RIP Tom Snyder

Sad news.  Broadcasting legend, Tom Snyder, has passed away at the age of 71 due to leukemia.  I remember watching him in the late 1970s on "Tomorrow" right after Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show."   I even watched him years later on "The Late Late Show" right after David Letterman's "Late Show" on CBS.

Dan Aykroyd spoofed him on "Saturday Night Live" back in the 1970s.  That's how I discovered Tom.  I remember when Tom appeared on Johnny Carson's show as a guest and talked about Dan's impersonation of Tom.

You'll be missed, Tom!

Tom Snyder interviews David Letterman on "The Late Late Show" Part 1



Part 2



Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

But Does He Dream about an Octopus' Garden?

John Young, a columnist for the Waco Tribune-Herald in Texas, wrote his recent diagnosis of moderate Sleep Apnea.  He described his CPAP machine as an octopus in his recent column called "Sleeping with The Octopus." 

John Young is now currently using a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) which opens up his windpipe while in slumber.

Check out the comment section of John Young's column.  Dave Hargett, the chairman of the Sleep Apnea Association, writes a good response to his column.

Autism/AS in the Family

Scott and Candis Gilbert have two children: Son Cody has autism and daughter Alicia has Asperger's Syndrome.  "Living with Autism" tells about how they handle raising them both with their unique needs.  They live on a farm in Illinois with lots of animals.

Birthhday Money for Puppets!

Phillip Proctor, an 8-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome, asked his friends to send him donations for Kids on the Block, a puppet troupe in Kentucky, in lieu of gifts for his birthday last month.  He did this because the storage area where Kids on the Block keep their puppets needed a new air conditioner.  Phillip was able to raise $300.

When asked about his favorite puppet, Phillip replied that it was David who has autism.  Kids on the Block has 20 programs that deal with many topics including autism.  They held a special ceremony for Philip when he presented his check to them.

Bravo, Phillip!

Outside In Song of the Week!

Happy Birthday, Mick Jagger!

Mick hits the number 64 this year.  He's still rocking and rolling along with the Rolling Stones.  I've seen them in concert at least three times in the last ten years.

"It's Only Rock 'N' Roll!" by The Rolling Stones

Lose Weight While You Sleep!

Sounds like a dream come true, but the reality is that the less sleep you get the heavier you get.  Researchers have learned that if you sleep six hours or less, you are more likely to be more obese or more heavyweight.  Two hormones are affected if you sleep less.  Grhelin is produced in the stomach.  If you sleep less, grhelin increases in your stomach and in turn increase your appetite.  Leptin decreases appetite and controls it if you sleep enough hours.  If you sleep less, leptin decreases and can't control the appetite.  It's important to get more sleep.

People with Sleep Apnea and other sleep disorders have trouble with their weight.  Using a device like the CPAP machine helps with sleep and weight gain.

Another reason to sleep more hours is that the body's temperature decreases from lack of sleep.  It makes you more likely to eat sweets and carbohydrates.

Meanwhile, Back at the Down Home Ranch

Back in 1990, Judy and Jerry Horton gave up their university teaching jobs and opened a ranch in central Texas for special needs people with Down's Syndrome and autism.   At their ranch, their residents live group homes where the residents do daily chores: raising plants, feeding horses, cooking and cleaning.  They have a daughter named Kelly who was born in 1984 with Down's Syndrome.  They saw that there was a lack of opportunities for people with special needs and decided to do something about that.  The result is the Down Home Ranch with the goal to help their residents learn how to live independently.

Their ranch hosts week-long summer camps in the summertime for special needs people.  At Christmas time, they sell poinsettias.  They also have a learning center and a computer lab.  The Hortons are hoping to expand and open satellite locations.

Thanks, Judy and Jerry!

Hughes Center is Opening its Doors in September

On September 4, the Hughes Center for Exceptional Children will be opening its doors for children with psychiatric disorders like autism, Asperger's and pervasive developmental disorder as well as mental retardation in Danville, Virginia.  The center named after John E. Hughes, a successful business man, who died in 1922 and left in his will that the bulk of estate to used to set up an orphanage.  The center was originally called The Hughes Memorial Home which ran successfully for many years before being leased out to Presbyterian Homes and Family Services in 1999.  Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. bought the property last October to make it a home for children with psychiatric disorders.

The home will feature educational and vocational training for its residents.  The plan is to teach them to learn how to live independently.

Welcome to Social Skills Camp!

Shokey's Center Social Skills Camp is a pilot program to help students with autism and Aspeger's Syndrome learn social understanding in Beaumont, Texas.  A student named Ty McDonald wants to learn how to get along with bullies.  The program focuses on how to teach students how to start a conversation, how to do eye contact and other social skills.

Some students will participating in the Center's annual Christmas card sale.  It will give them the opportunity to practice the social skills they have learned at camp.

I will this camp was around when I was a teenager.

Shadow Lifting

USA Today has an article called "A Long Shadow is Lifted on Asperger's in Adults."  A psychologist named Kathy Marshack said that her late mother had Asperger's and her adopted daugther currently has it.  She believes that the condition is widely unrecognized in adults.  The article even wonders if many generations of adults escaped diagnosis.

I was very glad to find out that I had a condition that impaired my social skills.  Before that, others thought I was a mean, insensitive person.  A lot of people did not suspect that my brain wasn't like theirs.  I believe it's possible that a lot of adults weren't diagnosed because nobody suspected that they had a condition that impaired their social skills.

Bet Your Bippy Birthday

Happy Birthday
Dan Rowan
July 22, 1922 - September 22, 1987

Dan would have been 85 years old today.  I remember watching him and his partner, Dick Martin, on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" when I was small.  That show made me laugh a lot.

Dan Rowan with Johnny Carson filling in for Dick Martin on "Laugh-In"



Rowan & Martin team up with The Monkees

The Honest Abe Thing

Borat's cousin, Simon Baron-Cohen, wrote an article about the honesty that people with autism/Asperger's Syndrome have.  It's called "I Cannot Tell a Lie - What People with Autism Can Tell Us About Honesty."

This article reminded me of my efforts during the 1990s to improve my social skills.  I was so amazed that people thought I meant the opposite of what I said to them.  It led to many arguments.  I called a lot of people "lunatics," "morons," and "idiots" during these arguments.  In fact, I told them that they were very inept at socializing with other people.  They laughed at me.  So I walked out on them and never spoke to them ever again.  A lot of them were very harsh towards me. 

My best defense was "I'm the one with the degree from Emerson College, a communications school!  And you're not!"

When I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder in 2002, the doctor complimented me for getting a college degree from a communications school in 1986, despite having two undiagnosed communication disorders at the time.

I remember when I was a kid and told other kids and teachers the ages of my parents and other things that were none of their business.  I was only telling the truth.

Outside In Song of the Week!

This week, my favorite soap, "One Life to Live" celebrated their 39th Anniversary on Sunday, July 15.  Back in 1986, singer Peabo Bryson made a guest appearance to sing the show's current theme song at the time. 

"One Life to Live" 1986 Theme by Peabo Bryson

Autism Soaring in Massachusetts

According to The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the autism rate in Massachusetts is 1 in 130 children.  The New England Center for Children (NECC) in Southboro, Massachusetts, is helping out with treating and educating children with autism.  They are also involved in autism research, consulting schools and working with hospitals and colleges.

NECC is also training autism specialists as well as compiling a special "Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia" to help parents.

Is This How Jim Morrison Died?

Time.com has an interesting article about how and where Jim Morrison died in Paris.  It says that Jim overdosed and died in a nightclub.  A bunch of people took his body back to the place where Jim was staying and put his lifeless body in his bathtub.

Who knows for certain if this is what really happened?  His death will always be a mystery to everyone.

Money for Kids' Blood Samples!

Dr. Andrew Wakefield was the one who wrote in 1998 that the MMR vaccine causes autism is facing an inquiry.  The General Medical Council (GMC) is looking into the matter about whether or not Wakefield is fit to practice medicine.  One allegation is that he paid children money for blood samples at his son's birthday party.  His paper about MMR vaccine and autism linked caused controversy when it came out.  It has been largely discredited, but Wakefield has many supporters.

Wakefield's two research partners, Professors, John Walker-Smith and Simon Murch, are also facing charges of professional medical misconduct.  Another allegation is that the three did not have permission from the ethics committee to conduct tests on the children used in the autism study.

See the story on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxSv12W_Uxs

Even Munchkins have Asperger's

8-year-old Ian Kelly is a Munchkin in the new production of "The Wizard of Oz" at the Paramount Arts Centre in Aurora, Illinois.  Ian who has Asperger's Syndrome gets to say one line.  The show is this weekend, July 21 - July 22.

Good Luck, Ian!

The Soon-To-Be-Late Asa Buchanan

Happy Birthday, Phil Carey!

Phil Carey, former cast member of "One Life to Live," left the show a few months ago over the turning his character, Asa Buchanan, to a recurring character, instead of a regular.  The powers that be at "One Life to Live" have decided to kill off Asa and have his funeral next month for the 10,000th episode.  Last year, Phil battled lung cancer and recovered.

Sad to see them get rid of Asa, but is Asa really dead this time?  They've killed him off before in 1983 and 2001.  He keeps coming back.  So, who knows?

Thanks for the memories, Phil!

Buchanan Men Tribute from "One Life to Live's 30th anniversary special"

Happy Anniversary to My Favorite Soap!

Happy 39th Anniversary,
One Life to Live!
It all started back in 1968.  My grandma watched it from Day 1.  I started watching it back in 1982.

The ultimate classic soap scene in the history of "One Life to Live" was back in 1979 when Karen took the witness stand and confessed her sinful past.




When I started watching in 1982, "One Life to Live" added a veteran from the soap called "Dark Shadows" to their cast.  Here's Grayson Hall with Robert S. Woods (Bo)and Nana Visitor (Georgina).

Outside In Song of the Week

I found this on Youtube.com tonight.  It's a great music tribute to the X-Men movies.  The actor who played Professor X is having a birthday today.  He's also Jean-Luc Picard on "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Happy Birthday, Patrick Stewart!

"Hammer to Fall" by Queen.

I Only Wish Alfred was Here to Celebrate His Birthday

Happy Birthday,
Alfred Christian

July 13, 1961 - June 19, 1980

Alfred sits with friend on a bus trip

It's sad that he died so young (the result of a car accident).  The thing that I remember most about him was the uncanny way he was able to make friends while I wasn't able to.  Back then, no one was aware of Asperger's Syndrome.  Everyone thought I was a normal child and was very capable of making friends, but they were wrong.  There were so many instances that something in me was preventing me from socializing and making friends.

Everyone saw Alfred connecting socially with anyone he came in contact with.  He did with ease.  To me, it almost looked like witchcraft.  I even sometimes wondered if Alfred was a mutant.  I read the X-Men comic book when I was younger.  In fact, Alfred died the same week X-Men #137 came out with the death of Phoenix (Jean Grey).  A few years later, Jean Grey came back from the dead in typical comic book resurrection fashion.  Too bad that Alfred couldn't do that.

So here I am stuck with wondering what the look on Alfred's face would be if he was still alive and I had just told him that I have Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism that makes it difficult for me to socialize with others, makes see things literally and have restricted interests.

Indiana's Having a Birthday on Friday the 13th!

Happy 65th Birthday,
Harrison Ford!

Indiana Jones IV comes out next summer.  So we'll have to reminisce about the firs film.  It's my favorite film of all time, "Raider's of the Lost Ark."  I fell in love with this movie when it came out in the theaters back in the summer of 1981.  Pure excitement!

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" Trailer

70 for the Cos!

Happy 70th Birthday,
Bill Cosby!

I grew up watching Bill Cosby!  I loved everything he did on television.

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Theme Song

The Truth about Autism by Simon

Simon Baron-Cohen, the director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC), explains the truth about Autism in a recent interview in the Times Online.  He talks about MMR vaccine, the one-in-58 figure and results in recent autism studies that his team have been working on for the last few years.  He says there is no link between autism and the MMR vaccine.

Simon Baron-Cohen's name is popping up in the news all over the place!

One in 58 in England

According to a recent study at Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre (ARC), one in 58 children have some form of autism in England.  Professor Simon Baron-Cohen headed the Cambridge University research study.  He believes that possible factors to the rise in autism are genetics, environmental factors like pesticides, and children's exposure to hormones such as testosterone in the womb.

Last year, it was one in 86.  Before that, one in 100.

In the US, it's one in 150.

What a Boost!

Staff members and students with Asperger's Syndrome at Cambridge University in England are going to get support services via the University Disability Resource Center.  A donation from the Bailey Thomas Charitable Foundation created this two-year pilot program at the University.

The Autism Research Centre (ARC) did a recent study that revealed that there are more people with Asperger's and autism at the University than the general population.

Check out more in "University Boost for Students with Asperger's."

AANE's 1st Adult with AS Conference at Bentley College on 7/7/07

I've had a busy weekend.  Yesterday, I went to the first ever Adults with Asperger's Syndrome conference that AANE hosted at Bentley College: KNOW YOURSELF: THE KEY TO A BETTER LIFE.  Our speakers were Stephen Shore, President Emeritus of AANE and author of three books about autism spectrum disorders (Beyond the Wall, Ask and Tell, and Understanding Autism for Dummies), and Zosia Zaks, author of Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults.  Both are adults with autism spectrum disorders and give lectures to help adults with Asperger's Syndrome and their families with living on the spectrum.  Stephen did the morning presentation: Self Advocacy for Adults with AS, and Zosia did the afternoon presentation: Managing your Physical and Mental Health.

Steven Shore's website: http://www.autismasperger.net/

Zosia Zaks' website: http://www.zaksfamily.com/autism.html

The workshops were in the afternoon after the lectures were done.  The three workshops were "Know Your Brand of Asperger's" hosted by Jamie Freed, Director of Adult Services at AANE, and Gail M. Kastorf, Employment Specialist at AANE; "Managing The Multi: Multiple Tasks, Multiple Commitments, Multiple Papers, Multiple Technologies" hosted by Sarah Ward, Speech and Language Pathologist at the Center of Speech and Language Pathology; and "Dating and Relationships" hosted by Zosia Zaks.  All three workshops occurred at the same time, so I couldn't attend all three.  I went to the "Dating and Relationships" workshop.  It was good.  I only wish I went to a workshop like this when I was in college or, better yet, junior high.  It would have saved me a lot of grief.  I had to learn by experience what I shouldn't do or say on a date and how to avoid totally weird guys.  I like the fact that Zosia mentioned how important safety is when meeting a person for the first time.  I've had a few close calls with guys who were very eager to go home with me after I had met them for the very first time.

During the lunch break, I met a woman from Oklahoma City who I have known via e-mail for a few years.  A few years ago, her mother went to AANE's annual Fall conference and met me.  She told me about her daughter's struggles and gave me her e-mail address.  I wrote to her andtold her about my problems before I was diagnosed.

Throughout the conference, there were people selling books about Asperger's syndrome/Autism, especially Stephen's books and Zosia's book.  They also had handouts and business cards for services for people and families with Asperger's Syndrome (health, housing, etc.).

One highlight at the conference was when the question about who had difficulty while going to middle school was asked.  Everybody raised their hands.

At the ice cream social after the conference ended, we got to make our own sundaes.  We talked about what we enjoyed about the conference.  Some of my fellow attendees and talked about the term "middle school" being very inaccurate term because we all knew it as junior high school while we were growing up.  I gave people the address to this blog of mine.

Overall, I had a good day.  I was very tired when I got home.  Here's hoping for more adult conferences in the future.

Happy Birthday, Outside In, My Blog!

I can't believe I've been doing this for two years!  I was worried that nobody would notice it, but I get e-mails from others saying they read my blog.

Originally, Outside In was going to be a public affairs show on Allston-Brighton free radio in December 2004 to raise awareness of Asperger's Syndrome and The Asperger Association of New England (AANE).  I had just been trained to use their equipment in their air studio on December 5, 2004.  However, the next night I was in a terrible car accident and suffered spine and knee injuries (I'm much better now.  I'm still doing workouts to get my knee back in shape.  Knee injuries are the worst).  In January 2005, Allston-Brighton free radio went silent forever.

Months later, I decided to start a blog using that name, Outside In.  I already had two websites about Asperger's Syndrome called Uncommon Bostonian and Uncommon Bostonian's Uncommentary.  I wanted to do something a little different with the blog.  I had learned a lot about blogging by looking at Charles Laquidara's blog called The Big Mattress and other blogs.  Also, I am experienced at journaling.  I've had my own personal journal for 25 years.  So in July 2005, I started my own blog called Outside In.

It's been fun so far.  I love posting my thoughts and the latest news about Asperger's Syndrome.  Also, I love writing about pop culture because I was always interested in writing my own column.  And the videos and pictures galore on this blog!  Wow!

Of course, I love writing about how much I love the Beatles!

Happy Birthday,
Outside In!

Outside In Song of The Week

Happy Birthday,
Ringo Starr

The oldest Beatle is having a Birthday today.  I saw him last summer in concert.  He looked great.

"Photograph" by Ringo Starr in 2002 at the Concert for George (with Eric Clapton)

Holy Birthday, Batman! Burt Ward's 62!

Happy Birthday,
Burt Ward
Robin, The Boy Wonder

I loved watching Batman reruns on TV during the 1970s when I was little.  My parents and older siblings (except my older brother, James) were not too crazy over the fact that I religiously watched this show every day after school.  Years later in 1977, I even watched the Batman Saturday Morning Cartoon Show that featured Adam West and Burt Ward doing the voices of Batman and Robin.  That cartoon has been released recently on DVD.

I always loved Burt Ward.  I haven't had the chance to meet him, but I have met a few of his co-workers: Adam West, Frank Gorshin, Julie Newmar and Yvonne Craig.  They were nice.  I have never mentioned the fact that I met these actors to my parents because they would say something very negative.  They totally resented them.  I'm not certain if it is because I enjoyed their work so much or that my parents didn't like their talents.  I still find it amazing that my own mother gets very annoyed if I watch cartoons or the old Batman TV show whenever I visited her and Daddy in suburban Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC.
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July 6th is a big birthday date for a lot of people:

John Byrne - comic writer/artist (Fantastic Four, X-Men, Superman, etc.) - 57
Slyvester Stallone - actor ("Rocky" and "Rambo") - 61
Ned Beatty - actor ("Superman - The Motion Picture" and "Deliverance") - 70
William Schallert  - actor (Patty Duke's Dad) - 85
Merv Griffin - TV talk show host - 82
Bill Haley - Rock Legend (Bill Haley and the Comets) would have been 82 (died in 1981)
Nancy Reagan - former First Lady - 86

Happy Birthday to all!

*******************************************

Also, on this date back in 1957, John Lennon met Paul McCartney for the very first time!

*******************************************

Burt Ward at Wizard World Philadephia this year

The Power of Hugh Anthony Cregg III

Happy Birthday,
Huey Lewis
(born Hugh Anthony Cregg III)

Loved this man and his music.  Met him once back in 1994 after he and his band, The News, did an outdoor concert in Boston Common in October.  Got his autograph as well.  He's gorgeous up close.

"The Power Of Love" by Huey Lewis and The News

Nicholas Speaks About Asperger's Syndrome!

A Kent State graduate called Nicholas Subak's spoke about Asperger's Syndrome, a condition he was diagnosed with when he was 16.  In the article "Speaker Shares Experiences Dealing with Asperger's Syndrome", Nicholas was at Kent State's Topics in Child Development Conference back on June 29.  He gave details about his struggles with being isolated from his peers.  He referred to his childhood as being "in a maze."

Nicholas pointed out that the Asperger diagnosis was a positive experience because it helped him discover why he was having difficulties.  He also mentioned that he went to Kent State's Student Accessibility Services and got help with note-taking assistance.

Currently, he is seeking a master's in special education and has a interest in presenting.  His desire is to change people's opinions for the better.

Good luck with the Master's degree, Nicholas!

Fourth of July Special - Babes Behind Bars!

Happy 4th of July!

My favorite 4th of July memory was back in 1990 when I went to Houston, Texas, for a family reunion barbecue at my grandmother's house.  It was the very last time I saw my grandmother because she died of a heart attack in November of that year.  I had a great time there.  We didn't see any fireworks though, but the gathering of relatives who hadn't seen each other in years was wonderful.

My grandmother was a big fan of the ABC soap called "One Life to Live."  She had watched it from the very beginning back in July of 1968.  Although she passed away in 1990, I'll bet she would love this special 4th of July episode that the show did back in 2002.  It's a musical called "Babes Behind Bars."  It stars Catherine Hickland as Linday Rappaport who was in prison.  Great performances in this.  This features Erin Torpey, the original Jessica Buchanan, who sings "Bad Reputation."

Enjoy!

Babes Behind Bars part 1



Babes Behind Bars part 2

Babes Behind Bars part 3

Babes Behind Bars part 4

Babes Behind Bars part 5

Babes Behind Bars part 6

Paul, Ringo, Olivia, Yoko & Larry

Last week, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison were in Las Vegas to celebrate the first anniversary of the Cirque de Soliel show called "Love," which features Beatles music.  They were interviewed on CNN by Larry King.

Beatles Reunion part 1



Beatles Reunion part 2


Beatles Reunion part 3

Beatles Reunion part 4

Beatles Reunion part 5

Beatles Reunion part 6

Beatles Reunion part 7

Kid Brother Writes Asperger's Syndrome Book

11-year-old Sam Frender wrote a book called "Brotherly Feelings."  In it, he describes his relationship with his older brother who has Asperger's Syndrome.  For many years, they didn't know what the older brother had.  He was first diagnosed with anxiety disorder and then attention deficit disorder before getting the correct diagnosis.

Asperger Support Groups have looked at this book too.

Thanks for the contribution, Sam!

Remembering The Rolling Stones Founder and Namer

Brian Jones
2/28/42 - 7/3/69

"Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones (Brian's playing the sitar)

Remembering Mr. Mojo

Jim Morrison
12/8/43 - 7/3/71

"Touch Me" by The Doors (from "The Smothers Brothers TV Show")



"Break on Through"

Charles Laquidara Loses His Head!

It happened back in the 1980s when Charles challenged then Red Sox pitcher, Roger Clemens.

Charles looks very young in this clip.

A Baseball Memory

A father called Todd Mosher writes an article in YourHub.com called "A Suite Father and Son Baseball Memory."  Todd has a 8-year-old son named Jack who has Asperger's Syndrome.  Jack loves the Denver Rockies, a baseball team.  He reads about their exploits in The Denver Post every day.

It's a good story.  Please, check it out.