Living with Autism and Amazing Acts of Love
May 30, 2013
On this very personal episode of “Katie,” Katie speaks to individuals living with autism and their families about their challenges and triumphs. Filmmaker Andrew Jenks from “World of Jenks” gives a glimpse of a day in the life of a teenager living with autism. Then, Dr. Temple Grandin takes us inside her amazing mind. Plus, Rick Hoyt and celebrating amazing caregivers–everyday parents who are heroes to their kids!
National study aims to improve autism diagnoses in children
May 29, 2013
Autism is diagnosed by watching children’s behavior and performance on developmental tests. Unlike heart disease or diabetes, there are no blood tests that can easily diagnose autism. A large national study aims to change that- or at least develop a test that can pinpoint children at greater risk for the disorder.
The Earlier the Better
Spring 2013
The average age of autism at diagnosis is 4.5 years, older for low income and minority families. Emory researchers want to change that timeline, and now they have the science and partners to do it. “Anna and I had loved him since he came into our family at five days of age,” says his adoptive father, Walter Deriso III, “but we had no relationship with him.” When the therapists and staff at Marcus first encountered the young boy, they encouraged him to put the things that interested or scared him on paper.
CDC announces new autism survey: Autism now affects 1 in every 50 U.S. Children TACA Executive Director asks: when is it time to worry?
Just about a year ago the CDC raised the autism prevalence from 1 in 110 to 1 in 88 (1.) Coincidentally this announcement occurred just before April – which is autism awareness month. A new study from the CDC points to a new increase – autism now affects 1 in 50 U.S. school children (2.) Whenever a new rate of autism is released, I am always overwhelmed with sadness. This number represents so many kids and families and yet, it feels like no one is concerned.
Asperger’s Treatment For Children: How Early Intervention Helped Our 6-Year-Old Daughter
May 17, 2013
It took Brian and his wife, Susanna, a lot of research and trial and error before they got their daughter, Arizona, help that really worked. Their 6-year-old was originally diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and eventually Asperger’s. Here, as part of our series on families of children with mental health issues, the Los Angeles-based dad talks about the challenges parents face in connecting with the right resources for their children, the importance of early intervention and where his daughter is today.
Purdue seeks infants for child autism study
May 15, 2013
Purdue University scientists studying how autism develops in young children are seeking the infant siblings of autistic youngsters for a new study of the mysterious disorder. The researchers are enrolling infants between six and 18 months of age who have an autistic sibling in their study.
Temple Grandin on how the autistic ‘think different’
May 7, 2013
In a high-tech MRI scan, the wiring that makes Temple Grandin’s brain unique shows up in vibrant colors. Grandin, a well-known author who has autism, has four times the typical number of connections in a brain area that controls the visual system. That may explain why she goes through life Thinking in Pictures, as her 1996 book described.
Extreme Birth Weights Tied to Autism in Swedish Study
May 3, 2013
A much larger or much smaller birth weight than average may be associated with an increased risk of autism, according to a large new study. Researchers examined data from more than 40,000 children in Sweden, and found that those who weighed more than 9.9 pounds or less than 5.5 pounds at birth were more likely to have autism than those with a normal birth weight.
Bigger Babies at Greater Risk of Autism
May 2, 2013
Research has already shown that premature and small-for-gestational-age babies have a greater risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but now a new large study shows that babies who are born at a high birth weight also appear to be more susceptible to the developmental disorder.