YDAS

As most of us know, parenting is always a big job. Every parent wants the very best for their child and most parents work hard to be sure that their children’s needs are well met. When your child suffers from special circumstances, your job becomes even more crucial and more complicated. Parents of children with autism know that only too well.

One of the most common disorders afflicting children today is autism and its spectrum of related conditions. According to the Center of Disease Control, autism is diagnosed in 1 out of 150 children today, making autism more prevalent than childhood cancers, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis combined. Savvy parents turn to the Internet to help them find answers and strategies for helping their children with autism. The problem is, the Internet is a huge repository of information about autism, sometimes helpful, sometimes not.

We wanted to “cut to the chase” and figure out which websites represent the best resources for parents looking for information. After reviewing hundreds of websites (there are over 16,000,000 hits for autism in a typical Google search), we’ve identified autism spectrum disorders sites that we think more than adequately cover the world of Autism. Of course there are hundreds and hundreds of excellent sites available and over time you may want to visit many of them. Our Top12 list is a good starting place.

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Written by Chicagohealers.com practitioner Dr Steven Koos, D.D.S, M.D.–

Part I: “The Call For Action” — Eco-Friendly Healthcare

We live in a world where concern for the environment and sustainable development – minimizing the impact of our consumption of renewable resources – is a necessary and growing consideration for everyone. Business and industry alike are paying close attention to this trend because energy-efficiency and sustainability positively reflect their values as good corporate citizens, and has an impact on overhead and profitability. As such, “the ultimate purpose of business is not, or should not be, simply to make money. Nor is it merely a system of making and selling things. The promise of business is to increase the general well-being of humankind through service, a creative invention and ethical philosophy.” (Paul Hawken, 1993; The Ecology of Commerce)

The health care industry fits very well into Paul Hawken’s proclamation. It is a business, which indeed specifically exists to promote the wellbeing of humankind through service and ethical philosophies such as the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath, originating in the 4th century B.C., is an oath that has been traditionally taken by physicians pertaining to the ethical practice of health care. Derivations of the oath have modified over the years in various countries, schools, and societies as the social, religious, and political importance of health care has evolved. The primary tenant of the oath, “Above all, do no harm,” still continues to be the foundation for the practice of all types of health care today. However, with the realization that human health and environmental health are inextricably linked, it now becomes paramount that health care providers need to also foster global/planetary health in their regimen and thereby “Do no harm to the environment.” Therefore, an additional practice tenant needs to emerge: What is good for the planet is good for the patient and what is good for the patient is good for the environment. Given this, there is a call for action, whereby health care providers have the obligation to also serve as environmental educators and to become advocates and stewards for the environment.

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When we say “We are JewishDetroit,” this is what we accomplish in Support Services to Maintain the Independence of Older Adults:

This past year Federation agencies served over 5,500 older adults with an array of support services that are required to allow them to live independently in their own homes, preventing far more pricey, and unwarranted, institutionalization.
Federation funds subsidized support services by approximately million from the Campaign and restricted funds.
To address present wait lists, an additional ,000 is required for in-property supports, escorted transportation, and geriatric case management.

The ElderLink network of services provides a continuum of care by way of supportive programs and services for Jewish older adults in a selection of living environments.

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