Josh Padilla, who has autism, scores touchdown for Leyden
Oct. 25, 2014
Josh Padilla wears No. 71 on game days. He is listed as a senior kicker on Leyden’s roster. He is a team captain and walks to midfield for the pre-game coin toss. Then he’s done for the day. A player who doesn’t play. A kicker who doesn’t kick. A guy on the sidelines. The guy with autism. But Friday night, Josh became the guy with autism who scored a touchdown on senior night. On a set play after the opening kickoff, Josh took a shuttle pass from quarterback Tom Pajor and ran 66 yards to the end zone.
Signs of Autism by 18 Months in Younger Siblings
Oct. 20, 2014
About 20 percent of children who have older siblings with autism also develop the disorder. Of those children, 57 percent show symptoms as early as 18 months. The findings stress the need for early and repeated screening in the first three years of life so that, if necessary, intervention can begin as soon as possible.
For Children With Autism, Opening a Door to Dental Care
Oct. 20, 2014
Like many parents of children with autism, Nicole Brown feared she might never find a dentist willing and able to care for her daughter, Camryn Cunningham, now a lanky 13-year-old who uses words sparingly. Finishing a basic cleaning was a colossal challenge, because Camryn was bewildered by the lights in her face and the odd noises from instruments like the saliva suctioner — not to mention how utterly unfamiliar everything was to a girl accustomed to routine. Sometimes she’d panic and bolt from the office.
Neither homecoming crown nor autism define Manny Dedmon
Oct. 19, 2014
There was plenty to cheer about Friday night as Birdville High’s football team took to the field on homecoming night. But on that night, it was more than just touchdowns. “His aura just attracts joy. He’s just so joyous, and it’s contagious,” said Ericka Dedmon. It doesn’t take much to rouse this crowd – especially when you’re talking about No. 84, Manny Dedmon.
Early detection provides best outcomes for autism
Oct. 12, 2014
Like every mother, Erica Goins has certain hopes and dreams, concerns and fears for her children. She doesn’t consider her children to be any different from other youths, but she knows they will have certain challenges many will never face. Her son, Brady Brewer, 15, was diagnosed with atypical autism when he was 8. Her daughter, Emily Brewer, 20, was diagnosed with Asperger’ssyndrome with autistic tendencies when she was 5.
Autism as a disorder of prediction
Researchers suggest autism stems from a reduced ability to make predictions, leading to anxiety
Oct. 07, 2014
Autism is characterized by many different symptoms: difficulty interacting with others, repetitive behaviors, and hypersensitivity to sound and other stimuli. MIT neuroscientists have put forth a new hypothesis that accounts for these behaviors and may provide a neurological foundation for many of the disparate features of the disorder. The researchers suggest that autism may be rooted in an impaired ability to predict events and other people’s actions. From the perspective of the autistic child, the world appears to be a “magical” rather than an orderly place, because events seem to occur randomly and unpredictably.
Spacing Between Sibling Births Tied to Autism Risk
Oct. 01, 2014
Children conceived either less than one year or more than five years after the birth of a sibling could be at increased risk for autism, a new study suggests. However, both the study’s lead author and an outside expert agree that the research can’t prove that birth spacing has any causative role in autism. “Most importantly, it is important that parents understand that the odds for autism are still extremely low, even when pregnancies are close together or far apart,” said outside expert Dr. Andrew Adesman.