Author: Autism Today News.

Congress approved a short-term extension of the Autism CARES Act ensuring that programs operating under the law will be maintained into December. (Thinkstock) Lawmakers approved a short-term extension of the nation’s primary autism law, but the path to renewing the measure, which includes nearly $2 billion for the developmental disability, could be rockier than expected. Disability advocates have been pushing Congress for months to renew the law known as the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support, or Autism CARES, Act before it expired at the end of September. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to re-up the measure, but…

In short: The SA government is running a pilot program to help more students access an autism assessment in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. Cost and waiting times can be a barrier for many families wanting an assessment for their children.What’s next? The two-year trial will begin in June and will be available for up to 100 school students.Jack Herzich understands the importance of an autism diagnosis, because it’s something he could easily have missed out on.The 18-year-old university student is currently training to become a teacher — a career path he attributes in part to one of his teachers who was a crucial support.Draft…

Have you ever observed how agitated children become when you take away their phones while they are using them?Over the past few years, virtual autism has become a major concern for parents, teachers, and health providers. A condition believed to result from excessive screen time, this unexplained epidemic impairs children’s development and leads to problems with social engagement, much like actual autism. As kids spend more time with gadgets and digital media, many develop addictive behaviours that seriously affect their cognitive and social well-being. The effects can be drastic: from speech and language delays to problems with social interaction and…

Scientists have identified a distinct brain connectivity pattern in 6-week-old infants who are more likely to develop autism. The discovery offers exciting insights into the neurological development of autism spectrum disorders while supporting the development of early interventions in the future.Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) encompass a broad group of conditions characterized by some degree of difficulty in social interaction and communication. In the U.S., ASD affects roughly one in 36 children by the age of 8, according to a 2020 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.There are many potential causes of autism spectrum disorders, which include…

In 1987, a prominent University of California Los Angeles psychologist published the culmination of his life’s work — and spurred headlines across the globe. Ole Ivar Lovaas claimed that delivering a new therapy one-on-one for 40 hours a week had made nine of 19 autistic children “indistinguishable from their typically developing peers.” Half his subjects, he reported, saw 30-point IQ gains, learned to speak normally and were able to function alongside other students.  It was huge news. At the time, an autism diagnosis frequently meant life in an institution for the child in question. The opening of a path to…

Blenheim Primary School – off Blenheim Chase in Leigh – has revealed a proposal to build two new classrooms, changing rooms, a sensory room, as well as a “quiet area” away from the main school building. If approved by Southend Council, the new building will become a “autism resource base” to help provide the “very best support” to children while keeping them in mainstream education. The school is part of the Learning in Harmony Academy, which includes Greenways Primary School and Temple Sutton where similar buildings have been created. Trust executive leader for special educational needs and disability (Send), Ashley…

In 2007, Jai Reddy confronted the huge task of addressing his son’s recently diagnosed autism. He was soon surprised at the difficulty involved and knew there had to be a better way.“Back then, we had only about 30 percent of the resources that exist today,” he says. “And the facilities that were available were often isolated. In a large hospital, occupational therapy might be on the third floor and physical therapy on the fifth. And they didn’t talk to each other. The people worked solely within their own specialty.”In addition to being siloed and overspecialized, centers for help were physically…

Register for free to listen to this article Thank you. Listen to this article using the player above. ✖ Want to listen to this article for FREE? Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles. Florey researchers have found evidence of higher levels of the plastic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in pregnant mothers who gave birth to sons with autism.Research published in Nature Communications, led by Florey scientists Dr Wah Chin Boon and Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby, supports the hypothesis of a possible link between autism and exposure to plastic chemicals in the womb.Professor Ponsonby said the researchers analyzed…

Residents across Coventry and Warwickshire with an interest in autism and support available are invited to join one of three upcoming ‘Together with Autism’ conferences being held this year.&… Residents across Coventry and Warwickshire with an interest in autism and support available are invited to join one of three upcoming ‘Together with Autism’ conferences being held this year.    These free events aim to create opportunities for people to meet and build networks with others who share experience or an interest in Autism. As well as featuring inspiring speakers, including autistic people, there will be a number of pre-bookable workshops on…

Carolyn McNamara (right) presents a grant on behalf of the Williamsburg Community Foundation to Julie Cullifer (center), Executive Director of One Child Center for Autism, alongside Nancy Coté Sullivan (right), President & CEO of the Williamsburg Community Foundation. WILLIAMSBURG — One Child Center for Autism is the recipient of the Williamsburg Community Foundation’s latest $2,500 surprise grant, part of the foundation’s yearlong 25th Anniversary celebration. One Child Center for Autism provides therapy and family support services for individuals affected by autism and other developmental differences. According to the Williamsburg Community Foundation (WCF), the surprise grants program highlights how the community…