March 28, 2014
Autism has been in the news a lot this past week. The big story is a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the prevalence of autism in the United States. Using data collected from both educational and health care sources, the CDC now reports that autism spectrum disorders (ASD), comprising autism, unspecified pervasive developmental delay (PDD-NOS) and Asperger disorder, have risen from one case for every 88 children in 2008 to one in 68 as of 2010. This represents an increase of about 30%.
Brain Study Suggests Autism Starts Before Birth
A detailed study of brain samples of children with autism who died young shows remarkably clear changes in their brains, researchers reported on Wednesday. The differences are seen both on the genetic level and in the physical structure of the brain, and strongly support what scientists have been saying for years — that autism starts with disrupted genes that somehow interfere with brain development.
Autism rates now 1 in 68 U.S. children: CDC
March 28, 2014
One in 68 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a 30% increase from 1 in 88 two years ago, according to a new report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This newest estimate is based on the CDC’s evaluation of health and educational records of all 8-year-old children in 11 states: Alabama, Wisconsin, Colorado, Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, Utah and New Jersey.
Researchers find abnormality in brain layers of autistic children
March 26, 2014
Researchers say they have uncovered key abnormalities in some of the layers of the brains of children with autism, an indication that the foundation for the problem is laid early in fetal development. Using a unique collection of molecular tags applied to the brains after the children had died, they found patches along the convoluted surface of the brain where some usual components of cells were missing.
Prison-Trained Dogs are Changing the Lives of Autistic Children
March 19, 2014
11-year-old Zachary Tucker has autism. He stopped hugging his mom and dad when he turned five. His emotional anxiety can get so bad at school that his teachers have said Zachary often curls himself into a ball on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Willing to try anything to help Zachary cope with his autism, Tucker’s parents drove over 200 miles each weekend to a Colorado State prison to meet with Chris Vogt, a convicted murderer who now trains companion dogs for Colorado Correctional Industries’ Prison Trained K-9 Companion Program.
Parents Connect with Autistic Son Through Disney Movies
When Owen was diagnosed with regressive autism at barely 3 years old, his parents, Ron and Cornelia Suskind, wondered where their once-chatty little boy had gone. Whereas Owen once said “I love you” and asked about his Ninja Turtles, Ron writes in The New York Times Magazine, all at once the 3-year-old started avoiding eye contact, forgetting how to use even a sippy cup and using only a single word—juice.
Els for Autism Foundation to Break Ground on Learning Center in Palm Beach County
March 06, 2014
The Els for Autism Foundation will break ground on the Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Fla. on Monday, March 10. According to the foundation’s website, Els son Ben is “profoundly impacted” by the disorder, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate affects 1 in 88 children in the U.S.