"Buy a Book; Save a Child" Set for June 8th!

Leslie Weed gave the following speech at Autism One right before the keynote address from David Kirby, author of "Evidence of Harm" She rec'd a standing ovation!!!

"Buy a Book; Save a Child" A FOCUS (For Our Children United & Strong) Campaign, is officially in swing!!

"Most of you are here because autism moved into your home, into the home of a friend, family member, or someone you help to take care of. Most of you know that autism wasn't born in your house, nor did you knowingly invite it in.All of us have committed to whatever it takes to save our children. We are all adrift in the same boat, we'd love to get out, we celebrate those who do, and we'll help in any way possible getting that boat back to shore. It is rare that we have the ability to row in concert and feel like we're actually GETTING somewhere.

"Yesterday Sallie Bernard, one of the central figures in Evidence of Harm, said to us that we as parents are the key to a successful outcome for our children. FOCUS- FOR OUR CHILDREN UNITED & STRONG will be a vehicle allowing us to work together in concert.

"I'm here today to ask everyone in this room to harness their frustration, their anger, their gratitude, their joy; I ask everyone to harness their intention of giving back, to FOCUS it all as one massive force- FOR OUR CHILDREN UNITED & STONG. I am here today to ask everyone in this room to stick an oar in the water and row TOGETHER on June 8th.

"Evidence of Harm is our story. Evidence of Harm is the truth. Evidence of Harm is a tribute to our children, our families, and ourselves. It is CRITICAL that we not be the only people who know this.

"Our goal is to put Evidence of Harm at the top of the bestseller list overnight and to get it into the hands of people who still don't know the truth- that autism is preventable and treatable. Our goal is to BUY A BOOK. SAVE A CHILD.

"On June 8th, we are asking EVERYONE to purchase copies of Evidence of Harm from one of two places: Barnes and Noble retail stores, barnesandnoble.com, or amazon.com.

"On June 8th, we are asking EVERYONE to take those copies and give them to members of your therapy teams, to physicians you consider open-minded, to journalists, and scientists. On June 8th, we are asking everyone to give a copy of Evidence of Harm to who ever said they would help you, however they could, when autism moved into your life. On June 8th give those folks a book and say "Please read this- it's the best way you'll be able to help my child."Autism is preventable and treatable.

"We in this room know this. This FOCUS campaign is our opportunity to spread the word. Buy a book. Save a child."

Charlotte Observer | 05/23/2005 | Vaccines and autism: Is there troubling link?

Charlotte Observer | 05/23/2005 | Vaccines and autism: Is there troubling link?

The Age of Autism: The Amish anomaly - (United Press International)

The Age of Autism: The Amish anomaly - (United Press International)

"Where are the autistic Amish? Here in Lancaster County, heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, there should be well over 100 with some form of the disorder."

The Huffington Post | The Blog

The Huffington Post | The Blog

This popular blog comments on the autism epidemic and David Kirby's new book, "Evidence of Harm".

Surgeon General SUPPORTS ABA for Autism... This Report May be Helpful in IEPS!

Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General - Chapter 3

Except: "Thirty years of research demonstrated the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing communication, learning, and appropriate social behavior. A well-designed study of a psychosocial intervention was carried out by Lovaas and colleagues (Lovaas, 1987; McEachin et al., 1993). Nineteen children with autism were treated intensively with behavior therapy for 2 years and compared with two control groups. Followup of the experimental group in first grade, in late childhood, and in adolescence found that nearly half the experimental group but almost none of the children in the matched control group were able to participate in regular schooling. Up to this point, a number of other research groups have provided at least a partial replication of the Lovaas model" (See Rogers, 1998).

USATODAY.com - Drugmakers go furthest to sway Congress

USATODAY.com - Drugmakers go furthest to sway Congress

Excerpt: "Since 1998, drug companies have spent $758 million on lobbying — more than any other industry, according to government records analyzed by the Center for Public Integrity, a watchdog group. In Washington, the industry has 1,274 lobbyists — more than two for every member of Congress.

"They are powerful," says Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "You can hardly swing a cat by the tail in that town without hitting a pharmaceutical lobbyist."