Early intervention can normalize brains in autistic children

Published by Daily Democrat
An intensive early intervention therapy that is effective for improving cognition and language skills among very young children with autism also normalizes their brain activity, decreases their autism symptoms and improves their social skills, a nationwide study has found.

The researchers said the study is the first to demonstrate that an autism early intervention program can normalize brain activity.

"We know that infant brains are quite malleable and previously demonstrated that this therapy capitalizes on the potential of learning that an infant brain has in order to limit autism's deleterious effects," said study author Sally Rogers, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and a researcher with the UC Davis MIND Institute.

"The findings on improved behavioral outcomes and the ability to normalize brain activity associated with social activities signify that there is... READ MORE >>

Image courtesy of chrisroll / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sexuality - Considerations and Practical Teaching

Autism Awareness Centre Inc. 

I attended a presentation last week on practical approaches to teaching sexuality and want to share what I've learned. Teaching sexuality is often a daunting task whether you are a parent or professional. When it comes to ASDs, there is a two-fold problem: physical development is often typical while cognitive and social-emotional development are delayed and some sexual behaviours may be rooted in other causes such as sensory issues, rigid patterns of behavior, or the enjoyment of negative attention. You have to be a detective and investigate the reasons why sexual behavior is bein...more »

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Video: Living with autism & 7 ways to keep your relationship strong

Elaine Hall 

Parenting a child with autism is no easy feat and puts even greater stresses on a marriage. In this video, Elaine Hall provides seven tips to help keep couples with one or more children with autism together.

The New York Times references Elaine Hall as “The Child Whisperer.” Her profound bond with children has been the defining force of her life and has led her to the successive miracles she documents with grace, humor and heart in her memoir: Now I See The Moon: A Mother, a Son, and the Miracle of Autism.

Source: Autism Support Network

Nobody Knows Anything: Autism Edition

The novelist and screenwriter William Goldman famously wrote that until a movie opens, "nobody knows anything" about how well it will do at the box office.

This quotation came to mind as I read two recent stories about possible causes of autism in the New York Times. The first, published on the front page Aug. 23, reported on a study that suggested the older a man is when he becomes a father, the more likely his child is to have autism.

Three days later, on the front page of its Sunday Review section, the Times published an article by Moises Velasquez-Manoff that declared autism is an inflammatory disease caused by a faulty immune system. Theorizing that the lack of parasites in the developed world has thrown the human immune system out of whack, Velasquez-Manoff suggests that autism has become more common because the parasites that used to limit inflammation no longer regulate our immune systems. He approvingly mentions a new trial in which autistic adults are being treated withtrichuris suis, a type of worm meant to help put the immune system back in balance.

My point in bringing up Goldman's "nobody knows anything" quote is not necessarily to criticize... MORE >>

Our Journey with Easton

Our sweet son, Easton, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder just after the age 2. He is funny, loving, affectionate and smart. He deserves love, compassion and acceptance like all children do!

Published on Aug 7, 2012 by Ailish Irwin

THANK YOU to Ailish Irwin for sharing her story. Amazing. Inspiring. And so filled with love.

Serendipity: Our Family’s Special Journey Through Autism

My husband and I are both practicing physicians. We are blessed with two lovely children – Raphael and Ysabell. Sometime in 2001, I decided to lay low in my medical practice and devote more time for our family. It came as no surprise to people close to me for they had always known that my husband and I put our family first at all times. We moved to a home in a more quiet suburban metro, to allow more space for our growing children. We agreed that the arrangement was temporary, and that I would resume private practice after 5 years, when the kids would already be in school. Everything was just perfect.

The Symptoms

Both our children loved to sing and they did sing rather well even at an early age. Most days were filled with songs and lullabies. We hardly noticed at first that that was all that Ysa did all day – sing. Even before age 2, she memorized all Barney songs and rendered them heartily every waking moment. We barely noticed that she would not answer when her name was called; we thought she was just “suplada” like some older women in our family. She called me “Mama” but we failed to see that she was just mimicking a TV ad, and called every one else by the same name. Her brother would often bring her out to play, though she preferred parallel play as expected at her age. Often times, she refused to follow instructions and would throw temper tantrums when she couldn’t get her way. We thought it was her personality and more discipline would be the answer. She was at par, if not advanced, in her gross motor skills though we were very much surprised at... READ MORE >>

Man writes about living with form of autism

By Harry Jackson Jr. | St. Louis Post-Dispatch 

ST. LOUIS - Aaron Likens was almost grateful nine years ago when he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.

He'd found the source, finally, of the blurred confusion that had hampered his life.

Living with autism "is like running hurdles and not jumping," he said.

He survived the years before his diagnosis because, "My father never let me lose my confidence," he said.

Aaron told his story last month at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis. His presentation helps decode what goes on in the mind of a person with autism spectrum disorder, the umbrella description for the levels of autism from incapacitating to high functioning.

Aaron also was promoting his book, "Finding Kansas," the story of his life with Asperger's. More than 100 people attended his talk. Many were seeking answers that would help them to help their own children. Some just wanted affirmation.

"I never intended to write a book," he said. "I wrote to tell my dad who I was and why I was."

"I always knew he was special," said Jim Likens, Aaron's father, who lives in the St. Louis area like his son.

"He knew his alphabet at 18 months old. He could spell all the words in his Speak and Spell by the time he was 3," Jim Likens said. By the time he was 6, he was an expert at board games; unbeatable at Monopoly. He taught himself to multiply... READ MORE

Harry Jackson Jr

Explaining himself

Aaron Likens, 29, combines the story of part of his life with an explanation of how someone with Asperger's syndrome sees the world. More than 100 people attended Likens' talk. He was ending a 15-city book tour promoting his book, "Finding Aaron Likens, 29, pictured May 15, combines the story of part of his life with an explanation of how someone with Asperger's syndrome sees the world. More than 100 people attended his talk last month in St. Louis.