Dude! Skateboarding Autism Therapy

A perfect fit : Skateboarding's therapeutic effects on children with autism (ESPN)

Skateboarding saves lives. That statement has been repeated millions of times because it's plain and true. Whether it serves as an escape from a life of drugs and violence, sanctuary from a rough home life or means of overcoming poverty, skateboarding constantly finds ways to make people's lives better.

And the most beautiful thing about skateboarders that have been saved? They pay it forward. Off the top of my head I can think of dozens of examples of skaters giving back: just to name a few there's Skatepark of Tampa's Boards For Bros program giving underprivileged kids skateboards, Etnies donating thousands of shoes to Downtown LA homeless and Deluxe Distribution donating proceeds from decks designed for special causes in their Actions REALized series.

One cause Deluxe recently championed is treatment for autism. Last year Deluxe's Jim Thiebaud teamed up with long-time Eastern Skateboard Supply sales representative, John Pike. "When it becomes personal is when I get drawn in," says Deluxe's Brand Manager, Jim Thiebaud. And it got personal real quick.

John Pike is 41, been skating for 30 years. His son, Gianni, age 7, has the spectrum disorder autism. "He wasn't developing like a typical kid, he wasn't speaking when he was diagnosed at age 2," said Pike. "We had a pediatrician that didn't blow us off because a lot of pediatricians will be like, "He's a boy, and he's just developing late. Don't worry about it." She put up a red flag and got the help we needed."

"Speaking with Pike about his son a year or so ago really gave me a sense of what kids with autism go through and lending a hand was easy," says Thiebaud. Real issued an Action's REAlized deck for autism and sold over 1,000 of them raising $9,000 for Autism Speaks, a non-profit dedicated to autism awareness and funding research into the causes, prevention, treatment and eventual cure for autism.

MORE / COMPLETE ARTICLE AT ESPN ... A perfect fit : Skateboarding's therapeutic effects on children with autism

Autism, Genetic Causes, and Possible Future Treatments ...

This article felt the need to debunk vaccines and is attracting a lot neuro-diverse comments, but given that my daughter has seizures, I am very interesting in anything related to synapses.

New Research Sheds Light on Autism’s Genetic Causes

Autism remains one of the most poorly understood and troubling developmental disorders of modern medicine. But the genetic revolution could turn that around. Recent research by the groundbreaking Autism Genome Project has identified key mutations and susceptibility genes involved in the disorder. Down the road, this could pave the way for new treatments.

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The AGP study also identified four susceptibility genes involved in cellular proliferation, synapse development, and signaling between neurons ...

More .... New Research Sheds Light on Autism’s Genetic Causes

Ernie Els - Autism Center of Excellence (Palm Beach County, FL)

Ernie Els - Autism Center of Excellence (Palm Beach County, FL)

The Robin Hood Lego Campaign for Autism

The Robin Hood Lego Campaign

Why The Robin Hood Lego Campaign was started:

Legos have always been one of my favorite toys. Currently, there are no 'Robin Hood' themed brick sets produced by LEGO. Other popular films have been 'bricked': Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Prince of Persia, Toy Story. Why not 'Robin Hood'?

In 1987, a LEGO set called 'Forestmen' was introduced as part of the Castle series. The sets were similar in character and design to Robin Hood. However, the 'Forestmen' sets were discontinued in 1990.

Autism and The Robin Hood Lego Campaign:

My 12-year-old son, Matthew, was diagnosed with Autism in 2004 when he was 6. He shows little interest in toys. He enjoys toys/activities that he can control, make repetitive, and organize. This is true for LEGO bricks. Finding activities that stimulate his imagination and encourage him to play, greatly reduces the autism-related stress that is part of his everyday life.

The Robin Hood Lego Campaign Website