing normally? A developmental screening can tell you. On Friday, April 3, Our Children’s House at Baylor in Plano will be holding a free developmental screening event for children ages 1-5 from 8 a.m. to noon. Therapists will be evaluating speech development, fine and gross motor skills (i.e. writing, using utensils, walking, crawling, etc.) and will make recommendations for further follow-up should any delays be detected. The event is open to anyone in the DFW area.

Free Developmental Screening

Friday, April 3

Children ages 0 - 5

7000 West Plano

1-800-4BAYLOR for appointments


To learn more about Our Children's House at Baylor, visit their website.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Spring Eggstravaganza Family Fun Day at the FEAT Center

Spring Eggstravaganza Family Fun Day at the FEAT Center

April 11, 2009 3:00 to 5:00pm

FEAT-NT Resource Center & Library
4239 Road to the Mall
North Richland Hills, TX 76180

From FEAT-NT:

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY and
join us for a free day of fun at the
FEAT-NT Resource Center
and Library.

The Easter Bunny is coming to town and visiting the FEAT Center. Have your picture made with the Easter Bunny and get a treat.
Make a special craft with your FEAT friends to take home.
We will have several to choose from.
Gluten and Casein Free Snacks and Drinks will be available for children as well as cookies and coffee for parents.

FEAT Center activities offer a chance for families to come together in a safe and welcoming environment.
We look forward to seeing you.
The FEAT-North Texas Board

An R.S.V.P. would be appreciated, but is not required to attend.
If you are able, please R.S.V.P by emailing
with the number of adults and children attending or
by leaving a message at 817-849-1122.


Learn more about Familes for Effective Autism Treatment of North Texas (FEAT-NT) at www.featnt.org.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Thomas & Friends Live! event with Autism Speaks

From the Autism Speaks website:

Autism Speaks is partnering with Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes to Town, to bring special performances across the country tailored to children with autism and their families. AEG/ThemeSTAR will donate one dollar to Autism Speaks from each ticket sold for these special performances and will also offer a discount on tickets to our families. Select performances will have a quiet room.

The tour is coming to the Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie on June 2, 2009! Tickets are on sale now.

The show is at 6:30pm.
Tickets are $15 for P2 and P3 seats, and are available at ticketmaster.com. Use the discount code: AUTISM.



Sunday, March 22, 2009

The Dreaded Dentist Visit

If you are like me, you dread your kid's dentist visit. In fact, I have dreaded it so much that we still haven't been, even though he is now three years and 8 months old. So I am preparing to go for it soon, and figured the best way to go about preparing is (a) to find the right pediatric dentist, and (b) to get him ready with books and videos about going to the dentist. Here is some helpful information for those who are also dreading the dentist visit.

Finding a Dentist

A pediatric dentist's office will provide a better experience for a child on the spectrum than a general practice dentist's office because of the "fun" kids stuff (watching dvd's, toys in the waiting room, kid-loving staff, kid-friendly techniques, etc). Fortunately, there are lots of pediatric dentists' offices in the DFW area, so it is just a matter of finding the one that is best for your child.

The Ford Clinic in Fort Worth, specializes in treating special needs children but only accept patients age 12 and up.

Also, the ARC of Dallas offers a list of dentists treating special needs patients. The dentists' names were provided to ARC by either local families or the dentists themselves.(Specifically, the dentists treat patients with mental retardation, but MR patients likely require the same sensitivity, patience, and accommodation that children with developmental disorders would require).

Some of you may be aware that the Child Study Center of Fort Worth used to have a dentist clinic for children with developmental disabilities, but it is currently inactive.

Getting Your Child Ready

There are lots of children's books about going to the dentist, available on amazon.com or any bookstore.

There are also dvd's created to help kids get ready for the dentist:
If your child enjoys role play, you could also "play dentist": have your child practice opening wide while you "examine" his teeth and let him examine yours.

The Day of the Visit

Here are some useful tips from the Autism Society of America:
  • A pediatric dentist usually has the most experience with children with developmental delays.
  • Bring your child’s favorite DVD to his dental visit.
  • Bring some of your child’s favorite toys to medical and dental exams.
  • Have your child help the dentist count his teeth.
  • The first time your child has a dental cleaning, ask your dentist about giving him a mild sedative until he gets used to the routine.
  • Stay in the treatment room to help the dentist by keeping your child’s hands away from the dentist and the instruments in your child’s mouth.
  • Give the dentist an opportunity to talk to your child; she may be more cooperative with a friendly dentist.
  • Check if insurance will cover your child’s dental surgery in the hospital under general anesthesia; insurance will usually pay if the dentist submits a letter of medical necessity.
The Autism Research Institute has an informative article on dental anesthesia for the autistic child written by a member of the anesthesiology faculty at Stanford University Hospital.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Research News: Gene could link autism, digestive problems

USA Today: Researchers are studying a gene that may cause both autism and gastrointestinal disorders, a study in Monday's Pediatrics reports…(click to read)

Research News: "Hyperbaric Autism Treatment Shows Possible Promise"

ABC News: Hyperbaric Chamber Merits Further Study, Say Researchers; Some Remain Skeptical (click to read)

Screening, Diagnosis, and Early Intervention

Early intervention is very important! If you suspect your child may have a developmental disorder, you should have him or her evaluated by a professional. If your pediatrician dismisses your concerns, don't let that deter you. Seek help from a specialist.

Here are some resources in the DFW area (mostly behavioral/developmental pediatricians-specialists that can diagnose autism spectrum disorders):

Autism Treatment Center of Dallas
10503 Metric Dr.
Dallas, TX 75243
972 644 2076 x107
www.atcoftexas.org
Contact: Allison Brown
abrown@atcoftexas.org

Child Study Center
1300 West Lancaster
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817 336 8611
www.cscfw.org
info@cscfw.org

Children’s Medical Center
1935 Medical District Dr
Dallas, Texas 75235
Contact: Astrid Leon
214 456 5931
Children's Medical Center Autism Spectrum Disorders services

Dallas Metrocare Services
1380 River Bend Dr
Dallas, TX 75247
214 743 1200
www.dallasmetrocare.com
Contact: Margaret Greenleaf
mgreenl@dallasmetrocare.com

Dallas Developmental Pediatrics
7777 Forest Ln # B326
Dallas, TX 75230
972 566 8466

Developmental Pediatric Services
12655 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75423
972 788 1858
Contact: Terri Stephens
terri_stephens@pediatrix.com

Peter C. Ray, M.D.
8300 Douglas Ave # 731
Dallas, TX 75225
214 739 8600

Dr. Harold M. Welch Jr, MD
3 reviews - Write a review
3019 Medlin Dr
Arlington, TX 76015
817 465 7359

NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list, and I do not personally endorse any of these service providers. If you have any feedback on these doctors, or if you know of any others that should be added to list, let me know.

For more information on diagnosing autism and early intervention, see:

Autism Society of America: Diagnosis and Consultation

NINDS: Autism Fact Sheet

The CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Campaign

About.com: Screening and Diagnosis of autism


Finally, one quick screening test that is commonly used is the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT):

1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee, etc.?
2. Does your child take an interest in other children?
3. Does your child like climbing on things, such as up stairs?
4. Does your child enjoy playing peek-a-boo/hide-and-seek?
5. Does your child ever PRETEND, for example, to make a cup of tea using a toy cup and teapot, or pretend other things?
6. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point to ask for something?
7. Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point to indicate interest in something?
8. Can your child play properly with small toys (e.g. cars or bricks) without just mouthing, fiddling with, or dropping them?
9. Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent) to SHOW you something?

If the answer is no to 4 or more of these questions, including numbers 5 and 7, you should have your child evaluated by a developmental specialist in autism.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Local News: Parents of special-needs students clash with Collin County schools on truancy

Dallas Morning News: Several Collin County parents of special-needs children say that some school districts have gone too far by filing truancy charges against them and their children…(click to read)

About DallasSpectrum.com

Welcome!

DallasSpectrum.com is a resource for families and individuals in the DFW area dealing with autism, and related developmental disorders, including Asperger's and PDD-NOS. It is a community-focused website created to serve as a both an information clearinghouse and a support center.

About me:
I have lived in the DFW area since 2005, and my son was diagnosed with autism soon after his second birthday in August 2007. I know how hard it is to sift through all the information and make decisions regarding treatment, education, and childcare. Additionally, I know how important it is to connect with other families who understand what you are going through. We are lucky to live in an area that has so many great resources for families and individuals dealing with autism. My son and I have been blessed by the wonderful services and resources Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer and the wonderful friends we have made along the way.

I hope you will contribute by posting comments or emailing me. I welcome your feedback as well as any information that would be of interest to others. I encourage you to use the comments sections as a place for discussion and support.

Thanks for visiting!