New Haven Independent

Posted by: lance | April 1, 2009 11:31 AM

Nice story Tom. Just a heads up, as your readers may or may not know Norwich is home to the San Francisco Giants baseball AA minor league affiliate. They play the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates AA) on Sunday June 14, and it's autism awareness day. If the Yale Child Center or another group wants to bring some kids we can make it happen- I can't provide transportation but will make sure the price of the tickets are covered one way or the other. I'll pony up, and I know a few businesses that would help out also with providing the tickets. Plus I can check with the Defenders GM to see what else can be arranged.

I know a few cats that play in the Pirates system too and could probably have a few players sign some autographs for the kids. A half a dozen guys on the Giants were all playing for the Defenders within the last 2 years. It's great baseball. If there's any interest, post here and we'll hook it up.

Posted by: eli | April 1, 2009 2:06 PM

Good to see CTV airing important programs, they've had a noticalbe impovement in shows the last few years and it's important to keep local programming alive - however, asking the woman to interpret a few paragraphs in spanish half way through the program doesn't make sense. if someone only speaks spanish they are not going to sit through half an hour of a program they don't understand, just to hear a few words in spanish. it makes more sense just to do a show in spanish or have subtitles.

Posted by: RichTherrn | April 4, 2009 6:15 AM

The previous month 21st Century conversation also featured women science teachers from several area towns, including New Haven.
I also believe that a part of new teacher certification bills are sections specifically on helping teachers understand and identify autism.
-Richard Therrien
-NHPS Science Supervisor

Posted by: Tanya Dana | April 4, 2009 9:55 AM

I was very pleased to be a part of this program. It is essential that parents become aware of the need to seek help as soon as possible. So many children do not get the help they need. Children with Autism can do very well with intervention.

Posted by: Michael Lengyel | April 5, 2009 8:31 PM

Sounds like another very valuable show, Ms. Shani. I am impressed with both all the research that you must do to prepare for these programs and with the impressive panelists you always seem to recruit. Best wishes to Ms. Dana and her son.

Posted by: Lea Barrett | April 7, 2009 11:23 PM

Thanks to the New Haven Independent for posting this article about Autism Spectrum Disorder, and to 21st Century Conversations for presenting this informative public access TV program. This is an important service to the community.

Autism can be a brutally painful experience for families; this is particularly true the far on the spectrum the child is. Even though there is much information today about this and other neurological disorders, when it happens to you there is still confusion and a sense of 'of my God, what do I do now?' first, we hope strongly that it is not autism; we hope that whatever is going on will get better with diet and nutrition. We read about famous people's children who get well. Unfortunately, it is not true for us regular folks. We have to struggle. Many doctors do not even agree on what can or should be done for individual children. Therefore, to present a public access TV program for one hour with no commercials and experienced people providing information is a VERY good thing to do.

We thank N'Zinga Shani and OneWorld for their efforts to inform the community about these important and life-changing topics. Believe me, programs such as this one make a big difference. Years ago when CTV was in New Haven this program used to take phone calls from the public. Please start taking phone calls again; that is a big help to those of us who cannot make it to the studio.

My family and I thank you all at the NH Independent, at 21st Century and at OneWorld.

Posted by: A Grateful Grandparent | April 8, 2009 9:39 AM

In watching this public access television program last Tuesday night, about Autism Spectrum Disorder, I was pleased to learn that in the West Haven schools there are teachers who are specially trained to work with children who are challenged by Autism. Many years ago we did not even know what some of these problems were called; there were no programs like 21st Century Conversations bringing us such important information. Because we did not know-- many of us-- out of fear, did not even talk about the fact that our children had these types of problems. Most often we hid the children away until they were adults.

There used to be mental health facilities that kept these children locked up for years. These days, for poorer people, when some of these children become adults they live on the street. The very knowledgeable people in this program told us that if we get these children evaluated early, they can get help; some schools will teach the parents how to help the children so that they can live normal healthy lives. This is a real blessing. This 21st Century Conversations TV program is providing us with valuable information. This is the type of public access TV programs we need. Years ago I used to think that public access was a waste of money. Your program prove that is not the case. Thank you.

It was quite reassuring to hear the teacher's own story about her son having a speech delay. The fact that she was not ashamed to talk about her son's situation was enormously helpful. This is another reason why we in the New Haven community must watch this program. The people in the studio are local people; they are not celebrities from far away. There are many times when we in the community can go to the studio and ask questions and get reliable answers. This is a good service to the community. By watching this program Tuesday night I learned a great deal about Autism, and that as a grandparent I can get help from the school as well as from Yale. I am grateful to the teachers from West Haven and to the psychologist from Yale Child Development Center. A major thanks to OneWorld and Ms. Shani for her work in the community in providing us with these programs. Thank you all very much.

Thanks to the New Haven Independent for posting this article about Autism Spectrum Disorder, and to 21st Century Conversations for presenting this type of quality education to us in the community. God bless you all.

Posted by: J. Figueroa | April 10, 2009 8:57 PM

Dear Ms. N'Zinga Shani
My family and I truly appreciate your presentation of a community TV program about Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is a rather complicated problem because there is disagreement in the medical community about where exactly this disorder belongs and what causes it. Is is neurological or emotional; is there psychological damage in these people with autism? There are many questions to which the answers are -- it depends. It depends on who you ask? It depends on where in the country you live. It depends on how well informed you are and on what medical insurance coverage you have. It depends on who you are, and certainly it depends on your financial resources. It seems that Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the unknowns in medicine. Thank you for making it a point of discussion.

I have spent much time on the OneWorld web site recently. One of the things that I really appreciate about what you are doing is the emphasis your organization places on Health Literacy. That is so important; it is TOPS. Why, because the less we know and understand about health care and the environment in which we live, the more likely we are to be abused by the HC system.

We, the consumers of health care, need to fully arm ourselves with information. That is not always easy to do; this is why your web site and TV programs are indeed great assets and valuable resources. There is no information in the article about the controversy with the MMR vaccine. There are doctors who are afraid to voice their opinion about it because they might get ostracized by establishment medicine. That is unfortunate; it is also why we consumers MUST do our own research and learn from various sources including those listed on your web site.

There are doctors who will NOT vaccinate their own children before the age of 3 years. There are doctors who are able to get the vaccine spread out over six month periods regardless of what we the regular folks are told. As a parent with an Autistic child, I do not have to listen to the guessing done by different doctors. I know what happened to my child, and we pay the price everyday. I once asked a prominent doctor, do you know of any autistic child who has never been vaccinated? He walked away and never answered.

The vaccine makers and the medical establishment will NEVER tell us all that they know. They are all afraid of being sued. Our medical history is replete with the outrageous and unethical behaviors of those who had information but kept it hidden. I say to parents, become your own detectives; do not be too trusting; empower yourselves with reliable information. That will help you to ask probing questions. Always seek a second opinion. Be a strong advocate for yourself and your family.

This web site, the New Haven Independent, is a GOD SEND resource. I am very pleased that you exist and that you provide support to this public access TV program that gives us such good information. I am grateful for public access TV; we would never get this type of program on the networks; PBS is the exception; they also carry valuable programs. We thank you Ms. Shani for all of your hard work. Please be assured that you are making an important contribution. I am also really pleased that I can sit and write to you through this web site. Thanks to everyone involved in making 21st Century Conversations possible. God bless you all this Easter.

Posted by: Lyn Hinds | April 11, 2009 6:17 PM

I am delighted by the wonders of modern technology; I am presently in Jamaica; yet I was able to read this beautiful article about the work that OneWorld Progressive Institute is doing there in CT. Although there are many problems caused by abuse, the Internet can also be a blessing. People all over the world can stay in their respective countries and learn from things happening far away. This is a beautiful thing.

It is good to know that such a small organization can make such remarkable contributions directly to the CT community as well as to all who can gain access through the Internet and through DVDs. The OneWorld web site is full of good information and links to great resources.

While I have fairly limited knowledge about Autism, it is a real blessing that those who are affected can get the help they need and that parents can get guidance and support from various resources. I think Ms. Shani should be commended for her efforts to keep the community informed about these important issues that clearly affect many. Reading the comments from the parents I have learned a great deal, and I feel for them.

To the person who said it is not beneficial to give a small amount of information in Spanish, I assure you that one can fully understand another language, yet benefit significantly when one important sentence is provided through an idiomatic expression in one's native language. I like the OneWorld motto: "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

Congratulations and big thanks to Citizens TV, the New Haven Independent, OneWorld, and to N'Zinga Shani. Together you are all doing a great good not only to people in CT, but to all who can gain access to the information you are providing. Keep it up.

Posted by: Rosemarie | April 14, 2009 9:26 PM

It is remarkable that a public access TV program can present such valuable information to the community. I am glad that the parents who are affected can have access to this program and have this web site where they can express themselves so well. I think public access television is serving a great good. Some of the best programs nationally are on C-SPAN and PBS. The fact that they can present these beneficial programs without commercials tells us what is possible when there is good leadership and commitment.

Congratulations to everyone responsible for 21st Century Conversations; this program is of great service to the total community. Please present a program on how mature women can find positive emotional, psychological and social support without having to compromise their values. May the good Lord continue to bless all of your efforts. I am asking people in the broader community to provide more help to OneWorld, Inc. I am also encouraging people to visit the web site; it is filled with great information and links. Go to www.oneworldpi.org.

Posted by: N'Zinga Shani | April 16, 2009 1:50 PM

We at OneWorld, Inc. are very appreciative of all those who have taken the time to comment about our TV education programs. We are extremely grateful to our guests who take time out of their busy professional and personal lives to come to the studio and work with us to provide detailed and reliable information to the viewing public.

We are deeply indebted to the parents, grand-parents, caregivers and others who have called us to share their personal stories and provide us with information that expand our knowledge and appreciation of each topic. Regardless of how much research we do to prepare for each program nothing we do can be as informative as the personal, hands-on experience of those who have lived with Autism, or have cared for a child with Autism. One mother told me "My entire life and that of my nuclear family would have been significantly different if 15 years ago I was able to see a TV program on Autism such as the 21st Century Conversations program that I saw on March 31. My husband feels exactly as I do. This is the type of program from which people benefit."

Thankfully, with the availability of PEG access TV, and the willingness of volunteers and caring professionals we can present such beneficial programs. We are also truly grateful to the New Haven Independent for paying close attention to the work that OneWorld, Inc. is doing.

We ask members of the broader community to please get involved. Contact your local PEG access station and register for the training programs so that you can acquire the technical skills needed to start your own program, or work as a volunteer and contribute to making programs such as "21st Century Conversations" possible.

To the writer who says the programs at Citizens TV have improved recently - CTV has been broadcasting excellent programs for many years. This program, 21st Century, has been on the air since June 1996; there have been many other such programs. People need to watch on a regular basis to see what is being offered. Also, please watch for content not personalities. It is easy, but not productive, to focus on personalities. Unless the purpose of the program is to entertain, most outstanding PEG access TV programs are all about content and intended to benefit the community. Let us evaluate what the programs offer particularly to those in need.

"21st Century Conversations" can be seen on CTV Chan. 26, Sun. 6-7PM. The program can also be seen on most Comcast stations in all of Southern CT at various times. We are on Cablevision, Ch. 78, Sun. 8PM and are availble on-demand. We are on Charter Comm. Mondays at 7PM & Fridays 4PM. We are on Branford, North Haven & East Haven Chan 18 at least three times each week.

Please visit our Schedules page at www.oneworldpi.org for more station listings. Our only goal is to inform the community on issues that improve the quality of life.

Posted by: Chris | April 17, 2009 6:32 PM

This article about the TV program on Autism Spectrum Disorder is very informative and helpful. Unfortunately, unless one is searching for something on the topic and stumbles upon it, or got the title from someone else there is no way of knowing about it. If comments are allowed for 30 days, it would be helpful to have a visible link for the 30 days so that people are able to find the information. This is a truly beneficial article; the information is very helpful; it is also very timely for many.

One thing not mentioned that I would like to share is that there are children who have a mild form of autism; these children are often referred to as being "a bit slow." Often they go through their entire childhood without an accurate diagnosis, then as young adults they are now being diagnosed as being autistic.

If parents get the information given out in this program when their children are young, and they seek and find good treatment, advice and support these mildly autistic children can have very normal and productive lives without any evidence at all of being autistic, and they will no longer be considered "slow." It is really about getting good information early, or knowing what to look for and when. Health literacy TV programs such as this one offered by OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc are very important; they deserve the highest visibility on all public access channels in CT. I am glad I was able to find this article. This is really important. I also encourage parents to contact the Gesell Institute of Child Development to find out what is normal for children at various ages; it will help you to measure and track your child's progress.

Posted by: Lavonne | April 18, 2009 4:17 PM

This is a wonderful article that provides very helpful and beneficial information. People in this area are truly fortunate to have OneWorld Progressive Institute and the New Haven Independent providing these education programs at no cost to the community.

In 2009, although we have come a very long way, Autism Spectrum Disorder is still not very well understood even by some organizations that provide evaluation and services. To those parents who are still going through difficulty getting the answers they need that will teach them how to work most productively with their autistic child-- I offer the following. There is a truly outstanding organization in Baltimore, Maryland, called the Kennedy Krieger Institute. They have a wide range of comprehensive Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Services for every level of the condition.

As a parent I know that we will do whatever is necessary to help our children reach their full potential; this is what happens at Kennedy Krieger. Visit their web site at: www.kennedykrieger.org. You can also send an email to: intake@kennedykrieger.org

Kennedy Krieger Institute has a truly wonderful program called LEAP -Lifeskills and Education for Students with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders. I say to parents-- you have nothing to lose to learn about what this remarkable place offers. If you cannot travel to Baltimore, you can get information through the mail. I like the OneWorld motto - "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." When we empower ourselves with information we are lighting candles to see our way out of our difficulties.

For a volunteer organization with a TV program on public access to provide education programs on these topics is simply outstanding. Most public access programs are not of this caliber. Hats off to OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc and to their remarkable program 21st Century Conversations. Everyone associated with this program and with this organization have reasons to be very proud; you are all doing quality work. The professionals who help OneWorld and the NHI who provide this coverage are all to be commended. This is evidence of the village in action. Thank you all for this.

Posted by: S. Bryant | April 21, 2009 1:26 AM

Autism Society of America -www.autism-society.org
and learning about Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders at autism.about.com, are two of the fairly comprehensive sites where parents can get good information that at least broadens the scope of information that we can work with. As someone else said before, there is really no broad-base agreement on what causes autism.

As best we know there may be multiple causes. What works well for one child might not work for another; this is why as parents we must do our own research and learn our family history. Talk to people; do not be afraid to say- I have an autistic child. All kinds of people have good information. Parents are some of the best resources; talk to other parents who are more experienced. It was so wonderful of the teacher to share her personal story. Gone should be the days when we hide our handicapped children.

Thanks to those responsible for presenting this TV program and the information on the Internet. Thanks to everyone who has posted such good information. We need to be able to help each other. This is good.

Posted by: Bill McGraw, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Hamden Public Schools | April 22, 2009 5:09 AM

This was another in a long line of wonderfully informative broadcasts that OneWord and CTV have presented. Certainly, autism is a highly complex disorder that was explained well by the panel. While autism is a particular disorder in and of itself, there are actually a range of disorders and levels of severity comprising the category of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

I think it is important for parents whose children may be exhibiting some or all of the symptomolgy discussed by the panel and noted in the follow-up article, to be in touch with their pediatrician as soon as these concerns crystalize.

If the child is under age three, the Birth to Three agengy can be a wonderful resource in accessing services. If the child is three or older, the school system in the town in which they live is an important relationship to develop early.

In 2005, the Connecticut State Department of Education published a very helpful resource that was developed by a panel of stakeholders including parents, doctors, and educators. This document can be found at www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Special/Guidelines_Autism.pdf. This is certainly a rather long link, and I hope that I listed it accurately. However, if this link does not work the Guidelines can be accessed by going to www.sde.ct.gov and clicking on the special education link along the right side and scrolling down just a bit.

Thank you again for these wonderful programs!

Posted by: E. Duncan | April 22, 2009 10:10 PM

It is so good to read this article and the comments about the OneWorld TV education program on Autism Spectrum Disorder. This information is truly welcomed and very needed. With all of the advancements made in medicine Autism is still one of the mysteries parents, teachers and professionals face every day. What is really very puzzling is how much this condition seemed to have mushroomed in recent years.

There are many doctors who have theories they are afraid to put forward because these theories are not considered to be in the mainstream of thinking. However, we should all bear in mind that Galileo was ridiculed for agreeing with Copernicus that the earth revolved around the sun. History is replete with maverick scientists who have now been vindicated. Those doctors and parents who have theories about the causes of Autism should speak out and not hide because they may be on to something very special. With Autism rising by 17 percent per year we should be pursuing every angle possible to find out the causes and explore new potential cures.

Hats off to all these people who participated in this program. It is great to know that a public school such as Pagels has these excellent resources. I visited the OneWorld website and I am truly impressed with the remarkable work that this volunteer organization is doing for the community. Given some of the garbage that airs on the public access stations, this type of program coming out of Citizens TV is to be highly commended. Please give us a lot more of 21st Century Conversations.

Posted by: Sylvia | April 25, 2009 11:09 PM

April is Autism Awareness Month, so it is good to see the article and to know that this TV program was done to help people to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder. ASD is on the rise in the USA and very much so in CT. While there are various groups helping parents and care givers, I have not heard much about research to identify the cause/s or ASD.

In addition to the Autism Society of America mentioned by another writer, there is also the Autism Society of CT: www.autismsocietyofct.org. They are located at 103 Talcott Rd, Guilford, CT 06437. Their phone is (203) 453-4975. They have various support programs. I do think there is a need for support programs for inner-city and poor parents, and for those who do not have the resources to track down the best services.

I think it is wonderful that this type of educational program is now available on public access TV. I hope that it is available to every public access station in CT, because this is truly beneficial. Thanks to those who run this web site for publishing information about this program.

Posted by: Luis | April 27, 2009 9:48 PM

I am pleased that President Obama is not allowing himself to be intimidated by those who did not mind us spending billions on a senseless war, but who are now complaining bitterly because he wants to put more money into scientific research and other good causes that will ultimately better the lives of future generations.

I hope that in my life time biological scientists and psychologists will be able to shed more light on the causes of Autism so that the parents and children who are dealing with this sometimes devastatingly painful condition will no longer have to. It is all about our priorities. Let us put more emphasis on health and well being and less on building prisons and promoting the right to have guns. Let us spend more on education and on finding the solution to problems such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Thanks to all those involved in helping others to live more productively.

I strongly recommend that people visit the OneWorld web site at www.oneworldpi.org and see what this organization is doing; they are lighting candles of information on health literacy, education and they are encouraging civic engagement. This is all GOOD.

Posted by: Sally Brockett, M.S., Director, IDEA Training Center | April 28, 2009 11:20 AM

It is wonderful to see that information about autism is becoming more available to families and the public in general. This article provides an important service for the community. Readers may be interested in a meeting sponsored by the South Central Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut, Autism Interventions That Make a Difference".

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: IDEA Training Center Conference Room,
20 Washington Avenue,
North Haven, CT.

This presentation will discuss a variety of approaches that have been shown to be effective interventions for individuals on the autism spectrum. When the underlying cause of a problem is identified and corrected, the associated symptoms and behaviors may be eliminated or reduced. Topics that will be included: dietary/nutritional treatments, craniosacral therapy, biomedical approaches, detoxification approaches, sound therapies. Connecticut has excellent providers. Join us to learn more about these interventions, how to prioritize them and where to access them. This information will be appropriate for parents and professionals interested in those with autism spectrum disorders.
Please share this notice with other families and professionals interested in individuals with special needs. All are welcome, no charge. To reserve a seat, call Sally Brockett at (203) 234-7401 or email to sally@ideatrainingcenter.com

Posted by: Carol | April 28, 2009 11:03 PM

It is wonderful that N'Zinga Shani and her OneWorld organization produce these television programs that are so informative and helpful to the community. These health literacy programs such as the one on Dyslexia and now this program on Autism Spectrum Disorder are extremely beneficial to parents and caregivers of children who have these disabilities.

We want to acknowledge N'Zinga's commitment to the community and her dedication to health literacy, education and civic engagement. She has been producing these programs for almost 13 years. We are also pleased that the NHI has seen it appropriate to support her work. Clearly, Paul Bass is also committed to informing the community. The NHI brings us more comprehensive community news than any other media source. Congratulations to Paul and N'Zinga for demonstrating what it means to focus positively on the community.