Author: Autism Today News.

These comments are available as a PDF here. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network appreciates the opportunity to submit comments for the April 17, 2024, IACC meeting. In our last comments to the IACC, ASAN provided feedback on the Report to Congress, the Summary of Research, and the 2023 Strategic Plan and laid out a vision for future research priorities for the IACC to consider. Our comment will focus on the recently-published  2019-2020 IACC Autism Research Portfolio Analysis Report and the GAO Report titled Autism Research and Support Services: Federal Interagency Coordination and Monitoring Efforts Could Be Further Strengthened. ASAN urges…

Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) was founded with the vision that people with autism will lead lives that meet their greatest potential. AAoM leads efforts to raise expectations and expand opportunities for people touched by autism across the lifespan. The conference will include four break-out sessions offering a choice among 15 different topics.The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) will host its first “Navigating Autism Today Conference” of the year on Friday, March 8 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Presented by the Children’s Foundation, the conference begins with registration and breakfast.   The biannual conference’s mission is to provide…

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…