Make A Difference – Safe Water Matters
By Jackie Lombardo, SafeMinds Research Committee Member You’ve likely been reading more about lead in drinking water since the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Yes, lead is bad. Too many cases of preventable lead poisoning continue to occur in the U.S. Rich, poor, old, and young; it doesn’t matter. Lead affects us all. Here’s what you […]
Cannabis for Autism: Biological Clue to Effectiveness
Many parents are reporting success using cannabis for their child with autism. A new study by researchers at Stanford University gives a clue to why cannabis might be effective for the person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study, “Plasma anandamide concentrations are lower in children with autism spectrum disorder,” found reduced amounts of a neuromodulator, anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine or AEA), in the blood of 60 children with ASD compared to 56 neurotypical control children. The children were ages 3-12 years. The ASD group had a confirmed autism diagnosis. The typical controls had no history of neurodevelopmental or mental health problems.
Let Your Voice Be Heard at Upcoming IACC Meeting in April
Are you satisfied with the Federal government’s handling of autism issues? What should the Federal government do for those with autism, families facing autism, and those at risk for developing autism? What should the Federal government’s priorities be for autism research, treatments, supports, services, safety, insurance coverage, housing and employment? What do you want the […]
Kevin and Avonte’s Law Signed into Law Today as Part of the Omnibus Spending Act of 2018
SafeMinds is excited to announce that Kevin and Avonte’s Law, which provides $2 million in funding for training law enforcement, schools, and other community organizations to prevent and address wandering in people with developmental disabilities and people with Alzheimer’s Disease, has passed both houses of Congress and is on its way to be signed into law by President Trump. The legislation can be found on page 1937 of the Omnibus Spending Act of 2018.
Make a Difference: Kevin and Avonte’s Law
SafeMinds has been ardently advocating for Kevin and Avonte’s Law for two years now. This bill provides much-needed training for law enforcement and other community groups, including schools, on preventing and addressing wandering in people with developmental disabilities. It also provides funding for the voluntary use of non-permanent, non-invasive tracking devices for children with developmental […]
Autism & Wandering: A Heartbreaking Start to July
Wandering deaths in the autism community have significantly increased in recent years, but the last ten days alone have been especially heartbreaking. It began last Monday when, according to media reports, a four-year-old girl with autism slipped away from her home in Florida, climbed a fence, and entered a neighbor’s pool. Her body was found that evening.
