Autism Information

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Dogs Work Magic on Kids with Autism

Dogs have always been considered as man's best friend. Well, just recently, they showed just how indispensable they are. They now help kids with a variety of issues, from mobility problems to seizures.

According to Karen Shirk, owner of the nonprofit 4 Paws for Ability, the dogs work like magic. "I knew [autistic children] connected to animals," she remembers. "I knew that service dogs would be able to help."

"The biggest problem that's faced by families that have children with autism is isolation. They actually quit going out because they can't keep their child safe," says Shirk.

Shirk's service dogs are taught a variety of methods to help keep kids with autism safe. Since many children tend to wander away and get lost, 4 Paws uses a technique called "tethering," where the kids are tethered to their dogs while in public.

As she puts it, "for our children with autism, their dog might be the only friend that they have."

Monday, October 27, 2008

Gene Screen To Identify Causes Of Autism

A new screening method can be used to detect the chromosomal abnormalities most commonly associated with autism spectrum disorders. By screening for genetic defects associated with various kinds of cognitive impairment, it will help clinicians detect identify the underlying causes of some patients' autism spectrum disorders.

ASDs have been increasingly associated with genetic abnormalities. At the same time, many children with ASDs also have some degree of cognitive impairment. By focussing on well-known genetic disorders, rather than assaying an individual's entire genome, MLPA allows for much more efficiency.

Although there is no known cure for ASDs, early detection and commencement of special education and behavioural therapy can mitigate some of the negative symptoms.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Free Online Autism Support Network Launched


Recently, a free online autism support network was launched. You can find it online at http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com. The online service - rapidly growing already with thousands of members around the world - connects families and individuals touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with each other, provides support and insight, and acts as a resource guide for treatments, strategies and therapies.

Key features of the community include matching those members seeking similar support with one another, the ability to create appointments virtually or in actual locations between members, community groups for open sharing of information, user blogs, chat and capabilities for members to host and share personal photos and documents. The Autism Support Network also includes resource listings across the United States, Canada, England and India.

This is a very helpful site for each and everyone whose lives have been touched by Autism. Hopefully, more and more people will join to help others as well as to receive help.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

People with Autism Make More Rational Decisions

Based on a new research, it was revealed that people with autism-related disorders are less likely to make irrational decisions and are less influenced by gut instincts.

Decision-making is a complex process, involving both intuition and analysis: analysis involves computation and more "rational" thought, but is slower; intuition, by contrast, is much faster, but less accurate, relying on heuristics, or "gut instincts".

Previous studies have shown that our response to a problem depends on how the problem is posed - the so called "framing effect".

A surgeon who tells a patient that there is an 80 percent chance of surviving an operation is more likely to gain consent than one who tells the patient there is a 20 percent chance of dying, even though statistically these mean the same thing.

Researchers with Ray Dolan's group at the UCL (University College London) have used the framing effect to study decision-making in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

According to the National Autistic Society, these disorders affect up to one in a 100 people in Britain. They range from mild conditions, such as Asperger syndrome, through to highly disabling conditions, such as Rett syndrome.

Symptoms - which vary widely in severity - include language problems, poor social interaction and rigid patterns of behaviour and thinking, according to an UCL release. The study was published Wednesday in the journal Neuroscience.

Participants in the study performed a task involving deciding whether or not to gamble with a sum of money. For example, they would be given 50 pounds and be presented with two options: option A was to keep 20 pounds; option B was to gamble, with a 40 percent chance of keeping the full 50 pounds and a 60 percent chance of losing everything. This version was known as the "gain frame".

At other times, the participants would be presented with the "loss frame", the only difference being that option A was phrased in terms of losing money. In other words, when given 50 pounds, option A was to lose 30 pounds of their initial amount; option B was the same in both frames.

Despite option A being essentially the same in both gain and loss frames, the researchers found that the "control" participants - those without ASD - were more likely to gamble if the first option was to "lose" rather than "keep" money.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Dennis Leary Takes Aim At Autistic Children In New Book

In his new book, Dennis Leary has really sparked a lot of hatred. I really think that he has been very insensitive about certain issues especially when he targeted autistic kids and their parents.

According to Leary, "There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-a** kids can't compete academically, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks . . . to get back diagnoses that help explain away the deficiencies of their junior morons," Leary reportedly wrote. "I don't give a [bleep] what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you - yer kid is NOT autistic. He's just stupid. Or lazy. Or both."

In response to the "Rescue Me" star's literary assertion, the Autism Society of America issued a statement to AccessHollywood.com.

"Autism is a complex neruodevelopmental medical condition that requires early identification and lifelong treatment. For Mr. Leary to suggest that families or doctors conspire to falsely diagnose autism is ridiculous," the statement read. "Mr. Leary's remarks reflect the same misconceptions of autism being caused by bad or unemotional parenting that were held over 50 years ago, misconceptions that have been completely disproven by the scientific community"

It's possible Leary's comments could draw the ire of more than just the Autism Society of America. Several of his fellow celebrities are parents of autistic children, including Jenny McCarthy, Toni Braxton and Sylvester Stallone.

However, autistic kids weren't the only people Leary slammed in his book - he also took exception with the likes of Paul McCartney, Heather Mills, Hillary Clinton and Dr. Phil, among others, according to The Post.

"[He says] such thick and exasperating things as, 'Everybody has their own personal Ground Zero.' Oh, really?" Leary writes of Dr. Phil. "Does that mean someday two large speeding planes will crash into the side of your insipid hairless head? Let's hope so."

Does Autism in the Family Lead to Divorce?

Oprah, Jenny McCarthy, and many others cite enormously high divorce rates among parents with autism. Those rates seem to range from 80-90% - an incredible figure, if true.

But so far as I can tell, having researched the topic in all the usual places plus a few more (personal connections to reearchers in the autism community), there is no basis for these claims.

Yes, divorce is high in the United States, fluctuating at about the 50% mark. Having a child with a sickness or disability does raise the divorce rate, and I was able to find one published research study about parents of children with ADHD which suggests that STRESS, but NOT DIVORCE, is higher among that population:

Numerous studies have asserted the prevalence of marital conflict among families of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but evidence is surprisingly less convincing regarding whether parents of youths with ADHD are more at risk for divorce than are parents of children without ADHD.
While autism isn't the same thing as ADHD, there are similarities. Certainly, spouses are likely to react differently to "bad behaviors" linked to diagnosable disabilities. How DO you punish a child with autism or ADHD? Or do you just accept the behaviors as part of a child's personality?

What makes autism particularly tough is that there is no one (or two, or three) accepted treatments for the disorder. And the disorder itself is incredibly broad ranging and difficult to pinpoint. Parents certainly disagree on which of dozens of treatments and approaches is "right" for their child. And parents, of course, disagree on how much money to spend on a particular therapy, school, or biomedical intervention.

In short, while I don't honestly believe that 80% of parents with autistic children divorce (because there's no basis for that figure), I certainly DO believe that 80% (or more) are often under extra stress. In some cases, coming to an agreement on autism-related issues can strengthen a marriage. In other cases, that stress simply splits the marriage apart.

In our case, autism has not only NOT split us apart, it has brought us closer together. We found that we tend to agree, philosophically and financially, on our choice of therapy, schooling, and daily life activities. But what if one of us was a true-blue believer in biomedical interventions while the other was convinced that biomedical interventions are a waste of time and money? Could we find a middle ground?

It would be really unfair to use autism as a reason because it is supposed to pull us together and to help each other, not draw us apart. I think that the couples who have divorced because of autism in the family are unfair. They are also trying to hide the fact that they just don't want to deal with it. If you've noticed early on in the article, it was celebrities who were complaining the most. Go figure!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Device helps parents of autistic children who may wander off

Care Trak caters to parents with a tracking device for their children who are prone to "bolt and run." Care Trak, which grew from its parent company, Wildlife Materials, that makes animal tracking systems, sells a portable, electronic device so parents can find their children if they run off.

We have thousands of autistic kids running off every year leaving their parents in a panic. Thanks to this tracker, we have have parents assured that they know where the kids are going.

"Care Trak focuses on serving these parents and caregivers of autistic kids," said Mike Chylewski, Care Trak's vice president of operations.
"Because autistic kids have limited or no fear of danger and have a high tolerance for pain, parents are understandably frantic to find their child. Care Trak is a source of action and calm in what is otherwise a frightening and urgent situation."

Autism Linked to Genius?

Recently, it was announced that autism, math, music and memory appeared to be linked. According to the article:

Some people with autism have amazed experts with their outstanding memories, mathematical skills or musical talent. Now scientists have found that the genes thought to cause autism may also confer mathematical, musical and other skills on people without the condition.

The finding has emerged from a study of autism among 378 Cambridge University students, which found the condition was up to seven times more common among mathematicians than students in other disciplines. It was also five times more common in the siblings of mathematicians.

While this finding doesn't really qualify as "new" in the usual sense of the word, it is a nice confirmation that autism really does have its "up" sides. In fact, according to some, Asperger syndrome may actually account for the extraordinary contributions of such geniuses as Einstein, Mozart, and Galileo!

So far, no one has actually identified the "genius" gene. But if there really is one - what a find it will be! Not only will it help to improve society's perception of autism, but it may also support better educational approaches, higher expectations, and improved self-esteem among people with autism. It may also be one more reason to question the idea that most autism is caused by environmental injury rather than heredity.

In fact, as research into the causes and significance of autism continues, it seems clearer and clearer to me that there are at least several completely different disorders now bunched together under the same "spectrum" umbrella. Inherited traits, such as mathematical genius and social awkwardness seem to describe only one form of "autism." Other forms seem to include a completely separate set of symptoms, ranging from loss of communication skills to physical illness, sensitivities to certain foods, and more.

After everything is said and done, this can only make the topic even more interesting. If autism were in fact linked to being a genius, would you be glad to have an autistic child?

Tough question?

Thursday, October 09, 2008

The Connections Between Vision And Movement in Autism

A hand moves forward, but is it a friendly gesture or one meant to do harm? In an instant, we respond -- either extending our arm forward to shake hands or raising it higher to protect our face. But what are the subtle cues that allow us to interpret such movement so we can properly respond to others?

In research projects designed to assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and to provide deeper insight into how autistic individuals perceive others, Maggie Shiffrar, professor of psychology at Rutgers University in Newark, is examining how our visual system helps us to interpret the intent conveyed in subtle body movements.

Almost all people possess some autistic tendencies, explains Shiffrar, but her research shows that those with the fewest autistic tendencies “are best at detecting the weak signals provided by body movement.” Thus, people with very few autistic tendencies are the best at interpreting emotion from body movement.

Working with test participants under a $750,000 grant from the Simons Foundation, Shiffrar has discovered that people with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to view other people and objects alike. It is as if they view the world through a lens devoid of emotion.

People with few autistic tendencies, on the other hand, have visual systems that analyze human movement and the movement of objects differently. As a result, when presented with limited information they find it easier to identify people over objects.

Previous research has revealed that the part of the brain – the amygdala – involved in emotion communicates with that part of the brain involved in the perception of human movement. This connection is impaired in people with autism and could be what makes it difficult for them to perceive other people’s emotional states from their actions. Should that be the case, it may become possible to develop training programs for people with ASD to help them perceive and understand the intentions and emotional states of people from their body movements.

The First Autism Disease Genes

The autistic disorder, a neurodevelopmental disease first described in 1943, represents a challenge for treatment and a puzzle for research. Alongside Asperger syndrome, a milder form of the disorder, autism is classified in the continuum of various Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), all of which are characterized by deficits in language, social interaction, and a strangely restricted and repetitive behaviour (stereotypy). Disease onset occurs during the first three years of life. The earlier the disorder is diagnosed, the sooner the child can be helped through treatment interventions, but unfortunately detection is often delayed. In a vast majority of cases, no disease causes can be identified.

Recent advances in autism research have been fueled by an increased interest in genetics, and the latest developments point to genetic factors playing a prominent role in the causes of ASD.

Professor Marion Leboyer of the Psychiatry Genetic Team INSERM and director of the specialized French research foundation for psychiatric disorders, Fondation FondaMental, Paris, will present the compelling neurobiological story of discovering the first autism genes. Thereby she will highlight new findings on the role of gene mutations, their association with synapse abnormalities, and - surprisingly - a connection between circadian rhythms and autism risk. These insights will nurture applied projects on the development of new therapeutic strategies.



Article adapted from original press release

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Nation's Largest Autism Walk Held Last Sunday at Jones Beach


The ninth annual Walk Now For Autism, the nation's largest grassroots autism walk program, which on Long Island, features a 3-mile walk at Jones Beach. The event raises money for autism research, advocacy, family services and awareness.

Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks, said the Long Island walk, sponsored by Toys R Us, raised $2.2 million last year - the most of any local event in the country. Even major cities trailed, with New York City at $1.2 million and Chicago at $1.6 million.

With more than 23,000 people walking yesterday and a goal of $2.3 million, Roithmayr called it the biggest autism walk of all 80 walks in the country.

Michael Giangregorio, executive chairman of the Long Island Walk Committee, noted the event, initially held in Eisenhower Park, was moved to Jones Beach three years ago to accommodate the growing crowds.

"It's bittersweet because it's great to see so many people out here today, but it also means every year more people are diagnosed with autism," said Giangregorio, whose son Nicholas was diagnosed with autism at 19 months.

Sylvia Murdolo, whose autistic son Tom, 21, is enrolled at Suffolk Community College, knows of the possibility that an autistic child can live a normal life.

"Because my son has done so well, I know there's hope," she said. "That's what I offer to the parents of little kids - that there is hope."

Monday, October 06, 2008

Combating Autism Act of 2006 Highlights

If you're not familiar with this bill, here is a little background on it and what it can do to help. This bill was passed by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT). The landmark Act, which authorizes $900 million for autism-specific funding, now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for approval before it can be signed into law. Once signed, the Act will join a short list of "single-disease" legislation -- the most notable being the 1990 Ryan White CARE Act for HIV/AIDS.

If it gets signed into a law, it will benefit a lot of people. Here are the highlights of the said bill to give you a clear insight.
  • Allocates approximately $900 million in spending on autism over the next five years. This is approximately double what would have been spent with straight-line continuation of existing programs.
  • Authorizes a 50% increase in spending for biomedical research in autism from the $100 million which the NIH currently claims to be spending.
  • Creates a legal requirement for Centers of Excellence in Environmental Health and Autism, to research "a broad array of environmental factors that may have a possible role in autism spectrum disorders." These Centers are authorized with funding of $45 million over the five-year life of the bill.
  • Requires the director of NIH to develop and implement a strategic plan for autism research and a budget to fund this plan, taking into account recommendations of a public/private committee (the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee) which it requires to include at least one-third public members, including a person with autism and a person who is the parent of a child with autism. This new authority and accountability makes the director, in effect, the "autism czar."
  • Provides grant programs for states to develop autism screening, early diagnosis and intervention programs for children -- perhaps the most important thing that could happen, short of a cure.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

National Autistic Society (NAS) Media Response To The Work And Pensions Committee Report: Valuing And Supporting Carers. UK


Mark Lever, National Autistic Society Chief Executive said:

"Caring for a person with autism can have a profound impact on individuals and families and can be very demanding both emotionally and financially, yet many receive very little help and support. The current benefits system for carers is inadequate and the complexity of the system coupled with a lack of information about entitlements often means that support fails to reach those who are most in need. We are pleased that the Work and Pensions Committee has listened to our concerns and welcome their call for benefits to carers to be overhauled.

Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition and caring for someone with the disability is often a full-time job, but with Carer's Allowance at a woefully inadequate £50.55 per week, we frequently hear from parents and carers who are struggling to cope financially. With the equivalent of just £1.44 per hour to support them - well below the minimum wage - it is not surprising that many families are living in poverty as a result.

Children with autism become adults with autism, so caring for someone with this complex disability is often a lifelong role: 40% of adults with autism live with their parents and many more rely on their family for financial support. It is scandalous, therefore, that over three quarters of parents caring for adults with autism do not receive any support at all. This is simply unacceptable.

It is imperative that the Government gives better recognition to the role carers play in society, with a simplified system of benefits, better access to information, and increased payments which reflect the true costs of caring. We urge the Government to take decisive action to improve the lives of thousands of people affected by autism - the right help and support at the right time could transform lives."

This is very sad but at the same time very real. It really is a full-time job that requires much attention. Hopefully, help for these affected people may come.


  • Originally from an article from the NAS

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Problems of an Autistic Person - Straight from the Horse's Mouth

We've seen all kinds of studies about autism. They've been around for a while already but one thing is missing. If you haven't noticed, all these studies are from researchers who study patients. What if we asked the patients themselves what was wrong with them? This is exactly what a recent study did. The aim of this study is to highlight their personal experiences, and to compare them to scientific and medical knowledge and representations.

Adopting an anthropological approach, the authors analyzed 16 autobiographical writings and 5 interviews with autistic persons. The most striking observations were that all of them pointed out that unusual perceptions and information processing, as well as impairments in emotional regulation, were the core symptoms of autism, whereas the current classifications do not mention them.

The results of this study suggest that what has been selected as major signs by psychiatric nosography is regarded as manifestations induced by perceptive peculiarities and strong emotional reactions by the autistic persons who expressed themselves.

These considerations deserve to be taken into account by professionals to better understand the behavior and needs of autistic persons. The Authors propose to include this point in the reflection on the next psychiatric classifications.

This is very disturbing considering that a lot of researchers have studied autism and none hit the mark of what really is going on. Hopefully we can learn more in the future from the patients because only they can really tell us what and how they feel. Maybe then we will understand how to deal with autism.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Father's Age is Linked to Autism in Children

It has always been said that older women have a higher risk of having birth defects. As for men, it was thought that they can have kids at any age with no worries. Well, a new study recently proved that belief wrong.

Researchers in Japan have found that older fathers are twice as likely to have autistic children as younger men while the mother's age has no influence as such on the likelihood of her offspring developing the disorder.

Their findings were based on an analysis of 84 kids with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, meaning they had social impairments of the condition -- but had normal intelligence, and 208 children without the disorder. Children whose fathers were over 33 years were 1.8 times more likely to have autism than those fathers were under 29. And men who fathered children between the age of 29 and 32 years were 30 per cent more likely to have an autistic child, the study found.

Experts though are not fully convinced, stating that the pattern of behavior from which autism is diagnosed may not result from a single cause.

After hearing this, it makes me glad I had kids at a younger age.