Autism in the News – 12.20.10

Morris County, NJ: Technology helps autistic kids spread Christmas joy (Wharton, N.J.)
With an assistant supporting his hand, David Sierchio typed a special holiday greeting to cancer patients at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover, said Lisa Romaine, the facilitated communication trainer at David’s school. Read more.

Preparing a child with Autism Spectrum Disorders for the holidays (The Brownsville Herald)
It was “Mario’s” first family Christmas in his new classroom. Mario was a beautiful little boy who became aggressive at times. However, Mario had grasped early on in his classroom that it was better to get rewards for good behavior. The boy didn’t like losing his choice time or the gummy bears he loved to eat. Read more.

Spirit of Santa is alive and well (Oakdale, N.Y.)
I had the pleasure of taking my 5-year-old son and my friend’s 18-year-old son, who has autism, to the Oakdale Mall to see Santa Claus. As they waited with the same sparkle in their eyes that only seeing Santa can bring, I waited, wondering what Santa would do as this 18-year-old young man stood before him with his Christmas list in hand. Read more.

School for ‘special-needs’ kids facing closure (Trinidad)
Although the Education Ministry has taken an interest in its plight, things are still very uncertain for the Agape Community College at Pro Queen Street, Arima. Read more.

Missing Falmouth boy, 10, found in closet (Falmouth, Mass.)
After another exhausting and traumatic search, 10-year-old Theodor Giosan was found early Saturday, hiding in a closet at a friend’s house. Read more.