News Clip Archive
February 2008
Martial Arts with Hearts Raises $72,000 for COSAC
Six-year-old Julia Feldman knew the importance of where she was going Sunday evening way before she set foot on the grounds of Brookdale Community College. Julia's father, Howard, of Freehold told his family in advance that the United Taekwondo Academies' fourth annual Martial Arts with Hearts extravaganza was more than just seeing people kicking and punching; it was a community effort to raise money for youngsters afflicted with autism.
"It's to help children do things that they need," said Julia, donning a martial arts outfit and hugging her father. Julia, along with two other siblings, have been martial arts students for about seven months.
"It's these types of events that really make an impact on young people like Julia, and hopefully, that impact carries over later in life and they learn generosity from a very young age," Feldman said.
Martial artists of all ages performed high-flying jumps, board-breaking and a host of other martial arts skills at a fundraising event, which drew families from various parts of the state. An estimated $72,000 was raised and presented to the Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC). Sunday's fundraising efforts began a year ago, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go toward autism awareness and research.
"I think it's important that we teach not only kicking and punching to the children," said Michael Crocco, co-founder of United Taekwondo Academies, a regional chain comprised of five martial arts schools in Matawan, Jackson, Manalapan, Hamilton and Union. "It's about giving back to the community and doing a service and making sure that they understand that martial arts isn't necessarily just about fighting and self defense; it's about the community giving back. Every person can make a difference in the community. If you band together, there are no limitations to what you can do."
UTA, founded in 1987, teaches beginner through advanced Taekwondo intertwined with lessons of integrity, perseverance, self control, community service and volunteerism. Efforts to raise funds for research and supporting families with childhood illness started in 2003 through its sub organization, Martial Arts with Hearts.
Timothy Toomey, 13, of Old Bridge is a member of the United Taekwondo Academies chapter in Matawan. He earned his black belt last summer after six hours hours of what he called a "grueling physical test." For Toomey, being a part of the event was personal. At age 6, he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a neurobiological disorder that is part of a group of diagnoses called autistic spectrum disorders. Named after Viennese physician Hans Asperger, individuals with the illness show marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. The exact cause of the syndrome is unknown.
"It's nice to know that so many people care about something afflicting kids even if they have no idea what it's about," Toomey said. "Without martial arts, I wouldn't be able to communicate with people to the extent that I am."
Toomey's mother, Leila, called the event heartwarming and significant because "it's special for people who deal with the challenge of autism to see how many people care."
For John Gallagher, 9, of Jackson, being a martial arts student for the past four years has been a "cool" learning experience and a fun way to meet people.
"I really feel proud that I am doing all this stuff to help people," Gallagher said. "I like raising money for other people."
Asked what being a part of a worthy cause means, Jackson resident Rob Zangrillo, 17, said, "You have to give up yourself before you can expect anything returned to you."
Scalera Bill to Promote Autism Awareness Among First Responders Advances
(TRENTON) - The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee released legislation Assemblyman Fred Scalera sponsored to establish an autism awareness training course for emergency medical technicians, police and firefighters.
"Although New Jersey is a national leader in providing care and support for those with autism, it is essential that our first-responder network is sufficiently trained to recognize autism and how to handle individuals who have this disorder," said Assemblyman Scalera (D-Essex), who is a Nutley deputy fire chief.
The measure (A-1908) would require the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to create an autism awareness training course and curriculum. Prior to being certified, prospective emergency medical technicians would be required to complete the DHSS administered course. Individuals currently certified as emergency medical technicians would be required to complete a continuing education course in autism recognition and response techniques.
"New Jersey's police officers and firefighters need the tools and training to understand and help individuals with autism," said Scalera. "This autism awareness program will make police officers and firefighters better professionals."
Additionally, the legislation would require the Division of Fire Safety and the Police Training Commission to utilize the DHSS training course curriculum to properly train firefighting and police recruits in autism awareness, recognition and response.
Currently employed police officers and firefighters - paid and volunteer - would be required to complete a continuing education course in autism recognition and response.
The legislation is the final piece of the landmark autism package championed by Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (D-Camden) to strengthen New Jersey's efforts in the detection, treatment and awareness of autism. The initiative was launched in February 2007 following the release of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that identified New Jersey as having the nation's highest reported rate of autism - one out of 94 children. Six measures from the seven-bill package already have been signed into law.
The Assembly panel released the measure 11 to 0. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.
Genetic Variation Increases Risk of Autism, Study Finds
There is a known genetic cause for about only 10 percent of individuals with autism. Boston-area researchers estimate the gene glitch they have identified accounts for an additional 1 percent. They found that a segment of a chromosome that has genes linked to brain development and various developmental disorders was either missing or duplicated far more often in people with autism. The defect was sometimes inherited but more often was the result of a random genetic accident. The results from the Autism Consortium study, released on January 10 by the New England Journal of Medicine, confirm those of smaller studies by U.S. and Canadian research groups in the last year.
"We've provided very compelling evidence that this particular small stretch of the genome provides an important clue to the biological roots of autism," said lead researcher Mark J. Daly, an assistant genetics professor at Harvard Medical School and an investigator for the consortium, which includes researchers from 14 Boston-area universities and medical centers.
Another study researcher, David Miller of Children's Hospital Boston, said the Chromosome 16 variations increased the risk of autism a hundredfold. But he said the disorder must be due to a combination of genetic variations since there were people who had the defect but did not have autism. The researchers found a 25-gene segment of Chromosome 16 was missing in five children with autism; none of their parents had the deletion. That shows that sometimes the genetic glitch is not inherited from the parents, but instead due to a random accident while an egg or sperm is being formed.
Burden of Proof Due Process Hearings Passed by the Senate and awaiting the Governor's Signature. Congratulations Advocates!
SWEENEY / DORIA MEASURE TO RETURN BURDEN OF PROOF IN SPECIAL EDUCATION COURT CASES TO SCHOOLS CLEARS SENATE
TRENTON -- A measure sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney which would return the burden of proof in special education cases to school districts was unanimously approved by the full Senate.
"It only makes sense to require school districts to bear the burden of proof in these disputes because they have access to detailed educational records and resources that outline the needs for special education curricula, as well as knowledge of federal and state laws regarding special education," said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. "This is not a new issue here in New Jersey. Over the years, the Supreme Court has heard a number of similar cases and most recently, it has deemed that most parents have neither the financial means, nor the detailed knowledge of special education issues."
Senator Sweeney's measure, S2604, would require school districts to bear the burden of proof in legal disputes against parents of special education students. Often the disputes occur because parents and schools cannot agree on a child's Individual Education Plan (IEP), which requires input from parents and teachers. IEPs help to determine class placement and the necessity for special educational services, said Senator Sweeney.
More often that not, parents have a limited knowledge of the legal system and special education issues. Requiring them to bear the burden of proof in cases with their children places these parents at an automatic disadvantage," said Senator Sweeney.
In the 1989 case of Lascari v. the Ramapo Hills Board of Education, the State Supreme Court decided that the burden of proof in special education disputes should lie with the school district. It was decided that parents should be responsible for questioning the appropriateness of the IEP, but that the district should bear the burden of proof, said Senator Sweeney.
In the 2006 case if Schaffer v. Weast, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the burden of proof should rest with the party seeking relief -- whether it is the school district or a parent. This decision, however, did not contain language allowing States that had statutes assigning the burden of proof to a particular party to override the Supreme Court decision, Senator Sweeney said.
The State Public Advocate researched the issue, and recommended that school districts always bear the burden of proof in these disputes, said Senator Sweeney.
Currently, ten states and the District of Columbia have statutorily placed the burden of proof on school districts.
The legislation now heads to Governor Corzine's desk, where his signature will make it State law.
| 