Autism Insights

Symposium aims to shed light on elusive brain disorder.

Diana Lieberman

Special to the Jewish News

ulie Zorn has never claimed to
be an expert on autism. But she
is an expert when it comes to her
sons, Sean, 6, and Drew, 4.
"We knew something was going on
with Sean at about 9 months:' Zorn said.
"A little before he turned 2, we knew his
behavior was caused by autism. Drew is
high-functioning. His traits didn't come
through as strongly."
Zorn will share her experiences as
the mother of two sons with autism on
Sunday, Sept. 21, at a Symposium on
Autism sponsored by the National Council
of Jewish Women-Greater Detroit Section.
The event takes place 1 to 4 p.m. at Temple
Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield. It is free,
but reservations are required.
"Our idea in organizing this symposium
was to provide good information to par-
ents," said NCJW-GDS board member Judi
Freund, who chairs the event along with
Beverly Stone.
The event will feature a panel discus-
sion with speakers focusing on medical
issues, treatment options and educational
issues. In addition, Zorn will represent
parent perspectives. The discussion will
be moderated by Dr. Sonya Friedman. A
question-and-answer period will follow,
and a variety of literature on autism spec-
trum disorders (ASDs) will be available.
"Eventually, we are considering advoca-
cy for families with children with autism,
in areas such as family support, insurance
coverage and providing free and appropri-
ate education:' Freund said.
Among the books and pamphlets avail-
able at the event will be The Accidental
Teacher — Life Lessons from my Autistic
Son, a memoir published earlier this
year by Annie Lubliner Lehmann of West
Bloomfield.
Lehmann, who is donating all proceeds
from the sale of her book to autism orga-
nizations, tells the story of her oldest son,
Jonah. Now nearly 25, his autism was
apparent to his mother by the time she
took him for his 4-week check-up. Neither
of his younger brothers has autism.
"I wrote this book for parents like
myself because most of the books about
children with autism have 'miracle cure'

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September 18 • 2008

IN

"The causes of autism are largely
genetic:' Dr. Solomon said. "There is
evidence of anatomical and microscopic
changes in the brain!'
He was quick to debunk the belief
that autism can be caused by immuni-
zation. "At least 23 research studies have
been done about the possible connec-
tion between autism and immunization
and all have been negative he said.
One of the most prevalent symptoms
of autism is a felt need to keep the
world the same.
"This leads to an avoidance of
change and to repetitive behaviors:' Dr.
Solomon said. "The brain of a child with
autism is like a net that does not cap-
ture the complexity of the world!'
Both Dr. Solomon and panelist Jill
Spokojny Guz, president of the Learning
Annie Lehmann
Jill Spokojny Guz
Center in Walled Lake, agreed that early
diagnosis and intervention are crucial
endings:' Lehmann said. "That's not the
for children with ASD.
with the early intervention programs
way it is in real life
"Just as you would for any other child, in the Farmington and West Bloomfield
The book also is aimed at professionals, you must become educated as to your
schools. They supplement these pro-
she said. "It's a short, quick read that tells
child's issues:' Guz said. "Parents even-
grams with various therapy programs
what parents are up against!'
tually become the expert on their child.
— not covered by their medical insur-
The Lehmanns are Orthodox, but Jonah, It's not like diabetes. There are specific
ance.
who lives in a group home, is excused
treatments for diabetes — do this and
"People say Chow awful, but, in some
from much Jewish observance. "He may
you will feel better. With autism spec-
ways, my husband and I start to feel
not have had a bar mitzvah, but he has
trum disorders, there are no specific
honored to be entrusted with our boys:'
allowed many others to do mitzvahs," his
treatments. Each child must be looked
she said.
mother said.
upon individually — how
"It is very easy to love Sean and Drew.
"I want all of my children
they are functioning and
They are very sweet souls, loving boys,
to have love, safety, comfort;
what their developmental
funny, active and interested in every-
to do the things that they
skills are.
thing.
enjoy doing, and to have
"Parents must educate
"When you have children with autism,
access to people Lehmann
themselves; begin a jour-
there is a grieving process that goes
said. "My son's autism does
ney to determine the best
with it, but then you start to look at
not preclude his having
treatment approach for
things differently:' Zorn said.
those things!'
their child at this point in
"Here are my sons — they are beau-
time!"
tiful, wonderful children. OK, we are
Genetics A Key
Julie Zorn and her hus-
not going to have the same kind of
Providing a background
band, Stuart, researched
experience with our children as I had
into the brain-mind con-
many options for their
once envisioned. But I appreciate their
nection that characterizes
two
young
sons.
So
far,
quirks.
They are just my sons — my
Dr. Richard Solomon
autism will be the sympo-
they have been happy
boys." ❑
sium's keynote speaker, Dr.
Richard Solomon, medical director of
the Ann Arbor Center for Developmental
National Council of Jewish Women – Greater Detroit Section is hosting its
and Behavioral Pediatrics and of the
Symposium on Autism from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Temple Shir Shalom
center's P.L.A.Y. Project.
in West Bloomfield. No charge, but reservations suggested: mail@ncjwgds.org .
Previewing his talk, Dr. Solomon cited
Keynote speaker is Dr. Richard Solomon, whose topic is "Autism: the Brain-
recent studies by the Centers for Disease
Mind Connection." (248) 355-3300, ext. 0. Sponsors include Levine Clinic of
Control in Atlanta indicating that about
Chiropractic, Leonard Colton-Little Daddy's Restaurants, Whole Food Market
1 in 150 children in the United States
and the NCJW-GDS' J./E. Narens Youth Fund.
have autism or another of the ASDs.

