Patt Morrison for Thursday, December 22, 2011

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 22, 2011

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

1:06 – 1:30: OPEN

 

1:30 – 1:58:30

Autism diagnoses spike: an epidemic in the making?

The number of children diagnosed with autism in the United States is twenty times higher than it was a generation ago and the disease affects approximately one percent of all children, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Scientists are striving to determine an explanation for the spike, and one possible explanation could be that the percentage of people with autism has always been the same, but was gone previously undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.  If the disorder is simply being more widely identified, then concerns about a possible epidemic can be disregarded. But as scientists and doctors examine the condition, parents and family members still struggle to take care of those suffering from the disorder. Many adults with autism have trouble fitting into society, are unable to maintain gainful employment, and struggle with associated high costs of healthcare. While some try to live with the disorder, others seek recovery through various treatments such as Applied Behavior Analysis. Although a lot of issues surrounding the disorder remain uncertain, one thing is clear: the way we diagnose, treat, and think about autism appears to be changing. How sufficient is our understanding and acceptance of people with autism? Have you ever wondered if you or a loved one might be autistic, but undiagnosed? What more can be done to improve recognizing and treating this disorder?

 

Alan Zarembo, staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. He wrote the in-depth series, “Discovering Autism.”

IN STUDIO

WEB:

“Discovering Autism” www.latimes.com/autism

 

2:06 – 2:58:30

Justice Sandra O’Connor talks about her legacy

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court and she was the tiebreaking vote on landmark cases such as Bush v. Gore. What she experienced there has made her a crusader for civics education. The Justice joins Patt to walk through what she believes will be her greatest legacy, www.iCivics.org, a web site designed to engage and educate today’s young people to become tomorrow’s civic leaders. Patt talks with her about the Justice’s legacy on the Supreme Court and the challenges of inspiring today’s students to become informed, active participants in our democracy and justice system.

 

Guest:

Sandra Day O’Connor, former Supreme Court Justice (1981-2006) appointed to the court by President Ronald Reagan; she is also the founder of iCivics  

ON TAPE

 

 

 

 

Lauren Osen

Southern California Public Radio - 89.3 KPCC

626-583-5173 / 626-483-5278

losen@scpr.org @Patt_Morrison