What is Autism? Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders.
How common is Autism? Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually. There is not established explanation for this increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered. Studies suggest boys are more likely than girls to develop autism and receive the diagnosis three to four times more frequently. Current estimates are that in the United States alone, one out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism.
What causes Autism? The simple answer is we don't know. The vast majority of cases of autism are idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown.
The more complex answer is that just as there are different levels of severity and combinations of symptoms in autism, there are probably multiple causes. The best scientific evidence available to us today points toward a potential for various combinations of factors causing autism – multiple genetic components that may cause autism on their own or possibly when combined with exposure to as yet undetermined environmental factors. Timing of exposure during the child's development (before, during or after birth) may also play a role in the development or final presentation of the disorder.
A small number of cases can be linked to genetic disorders such as Fragile X, Tuberous Sclerosis, and Angelman's Syndrome, as well as exposure to environmental agents such as infectious ones (maternal rubella or cytomegalovirus) or chemical ones (thalidomide or valproate) during pregnancy.
There is a growing interest among researchers about the role of the functions and regulation of the immune system in autism – both within the body and the brain. Piecemeal evidence over the past 30 years suggests that autism may involve inflammation in the central nervous system. There is also emerging evidence from animal studies that illustrates how the immune system can influence behaviors related to autism. Autism Speaks is working to extend awareness and investigation of potential immunological issues to researchers outside the field of autism as well as those within the autism research community.
While the definitive cause (or causes) of autism is not yet clear, it is clear that it is not caused by bad parenting. Dr. Leo Kanner, the psychiatrist who first described autism as a unique condition in 1943, believed that it was caused by cold, unloving mothers. Bruno Bettelheim, a renowned professor of child development perpetuated this misinterpretation of autism. Their promotion of the idea that unloving mothers caused their children's autism created a generation of parents who carried the tremendous burden of guilt for their children's disability.
In the 1960s and 70s, Dr. Bernard Rimland, the father of a son with autism, who later founded the Autism Society of America and the Autism Research Institute, helped the medical community understand that autism is not caused by cold parents but rather is a biological disorder.
For the past 20 years Anne Ashley Harrison has been passionate about health, fitness, nutrition & exercise. She was active in high school and intra mural college sports and other fitness activities such as track, gymnastics and cheerleading. Professionally, she taught Aerobic classes at Bally's Total Fitness in Long IslandNY. NOW she’s living life like it's golden! She’s in her 40's, & in the best shape of my life. She does it all by using Beachbody products like P90x, Shakeology & clean eating & a commitment to staying in shape. Her passion for fitness & her love for motivating & inspiring others to get healthy is why she became a Beachbody Coach – She wants to help YOU succeed & becoming a healthier, wealthier, & beautiful YOU!
2.) Nutrition (What and when to eat to max performance)
(3.) Becoming a TEAM BEACHBODY COACH! (Get PAID to get FIT & take your fitness journey to the next level)
She has lost about 15 lbs, and has not struggled to keep it off, proving that middle age spread is NOT inevitable. Her goal is to age gracefully & healthfully.
Playing make believe as a child can be very exciting. As young girls and boys growing up, we have pretended to be school teachers, models, artist, and even actors/actresses. It’s funny how you create who you are early in life and not even realize this may become a part of your reality as adults. We grow, go to school grab all the education we can and get a job to make ends meet. But is that what we really want to do for the rest of our lives? Maybe, maybe not! We are pretty much drawn to success based on what we have seen from our upbringing. Momma and daddy went to work every day and brought home their money for bills and such but did we ever ask if they enjoyed what they did? It is important within this lifetime to follow our hearts and do what we dream of doing. Allowing ourselves to be happy within our careers is very important. Being in a situation of work and not enjoying it can become redundant and very unpleasant. I am a Human Resource professional. Do I enjoy the career that I grabbed a hold of in order to make ends meet? Yes its okay, but those dreams and aspirations that I have are becoming more and more to the forefront of my life. Yes, we understand that we must make money and being a success takes time and takes money but always, always follow your dreams. Your dreams can become a successful reality. Allow life to take you to another level and enjoy what God has put upon your heart to do. We all have creative minds; we all have ideas that can be more than an idea. Step out on the faith that your God has bestowed and do what needs to be done. Love yourself enough to do what you want to do in your life to make you happy. Because life is what you make it. Celebrate your life and be the person you were put on this earth for. Never sell yourself short and think you do not have the ability to be all you can be in this world. You are more than a blue or white collar worker. You are a musician, a poet, a writer, a model, an actor/actress, a beautiful human being that deserves everything you could ever imagine. Never let the devil come in and tell you that you cannot do it. You can do anything you set your mind to. Remember trying is an opportunity to fail. We are not failures, no matter what the naysayers speak. Keep your head up and rise to be YOU.
Forgiveness the Catalyst to Deeper Healing and Wholeness
By: Leticia Mathis
The questions raced through my head. Why all of this pain? Why do the people that are responsible for loving me hurting me? Where is my God in the mist of all this pain? Crimes against humanity!!! Why wasn’t my humanity protected against the crime(s) of child sexual abuse and domestic violence? Was I not significant enough to protect? In my finite understanding I tried to make sense of the senseless.
My earliest memories are that of pain, chaos, and abuse. My eyes have witnessed things that in very profound ways shaped who I am. My heart was crushed and my soul burdened by pain. Yet my spirit remained untouched. The acts perpetrated against my flesh could never alter the core of who I am. I am a spirit that possesses a soul and lives in a body. The abusers thought they had me but the power of my spirit could never let them win. My spirit was untouched. Stripped of my virginity. Stripped of my innocence. Stripped of my childhood. Stripped of my trust. Stripped of my safety. Yet my spirit remained untouched.
In no way, shape, or form will I ever minimize the devastation of rape, CSA, domestic violence, or incest. My journey has and still has traces of anger, sadness, and unanswered questions. However, I refuse to let them win. I refuse to give over my power. The right I have to live a healthy, happy, and fulfilled life.
Healing must meet every emotion head on. Healing must include process and patience. Healing must embrace time. Healing requires stamina and a resilience we all have. Healing hurts and that is the reality. Healing also requires forgiveness.
Forgiveness takes healing and wholeness to a new level. Forgiveness is about taking back all power and being void of all bondage. Forgiveness is not about condoning the abuse. Forgiveness is not about having lunch with your batterer/abuser. Forgiveness is about moving forward. At the root of the word forgiveness is the word GIVE. One of the greatest gifts I could GIVE myself was to forgive the men that had violated me. How could I even entertain such a concept? Why should I extend myself? After all I was the one abused and violated.
My journey has taught me that the abuse I sustained tried to rob me of my power, personal choice, and of my voice. I was tired of operating in fear and as I analyzed the two, forgiveness would yield me a better chance at wholeness. My heart was heavy. I sought God, prayed, and meditated. I knew deep down that I was bigger than the abuse.
One evening I was lying in my bed. I realized that I mirrored Jesus on the cross. I formed a perfect letter “T.” I had left my abusive husband six months prior and was eager for my new beginning. The face of each abuser flashed before me and I cried and cried. I purged myself of the hate and betrayal I harbored. The tears just poured out and I felt all of my pain. My past was being crucified on the cross. My exhaustion was taking over and soon I heard FORGIVE!! I named each abuser and said, “I forgive you!!” It was at that moment that I felt freedom and peace.
This spiritual exchange took my healing to another level. I am not implying that all experiences have to be this intense. Nor am I suggesting that without forgiveness survivors can’t live happy and productive lives. My desire is to help my fellow sisters to reach deeper levels of healing. To see things from an angle that has not been explored. I do believe that the deeper we dig the deeper impact we have on others. On those days that I ache and hurt because of my history I think about this night. On those days that I am angry and fear tries to set in I think about this night. On those days that history tries to define the totality of who I am and tries to rob me of my self-esteem I think of that night. The reality is that through it all my spirit is untouchable.
Forgiveness has allowed me to be a better parent, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, and human being. Forgiveness has restored my faith in humanity and allowed me to love healthier. Forgiveness has fueled me with compassion and a passion to strengthen others.
Forgiveness has changed my lenses. Forgiveness has given me back my power, my choices, my voice, and my freedom. I celebrate my untouchable spirit!!!!
What is a woman? Clearly we all know what a woman is, when we make the determination by approaching what a woman is, in the anatomical sense. However, womanhood, what is that? Ancient times defined a woman as one who bore children, and any woman who did not or could not have children, was treated as though she was a leper. Although we have evolved quite a bit since those times, there is still a degree amongst some women in society, who feel a sense of superiority to those who do not have children. It is almost an "us against them type of feel"; the “haves and the have not's”. Those of us (women) who have children share our woes and triumphs, we brag and talk about all we have to endure, as mothers. We marvel at all we have accomplished in our endeavor to raise happy, healthy, well adjusted, well balanced children. We feel worthless when our children falter or seemingly fail, and we believe we are more than conquerors when our children achieve victory in what they set out to do, or life in general. We have even said we are nothing and our lives are empty and void of meaning without our children. Oh, who are we without our wonderful children? What would we do without them?
Then there are those of us (women) who do not have children; either by choice, circumstance, or both. We fill our lives with mothering other peoples’ children, and we busy ourselves with careers, family business, and a myriad of other situations life tends to toss our way.
Is being a woman defined by how many children we have given birth to? Is womanhood ascertained by the man, number of men we have, or even the men who have desired to be with us? Are we less feminine if we don’t have a husband, male suitor, or children? Does it mean that we should be stoned and burned at the stake if we have not experienced, or are not experiencing the joys of being something (mother, wife, lover, etc.) to someone else? Is it not merely enough to be one with a womb? Is that not what a woman is?
I happen to know there is much more to me than what is happening around me. Regardless of what is happening on the outside of me, what happens on the inside is what matters most. Whether I have a multi-million dollar mansion or a box on a major street; whether I have children and a husband, or live a life in solitude, I am a woman. Yes, I am a woman and a successful woman! If I am in the backroom or the boardroom, I am a woman. Whether I am in the outhouse or crackhouse…I am a great woman! If I have a six figure income or one dollar to my name; if I single handedly raise (2) children or I raise a nation, I am still a successful woman. The predicaments I noted above have little to no bearing on me being a woman or being great. I am a successful woman, and we all have greatness destined to be realized or actualized, not because of who we are but Who’s we are! My ability to give birth and to give life comes from a Source much greater than I. I am here because my Creator made me, and He chose me for His Divine Plan and Purpose. My obedience and submission to His Plan is what makes me a mighty woman of virtue!
