By Lisa Ackerman On November 4, 2013 Johnson and Johnson was fined $2.2 billion in one of the largest health care related settlements (1.) Here is what the press had to say: The penalties announced Monday involve fines and forfeiture to the federal government and several states. The settlement involves the schizophrenia drugs Risperdal and... Continue Reading →
Retard! Autistic Part 5
By Lisa Ackerman I promised to keep this topic going as people were cruel in using the words retard or autistic in a derogatory matter. This list now includes companies. Sadly, the TACA blog has featured this topic four times before (1.) Sephora has launched a new lipstick brand with celebrity Kat Von D (2.)... Continue Reading →
Drugs aren’t always the answer
By Lisa Ackerman A new study has revealed a shocking fact: nearly two-thirds of kids diagnosed with autism are on medications (1.) This report nearly took my breath away. Here is what they also said: Despite limited evidence supporting the practice, researchers say nearly two-thirds of children with autism are taking at least one psychotropic... Continue Reading →
Missing Genes, Environment, or Both: How Genetic and Environmental Factors Can Interplay to Cause Autism
Guest blogger & TACA Physician Advisory: Dr. Richard Frye A recent study published in the October 2013 issue of The American Journal of Human Genetics reports to have identified a family of genes that not working as they should in children with autism1. This genetic study examined detailed changes in the genetic code in 811... Continue Reading →
Overcoming a diagnosis of autism
By Lisa AckermanTwo remarkable videos were created this month by young women who have overcome their autism diagnosis. Their families are so proud of them. I am deeply inspired by their stories, their willingness to share and desire to help others.Leya and Savine are both incredible. There are more kids who were once diagnosed with... Continue Reading →
Marcus’s Journey
By the proud parents of Marcus Marcus was diagnosed with autism two months before his third birthday. There were signs that something was not quite right since he was a baby, but he was our first child and we didn’t know any better. At age one, Marcus had a few words and ate everything we... Continue Reading →
Halloween doesn’t have to be scary
By Lisa Ackerman TACA is pleased to offer a new article on Halloween, safe candy choices, non-candy choices and ways to prepare for Halloween. Also included are printable "trick or treat" cards to help create additional autism awareness and help our non verbal friends. Preparing for Halloween doesn't have to be scary! Find helpful tips... Continue Reading →
Music to Our Ears
By proud guest blogger awesome mom: Brandy Vaughn My daughter, Ryan, was born December 4, 2002. Three and a half years later, she was diagnosed with autism. I became concerned about her development at age 2 ½, when she didn’t answer to her name, protested any demand placed on her, and was extremely tactile-defensive. If we... Continue Reading →
What trick can your kid with autism do?
By Lisa Ackerman Many who are not affected by autism are curious about it. They should be, a once rare condition now affecting 1 in every 88 children (1.) Over the years, I have been asked many interesting questions: What is autism? Why is autism on the rise? Can my kid catch it? The hardest... Continue Reading →
An Extraordinary Moment
By Linda Betzold While I write this story, I am looking at my son, Beau. He is happily sitting on the couch wearing shorts and a t-shirt, munching on pistachios, and grinning while watching Ghostbusters, a movie he specifically requested to watch. To most people, this would be a very ordinary scene. There is nothing... Continue Reading →
Moving Autism Forward by Team TACA 