Messi travels to Argentina for 2nd phase of treatment

Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi will travel to his native Argentina on Friday to continue his recuperation from a torn hamstring, his club Barcelona confirmed on Thursday.

Messi suffered his third and most serious muscle injury of the season earlier this month in a 4-1 win away to Real Betis and is not expected to return to action until after the La Liga winter break in January.

"Once he has finished the first part of his recuperation, Lionel Messi will travel on Friday to Argentina, as had been planned, to begin the second phase under the supervision of the club's medical services," said a statement on the club's website.

"Doctor Ricard Pruna and physical trainer Elvio Paulorroso will travel to Argentina in the middle of December to supervise the final part of his recovery from the injury. His progress is positive, as the latest tests carried out have shown."

It is expected that Messi will return to Barcelona at the beginning of the new year with the Catalans hopeful he will be fit to face high-flying Atletico Madrid on January 12.

The Spanish champions have generally coped well without their injured superstar as they lead La Liga by three points from Atletico and have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, they slipped to their first defeat of the campaign in all competitions on Tuesday as they produced a dismal display in losing 2-1 away to 10-man Ajax in the Champions League






Source: sportsfan 

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Autism -I grew up a peer-rejected and severely bullied child, today I am successful in employment

I have just passed my 47th birthday and can finally say I have success in employment. For me, working from my home computer and interacting with people primarily over the telephone has been the long sought for solution to my difficulty with getting, and then maintaining, employment. This is despite long years of educational preparation and academic success, which I had expected to be the ticket to a career. After all, isn't that the way the formula works? Not if you have Asperger's!

I grew up a peer-rejected and severely bullied child in a working-class suburb of Massachusetts. I was an adopted child and I think everyone around me thought that was why I was so odd. School and other children were incomprehensible to me. I got rebuked and punished by my teachers and my parents for just sitting and staring, being in my own world.

I was fired from my first job as a cashier because I couldn't reliably count the money. I believe they thought I was stealing, but I was just giving it away. The stress of this typical job was unbearable. I woke in the night hearing the noise of the day and seeing endless faces coming at me. I thought I was crazy. It would be decades before I understood that overstimulating my brain with too many sights and sounds and motion made me sick.

Believing that the answer to all of my difficulties was to get an education, I enrolled on a four-year college course against my parents' wishes. They just thought I was a slacker and never wanted to work, and they didn't understand or respect education. I had a nervous breakdown by the end of my first year. After a year off spent living with friends, I finished another year at a different university. The same mental unravelling ensued. Life was agony. What was wrong with me? If only I could have known.

I married and had three children. I loved my kids more than anything and they made life worth living. I was a fun-loving mom and enjoyed with them the childhood I never had. We had a hobby farm and tended goats, fowl and rabbits. We took long walks in the woods with our three dogs. I gave them a pony. When they were eight, nine and ten I decided to go back to college.

This time I went part-time and graduated magna cum laude. I applied for several jobs but was never successful. I decided more education was needed and went on to graduate school. The hardest thing about that was dealing with the other students, all working adults. I felt like a precocious child amongst them. The studies were easy, though. I got my M.Ed. in counselling psychology.

Finally, I got a job in a school, albeit one for which I was overqualified. I was supposed to be the private tutor for a girl in an upper class school. She had Asperger's. I saw that the girl, who was in tenth grade, was in emotional agony. I recognised myself. By this time, I had learned about ASDs and knew that was me. Yet it took many more years to reconstruct the story of my life in light of this knowledge. When the girl's parents had a few interviews with me they were appalled at my bluntness and 'oddness'. I was promptly fired over an incident that didn't happen.

I tried teaching but that was a disaster. The high school kids bullied me just as badly as my peers had when I was in high school. I tried middle school, but the kids just acted as if there was no adult in the room. I was told I looked around like a frightened child, so they didn't respect me. The noise just shut down my thinking, and that is terrifying. Teaching was not for me.
 
Last January, I started working from home, marketing vacation packages, and helping other people become successful in their own businesses. No-one can tell over the phone if my facial expressions are not quite 'right'. Best of all, I control my physical environment: I take frequent breaks and get to be surrounded by my Pekingese dogs and my parrots. I often speak to people with my Eclectus parrot on my shoulder. She is very quiet, but sometimes surprises someone by say hello in her little parrot voice. I get to be my eccentric self. This is my business, and no-one can fire me. I am at last successful. To all of you who are like me, remember: never give up, no matter what!

By Sienna

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A suicide bomber hits off-duty soldiers in Egypt’s

A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into one of two buses carrying off-duty soldiers in Egypt’s turbulent region of northern Sinai on Wednesday, killing 11 and wounding 37, security and military officials said.
They said the suicide bomber struck when the two buses traveled on the road between the border town of Rafah and the coastal city of El-Arish. The explosion damaged both buses, the officials said.
The soldiers belong to the 2nd Field Army, which is doing most of the fighting against Islamic militants waging an insurgency against security forces in Sinai. The buses were on their way to Cairo, the officials said.
Col. Mohammed Ahmed Ali, a military spokesman, said the wounded were being treated in military hospitals. “The precious blood of our sons strengthens our resolve to cleanse Egypt and shield its sons from violence and treacherous terrorism,” Ali wrote on his Facebook page.
The northern Sinai region, which borders Gaza and Israel, has been restless for years, but attacks have grown more frequent and deadlier since the July ouster of President Muhammad Mursi.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Wednesday’s attack, but suicide car bombings are a signature method by militant groups linked to or inspired by Al-Qaeda.
It was the latest in a series of similar attacks targeting army and police facilities and checkpoints. In August, gunmen pulled 25 police conscripts off minibuses in the Sinai and shot them dead on the side of the main road linking Rafah to El-Arish.
Meanwhile, clashes late Tuesday between revolutionary youths opposed to military rule and police killed two people, including a teenager, said Ahmed El-Ansari, head of Egypt’s emergency services. He said the teenager suffered a head wound from a birdshot pellet and died while being taken to hospital.



Source:Arabnews

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Autism can be cured

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) works as its name implies – hyper (more of) and baric (pressure) and in fact that is how it works. It is the increased pressure of the gas we breathe everyday that can actually signal the DNA in our cells to perform healing tasks that the body normally can’t do.

Ground zero for this activity is the mitochondria, which are the little organelles inside of our cells that convert oxygen and sugar into the gasoline the cells run on (ATP) – this is called cellular respiration. It doesn’t take much to knock mitochondria off-line and then that cell can’t perform the job it was assigned. So, be it oxygen deprivation, external toxic exposure, or a hyper-immune reaction to an infection or a vaccine the mitochondria will be damaged.

We know how Hyperbaric therapy works – it works by reviving the little mitochondria and actually causes mitochondrial biogenesis, so that if you need more mitochondria in your neurons more of them will form. It is interesting to note that the reason the ketogenic diet helps patients with certain types of neurological problems is that ketone bodies help support mitochondrial function. My opinion is that hyperbaric therapy is the most effective way to do this. It is that simple – this is not rocket science, but it is non-invasive brain repair.

As long as supportive biomedical interventions are taking place at the same time, be that detoxification, the appropriate diet for that child (GF/SF/CF, the SC diet or the GAPS diet, etc.), the appropriate supplements are on board, (folinic acid, B12, ALA, glutathione, etc.), foods the child is allergic to are eliminated and any infectious issues are being dealt with (such as yeast, viral load, Lyme, Mycobacterium, etc.) then hyperbaric therapy can commence. Hyperbaric therapy is not a substitute for a comprehensive bio-medical intervention strategy, and again alone it is not a cure, but it can be an important addition to the overall treatment plan.

Hyperbaric therapy is perhaps the safest procedure in medicine at the pressures used to treat brain injuries and children on the spectrum.

How does one get treated?

Hyperbaric treatment facilities that are not connected to hospital operations almost always treat conditions that have yet to be approved by the FDA – so-called “off-label” conditions. These free-standing centers are few and often far between, and since the brain injury protocol requires daily treatments for months; both treatment cost and distance to the nearest clinic become critical matters.

Optimally, you will want your child to be treated at a clinic that has experience treating children with brain injuries and where there is a physician with experience in treating children on the spectrum. That is the best case scenario, but that situation is not widely available. The second best option is to start off at such a center and then rent a portable chamber or buy one, as most do who start off renting a chamber.

Portable chambers go to 1.3 atmospheres and are not allowed to be inflated with oxygen; although they can have oxygen pumped in at 10 liters per minute by and FDA licensed oxygen concentrator. Not every child will be a responder at the low pressure, but most will respond. For the vast majority of affected children, the best case and even the second best case options are not practical, which makes having a portable/soft chamber at home the only real treatment option.

How many treatments are required?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is prescribed by a physician based on that patient’s need. Typically for Autism Spectrum issues combined with other co-morbid medical conditions therapies are typically prescribed in 1 hour increments once full pressure is obtained. Treatment length varies by case. Typically treatments are between 20 – 80 separate appointments.  Hyperbaric oxygen therapies are more efficacious to be performed in sequential days.

Doctors will work with patients to evaluate individual needs and come up with a treatment plan.  Each treatment plan varies. This therapy could be prescribed in groups. For example, a doctor may prescribe three separate 20 treatment sessions as part of a treatment plan. Please check with your doctor for additional details.

What chamber is the right chamber?

As I have already pointed out there are many shapes and sizes, but not all portable chambers are equal. There are some very cheaply made chambers on the market and so a parent is best served by a manufacture that has the best guarantee, the best system for fixing a chamber should something go wrong, and has a long track record in the USA of selling their chambers from the same location. In other words, an established company that stands behind their product is best and what is not best is looking for the best price. There is only one company I know of that will both rent chambers and buy back their chambers to refurbish them and sell them at a reduced price – there is only one chamber manufacture in the USA that sells a portable chamber that is Pressure Vessel Certified – that is the only company I would obtain a chamber from.






For details visit  TACA 

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R Kelly on Justin Biber - His struggle will determine his success.

R Kelly has praised teen pop idol Justin Bieber over the way he is handling the media heat.

The 46-year old - who has worked with JB on new tune Put You Down, or PYD for short - told E! News: “He's [Bieber] young with an old soul, so he can take it.

“His struggle will determine his success. I ain't worried about him.

Kelly went on to talk about his growing friendship with the Biebs, revealing: “We've known each other for a minute. One time we sat in a hotel playing each other's songs for two hours.

“I love a few of the songs he did and he loves a few of the songs I did, we decided we would do things together, sending things back and forth and now it's phenomenal.”

As well as Justin, R Kelly has worked on a track Do What U Want, with Lady Gaga – with the pair putting on a rather raunchy performance of the song on Saturday Night Live last weekend.

Source:MTV UK

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Kids with Autism - TV, Bedroom Computers may worsen sleep issues

Kids with autism and related disorders are prone to sleep disturbances but a new study finds that screen time, especially in the bedroom, may make their sleep problems worse.

When researchers compared boys with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to other boys, they found that all the kids with bedroom access to media slept fewer hours, but the relationship was twice as strong for the boys with autism.


Past studies suggest that up to 80 percent of kids with autism, and related conditions like Asperger syndrome, experience sleep troubles, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also are known to have a high rate of sleep disturbances.

With both conditions, it's unclear why sleep is so difficult. Theories include a disruption in sleep-wake cycles that are regulated by the hormone melatonin, which is often deficient in kids with ASDs, Engelhardt and his colleagues write in Pediatrics.

Because kids with autism spectrum disorders, like those with ADHD, also tend to spend a lot of time watching TV and playing video or computer games, the researchers wondered whether that could be contributing to their sleep problems.

So they recruited the parents of 49 boys with autism spectrum disorders, 38 with ADHD and 41 comparison boys with typical development to fill out questionnaires about their children's bedroom screen access and sleep patterns. All the kids were between ages eight and 17.

Boys with autism who had TV, computers or video games in their bedrooms got less sleep than all the other boys, including boys with autism who didn't have media in their bedrooms.

Without a TV in their room, boys with autism spent an average of about nine hours sleeping, compared to less than eight hours among kids with an ASD and a bedroom TV.

In contrast, bedroom TVs didn't seem to make a difference for boys with ADHD or typical development.

Boys with autism with computers in their rooms slept nearly two hours less than boys with autism and no bedroom computer.

A lot of time spent playing video games, regardless of where they were located, was also linked to shorter sleep times among boys with ASDs.

Even for typical children, too much time with TV or video games has been linked to attention problems, hyperactivity, arguments and physical fights, Engelhardt said.

"We can't say that access to a TV causes less sleep," only that the two are linked for some kids, he said.

Last month, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for limiting screen time for all kids to one or two hours per day.

"This is a good recommendation for all children," Dr. Beth Marlow, Burry Chair in Cognitive Childhood Development and director of the Sleep Disorders Division at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

"Following this recommendation for kids with (autism spectrum) and ADHD is good, although children with (autism spectrum) or ADHD who are still having difficulty with sleep despite limiting electronics really deserve a sleep evaluation by their pediatrician or sleep specialist."

Sleep troubles can also stem from anxiety, sleep apnea, pain that the child might not be able to express, gastrointestinal problems or seizures, she said.

For typically developing kids, bedroom TV access doesn't usually seem to cut into sleep.

"However, (Engelhardt's) finding for teens with ASD concurs with our clinical impressions - that these teens have difficulty 'switching off' videogames," Michael Gradisar said.

Gradisar is a clinical psychologist who studies technology use and sleep, especially among teens, at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.

"Many teens have a distorted sense of time passing when playing videogames, however, it may be that this time distortion is stronger for teens with ASD," he said.

Parents can have a tough time managing how much their children play games or watch TV, he said. "It may take quite some time to do, but one option is for parents to introduce other hobbies and activities into their teens lives, so that videogaming eventually occupies less time."

People with autism tend to spend more time with media outlets, researchers think, because the electronic worlds have engaging audio and visual features and their social interactions are easy relative to real life interactions.

This doesn't necessarily mean that parents should take TVs or video games out of their autistic children's rooms, but might consider limiting or monitoring media consumption, he said.

"Screen media can certainly be good for kids with autism," he said. "Scientists have long known that video games are great at teaching and reinforcing certain behaviors, so it's possible that these games can be used to adjust and shape the types of behaviors generally valued by society, such as behaviors intended to help others.



Souce: KATHRYN DOYLE, Reuter

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Alex - I was in an ideal situation. But it suddenly all changed.

I was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. I was unable to talk and fixed in my routines. I had no desire to be part of this world. I did not utter my first word till I was five years of age and even then I only repeated lines from TV shows. I was encouraged to use symbols and sign language to make myself understood. By the age of eight I was talking in simple sentences and progressing well.

I survived the education system with a full statement of educational needs. In my teenage years I was even able to make friends and had a bit of a social life at various sports clubs.

At the age of 20 I moved in with a very good friend, Dave, who became my carer as well as my best friend. I was a very isolated person and spent all my time in the house obsessing over DVDs and computer games. I had no interest in social activities and was happy to be left alone. Dave encouraged me to become part of the community and join in with things he was doing. Slowly I became more social. But I still preferred the company of Dave and staying in my own home. To some extent I had become scared to leave.

I was diagnosed with OCD and social anxiety when I was 22. I had become so fixed in my routines that I was petrified of any change or anything new. I would hardly leave the house even with the support of Dave and I spent most of my time in silence organising my collections and DVDs.

One year later I was given a new social worker from the Learning Disability team who was amazing and really wanted to help me. She could see that I needed a life beyond Dave and my home.

I was referred to a super Psychologist who I have been seeing for four years now. She works through my anxieties with me and helps me understand the world better. She has also tested my IQ and memory so we know exactly what areas I have problems in but also what my strengths are and how to use these to help me in other areas.

I was also referred to an Occupational Therapist who worked with me for three years on the many sensory problems I have and also issues involving safety in my own home and out in public. I lack a realistic sense of danger so we needed to work for quite some time of how to keep me safe.

While all this was going on my social worker was looking into education and activities for me. We tried adult education course that went well but were only short courses. We also tried several day centres none of which could meet my needs. They were a safe environment for me but I was not stimulated enough, I got very bored and this resulted in me either wandering off or lashing out.

After much searching I was offered Direct Payments to either employ a PA or an independent service. I found a wonderful day service which I now attend three to four days a week. They offer therapeutic art, daily living skills and also cookery. This is ideal for me. The activities provide me with constant stimulation in a safe environment with a high staff to service user ratio. The staff have a good understanding of Autism. They also hold regular leisure evenings which I also attend. We have been to the cinema, bingo, bowling, pub, out for meals, shopping and much more. They allow us to be adults and experience normal adult activities with the support, encouragement and safety we need.

I was in an ideal situation. But it suddenly all changed.

At age 27 I was suddenly thrown out of my routine when for various reasons Dave was unable to continue to be my carer and live with me.

It happened very suddenly and my whole world crashed! Social services crisis team were brought in and began visiting me three times a day, everyone was fussing around me and I didn’t know where I was going to end up. Would I be allowed to live on my own? Would I have to go in to a home? What would happen to my dog? Who would manage my money, do my shopping, take me to medical appointments? I lost over a stone in weight in 11 days as I could not eat, I could not talk. I simply just fell apart.

My day service stepped in and got me back in to the swing of things. They offered me increased emotional and practical support. My Direct Payments were increased and in the next few weeks I have a new PA starting.

All the professionals involved in my care had meetings and more meetings. It was decided with support I could live on my own and keep my dog.

I have been living on my own now for eight weeks and two days. I am doing ok. I am cooking basic meals using a microwave only. Sometimes they don’t go right and I don’t eat but most of the time it turns out ok. I have been keeping my house clean and tidy with the help of prompt sheets, visual time tables and a bit of practical support from support workers who visit me two days a week. I hope I can continue to live on my own with this high level of support.

My day services are going very well and I am so glad I found such a unique and amazing service to be part of.

Looking back through my life I can see my autism has caused a lot of problems and the lack of understanding I have experienced is amazing even with so called professionals! It has often seemed like a dead end and I have wanted to give up and just hide in my own little world. But I am glad people pushed me to try new things however hard it was because I now have a good life with adequate support and am achieving a lot. I even have hobbies! I am a member of a website that supports parents and carers of children with autism and I help run their live chat room as well as writing the monthly newsletter. I have been a member for over three years and hope I have helped them out as much as they have helped me.

If I could give only one piece of advise to someone entering adulthood with Autism it would be to keep fighting for what you want, you are a person too and you are entitled to a good, happy and safe life.

By Alex

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Train crashed into a mini-bus, killed 20 outside Cairo in Egypt

At least 20 people have been killed as a train crashed into a mini-bus and other vehicles south of Egypt's capital Cairo, officials say.

The train, travelling from the city of Bani Swaif, hit the vehicles at a crossing about 40km (25 miles) from Cairo, they say.

A number of people were reported injured in the incident early on Monday. An investigation is under way.

Egypt's roads and railways have a notoriously poor safety record.

Crossing gates 'closed'
Monday's collision happened near the village of Dahshur.

It was not immediately clear whether all the victims were in the bus and other vehicles hit by the train.

"We are still investigating the incident and once we are done we will issue a statement," an interior ministry source told Reuters news agency.

Local security officials were quoted by Nile News TV as saying the crossing gates of the tracks had been closed and the train's driver was surprised to see vehicles still crossing.

In January, a train carrying army recruits derailed near Cairo, killing 19 people and injuring more than 100.

Last November, 50 children died when a train hit their school bus near Manfalut, some 350km south of Cairo, after a signal operator fell asleep.

Egypt's worst train disaster was in 2002, when a train caught fire in Cairo, killing 373 people.



Source:bbc news

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Girls may hide their autism - traits common in girls than previously thought

New research suggests many girls could be suffering with undiagnosed autism -as they are better at covering up signs of the disorder compared to boys.

Teachers are six times more likely to identify boys as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than girls, with parents twice as likely to make the same assessment.

But a study by University College London found autistic traits were more common in girls than previously thought.

Researchers used a series of tests to analyse emotional reactions in more than 3500 participants in the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol.

In the tests, participants were asked to identify emotions of people as happy, sad, angry or scared.

They were then asked to attribute one of the same four emotions to an animated triangle and circle moving around a screen.

Boys and girls who were previously identified as having attributes of autism were more likely to make mistakes when identifying sad and scared places and wrongly identify faces as happy.

When the genders were contrasted, girls with autistic traits were found to be better at recognising emotions in the photographs but fared less well identifying the triangle and circle cartoons.

This suggests that girls might be better at masking the signs of autism in social situations but are less able to do so in unfamiliar settings, the study reported.


Source: Herald Scotland

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Spanish football pursed 15 million euros’ for controversial friendly against Equatorial Guinea

The leader of Equatorial Guinea’s opposition in exile has accused the Spanish Football Federation of taking 15 million euros in return for playing a match in the African nation well known for its human rights violations.

The Spanish team has faced international criticism for its decision to play Saturday’s friendly game.

It is the first time a non-African country has played in Malabo since President Nguema seized power from his uncle in a coup in 1979.

When asked why the team was playing the match, which pits the world champions against a side ranking 119th in the world, Spanish coach, Vicente del Bosque refused to comment.

“I won’t answer this question” del Bosque told reporters, adding, “ask anything else but I won’t respond to this one.”

However Equatorial Guinea’s opposition leader in exile, Severo Moto, told euronews the reason was a payment of millions of euros.

“We (the opposition) got this information from the Equatorial Guinea embassy in Madrid, and it said that 15 million euros was paid in order to have this match. We would like this match to be an incentive for the international community to say no to this dictatorial and cruel rule that Obiang uses against the people of Equatorial Guinea.”

Del Bosque has shrugged off criticism saying they don’t want to get involved in politics.

“We are only sports people, only footballers and we’re not here to give prestige, nor strengthen, nor overthrow, nor go against anyone,” Del Bosque said.

Equatorial Guinea was a Spanish colony until the late 1960s.

Human rights groups accuse President Obiang of torturing political opponents, a lack of freedom of speech and of plundering the country’s oil wealth





Source: euronews 

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Asperger syndrome: Real Life story by Simon

I'd always found the world a bit confusing. I never understood why people behave the way they do and why I never really seemed to fit in. I'd done well at school, but had found it difficult to relate to people and to make friends. I always tried to avoid social occasions but when I couldn't get out of them I'd end up sitting in a corner, lost in a world of my own.

I did well at university, though and married my fantastic (and extremely patient) wife. After graduating, I got a good job that I enjoyed. But I still couldn't help feeling that I was an observer on the outside, as if there was a big secret that everybody in the world knew but me.

Then, about two years ago, my wife watched a documentary about Asperger syndrome and instantly recognised that it was describing me. Suddenly everything made sense. I realised why I find some things difficult, when they seem to come naturally to everyone else. I realised why I don't always understand what people are saying or feeling. And I realised why I sometimes feel isolated and alone.

Since then, I've tried to learn more about things, such as understanding body language and facial expressions, which had previously eluded me. I've read book after book on social interaction and communication, which have helped me to build up my own set of rules for dealing with people. Although this doesn't yet put me on a par with 'neurotypicals' who understand these things automatically, it does make it easier for me to socialise and to develop relationships with friends and colleagues.

For instance, I'd always found it difficult to make small talk until I read that the aim of such conversations is merely to pass the time, and that it's OK to drift from topic to topic without reaching any specific conclusions. If only I'd known that it was that simple!

I've also realised that there are some things that come easily to me that other people find difficult. For example, I've found that I'm able to understand complex ideas and then explain them to others, and that I can see patterns or trends in numbers and other information that other people can't. I find it easy to learn foreign languages: I speak French, German and Russian, and am learning Dutch and Chinese. I'm also fairly bright academically and enjoy learning new things, even though I find it difficult sometimes to concentrate and to understand things that I have read.

Learning about Asperger syndrome has taught me that I have many talents but that I need to nurture these rather than try to pretend that I'm 'normal' like everybody else.

So I've made a few changes to my life. I still work in my old job, though now part-time for three days a week. This means that I can focus on solving technical financial and organisational problems for my clients, which I enjoy and am good at, rather than on managing staff.

In my two 'extra' days, I'm doing a degree in physics with the Open University, which not only challenges me intellectually but also feeds my passion for learning and knowledge. Since my optician diagnosed me with visual dyslexia, I'm now the proud wearer of a pair of blue-tinted spectacles, which means that I now find it much easier to read and to recall what I've read.

In the small amount of spare time that remains, I'm trying to learn more about my Asperger syndrome and to write about my experiences and the many other things that interest me. I do this just for fun at the moment, but hope to get some of my articles published one day. Although, given the length of time it's taken me to write this, I'm glad I have another source of income!

These may not sound like momentous changes, but to me they represent a fundamental shift in what I want to do with my life. I've realised that it's not about doing what everybody else does, but about doing what I want to do. It's about following my own path, living my own life and finding my own definition of success. I'm still not sure whether having Asperger syndrome is a good or a bad thing, but what I do know is that it's part of what makes me who I am. And I'm OK with that.

By Simon

note: since writing this article, Simon has become the author of Body language and communication: a guide for people with autism spectrum disorders, published by The National Autistic Society.

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Taxi driver caught with a Blast Knuckles 950,000 volt stun gun on his way to kill Prime Minister

Taxi driver Irfaq Naz, 34, was caught by officers in July driving the wrong way down a north London street having travelled down from his Middlesbrough home.

An unsheathed Samurai sword, a machete, kitchen knives, hammers and masking tape were also found in his Vauxhall Astra, after police resorted to smashing their vehicle into his to prevent him from driving on.

While officers were initially called to reports of a dangerous driver travelling for three-quarters of a mile into oncoming traffic, it was only after they’d detained him that he admitted he was ‘on his way to kill the prime minister’.

He began his journey in the early hours of July 16 and by 4am had reached Kentish Town in north London.

After driving down Camden High Street the wrong way, police found ‘a knuckleduster in his shirt pocket and an 18 inch hunting knife in the waistband of his trousers,’ prosecutor Nick Dry said at Teeside Crown Court.

He added: ‘In the driver’s door panel were three eight-inch kitchen knives.

From the rear seat officers recovered a claw hammer, a lump hammer and an axe which were in a plastic bag that also contained masking tape.

‘In the boot they found a machete and a stun gun, shaped as a knuckleduster. That device, a Blast Knuckles 950,000 volt stun gun, was found to be in working order and a prohibited weapon.’

Naz, who had spent time as a mental health patient at Roseberry Park Hospital, was also found to have £1,200 in cash and four mobile phones.

A search of his home unearthed the postcode of Number 10 and the names of prominent political figures, related to his ‘delusions’ of killing a world leader.

Naz has been detained under the Mental Health Act after psychiatrists and prosecutors said he posed a significant risk to the public.

He can only be released with the permission of the Home Secretary.

Peter Wishlade, defending, said: ‘Mr Naz, when he is taking his medication, is perfectly calm, rational, articulate and easy to talk to, but unfortunately when not, he is inclined to delusions and regrettably he has endeavoured to carry them out.




Source:Metro

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Authorities in Germany are still pursuing Justin Bieber

Officials in Germany are still pursuing Justin Bieber in an effort to settle a hefty bill relating to the pet monkey he abandoned earlier this year.
The ‘Baby’ hitmaker's capuchin, named Mally, was confiscated by customs guards in March after he attempted to enter the country with the animal without the proper paperwork.
Bieber was given until May to reclaim the primate, but he failed to do so by the given deadline and Mally subsequently became the property of German zoo officials.

The singer was sent a bill, reportedly amounting to almost US$11,000 , to cover the cost and penalties of housing the monkey during its detention period, but authorities have yet to receive anything from the pop superstar, despite sending him another copy of the invoice on Wednesday.
Ellen Frederichs, attorney for Germany's Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, tells Celebuzz.com, "As Mr. Bieber should be informed about his payment obligations by now, we hope that he takes his responsibility and settles the costs he has caused to the public, just like anybody else would have to do."
If Bieber, who reportedly bought a new pet monkey to replace Mally upon his return to the US, continues to ignore the bill, authorities could take him to task the next time he lands in the country.
The singer has been busy stirring up trouble across the globe - he has also fallen foul of police in Brazil, where he has been hit with a vandalism charge, after spraying graffiti on an abandoned hotel in Rio de Janiero earlier this month.







Source:3news

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Autistic or 'person with autism? - Identity-First Language

Words and language are powerful tools by which an individual can express ideas, whether abstract, actionable, or concrete. one should know firsthand that language and the meanings we attach to words very much impact, influence, develop, and change the attitudes that we have toward the subjects of discussion. That is why people are easily insulted or upset by word choices. Changing a phrase — even if it holds the same literal meaning — alters the subtle connotations and nuances of the speech, and communicates a different meaning and context than the original phrasing.

In the autism community, many self-advocates and their allies prefer terminology such as “Autistic,” “Autistic person,” or “Autistic individual” because we understand autism as an inherent part of an individual’s identity — the same way one refers to “Muslims,” “African-Americans,” “Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer,” “Chinese,” “gifted,” “athletic,” or “Jewish.” On the other hand, many parents of Autistic people and professionals who work with Autistic people prefer terminology such as “person with autism,” “people with autism,” or “individual with ASD” because they do not consider autism to be part of an individual’s identity and do not want their children to be identified or referred to as “Autistic.” They want “person-first language,” that puts “person” before any identifier such as “autism,” in order to emphasize the humanity of their children.

Yet, while I have been familiar with this rift among the autism community over the use of “person with autism” as opposed to “Autistic person,” I hadn't fully explored the diversity of perspectives on the topic until now.

During last Wednesday’s meeting, one subcommittee member, who I believe is the parent of an Autistic child, and an Autistic self-advocate expressed disagreement over the terms. Feedback from one of our members suggested changing “ASD individual” in our report to “individual with ASD.” The Autistic self-advocate sitting beside me, who also has an Autistic brother, voiced her objection to use of the term. “I disagree,” she said as the suggestion was read aloud. “I’m not a person with autism; I am Autistic.”

Immediately, a mother sitting next to her responded, “I come from a time where that word, ‘autistic,’ had — still has — a negative meaning. It’s offensive. When someone refers to my son as ‘the autistic,’ I cringe at that word; I get ready to defend him.”

The theory behind person-first language is that it puts the person before the disability or the condition, and emphasizes the value and worth of the individual by recognizing them as a person instead of a condition. And that’s a great idea. In fact, when discussing specific people, I have never once heard anyone — self-advocate, parent, teacher, or otherwise — refer to a person as anything except by his or her name. I can’t think of any teacher — at least any decent one — who would refer to a student as “that Autistic kid,” or “that kid with autism.” And I certainly can’t think of any parent who wouldn’t refer to his or her child by name.

But why self-advocates so opposed to this terminology?

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Chris brown out of rehab already!

Chris Brown is no longer in rehab, though he's continuing his anger management treatment on an outpatient basis, his rep confirmed this afternoon.

"Chris is continuing his rehab program as an outpatient and is also completing his community service in the Los Angeles area," the rep tells E! News.

Brown "appreciates all of your encouragement and support."

Hopefully, he has not read the Rihanna and Drake news.

"Chris is continuing his rehab program as an outpatient and is also completing his community service in the Los Angeles area," the rep tells E! News.

Brown "appreciates all of your encouragement and support."

Hopefully, he has not read the Rihanna and Drake news.

If you recall, the 24-year-singer entered rehab following his arrest for assault in D.C. to "gain focus and insight into his past and recent behavior."

It was originally reported that he could stay in the Malibu, Calif., facility for up to three months, as a show of good faith to his probation officers.

Clearly, that's not happening. He's out after 16 days.



Source:hollywoodgossip

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Real Life story of Autistic person- Ellie

As bad as things can get when you have autism, they can get better too!

"In 99% of cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is."
All I can say is thank goodness most people don't think like that. I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when I was nine. I don't remember much about my childhood - I feel left out when my friends talked about how fun school was during reception class.
The only real memory I have of it is hiding under a table, feeling really stressed out. Most of primary school was distressing and all I remember is that I really hated it. I really couldn't deal with being in a classroom with other people all day, when all I wanted was to be alone. I didn't know how to talk to people or make friends and being close to others made me very uncomfortable.
I began to run out of class to be alone, which was so much easier and much more fun. I loved to pace up and down for hours on end if I could and in fact, I still do that nearly every day, whilst listening to my iPod. However, back then if people tried to bring me back into class again I kicked and hit out.
I don't remember being diagnosed, but the result was that I got a full time helper to avoid being excluded. Mrs N. was amazing. She soon became the person I was closest to at school. She was firm, but very kind and funny, and I miss her a lot. I would never have managed primary school without her.
However, things did slowly change for the better. I was told I would get a Gameboy if I didn't run out of class for the whole six weeks leading up to Christmas. It was really hard to do, and I needed Mrs N. every step of the way, but I managed.
People began to wonder about secondary school. My mum and dad thought about a special school but decided against it. So we went round lots of local schools. I hated some because they were so big and noisy. One school told my mum that because I had a statement I would be in the front door if I wanted - but that they would have me out the back door as quickly as they could. Knowing that hurts even now, years afterwards.
Although we looked around many schools I already knew where I wanted to go. My school is all girls, small and really friendly. I fit in and have a group of eight friends, but I get on well with nearly everyone in my class. I only had two friends in primary school. I am doing really well with my lessons and I'm expected A*’s in all my GCSE's.
I'm looking forward to being more independent, starting sixth form and learning to drive. Living on my own will be hard because I find it very difficult to fill in forms or make telephone calls- I had to phone the bank recently and when the man came on the phone I panicked and couldn't say a word!
I'm sure I will manage these things eventually with help from my parents. Some people at school still don't know 'about me'. Until quite recently I guess I felt ashamed of being different, afraid of people's reactions. They wonder about that time in year eight when I screamed and hit out, they wonder why I have two helpers, and I'm sure they wonder why I put on my iPod sometimes, screen everyone out and pace up and down the room.
But they don't ask about it and I'm pleased they don't. I feel comfortable enough around my class to pace in front of them when I need to. My friends don't care - to them that is part of what makes me 'Ellie'. Other than that, you probably couldn't tell anything about me was out of the ordinary if you met me.
Eye contact is difficult and although I like going to the cinema on my own, if a stranger sits next to me I panic and want to leave. But I have learned that if I stay, I will eventually get so absorbed by the movie that I’ll simply forget they’re there!
A while back I made a big step and decided by myself to go to some mock job interviews to help with eye contact etc. I was shaking when it was time to go in but I did it and my feedback was really good! My interviewers certainly hadn't noticed anything different about me.
I don't like my routines being disrupted and it will be difficult to transition to the sixth form, but I know I will soon settle down and I am sure I will like it - in fact I am looking forward to it!
My own story has taught me that as bad as things can get when you have autism, they can get better too - just never give up! It upsets me when people who know nothing about autism say it would be good if there was medication for all people with it. I don't want a 'cure' or any 'treatment' whatsoever.
I couldn't imagine being 'normal' and far from being ashamed of being different, now I can confidently say I'M AN ASPIE AND I AM GLAD I AM.
By Ellie

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Core symptoms of Autism

The severity of symptoms varies greatly, but all people with autism have some core symptoms in the areas of:

Social interactions and relationships. Symptoms may include:
Significant problems developing nonverbal communication skills, such as eye-to-eye gazing, facial expressions, and body posture.
Failure to establish friendships with children the same age.
Lack of interest in sharing enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people.
Lack of empathy. People with autism may have difficulty understanding another person's feelings, such as pain or sorrow.
Verbal and nonverbal communication. Symptoms may include:
Delay in, or lack of, learning to talk. As many as 40% of people with autism never speak.1
Problems taking steps to start a conversation. Also, people with autism have difficulties continuing a conversation after it has begun.
Stereotyped and repetitive use of language. People with autism often repeat over and over a phrase they have heard previously (echolalia).
Difficulty understanding their listener's perspective. For example, a person with autism may not understand that someone is using humor. They may interpret the communication word for word and fail to catch the implied meaning.
Limited interests in activities or play. Symptoms may include:
An unusual focus on pieces. Younger children with autism often focus on parts of toys, such as the wheels on a car, rather than playing with the entire toy.
Preoccupation with certain topics. For example, older children and adults may be fascinated by video games, trading cards, or license plates.
A need for sameness and routines. For example, a child with autism may always need to eat bread before salad and insist on driving the same route every day to school.
Stereotyped behaviors. These may include body rocking and hand flapping.

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Rihanna spent night with Drake while Chris Brown is in rehab

Rihanna could have her pick of any number of men, but it looks like she’s still to-ing and fro-ing between Drake and Chris Brown as insiders claim she has been hooking up with Drake while Chris has been in rehab!
A source close to RiRi has told Hollywoodlife.com, “My girl gets hers and let’s just say it’s easier for a [girl] to go to familiar territory than it is for her to get out there and [be with someone] new.”

The insider claimed Rihanna had spent the night with Drake after her performance in Dallas this week. They said, “You’ve got to remember, Rihanna has done a lot of growing and Drake’s a real [guy] so there’s not really any expectations that come with what they did. They’re both adults and can compartmentalize things.”

Concert-goers have even claimed they spotted Drake and Rihanna snuggling up together during a late-night dinner date after the show.
We don’t think Chris is going to be very happy when he hears the rumours – he has recently checked himself into rehab following a ‘misdemeanour assault charge’ last month. Rihanna and Chris famously ended their relationship in 2009 after he assaulted her, but the pair have been on an off in recent years. Come on RiRi, make your mind up!





Source:heatworld

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Fans slammed Justin Bieber for shoving Argentine flag off stage

Justin Bieber has incurred the wrath of fans in Argentina after appearing to disrespect the country's citizens by using his feet to sweep two flags off the stage during a weekend concert.
The pop superstar was performing in Buenos Aires on Saturday when members of the audience tossed two Argentinian flags onto the platform in a bid to catch the singer's attention.
However, instead of picking up the gifts to show his appreciation to the patriotic devotees, Bieber used his shoes and then a microphone stand to push the flags onto the ground - and the footage has now appeared on YouTube, angering a number of his supporters, who have made their feelings known by posting furious comments online.
One fan wrote, "I hope he never comes back to my country after this. So disrespectful", while another adds, "How disgusting. He's an ignorant brat and shouldn't do that in front of his loyal fans."

Bieber enraged other attendees at another show in the city on Sunday, when he had to cut the gig short due to ill health brought on by a bout of food poisoning.
The 'Baby' hitmaker's South American tour, which wrapped in Chile on Tuesday night, went from bad to worse after a string of headline-grabbing incidents, which included a vandalism charge in Brazil and an alleged romp with a Brazilian model/actress. He was also booted out of his Buenos Aires hotel hours before his concert on Saturday after fans camped out on the streets were accused of disturbing the peace.




Source:3news 

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Sen. Charles propose Tracking devices for children with autism and other developmental disorders

Sen. Charles Schumer is calling on the federal government to fund a program that would make tracking devices  available for children with autism and other developmental disorders who walk away from their caregivers.

The proposal comes as the search continues for 14-year-old Avonte Oquendo, who walked away from his Long Island City school on Oct. 4.

Schumer believes the devices could prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

“While we may think that a GPS can only be used to track down cars and iPhones, it can also be used for other important ends,” Schumer said. “Especially in the hustle and bustle of a city like New York the devices are crucial.”

Schumer said some of the GPS devices can be secured on the wrists, attached to a belt buckle, or slipped into a shoe.

“A parent interested in such a device could simply go to their local police precinct and apply for one,” Schumer said. “No parent who doesn’t want to participate has to.”

Kpana Kpoto of the Bronx said when she heard about Oquendo‘s disappearance, one of the first things she did was go online to find a tracking device for her autistic 6-year-old son.

“My son has bolted in the street before,” Kpoto said. “It was just by the grace of God that he’s alive today.”

The program would be modeled after one that is already in place for Alzheimer’s patients.

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Chinese Man sues Wife over ugly Baby

A man in northern China filed a lawsuit against his estranged wife this month after he deemed their newborn to be "incredibly ugly" and blamed the child's appearance on his mother's unattractive genes.

And the guy actually won $120,000 as a result.

Jian Feng said in court documents that he married his wife "out of love," but that the couple began having "marital issues" soon after the birth of their daughter.

She was "incredibly ugly," Feng said. "To the point where it horrified me."

Feng initially accused his wife of having an affair, only for the truth to eventually come out:

She had spent in excess of $100,000 on plastic surgery, duping Feng into believing he had married a natural beauty.

Appalled by this instance of false advertising and angry that he did not learn of it until after the couple had procreated, Feng took his wife to court and was awarded $120,000 in a settlement.

Equally incredible? The outpouring of support - FOR FENG! - among social media users in China.

“When you are in a true relationship, you tell your spouse everything. Past present and future – if not, then you don't respect them,” one male wrote on Facebook.






Source: hollywoodgossip 

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Undisputed Truth of Iron Mike Tyson

In his new memoir, Mike Tyson writes that working on the book has made him think his whole life has been a joke.

The former heavyweight champion, who electrified the boxing world in the 1980s, now regrets how the pursuit of fame made him act outside the ring.

“I feel like a schmuck,’’ Tyson told Willie Geist on TODAY Tuesday. “I feel like ‘el schmucko.’ For instance, I didn’t choose being a fighter; it chose me. Somebody told me, ‘Hey this is what you’re gonna do, you’re good at this.’

“I’m from such a deprived neighborhood, in Brownsville, Brooklyn. I wanted something great for my life. I didn’t want to be that person any more. So I went on that journey, and that journey took me to such a megalomaniacal perspective of myself.”

In his new book, “Undisputed Truth,” Tyson writes about the struggle to contain his alter ego: “Iron Mike,’’ the ferocious fighter inside the ring whose personality often manifested itself in ugly incidents outside the ring. Tyson told Geist it was “almost impossible’’ to contain that side of him.

“That guy, he follows me,’’ Tyson said. “He even follows me when I perform on stage on Broadway. That’s my alter ego when I’m afraid. I can use ‘Iron Mike’ as an excuse, but I owe that to all the self-gratification I got out of being that person. It took me away from being that scared little kid to being a feared person, which I thought was a respected person.”

He believes that warrior spirit is one that has been a part of him forever.

“I believe in another life I was at war [in ancient Greece] with Achilles and all those guys,’’ he said. “I believe I was born to do this.”

Worlds collide: Mike Tyson, Shirley MacLaine make fast friends on TODAY.

Tyson also writes frankly about his ill treatment of women during his life, which he believes relates to his childhood.

“I judge by the way my mother was being treated, so I thought that’s how women should be treated,’’ he said. “When you see the biggest woman figure in your life being treated pretty disrespectfully, you realize she’s accepting that. You realize this is just what it is.”

Therapy and his wife and five daughters have helped Tyson improve his interactions with women, he believes. “I really like to deep down believe that I am [better],’’ he said.

Tyson also writes about how his pursuit of the heavyweight title and chasing an aura as one of the greatest fighters of all time led him down a negative path.

“I tried so desperately to be someone that I really wasn’t, and I never really found out who I was,’’ he told Geist. “But I wanted to be this image of what I thought was glorious and fantastic. It was just conquering people, becoming the best, and it didn’t matter who I stepped on, even if I stepped on myself or my own feelings or destroyed myself. I just wanted that image of being the greatest fighter God created, all that crazy stuff.”

With a one-man Broadway show, an HBO special about his life airing on Nov. 16, and his new memoir, Tyson feels like he is a long way from the man who once burned to be the champ.

“It’s like light years away for me,’’ he said. “It’s like a blur, all that stuff, all that insecurity, wanting to be the best fighter in the world. I don’t even think in those terms anymore.”

The book is a raw account of Tyson’s life that details everything from his rough upbringing to a prison stint for a rape conviction to his struggles with drugs and alcohol.

“Nobody that reads that book is going to be envious or jealous of me,’’ he said. “No one is going to be envious and say, ‘Wow, he had a great life.’ That’s not gonna happen.” 

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Woman Raped at knifepoint in her own house

The New York Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding the man who they say broke into a woman's apartment in the middle of the night and raped her at knifepoint as her daughter slept nearby.

Police say the woman and her 7-year-old daughter were both asleep when the assailant entered at 3:30 a.m. Monday.

They say it's unclear how the suspect gained access into the apartment in Manhattan's Little Italy. They say there were no signs of forced entry.

Police on Tuesday released a sketch of the suspect and video from a surveillance camera showing him walking down the street after the alleged attack. They ask anyone with information about him to call police.




Source:abc

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Birthday Party Turns Deadly, killed 2, injured about 19

An 18-year-old's "birthday party gone wild" turned deadly when gunfire erupted at her Cypress, Texas, home overnight, killing two and injuring nearly two dozen others who were trying to escape the crowded house, authorities said.

Harris County Sheriff's investigators responded to a call about shots fired at the home at approximately 10:50 p.m. on Saturday, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia said today in a news conference.

Upon arriving, law enforcement officials described a chaotic scene rife with teenagers trying to escape the suburban residence, Garcia said. More than 100 people were inside the small, two-story home when one suspect fired his gun "in apparent celebration."

"Let me describe the event last night as a birthday party gone wild," he said.

"[It was] just one of those inexplicable, crazy things when someone decides to pull a pistol and discharge it in the air, and someone else who thinks it's important to carry a pistol to a birthday party decides to pull theirs," Garcia said.

At least 18 people at the party sustained gunshot wounds in their chests, legs and even hands as a result of the shooting, Garcia said. At least one partygoer has a broken leg from trying to escape from the house.

Two Cypress Springs High School students died -- one at the scene and another at a hospital. Their names have not been made public, but one of the victims was a 16-year-old girl with a birthday rapidly approaching, and the other was an 18-year-old boy, Garcia said.

Investigators are seeking two suspects. There is no evidence that the two alleged gunmen -- a 17-year-old and a 22-year-old -- were engaged in a confrontation or even came to the party together, Garcia said.

While authorities received information about several partygoers who may have been involved with local gangs, Garcia said it was not "the contributing factor" in the investigation.

The birthday celebration was being touted on social media, which Garcia said may have contributed to its violent outcome.

"Anytime that you promote a birthday party on social media, you have no control over who to expect at your door," Garcia said. "What it does indicate is that you're saying to the social media world, 'I don't know who you are, but you're invited.' That's not a good practice."

Garcia said neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to be a factor in the case, but there was a bouncer checking guests at the door.

The girl's mother was at the home at the time of the party and subsequent shooting. Garcia would not address whether criminal charges would be filed against the woman. The investigation is ongoing, he said.







Source:abcnews 

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Autism Linked to Inherited Gene Mutations, Particularly From Dad

Autism Linked to Inherited Gene Mutations, Particularly From Dad
year-old son tested for autism. She didn't think he fit the classic description of autism.
He showed emotion. He showed affection toward her. That wouldn't be possible for someone with autism, Gray believed.
"I didn't understand what autism was and the vast spectrum of the disorder," said Gray, who blogs for Babble.com, a Disney-owned online parenting magazine (Disney is also the parent company of ABC News). "I got him evaluated because I didn't want to be seen as a mom in denial."
Gray's son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome -- a higher functioning form of autism -- at age 4. In hindsight, Gray said she could see how his symptoms progressed until his diagnosis, and his diagnosis prompted her to have her daughter tested too. Two years later, in January 2012, her daughter, now 10 years old, received the same diagnosis as her brother.
The latest statistics released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that autism spectrum disorder increased by 23 percent from 2006 to 2008 to include nearly one in 88 children.
Experts said the growing numbers reflect an all-encompassing disorder that just as often includes children who speak or don't speak, make eye or don't make eye contact, recognize their names or not.
While experts remain perplexed about what causes autism, Gray said for her kids, she knew the answer.
"In our case, it's so clearly genetic," she said, even though medical experts cannot yet confirm the exact cause of any autism diagnosis. "There's no doubt in my mind."
And many scientists agree that the growing autism numbers may in part be attributed to certain genetic mutations that are most likely inherited from the father, according to the combined findings of three studies published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
The studies are the largest to date to use whole-exome sequencing, which decodes the protein in both children and their parents, an arguably more precise method of detecting genetic mutations in multiple genes that may be associated with autism.
The findings from one of the studies supports mounting evidence suggesting that the older the father, the higher the chance the child may develop some form of autism.
In another study, researchers who compared siblings with and without autism found that the sibling with autism had two different mutations of the gene SCN2A.
Genetic mutations found in the child with autism that were not found in either parent are likely not associated with autism, one of the studies concluded.
But these findings further suggest that autism is a genetically complex disease, Dr. Daniel Geshwind, a professor of neurology and psychiatry at UCLA, told ABCNews.com. Several genes contribute, as the average risk imparted by one mutation is typically not enough.
There are currently upward of 1,000 genes that seem to play some role in autism, but it's still not clear exactly what that role is.
"The genes highlighted are clearly the most convincing susceptibility genes that have been identified so far, but they only explain a small picture of autism," said Dr. Mark Daly, chief of the analytic and translational genetics at Massachusetts General Hospital, and co-author of one of the studies.

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Husband accused of killing Wife - 'Persuaded wife to have plastic surgery, dope her and kill her

MacNeill, 57, has been found guilty of first degree murder and obstruction of justice for the April 11, 2007, death of his wife, Michele MacNeill, 50. The former beauty queen's cause of death has been the main source of contention between the prosecution and defense.

MacNeill will be sentenced Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. His bail will remain at $1 million dollars until sentencing.

Prosecutors said MacNeill persuaded his wife to have plastic surgery so he could dope her up during her recovery and then drown her, clearing the way for his purported mistress, Gypsy Willis, to move in to the family's home.

MacNeill's defense lawyers said heart problems were a contributing factor in the mother of eight's death and that the Utah doctor was not guilty.

His defense attorney, Susanne Gustin, acknowledged at the start of the trial that MacNeill "has made poor choices in his life. We've heard he had affairs during his marriage," she said.

"We may think he is a total jerk, that is absolutely disgusting and that's natural. But it's very critical that during this trial you set aside your emotion," Gustin admonished the jury when the trial began a month ago.

During the three week trial, family fireworks flew as four of MacNeill's daughters testified. One of his oldest daughters, Alexis Somers, told the jury that she believes her father was guilty.

"Ever since the day my mom died, I was concerned that my father killed her," Somers said. "I've been fighting to get justice for this case ever since then.

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Nigeria walloped Mexico 3-0 to win U17 world cup for the 4th time

Golden Eaglets of Nigeria became the most successful team in FIFA U-17 World Cup history with a 3-0 win over holders Mexico at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The final was a rematch of the 6-1 win Nigeria inflicted on the Mexicans in Group F play and sees the Golden Eaglets lay hands on the junior world trophy for the fourth time in their history, one better than South American giants Brazil. When the final whistle went in the UAE capital, fans and players alike rejoiced, fingers pointed to the sky, with what has become the traditional Nigerian celebration of: “yes, yes yes!”

Mexico kept the ball for a full two minutes at the start of the game, moving it around well and making the Nigerians chase. El Tri even managed the first chance on goal after six minutes. Osvaldo Rodriguez crossed from the left, but Alejandro Diaz couldn’t keep his close-range effort the right side of the post. Two minutes on and Ivan Ochoa – who scored twice in the semi-final win over Argentina – saw his off-balance header pushed over the bar by Dele Alampasu.

The corner came to nothing for the Mexicans, but Nigeria benefitted greatly by bursting out on a classic counter-attack. Kelechi Iheanacho went flying up the pitch. With just one Mexican defender in position, the No10 Golden Eaglet laid the ball in for Taiwo Awoniyi who then fed it on to Musa Yahaha, who had a little help from Erick Aguirre. The Mexican midfielder mistakenly hit the ball into his own net in an attempt to recover.

With the score 1-0, Musa Muhammed was giving the Mexicans fits with his rampaging runs up the right side. He pinned the opponents back at every opportunity. As the first half pushed toward the interval, the Africans upped their tempo in search of a second goal. Yahaya rattled the crossbar with a stunning effort from 20 yards out after 38 minutes. Pressure was mounting and the fans in the stands were on their feet when Awoniyi’s bicycle-kick from the penalty spot forced Raul Gudino into a magnificent reaction save in the dying moments of the half.

The second period began with a frenzy of attacks at both ends of the pitch, but it was Nigeria who made theirs count, making it 2-0 in the 56th minute. Captain Muhammed unleashed a wicked swirling shot that Mexican keeper Gudino simply couldn’t hang on to. He spilled a rebound directly to the feet of the most dangerous man on the pitch, and Iheanacho made no mistake dispatching his sixth goal of the tournament.

With a quarter-hour to go, Mexico managed to carve out a rare second-half chance, but Ochoa’s header from close-range slipped wide of the post as the holders began to wilt under the ceaseless pressure of the buzzing Nigerians. Muhammed added a third with ten minutes to go, curling a sublime free-kick into the top corner.

Anyone in UAE who had the pleasure to see them will tell you that this Nigerian team were the best on offer. Even a few of the Mexican fans were mumbling “yes, yes, yes” when the final whistle went on Nigeria’s glorious campaign  in UAE





Source:FIFA

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Baby’s Gaze Could Signal Autism Risk, Study Finds

A baby’s gaze could carry the first signs of autism, according to a new study that suggests the developmental disorder disrupts the desire for eye contact.
Atlanta researchers used eye-tracking technology to study how babies respond to social cues between birth and the age of 3, and found that infants later diagnosed with autism paid less attention to the eyes of others.
“These results reveal that there are measurable and identifiable differences present already before six months,” study author Ami Klin, director of the Atlanta-based Marcus Autism Center, said in a statement adding that the findings “have the potential to dramatically shift the possibilities for future strategies of early intervention.”
The study was published today in the journal Nature.
Autism Bankrupts Families, Emotionally and Financially
Autism is currently diagnosed based on careful observation of a child’s behavior, social skills and ability to communicate. But researchers have long been looking for subtler signs with hopes of intervening sooner.
“By following these babies from birth, and intensively within the first six months, we were able to collect large amounts of data long before overt symptoms are typically seen,” study lead author Warren Jones, director of research for the Marcus Autism Center, said in a statement.
But Jones cautioned that parents should not go looking for such subtle signs or be discouraged if their babies sometimes avoid eye contact.
“We used very specialized technology to measure developmental differences, accruing over time, in the way that infants watched very specific scenes of social interaction,” he said. “To be sure, parents should not expect that this is something they could see without the aid of technology.”
On top of raising the possibility of earlier detection, the study could hint at subtle interactions between the complex genetics of autism, brain development and eye gaze, according to Jones.
“Our next step will be to expand these studies with more children, and to combine our eye-tracking measures with measures of gene expression and brain growth,” he said.






Source:abc news

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She disappeared 2004 at age 16 in Wisconsin, resurface in Mexico 9 years later with husband and 3 kids

Connie Lynn McCallister was 16 when she disappeared from her Wisconsin home nine years ago, but she recently surfaced in Mexico — along with a husband and three children — and her thrilled family hopes to be reunited with her in time for Thanksgiving.
The circumstances of her disappearance remain confusing, but McCallister’s family just wants her to come home to Wausau.
Her family is trying to raise money and complete documentation that would allow her to get back to Wisconsin by Thanksgiving.
“That would be awesome if we could get her home by Thanksgiving,” said Judy Weise, an administrative assistant at Trinity Lutheran Church which is holding a fundraiser for the family on Nov. 17.
“We hopefully will have enough money to bring her home and help her until she can get on her feet,” Weise told ABC News.
Connie McCallister, now 25,  is the latest missing person to emerge years after a disappearance and Weise said the message the McCallister family wants to convey is “never give up hope.”
McCallister was last seen in 2004 when she was 16.
“Connie told officers that in 2004 she left Wausau voluntarily” with Freddie Ruiz, her then boyfriend, according to a statement by the Wausau police. The couple ended up at a party somewhere in either the Milwaukee or Chicago area, she claims. And there she thinks “someone may have drugged her” because she later awoke in Mexico.
The police statement said that McCallister’s mother Cindy McCallister talked to Connie a few days after her daughter and Ruiz left town. Cindy McCallister told police they both called to tell her that they were fine and they weren’t going to tell them where they were. According to the police report, Cindy McCallister “indicated in original statements to the police, that Connie and Freddie were probably trying to flee to Mexico.”
McCallister arranged to make contact with police in Wisconsin earlier this fall. The Wausau Police Department Skyped with McCallister  in September to verify her identity.
Connie McCallister’s aunt, Florence Volzka told ABC News’ Wisconsin affiliate WAOW, “We Skyped and I cried for an hour. I literally cried. I saw her and it was her. I thank God every day.”
“I just want to hug her,” Volzka said. “It will be 10 years next August. That’s a long time.”
Connie McCallister was “a girl full of spirit, a go-getter, able to tackle any task that you said she couldn’t,” Weise recalled. “She was very determined and a very good kid.”
Weise explained that they prayed for her and waited to hear word back from the McCallister family. “Days turned into years and here we are today,” Weise said.
Their prayers were answered. “I felt tremendous relief” Weise said when she learned the good news, “we have a happy ending to our story, now we just have to get her back,” Weise said.
According to the police report, McCallister is waiting for the proper documentation and identification for herself as well as identification for her children and she hopes her husband — who is not Ruiz — will be able to follow soon after.





Source: abc news

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