Archive for May, 2008

Do You Know The Autism Statistics?

Autism statistics show that 1 in 166 children will be diagnosed with autism. They also say that 1 in 104 males will be diagnosed. Which means males are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than females. It also means that an estimate of 67 children are diagnosed a day.

There is not a full population count of all individuals with autism in the United States. However, using the autism statistics stated above, we can estimate that if 4 million children are born in the United States every year, approximately 24,000 of these children will eventually be diagnosed with autism. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined.

Autism statistics also show that it is currently the fastest growing developmental disability, with a 10% to 17% annual growth. Assuming the occurrence rate has been constant over the past two decades, we can estimate that up to 500,000 individuals younger than 21 have autism. However, many of these individuals may not be classified as having autism until school-age or later. Because behaviors related to autism are usually present before the age of 3, it is important to make sure the individuals are being identified and are receiving appropriate intervention services as early as possible. The earlier treatment can be started the better for the child. Not only is it better for the child, but cost of lifelong care can also be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention.

Autism was added as a special education exceptionality in 1991 and is now the sixth most commonly classified disability in the United States.

Since Autism statistics show that 1 in 166 children will be diagnosed with autism. It is important that a parent or soon to be parent understands the signs of Autism. If you would like more information on Autism, please visit http://www.yourautismfacts.com

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Progressive Relaxation in Traumatic Incident Reduction

For years now, I have been using a method of treating abused people by expanding on some principles I learned from Dr. Louis Tinnin, Professor Emeritus at the University of West Virginia. A therapist rather naturally develops his own style after many imitations of a good method.

Most of my patients have been women who were abused in a frightening way during childhood. Many of them know that something bad happened, and they are haunted, but they are not sure why. They cannot in most cases remember the incident, at least not all of it.

My method helps recover repressed memories. My patients for the most part are convinced that there is something to recall. Therefore, I am not implanting any false memory.

First, I ask the patient to think diligently about a place they have encountered in life that has given them the greatest sense of complete safety and happiness. Then I have her (or him) discuss that place at some length, in order to refresh the experience of peace. When she has a firm hold on that location, I move to the next step.

I lead her through the standard process of progressive relaxation and stop just short of a somnabulistic state. At most, she is in a light trance. Then it is explained that she is now in her safe place and will stay there until I ask her to come back. Staying in the safe place is emphasized repeatedly.

Next, I suggest to her that she is looking through a magic telescope and that she can look at anything at any stage in her life without the slightest upset because she is far away in her safety zone, where she remains at peace no matter what. Anything that would even seem scary or sad will only make her happier to be where she is.

I ask her never to stop looking through the magic telescope and never to leave her safe place. Then I ask her to focus in on various stages of her life, especially early childhood, and tell me if she sees anything unpleasant. If so, I remind her that she is merely looking through a magic telescope from far, far, away.

Those with true repressed or incompletely formed memories quickly come to the traumatic incident. More reassurance is piled on at that time. Then she is asked whether or not she would like to describe what she sees. Usually she does want to share, but she is given the choice to postpone any description until a later time if she so wishes.

Again, most patients exhibit relief at the discovery and want to talk about it at length. Many are elated that they can look right at the ugliness with vivid recall and yet not be upset. They feel unburdened and set free. During any discussion, they remain in the safe place.

After the event has been described thoroughly, I bring them back to their normal state, back to reality. I point out that monsters have power only in the dark, and that now there is bright light. Further talk therapy follows, either during the same session or at the next one. The decision is left completely to the patient.

Before leaving, she is given a telephone number by which she can reach me at any time that she feels that she may become upset. She is urged to call at the first sign of upset.

It must be strongly emphasized that the procedure must be stopped immediately at any point when there is a sign of upsetif not stopped, at least paused until the patient is ready to proceed. Sometimes patients are reluctant to go through the procedure, and that fact must be honored.

There are also many patients who remember too well what happened to them and thus cannot discuss the trauma. I have found that a similar procedure is effective in these cases as well.

When the above is followed up by same-sex group therapy, strong supportive bonds form quickly. The participants in the groups focus on empowerment, the process of becoming, the discovery of the true self that has been covered up most of their lives. They come to understand that abuse has altered their concept of self and given them a false identity laden with guilt and a second-class mentality.

It is beautiful and most rewarding to watch this process of unfolding during these group sessions. I have seen women go from a position of perceived helplessness to one of great confidence and productivity.

My co-therapist for several years was a psychiatric nurse who had enjoyed a successful career before being brutalized by her husband. She began as my patient and became my co-therapist. She went on to represent herself in court proceedings against her ex-husband, who was a federal district judge.

My next step is to approach her about accepting diplomate status in our new organization, Catholic and Orthodox Professionals International (COPI). This article is furnished as a courtesy by this new fellowship.

Dr. Heyward Ewart, III, is a former psychologist and now active priest with 25 years of commitment to victims of abuse and other violence, both males and females. He has spoken widely on these issues and has served as an expert witness in several states. He is a diplomate of the American College of Forensic Examiners and a former member of the White House Conference on Families. His book, AM I BAD? Recovering from Abuse, is available through Loving Healing Press. Catholic and Orthodox Professionals International (COPI) is described at http://www.child-to-adult-victim.com

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Paris Travel Guide

Paris Romance and culture:

With a stylish and multicultural population of just over 2 million Paris is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and its easy to see why.

The left bank of the seine, the majestic river that runs through the center of the city is the perfect place for a romantic walk, especially in springtime; Paris in springtime is legendary for lovers.

Even going out for a cup of coffee is an event in Paris. You would never “slouch around” in a baggy old sweat suit in a city where style and elegance far supersede the bursting need for a shot of caffeine.

For a great cafe experience try going to the artists quarter where even now you are more likely to overhear a conversation on the views and opinions of Jean Paul Sartre, the famous philosopher, or the French impressionists than a discussion on the sport or other such, to the French, mundane subjects.

The haughtiness of French waiters is legendary, you will never be told to have a nice day in Paris cafes, but treat it as a part of your holiday experience and it all adds to the fun of the holiday.

A good place to go for a bit of peace and quiet if you still want to remain quite central is the Jardin de Luxembourg (Garden of Luxemburg), which allows a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of the city while not taking you to far away from the main attractions.

The list of romantic and cultural attractions seems almost endless.

The Arc de Triomphe: a huge celebratory arch built by the French emperor Napoleon to celebrate his victories, and nearly finished before he met the British at Waterloo where things didnt go quite so well.

Musee de Louvre; said to be the biggest museum in the world with 300,000 pieces of art including the Mona Lisa and 15 acres of exhibit rooms.

Basilique de Sacre-Coeur or Church of the sacred Heart; a beautiful cathedral set high on a hill wit breathtaking views of Paris and with artists and performers plying their trade at the front of the church.

The Pompidou Center: a temple to the modern in both its architecture which is some of the most radical you will see anywhere and its massive collection of modern art.

Cathedral de Notre Dame: Yes it is the same one that the hunchback used to swing about in was started in 1163 took nearly 200 years to complete and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere in the world.

The Catacombs: a maze of underground tunnels containing bones and skulls from the revolution made into patterns and designs, scary but fascinating.

The Eiffel Tower: originally built as a temporary exhibit for the International Exhibition of Paris in 1889 to celebrate the first hundred years of the French revolution, it is around a thousand feet high and an absolute must to ride to the top.

A visit to Paris is a cultural and culinary feast, and the Parisians themselves are undeserving of their reputation for unfriendliness. I have always found them very helpful and polite.

When asking for help or directions try to use a little French, even from a phrase book. Most Parisians speak English and will probably answer in English but trying the language yourself is a good icebreaker and the effort to use their language is usually appreciated.

Paris is one of the jewels of Europe and a holiday there will not disappoint.

http://www.nearlyhealthytravel.com/

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Test Campaign Result Accuracy Test Group Sizing - Part I

In a recent article [Testing – the most effective tool for database marketing], we have analysed the importance of testing in marketing campaign management. Testing is done by promoting an offer to a smaller group of customers in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the whole approach (value proposition, message used, timing, target group). This smaller group is a sample which is used to predict the behavior of a larger group. Sampling always introduces bias in any measurement. The larger the sample is, the smaller the bias introduced. Assuming that:

  • an expected positive response rate p is 2 % (the percent of customers accepting the offer - this estimate may be an average of previous similar tests),
  • an expected standard deviation S 0,05 % in response rates. This estimate may be derived from previous tests: S can be calculated after executing a campaign on a group of given size (actually, the accurate term for this is ‘standard error of a proportion’ in a binomial distribution which however resembles highly the normal distribution),

a very simple formula to estimate the size of the needed test group is the following: Group size = p * (1-p) / square(S) , and yields a value of 78.400. Should a sensitivity analysis be carried out by changing the input values, the results do not provide a feeling of a stable estimation. For example if the expected positive response rate p is 1,5 % and the expected standard deviation S 0,06 % then the group size should be 41.042. The sensitivity analysis helps recognise the importance of the estimations used. A relatively small change leads to a huge difference. Therefore, Campaign managers should analyse the findings of previous campaigns, in order to have a good idea on the expected range of p and S values. Previous findings contribute to the adjustment of future test group sizes. Though this may not be a highly safe approach in dynamically changing market conditions and offers, it is much better than using randomly selected group sizes, which may lead either to inaccurate findings or wasted resources when the group size is much higher than needed. Concluding, in order to build campaign management intelligence, a Business should capture and analyze the results of each campaign or test campaign. The evaluation of these results shall assist in the optimization of future campaigns. Copyright 2006 – Kostis Panayotakis

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List Building Marketing - How to Market Your List Building Products

List Building Marketing How to Market Your List Building Products

List building marketing you have been building a list for awhile, and you have been quite successful. You are gaining multiple subscribers daily, and you are doing a good job converting those subscribers to buyers.

So what is the next step? It is list building marketing teaching others to list build the way that you do.

So how do you promote your list building marketing, and to whom?

Think about who might be interested in learning to list build better those that are already list building.

When I first started marketing online, I was targeting people who were just getting started online and I found that they ask a lot of questions, and want to know what is the easiest way to get rich quick, but they dont yet understand that to make it online that you have to work, and work hard. That is it there is no other way. You simply have to work hard, and work hard at one thing, and learn to do it well.

In my case, it is list building. I have gotten pretty good at list building, and have been showing others how to do it list building marketing.

But I have found that the best place to do that is with people who are already list building.

So I write articles that are not geared towards the beginner, but towards the person who is already working the business.

I write ads that target the person who is already making money online, not the people who are simply hoping and dreaming.

And if you are one of those who is hoping and dreaming get to work!

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide

Download it free here: Secrets of Article Promotion

Do you want to learn how to build a massive list fast? Click here: Email List Building

Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 400 articles in print and 8 published ebooks.

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The Five Main Drivers For Improvement Within Organisations

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, not the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change” - Charles Darwin

Whatever got you where you are today will not be sufficient to keep you there. A rapidly changing environment is the regular background against which organisations must develop.

Change is continuous and will become more rapid as we move forward over time. Senior management must be capable of reacting to those changes and be prepared to take advantage of them and yet stay within the overall framework and agreed strategy.

The role of strategy is fundamental if the people within an organisation are to be enabled to make the level of contribution of which they are capable. Strategy, based on a good grasp of the core competencies of a business, is an essential precursor to achieving optimal shareholder value.

The worlds leading organisations continuously seek to improve their performance. There may be unlimited potential for achieving accelerated improvement but if this potential is not being realised, good change agents must line up and mobilise all the forces (or drivers) for improvement.

There are five main drivers for improvement in organisations:

Strategy

Lean operations

Balanced culture

Customer responsiveness

Leadership

Strategy sets direction and give focus to improvement. It must however be deployed throughout the organisation to be effective.

Processes need to be mapped and analysed in a methodical way; projects must be managed; problem symptoms traced to root causes; data must be collected before decisions are taken; trends in customer preferences detached and fed back; improvement activity of any kind reported on and coordinated; improvement action measured. Just about everything should be done to a discipline.

A balanced culture means effective, creative management of people. Customers are served by people; processes are managed by people. Only people can deliver quality improvement. For them to work well they must be empowered, given direction, measured, reviewed and success recognised.

Customer responsiveness keeps the organisation focused on customer needs, reactions and changing requirements.

Finally, leadership ensures that everyone is enthused and supported to work on the strategy, improve processes, served customers and active team players.

Copyright 2006 Jonathan Farrington. All rights reserved

Jonathan Farrington is the Managing Partner of The jfa Group. To find out more about the author or to subscribe to his newsletter for dedicated business professionals, visit: http://www.jonathanfarrington.com

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The Suicide/Antidepressant Link in Adults

The FDA has acknowledged the link between antidepressants and the increased risk of suicide in children, adolescents and adults are also at risk for suicidal thoughts and actions while taking SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants.

In 2004 the FDA acknowledged the suicide/antidepressant link with children and now requires “Black Box” labeling to alert parents of the harm that can befall their child while taking antidepressants. That warning has now spread to all age groups. The FDA has now issued a Public Health Advisory (PHA) calling for an update to health care providers and patients about the recent scientific research and publications that there is an increased risk of suicidal thought and behaviors in adults taking antidepressant medication.

The FDA, using a similar approach that was used in the evaluation of the risks of increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in their pediatric studies, requested that manufacturers of antidepressants drugs provide doctors with information from their drug trials.

In accordance with the 2nd FDA warning the Public Health Advisory advises patients and health care providers be aware of the following:

_ Close observation of adults may be especially important when antidepressant medications are started for the first time or when doses for the specific drugs prescribed have been changed.

_ Adults being treated with antidepressant medicines, particularly those being treated for depression, should be watched closely for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behavior.

_ Adults whose symptoms worsen while being treated with antidepressants, including an increase in suicidal thinking or behavior, should be evaluated by their health care professional.

The above recommendations are also consistent with the existing warnings that are in the approved labeling, or package insert, for antidepressant medications.

Antidepressants have their place but it is our belief that other options should be exercised before resorting to the potentially dangerous drugs. There are many options in between the wide gap between doing nothing and taking antidepressant medication. In dealing with depression, diet and exercise changes are highly beneficial. Herbal and homeopathic remedies can also offer valuable help in the battle against depression.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance writer who focuses on health related issues. For information about effective and natural treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder and Depression in adults and children, visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com

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Stress and Depression Reduction Techniques

I have suffered with both depression and stress in my life thus far. They both seemed to go hand in hand for me personally. Fortunately I have now learned how to handle these issues and am now able to live a happy and fulfilled life.

So what did I do to reduce and eventually eradicate the stress and depression? As I entered into my twenties I decided that I needed to change the way that I was living my life, I certainly could not continue to live in the way that I had been.

The causes of my anxieties were mainly due to the fact that I had a stutter. I stressed a great deal about this speech impediment and worried about the way in which other people thought of me. Stuttering impacted on my life in a big way and made life a lot harder from what it would have been had I been fluent.

I made the mistake of becoming envious and jealous of other people, people who were able to speak fluently. I would then start to feel depressed about things and about the fact that I was one of the unfortunate people who had a stutter.

At the age of twenty-two I started to read literature about stuttering, phobias, anxiety, stress and depression. I also attempted to overcome my own stutter.

I realised that I needed to start thinking in a more positive way, I needed to worry less about what other people thought of me, I needed to work very hard to achieve my goals and I needed to start appreciating what I had in life, rather than what I did not have.

This new attitude to life was very difficult to pull off as I had been a very negative person in the past. I was however determined to succeed and after around a year I had managed to overcome the stutter as well as my issues to do with stress and depression.

Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:

stuttering treatment,

stuttering, and

manual article submission service

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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Fundraisers

Fundraising is the term used for solicitation and gathering of monetary funds by requesting from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations or government agencies. This is the primary method used by non-profit organizations to maintain operations. Usually organizations use this method to raise money for religious causes, to fund independent research, to help veterans or injured military personnel, or to fund academic scholarship for students, human rights advocacy, or disaster relief projects.

One method of fundraising is to organize a special event. This is referred to as a fund drive or fund pledge. If the event is broadcast on television, it is usually called a telethon. An alternative source of the fund is an endowment, in which an individual or group pledges to support an organization on a yearly basis.

Some non-profit organizations employ the services of professional fundraisers. These professionals are either paid with non-monetary compensation or a percentage of the funds raised. The latter method of compensation is not preferred, in fact, it is forbidden by a regulatory board in the United States.

Although fundraising is usually the territory of non-profit organizations, it is also a method used by politicians during political campaigns. Campaign fundraising has been condemned for the corruption it often breeds after the candidate is elected. Nevertheless, campaigns cost money, and politicians who arent independently wealthy (and even those who are) view fundraising as a necessary evil in a bid for election.

Though fundraising usually entails solicitation, there are other organizations that sell products for profit for the purpose of donating the proceeds to support the organization. Churches usually have food fairs or cook-offs to raise funds for church activities.

Fundraisers provides detailed information on Candle Fundraisers, Candy Fundraisers, Cheerleading Fundraisers, Church Fundraisers and more. Fundraisers is affiliated with Catholic Charities.

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I Always Play by the Rules and It Stinks!

This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman Ill call Jill. Shes a bright woman, very compassionate and sweet. Shes at one of the corporations where I am an outside consultant/coach. This was our first meeting but within seconds I could tell she had a lot on her mind.. and her plate.

She basically has to work 12 hour days 6 days a week to be able to keep up with her job. Shes highly in demand and is spread a LOT too thin. Shes in management and so her opinion counts, but she often does the work of three people because she doesnt want to appear to be a complainer, so she doesnt say anything.

Shes got a few bosses over her who are very appreciative of the work she puts forth. And then there are a few who continue to heap more work on her already back breaking load.

Today in coaching she told me that she envys others who have been able to be aggressive to lesson their work load. But she explained to me, that she was the TYPE WHO ALWAYS FOLLOWED RULES.

Ooops! Red flag for sure!!

For more information: mary@marygardner.com WEB: www.marygardner.com

(What if its 5:00 in the morning and youre sitting at a red light that isnt changing.. do you run the red light or sit and wait until it changes?

How about, what if you are on the high way and there are no cars in sight and the speed limit says 65, do you go 75?

Or what if there is a late fee of $25 if you write a check to the county by a certain date and you back date a check to look like the mails fault? You do it because you are trying to be fiscally responsible

What if an employee has to take extra sick days from work because theyve got sick children?

What if you or your child has terrible mosquito bites and cant stop itching and the drug store is closing. Would you ask them to stay open a few minutes late for you? )

Come on! Everyone breaks rules every once in a while!! Rules are made to keep people monitored and in line but are broken all the time with good cause.

Anyway, she continued to share with me her frustration over no one noticing her crazy schedule and her continued quiet suffering.

So I asked her: Jill, when did you learn this lesson that you always had to follow the rules? She replied that her dad was in the military and that she learned that you never talk back to superiors, and whether you have a great opinion or not, you keep it to yourself if it differs from authority.

Hmmmm. And Jill, how old were you when you learned this lesson from your dad? Jill told me that she was about 3-5 years old, and grew up that way.

So I replied: so you are living with the decision of a THREE year old. You made this decision at age THREE or age FIVE and you are STILL living with it! Do you want to continue living as a THREE year old in business.. or do you want to learn some NEW skills that are a bit more up to date?

I could see her take a gulp at the realization that she is running around acting like a child when she is in her mid 40s. She IMMEDIATELY said that she wanted to learn some new rules to live by.. and gain some new business tools.

As a matter of fact, I think I saw her pound her fist on the table when she said it! Now THAT Is a woman who is ready to claim her power!

I was thrilled. It made my day. What the heck, it made my week! I felt alive and so rewarded that I could make a positive impact in the way this woman conducts her life.

So ask yourself, what is holding YOU back? Do you keep repeating something over and over that isnt helping you anymore or its actually prohibiting you from getting ahead? Have you asked yourself WHY?

A great exercise is to sit down with pen and paper and answer the question of why. If you have a reason that stems from childhood, whether it was your parents or what you were taught, then its time to get some new teachers and time to learn new skills.

Its a great revelation when we see how we gain our limiting beliefs. But its even a better feeling to know that theyll soon be past history.

Mary Gardner is an Executive Communications Consultant and Coach. She works with, coaches and trains individuals, sales teams, executives, and celebrities. She enjoys seeing the best come out in people and has fun in the process. Mary is married to Sway and is mommy to Jeremy 5 and lives in Orlando, FL.

For More information: mary@marygardner.com
WEB: http://www.marygardner.com

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