Innovative, Educational CD on Autism and Asperger’s Offers Optimism And Hope
New Autism & Asperger's audio CD is an informative, insightful and inspirational production to help educate parents, relatives, teachers and employers about autism and Asperger Syndrome. It features interviews, poetry and music from people who have Autism and Asperger's, educational and insightful interviews with parents and researchers as well as compelling stories of hope.
August 1, 2004, Royal Oak, MI — Many people have heard of autism, but few are
familiar with its close relative: Asperger Syndrome. Actually, most people know
very little about both conditions or have misconceptions about persons with
Autism and Asperger’s. That’s precisely why Mindscape Productions, L.L.C. (www.mindscapeproductions.com) developed an audio CD to educate
people about autism and Asperger’s in an interesting, engaging and inspirational
way. The CD, entitled “Living In The Spectrum: Autism & Asperger’s” is
filled with valuable nuggets of insight from researchers, parents and actual
individuals who are affected by the disorders. It takes a unique, optimistic
approach to covering both conditions, featuring captivating music, poetry and
interviews.
“The CD offers a practical, informative, user-friendly way to
learn about autism and Asperger’s,” says Lecia Macryn, who co-created the CD
with Jeff LaDuke of Mindscape Productions. “You don’t have to sit and crack open
a book. You can pop it in a CD player and listen to it at your convenience,
while you’re doing other things like driving or working on the computer.”
Autism is a spectrum disorder whose symptoms and characteristics can
present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe.
Symptoms include: disturbances in the rate of appearance of social and language
skills; abnormal responses to sensations; impairment of speech and language; and
abnormal ways of relating to people, objects and events. Mildly affected
individuals may show only slight delays in language and greater challenges with
social interactions. The severe form of the syndrome may include extreme
self-injurious, repetitive, highly unusual and aggressive behavior. Autism
typically appears during the first three years of life. Recent research
establishes the prevalence of Autism as 1 in 250 and is four times more common
in boys than girls. It has been found throughout the world in families of all
racial, ethnic and social backgrounds. Children don’t “outgrow” autism, but
symptoms may lessen as they develop and receive treatment.
Asperger’s is
a neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who
published a paper in 1944 describing the autistic-like condition. Individuals
with Asperger’s typically don’t have the severity of communication problems as
those with autism, however, they show marked deficiencies in social skills, have
difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They typically
have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of
interest. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, people
with Asperger’s may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by
sounds or lights that no one else seems to notice.
“Living In The
Spectrum” is an ideal primer for parents, relatives, teachers, employers and
anyone wanting to learn about autism and Asperger's. Not the typical dry
lecture, the 55-minute CD delivers a captivating and easy introduction to the
subject matter. “It offers hope and encouragement,” Macryn says. “It puts a
whole new light and perspective on autism and Asperger's.”
So far,
parents and professionals have responded positively to the CD, which was
officially released July 16.
“This CD is a
breath of fresh air because it adds a new dimension to the total picture where
doom and gloom is often the first emotion parents feel when their child has
received a diagnosis of Autism,” says, Laurence A Becker, PhD, Creative Learning
Environments.
Parent, Suzanne Rossi says: “This
positive approach left me with renewed hope that someday autism might be viewed
less often as a disability and more often as human diversity. Great Job!"
Karen Simmons, CEO and founder of Autism Today and
the author of “Little Rainman,” is equally impressed. “What a fabulous resource
you have put together! I sure wish I had this available 10 years ago.”
“Living In The Spectrum – Autism & Asperger’s” is available for
$16.95 online at Mindscape Productions: http://www.mindscapeproductions.com or by phone via CDFreedom:
1-800-937-3397
Audio samples of the CD are also available on the
website.
For more information or to request a press/media review copy,
contact Lecia Macryn at (248) 288-2242 USA or e-mail protected from spam bots .
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/8/prweb147881.htm