Attacking Autism with earlier diagnosis
February 6, 2009
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with an ASD, making them more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.
Autism was first identified in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital. At about the same time, a German scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger, described a milder form of the disorder that is now known as Asperger’s Syndrome.
The earliest signs of autism are usually seen by parents and typically include unusual behaviors and failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then regressed.
Lack of eye contact, repetitive behaviors and delayed or unusual speech patterns are just a few symptoms that are common in most ASD cases.
There is no medical test for autism. The Centers For Disease Control has set guidelines that suggest all children be screened for autism during their 18-month, 24-month and 30-month well checks. During the screening, doctors look at behavioral symptoms, ask parents specific developmental questions, perform speech and language tests as well as utilize various other screening techniques.
This screening cannot be used alone to make a diagnosis, but a positive screening should be followed up by further assessment.
Researchers at Yale University are studying detailed eye tracking technology as a means to diagnose autism at an earlier age.
Ami Klin, Ph.D., and his research partner Warren Jones, believe through their research they will be able to put together a better picture of how a child with autism perceives the world.
Their research began with toddlers whom they showed video clips from the movie Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? The children watched the screen while a hidden camera captured their eye movements.
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
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Autism treatment funds: Nevada lawmakers hear emotional pleas
February 6, 2009
Nevada lawmakers had an emotional day of testimony Friday, as families affected by autism pleaded with legislators to continue funding treatment for the developmental disease.
Last session, the legislature allocated $2 million to treat children with autism. One hundred children have benefited from that treatment, but 200 more are still waiting for treatment due to lack of funding. The money allocated for autism treatment will run out all together on June 30, 2009.
“We didn’t think we’d be back here begging for money,” Jan Crandy of the Autism Coalition of Nevada (ACON) said. “We thought we’d be asking for case growth at this point, so we could serve some more kids. We’ve seen IQ gains. Some of the kids have made such a significant difference, that they’re on the road to not needing services in the future.”
Parents testified Friday before a joint committee meeting concerning the state’s health and human services budget. Some thanked legislators for the funding they’ve already provided, saying it has helped change their children. Others stood up and told lawmakers that funding for autism to be permanent.
One of the most powerful testimonials came in the form of a letter from a nine-year old girl named Cierra. She wrote to lawmakers about her three-year old brother who has autism. She said he’s gotten better because of the treatment.
At least one lawmaker promised to work to get funds to treat children with autism.
“It’s such a sad thing to know that over 200 kids are on the waiting list and not even getting the services the need, and knowing that they’re not going to get better,” Assemblywoman Shelia Leslie said. “As a parent I cannot imagine what those families must be feeling. So it’s not just kicking off the kids who are getting the services now, it’s all the kids who are on the waiting list. So we’re going to work very hard. I thought the testimony today was very to the point, and we’ll be working on this all session.”
Legislators are facing many tough budget decisions this session, with the state of Nevada facing drastically declining revenues. The estimate for revenues for fiscal 2009-2010 is $5.8 billion. Governor Jim Gibbons, factoring in some new revenue, will propose spending just over $6 billion. That’s much less than the $6.8 billion approved in 2007 for the current two-year budget period.
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
Original article here.
Why my child with autism is NOT going back to public school
February 6, 2009
Last night, at a friend’s invitation, I went to a meeting of our local school district’s special education parents’ group. We had moved recently, and while I’m homeschooling now I thought “why not learn more?”
I did.
Perhaps not surprisingly, our new special ed program is just like the old one. The administrator’s job, in essence, is to keep costs down… parents quiet…. and teachers submissive. If the special ed kids do well, that’s great. If they don’t… that’s life.
Meanwhile, parents are in a panic, trying to manage IEPs that don’t include the accomodations, therapies, supports or social skills programs they asked for. Should they sign the IEP, so their child can get at least SOME services right now? Or hold off, hire an advocate, and demand what they’re entitled to – meanwhile leaving their child in legal limbo for months?
And, while parents want a terrific education for their kids with autism, they’re meanwhile facing a serious dilemma relative to their kids who are typically developing. It’s a fine thing to fight “like a mother lion” for your child with autism. But do you then earn a reputation as a “difficult parent?” And if you do – how will that affect the district’s response when your other children develop a special need, behavior problem, or other issue? Will they suffer the consequences of your actions?
What makes the whole process even worse is the knowledge that whatever you work out with the district, the teacher and the school this year – will fall apart completely next year when you child is in a new classroom, new school, or new group of students. The elementary school principal may be a huge inclusion advocate, while the middle school principal doesn’t get it at all. The middle school may have a terrific lunch bunch peer group with a top notch therapist – while the high school may have no peer social program at all.
Bottom line, there’s no doubt in my mind: my son with autism will NEVER go back to public school!
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
Original article here.
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February 6, 2009
New therapy provides inexpensive treatment for kids with autism
February 6, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – One out of every 133 Utah children is Autistic. Utah ranks third in the nation for the number of families living with Autism. There are several forms of therapy available; the most common is Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA. Barbara Kalmanson, a Clinical Psychologist says “The goal of ABA is to get the child to comply with adults’ wishes or adults’ demands.”
Kalmanson is proponent of a different approach called DIR, which stands for developmental individual difference relationship based treatment. “In the DIR approach we are interested in the internal capacity of the child. This treatment is focused very much on work with the child and helping the parents to understand the child’s individual developmental profile”. She says each child with autism has different needs, and any treatment program should be geared toward that individuality. “Some children with autism need and alternative form of communication like sign, or a device. Other children can speak very well; some of them can talk to you till the cows come home, but what they say is not meaningful in a back and forth interaction”. Once the child’s strengths and needs are determined parents are taught how to interact with their children in floor-time exercises. It’s essentially purposeful, meaningful playtime.
Maquel Evans has learned the art of that kind of play with her son Stockton. Stockton was diagnosed with autism a year ago, at the age of two. At that time, he was unable to communicate verbally, and was not interested in imaginary play. Maquel was concerned about his developmental delays and devastated by the diagnosis. “The last year has been emotional. I always assume the worst. I had to come to terms with the idea that he might never go to college, might never get married that he might be dependent on his parents for the rest of his life.” Maquel looked into ABA treatment, but it was costly, tens of thousands of dollars a year. It was also too regimented approach for Maquel. DIR was a good fit. She was trained by a therapist at The Children’s Center. She learned how to read her sons’ cues so that she would know when she was facilitating learning, and when she was creating barriers because of her son’s unique disabilities.
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
Original article here.
He Shoots! He Scores! Fire the Coach!
February 6, 2009
By Dan Olmsted
I had a strange reaction to this week’s story about the high school basketball team manager in Maine. As USA Today reported: “Patrick Thibodeau, who has Down Syndrome, trotted onto the floor Tuesday night for the team’s final home game of the season. When the time came to shoot, he nailed a 3-pointer for the second basket of the game. He hit another at the final buzzer.”
This reminds us of the awesome J-Mac, Jason McElwain, the team manager with autism who when he finally got the chance scored 6 three pointers in the last 4 minutes of the last game of his senior year. But here’s my question: Let’s say a third-string player on one of these teams hadn’t been in a game all year — or ever. Coach puts him in the last game. Just so mom and dad can cheer. Kid goes wild! Hits from DOWNTOWN!!! Is un-CON-scious! … all those sportscaster phrases.
Wouldn’t people say, What was this coach thinking? He had one of his best players sitting at the other end of the bench for four long years and didn’t know it? Aren’t we trying to win here? (We sure were back at Danville High School in Illinois.)
Maybe I’m missing something — some health concern, some Title IX thing, some nuance. If so, tell me. But geez, if the kid can play, let him play, not pick up sweaty towels. Don’t make inclusion on the court or on the field a “very special,” made-for-TV story. Make it typical.
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
Original article here.
Autism intervention reins in teen’s behavior
February 5, 2009
After a one-week applied-behavior-analysis intervention that normally costs up to $20,000 but was free because CNN was permitted to film it, autistic 13-year-old Marissa Bilson has improved dramatically, her mother says, although the family must continue to apply the rules established for Marissa.
“It’s all about the teaching,” said behavioral therapist Rick Schroeder, who administered the intervention. “With a child like Marissa, we can’t sit down and discuss it with her — she’s just not going to get that. So we have to take it in small steps. Make them understandable and move on, one step at a time.”
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
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Where Autistic Kids Make Incredible Strides
February 5, 2009
The odds of being diagnosed with autism are one in 150. Here in Connecticut, the number of cases grows each year.
Due to the high need for services for autistic children, a Hartford school launched a unique program for kids with autism nine years ago called the River Street School.
Aiden Millen, a student there, was born the perfect baby, his parents said. He had big blue eyes and a giant smile to match, but as time passed, Aiden’s parents noticed he wasn’t quite connecting with them.
“The biggest thing is, he would get frustrated and he would tantrum because he couldn’t tell us what he wanted,” his mom, Cristin Millen, said.
At 20 months, a doctor diagnosed Aiden with autism.
“He had no words. We used picture cards with him. So, if it was snack time, we showed him a picture of logos and goldfish and crackers and he would give us the picture,” Millen said.
However, now, at nearly 4 years old, Aiden has made incredible strides.
Mom, Cristin said it’s all thanks to his new school, the River Street autism program at Coltsville.
Clinical director Dr. Kathy Dyer said many school districts don’t have the capacity to work with autistic children, but their program is different.
“The staff members are comprehensively trained. They go through an intensive series of courses and they have to take examinations. They need to know the child’s strengths and interests and preferences and then they need to integrate those preferences into the learning activity for the children,” Dyer said.
Speech pathologists work individually with the kids to teach them language and motor skills. When it’s time to let off some steam, students can even visit the sensory room, where they’re able to swing and run around.
But by far, the biggest emphasis is on communication and socialization. Aiden no longer needs picture cards to express his needs.
“He was in his room this morning playing and he came in my room and said, ‘Help please,’ and it’s just so comforting for him knowing he can get what he needs by using his words. It’s just a huge accomplishment,” Millen said.
Aiden’s mom said River Street has done wonders for her son and has improved the quality of life for their family as well.
“I’m happiest when a family says I had a vacation this year, or a mom says to me, now I can go to the gym,” Dyer said.
“The social aspect of meeting other parents, the speech, having the behaviors under control, potty training, it’s just all a huge source of support. It’s life changing, it’s absolutely life changing when you have a good program,” said Millen.
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
To read the rest of the article see here.
Betting on beating the odds
February 5, 2009
If you think you have it tough read the story below.
After years of working to improve the lives of their two autistic children, Greg and Tiffany Gehring have another battle to fight.
Greg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November.
It started out with a simple backache in the upper/mid-back, said the 40-year-old St. Francis man.
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| St. Francis couple Greg and Tiffany Gehring are no strangers to challenges raising two autistic children. Recently they started a new challenge – Greg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November. (Photo by Tammy Sakry) |
As a drywall taper, it’s happened before, said Greg.
But the muscle rubs and the over-the-counter pain relievers were not helping.
After about four weeks, Greg gave into his wife’s suggestion to go to the doctors.
Finding nothing on the Nov. 5 X-ray, the doctors gave him pain killers and muscle relaxers and sent him home.
Two days later, after a big dinner at his mother-in-laws, “the pain got a lot worse,” said Greg.
It was unimaginable, he said.
Tiffany and her mother had both noticed Greg’s eyes were yellow.
A trip to the emergency room did not reveal the source of the pain, but Greg’s blood count was off.
“I figured it was my gall bladder. I would have to get it out,” he said.
The next day a MRI revealed a little spot on his pancreas.
“They basically said don’t worry,” Greg said. The chances he had pancreatic cancer was 2 percent, he said.
When the doctor came in with the results, he closed the door and sat down.
“I knew it was not good,” said Greg.
Pancreatic cancer.
“It hit me like a ton of bricks,” said Greg.
The doctor had to call Tiffany because he didn’t want to tell her, according to Greg.
With the diagnosis in, Greg did not waste time setting up surgery.
Because he wanted to be home for their daughter Tatum’s fourth birthday and for Christmas, Greg went in for the 12-hour surgery.
Surgeons removed the head of Greg’s pancreas, 30 percent of his stomach, the gall bladder and parts of his small intestine and his liver.
They were successful at removing the cancerous mass, said Greg.
With only four of 10 lymph nodes showing the cancer, the surgery was considered a success, he said.
But shortly after returning home, Greg noticed blood in his urine.
The doctor determined it was a stomach ulcer and gave him medication, said Greg.
Jan. 3 Greg started throwing up massive quantities of blood.
Back in the hospital, doctors discovered a tiny leak in the pancreatic sutures, said Greg.
They also discovered a mass in his liver.
Once the pancreatic cancer is in the body, doctors can’t get rid of it, said Tiffany.
Greg started the new year with a six-week chemotherapy regimen.
The doctors said he has six months to a year to live, said Tiffany.
“I don’t believe them. I don’t feel like I’m dying,” said Greg.
He will follow the doctors’ orders to the letter, just not that one, he said.
The doctors originally told him there was only a 2 percent chance that he had pancreatic cancer, said Greg.
“Then I should be in the 2 percent chance of beating this cancer,” he said.
Greg was asked by a friend what was on his “bucket list.”
“I haven’t even thought of any ideas for a bucket list. I’m not there yet,” he said.
This is just another obstacle to get through, like the children’s autism, said Greg.
His current plan is to do what the doctors tell him, play with the kids and having as much fun as possible, he said.
“I’m going through life like I always do,” Greg said.
“I can’t help being happy around the kids.”
They keep him from feeling sorry for himself or from noticing how sick he is feeling, Greg said.
As much has he is enjoying being at home with his kids and Tiffany, a stay-at-home mom, Greg said he wants to return to work.
The last time he worked was Nov. 7, 2008 and he really misses the guys he works with and going to work.
“I’m afraid he will miss out on time with the family if he is working,” said Tiffany.
While Greg’s health insurance is covering most of his medical bills, the couple are behind on their bills.
He had just got back to work after being laid off, said Tiffany.
The couple recently filled for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
They were going to let the house go and move into his mother-in-law’s, said Greg.
But they forgot to take into account the effect it would have on their autistic children.
Logan was hurting himself while Greg was in the hospital and Tatum started having problems while attending Lifelong Learning Center, something she loves to do, said Tiffany.
Logan reacts to stressful situations by hurting himself and Tatum had more tantrums, Greg said.
“If they had to move it would kill Logan,” said Greg.
“This is his place and it is what he knows.”
“And if something where to happen to Greg, Logan couldn’t handle it all. It would be too much,” said Tiffany.
The couple, who have married for nearly seven years, are trying to work with the bank to keep their home and modify their $1,800 monthly mortgage.
Right now they are about four months behind, said Tiffany.
They also want to be able to stay in the neighborhood, which has been very supportive, according to Tiffany.
People have been bringing over food and cards. One of the neighbors even went on a milk run for him, said Greg, who admits to becoming a chocolate milk addict since his November surgery.
His co-workers have also been extremely supportive, he said.
One co-worker brought over a really good back massager, toys for the kids, Cub gift card and gave Tiffany $50 and told her to do something for herself, said Greg.
His co-workers also raised $1,500 for them during a benefit.
There will be larger benefit for the Gehrings March 7 at the Coon Rapids VFW.
Although Greg was resistant to the benefit at first, family and friends were able to talk him into it after the couple decided to try and save their house.
Once of his neighbors, Steve Kretsinger, is the lead guitarist for High Noon and he offered to play the benefit for free, said Greg.
Now he is excited to see friends he has not seen in 20 years, he said.
And his excited to see who will win the autographed jersey of his favorite quarter back, Brett Favre.
While some of his friends have distance themselves from the Gehrings, Tiffany encourages them to call her husband and tease him like normal.
“I haven’t changed. Treat me the same,” Greg said.
First fight
When Logan followed a year after the Gehrings’ February 2002 wedding, autism was the last thing on their minds.
There had been no children in either of their families born with autism, said Tiffany.
She was concerned about Down syndrome and the other ailments that could strike children, she said.
“Autism wasn’t on the list to be concerned about,” Tiffany said.
Logan stopped saying mommy and daddy and eating around 11 months, Greg said.
He would have severe temper tantrums and stopped playing with his toys, he said.
All Logan wanted to do was watch videos and drink from a baby bottle, said Tiffany.
During a visit to the pediatrician’s office, the doctor noticed Logan tuned out the entire world and would walk into things because he did not see them, according to Greg.
It was hard for the couple to hear their son could have autism.
While the couple hated the pediatrician at the time, they are grateful to her now.
Early detection and treatment are the best in the long run, said Tiffany.
Logan was a little more than a year old when he was diagnosed as having severe classic autism.
The only thing he knew about autism at that time was 1988 movie, “Rain Main,” said Greg.
Greg played a lot of sports in high school and he had dreams and hopes for his son, said Tiffany.
“It was hard for him to hear (the diagnosis),” she said.
The development disorder affects social interaction and autistic children can be overwhelmed by every day stimulus and exhibit repetitive behaviors.
Logan would only eat baby food because he could not handle the feel of solid food in his mouth, said Tiffany.
“I can’t tell you how many times he has thrown up because he couldn’t handle it,” she said.
Although some autistic children do not display affection, “Logan is just amazing. He can still love and hug,” Greg said.
Logan loves going to kindergarten at St. Francis Elementary School and his fellow students love him, said Tiffany.
When pregnant with their daughter, Tiffany was told there would only be a 5 percent chance that she could have another autistic child.
Although originally misdiagnosed with a different neurological disorder, Tatum also has autism.
She is more in tune with the world and is higher functioning than Logan, said Tiffany.
Tatum gets stuck in her routines and has to have everything lined up, she said.
Although the couple attempted to get the children into special schools, like Minnesota Early Autism Project, they were turned away.
They didn’t want to accept Logan because they were afraid they would not succeed with him and harm their success rate, said Greg.
The project would only take Tatum because she is higher functioning, he said.
The couple decided to enroll both children in St. Francis Independent School District 15.
“Tatum loves it,” said Tiffany.
While she is more social than her brother, Tatum likes to just watch the other kids. She’s a diva, according to her mother.
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
To read the rest of the article see here.
Faiths learn to include autistic children
February 5, 2009
CALDWELL, N.J. — Religious congregations in North Jersey should take steps to include people with autism and other developmental disabilities in their worship and activities — even if they can’t say “amen,” participants at a conference recently were told.
The Caldwell College program was intended to teach participants how churches and synagogues can become more welcoming to people whose behavior, communication and social skills are outside the norm.
“It’s not just that we want little kids with autism to learn to sit quietly so they can go to church with the rest of us,” said Mary Beth Walsh, an adjunct professor of theology and the mother of a boy with autism. “We want our faith communities to take the vanguard in showing how inclusion works.”
The program drew about 50 people to the Catholic college, a leader in training educators in applied behavioral analysis, the only scientifically proven method for teaching children with autism.
One in 94 children born in New Jersey is diagnosed with autism, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 150,000 people in the state have developmental disabilities.
“Here’s a huge group of people who are out there, waiting to be included,” Walsh said.
She described how, during the course of three years, she gradually introduced her son to church services and to participation in religious instruction classes. He learned that the bread of Communion is special. He practiced walking with his peers from the back of the church to the front to receive his first Communion. He was proud of those achievements, and looks forward to attending religious instruction classes, she said.But parents said it is often hard to find a religious home.
While 36 percent of families with typically developing children have a “strong affiliation” with their faith community, only 19 percent of those with children on the autism spectrum say they do, according to a recent survey cited by Walsh.
One mother said that when she started bringing her son to church, she was “broken inside,” from the pain of the diagnosis and the daily struggles she faced. But as people in the pews in front of her turned to stare when her son made noise, she felt rejected.
For Catholics, as for most religious traditions, “embracing people with disabilities is part of all our missions,” said Anne Masters, director of pastoral ministry with persons with disabilities for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
“It is part of our teachings,” she said. “We just have to learn to do it.”
Wondering if your child has the symptoms of autism? What Autism treatments Work Best? Save your child from a challenged future by spotting the signs of autism early and learn the therapies that can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life at Autism Symptoms & Treatments
To read the rest of the article see here.