HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Organization: Peirce Software
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.6v1
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 09:31:31 PST
Reply-To:     "(Michael Peirce)" <ForDavid@outpost.sf-bay.org>
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         "(Michael Peirce)" <ForDavid@OUTPOST.SF-BAY.ORG>
Subject:      Re: CREATIVE DRAMA

In Regards to your letter <9210071347.AA20548@talcott.harvard.edu>:
> Isaac has ONE game that falls under the category of pretend
> play that just sort of evolved over time - he'll grumble "I'm
> a monster! Rarrrgh!", walk over to me with his arms up and fall
> on top of me. I'm suppose to overact being scared. He won't do
> role reversal or script changes. But it's cute :-)
>
> Bill Duncan
>
> P.S. Anyone have any experience with Anafranil? Isaac's been on it
> for about three weeks now, it's seems to have cleared up his black
> moods and crying jags. His language has gone down a little but he's
> checking things out more.

So what is Anafranil?  We're very hesitant about try various drug
and drug-like substances with David.  We tried a number of things
with David last year after he spend a summer with his father and he
was "messed up" for months afterwards (he regressed from what he could
do before the summer something fierce).  Everything we tried either
had no effect or made things worse.  Since then we've decided that
experimenting with drugs was only something we would do as a last
resort.

David does seem to experience "depression" periods though (he describes
these as him being "sad" when he'll talk about them - usually he's
really resistant to facilitating when he's in these moods).  He basically
doesn't do his normal self-stimming and spends lots of time just sitting
on the couch.  Sometimes he cries.  There is a high correlation with
him coming back from his fathers, but there is nothing we can do about
that.  (we've finally gotten David's father to let David stay with us
over the summer, so at least that huge distruptive change won't happen
again - it's a real struggle to try to give David some continuity,
as his father keeps changing the schedule on him.  It's sad.)

--  Michael Peirce      --   peirce@outpost.SF-Bay.org
--  Peirce Software     --   Suite 301, 719 Hibiscus Place
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Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
From: DRZ@SJUVM.BITNET
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Subject: Re: Question
Date: 16 Oct 92 19:58:06 GMT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU

The question of differences in autism as a function of culture is a very
interesting one.  It would be interesting if those members from differnt
parts of the world would comment on this.
Here is an interesting aside.  You can send this message to listserv@sjuvm:
review autism (country
This will give you the standard list header and members, but at the end of
the file you will get something like that below.  This will work on any list.


*  Country        Subscribers
*  -------        -----------
*  Australia          1
*  Canada             3
*  Denmark            1
*  Great Britain      2
*  Israel             1
*  Italy              1
*  Netherlands        2
*  Norway             1
*  USA               84
*  ???                1
*
* Total number of users subscribed to the list:   97
* Total number of countries represented:          10
* Total number of local node users on the list:    3
*
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 21:51:21 -0500
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         "Was mich nicht umbringt,
              macht mich starker" <12SHARDY@GALLUA.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Stuff

Dan writes:
  What we generally do is
either pick a time when we're both sleepy, or fix it so that I have something
to do while she sleeps--for example reading (can get touchy; the movements
required for turning pages wake her up) or watching TV (much better, except
for the noise).

Dan, Why don't you get a closed caption decoder and then that way you can
quietly read the television with the sound off and not disturb anyone?

Shalom,
Steve

12shardy@gallua.binet
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Return-Receipt-To: wtm@bunker.shel.isc-br.com
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Mon, 12 Oct 1992 22:16:23 EDT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         "(Bill McGarry)" <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Subject:      Re: FC Equipment
              "DRZ%SJUVM.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU" at Oct 11, 92 8:28 am

According to DRZ%SJUVM.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU:
>
> There is a program for Dos based machines called Mind Reader.  It is a
> logical extension of a spell checker.

If anyone is interested in trying Mind Reader, I have it
available via anonymous ftp from "handicap.shel.isc-br.com"
(ip address of 129.189.4.184).  Login in as user "anonymous", use
your e-mail address as the password and "cd" to /pub/mobile.
The file is called "mindrd20.zip" and is 176K long.  Be sure that
you are in binary mode (type "binary" at the ftp prompt line).

                                Bill McGarry
                                (203) 337-1518

UUCP:       {oliveb, philabs, decvax, yale}!bunker!wtm
INTERNET:   wtm@bunker.shel.isc-br.com
BITNET:     l-hcap@ndsuvm1.bitnet
Fidonet:    The Handicap News BBS (141/420)   1-203-337-1607
            (300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours)
Compuserve: 73170,1064
From: lexier@SFU.CA ((Lyle Lexier))
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Subject: Have a freyliche Simchas Torah
Date: 15 Oct 92 12:59:42 GMT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
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X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
              Oct 15, 92 11:06 am

Shalom to everyone in Eretz Israel,

Have a happy Simchat Torah!
   especially to Dr. Feuerstein in helping Vanessa Lipetz,
   Arthur Lipetz's mildly handicapped daughter.

I hope to do volunteer work in Israel in a couple of years or so for the
mentally handicapped, thereby brushing up on my Hebrew.  I also play piano,
guitar, help with the arts & crafts, taking people on hikes around Alice
Lake, etc.  It gives me pleasure to help people who can't help themselves.

Levi Yitzchak ben Hershel
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Thu, 15 Oct 1992 11:06:03 EDT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         DRZ@SJUVM.BITNET
Subject:      The List expands

Just wanted to let you know that Autism has been added to the Netnews
server at the Technion in Israel.  This increases the size of the
audience and gives it an international flavor.  In addition, the list
has been ported to the newsgroups here in the US.  The implications
are that there are an unknown, but large number of readers who will not
appear on the List if you do a review.  These people cannot send messages
to the list unless they subscribe, but I wanted to be sure that everyone
knows about these hidden readers.

Bob Zenhausern, Ph.D.        Internet: drz@sjuvm.stjohns.edu
St. John's University        Bitnet: drz@sjuvm.bitnet
SB 15 Marillac               Phone:  718-990-6447
Jamaica, NY 11439            Fax:    718-990-6705
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Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 20:57:09 +1000
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         LNCJB@CC.NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU
Subject:      Re: Facilitated Communication Question

Thanks to Ray, John and others, I think I know a little more about FC now, but
I still can't understand the 'big push' to have it 'scientifically tested'.
To me it still is just a tool analogous to a pencil and I'm still cautious of
risks to the child involved in such testing procedures.

Thanks to Michael also. David's story really touched me (brought tears of joy
to my eyes), but don't ask me why... I'm still not that 'intouch' with my
emotions yet.

Carolyn
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 10:31:38 EDT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         RJKOPP@SUVM.BITNET
Subject:      Re: CREATIVE DRAMA

Carolyn,
   Yes I would say that Shawna seems at that level in respect to many
social skills, although it's very different because I beleive she's
going to be maturing a little early because there is also a strong
"feeling" or sense of teenageness about her, even though she is just
9 going on 10 this January.
   It has always been hard for us to figure out what the apparent
delay was since some things seemed to be at such extremes.  But I find
that there are some things when looked at individually do seem to be
at a certain level.

Thanks,
Ray Kopp
Syracuse, New York
Internet:rjkopp@mailbox.syr.edu
Bitnet:RJKOPP@SUVM.BITNET
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Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 21:16:34 +1000
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         LNCJB@CC.NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU
Subject:      Re: Making the first appoarch (Was Re: Poetic Gifts)

Judy,

Helen has a 'thing' for bandaids too. She gets very upset and calls for a
bandaid if she spots so much as a pimple on one of the rest of us. Although
I've known quite a few 'normal' kids that want bandaids for their dolls during
pretend play sessions usually around the age of 4, I've not known them to be
as concerned about other's 'injuries'.

Carolyn
From: pc@slipknot.eng.pyramid.com (pc)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Subject: Re: Audiotory Training
Date: 8 Oct 1992 02:32:15 GMT
Organization: Pyramid Technology
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: slipknot.eng.pyramid.com

In article <AUTISM%92093011243400@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU> Lisa S Lewis <LISAS@PUCC.BITNET> writes:
>I would call the Georgiana Foundation for information on how this has
>worked for lower functioning kids.  I have heard that it is more successful
>with higher functioning children, but Georgie (the girl who was "cured"by it)
>was very low functioning when she had her treatment in France.
>
>The Foundation's number is 203-454-1221. They can also tell you if
>anyone in your immediate area is doing AT.

I missed the original question, but if you want info on auditory enhancement
training, you could call Kristin Davis in San Rafael, CA at 415-456-2045.
The address is 7 Mt. Lassen Dr. Suite D-256 San Rafael, CA  94903.

She is administering AET at this time.

pc
-- 
      -m---------    Patrick Connor           Pyramid Technology   
    ---mmm-------    (408) 428-8819           3860 North 1st St.
  -----mmmmm-----    pc@pyramid.com -or-      San Jose, CA           
-------mmmmmmm---    uunet!pyramid!pc         95134              
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Fri, 16 Oct 1992 12:45:00 EDT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         DRZ@SJUVM.BITNET
Subject:      Re: FTP on BITNET
              15 Oct 1992 19:54:17 EDT from
              <axy01%albnydh2.bitnet@UACSC2.ALBANY.EDU>

There may be different versions of mindreader around.  I have version 2.5
with a date of 7/19/91.  Is that the latest version?  Jim McGarry?

Bob Zenhausern, Ph.D.        Internet: drz@sjuvm.stjohns.edu
St. John's University        Bitnet: drz@sjuvm.bitnet
SB 15 Marillac               Phone:  718-990-6447
Jamaica, NY 11439            Fax:    718-990-6705
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Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 21:10:03 +1000
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         LNCJB@CC.NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU
Subject:      Re: Attachment to a computer

The first indication I ever had that Helen was a lot more 'with it' that her
external behaviour indicated was at the age of 2 years. She had been watching
the boys playing computer games on the Commodore 64 from tape. They went
outside without disconnecting anything - Helen typed in LOAD, which loaded the
program and then RUN and then sat and giggled at the animation on the screen.
As soon as Chris found out about this he started teaching her simple programs
that would flash her name (or anything else she wanted) on the screen in
alternating colours. This proved to be a very effective way of keeping her
occupied when I needed to do some work and she's been a 'computer freak'
ever since. Her computer teacher at school told me that she amazes the 6th
Grade pupils with her knowledge and she has been known to correct their
programming mistakes.

Carolyn
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Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 21:55:41 +1000
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         LNCJB@CC.NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU
Subject:      Re: CREATIVE DRAMA

Ray,

Looks like the similarities between Helen and Shawna are holding up. Shawna
seems to be just a few months behind the stage Helen is at now. I think
there's about a 2 and a half years age difference, isn't there? So, if
Helen's 18 months delayed that would put Shawna about 4 years behind - does
this sound right? Would you equate her social skills with that of a 4/5 year
old? In any case, I think her future is looking very promising..... so pleased!

Carolyn
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Fri, 9 Oct 1992 16:25:24 -0400
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         "John M. Wobus" <jmwobus@MAILBOX.SYR.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Facilitated Communication Question
              07 Oct 92 20:57:09 +0900." <9210071101.AA18579@mailbox.syr.edu>

In message <9210071101.AA18579@mailbox.syr.edu> Carolyn writes:
>Thanks to Ray, John and others, I think I know a little more about FC now, but
>I still can't understand the 'big push' to have it 'scientifically tested'.
>To me it still is just a tool analogous to a pencil and I'm still cautious of
>risks to the child involved in such testing procedures.

Reasons for 'big push':
(1) FC is a new way of communicating with autistic people--unlike the
 pencil which has been around forever.
(2) Also unlike pencil, when you watch someone facilitating, you can't
 tell if the facilitatee is actually communicating.
(3) It has been proven that some facilitators can't tell if their
 facilitatee is actually communicating.
(4) Some people won't believe in FC until much more convincing proof is
 offered than what they get today.  This includes people who have
 posted on this AUTISM mailing list (thus, who have more than usual
 interest in AUTISM).  It also includes educators and people in charge
 of Special Education programs and in charge of educational budgets.
 FC won't live up to its potential if large numbers of autistic
 children are never given the chance to try it.

Cautious as I am about subjecting any children to testing, I'm also
very concerned about all those autistic children who will never get the
chance to try FC if things go on as they are now.

John Wobus
Syracuse University
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 10:08:20 EDT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         RJKOPP@SUVM.BITNET
Subject:      Stuff

Dan,
   Shawna has always been real sensitive to sounds, not so much they
bother her but that they will keep her awake while trying to sleep
etc.  Another sound that will keep her awake is typing (such as on a
computer keyboard!).  She's much better now, but what we did was to
install headphone jacks on our TV's and we used a low volume speaker
near us. In turn it also helped if I was using a noisy computer
program or game to put headphones on so everyone else could do what
they want without my interference.
   So what you might try is see if you can get a TV with a jack in it,
or find someone to install a jack that cuts the speaker off when you
plug in a headphone, it's not hard to do, then plug in your headphones
(assuming you don't mind headphones, Shawna likes the looks of them but
can't stand the feel, so she won't use them).  That way you could still
snuggle, be wide awake watching TV and she can still rest.

Thanks,
Ray Kopp
Syracuse, New York
Internet:rjkopp@mailbox.syr.edu
Bitnet:RJKOPP@SUVM.BITNET
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Sun, 11 Oct 1992 08:28:06 EDT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         DRZ@SJUVM.BITNET
Subject:      Re: FC Equipment
              9 Oct 1992 16:39:30 -0400 from <jmwobus@MAILBOX.SYR.EDU>

There is a program for Dos based machines called Mind Reader.  It is a
logical extension of a spell checker.  It makes an effort to "guess" the
word from the letters that have been entered.  It can speed up typing
and is exceptionally useful for individuals with mobility impairment.  Might
it also be effective in FC?  or would this be confusing.  As an example, type
"mot" and Mind Reader may suggest moth, mother, motor, etc. depending on the
size of the dictionary.  The user then selects the appropriate response.

Bob Zenhausern, Ph.D.        Internet: drz@sjuvm.stjohns.edu
St. John's University        Bitnet: drz@sjuvm.bitnet
SB 15 Marillac               Phone:  718-990-6447
Jamaica, NY 11439            Fax:    718-990-6705
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Date:         Mon, 12 Oct 1992 00:00:12 +1000
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         LNCJB@CC.NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU
Subject:      Re: More "coming out of the closet"

>I think the reason why Alex is also more sensitive to criticism than
>non-autistic children I know has to do with his literallness.  If
>someone tells him "he's a baby" he gets very, very upset.  He
>does not realize that this is just an attempt to "get his goat".
>I think he tends to take it as a statement of fact and thus takes
>it much more to heart.  He used to be worse in this area, but he is
>still quite sensitive.

That's a very good point!

Carolyn
PS. Never tell an autistic child to "go jump in the lake". I did years ago
and then had to carry a soggy kid all the way home - served me right!
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From: debg@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (ginsberg deborah)
Subject: Addendum
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 04:32:32 GMT


I think I was less than clear in what I meant when cautioning people to 
avoid romantising autism.  I know that many subcribers to this list
are diagnosed HFA's and I was in no way referring to them.  However,
when I first posted about my sister, I received or saw a number of replies.
When reading most of them, I thought most writers had a good grasp of what
autism was and what its inherent problems were.  However, I got the feeling
that a few perceived autism as a general personality type, and as 
I hadn't yet posted some of the more extreme aspects of my sister's behavior,
I could see how they might have arrived at that conclusion.  I just wanted
to put out a general caution that autism was a real problem, and they
should consider it as a whole before accepting the label.  

I also forgot to add that I really like reading this board because of the 
HFA's who subscribe.  All of you seem to have learned wonderfully how 
to communicate (in general, the messages here are some of the most articulate
and well written ones I've seen) and lead fufilling lives.  It has been a
fear for me, my sister, and my family that in the end, Dana wouldn't
be able to function in the working world when she graduates.  But I am now
much more convinced that she can learn to overcome some of her final hurdles
and lead a more happy life than she has in her past.  

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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 12:20:21 EDT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         diana biddle <6751B004@KENTVM.BITNET>

James,

Thanks for your reply.  The analogy between being autistic and blind is a
good thought.  Why is it we have to find a reason - WHY? That's the way
autistics are, like blind people can't see - and just go right into finding
ways to help them.  Most, or some, blind people get seeing-eye dogs, why
not find a way autistics could just communicate.  The talk of this facili-
tation equipment could be the new thing for autistics.  I hope it will help
many!  I know that nothing is full-proof and not one thing is the solution
for everyone.  I do think it's a step in the right direction though.  If you
come up with any additional information on the facilitation equipment, please
let me know.

Thanks,

Diana
6751b004
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Date:         Tue, 13 Oct 1992 10:19:39 -0500
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         James Bordner <jobg0542@UXA.CSO.UIUC.EDU>
Subject:      (no subject given)

Diana writes:

> good thought.  Why is it we have to find a reason - WHY? That's the way
> autistics are, like blind people can't see - and just go right into finding
> ways to help them.  Most, or some, blind people get seeing-eye dogs, why
> not find a way autistics could just communicate.

Personally, the reason I want to know why is because I'm simply really curious
about it! :-)  The reason I think it's important though to find out why
autistics are they way they are is that it may help people find better ways
to help them.

take care,
--james
From: FARBER_R@SPCVXA.BITNET
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Subject: Re: Question
Date: 16 Oct 92 22:24:11 GMT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
Organization: St. Peter's College, US
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I have been reading silently for the past couple of months.The
? multi-cultural autism and its'characteristics,diagnosis,etc.
has peeked my interest.Anyone have statistics and educational
approaches from other countries? Innovative approaches that have
been successful? etc......
                                Rosanne
From: C73221DC@WUVMD.BITNET (doyle cozadd)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Subject: Re: FTP on BITNET
Date: 15 Oct 92 00:51:42 GMT
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
              14 Oct 1992 09:24:46 EDT from
              <axy01%albnydh2.bitnet@UACSC2.ALBANY.EDU>

On Wed, 14 Oct 1992 09:24:46 EDT Altan Yazici said:
>If you are on a BITNET node, and would like to receive Mindreader
>via anonymous FTP as Bill McGarry suggested, you may want to try

I downloaded Mindreader to try it out, but, unfortunately, I can't get it
to save a test document i created or even load an existing document that
came with the package.  (I *did* get it to save an entry to the address
book).  Does the unregistered version have these features disabled??

doyle cozadd
c73221dc@wuvmd
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