I have been extremely busy this summer working on my current projects and picking up a new client.  I am now blogging on eco-friendly motoring topics for The Green Motorist.  I am also launching a few new website ventures, once they are up and running I will post them here.  In addition to my new sites, I’ve redesigned or otherwise updated The Autism Education Site as well as Autism News Direct.

I just updated my Suite101 page with my newest articles for the site.  I am closing in on 100 articles and I have an ambitious goal of reaching that by mid-September.

My latest feature article at Suite 101, Transitions for Autistic Teens, is the start of a new series of articles I will be writing that focuses on issues surrounding adults with autism. Much of the publicity centered around autism these days is on children. However, these children with autism grow up to become adults with autism. As the diagnostic rates increase, the adult autistic population will naturally grow. Providing support and services for teenagers with autism as they transition to young adulthood is important.

In addition to my feature article, I also stepped back in to the Partners and Parents section of Suite 101 and wrote an article on The Top Internet Toy Stores and Kids Natural Personal Care Items.  The online toy stores I spotlighted are FAO Schwarz, Fat Brain Toys, Rosie Hippos and Toys R Us.  For the personal care items article, I chose to discuss the benefits of using products by California Baby, Burt’s Bees and Dr. Bronner’s.

It has been over two weeks since my last update here at MHOWriting.com. Not only did I take a little vacation, my son had a pretty traumatic dentist appointment and I’ve taken on a few new responsibilities.

I was asked by Robin, owner of the website Dealing With Learning Disorders, to join her team of featured experts.  I was humbled by the request and happily joined her team.  The website provides fantastic information on a variety of learning disorders and other conditions which can lead to learning difficulties.  If you have a few minutes, definitely check out her site.

I also wrote a piece for a local monthly magazine.  I originally envisioned the article in January but never set aside time to write it.  I will have an article on kid-friendly hikes in the area published in the April issue of the Gold Canyon Ledger.  The magazine does not have an online presence but once I receive the April issue, I will scan the document into a PDF file and upload it to the server.

I have also started working intently on two different personal finance websites for the owner of Two Gun Media, LLC.  These articles are a great exercise in search engine optimization (SEO).  I’m hoping to implement some of what I’ve learned while writing for Two Gun Media into my other online articles.

My writing has slowed down a bit at Suite 101 as I’ve worked with shuffling my new endeavors.  Since my last update here on MHOWriting.com, I have published the following articles and blog entries:

TEACCH Autism Program at UNC

Autism Speaks Promotes Advocacy

Dental Visits with an Aspie

April is Autism Awareness Month

Act Early Against Autism:  Give Your Child a Fighting Chance from the Start by Jayne Lytelwill be available for purchase on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.  I secured a preview copy and found it to be a fantastic read.  It offers practical advice for parents who are either concerned about their child’s development or parents of children newly diagnosed with autism.

Not only does Lytel tell her story, she also offers great information regarding autism education, therapies and alternative treatments, and even a look at the financial hardships that families of children with an autism spectrum disorder face. 

On Sunday I reached my second goal as a writer for Suite 101, 50 articles published.  Here are my three newest articles:

CARD’s Applied Behavior Analysis

Professional Autism Assessments

Top MMA Schools in the US

Continuing my trend to not put all my eggs in one basket, so-to-speak, I branched out with an MMA article this week.  I have a few more MMA-themed articles in the works as well.

I chose to highlight CARD, the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, as it is one of the world’s most innovative autism support agencies.  The services provided by CARD are in extremely high demand and patients have seen fantastic results after using the unique ABA plans designed by the professionals at CARD. 

The other autism-themed article was written to address the question that I am asked several times a week “Who can diagnose an autism spectrum disorder?”  This article looks at several different professionals and touches on the pros and cons of each.

Two distinctly different topics for today’s update.  I drive a 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe and love the car, absolutely love it.  I decided to turn my love of the car into an article for Suite101.  Infiniti G35 and G37 Modifications discusses two main types of aftermarket mods - forced induction and suspension modifications.  I haven’t personally gone FI (forced induction) on my car; it is my daily driver and I’d really hate to hose it up somehow but I have done several different suspension modifications.  The suspension mods just made the car more fun to drive.  The picture attached to the article is my steel baby. 

The other update for this entry is my article entitled Autism and Intelligence Levels.  With all of the recent news media coverage of Big Brother Contestant AdamJasinksi’s foot-in-mouth comment about autistic children, I decided to present a much different point of view.  It has quickly become one of my top three articles as far as inbound traffic is concerned.

Social skills, something that neurotypicals don’t have to put much effort into, are problematic for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.  My newest article, Overcome Social Deficits in Autism, looks at how play therapy, Social Stories, and a social skills group can all help individuals on the autism spectrum gain much-needed social skills and self-confidence.  The Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome Blog has also been updated; my latest topic is the oh-so-controversial Autism and Vaccines.

I have also branched out and contact two publishing companies for review copies of books related to autism.  Both of these books intrigued me, one is already in publication and the other is not scheduled to be released until next month.  I hope to have reviews online within a week of receiving the books.  If the books are as good as I think they are, both publicists have asked that I consider contacting them to interview the author.  Once the books are in and the reviews are published, I’ll be sure to update my blog here at MHOWriting.com.

The Autism Society of America (ASA) is the subject of my latest article at Suite 101.  I had the opportunity to attend the 2007 ASA conference in Scottsdale, Arizona and was impressed by the breadth of the organization.  Topics of conversation ranged from the controversial (biomedical) to the historic (the age of refrigerator mothers).  I learned a lot and was uplifted listening to two autistic teenagers speak.  This year’s conference will be held in Orlando and I’m not yet sure if I will be able to attend.

I have also updated the Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome Blog at Suite 101.  This week’s topic is Autism and Melatonin and looks at a recent study released by Vanderbilt University attesting to the efficacy of melatonin use in assisting those with autism who also have sleep disorders.

My newest submission to Suite 101 is about Autism and Sleep Disorders.  I discussed four ways to help individuals on the autism spectrum have more restful sleep.  The picture is my daughter sleeping under her custom-made weighted blanket.  The weighted blanket has been an absolute lifesaver for us with regards to her sleep habits.

In my Suite 101 Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome Blog I touched on the political scene as it relates to autism.  I discussed a few of the candidates’ plans for autism support should they be elected to the office of the President.  Not all of the candidates are listed as autism-specific information could not be located. 

In non-Suite 101 news I have recently launched two new websites.  The first, The Autism Education Site, is dedicated to providing parents and caregivers a comprehensive list of private schools for educating children, adolescents, and young adults on the autism spectrum as well as a summer camp listing.  In addition, the latest in autism education news is published on The Autism Education Site Blog.

My other project is Autism News Direct - in blog format I post the latest in autism news on a variety of topics.  Whether you are looking for information on autism conferences or press releases about the latest autism-specific scientific study, Autism News Direct will have that information available.

As a student studying Speech & Hearing Science as well as the mother of children on the autism spectrum, this is one article that I’ve been excited about writing.  My newest submission to Suite 101 is Speech Therapy for Autism:  PECS, Electronic AAC Devices, Semantic-Pragmatic Language Instruction.  The article looks at three commonly used methods for increasing the communication skills of children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder.

 I have also updated my Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome Blog at Suite 101, topics include the 2008 Defeat Autism Now Conference, Red Flags for Autism, the Autism Society of America’s 2008 Conference, and a look at the Division in the Autism Community.  My blog will be updated weekly, please take a minute to subscribe to my Suite 101 Blog RSS feed.