Diagnosing Autism with Biomarkers

You have to be a Science News subscriber to view this,  https://www.sciencenews.org/article/scientists-seek-early-signs-autism, but you can read the entire research article on the Public Library of Science (PLOS) website below.

Classification and adaptive behavior prediction of children with autism spectrum disorder based upon multivariate data analysis of markers of oxidative stress and DNA methylation

https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005385

Gift of giving – Motorcycle and sidecar

There are several options in getting around in the Philippines such as walking, bicycle, tricycle, jeepney, hiring a driver, or if well off – owning a vehicle, scooter or motorcycle.

For one family who was in need of some transportation to get family members to the doctor and for back and forth to the market, a brand new scooter with a sidecar was given. 

Housing Project

Four apartment housing project I built in the Sta Rita Barangay in Guiguinto is finished. Four units at 40 square meters each and already populated. Blessing by the local Father from the Barangay church, tradition of tossing coins inside for the young ones and some good food!

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SPEF Color Fest 2018!

Outstanding time at this years family-friendly, and autism friendly, Color Festival hosted by South Pasadena Educational Foundation! The Color Festival commemorates the celebration of Spring and is inspired by the Indian tradition of Holi. All of the kids in my sons group from PCDA (Professional Child Development Services) had an awesome time throwing chalk colors at each other, listening to music and drinking slushies. The group did have a budget though and ran out of chalk pretty fast so I bought and distributed another few rounds of various colors for some airborne and t-shirt decorating enjoyment. What a chalkingly great time!!

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Inspirations – Collette Divitto’s Amazing Cookies

It’s sad to say but individuals with disabilities often have a more difficult time finding a job than those who don’t. Enter Collette Divitto of Boston, a 26-year-old young lady with Down syndrome, who has a passion for baking, refusing to be beat by the lack of employment opportunities and who decided to do something outstanding – start her own cookie company.

After coming up with her own cookie recipe, Collette’s family and friends convinced her to take a leap of faith and sell her cookies, thus establishing her chapter in life as Colletteys Cookies.

In searching for her first account she won the hearts of owner Stephen DeAngelis and store manager Jesse Powers of a local Golden Goose Market in her area and they became her first account to carry her cookies where they are quite popular and sell out fast.

Not only do they sell them, they also give her space in their kitchen to help her fulfill orders. Collette also rents space from CommonWealth Kitchen, a business located in Dorchester, MA that provides kitchen facilities, production services and other startup help to aspiring food entrepreneurs. In 2016 alone, she fulfilled about 60,000 orders.

Collette Divitto is truly a model inspiration to show that people with disabilities can achieve amazing things. Her advice is simple, don’t give up and live your dreams.

To learn more about her amazing story or follow along with what Collettey’s Cookies is up to, visit their Facebook, Twitter, or you can help contribute by visiting their GoFundMe page.

RESOURCE LINKS

Colletteys Cookies website – www.colletteys.com

ABC News – Woman With Down Syndrome Starts Successful Cookie Business After Job Rejections

CBS News – Boston woman with Down syndrome turns passion for baking into career

CBS News Boston – Boston Woman With Down Syndrome Starts Cookie Business, Dreams Big

Boston Globe – When this entrepreneur with Down syndrome couldn’t find work at a bakery, she started her own

PopSugar.com – When 1 Woman With Down Syndrome Was Rejected From Every Bakery, She Opened Up Her Own Shop

Huffington Post – Rejection Made This Baker With Down Syndrome Open Her Own Cookie Shop

Rising Tide Car Wash Changing Employment Opportunities for People with Autism

Receiving huge amounts of applications a year, washing over 100,000 cars each year and where 90 percent of the employees are on the autism spectrum, Rising Tide Car Wash is a business built on a primary mission of employing adults with autism.

Started in 2013, Rising Tide Car Wash was started by John D’Eri in 2013 after concern about opportunities for his son’s employment future. D’Eri’s son, Andrew, now into his later 20’s, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3.

There are many of us parents who worry about the future for our kids with autism because we know their opportunities in the workforce are low to next to non-existent. People with autism do not understand a lot of life’s difficulties, challenges, situations, perspectives and they often struggle socially.

What D’Efri has accomplished is to show that giving people with autism a chance is a success but his mission does not end with Rising Tide Car Wash, he is also a global advocate for those with autism and has been on TEDx Talks, has done seminars, and has spoken at the United Nations.

D’Eri is a great voice, changing the way autistic people are viewed as well as focusing on their contributions and capabilities. People, especially parents like John D’Eri, should be an inspiration to us all.

RESOURCE LINKS

YouTube : Rising Tide Car Wash COO Thomas D’Eri at United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day 2015
YouTube : TEDx Talks
Rising Tide U – for entrepreneurs starting businesses that would employ individuals with autism
John D’Eri Twitter
Rising Tide Carwash Website
Rising Tide Facebook Page
NBC News 2017 Article on Rising Tide Car Wash

Alex Amelines Amazing Things Happen

With two years to create, Amazing Things Happen is a really well put together animation created by independent animation director Alex Amelines to raise autism awareness while also promoting tolerance and understanding through a unique visual view and perspective of how young children with autism perceive, interact, and react to the world around them. Below are a few links to the project and video. It is certainly worthy of sharing.

Amazing Things Happen website http://amazingthingshappen.tv
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AmazingAutismProject/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezv85LMFx2E