"NOWADAYS Kareen's passion is to help the exponentially-increasing number of autistic children (mainly boys) cope to their best level of function in the world -- and assist them and their families, and society at large, to live with and learn more about this very complex and profound neurological disorder.

Her sense of mission comes from her grandson, James, who is autistic. He is 14 years old and is a bright, loving and affectionate child with excellent memory, though low-functioning. He has been lucky to have Megan -- his truly loving sister who is three years older than he -- in his life. James has been patterned every day since diagnosis by his parents, who have made themselves experts on the condition, and by expert helpers and volunteers. His mother Sylvie even got a Master's Degreen in Special Education, and now works in the field at UBC Okanagan.

James has also always had a one-on-one teacher in school since Grade One, and his school-mates have no doubt benefited from his presence by learning empathy and tolerance. Every day shows how James’ abilities develop at a pace uniquely his own. Each day also brings new challenges. Autism is a spectrum disorder, with a wide range of abilities and social, communication and cognitive challenges. These are life-long.

To help increase Autism Awareness, the organisation "Autism Speaks" says it is time to listen. Their MISSION:

"We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatment, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder". (www.AutismSpeaks.org).

Kareen gives free lectures, where donations to the Autism Society of BC are welcomed. Her topics range from "GRACEFUL AGING AND CELL-REGENERATION (Through Yoga and the Latest Break-Throughs in Nutrition)", to any Body/Mind/Spirit subject listed under "Holistic Lecturer". She is a Yogini and Master Meditator practicing Transformative Meditation and, over the last 40 years, has studied many modalities in Energy Work, Healing Touch, EFT, NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming), BST (Brain State Technologies), and GNM (German New Medicine).