One Large Network

If you haven’t checked out LinkedIn Labs, get on it! The site hosts a small set of projects and experimental features built by the employees of LinkedIn. They are billed as ‘low-maintenance’ experiments by the LinkedIn team, but they yield some very powerful help to the networker or job seeker. There are a number of really interesting tools that you can use such as:

• Integrating LinkedIn directly into Google Chrome
• Viewing your connections across the timeline of your career
• Getting your personalized LinkedIn Today headlines read to you on your mobile phone
• And many more…

I found Resume Builder, the Hackday Winner of March 2010 to be the most useful for me. You can “build, save & share beautifully formatted resumes based on your LinkedIn profile.” Providing you have a well defined LinkedIn profile, you will get some impressive results.

I was really interested in InMaps, which is classified as ‘LinkedIn Analytics‘ and enables you to “visualize your professional network, clustered in realtime based on their inter-relationships.” Unfortunately I was a very early adopter of LinkedIn and have been methodical about growing my connections and my network is now too large to be mapped. Cool idea though.

Related articles

• 2 Tools To Turn Your LinkedIn Profile Into A Neat-Looking Resume (makeuseof.com)
• 12 Awesome LinkedIn Infographics in 2011 (hubspot.com)
• HootSuite Integrates LinkedIn Company Pages & Groups (mashable.com)
• How do LinkedIn Advertisements Work? (pcworld.com)
• Sonar Connects New Contacts via LinkedIn (nyconvergence.com)

After reading the Is Sugar Toxic? article in today’s New York Times, I was inspired to watch this influential video by Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology. Good stuff and definitely worth the watch.

The Bicycle City. Trailer from Greg Sucharew on Vimeo.

What happens to an impoverished developing nation town when you flood it with 20,000 bicycles? You lift three times that number of people out of poverty. Pedals for Progress and founder David Schweidenback have been shipping used American bicycles to Rivas, Nicaragua for the last two decades and the transformation has been incredible.

Help Fund Our Film:
http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Bicycle-City-Film

http://thebicyclecityfilm.com/

VIEW THE FULL REPORT HERE

Like many others, I have concerns about how the forces around (and inside) me affect my performance in various events as well as my day to day well?being. To date, I have kept track of my well?being using a rating system which I have developed, a grocery list, and my memory. There are effective elements of this system and elements that do not carry enough data or create enough influence to be effective.

Although the system has highlights (the rating system) the other elements fail and the system needs complementary components to capture more data and turn that data into a useful information system. The present system is essentially a failure and has been long in need of an intervention.

I took the opportunity of this field study to do a comprehensive analysis, restructuring, and reinvention of the information system. I initially had concerns that a week wouldn’t be long enough to properly test and make appropriate refinements to the system, but after only two days I experienced significant and startling results. Given that my observations and reactions were so marked, I stayed with the study and tested it until the morning of Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at which time I began to compile all my notes, inputs and observations to create this report.

VIEW THE FULL REPORT HERE

So I wasn’t sure what to expect in response to my curiosities about the new Connective Corridor plan taking place around the Syracuse University campus, and what I got was pretty cool and a heavy dose of awesome!

The City of Syracuse, namely Stephen (City Arborist) and Owen (Deputy Director, Bureau of Planning & Sustainability) basically gang tackled my questions going way above and beyond the call of duty and making me a very happy – and well informed – camper. A big thanks goes out to those gentlemen and also to Robbi Farschman, Director of the Connective Corridor project, for getting the ball rolling.

In addition to the interview questions we also shared a few emails and phone calls. This project is in very good hands and I’m glad I’ll still be here to see its completion.

Please read on for the answers to the interview questions:

1. Is there a map of where all the trees being cut down are?

No

1. What types (species) of trees will be cut down?

Honey locust, London plan, Crab apple, Littleleaf linden and Caller pear

1. When were these trees originally planted?

They were planted at varied times throughout the late 70s. They’re all between 30-40 years old.

1. Are there any plans for use of the cut down trees?

No.  There are untapped opportunities to utilize urban wood but one of the main barriers is the pieces of metal that get hammered into the first 10-20 feet over the years.  Millers don’t want to risk breaking their saws.  That said Zeke Leonard, a professor in SUs VPA program, is working with Greg Michels at Jubilee Homes and Jessi Lyons at Cornell Cooperative Extension to make use of some trees taken down at an urban farm off of Bellevue.  Zeke is working with a miller down in Jamesville and at SUs workshop to make some tables.

1. When will the new trees be planted?

Construction is supposed to begin this year.  Trees are typically (preferably) planted at the end of the construction process.  So it depends on how well construction goes.  The first step, obviously, is to remove the existing trees by the end of March. After that we have to wait until several phases of construction (tearing up and regarding and paving the road) are complete before we can plant the new trees. The overall plan is to be substantially complete by the end of this year. When the construction has been completed to a point where we can plant the trees, we need to have the weather cooperate. If it’s too cold we just can’t plant the trees. Ideally we’ll have them all planted by the end of this year but if, due to cold or construction setbacks, we can’t plant them this year, the absolute latest they’ll be planted would be May of 2012.

1. How big will the newly planted trees be?

I believe 2.5 to 3″ caliper (that is the diameter of tree 6″ off the ground).  They will be about 12 to 16′ tall.

1. What types (species) of trees will be planted?

The new trees to be planted will include Goldenrain, English Oak, Black Locust, Coffee Tree, Ginko, and Serviceberry.

1. Is there a map of where the new trees will go?

There is but it can’t be released as it hasn’t been released for contractors to bid on. Once the City awards the bids, all the plans will be available for public review. This will likely be late May for University Avenue and late June or early July for East Genesee Street. (Syracuse City Hall: 233 East Washington Street Syracuse, NY 13202 (315) 448-8005)

1. Whose responsibility will it be to care for the new trees?

The city has full responsibility for those trees that are to be cut down and the upkeep of the newly planted trees. There may be some kickoff-type events where community organizations will be participate, but those are strictly ceremonial purposes.

The tree maintenance strategy is entirely the city’s responsibility. Around Forman Park there will be some community influence, but in the greater scope of things, the trees are the city’s responsibility.

1. When will this project be finished?

Early 2012 spring at the latest. We’re aiming for a fully operable complete project by the end of this 2011. The tree planting is the last thing done and the temperature has to be fairly warm to plant.

Hunting Greens from Mirko Schmidt on Vimeo.

48:365 World Autism Awareness Day by Matt Beckwith

I, like many others, have been profoundly impacted by Autism. For me, it was the son of a co-worker who opened my eyes to the disorder. He is a very awesome kid who I fortunately was able to spend some quality time with. I watched him mature from a boy who would ask for food or water by taking you by the hand and putting it on the refrigerator or cupboard, to a pretty regular teenager who complained about mowing the lawn (I supervised) and loved to dance to reggae music (his lead). We’ve since moved out of visiting range (different continents) but I think about him every single day.

I put together this comprehensive list of autism resources as part of coursework for IST605 – Information Resources – Users & Services with my young friend in mind. It’s divided into a number of sections:

Authoritative Internet Resources
Audio Visual Resources
Print Resources
Database Resources
Sources for Ready Reference
Sources for In-depth Information for the Casual User
Sources for In-depth Information for a Scholar

The last 2 sections are a reorganization of the resources based on the user’s level of interest/competencies. It’s heavily annotated and I recomend you download the PDF.

But you have two options:

You can download it here. You can also view it in full below.

Comprehensive Autism Resources for the Beginner and the Researcher

Topic Area Description

For this pathfinder I’ve developed a detailed collection of print, audio-visual, database and Internet resources to aid both the beginner and the researcher in learning more about Autism.

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. The exact causes of these abnormalities remain unknown, but this is a very active area of research. There are probably combinations of factors that lead to autism. (MedlinePlus)

The disorder has affected many lives and families. Though there is no cure for the disorder, intensive treatment of affected children at a very early age has often lead to improved and higher-level functioning as affected individuals progress through life.

There is a very focused nationwide movement aimed at curing Autism with assistance and awareness coming from many different areas – media, medical, industry and so on.

Given the near daily advances in the analysis, diagnosis, and cures for the disorder, the most up to date information will be found in either the Authoritative Internet Resources or Database Resources. That’s not to say that print sources aren’t viable – they are – but the researcher and user who wants the most up to date information would probably be more inclined to start their research online before moving to print resources.

Not being an expert on Autism, my research included several conversations with employees of the Autism Society, National Library of Medicine, and Autism Speaks. I relied on their expertise in direction on some of the resources, especially the Audio-Visual materials.

Authoritative Internet Resources

• Autism Speaks – Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead.
  http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Autism Speaks. (November 2010). Autism Speaks. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Autism Speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org/

• Autism Society of America – The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. They do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
  http://www.autism-society.org

Autism Society of America. (November 2010). Autism Society of America. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org

• Autism Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) – The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is to reduce the burden of neurological disease – a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world. NINDS is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail autism.htm

National Institute of Neurological Disorders. (November 2010). Autism Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from National Institute of Neurological Disorders: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

• Autism: MedlinePlus - MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, and for free.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autism.html

MedlinePlus. (November 2010). Autism: MedlinePlus. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autism.html

• Autism Research Institute The Autism Research Institute (ARI) is the hub of a worldwide network of parents and professionals concerned with autism. ARI was founded in 1967 to conduct and foster scientific research designed to improve the methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing autism. ARI also disseminates research findings to parents and others worldwide seeking help. The ARI data bank, the world’s largest, contains over 40,000 detailed case histories of autistic children from over 60 countries. ARI publishes the Autism Research Review International, a quarterly newsletter covering biomedical and educational advances in autism research.

http://www.autism.com

Autism Research Institute. (November 2010). Autism Research Institute. Retrieved from Autism Research Institute: www.autism.com

• Global Autism Collaboration – The mission of the Global Autism Collaboration is to network and collaborate with autism organizations worldwide to generate necessary legal and social change to deal with the global autism health crisis. (Global Autism Collaboration)

http://wwwautismwebsitecom/gac

Global Autism Collaboration. (November 2010). Global Autism Collaboration. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Global Autism Collaboration: http://www.autismwebsite.com/gac

Audio Visual Resources – Web-based Videos and DVDS

• Autism Key >> Autism Key Video Library – These ‘home made’ videos provide the most update, direct and personal views and insights on Autism. (Autism Key)

http://www.autismkey.com/autism videos/

Autism Key. (November 2010). Autism Key Video Library. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Autism Key: http://www.autismkey.com/autism_videos/

• Autism: Now What Do I Do? [VHS] – A good reference for information on medical treatments once a parent finds out their child has autism.

Freeman, S. (Director). (2006). Autism: Now what do l do? [VHS] International Documentary Television Corp., & SKF Books.

• Being Responsive: You and Your Child with Autism [DVD] – This is an Australian video for parents of young children with autism focused on developing and creating interaction times with their child.

Matthews, V. (Director). (2006). Being responsive: you and your child with autism [DVD]. Australia.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Screening, Diagnosing, Thinking About Genetic Aspects [DVD] – A topical, medical overview of autism.

Bodurtha, J. (Producer), & Oswald, D. (Director). (2008). Autism spectrum disorder: Screening, diagnosing, thinking about genetic aspects [DVD]. Richmond, Va.: VCU Health System.

• About Me and You. Watch Me Learn. [DVD] – This DVD is part of a comprehensive learning system aimed to compliment school and therapy teaching.

Palo, M. (Director). (2008). About me and you. Watch me learn. [DVD]. Greenlawn, NY: Watch Me Learn, Inc.

• Two Worlds, One Planet [DVD] – This video provides a look inside a private K-12 day school specializing in youth with Autism and other disorders.

Levin, G. (Producer), & Reinking, A. (Director). (2008). Two worlds, one planet [DVD]. Boston, MA: Faces of Autism, LLC.

• Understanding Autism [DVD] – This video is ideal for those with family members or loved ones affected by autism spectrum disorders, helps to identify and diagnose quirks/behaviors in the autistic.

Sydney, N.S.W: SBS. (Director). (2006). Understanding autism [DVD].

• Autism and Applied Behavioral Analysis: ABA [DVD] – This is an ABC Nightline News program on autism.

Wolfe, P. (Director). (2006). Autism and applied behavioral analysis: ABA [DVD].

Print Resources

• The Autism Answer Book: More Than 300 of the Top Questions Parents Ask by William Stillman – William Stillman, a noted autism expert and author, delivers an Autism Q&A style book for parents and concerned family members.

Stillman, W. (2007). The autism answer book: More than 300 of the top questions parents ask. Naperville, Ill: Sourcebooks.

• The Autism Book: Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions by S. Johanna Robledo, Dawn Ham-Kucharski – A popular question and answer book written parents of autistic children.

Robledo, S., & Ham-Kucharski, D. (2005). The autism book: Answers to your most pressing questions. New York: Avery.

• The Autism Encyclopedia by John T. Neisworth, Pamela S. Wolfe – an updated and exhaustive resource including 22 pages of references including ones from all four editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Neisworth, J., & Wolfe, P. (2005). The autism encyclopedia. Baltimore, Md: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co.

• Autism Journey Guide by Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) – This 300 page guide is a collection of best practices in autism care and development based on experiences the Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) Foundation has had with families.

Talk About Curing Autism. (2009). Autism journey guide. Autism Journey Guide. Costa Mesa, CA, USA: Talk About Curing Autism.

• Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z: Assessment, Diagnosis…& More! By Emily Doyle and, Barbara T. Doyle – A comprehensive book covering all aspects of Autism and written in a very accessible and user-friendly format.

Doyle, B., & and, E. (2004). Autism spectrum disorders from A to Z: Assessment, diagnosis – & more! Arlington, TX: Future Horizons Inc.

• The Official Autism 101 Manual: Everything You Need To Know About Autism From Experts Who Know and Care by Karen L. Simmons – An exhaustive resource for parents and professionals. With over 40 contributors, this book provides a wide- ranging overview of all aspects of autism.

Simmons, K. (2006). The official autism 101 manual. Alta., Canada: Autism Today.

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder: An Altered Perspective by Barbara Quinn, Anthony Malone – The authors describe the symptoms of PDD, what a diagnosis means, how a child fits into the umbrella term used to cover the whole family of autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger Syndrome.

Quinn, B., & Malone, A. (2000). Pervasive developmental disorder: An altered perspective. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

• Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (2006) – This booklet will help parents identify early signs, symptoms, and the behavioral differences in their children so that an intervention program can be started as soon as possible.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2006). Understanding autism spectrum disorders. American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Understanding Autism: From Basic Neuroscience to Treatment by Steve Moldin, John Rubenstein – This reference book reviews state-of-the-art research on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of autism includes a discussion of the economic cost of autism.

Moldin, S. O., & Rubenstein, J. L. (2006). Understanding autism: From basic neuroscience to treatment. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press.

• Understanding Autism by Susan Dodd – Provides information to assist parents in developing their understanding of how autistic children think and respond.

Dodd, S. (2005). Understanding autism. Marrickville, N.S.W, Australia: Elsevier.

Database Resources

• NDAR – The NIH has developed the National Database for Autism Research (NDAR) as a secure bioinformatics platform for scientific collaboration around autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Its objectives are to facilitate data sharing and scientific collaboration, provide bioinformatics solutions to address community-Wide needs, and enable the effective communication of detailed research data, tools, and information. NDAR is a robust resource designed to help the ASD research community to accelerate discoveries that will improve the lives of people with autism and their families.

http://ndar.nih.gov/ndarpublicWeb/

National Institutes of Health. (November 2010). National Database for Autism Research. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from National Database for Autism Research: The NIH has developed the (NDAR) http://ndar.nih.gov/ndarpublicweb/

• DIRLINE is a directory database of addresses, phone numbers and information about health and biomedicine organizations, research resources, projects, and databases.

http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov/

U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). DIRLINE – U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 11 29, 2010, from DIRLINE – U.S. National Library of Medicine: http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov/

• PubMed searches MEDLINE (and OLDMEDLINE l95l-1965).

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/usemedline.html

U.S. National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). FAQ: Finding Medical Information in MEDLINE. Retrieved 11 29, 2010, from U.S. National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/usemedline.html

• LocatorPlus – an online catalog of all the books, journals, and other materials owned by NLM to identify materials on autism.

http://locatorplus.gov/

U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). LocatorPlus. Retrieved 11 25, 2010, from LocatorPlus: http://locatorplus.gov/

• Autism Society’s Resource Database is searchable by location or service type, and provides resource listings throughout the United States. Listings include: Autism Society Local Chapters, government agencies, physicians, medical and diagnostic centers, day schools, information and support groups, early intervention, community services for adults, service providers, legal and advocacy services, consultants, camps, research centers, and more. The resource database was created in 2004 and now contains well over 25,000 individual listings.

http://www.autismsource.org

Autism Source. (n.d.). Autism Source. Retrieved 11 28, 2010, from Autism Source: http://www.autismsource.org/

Sources for Ready Reference

• The Autism Answer Book: More Than 300 of the Top Questions Parents Ask by William Stillman – William Stillman, a noted autism expert and author, delivers an Autism Q&A style book for parents and concerned family members.

Stillman, W. (2007). The autism answer book: More than 300 of the top questions parents ask. Naperville, loll: Sourcebooks.

• The Autism Book: Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Dawn Ham-Kucharski – A popular question and answer book written parents of autistic children.

Robledo, S., & Ham-Kucharski, D. (2005). The autism book: Answers to your most pressing questions. New York: Avery.

• The Autism Encyclopedia by John T. Neisworth, Pamela S. Wolfe – an updated and exhaustive resource including 22 pages of references including ones from all four editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Neisworth, J., & Wolfe, P. (2005). The autism encyclopedia. Baltimore, Md: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co.

• Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z: Assessment, Diagnosis…& More! by Emily Doyle and, Barbara T. Doyle – A comprehensive book covering all aspects of Autism and written in a very accessible and user-friendly format.

Doyle, B., & and, E. (2004). Autism spectrum disorders from A to Z: Assessment, diagnosis – & more! Arlington, TX: Future Horizons Inc.

• The Official Autism 101 Manual: Everything You Need To Know About Autism From Experts Who Know and Care by Karen L. Simmons – An exhaustive resource for parents and professionals. With over 40 contributors, this book provides a wide-ranging overview of all aspects of autism.

Simmons, K. (2006). The official autism 101 manual. Alta., Canada: Autism Today.

• Autism: Now What Do I Do? [VHS] – A good reference for information on medical treatments once a parent finds out their child has autism.

Freeman, S. (Director). (2006). Autism: Now what do I do? [VHS]. International Documentary Television Corp., & SKF Books.

• Two Worlds, One Planet [DVD] – This video provides a look inside a private K-12 day school specializing in youth with Autism and other disorders.

Levin, G. (Producer), & Reinking, A. (Director). (2008). Two worlds, one planet [DVD]. Boston, MA: Faces of Autism, LLC.

• Understanding Autism [DVD] – This video is ideal for those with family members or loved ones affected by autism spectrum disorders, helps to identify and diagnose quirks/behaviors in the autistic.

Sydney, N.S.W: SBS. (Director). (2006). Understanding autism [DVD].

• Autism Speaks – Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Autism Speaks. (November 2010). Autism Speaks. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Autism Speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Sources for In-depth Information for the Casual User

• Understanding Autism: From Basic Neuroscience to Treatment by Steve Moldin, John Rubenstein – This reference book reviews state-of-the-art research on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of autism includes a discussion of the economic cost of autism.

Moldin, S. O., & Rubenstein, J. L. (2006). Understanding autism: From basic neuroscience to treatment. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press.

• Autism Society’s Resource Database is searchable by location or service type, and provides resource listings throughout the United States. Listings include: Autism Society Local Chapters, government agencies, physicians, medical and diagnostic centers, day schools, information and support groups, early intervention, community services for adults, service providers, legal and advocacy services, consultants, camps, research centers, and more. The resource database was created in 2004 and now contains well over 25,000 individual listings.

http://www.autismsource.org/

Autism Source. (n.d.). Autism Source. Retrieved 11 28, 2010, from Autism Source: http://www.autismsource.org/

• Autism Journey Guide by Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) – This 300 page guide is a collection of best practices in autism care and development based on experiences the Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) Foundation has had with families.

Talk About Curing Autism. (2009). Autism Journey Guide. Autism Journey Guide. Costa Mesa, CA, USA: Talk About Curing Autism.

• Understanding Autism by Susan Dodd – Provides information to assist parents in developing their understanding of how autistic children think and respond.

Dodd, S. (2005). Understanding autism. Marrickville, N.S.W, Australia: Elsevier.

• Autism Key >> Autism Key Video Library – These ‘home made’ videos provide the most update, direct and personal views and insights on Autism. (Autism Key)

http://www.autismkey.com/autism_videos/

Autism Key. (November, 2010). Autism Key Video Library. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Autism Key: http://www.autismkey.com/autism_videos/

• Autism and Applied Behavioral Analysis: ABA [DVD] – This is an ABC Nightline News program on autism.

Wolfe, P. (Director). (2006). Autism and Applied Behavioral Analysis: ABA [DVD] –

• Being Responsive: You and Your Child with Autism [DVD] – This is an Australian video for parents of young children with autism focused on developing and creating interaction times with their child.

Matthews, V. (Director). (2006). Being responsive: you and your child with autism [DVD]. Australia.

• About Me and You. Watch Me Learn. [DVD] – This DVD is part of a comprehensive learning system aimed to compliment school and therapy teaching.

Palo, M. (Director). (2008). About me and you. Watch me learn. [DVD]. Greenlawn, NY: Watch Me Learn, Inc.

• Autism Society of America – The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. They do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.

http://www.autism-society.org

Autism Society of America. (November, 2010). Autism Society of America, Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org

• Global Autism Collaboration – The mission of the Global Autism Collaboration is to network and collaborate with autism organizations worldwide to generate necessary legal and social change to deal with the global autism health crisis. (Global Autism Collaboration)

http://www.autismwebsite.com/gac

Global Autism Collaboration. (November, 2010). Global Autism Collaboration. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Global Autism Collaboration: http://www.autismwebsite.com/gac

Sources for In-depth Information for a Scholar

• NDAR – The NIH has developed the National Database for Autism Research (NDAR) as a secure bioinformatics platform for scientific collaboration around autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Its objectives are to facilitate data sharing and scientific collaboration, provide bioinformatics solutions to address community-wide needs, and enable the effective communication of detailed research data, tools, and information. NDAR is a robust resource designed to help the ASD research community to accelerate discoveries that will improve the lives of people with autism and their families.

http://ndar.nih.gov/ndarpublicweb/

National Institutes of Health. (November, 2010). National Database for Autism Research. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from National Database for Autism Research: The NIH has developed the (NDAR) http://ndar.nih.gov/ndarpublicweb/

• DIRLINE is a directory database of addresses, phone numbers and information about health and biomedicine organizations, research resources, projects, and databases.

http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov/

U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.) DIRLINE – U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 11 29, 2010, from DIRLINE – U.S. National Library of Medicine: http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov/

• PubMed searches MEDLINE (and OLDMEDLINE 1951-1965). U.S. National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/usemedline.html

• LocatorPlus – an online catalog of all the books, journals, and other materials owned by NLM to identify materials on autism.

http://locatorplus.gov/

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder: An Altered Perspective by Barbara Quinn, Anthony Malone – The authors describe the symptoms of PDD, what a diagnosis means, how a child fits into the umbrella term used to cover the whole family of autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger Syndrome.

Quinn, B., & Malone, A. (2000). Pervasive developmental disorder: An altered perspective. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

• Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (2006) – This booklet will help parents identify early signs, symptoms, and the behavioral differences in their children so that an intervention program can be started as soon as possible.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2006). Understanding autism spectrum disorders. American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Screening, Diagnosing, Thinking About Genetic Aspects [DVD] – A topical, medical overview of autism.

Bodurtha, J. (Producer), & Oswald, D. (Director). (2008). Autism Spectrum Disorder: Screening, Diagnosing, Thinking About Genetic Aspects [DVD]. Richmond, Va.: VCU Health System.

• Autism Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) – The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is to reduce the burden of neurological disease – a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world. NINDS is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail autism.htm

• Autism: MedlinePlus – MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for tree.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autism.html

• The Autism Research Institute (ARI) is the hub of a worldwide network of parents and professionals concerned with autism. ARI was
  founded in 1967 to conduct and foster scientific research designed to improve the
  methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing autism. ARI also disseminates research findings to parents and others worldwide seeking help. The ARI data bank, the world’s largest, contains over 40,000 detailed case histories of autistic children from over 60 countries. ARI publishes the Autism Research Review International, a quarterly newsletter covering biomedical and educational advances in autism research.

http://www.autism.com

5 Worst Winter Weather Cities

So I took a break an mindlessly wandered the Internet. In a few minutes I landed here (below). Last time I take a break or wander the internet. Syracuse beats Minnesota, Alaska, Wyoming and every other US City for the title of ‘Worst Winter City’.

From none other than the Farmers Almanac:

Worst Winter Cities

1. SYRACUSE, NEW YORK “Cold,” “clammy,” “snowy” are three great ways to describe Syracuse weather—from October through April. Winter starts very early and lasts late, with plenty of snow and extremely cold temperatures. Winter daytime temperatures average in the lower 30s, with nighttime lows in the teens, but temperatures as low as minus 25°F have been recorded. Snow also makes winter uncomfortable in Syracuse, averaging almost 120 inches per season. During the winter of 2009–2010, Syracuse was again the winner of the prestigious “Golden Snowball Award,” celebrating the city with most snowfall for the winter in upstate New York, beating out such snowy cities as Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Binghamton. Syracuse also made our Farmers’ Almanac “10 Worst” list in 2002. Another reason why this city makes the worst winter weather list — December, January, and February are typically gloomy, with Syracuse receiving only onethird of the sunshine possible, because of considerable cloud cover.

I'm thinking...

Man if this just isn’t the biggest smack to the face of #6 LBJ King James LeBron I don’t know what is.

King James’ latest Nike spot has him philosophizing on his current state of trying to make sense of the past few years of  his professional life. He ruminates on his much criticized press announcement where he revealed he would join D-wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, selling Nike sneakers, having his tattoo removed and being a role model.

You get the feeling that Team Nike/LeBron are trying to get everyone watching to feel empathy for him, and ‘understand’ where he’s coming from throughout his oft-pummeled NBA off season. (video below)

A guy this talented, this smart, who happens to be a budding billionaire, and, for the most part, is a pretty good role model, shouldn’t be making these types of commercials and shouldn’t have gone to Miami. I don’t feel bad for him or his identity crisis. When asked about what he thought about LBJ joining the Heat, Michael Jordan (THE greatest) said it best, “When I was playing, I wanted to beat all the other guys, not play with them.” Ouch. Take that LBJ.

Now here come another, very public, smack-down from none other than the manufacturer of the original basketball shoe – Converse (video below). Their  new ad campaign:

“The Procession is about becoming a part of a movement of people daring to be themselves.”

OK LeBron, that had to hurt too.

While LeBron is grappling with ‘Who he should be’, Converse, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Sammy Baca, Jim Jones Capo, and Jack White and the White Stripes are keeping it real with no apologies and not even a hint of a nod to LBJ (but it’s pretty clear to even the casual sports fan). No glossy anything here. No fancy editing. Just people doing THEIR thing. Carving THEIR niche. Making THEIR history.

So my tie in to 511 is….step back and evaluate then innovate and create and always respect those who came before you. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to them too. There’s a lot that can be learned from history and a few calculations prior to a big leap are typically a pretty good idea..

And for the record King James and the Miami Heat just lost their opening game to the Boston Celtics, who have a cast of players well known for keeping their personal and professional lives on their own terms, but playing together very nicely.