02 Mar 2008, 6:52 pm
03 Mar 2008, 2:30 pm
sartresue
Veteran
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Age: 70
Gender: Female
Posts: 6,313
Location: The Castle of Shock and Awe-tism
03 Mar 2008, 4:22 pm
Ragtime wrote:
sartresue wrote:
If there was only one nation on earth that would accept Aspies as they are, my money is on Israel. Baruch Hashem.
Quote:
Families With Autistic Children Get A Break At Israeli Vacation Spot
Upon first glance, Aluteva looks like another homey and quaint country family resort in northern Israel, one of the country's most popular vacation destinations. The campus is surrounded by forest trees at the edge of Carmiel, families are lounging on plastic lounge chairs, and the green lawns and playground are dotted with colorful picket fences. Only upon closer look does it become apparent that Aluteva is highly different than any other country resorts in the area.
Aluteva is the only vacation spot in Israel, and possibly in the world, designed to cater to families with autistic children. The clues quickly become obvious; the campus is enclosed by fences and a security gate, the pool is raised instead of at ground level, and a young boy paces in a repeated pattern along the cement paths, clapping his hands.
Aluteva doesn't have the funds or intention to offer five star amenities, but it provides one amenity that makes some families feel like it's a five star resort: sensitivity to the needs of children with autism.
The concept was devised in 2003 by Alut, the Israeli Society for Autistic Children, to provide an innovative, permanent year-round solution for families for whom vacation is an essential need, but one that is often out of reach.
"We understand the complexity for families with autistic children to go out on vacation," explained Aluteva's director Nechama Amidan. "Often they don't take a vacation because it's difficult to go out on a vacation with an autistic child given the behavior of the child and safety concerns. The children are sometimes not aware of the dangers, and they can jump in a pool, cross a red light. They require the parents' constant surveillance."
Autism is a neurological development disorder that falls under the umbrella of pervasive development disorders (PDD) or autism spectrum disorders, and is usually characterized by abnormal social interactions, limited communication skills, and repetitive and obsessive behaviors which range in severity from individual to individual. According to Alut's estimates, some 5,000 to 6,000 Israelis are diagnosed with autism, a disorder which crosses all racial boundaries. More and more children are being diagnosed with autism worldwide, in part because of improved diagnostic techniques. Today about one child out of every 250 is diagnosed with autism.
Upon discovering their child has been diagnosed with the disorder, parents are often required to restructure their lives to learn about it, to discover appropriate educational frameworks and therapies, and to normalize as best as possible the family dynamic.
"Parents are often stressed from the moment they discover their child has a problem, and they naturally take upon themselves the responsibility to give their child the best care," explained Amidan. "Their concern with the future stresses them out and they aren't emotionally available to think about the long-term. Vacation seems like a special luxury for people who are in survival mode."
Vacation is particularly difficult for families of children diagnosed with low-functioning autism since at times these children can exhibit behaviors that deviate from what is socially acceptable in public places. At one point during this reporter's tour at Aluteva, a 15-year old boy named Ron repeatedly came up to smell my hair, a behavior which would have likely startled any vacationer at a regular hotel.
"He seems to like certain smells, certain shampoo smells. You're not the first one, but you can take it as a compliment," Ron's mother explained on the lawns of Aluteva. Ron's parents and younger sister are regulars at Aluteva. Ron cannot read, write, or speak, and smelling hair is likely a form of self-stimulation and a means of social interaction.
"My son needs constant activity; it's hard taking care of him. He likes going places, but it's hard to take him places because of the way he behaves. He doesn't enjoy himself, and we have to run around after him."
Generally children on the autistic spectrum prefer and require routine which steadies them in a world they perceive as threatening and ever-changing. Usually after a few days of acclimating at Aluteva, they begin to enjoy themselves. "He's already used to the place so he's happy when he comes here," Ron's mother said.
The premises of Aluteva have been converted from an Israeli army base. They are cheerfully decorated, compact and, what is more important for parents, enclosed. A specially trained staff is on hand full-time to keep an eye on the children as they freely wander around. Accommodations include eight guest rooms, most of which are built with two bedrooms and a small living room.
Children with autism generally require healthy doses of physical movement and sensory-visual stimuli due to impairments of the sensory system, and Aluteva is equipped with an indoor Gymboree and a unique room called "Snoozyland", which features furniture and items that titillate the senses: strobe lights, puffy cushions, and background music. The staff organizes special activities and tours in northern Israel catered to the learning needs of autistic children.
For the parents, the luxuries are not physical, but social and psychological.
A typical entry in Aluteva's guestbook reads: "You gave us the strength to continue with our routine, to enjoy the feeling of being a normal family, and to rest in a way we can't do in the center of the country."
At Aluteva they need not feel embarrassed or uncomfortable by their children's socially abnormal behaviors. It gives parents and siblings of individuals with autism the opportunity to share their experiences and challenges in a relaxing and casual environment.
Younger guests are not necessarily aware that Aluteva is a guest house for children with special needs. This is Sarah's third visit to Aluteva with her four children, ranging from ages three to eleven. At age four, her eldest son, Yonatan, was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, an informal term used to describe individuals who are able to function more independently in the real world. They have higher cognitive abilities and more mainstream day-to-day behaviors. Eleven-year-old Yonatan attends a regular school and only recently learned that he has been diagnosed with PDD.
"They think it's a vacation place with strange kids walking around," his mother explained.
Sarah recalls one frightening incident in which a boy with severe autism innocuously trespassed into her children's room in the middle of the night. When it happened a second time, her children simply escorted the boy back to his parents without discomfort or umbrage on the part of either families. "It's very educational," she said. "For higher functioning kids and their siblings there can be a positive sense of helping the lower functioning kids."
Next door to Aluteva is a petting zoo belonging to a neighboring boarding school where Aluteva sometimes takes the families. Animals are often used in therapy for children with PDD to teach them empathy and communication. As a few families staying at Aluteva take a walk across the forest to the zoo, one boy claps his hands routinely.
Sarah's five-year old daughter, who does not have autism, tugs at her mother's shirt and asks: "why does he do that?"
The scientific answer is that it is a form of self-stimulation, but her mother lovingly replies: "God made everyone different."
Upon first glance, Aluteva looks like another homey and quaint country family resort in northern Israel, one of the country's most popular vacation destinations. The campus is surrounded by forest trees at the edge of Carmiel, families are lounging on plastic lounge chairs, and the green lawns and playground are dotted with colorful picket fences. Only upon closer look does it become apparent that Aluteva is highly different than any other country resorts in the area.
Aluteva is the only vacation spot in Israel, and possibly in the world, designed to cater to families with autistic children. The clues quickly become obvious; the campus is enclosed by fences and a security gate, the pool is raised instead of at ground level, and a young boy paces in a repeated pattern along the cement paths, clapping his hands.
Aluteva doesn't have the funds or intention to offer five star amenities, but it provides one amenity that makes some families feel like it's a five star resort: sensitivity to the needs of children with autism.
The concept was devised in 2003 by Alut, the Israeli Society for Autistic Children, to provide an innovative, permanent year-round solution for families for whom vacation is an essential need, but one that is often out of reach.
"We understand the complexity for families with autistic children to go out on vacation," explained Aluteva's director Nechama Amidan. "Often they don't take a vacation because it's difficult to go out on a vacation with an autistic child given the behavior of the child and safety concerns. The children are sometimes not aware of the dangers, and they can jump in a pool, cross a red light. They require the parents' constant surveillance."
Autism is a neurological development disorder that falls under the umbrella of pervasive development disorders (PDD) or autism spectrum disorders, and is usually characterized by abnormal social interactions, limited communication skills, and repetitive and obsessive behaviors which range in severity from individual to individual. According to Alut's estimates, some 5,000 to 6,000 Israelis are diagnosed with autism, a disorder which crosses all racial boundaries. More and more children are being diagnosed with autism worldwide, in part because of improved diagnostic techniques. Today about one child out of every 250 is diagnosed with autism.
Upon discovering their child has been diagnosed with the disorder, parents are often required to restructure their lives to learn about it, to discover appropriate educational frameworks and therapies, and to normalize as best as possible the family dynamic.
"Parents are often stressed from the moment they discover their child has a problem, and they naturally take upon themselves the responsibility to give their child the best care," explained Amidan. "Their concern with the future stresses them out and they aren't emotionally available to think about the long-term. Vacation seems like a special luxury for people who are in survival mode."
Vacation is particularly difficult for families of children diagnosed with low-functioning autism since at times these children can exhibit behaviors that deviate from what is socially acceptable in public places. At one point during this reporter's tour at Aluteva, a 15-year old boy named Ron repeatedly came up to smell my hair, a behavior which would have likely startled any vacationer at a regular hotel.
"He seems to like certain smells, certain shampoo smells. You're not the first one, but you can take it as a compliment," Ron's mother explained on the lawns of Aluteva. Ron's parents and younger sister are regulars at Aluteva. Ron cannot read, write, or speak, and smelling hair is likely a form of self-stimulation and a means of social interaction.
"My son needs constant activity; it's hard taking care of him. He likes going places, but it's hard to take him places because of the way he behaves. He doesn't enjoy himself, and we have to run around after him."
Generally children on the autistic spectrum prefer and require routine which steadies them in a world they perceive as threatening and ever-changing. Usually after a few days of acclimating at Aluteva, they begin to enjoy themselves. "He's already used to the place so he's happy when he comes here," Ron's mother said.
The premises of Aluteva have been converted from an Israeli army base. They are cheerfully decorated, compact and, what is more important for parents, enclosed. A specially trained staff is on hand full-time to keep an eye on the children as they freely wander around. Accommodations include eight guest rooms, most of which are built with two bedrooms and a small living room.
Children with autism generally require healthy doses of physical movement and sensory-visual stimuli due to impairments of the sensory system, and Aluteva is equipped with an indoor Gymboree and a unique room called "Snoozyland", which features furniture and items that titillate the senses: strobe lights, puffy cushions, and background music. The staff organizes special activities and tours in northern Israel catered to the learning needs of autistic children.
For the parents, the luxuries are not physical, but social and psychological.
A typical entry in Aluteva's guestbook reads: "You gave us the strength to continue with our routine, to enjoy the feeling of being a normal family, and to rest in a way we can't do in the center of the country."
At Aluteva they need not feel embarrassed or uncomfortable by their children's socially abnormal behaviors. It gives parents and siblings of individuals with autism the opportunity to share their experiences and challenges in a relaxing and casual environment.
Younger guests are not necessarily aware that Aluteva is a guest house for children with special needs. This is Sarah's third visit to Aluteva with her four children, ranging from ages three to eleven. At age four, her eldest son, Yonatan, was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, an informal term used to describe individuals who are able to function more independently in the real world. They have higher cognitive abilities and more mainstream day-to-day behaviors. Eleven-year-old Yonatan attends a regular school and only recently learned that he has been diagnosed with PDD.
"They think it's a vacation place with strange kids walking around," his mother explained.
Sarah recalls one frightening incident in which a boy with severe autism innocuously trespassed into her children's room in the middle of the night. When it happened a second time, her children simply escorted the boy back to his parents without discomfort or umbrage on the part of either families. "It's very educational," she said. "For higher functioning kids and their siblings there can be a positive sense of helping the lower functioning kids."
Next door to Aluteva is a petting zoo belonging to a neighboring boarding school where Aluteva sometimes takes the families. Animals are often used in therapy for children with PDD to teach them empathy and communication. As a few families staying at Aluteva take a walk across the forest to the zoo, one boy claps his hands routinely.
Sarah's five-year old daughter, who does not have autism, tugs at her mother's shirt and asks: "why does he do that?"
The scientific answer is that it is a form of self-stimulation, but her mother lovingly replies: "God made everyone different."
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/83399.php
Quote:
Israel Society for Autistic Children (ALUT)
ALUT, the Israel Society for Autistic Children, was founded in Israel in 1974 due to the inadequate and ineffective treatment facilities and services in Israel for people with autism. Today, there are approximately 3,000 persons with the disability in Israel. With the help of ALUT, there is a more comprehensive range of services to assist those with autism.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of childhood and occurs in an estimated 1 in 500 individuals. Autism interferes with the normal development of the brain and greatly affects social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, leisure and play activities. Distinguishing autism is challenging because the physical appearance of people with autism usually offers no apparent indication to others that a person suffers from the disease.
IHF's support enables ALUT to promote and institute efforts to help to enhance the lives of Israelis with autism. Some of ALUT's programs include: Provision of para-medical equipment to schools, programs that provide financial and emotional support to families, establishment of education, rehabilitation and occupational centers, provision of sheltered housing, and training of professionals.
Kindergartens and Schools, up to the age of 21 - In Israel there are more than 150 special kindergartens and schools throughout the country in which ALUT invests paramedical treatment, assists teaching staff in acquiring special equipment that serve the needs of the children, and helps to operate a variety of special after class activities aimed at developing additional skills such as art, music and others.
Family Center - The Family Center has been founded with the understanding that an autistic child's family needs support from the community.The center offers parents various services, such as: a library containing professional literature, up to date information on available treatment, personal counseling, seminars and conferences, support groups, guidance and referrals for parents to professionals for diagnosis.
A Home For Life - A Home For Life is a house located in a residential area, enabling its autistic residents a lifestyle similar, as much as possible, to their home lifestyle in collaborating with the community. The home serves as a supportive and learning framework. The residents are taught to develop capacities to function independently as much as possible, enabling them to control their personal hygiene, house cleaning, cooking and more.ALUT has founded such homes in Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramat Hasharon, Beer-Sheva, Nes-Ziona, Raanana, Kiryat-Ata, Pardes-Hanna and Hollon.ALUT plans to open more homes in Rishon Le-Zion, The Beit-Shean Valley, Carmiel, and Oum El-Phachem.
Employment Center for Adults - An Employment Center is next to each home, providing an answer to the special needs and capacities of an autistic adult in the field of employment and rehabilitation. It seeks to develop a personal program adjusted to the capabilities and potential of each member. The employment center, in most cases is located outside of the residence, in order to establish, as much as possible, a normal lifestyle. ALUT is developing various models of employment, from protected employment to employment supported by the community.
Through IHF, your support of ALUT will help to bring out the best of these extraordinary people who need the benefits, nurturing and guidance of ALUT's programs.
ALUT, the Israel Society for Autistic Children, was founded in Israel in 1974 due to the inadequate and ineffective treatment facilities and services in Israel for people with autism. Today, there are approximately 3,000 persons with the disability in Israel. With the help of ALUT, there is a more comprehensive range of services to assist those with autism.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of childhood and occurs in an estimated 1 in 500 individuals. Autism interferes with the normal development of the brain and greatly affects social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, leisure and play activities. Distinguishing autism is challenging because the physical appearance of people with autism usually offers no apparent indication to others that a person suffers from the disease.
IHF's support enables ALUT to promote and institute efforts to help to enhance the lives of Israelis with autism. Some of ALUT's programs include: Provision of para-medical equipment to schools, programs that provide financial and emotional support to families, establishment of education, rehabilitation and occupational centers, provision of sheltered housing, and training of professionals.
Kindergartens and Schools, up to the age of 21 - In Israel there are more than 150 special kindergartens and schools throughout the country in which ALUT invests paramedical treatment, assists teaching staff in acquiring special equipment that serve the needs of the children, and helps to operate a variety of special after class activities aimed at developing additional skills such as art, music and others.
Family Center - The Family Center has been founded with the understanding that an autistic child's family needs support from the community.The center offers parents various services, such as: a library containing professional literature, up to date information on available treatment, personal counseling, seminars and conferences, support groups, guidance and referrals for parents to professionals for diagnosis.
A Home For Life - A Home For Life is a house located in a residential area, enabling its autistic residents a lifestyle similar, as much as possible, to their home lifestyle in collaborating with the community. The home serves as a supportive and learning framework. The residents are taught to develop capacities to function independently as much as possible, enabling them to control their personal hygiene, house cleaning, cooking and more.ALUT has founded such homes in Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramat Hasharon, Beer-Sheva, Nes-Ziona, Raanana, Kiryat-Ata, Pardes-Hanna and Hollon.ALUT plans to open more homes in Rishon Le-Zion, The Beit-Shean Valley, Carmiel, and Oum El-Phachem.
Employment Center for Adults - An Employment Center is next to each home, providing an answer to the special needs and capacities of an autistic adult in the field of employment and rehabilitation. It seeks to develop a personal program adjusted to the capabilities and potential of each member. The employment center, in most cases is located outside of the residence, in order to establish, as much as possible, a normal lifestyle. ALUT is developing various models of employment, from protected employment to employment supported by the community.
Through IHF, your support of ALUT will help to bring out the best of these extraordinary people who need the benefits, nurturing and guidance of ALUT's programs.
http://www.ihf.net/index.asp?id=26
A ray of hope topic
Dear Ragtime: There is this story: I think it is biblical, and paraphrased it states that God will not destroy the world because there is one good person in it. I hope I am right in that Israel will not be destroyed because such a good thing is happening: ALUT. Israel has done so much good in the world and here is more proof at how wonderful this great land is.
There was so much anger and negativity in this thread. I did not even want to participate in it anymore because of this. When I saw that you had posted I was loathe to look because I thought there would be another unproductive rant. I am glad i took the time.
Thank you, thank you for making my day. Sincerely, Susan
03 Mar 2008, 4:41 pm
03 Mar 2008, 5:49 pm
ed wrote:
sartresue wrote:
There was so much anger and negativity in this thread. I did not even want to participate in it anymore because of this.
Are you kidding? We've been discussing one of the most controversial topics in the world today, and we've been doing it very well, without name-calling or insulting each other. In fact, I was going to post a thank-you to the participants for keeping it so civil, and then you say that...
Back on page 1 you said:
sartresue wrote:
Destructive arguments topic
I am no moderator, but I am going to moderate here.
This topic is degenerating into two sides that are not even agreeing to disagree--they are not even starting from the same premise.
There is only anger here. And it is non-productive.
I am no moderator, but I am going to moderate here.
This topic is degenerating into two sides that are not even agreeing to disagree--they are not even starting from the same premise.
There is only anger here. And it is non-productive.
You are wrong. There has been very little anger in this topic, at least until you tried to introduce it. And it has been a productive discussion, I think.
Ed,
I agree this is probably one of the most controversial subjects in the world. Maybe it's AS but I don't see how anyone can say "There is only anger here. And itis non-productive." I have not noticed anyone getting a little heated up, let alone angry. But we do have another factor here, it's just as controversial it's gender. It is a known fact that two men can have a good lively conversation and women observers will say they argued. Ed, thanks for allowing me to put my 2 shekels in, I'm pro-Israel
can you tell? But it's always good for people to sit down and present differing opinions.
Take care of yourself and once again thanks.
BB"D"RAV
09 Mar 2008, 12:09 pm
09 Mar 2008, 2:21 pm
MR_BOGAN
Veteran
Joined: 5 Mar 2008
Age: 124
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,479
Location: The great trailer park in the sky!
18 Mar 2008, 2:23 am
This whole argument seems a bit one sided to me when you look at some maps.
Two thirds of Palenstien people are refugees, they should be allowed to live back in Israel aka occupied Palenstien land.
Israel needs to pull out all it's millitary and Jewish settlements from the Gaza strip and west bank, then start relocating all the Palestien refugees back into the land they took. Then there will be more of a chance of peace.
Quote:
The land was never the Palestinians land in the first place. I don't know any other way to make this more plain. PALESTINE NEVER EXISTED BEFORE THE PARTITION!
Also I don't buy that argument, making over 5 million people refugees and percuting people isn't right. That's like saying because where you live isn't a country you can be forced out of your home.
18 Mar 2008, 9:52 am
18 Mar 2008, 10:07 am
18 Mar 2008, 2:17 pm
18 Mar 2008, 3:45 pm
18 Mar 2008, 5:08 pm
18 Mar 2008, 6:14 pm
MR_BOGAN
Veteran
Joined: 5 Mar 2008
Age: 124
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,479
Location: The great trailer park in the sky!
18 Mar 2008, 7:23 pm
MR_BOGAN
Veteran
Joined: 5 Mar 2008
Age: 124
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,479
Location: The great trailer park in the sky!
18 Mar 2008, 7:42 pm
To lighten things up.
How about they join the two countries together and call it Pisrael or Israelstein or Paleisrael.
How about Boganland in my honour. 
maybe Boganstein and I could be king. 
