What are the effects of long-term interactive music therapy on young adults with severe autism?

Why does Bullwinkle think that Autism Spectrum Kids/Adults are comparable to his "Problem Child" ? ?

• As the father of a non verbal 15 yr old Autistic child and being the founder and Dir. of The Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children... I do not understand why an individual with a child that is ' a drug addict' would state that children on the Autism Spectrum are 'problem children' ? Us Parents of these children consider them our 'Angels'. I'm sorry about your personal situation Mr. Bullwinkle, but that gives you no right to call disabled children 'problem children' , they simply are not... so WHY would someone such as you call my child that and tell me to just 'deal with it', I'm sorry but you have very little knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders or Aspergers. Many of these kids grow up to be extremely bright intellectuals. Many great people such as Einstein and others even a big time software maker.the biggest.. were/are considered to have an ASD .. Aspergers. And they are quite smart and are not 'problem children'. They are productive members of our society.. that is .. if we fund it. Obviously there is a thought pattern out there that every last person will pay for the bailouts out of pocket.. if so, then with the war and the bailouts we have spent 2 trillion dollars. Can just 2.5 percent of that go to helping the children with their education they need and must have according to other Law that is already in place ? Should a half million adults with Dev. Disabilities wait for medicaid waivers so they can have a home and work ? My question still is the same as above, Why would someone want to compare Children with Autism and adults with ASDs problem children...and tell us as *including parents* a community of 3 million that the 1 million are 'problem children' and we have to just 'deal with' 560,000 children in public schools with Autism Spectrum Disorders ? There is no comparison. My own answer to this question is simple and related to the individual who made the comment regarding The Autism Reform ACT of 2009, which is currently in 5th place as one of the top 10 Best Ideas to Change America. So Why Mr.Bullwinkle, bad day ? I think you should answer this best since you think the nation that has a responsibility and must follow law to supply free and appropriate educations, should just say " They are problem children' , and 'just deal with it'. Answer us Bullwinkle. Michael E. Robinson, Sr. The Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children http://www.change. org/ideas/ view/accept_ and_sign_ the_autism_ reform_act_ o\ f_2009 Or is this how we shoudl deal with it Bullwinkle ? Do you watch CNN? http://www.cnn. com/2008/ US/12/17/ seclusion. rooms/index. html Hmmm, so how much do you know about children with Autism ???? Watch.. look at the father Bullwinkle... and you have the response you have towards The Autism Reform Act of 2009, which would stop children from being locked in Time Out Cell, or Rooms. So kids wouldn't die like in that link. This is about news and information, so maybe you've learned something Bullwinkle..and maybe you'll watch the news before you make such atrocious statements about the nations very special children. Michael

• Answer:

  Hey there. Your "question" sparked my curiosity and interest. I say that because I have a beautiful 10 yr old daughter who has atypical autism. She's not like most kids with autism, but then again she is. Most wouldn't guess it's autism, but that's a whole other story. I've had to do alot of my own research because your question didn't make much sense, didn't include direct links to the Reform Act you talk about, or explain who Mr Bullwinkle is. Most people won't go to that trouble and will just skip your question as it appears rambling and ranting in nature. I think it's totally absurd that money can be spent to the tune of hundreds of billions to bail out people who made bad choices and business decisions, but the federal government still refuses to fully fund IDEA. Just doing that would make such a huge difference in so many children's and families lives. I appreciate your wanting to get out information, but I think you'd spark more discussion if your question was more pointed. I do look forward to seeing you here more often. It sounds like you've got alot of good insider perspective. More of that is needed! Edited to add: When you're putting in links, don't put spaces, most people won't try to figure it out or spend the time. Just edit and erase the spaces so you have direct links to the information you're trying to share. http://www.change.org/ideas/browse/education