Erik Lippmann Found On Shoreline Has Past Away

I want to take an opportunity to send my condolences to Erik's family. He was found on the shoreline about 200 yards south of the sand plant off Lapis Road just above the surf line in Santa Cruz, California at Marina beach. He was missing for eight days before someone found him on the beach. You can read about Erik Lippmann's death here at Mercury News. I was praying very hard for him to be found safe, the world was. So short on life, he was only 30 years old. He was loved by his family, especially his mother Alpha Ratike. To Ratike, I am deeply sorry for your loss. God bless your heart.

Photo of purple iris is from: PDPhoto.org and Flower Clipart.com

Video Response From Erik's Mom (from KCBA Santa Cruz, CA)

Video is in the upper right hand corner of their web page.

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Proloquo2Go: Communication Devices Made Affordable

Special needs children who have difficulty speaking due to autism, Lou Gehrig's disease, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other conditions that prevent ones communication now has a window of opportunity. And guess what, it is affordable. Imagine spending up to 10,000 dollars for a computerized machine, like many parents are trying to do for their children. For most that is too difficult when we are already paying for other treatments and things, or for that matter just maintaining the household.

Proloquo2Go (which is Latin for "speak out loud") that was created by AssistiveWare is a program that is actually affordable. How does $189 sound? Pretty good to me! Please visit Proloquo2Go.com to learn more about the features. The video link below will show you how it works.

It creates sentences from grouping pictures together using around 8,000 symbols. It is available for the iPod touch which runs from $200 to $400, iPhone which runs about $100 to $300, and now introducing the iPad for up to $1,000. Prices come from the Apple Store.

Proloquo2Go can be downloaded at the App store here. It is also located in the education category. View the video interview from ABC on Proloquo2Go.

The company is working to make it easier for parents to own, when they just do not have the resources to purchase this product.

This is the new way to go in today's technology, and one of the most affordable communication devices, and most portable.

Hope that you will consider this for your loved one who has difficulty communicating with others. Now we can all speak out.

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Dr. Stanley Greenspan Has Passed

The autism community is grieving today. Dr. Stanley Greenspan who invented FloorTime and DIR has died on April 27, 2010. He was 68 years old. Dr. Greenspan is a hero among the autism community. He was a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School and Chairman of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders. To learn more on FloorTime, you can watch a video of Greenspan explaining FloorTime and DIR. He has written many articles and books that include Overcoming ADHD, and Engaging Autism. A beautiful farewell article about Greenspan's death describes his life in the autism world.

He will be missed greatly by everyone including the children that knew and worked with him. Thank you Dr. Greenspan for everything that you have done for the autism community. You have made a huge impact on the world of autism. God Bless You!

Many tears and cries will be heard as we will all miss you.

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Participate In CureTogether Autism Study

CureTogether is an online social health community that has announced the launch of its autism treatment study according to PR Web. They are interested in parents who can share and rate the success of their treatments for their autistic children. CureTogether will provide an online venue for parents to anonymously share their information.

CureTogether is interested in collecting information about any and all treatments tried including: Anxiety and Depression medications, Chelation and IV therapies, Glutathione, Naltrexone, EDTA, DMPS, DMSA, Detoxification, vitamins B-12, B-6, supplements, Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diets, Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments, Stem Cell Therapy, Play Therapy, Music Therapy and others. If you have any other type of treatment/therapy, you will be allowed to add that to their search.

Please visit CureTogether to participate in the study. The more people who participate, the better chance of a thorough study. 8,168 have taken the survey so far, and they are needing more. Please take the survey. It is very short and very easy to do and understand. Once you have entered your email address, then you are able to sign in to CureTogether for things like managing your health. Hope that you will all give it a try... so go go go!!

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Nadia Bloom Tells Her Story About Being Missing

ABC talks to Nadia Bloom and her parents about the days Nadia spent in the woods in a Florida swamp. Nadia said that she was not sure if she would be found. Thankfully she was found by a member of her church. Nadia saw animals while she was missing including a snake, bugs, 3 dogs, an eagle, owls, and lizards. She was eating plants to stay alive and slept where she could at night. She loves nature and did not realize that she would get lost in the swamp. She spent a week in the hospital to recover, and received blessings from every angle. She is such a brave girl and we are all glad that she is safe and doing well. Bless her and her family. Please watch the video of Nadia speaking out as she tells her story about those long days. Greatly appreciated, and thank you all for reading.

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Missing Canadian Autistic: Kevin Kwok

Toronto, Canada is looking for a missing autistic named Kevin Kwok. He is 17 years old with the functioning ability of a seven year old. He left about 9:00 p.m. from his Scarborough home which is located near Birchmount Road and Sheppard Avenue. He does require medication and was last seen wearing an orange Adidas t-shirt and black shorts. He is described as five foot six to five foot seven, and 130 pounds with a thin build.

Please call 42 Division at 416-808-4200 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS with any information you may have. His safety is a concern for police authorities.

Hope that his is found shortly. Our prayers are with him and his family and friends.

Kevin Kwok has been found!!

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Oakley Sunglasses Benefit Autism

Needing new sunglasses this year? Love Oakley's Sunglasses?

Buy Oakley's to benefit autism.

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) and Oakley have come together in the creation of autism awareness sunglasses. For each pair of sunglasses sold, Oakley will provide $20 to TACA in support of its mission to help children with autism reach their true potential. Your price for the autism sunglasses is... $150.00. You can also buy these glasses with other autism organizations and Oakley resellers through their international channel. You can order Oakley's autism sunglasses at the TACA store. They are available for men and women and are very awesome. Ships in 1-2 weeks. Please read the products information when you order at TACA to learn about the full benefits of these wondrous sunglasses.

GRAB YOURS TODAY!!

Women's Oakley Autism Awareness Sunglasses

Men's Oakley Autism Awareness Sunglasses

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Autism Society of America: Transformers Benefit Auction

As some would know, we are HUGE Transformers fans. According to Seibertron.com, Autism Society of America is getting into Transformers as well. In association with Procustomizers.com, the Autism Society of America is having a transformers toy collection autism auction. A set of transformers is set to be auctioned off on Ebay. The auction is set for later today and has not been posted as of yet, but you can view the Youtube video that is embedded below. The collection includes the following Decepticons (the bad guys):

Ravage
Rumble and Frenzy
Starscream
Megatron
Laserbeak and Buzzsaw
Shockwave
Thundercracker
Soundwave
Skywarp


Watch the video to find out who is who!



View the video for a complete overview of the toys below! Once I do find the link to the actual auction, I will get it posted for you. Hope that you will participate in the auction. Transformers are truly a work of art, and we have been collecting them for years. Happy Bidding!!

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Jake's Artwork

We were lucky to have my brother-in-law, Jake, down from Arkansas. He will be turning 24 this November; the day after my husband's birthday. We are also happy to announce that he will be having his first baby in November as well. Hopefully the baby will be born on one of their birthdays. His wife is due either the 27, 28, or 29th. Looks like my hubby will be a true uncle now. Jake says that he is a little nervous... who wouldn't be! He is a very good hearted man, and I know that he will do his best. He is also quite the handyman. Seems like he can do it all, and he is only 24. We had a broken door cover off of the truck, and Jake happened to have a heated gun that melted the cracked plastic back together. I had no idea that you could do that.

Anyways, I thought that I would share the pictures that he has painted and taken pictures of. He has put great detail in them, and he says that he is teaching himself how to do it. Jake was telling my husband how much of an inspiration he was to him. My husband can draw good as well (even though he denies it), and Jake looks up to him so much. Jake has taken up the interest in art from my husband. I am very proud to have just great family members. They are simply amazing!! OK, here are the pictures that I promised. Quite the artist don't you think? Keep up the good work Jake! If you are interested in improving your artwork, then maybe you should look into art schools. Maybe you can find just what you are looking for.

Eiffel Tower

The ocean's edge

Man in the moon and the constellation Orien's Belt

Stream/River in Forrest

House and Bridge

Mountains And Sunshine

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Twitter Feed Updated... Finally

Sorry about my recent twitter activity. I had noticed that the feed had stopped. No tweets from my blog in three months. WOW! Talk about being behind. I made my way over to TwitterFeed to get everything updated. I was changing internet companies, and did not realize that I needed to update the feed so my posts would get tweeted for you to read. Maybe that is why I am loosing some visitors. I greatly appreciate every visit even if it is just to say hello. Hope that you all have a wonderful day. We are having thunderstorms again this morning so we are keeping an eye on the sky!

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Missing Autistic: Erik Lippmann

Santa Cruz, California is in search for Erik Lippmann who is a 30 year old missing autistic. He has been missing since Wednesday April 21, 2010 at 2:00 a.m., and has been considered at-risk.

Erik is known to frequently visit the Capitola Mall and Pacific Avenue areas.

He was wearing a t-shirt, possibly with cartoon characters on it, pants and slip-on shoes.

Police are asking anyone with any information about Erik to call 911.

Erik and his family are in our prayers for his safe return.

STILL MISSING AS OF APRIL 23, 2010

***UPDATED INFORMATION INCLUDING NEW PICTURE***

For new details on Erik Lippmann, please visit the link for Mercury News.

Age of Autism is a popular autism news website that has also been covering this story.

April 28, 2010 Still Missing. The latest is here.

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Missing Autistic: Marshall Bacher

Pima County officials in Tucson, Arizona are asking the public for help in finding Marshall Bacher who is a 28 year old missing autistic. Bacher was reported missing at approximately 10:30 Tuesday April 20,2010 by his mother.

She said that he left a note saying that he was going to Rillito River and would return in a few hours. According to his mother, he does not know the concept of time. Authorities have put him at high risk. His mother has said that he has left the house before, but usually returns.

Marshall is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 5'11" tall, 235 lbs., with dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing a brown T-shirt, denim carpenter shorts, a blue and grey parka, grey New Balance shoes and a turquoise backpack.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Marshall Bacher is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.

Please be on the lookout for him as we pray for his safe return.

*In my own opinion from following missing autistics, I have noticed how adventurous they tend to be. From what I have seen, they are usually found in placed that would provide them comfort as they feed the need for adventure. His mother said that he was going to the river...perhaps to fill that need for adventure. I was reading another story of two autistic teenagers went missing for a day in Florida. They were found at the beach early in the morning. Were they perhaps having their own adventure as well? Nadia Bloom from Florida was found safe in the dense woods behind her house, as if she was also having an adventure.

***UPDATE***

Has been located!!

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Hotel Offers Autism Rooms In Austin, Texas

America has done it again. The Wyndham Garden Hotel in Austin, Texas has opened up a new wing that has rooms for autistics and their parents. The five special needs rooms opened up on April 14, 2010. Each one was filled for the first night. KVUE has more on the story. Worried about the GFCF diet? No need to, because they offer menus to serve those who are on the diet. Now you can enjoy your vacation at yet another hotel that offers rooms for those with autism. I had recently wrote about the Clinton Inn in Tenafly, New Jersey offering rooms for autistics. The hotel is also offering discounts for the rooms. You can contact the hotel for more information at 512-448-2444. They are located at 3401 South IH-35 in Austin, Texas.

Austin is a wonderful place to visit for vacation. I have been there while I stayed with my mom, and I absolutely enjoy the city very much. I love the capitol building as well. Some 15 years ago, squirrels and birds would come up to your hands and take food that you have brought. Really brings back the memories for me, and I am sure that you and your family will enjoy Austin as well. You can plan your Austin trip with ease and know that you will have a hotel that is safe for your children.

I hope that you have a wonderful vacation, and it is all just in time for summer! Happy staying and be safe!

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Missing Mildly Autistic Girl: Nadia Bloom

It is day three for a missing 11 year old girl who is mildly autistic. Nadia Bloom was last seen riding her bicycle when she went missing from her hometown of Winter Springs, Florida in the Barrington Estates subdivision. She was wearing a orange shirt and blue shorts. She could have been caring a black horse backpack. She was also an explorer, and enjoyed nature very much. She had gotten a new camera and authorities and family members hope that she is just out for a walk. She is believed to be around several ponds that are dangerous. They plan to use sonar to try and find her. If you can volunteer in the search for Nadia Bloom, call Winter Springs police at (407) 327-1000. We are all praying for her safe return. If you are living in the Winter Springs, FL area, please volunteer to help in the search for Nadia Bloom. May God Bless You Nadia!!

Missing Girl Description

• Nadia Bloom
• Age: 11
• Hair: Brown
• Eyes: Brown
• Height: 5′ 0″
• Weight: 85 lbs.

UPDATE*****

Nadia Bloom was found alive on Tuesday morning April 13, 2010. We are all greatful for her safe return and thank everyone who was involved especially the one who found her. They were a member of the church that she attended. Thank you God for taking care of her in her time of need. Smiles and Hugs for you Nadia! Be safe!

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Devin Learns To Ride Bicycle

Hello everyone! Today was a terrific day for Devin. He has learned how to ride a . Not to long ago he had gotten a bike and was learning how to ride it with training wheels. I would say that he really did not have all that much practice before we decided to try and take off the training wheels. I had previously decided to raise the wheels up to where they would not be on the ground as much. I wanted to see how he could do when he could balance the bicycle without the wheels touching the ground. I had told him to try and ride it in the grass so that he would not get hurt. When we took them off, he immediately took off without any problems what so ever. He never did fall down the entire time. I was almost in shock that he just took to it and did it without even trying. It was like he was born to ride a bike. We were all very excited for him on his new accomplishment. He is surely going to enjoy this coming summer where he will be outside most of the time. He is even good enough to peddle the bicycle while he is not sitting on the seat. That takes a lot of balance and strength. He has an 18-inch NEXT Surge bicycle like the one below:
For his accomplishment we will give him an award as well!! Congratulations son, you have greatly earned it. We love you very much and very proud of how much you have grown. Bless you my son and may all your dreams come true.

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Rapid ABC: Testing For Autism In 5 Minutes

For us autistic parents, we remember how long it was for our children to be evaluated for autism. Long hours at the examination office can be overwhelming with the tedious behaviors of our children sitting somewhere for a long time. That is all to familiar with most of us. For parents of young children, there is a new procedure in testing for autism and it only takes about five minutes including interactive play that will check for how the child learns, speaks, moves and behaves. Hearing and vision is also tested to ensure there is no problems there. Also, neurology is tested. Doctors still consider screenings at 9 months, 18 months, 24 or 30 months, with continued screenings if the child is within the high risk area. The test is called Rapid ABC or The Rapid Attention Back and Forth Communication screener, and was developed by Emory Autism Resource Center and Georgia Tech University. The Rapid ABC is designed to assess a child's risk for ASD's during a regular checkup in a pediatrician's office. For more information you should contact the Emory Autism Resource Center directly. You can also e-mail Monica Allen, who is the Senior Psychological Specialist at rapid.abc@gmail.com. The guidelines for autism determination from the American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends children be screened for autism at one and a half to two years of age. As Katy Crowther, mother of Ben, decided to push for autism testing at just 14 months. She said that "He wasn't imitating us. He wasn't pointing or clapping or playing any of those sort of interactive games." The Early Intervention has helped the Crowther family with their son Ben's development.

Here is the news cast video link for New Test For Autism from ABC KABC-TV Los Angeles, CA. I tried to put the video up here for you, but the embedded code was broken.

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Movie Trailer For Date Night Movie 4-09-10

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of 20th Century Fox. All opinions are 100% mine.

Attention movie goers! Date Night starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey is opening this weekend on April 9, 2010. This movie is about a couple who decides to go on a date night and finds themselves being chased by criminals who thinks they are someone else. Being a part of a shoot out, car chase, breaking and entering, and dealing with an underworld boss at an adult club is just part of making it to the end of the night they spent in town. As you gear up for the opening night of Date Night you can enjoy watching the movie trailer that I have provided for you. Whether you watch it alone or with friends and family, it is sure to please for days to come. Send everyone you know over to view the trailer here. Hope that you will decided to go see the Date Night Movie on opening night. That is on April 9, 2010. Only a few more days to get everything ready so hop to it and have a great time at the movies everyone. Date Night is rated PG-13 for your entertainment needs. This movie is great for a girl's night out so grab those seats and get ready for the ride. Remember to drive safely to and from the movies. Playing it safe will be appreciated by everyone. I would love to hear your comments on the movie after you have seen it! Enjoy your time everyone! (For the full New York Times article please visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/movies/04date.html?ref=movies)

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Yellow

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for visiting me today!

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Light It Up Blue 2010: Autism Awareness Day

For this years autism awareness, Autism Speaks is Lighting It Up Blue for 2010. On the night of April 1, 2010 (that is tonight) the Empire State Building in New York City will be lit up blue. The CN tower in Toronto, Canada will also be lit up to raise autism awareness. Pictures can be viewed here as well. There is also some great ideas on what you can do for autism awareness this month. If you are looking to find an event to attend to in your area, then there is a place where you can find the ones in your area. If you have any photos that you wish to share with them, then you can also get that done. Need to share on facebook or twitter? No problem. You can do it all there. Light It Up Banners for blogs and websites are also available to use at no cost to you, and remember to wear blue for Autism Awareness Day!! Thank you for your support!

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