By Lisa Ackerman On September 15 2015, Dr. Thomas Insel announced he will step down as a director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NMIH) and Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) (1.) This change is effective November 1, 2015. On this blog we have written about the IACC and their efforts since inception back... Continue Reading →
Danger Can Come with a Change of Seasons – 2015
By Lisa Ackerman We shared this article in June 2014. Each summer we need to share this information again. The reason why: in less than 10 days 8 children with autism ages 5-26 have wandered from a safe environment and died. Please read and share. You never know the life you may save. ============================== Original article For... Continue Reading →
Every month is #Autism Action month again!
by Lisa Ackerman My 15th autism awareness year has come to a conclusion. I have experienced 15 of these months asking for the same efforts – awareness. With the numbers now being 1 in 68 (1), I would love to meet someone that is not aware or affected by autism and the toll it takes... Continue Reading →
It’s not an #autism behavior, it is a seizure
By Simran Garcia-TACA Orange County Akshay is a fun loving, hard working, 13 year old eating machine. When Akshay was 4 yrs old, he was diagnosed with autism. The odd thing is we were really going to the neurologist’s office to talk about seizures. I guess that’s what happens when you have to wait almost... Continue Reading →
Autism now affects 1 in 68 U.S. children
By Lisa Ackerman This is the third year in a row the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has announced new autism rates right before April (1), a month that has been designated as autism awareness month. For years, TACA likes awareness but appreciates ACTION hence why we call this effort #AutismActionApril. As I have mentioned... Continue Reading →
So Autism Is Even MORE Common Than Last Year. Who Cares?
By Dr Bob Sears I was really hoping that my latest blog would be entitled “Finally, Someone Cares About the Autism Epidemic!” But alas, it is not to be. The word “epidemic” is being reserved for the hundred or so cases of measles we see in the U.S. each year (no fatalities), or the very... Continue Reading →
Autism research funding and redundancy in spending
By Lisa Ackerman A new analysis of government funding has revealed important findings showing there has been duplication of research funding. One report specifically addresses the spending of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC – 1.) I found this a bit ironic – isn’t that what a coordinating committee does, monitor spending of funds? Here... Continue Reading →
First National Housing Survey Results
By Lisa Ackerman On November 13, 2013 Autism Speaks released their National Housing Survey Results. Ten thousand families and some individuals living with autism responded to the survey. The goal was to find more about the needs for individuals living with autism – what happens when these children become adults? One urgent finding: "84% of... 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 →
13th autism awareness month comes to a close
by Lisa Ackerman At the end of today, my 13th autism awareness is coming to a conclusion. 13. I have experienced 13 of these months asking for the same efforts – awareness. With the numbers now 1 in 88 or the new 1 in 50 parent survey (1) I would love to meet someone that... Continue Reading →
Moving Autism Forward by Team TACA 