Author: Autism Today News.
Imagine identifying autism before its behavioral signs appear. This may become a reality thanks to a groundbreaking technique called “transport-based morphometry” (TBM). TBM is a method that uses advanced imaging technology to detect autism-related genetic markers with up to 89-95 percent accuracy. Developed by researchers from the University of Virginia, the University of California San Francisco, and Johns Hopkins University, this innovation could reshape how we diagnose and treat autism, shifting the focus from behavioral observations to including genetics and brain structure during evaluations. TBM’s ability to pinpoint genetic markers early paves the way for earlier diagnoses (a cornerstone of…
By Doreen Samelson, Ed.D., MSCP and Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA-D If a little bit is good for you, more must be even better. Patients frequently take this approach to health treatments, sometimes to their detriment. In our specialty, care services for autistic children, some healthcare providers hold a similar view. Many professionals believe the “gold standard” for intervention is high-hour treatment—up to 40 hours a week—including for children under 5 years old. A recent meta-analysis in JAMA Pediatrics challenges this assumption head-on, with findings that could significantly alter how we approach crucial early interventions for autistic children. The Study in…
Artificial intelligence may help experts identify toddlers who may be autistic, researchers have said after developing a screening system they say has an accuracy of about 80% for children under the age of two.The researchers say their approach, which is based on a type of AI called machine learning, could bring benefits.Dr Kristiina Tammimies, a co-author of the study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, said: “Using [the] AI model, it can be possible to use available information and earlier identify individuals with elevated likelihood for autism so that they can get earlier diagnosis and help.”But, she added: “I want to…
There is no evidence that trauma directly causes autism. However, autistic children and adults may be more vulnerable to traumatic experiences, and adversity may increase autistic traits.Autism occurs due to the way the brain develops and is mostly genetic. According to estimates, genes account for 40% to 80% of a person’s likelihood of being autistic.However, trauma may affect autistic people in unique ways, and people may confuse one for the other.In this article, we explore the links between autism and trauma and why they may occur together.There is no evidence that traumatic events can cause autism in children or adults.Autism…
There is nothing Pryce Muller is more passionate about than the colourful costumes and animated dance moves of drag queens.For his mother, Fiona, his obsession with drag is no surprise.”[When he was younger] he would find his way into my stashes of heels, glitter, anything shimmery,” she said.”I remember one day … he just came out in this stretchy, tight, floor-length, sequined blue gown.”‘You’re not like us’Pryce, now 21, was diagnosed with level three autism spectrum disorder when he was three years old and his older sister, Milabella, also lives with autism. The family of three lives in the New South…
It’s no secret that there is a steep supply-and-demand issue for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services nationwide. The industry is relatively new, which means the pool of qualified professionals is still small compared to the need. There are less than 70,000 board-certified behavior analysts in the U.S. Still, autism impacts 1 in 36 children, according to the CDC. Many of those qualified clinicians are prioritizing flexibility in the workplace and turning to telehealth. “A lot of our clinicians are very young and are of childbearing age. They are getting married and moving around to different areas,” Kathleen Stengel, founder and…
Minister For Education Norma Foley will meet with a group of Finglas campaigners who are looking to secure a secondary school place for a 13-year-old non-verbal child with autism. Greg Lewis, a special needs assistant and the father of Sam, staged a protest at the Department of Education on Thursday, May 23. Lewis said he has had 15 rejections in the fight to secure a school place for Sam, with Sam due to start secondary school in September. Sam has been a pupil in an autism class in a local mainstream school outside his catchment area of Finglas for several…
In April, a group of Orange County parents flew to Sacramento to attend a conference hosted by Disability Voices United, an advocacy group for people with disabilities and their families.They wanted to emphasize three issues to state officials at the event: the paucity of mental health care for children with developmental disabilities, the confusing mess of government systems meant to help them, and the gaps in availability of day-to-day caregiving.Among them was Christine LyBurtus, a single mom living in Fullerton. Last fall, after repeated rounds of 911 calls and emergency hospitalizations, she had made the agonizing decision to move her…
As far as Australian startup funding goes, this week is one for the record books. By our count, nine local startups have collectively raised more than $233 million, led by a massive $172 million Series B round by Wollongong-based clean tech startup Hysata. In the mix this week are startups building music, video and gaming content platforms, an AI-powered solution for customer support, a new support model for families with autistic children and a disruptive approach to finance. Keep reading to find out more. Hysata: $172 million Hysata CEO Paul Barrett and the Hysata electrolyser manufacturing Facility in Port Kembla.…
Thank you for joining us in New York City for the 2024 APA Annual Meeting. We spent five days together and the work coming out of the meeting will lead the charge for what’s to come in psychiatry. Still, there’s more opportunity for you to take advantage of the 2024 event while looking forward to 2025. Such as the On-Demand product to get additional access to the content from the meeting. The Virtual Summer Courses will also continue through the season. And don’t forget to claim your credit, the website will remain open until Friday, August 2. Mark your calendars…