Resources -

I'll admit, autism as a childhood issue? Scares the beejesus out of me because I don't understand it. It's in the news a lot right now as recommendations are now coming out that all children - all - get screened for Autism Spectrum Disorders twice by age two.

Nifty. But what are they screening for? What's normal? (Because, to be frank? The chatter I hear about it sounds familiar. Like, I went to school with classrooms full of kids who likely had some kind of ASD and never spent a day in a therapist's office. Evar.)

Wonder no longer. Florida State University (yes, the guys who put Terri Schiavo's CAT scans on the web as part of a class taught on medical ethics) is back, with side-by-side videos where you can see for yourself - typical - and 'at risk.'

http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php

You'll need IE - Firefox not supported yet. Surprise.

Adoptive children who have been institutionalized? Oh, you can expect a lot of this to look much the same - initially. Some kids will show both RAD and PDD - oh, very yes. It's been made very clear - be prepared.

This is great for me. I now know what to look for, at least. And when. Side by side.

Resources -

I'll admit, autism as a childhood issue? Scares the beejesus out of me because I don't understand it. It's in the news a lot right now as recommendations are now coming out that all children - all - get screened for Autism Spectrum Disorders twice by age two.

Nifty. But what are they screening for? What's normal? (Because, to be frank? The chatter I hear about it sounds familiar. Like, I went to school with classrooms full of kids who likely had some kind of ASD and never spent a day in a therapist's office. Evar.)

Wonder no longer. Florida State University (yes, the guys who put Terri Schiavo's CAT scans on the web as part of a class taught on medical ethics) is back, with side-by-side videos where you can see for yourself - typical - and 'at risk.'

http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php

You'll need IE - Firefox not supported yet. Surprise.

Adoptive children who have been institutionalized? Oh, you can expect a lot of this to look much the same - initially. Some kids will show both RAD and PDD - oh, very yes. It's been made very clear - be prepared.

This is great for me. I now know what to look for, at least. And when. Side by side.

Resources -

I'll admit, autism as a childhood issue? Scares the beejesus out of me because I don't understand it. It's in the news a lot right now as recommendations are now coming out that all children - all - get screened for Autism Spectrum Disorders twice by age two.

Nifty. But what are they screening for? What's normal? (Because, to be frank? The chatter I hear about it sounds familiar. Like, I went to school with classrooms full of kids who likely had some kind of ASD and never spent a day in a therapist's office. Evar.)

Wonder no longer. Florida State University (yes, the guys who put Terri Schiavo's CAT scans on the web as part of a class taught on medical ethics) is back, with side-by-side videos where you can see for yourself - typical - and 'at risk.'

http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php

You'll need IE - Firefox not supported yet. Surprise.

Adoptive children who have been institutionalized? Oh, you can expect a lot of this to look much the same - initially. Some kids will show both RAD and PDD - oh, very yes. It's been made very clear - be prepared.

This is great for me. I now know what to look for, at least. And when. Side by side.

Was it really an earthquake?

Or Robert Goulet going through your stuff One Last Time?

Poor lamb. From all reports, one of the best people you could ever know.

His friends are SO going to miss him. They're the ones I feel sorry for - with the diagnosis he had?

Let him keep Pavarotti company. I'm okay with that.

Was it really an earthquake?

Or Robert Goulet going through your stuff One Last Time?

Poor lamb. From all reports, one of the best people you could ever know.

His friends are SO going to miss him. They're the ones I feel sorry for - with the diagnosis he had?

Let him keep Pavarotti company. I'm okay with that.

Was it really an earthquake?

Or Robert Goulet going through your stuff One Last Time?

Poor lamb. From all reports, one of the best people you could ever know.

His friends are SO going to miss him. They're the ones I feel sorry for - with the diagnosis he had?

Let him keep Pavarotti company. I'm okay with that.

Another one for you -

(Blame varna.)

Whatever field you’re about to embark on, by all means, go ahead and follow that dream, but here’s some simple lessons to keep in mind.

The only absolute promise that I will make to you today is this: While pursuing your dream, you will find that you’re going to encounter tons of stuff, both good and bad, that I guarantee you will not expect. You may think you know where you’re going, but in fact, it’s likely you have no idea where any of your chosen paths will take you. It will be difficult.

But if your path is twisted and uphill and all over the place, you’ll still acquire some tools, some skills, some experience, no matter how small, no matter how random, that could add up to something that is above and beyond your original dreams, in ways that may startle and surprise you.

So, whatever happens in your life, starting now – remember it. And use it.

You’re artists. You can, and should, use everything.

There’ll be many unexpected obstacles … use them. There’ll be many disappointments … use them. There could be some real heartbreaks … use them. Leave every possibility open all the time.

If you end up in the commercial arts, like I did, you may find yourselves up against an all too common beast: the combination of limited imaginations attached to egos larger than anything you thought possible. You may encounter small minds that judge you and whose approval you may need to move forward, and that will make you frustrated and angry. Use it.

In my first 10 years as a film composer I was up against so much criticism, slander and abuse from my industry, it was astounding. Mean-spirited rumors were commonplace and abundant.

And I can tell you this, the frustration and anger I felt toward my detractors and those who took shots at me from high safe places became my greatest fuel.

I know this sounds really sick. And it is. But the point is that adversity, and the need to prove yourself and to show what you’re capable of can be a tremendous motivating factor. If you’re unlucky enough to find yourself overflowing with frustration like I was … use it. Own it. Don’t waste it. It’s not just fuel, it’s rocket fuel! And when your weapon is your talent, revenge is sweet!

Don't listen to me. Go listen to Danny Elfman. Seriously.

Another one for you -

(Blame varna.)

Whatever field you’re about to embark on, by all means, go ahead and follow that dream, but here’s some simple lessons to keep in mind.

The only absolute promise that I will make to you today is this: While pursuing your dream, you will find that you’re going to encounter tons of stuff, both good and bad, that I guarantee you will not expect. You may think you know where you’re going, but in fact, it’s likely you have no idea where any of your chosen paths will take you. It will be difficult.

But if your path is twisted and uphill and all over the place, you’ll still acquire some tools, some skills, some experience, no matter how small, no matter how random, that could add up to something that is above and beyond your original dreams, in ways that may startle and surprise you.

So, whatever happens in your life, starting now – remember it. And use it.

You’re artists. You can, and should, use everything.

There’ll be many unexpected obstacles … use them. There’ll be many disappointments … use them. There could be some real heartbreaks … use them. Leave every possibility open all the time.

If you end up in the commercial arts, like I did, you may find yourselves up against an all too common beast: the combination of limited imaginations attached to egos larger than anything you thought possible. You may encounter small minds that judge you and whose approval you may need to move forward, and that will make you frustrated and angry. Use it.

In my first 10 years as a film composer I was up against so much criticism, slander and abuse from my industry, it was astounding. Mean-spirited rumors were commonplace and abundant.

And I can tell you this, the frustration and anger I felt toward my detractors and those who took shots at me from high safe places became my greatest fuel.

I know this sounds really sick. And it is. But the point is that adversity, and the need to prove yourself and to show what you’re capable of can be a tremendous motivating factor. If you’re unlucky enough to find yourself overflowing with frustration like I was … use it. Own it. Don’t waste it. It’s not just fuel, it’s rocket fuel! And when your weapon is your talent, revenge is sweet!

Don't listen to me. Go listen to Danny Elfman. Seriously.

Another one for you -

(Blame varna.)

Whatever field you’re about to embark on, by all means, go ahead and follow that dream, but here’s some simple lessons to keep in mind.

The only absolute promise that I will make to you today is this: While pursuing your dream, you will find that you’re going to encounter tons of stuff, both good and bad, that I guarantee you will not expect. You may think you know where you’re going, but in fact, it’s likely you have no idea where any of your chosen paths will take you. It will be difficult.

But if your path is twisted and uphill and all over the place, you’ll still acquire some tools, some skills, some experience, no matter how small, no matter how random, that could add up to something that is above and beyond your original dreams, in ways that may startle and surprise you.

So, whatever happens in your life, starting now – remember it. And use it.

You’re artists. You can, and should, use everything.

There’ll be many unexpected obstacles … use them. There’ll be many disappointments … use them. There could be some real heartbreaks … use them. Leave every possibility open all the time.

If you end up in the commercial arts, like I did, you may find yourselves up against an all too common beast: the combination of limited imaginations attached to egos larger than anything you thought possible. You may encounter small minds that judge you and whose approval you may need to move forward, and that will make you frustrated and angry. Use it.

In my first 10 years as a film composer I was up against so much criticism, slander and abuse from my industry, it was astounding. Mean-spirited rumors were commonplace and abundant.

And I can tell you this, the frustration and anger I felt toward my detractors and those who took shots at me from high safe places became my greatest fuel.

I know this sounds really sick. And it is. But the point is that adversity, and the need to prove yourself and to show what you’re capable of can be a tremendous motivating factor. If you’re unlucky enough to find yourself overflowing with frustration like I was … use it. Own it. Don’t waste it. It’s not just fuel, it’s rocket fuel! And when your weapon is your talent, revenge is sweet!

Don't listen to me. Go listen to Danny Elfman. Seriously.