Author: Autism Today News.
A direct connection between levels in the brain of nitric oxide (NO) – a colorless, odorless and non-flammable gas — has been found for the first time in mouse models with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).This breakthrough has just been published by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) – offering new insights into potential treatments. It also has implications for other neurological and psychiatric conditions, the researchers said.ASD affects some 168 million people – males more than females – round the world. It is characterized by abnormalities in social interactions, deficits in communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. In…
Will artificial intelligence soon play a part in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder? For children with autism and their families, early diagnosis and interventions can play a big role in improving development and long-term health. An early diagnosis typically results in earlier access to clinical, behavioral, educational, and social services that a child and family may need. But many families—particularly those in rural, low-income, and minority communities—face long delays in receiving diagnoses and services. These delays can greatly affect the progress of a child’s behavioral and brain development with life-long consequences. A quarter of children under age eight living with autism…
To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, the Emirate College for Advanced Education (ECAE) hosted its 9th Annual Autism Day conference on April 26 at its campus Hub in Abu Dhabi, to raise social awareness of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as explore the future learning opportunities and best learning practices for current and future educators. Since 2015, the ECAE has hosted this annual event with the aim of engaging the UAE community to promote awareness and acceptance of individuals with ASD. The 9th Annual Autism Day conference brought together leading experts on ASD education and social care, ECAE…
It was mid-afternoon on a late July Sunday when rescue crews found the body of 6-year-old Fawzan Hassan drowned in a Gaithersburg pond. Fawzan, who was autistic and non-verbal, had been at Bohrer Park the day before attending a community event with his family. Then he wandered away, setting off a frenzied search. It was the second time that month that such a scene played out in Montgomery County. Earlier in July, a 3-year-old boy with autism drowned in a neighborhood pool in Rockville. A similar tragedy occurred in Baltimore County in June. After the boys’ deaths, several county and…
In short: The 56-year-old father repeatedly filmed himself sexually abusing his young daughter, who has autism and was solely dependent on him.He worked as a school cleaner despite a previous conviction for sexually abusing a teenage girl.What’s next? He will have to serve 19 years of his 21-year sentence before being eligible for parole.A 56-year-old man who worked as a voluntary cleaner at a Perth primary school has been sentenced to 21 years in jail for recording himself repeatedly sexually abusing his young autistic daughter.WARNING: This story contains distressing details of child sexual assault.The man cannot be named to protect the identity of…
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be a very challenging condition for families and professionals involved in the care and support of individuals on the spectrum. Against this backdrop, the Social Justice department, the Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM) which implements the State Initiative on Disabilities, and the Child Development Centre (CDC) at Government Medical College here have together brought out a comprehensive ‘Resource book on Autism Spectrum Disorders.’ The resource book promises to be a valuable tool in autism management and early intervention, not only for caregivers but also paediatricians and other health care providers.The 500-page extensive resource, with a…
Summary: Researchers have developed a system that detects genetic markers of autism in brain images with 89-95% accuracy, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment.This method, which identifies brain structure patterns linked to autism-related genetic variations, offers a personalized approach to autism care. The technique, called transport-based morphometry, could transform the understanding and treatment of autism by focusing on genetic markers rather than behavioral cues.Key Facts:The system uses brain imaging to spot autism-related genetic variations.Accuracy of the method ranges from 89-95%, promising earlier diagnosis.This approach could shift autism diagnosis from behavior-based to genetics-based.Source: University of VirginiaA multi-university research team co-led by…
When a young child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), professionals tell his parents to get him into treatment as soon as possible. Treatment can begin as early as two or three years old and is intended to improve the child’s mental and physical skills to ward off long-term learning, speech, and movement deficits. “The sooner a child gets help, the greater the chance for learning and progress,” says the National Institute for Health. “In fact, recent guidelines suggest starting an integrated developmental and behavioral intervention as soon as ASD is diagnosed or seriously suspected.” The most widely used…
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has brought out a ‘Comprehensive Resource Book on Autism Spectrum Disorder’, billed as the first-of-its-kind initiative in the country that lays down guidelines for early detection and management of the disorder that affects a large number of children.The resource book is being brought out coinciding with the launch of the State Programme for Education and Empowerment in Disabilities (SPEED). The programme comprises various training and awareness initiatives in the area of disabilities. In addition to general information on autism, the resource book explores in detail various issues related to communication, behaviour and neuro-development. It also gives…
Getting diagnosed with autism in your adult years does not often impact a person’s quality of life, according to a new study published on Wednesday. The peer-reviewed study, which was published in the academic journal Autism, found that the age that someone becomes self-aware of their autism is a more important indicator for their quality of life than an official diagnosis. The research also listed household income as a more precise indication of the person’s quality of life compared to their autism diagnosis. “Our research more generally adds to a better understanding of neurodiversity across the lifespan,” explained Dr Punit Shah, Co-author…