Its amazing how an Autistic child continues to grow and develop considering how their diets are so limited at times. Is this a cause of Autism or a clue to what lies ahead? The more clues the better, the earlier the better as well. this article points to being able to identify children at one month who MAY have an ASD, this would be welcome news as the best remedy for Autism right now is getting the right therapy in Early Childhood.

New research on the finicky eating habits of children with autism finds that while autistic children do tend to eat a less varied diet than other kids, their feeding preferences have little negative effect on their height, weight and growth.

Researchers at the University of Bristol began with a database of all children who were born between 1991 and 1992 and enrolled in a long-term study in Avon, England. The children’s caregivers completed detailed food questionnaires describing the kids’ eating habits at five intervals, beginning at 6 months and continuing to age four and a half. Since autism is generally not diagnosed until after age 2, when children begin speaking, the study captured feeding habits in children well before parents were even aware their children may be affected with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). That means their answers to the questionnaires were less likely to be biased by knowledge of their child’s eventual autism status.

By the end of the study, when the children were 7 years old, 79 had been diagnosed with an ASD, compared with 12,901 who had not.

Researchers found that by the time they were 1 month old, autistic children were already 35% more likely than unaffected children to be slow feeders. By 1 year, their diets were considerably less varied – they ate fewer vegetables and fruits, but they also consumed less sweets and carbonated beverages. By that age, parents also reported that children with ASD were nearly twice as likely to be choosier about their food than unaffected children.

However, the scientists found no significant differences in the total energy intake or overall carbohydrate, fat and protein consumption between the autistic children and the controls at 18 months. All the children were similar in height, weight and body mass index (or BMI, a ratio of height and weight used to measure obesity). “For parents of an autistic child, these data suggest they needn’t be too concerned about their child’s eating habits,” says Pauline Emmett, a nutritionist and one of the authors of the paper published in Pediatrics. “In general, these children are not going to end up malnourished. I think it’s a hopeful message for parents.”

Read more at Time.com

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For the past year or so, I have tried to watch every movie with an Autism link in it in hopes of learning or as a source of inspiration. And for the most part, this has worked in providing insight and further understanding. Recently, I watched the Temple Grandin movie starring Claire Danes on HBO last night. All I can say is very well done and impressive. I highly suggest making time to view this movie which to me was dead on.

Here is a speech given by Temple Grandin that is sure to educate and inspire. Here are some insights from Temple on what to do as soon as you know or see an indication of Autism. “When I was a little kid, I had all the symptoms – no speech and really severe autism,” she says. “You’ve gotta work with the kids really young … My mother made sure I had my first job when I was 13, working for a seamstress. When I was in college, I had internships at a research lab and at a school for autistic kids.” Early intervention is key.

There are a wealth of great tips and insights in this video for anyone who is in contact with an autistic person- Focus on strengths, Don’t punish sensory issues, The Autistic brain is highly detailed and constantly at work, limit surprises. Thinking in pictures- a mind that works like Google search engine for images and more…

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• Autism through a time machine (thestar.com)

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• What’s the Story About Gastrointestinal Problems in Kids With Autism? (usnews.com)
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There is no cure for ASD.  Therapies and behavioral interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about substantial improvement.  The ideal treatment plan coordinates therapies and interventions that meet the specific needs of individual children.  Most health care professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

Educational/behavioral interventions:  Therapists use highly structured and intensive skill-oriented training sessions to help children develop social and language skills, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis.  Family counseling for the parents and siblings of children with ASD often helps families cope with the particular challenges of living with a child with ASD.

Medications:  Doctors may prescribe medications for treatment of specific ASD-related symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.  Antipsychotic medications are used to treat severe behavioral problems.  Seizures can be treated with one or more anticonvulsant drugs.  Medication used to treat people with attention deficit disorder can be used effectively to help decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.

Other therapies:  There are a number of controversial therapies or interventions available for people with ASD, but few, if any, are supported by scientific studies.  Parents should use caution before adopting any unproven treatments.  Although dietary interventions have been helpful in some children, parents should be careful that their child’s nutritional status is carefully followed.

What research is being done?

In 1997, at the request of Congress, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) formed its Autism Coordinating Committee (NIH/ACC) to enhance the quality, pace and coordination of efforts at the NIH to find a cure for autism (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders/nih-initiatives/nih-autism-coordinating-committee.shtml). The NIH/ACC involves the participation of seven NIH Institutes and Centers: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders,  the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.  The NIH/ACC has been instrumental in the understanding of and advances in ASD research.  The NIH/ACC also participates in the broader Federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) that is composed of representatives from various component agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the U.S. Department of Education and other government organizations.

In fiscal years 2007 and 2008, NIH began funding the 11 Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE), coordinated by the NIH/ACC.  The ACEs are investigating early brain development and functioning, social interactions in infants, rare genetic variants and mutations, associations between autism-related genes and physical traits, possible environmental risk factors and biomarkers, and a potential new medication treatment.

Where can I get more information?

For more information on neurological disorders or research programs funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, contact the Institute’s Brain Resources and Information Network (BRAIN) at:

BRAIN
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
(800) 352-9424
http://www.ninds.nih.gov

Information also is available from the following organizations:

“Autism Fact Sheet,” NINDS. Publication date September 2009.

NIH Publication No. 09-1877

Prepared by:

Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient’s medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated October 19, 2009

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A new twist on the PECS system of communication and a great way to start off the new year. An app for Autistics that could one day morph into a bluetooth enabled device that offers voice prompts? Need more innovation and courage in developing new solutions to help those with Autism, and this is a great start.

What is most appealing to me is you can easily upload a photo of anything you want and add it to the picture library for future reference and use or for use right now! Its very close to spontaneous communication. Its a great app and sure to be a smashing success.Thanks Hammie and your developer for a new ray of hope to Unlock Autism.

Link to the original site

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Written By Lourdes Salvador of www.americanchronicle.com

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by social withdrawal, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors. Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated as causes of autism, moreover a high body burden of mercury and other toxic metals from vaccinations and environmental exposures has been increasingly given more attention.
Thimerosal is mercury containing vaccine preservative added to many childhood vaccines. It is widely suspected as a cause of an increasing widespread epidemic of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Now, a new study shows that administration of thimerosal leads to long lasting neurological impairment in rats, specifically by altering the neural process of handling noxious stimuli.
Analysis also shows that significant amounts of mercury from thimerosal accumulates in the rat brain and remains long term. The mercury is not readily cleared, as was previously believed. Though mercury readily leaves the blood stream, it does not leave the body. It is now recognized to accumulate in brain tissue.
Additionally, this research is supported by various prior studies which show that children with autism suffer from a weak ability to excrete mercury and that the weaker the ability, the more severe the symptoms of autism.
Now, two new research studies investigating the effects of chelation therapy on the health and behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders have discovered that children receiving chelation to reduce mercury levels had significant improvements.
It appears that mercury may produce they symptom set recognized in the autism spectrum disorders as a form of autism.

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Not good news on the research front.

A study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics indicates about 1% of children 3 to 17 have autism or related disorder

Results based on national telephone survey of more than 78,000 parents
CDC official: “This is a significant issue that needs immediate attention”
Researchers saying finding could reflect heightened awareness of disorder

Today, 1 in 91 have Autism.  Boys were four times as likely as girls to have ASD, and non-Hispanic black and multiracial children were less likely than non-Hispanic white children.

The question on everyone’s ,mind is where will these children go to school and what will become of their lives as they enter adulthood.

The Educational system and job market is already overburdened. We need to act quickly on all fronts, Quickly with intervention, quickly with therapy and services and in providing a better Education opportunity.

Now I must go and update my User Name to 1 in 91, down form 1 in 150 children have Autsim today.

PS – I am not liking what I am hearing about candles recently. Cheap candles are horrible to burn inside. The wick may contain lead and the wax is filled with nasty stuff… So many things correlate with the rise in ASD- computers and the web, cellphones, plastic bottles, Korean cars it could be anything and everything…

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Finally a positive article about Autism and why not, the attention, focus and commitment to detail found in most Autistics would make anybody a more productive worker, and they probably wont gossip too much either.

Radical Ideas from

Thorkil Sonne: Recruit Autistics

By Drake Bennett

Most occupations require people skills. But for some, a preternatural capacity for concentration and near-total recall matter more. Those jobs, entrepreneur Thorkil Sonne says, could use a little autism.

Sonne reached this conclusion six years ago, after his youngest son was diagnosed with the mysterious developmental disorder. “At first I was in agony and despair,” he recalls. “Then came the thought of what happens when he grows up.”

In Sonne’s native Denmark, as elsewhere, autistics are typically considered unemployable. But Sonne worked in IT, a field more suited to people with autism and related conditions like Asperger’s syndrome. “As a general view, they have excellent memory and strong attention to detail. They are persistent and good at following structures and routines,” he says. In other words, they’re born software engineers.

In 2004, Sonne quit his job at a telecom firm and founded Specialisterne (Danish for “Specialists”), an IT consultancy that hires mostly people with autism-spectrum disorders. Its nearly 60 consultants ferret out software errors for companies like Microsoft and Cisco Systems. Recently, the firm has expanded into other detail-centered work-like keeping track of Denmark’s fiber-optic network, so crews laying new lines don’t accidentally cut old ones.  Read more at WIRED.com

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With autism, parents have extreme concerns about future independence, finances and isolation, compared to more common worries of parents with typically developing children

(Washington, December 16, 2008) — Parents of children with autism are struggling with a host of worries that impact every aspect of their lives, and are particularly fearful that their family will lack the life-long supports needed to address the significant challenges of autism, according to a new study released today by Easter Seals and made possible by MassMutual Financial Group.

Easter Seals’ Living with Autism Study results reveal parents raising children with autism are very concerned about the future independence of their children. In fact, they’re far more concerned than parents of typically developing children — nearly 80 percent say they’re extremely or very concerned about their children’s independence as an adult, compared to only 32 percent of other parents. This is especially true when it comes to their financial independence, quality of life, social and inter-personal connections, and employment and housing opportunities — and with good reason.

Autism is a growing public health crisis, with millions of families desperate for solutions and resources. Easter Seals and others in the autism community are doing their best, but current systems, structures and resources to help people with autism and their families do not adequately meet the growing need, especially for adults with autism.

“The study quantifies what we’ve heard anecdotally over the years,” says Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH, Easter Seals national director, autism services. “The one consistent message Easter Seals hears from the families we serve — after the initial apprehension and anxiety of learning their child has autism — is an overwhelming concern about the life-long supports their child with autism may need to be independent.”

Study Shows Parents’ Hope for Independence . . . Financial and Otherwise
The nationwide study provides new insight into the ongoing challenges facing individuals and families living with autism, particularly their concerns about the future. It’s unique in that it closely considers and quantifies the very real concerns of parents of children with autism in relation to parents of typically developing children.

A sampling of the findings:

• Parents of children living with autism are very concerned about their children fitting into society, with very few feeling their children will be able to:
  • Make his or her own life decisions (14% compared to 65% of parents with typically developing children)
  • Have friends in the community (17% compared to 57% of typical parents)
  • Have a spouse or life partner (9% compared to 51% of typical parents)
  • Be valued by their community (18% compared to 50% of typical parents)
  • Participate in recreational activities (20% compared to 50% of typical parents)
• Children with autism also are less likely than their typically developing peers to have bank accounts (37% vs. 55%) and use electronic products like cell phones (9% vs. 41%) or MP3 players (23% vs. 49%) — all tools of mainstream society.
• Many parents of children with autism report they’re “financially drowning,” with concerns for their children’s financial independence seeming to far surpass the worries of typical parents. Seventy-four percent of parents of children with autism fear their children will not have enough financial support after they die, while only 18% of typical parents share this fear.

  They also express extreme financial strains and costs associated with caring for a child with autism, with more than half stating that the cost of caring for my child:

  • Drains my family’s current financial resources (52% compared to 13% of typical parents)
  • Will drain my family’s future finances (50% compared to 10% of typical parents)
  • Will cause me to fall short of cash during retirement (54% compared to 13% of typical parents)
• Key to adult independence is employment, yet only 24% of teenagers with autism have looked for a job, compared to 77% of their typically developing peers. And 76% of parents of children with autism are concerned about their child’s future employment, when only 35% of typical parents share this fear.

“Families living with autism face so many challenges on a daily basis,” says John Chandler, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of MassMutual’s U.S. Insurance Group. “But this study has really brought home for us how much stress they face when it comes to their current financial situation, the future of their child with autism, their other children and their own retirement. Our hundreds of Special Care Planners across the country are in a great position to help make at least this part of their struggle easier.”

As an Easter Seals corporate partner and the study sponsor, MassMutual is committed to serving people living with autism and other disabilities through its exclusive SpecialCareSM program, an innovative solution that gives families with individuals with special needs access to information, specialists, and financial strategies that can help improve their quality of life.

Easter Seals worked with Harris Interactive, and in cooperation with the Autism Society of America, to conduct the Living with Autism Study and survey 1,652 parents of children who have autism and 917 parents of typically developing children about daily life, relationships, independence, education, housing, employment, finances and healthcare.*

Study Findings to Drive Solutions
“Easter Seals strives to make data-based-decisions,” Wright says. “With this study, the disparities that parents of typically developing children and parents of children with autism experience can now be shared via solid numbers.”

Easter Seals will use the study results to raise awareness of and advocate for the life-long services millions of families living with autism desperately need — including school to work transitions, employment support, residential and community support, and financial planning.

“For parents of kids with autism, there are no simple answers,” adds Wright. “There is an urgent need for increased funding and services — especially for adults with autism. Easter Seals wants to help change all of this and make a difference for families living with autism today.”

*Methodology
This Easter Seals’ Living with Autism Study was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Easter Seals between June 16 and July 17, 2008 among 1,652 parents of children age 30 and under who have autism and 917 parents of typically developing children age 30 and under. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.

About Easter Seals
Autism is a lifelong disability that affects the way a person’s brain functions, involving challenges in communication, social skills, and behaviors. While there is no known cause or cure, autism is treatable and people with autism can — and do — lead meaningful lives. Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Visit www.easterseals.com or http://www.actforautism.org/ to learn more about autism, find services at an Easter Seals near you, or help change the lives of people living with autism by becoming a donor or volunteer.

About Harris Interactive®
Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research that is powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.

About MassMutual Financial Group
MassMutual is a leader in helping people with disabilities and other special needs and their families through its exclusive SpecialCareSM Program, an innovative outreach initiative that provides access to information, specialists, and financial solutions that can help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and other special needs and their families and caregivers. For more information and resources on autism, go to www.massmutual.com/autism.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual and its subsidiaries had more than $500 billion in assets under management at year-end 2007. Assets under management include assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual’s subsidiaries. Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a mutually owned financial protection, accumulation and income management company headquartered in Springfield, Mass. MassMutual’s major affiliates include: OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC (http://www.finra.org/ and http://www.sipc.org/); MassMutual International LLC and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. MassMutual is on the Internet at http://www.massmutual.com/.

About the Autism Society of America (ASA)
ASA, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.autism-society.org/.

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Psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen and his colleagues at Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre have created the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, or AQ, as a measure of the extent of autistic traits in adults. In the first major trial using the test, the average score in the control group was 16.4. Eighty percent of those diagnosed with autism or a related disorder scored 32 or higher. The test is not a means for making a diagnosis, however, and many who score above 32 and even meet the diagnostic criteria for mild autism or Asperger’s report no difficulty functioning in their everyday lives. You can take the test here.

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We recently we received this email from Autism Speaks, an organization that is doing great job these days with Autism Awareness. The email speaks of the promise of Autism Treatments being covered by insurance. I say-Why stop at New York State? Why not make it nationwide or worldwide?  Governor Plain, Senator McCain since it was part of your platform, why does the support you promised have to end with the election? President Obama and VP Biden, a good idea is a good idea. We can all do more to be supportive of Autism sufferers as we should for anyone suffering with a disease or sickness.

But seriously, can anyone imagine the cost of cancer care, surgery and treatments,  not being covered by insurance? Hundreds of thousands of dollars a month or more that I am aware of and I am 1000000% thrilled that it is mostly 100% covered by insurance. That is how it should be in the medical system we have today.

Given the high degree of clinical research data showing how treatments can help benefit Autism sufferers, essentially at every age and stage of life but especially before the age of 3, 7 and 12 years of age. The time has come to get serious about Autism and insurance companies need to step up and begin covering for the treatment of Autism, and government needs to somehow impose on either the insurance comanies or themselves a retro-active refund of coverage or tax credit for prior years spending because $20, $30, $50,000 a year or more on treatment don’t last too long even while making a very healthy six figure income .  We insure our health, not against specific diseases- at least that’s what I’ve always thought I was buying into with insurance -does anyone know how that works? Send me a comment..  Does this mean a child with Autism will never be able to be covered by insurance because of a pre-existing condition that has a real chance of being reversed with proper treatment coverage in the first place? Ok you getthe point..

Perhaps the folks I mention above need to watch the movie Sicko by Michael Moore, because it seems to me a lot of people are getting it right when it comes to medical care and it isn’t in the United States of America- which few love more than I.

Here is the email. Get Involved and Take Care.

Imagine a time when autism treatment is covered by insurance. That dream can be a reality for New York state.

Thank you! For 10 years, the autism community has been coming together for Autism Speaks. This year alone over 50,000 strong will unite in Walk Now for Autism Speaks in Long Island, New York City, Rochester, Central New York, Capital Region, Sullivan County, Greater Hudson Valley and Westchester County – raising money and awareness for Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism advocacy organization in the world. Your time, talent, resources and donations help move ground-breaking research forward and to advance the autism cause. Dollars raised through our Walk Now for Autism Speaks program are the fuel for all of our efforts!

New York State’s time is NOW for insurance legislation. New York has the ability to pass insurance reform this session.

Over the next few weeks we will be in a critical time for this legislation and we will be asking for all of New York state to take action – calling and emailing their senators and assembly members.

“OPT IN” for news about this legislations and action alerts about how you can help. Sign up for Autism Votes today at www.autismvotes.org. If you don’t register you will not receive the action alerts.

Be part of history! Have your voice heard in Albany. Help make it possible for families to get coverage for autism.

The time for this legislation is now – and you can make it happen. You have already taken the first step of being part of our grassroots efforts in New York state by participating or supporting our Walk program. Take the next step and help the almost 130,000 families in New York state who live with autism every day get the coverage they deserve.

UPDATE – It was great to see Sarah Palin marching alongside others at the Autism Walk in Westchester, NY this weekend. Keep it up Sarah, our children need high level partners and supporters in government.

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Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, and Unlock Autism today applauded Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Hank Johnson (D-GA) for their introduction of a House companion bill to the Senate’s Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA), which was introduced last month by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Like the Senate version, the House version of the ATAA (H.R. 2413) is comprehensive federal legislation that addresses several critical challenges facing the autism community, including increased funding for scientific research, treatment and services. The ATAA incorporates provisions from the Expanding the Promise of Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA), originally proposed by Representatives Doyle, Smith, Engel, and former-Representative Chip Pickering.

A welcome sign of relief  to many who routinely spend $30-$50k on therapy’s – not even considered for reimbursement by insurance companies.

As in the Senate’s ATAA bill, a key section of the House bill requires all insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASDs), including coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy – a medically-necessary, evidence-based autism treatment. While the number of states that have enacted comprehensive autism insurance reform legislation has grown to ten, most state insurers are still allowed to specifically exclude coverage for these critical services, which can cost upward of $50,000 a year – well beyond the means of most families.

The House version of the bill also addresses the unique needs of adults with ASDs, creating a demonstration project with one-year planning grants and multi-year implementation grants for the provision of service for adults with autism. In addition, it creates the Network for Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Services aimed at accelerating the dissemination and utilization of critical, new information, moving it from “bench to bedside” as quickly as possible.

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Can leaching plastics be involved with the rise in Autism? In m y view ABSOLUTELY! These days everything which was once housed in glass is now in plastic. Plastic water bottles embossed with company logo’s straight from the  capital of lead poisining – China, fill almost every corporate portfolio of chatzke giveaways. Its time to rid ourselves of plastics and go back to glass. Rep Charles Schumer of NY has just recently proposed a ban of BPA’s in any baby product, at least someone is aware and doing something about it!
BPA or Bisphenol A is Everywhere – Are We Safe?
BPA otherwise known as Bisphenol A is a compound widely used in the manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins. This
industrial chemical has created quite a stir since 2007 and is still a subject of intense controversy. BPA can be found
in plastics around us and is in the products that we use every day, from DVDs to eyeglasses to mobile phones.
Normally, BPA is harmless, that is, until it gets in contact with food and drinks and leaches out. According to
a report of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), “the primary
source of exposure to BPA for most people is through the diet…BPA in food and beverages accounts for the majority
of daily human exposure.”

However, not all plastics contain BPA. Plastics are categorized into 7 types according to the recycling process
and the classification codes are located at the bottom of plastic containers. According to NTP, only plastic no. 7,
designated as “other” contains BPA. Incidentally there are other organizations which report that BPA is also found in
plastic no. 3.

Some of the adverse effects that BPA may cause include the following:

BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) that mimics the neurotoxic properties of the hormone estrogen.
According to the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) of the Association of Occupational and
Environmental Clinics (AOEC). “BPA has been associated with increases in developmental disorders of the brain and
nervous system in animals. These developmental disorders in animals are like problems such as ADHD (attention deficit
hyper-reactivity disorder) in humans.”

PEHSU reports that “BPA may cause changes in cells in breasts, the uterus, and the prostate which can increase
risk of cancers.” The September 2008 report of NTP suggests that BPA exposure may be linked to prostate and brain
cancer.

The NTP report also says that BPA can cause behavioral problems in fetuses, infants and children. It can induce
early onset of puberty in girls and can cause reproductive disorders.

High BPA levels have been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

It comes as no surprise that these findings have generated a strong anti-BPA movement worldwide. To understand the
controversy behind BPA, let’s look at some of the events that have occurred in the last two years.

March 2007. A class action lawsuit was filed against baby bottle manufacturers on behalf of Californian babies who
may have been adversely affected by BPA.

November 2007. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati published an article in Toxicology Letters
(online edition) reporting that BPA is leaching out of the polycarbonate bottles popularly used as drinking bottles.
This report led to Nalgene plastic bottles taken off the shelves in Canada.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested infant formulas for BPA and detected BPA in some of the most
popular brands. When questioned, 4 out of the top 5 companies admitted using BPA in their packaging.

January 2008. The National Center for Environmental Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
published a paper which reported that BPA was detected in the urine of 92.6% of 2,517 participants during the
2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES).

April 2008. Canada announced its plans to ban
BPA-containing bottles. The US FDA established an
agency-wide BPA task force to facilitate cross-agency
review of current research and new information on BPA for
all FDA regulated products.

May 2008. In a health call, “leaders of the Committee on
Energy and Commerce threatened to subpoena the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for records the agency used in
determining that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) was safe
for use in making infant formula liners and other products
intended for infants and children”, according to a report
in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

July 2008. The European Food Safety Authority’s AFC Panel
declared that human exposure to BPA is too low to cause any
real harm. According to the panel’s report, the human body
rapidly metabolises and eliminates BPA out of the body.
September 3, 2008

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) issued a report on
BPA, expressing the following concerns: – “some concern”
for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in
fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures
to BPA. – “minimal concern” for effects on the mammary
gland and an earlier age for puberty for females, in
fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures
to BPA. – “negligible concern” that exposure of pregnant
women to BPA will result in fetal or neonatal mortality,
birth defects, or reduced birth weight and growth in their
offspring. – “negligible concern” that exposure to BPA will
cause reproductive effects in non-occupationally exposed
adults and “minimal concern” for workers exposed to higher
levels – in occupational settings. “Some concern”
represents a midpoint in a 5-point scale of concern, with
“serious concern” as the highest and “negligible concern”
as the lowest.

September 2008. Researchers at the University of Exeter
(UK) re-examined the previously mentioned NHNES BPA urine
data. They found that high levels of BPA in the urine were
associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular
disorders, diabetes, and kidney problems. The BPA
Subcommittee of the Science Board to the US FDA met on
September 16, 2008 to discuss BPA assessment.

October 2008. Two studies reported research results in mice
exposed to BPA. One study reported that pregnant mice
exposed to BPA suffered from altered the cellular structure
of the breasts. A second study showed that female mice’s
exposure to low-dose BPA during fetal life or adulthood
caused alterations in maternal behaviour.

Researchers at University of Cincinnati report that BPA is
linked to chemotherapy resistance. The study demonstrated
that “BPA does not increase cancer cell proliferation like
DES [cancer-promoting compound called diethylstilbestrol]
does. It’s actually acting by protecting existing cancer
cells from dying in response to anti-cancer drugs, making
chemotherapy significantly less effective.”

The Canadian government announced the drafting of
regulations that will prohibit the import, sale and
advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain BPA.

Based on a review by a subcommittee, the US Food and Drug
Administration (US FDA) stated that “consumers should know
that, based on all available evidence, the present
consensus among regulatory agencies in the United States,
Canada, Europe, and Japan is that current levels of
exposure to BPA through food packaging do not pose an
immediate health risk to the general population, including
infants and babies.” In addition, the US FDA thinks the
Canadian restrictions on BPA are “out of an abundance of
caution.”

January 2009. The US FDA and Health Canada’s Health
Products and Food Branch hosted a meeting of
representatives of U.S and Canadian manufacturers and users
of food packaging materials containing BPA. They discussed
what is to be done to help minimize the levels of BPA in
food. The meeting was also part of FDA’s efforts to assist
the manufacturing industry in its voluntary BPA reduction
efforts.

So what can we do to protect ourselves from BPA?

Recommendations from PEHSU – Avoid plastics with symbol # 3
(PVC or polyvinyl), symbol # 6 (PS or polystyrene foam) and
symbol #. Do not microwave food/beverages in plastic. Do
not microwave or heat plastic cling wraps. Do not place
plastics in the dishwasher. If using hard polycarbonate
plastics (water bottles/baby bottles/sippy cups), do not
use for warm/hot liquids. Use safe alternatives such as
glass or polyethylene plastic (symbol #1). Avoid canned
foods when possible (BPA may be used in can linings). Look
for labels on products that say “phthalate-free” or
“BPA-free”.

Recommendations from the Center for Science in the Public
Interest (CSPI): Avoid plastic containers made of
polycarbonate. Any bottle or container made of
polycarbonate has the recycling No. 7 on the bottom. When
possible, prepare or store food—especially hot foods
and liquids—in glass, porcelain, or stainless steel
dishes or containers. If you have polycarbonate plastic
food containers, don’t microwave them. The plastic is more
likely to break down and release BPA when it’s repeatedly
heated to high temperatures. Don’t wash polycarbonate
plastic containers in the dishwasher. The detergent may
break down the plastic, which could release BPA. Use infant
formula bottles that are made of glass or BPA-free plastic.
BornFree (newbornfree.com) is one of many companies that
make them. When you can, replace canned foods with foods
that are fresh, frozen, or packaged in aseptic
(shelf-stable) boxes. At least one manufacturer—Eden
Foods—lines its cans with a BPA alternative made from
plant extracts. A good alternative to polycarbonate is
polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), which has the recycling
No. 1 on the bottom. Avoid older versions of Delton dental
sealant…Most dental sealants are free of BPA. However,
older Delton sealants contain a compound that breaks down
into BPA, mostly during the first day after it comes into
contact with saliva.

—————————————————-
The article BPA or Bisphenol A is Everywhere – Are We Safe?
may be found in it’s entirety with references and links on
http://HealthWorldNet.com .

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I believe it is safe to say this could work with any kid who loves Spidey, not just a person with Autism.

BANGKOK (AFP) – A Thai fireman turned superhero when he dressed up as comic-book character Spider-Man to coax a frightened eight-year-old from a balcony, police said Tuesday.

Teachers at a special needs school in Bangkok alerted authorities on Monday when an autistic pupil, scared of attending his first day at school, sat out on the third-floor ledge and refused to come inside, a police sergeant told AFP.

Despite teachers’ efforts to beckon the boy inside, he refused to budge until his mother mentioned her son’s love of superheroes, prompting fireman Sonchai Yoosabai to take a novel approach to the problem.

The rescuer dashed back to his fire station and made a quick change into a Spider-Man costume before returning to the boy, he said.

“I told him Spider-Man is here to rescue you, no monsters are going to attack you and I told him to walk slowly towards me as running could be dangerous,” Somchai told local television.

The young boy immediately stood up and walked into his rescuer’s arms, police said.

Somchai said he keeps the Spider-Man costume and an outfit of Japanese television character Ultraman at the station in order to liven up school fire drills.

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Just saw this report, could vaccines be the great dead end towards finding a cure? It seems an awful lot of money has been spent and many pointing fingers..

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A special U.S. court ruled against three families on Thursday who claimed vaccines caused their children’s autism.

The Vaccine Court Omnibus Autism Proceeding ruled against the parents of Michelle Cedillo, Colten Snyder and William Yates Hazlehurst, who had claimed that a measles, mumps and rubella vaccines had combined with other vaccine ingredients to damage the three children.

“I conclude that the petitioners have not demonstrated that they are entitled to an award on Michelle’s behalf,” Special Master George Hastings, a former tax claims expert at the Department of Justice, wrote in the Cedillo ruling.

The families sought payment under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a no-fault system that has a $2.5 billion fund built up from a 75-cent-per-dose tax on vaccines.

No judges but instead three “special masters” heard the three test cases representing thousand of other petitioners.

They asked whether a combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, plus a mercury-containing preservative called thimerosal, caused the children’s symptoms.

Read More here

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Here is an update on the recent Salmonella Poisoning affecting the Peanut Butter Industry. I wonder how this will effect those allergic to anything with Peanuts?

Recently, the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) issued a
recall of peanut butter manufactured from its Blakely,
Georgia production plant after reports from nearly 500
individuals who had developed salmonella poisoning because
of infected peanut butter flooded health officials.

The contaminated peanut butter has caused at least seven
known deaths and is expected to continue to affect
individuals across the United States as the contaminated
peanut butter has been used in several varying products
ranging from crackers to cookies. Individuals are advised
to avoid consumption of peanut butter containing products.
However, those who have already been affected by the peanut
butter recall may want to locate an experienced attorney
who can provide assistance in the development of a peanut
butter recall lawsuit, which may result in compensation of
monetary means for a victim of the dangerous and
life-threatening recall.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella poisoning occurs because of an infection known
as salmonellosis, which is derived from the bacteria
salmonella. According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) “salmonella is actually a group of
bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans.”

According to the CDC, “approximately 40,000 cases of
salmonellosis are reported in the United States” each year,
however, “because many milder cases are not diagnosed or
reported, the actual number of infections may be thirty or
more times greater.” It is common that children are to
develop salmonella more frequently than adults, however,
individuals of any age can become infected with the
disease, which has been associated with to nearly 400
fatalities each year.

Salmonella Causes

Individuals who develop salmonella usually develop the
infection by consuming foods that have been “contaminated”
with animal feces. Most commonly, the foods that can be
affected include the following, according to the CDC:

* beef

* poultry

* milk

* eggs

While contaminated foods are often of animal origin, nearly
any food product can become infected with the bacteria
including vegetables and fruits, especially amoang foods
with undercooked meats or eggs, such as the following:

* homemade Hollandaise sauce

* Caesar and other homemade salad dressings

* tiramisu

* homemade ice creams

* cookie dough

* frostings

* mayonnaise

* raw or unpasteurized milk/dairy products

Additionally, if an individual handles any of the following
animals, he or she may become infected with the bacteria,
even if an animal appears healthy and normal:

* chicks/chickens

* young birds

* turtles

* lizards

* snakes

* pets of any kind

While salmonella can be killed by washing hands, if an
individual does not properly wash hands or
cross-contaminates utensils, such as knives or cutting
boards, they may be at risk for exposing others to
salmonella poisoning.

Those who have suffered from salmonella may be subject to
receiving monetary compensation for the pain they have
endured due to foods containing salmonella. It is important
to discuss a salmonella case with an experienced law firm
to learn about the details of a potential salmonella
poisoning lawsuit.

——————————

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The Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance will hold a Public Hearing regarding the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 10am to discuss the management of Autism in New York State with specific attention to early diagnosis and intervention. The meeting will be held in Chancellor’s Hall in the State Education Building at 89 Washington Avenue (use the entrance on Hawk Street) in Albany.

During the hearing, testimony will be presented to evaluate programs and treatment options that already exist in this state for children with ASD, as well as evaluating what can be done to improve their living standards and assist families and caregivers with their many burdens, including financial, of dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

This is the perfect opportunity for our community to demonstrate to the NYS Assembly that the autism community is dedicated to these issues – enough to show up in the winter cold and at holiday time – it’s just that important!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1) DRIVE TO ALBANY! This is a great chance for our community to demonstrate how important this issue is moving forward with our physical presence.  Please plan on attending.  We want to PACK THE ROOM!

2)  FORWARD THIS EMAIL FAR AND WIDE! Again, we want to pack the room so send this to anyone that you think could attend: neighbors, coworkers, family members, your child’s therapists!

3) REGISTER TO STAY INFORMED! If you haven’t signed up already, please visit the Autism Votes website and sign up to receive action alerts as we move forward on autism insurance reform in the state of New York!

Thank you for your help in this effort,

Your New York State Chapter Advocacy Chairs:

Jim Fahey, CAC – All New York State
NewYorkCAC@autismspeaks.org

Julie Rotunno, CAC – New York City
NYCCAC@autismspeaks.org

Julie Buick, CAC – Rochester
RochesterCAC@autismspeaks.org

Sharan DePalma, CAC – Westchester
WestchesterCAC@autismspeaks.org

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The development, maintenance, and repair of myelin is the single most important factor affecting cognition and behavior, according to a UCLA neurology professor who has collected extensive data on the nerve insulator. In an article to be published in an upcoming issue of Biological Psychiatry, George Bartzokis, MD, asserts that myelin may be the universal cause or contributor to a wide range of neuropsychological brain disorders, from autism to Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Bartzokis, who directs the UCLA Memory Disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease Clinic in Los Angeles, suggests that using noninvasive imaging technology to view the miles of myelin in the brain as it grows and breaks down throughout a human life cycle may offer insights leading to the development of new treatments for brain disorders. Nicotine, which studies have suggested enhances the growth and maintenance of myelin, could be one such novel treatment.

In some of the first research to approach brain disorders from a myelin-centered point of view, Dr. Bartzokis studied the effects of cholinergic treatments, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) that are used to improve a neuron’s synaptic signaling in people with diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Some data suggest that such treatments may even modify or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s as well as other diseases.

Nicotine, Age, and Disease

Dr. Bartzokis hypothesizes that cholinergic stimulation at neuronal synapses affects the myelination process throughout brain development in the course of a human’s lifetime.He found in clinical trials that cholinergic treatment protects brain cells, while postmortem and imaging data have shown cholinergic receptor changes during brain development and degeneration. Trials have also revealed epidemiologic evidence that nicotine from tobacco may have a protective effect on degenerative diseases of old age and younger psychiatric populations. Cholinergic treatments have also shown efficacy in the aging process and age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, as well as some neurodegenerative diseases like autism and ADHD.

According to Dr. Bartzokis, myelination development resembles an inverted “U” over the course of a lifetime, with increasing myelin development peaking in middle age and breaking down and declining in later years. Following the analogy of the Internet, Dr. Bartzokis says the “connectivity” provided by myelination increases speed by 10-fold and decreases refractory time by 34-fold. Thus, myelination increases the “bandwidth,” or processing capacity, of our brain’s Internet by 340-fold and is “indispensable for developing our uniquely elaborate higher cognitive functions.”

Different cortical regions myelinate at different ages, with later-myelinating oligodendrocytes growing increasingly more complex as we age. Irregular development during the most complex stages of the myelination process contributes to several of the neuropsychiatric disorders that tend to manifest in the early years. These disorders—eg, autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, mood disorders, addictions—are defined by overlapping cognitive and behavioral symptom clusters.

According to Dr. Bartzokis, healthy individuals with normal myelin development typically lose 45% of their myelinated fiber length when they reach the degeneration phase in adulthood. This change in the brain may cause progressive losses of memory and cognitive functions, as well as mild to severe behavioral changes.

The loss of myelin and its components such as sulfatide, myelin basic protein, and cholesterol begins early in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, well before diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The myelin breakdown process is further modified by risk factors such as the presence of APOE ε4 or environmental factors such as a head trauma.

Nicotine’s Effect on Myelination and Repair

Recent research has unveiled some surprising findings on the influence of nicotine on myelination and the aging process. Direct nicotinic stimulation associated with smoking has been shown to increase nicotinic receptors in the late myelinating frontal and temporal intracortical regions. Unlike most agonists, nicotine causes an up-regulation of its receptors and has been shown to accelerate brain function recovery when white matter is damaged.

Nicotine dependence is common among people with psychiatric disorders. Some researchers have suggested the high prevalence of nicotine use among the psychiatric population represents an unconscious effort to “self-medicate.” Research on proteins has suggested that nicotine may marginally increase the expression of myelin proteins; other addictive drugs (eg, cocaine, alcohol) along with developmental diseases (eg, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression) show a decrease of these proteins.

Other research has found an association between nicotinic stimulation and protective effects in schizophrenia and autism, where cortical myelination deficits have been documented. While nicotine has well-known negative effects on overall health, smoking during later years is also associated with a reduced likelihood of the development of degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Using the myelin-centered model, the apparent beneficial aspects of smoking on brain disorders can be attributed to nicotine’s stimulation of oligodendrocyte precursors. Dr. Bartzokis believes that nicotine, delivered through a patch, not through smoking cigarettes, should be studied for its efficacy in promoting the growth and maintenance of myelin, and that AChEIs “deserve much closer scrutiny” as a therapy for the prevention of both developmental and degenerative brain disorders.

—Kathlyn Stone http://www.neuropsychiatryreviews.com/07jan/myelin.html

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Wanted to repost this article we shared afew months back. I was shocked that the baby formula I was ent home with from the hospital and provided by Similiac used PVC and was stamped with code #3. Why are we still using this stuff?

It’s worth avoiding all plastics if you can. You can identify a plastic by looking at the recycling code number that appears inside a triangle at the bottom of many containers.

Resin code #3 – Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can leach phthalates, known male reproductive toxicants. It can be identified by code 3. One way to avoid it in the kitchen is by choosing plastic wrap made from polyethylene rather than PVC. If a box is not labeled, find a brand that is or call the manufacturer.

Resin code #6 – Polystyrene is used in Styrofoam products. It may leach styrene (a neurotoxin) when it comes into contact with hot, acidic, or fatty foods. It’s marked with recycling code 6.

Resin code #7 – Polycarbonate can leach bisphenol-A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor associated with a long list of health concerns. Baby bottles, “sippy” cups, 5-gallon water jugs, and reusable beverage bottles are typically made out of this plastic. Products may be marked with recycling code 7 (also includes any plastic that doesn’t fit into the 1 to 6 recycling code categories) and/or the letters “PC.”

The following plastics are considered safest for food storage. Glass and stainless steel are the best options as they do not have pores and bacteria catching scratches.

Resin code #1 – Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene (PETE), code 1.

Resin code #2 – High-density polyethylene (HDPE), code 2.

Resin code #4 – Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), code 4.

Resin code #5 – Polypropylene (PP), code 5.

Useful tips for when you do use plastic..

* Don’t microwave food plastic containers. HEat creates a good environment for chemicals to be re-activated and to leach out when plastic is heated. “Microwaveable plastic” doesn’t guarantee anything. Cover foods in the microwave with wax paper or a plate. If you do use plastic wrap, then make sure it doesn’t touch the food.

* Avoid putting hot foods in plastic containers. Let leftovers cool off before storing them in plastic.

* Take good care of plastics by not washing them with harsh chemicals, and dispose of scratched and worn containers. Just as your vet suggests no plastic bowls for your pets, we should follow the same advice.

Not sure about you, but i dont recall seeing plastic bottles around when I was a kid, it was glass and that was it. Now with nearly every child drinking form plastic and then followed up with nearly every adult drinking form a Poland Spring plastic water botle, its no wonder we are all poisopning ourselves! Use glass or stainless steel, avoid plastic!

For more green tips, visit Green and Ready

We use a product called BornFree made of “Glasstic” out of canada, one of the first PBA free plastic products on the market, but I would still prefer a glass baba for my kid. Here is a link to Consumer Reports story on this subject

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=====================================================

Looks like we are making progress..

President-Elect Obama has drafted comprehensive autism legislation, including a section addressing a broad based federal autism insurance mandate.

In his Presidential campaign statement on Autism Spectrum Disorders, President-Elect Obama committed to bringing autism insurance reform to the entire nation. The statement stated that Obama and Biden “will mandate insurance coverage of autism treatment and will also continue to work with parents, physicians, providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective solutions for people with ASD.” For the complete campaign statement, and to read the draft legislation, go to http://www.autismvotes.org.

=====================================================

Please be true to your word and fund more in depth research regarding the causes and prevention of Autism

and other PDD’s   1 in 150 is an epidemic of the worst proportions as it affects defenseless children and can destroy families, wreak hvvac on local school board budgets and community taxes. We need solutions now.

Here are some suggestions, Investigate and report back within 12 months time any connection regarding

- Plastic PBA’s, Cell Phone Signals and Mercury laced shots

- Providing economic support for families who actively seek and complete therapy’s currently not covered under health insurance

- Providing economic support on a per child basis still in the school system for providing a more precise and personalized education platform and goals to work towards. I do well for my family but paying $10-$25,000 for treatments, or more per year is just a bit too much to afford.

- Increasing regulation and oversight over Autism related treatments, too much hope being sold with snake oil out there

- Creating a national database of what works for which conditions best, right now its trial and error over and over again

- Provide $10 billion in funding Autism research asap, at both the commercial and holistic levels.

12 months is aggressive, but we need to fast track this as it continues to grow in numbers both in terms of those afflicted, and those it affects.

Do it Barrack, help our children and make this your legacy while still in office, not in the last few weeks of office.  Do it now..

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You may recall seeing the Eye Chart last time you visited the doctor. Today it is also common to see the entire human body chart, inner ear chart, neck, back and knee joint models and other props for the doctor to use with patients when explaining our all too common ailments.

With the explosive growth of Autism rates, can we expect to see more of this chart appearing in a pediatricians office near you?

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During the 3rd Presidential Debate, held at Hofstra University recently, both candidates spoke about autism. In response to a question from CBS News’ Bob Schieffer, “why would the country be better off if your running mate became president” the senators made the following remarks:

Sen. McCain: …She (Sarah Palin) also understands special needs families. She understands that autism is on the rise. We’ve got to find out what’s causing it and we’ve got to reach out to these families and help them and give them the help they need as they raise these very special needs children. She understands that better than almost any American that I know. I’m proud of her.

Sen. Obama: …I think it’s very commendable the work she (Sarah Palin) has done on behalf of special needs. I agree with that John. I do just want to point out that autism for example or other special needs will require some additional funding if we’re going to get serious in terms of research. That is something that every family that advocates on behalf of disabled children talks about. And if we have an across the board spending freeze we’re not going to be able to do it.

In response to the Bob Schieffer’s question “Do you think the federal government should play a larger role in the schools and I mean federal money?” the senators made the following remarks:

Sen. Obama: I do think it is important for the federal government to step up and help local school districts do the things they need to do….We did the right thing by saying every school should provide education for children with special needs but we never followed through on the promise of funding, and that left local school districts very cash strapped.

Sen. McCain: In town hall meeting after town hall meeting, parents come with kids, children, precious children who have autism. Sarah Palin knows about that better than most. And we’ll find, and we’ll spend the money on research to find the cause of autism, and we’ll care for these young children and all Americans will open their wallets and their hearts to do so.

We finally may have some real representation in the government with either candidate.  Palin knows the pain personally, Obama seems to understand  the need for federal funding of local schools. Should be interesting how this plays out, lets keep the Special Needs topic front and center.

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Dear Friends:

The Third Annual Rockland County Autism Symposium will be held on September 25, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Suffern, NY. Once again, I am pleased to co-sponsor this symposium with Camp Venture, Inc., the Needelman Family and Mindworks, a private foundation.

We are again privileged to feature presenters from prestigious institutions, who are dedicated and distinguished experts in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Our focus this year will be on new research, abnormalities in sleep, pharmacological treatment, a look at adults with Autism and more. You may view the full program and information on our speakers, above.

Last year, our Symposium set the Rockland County record for attendance at any symposium to date. We look forward to this year’s event with great anticipation, and your attendance and participation is both valued and appreciated. Through the generosity of the Needelman Family and Mindworks there is no fee for registration and a complimentary lunch will be provided. To secure a seat, please click the reservation link and do it soon! Last year, we reached maximum capacity well in advance of the event. Please feel free to pass this information onto others interested in Autism.

I look forward to seeing you at this event on September 25th.

Sincerely,

John Murphy
Rockland County Legislator
President, Camp Venture, Inc. Board of Directors

Here is a short fundraiser video on the Camp Venture Equestrian Therapy program.

2008 Autism Symposium
Holiday Inn Holidome & Conference Center
3 Executive Boulevard
Suffern, NY 10901
Thursday, September 25, 2008
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission:Free for pre-registrants
$25.00 for walk-in and late registrants
Contact: Betsy Saetre
(845) 638-5184

or visit http://www.rocklandautismsymposium.com/

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This is the idiot who caused millions of dollars and years of research to go to waste. All this for 55,000 British Pound Sterling. Where are is the tar and feathers?  What has Elsevier done to make it up to all of our children ? How about $100 million in Autism funding ?

The editor of the Lancet said last night that the scientific paper which sparked the row about the safety of the MMR vaccine would not have been published if senior staff had been aware that its lead author had not revealed “a serious conflict of interest”.

Richard Horton said that Andrew Wakefield, the doctor whose research suggested a link between the triple jab against measles, mumps and rubella and autism, had made “an important error of judgement” in failing to say he had received an alleged £55,000 from the Legal Aid Board, now the Legal Services Commission to investigate grounds for legal action by parents of allegedly vaccine-damaged children.

Dr Wakefield’s article, published in the medical journal six years ago, caused a drop in uptake of the MMR vaccine and protracted argument. It also made the author a pariah in the eyes of the medical establishment.

Two months ago senior doctors boycotted a televised debate on the vaccine, scheduled to run after a Channel 5 drama documentary about Dr Wakefield’s work, as they regarded it as biased and emotive.

Dr Wakefield, who worked at the Royal Free Hospital, in north London, when the paper was published, denied last night that the authors of the report had any knowledge that one child investigated for the study reported in the Lancet had a legal aid certificate at the time.

Investigations as a result of allegations made to the Lancet in the past few days suggest that as many as four of the 12 reported cases may have been on a list of 10 children on whom Dr Wakefield was commissioned by a solicitor to make studies. The exact number has still to be confirmed.

The two studies were completely separate and money from the Legal Aid Board was paid into a special research account administered by the hospital trust.

Dr Wakefield said: “Whether parents perceived an association with MMR vaccine or not, whether parents had approached lawyers with an intent to seek legal redress, or whether children were in receipt of legal funding or not, had no bearing whatsoever on their selection for clinical investigation of inclusion in the Lancet report.”

The paper in fact did not claim to prove a link between the MMR vaccination and autism, although Dr Wakefield said at its launch that he thought parents might be advised to give the jabs separately.

Mr Horton refused to reveal last night who had made six serious allegations of research misconduct. Three were not accepted.

“We regret that aspects of funding for parallel and related work and the existence of ongoing litigation that had been known during clinical evaluation of the children reported in the 1998 Lancet paper were not disclosed to editors.

“We judge that all this information would have been material to our decision-making about the paper’s suitability, credibility and validity for publication.”

The Lancet would publish an editorial commentary and statements from researchers involved in the 1998 study “as soon as possible”.

Mr Horton underlined how seriously he viewed the case. “In my view, not to disclose such a serious conflict of interest was an important error of judgement and conflicted with our guidelines on conflict of interest at the time.

“It is always very difficult with hindsight, but if we had known Dr Wakefield was not only lead investigator in the Lancet paper but also had been commissioned by the Legal Advisory Board, I am sure our view would have been this was a fatal conflict of interest and we would not have published the paper.”

Dr Wakefield’s co-authors have become increasingly critical, saying they believe in the safety of the MMR. Dr Simon Murch and colleagues have continued to research links between inflammation of the gut and autism and believe there is evidence of an association.

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Its comical and sad really how a well known doctor with a “Clinic” named after him could charge $2,500 for an evaluation, before admitting an Autistic child into their program. Evaluate what, the files?

I mean come on here, are you here to help or just profit? I understand the need to evaluate prior to providing services but these kids come with volumes of medical folders which one needs a milk crate to carry them around. It’s not as though an Autistic kid is coming in cold, by the time one is ready for the “Clinic” they may have seen upwards of 20-30 doctors and had dozens of tests from neurological to nutritional to IQ and most likely has been engaged in thousands of hours of therapy.

Its a shame or perhaps a sham that doctors would put profits in front of services. Or maybe they just want the right kids , on the cusp of a breakthrough, in the program so it looks more effective. Who knows these days, everyone seems to be “Selling” hope these days, instead of providing it.

Ranting and Raving because I am disgusted with the notion of Medicine being big business. When was the last time a disease was cured? Polio I believe it was – why? Because drug companies make more money from treating a disease than curing a disease. Medicine should not be free enterprise, it should not be free, but it should be there when people need it.

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Where as I appreciate any and most attention Autism receives, I feel a bit sickened by the fact that celebrity’;s seem to be leanding their names solely for the purpose of publicity.

Jenny is cool, but her book talks about she is able to afford the therapy’s that most of us only dream of or mortgage our homes for.  the therapy’s she mentions in the book are not hers, they are those of Berdard and Tomatis. Deidre Imus was a big factor in passing the Combating Autism Act, which is a lame act of empty promises. Where is she now? Robert Kennedy, now I was shocked to see how much attention he gets for helping Autism get reserach dollars, I thought he was an enviormentalist? And what is President Bill; Clintoln doing rasing money for children in far off lands, most of which wil never even see the dollasr raised when 1 in 150 children in the US are diagnosed with Autism, shame on you Bill! I don’t know, maybe I am wrong here and maybe, just maybe getting celebrity endorsement is better than none, but what have we gained since Autism is such a celebrity cause? A few best sellers or rehashed gobblee goop?

This is not a part time thing here, this is a life long condition and for most finanacial burden. What do we have to do, go on TV and get sponsors for individual families here in the states? We need insurance reforms like we see taking place in a few states like New Jersey, we need the medical community to rally here. Autism is horrible and the numbers climb ever day, why is it not being treated as an epidemic, but rather as a celebrity attention grabber!!?? What are your thoughts. Please share them and lets take the bull by the horns ourselves and Unlock Autism.

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We could use a hand in finding material to share with others like you. If you have an experiences or know of other great resources for information, Please leave some comments or write to us at info@unlockautism.com This site is for us all. We are trying to direct you to pertinent information about Autism. Success stories and information about therapy’s and diets which helped or those which didn’t. Keep in mind, not all therapy’s will work for all. Autistic people are individuals in the truest sense of the word, with loving and caring families trying to unlock autism and let that person out.

If we can gather enough stats and information, perhaps we can help others. For us personally, Its been a whole lot of Love, Therapy’s and at times Snake Oil. Whats worked for us has been, ABA, Signing Time, Auditory Integration and Omega’s plus the usual OT, PT and Speech. But also encouraging more social engagement.

All I know is that we as parents know what works and what doesn’t, lets help those who are just discovering Autism. Let us help each other from being fooled by the latest and greatest therapy’s promising miracle and instant cures.
If you are interested in getting involved with UnlockAutism.com, let us know and share your wisdom.

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From Age of Autism – What will happen to the Monkees ?

The first research project to examine effects of the total vaccine load received by children in the 1990s has found autism-like signs and symptoms in infant monkeys vaccinated the same way. The study’s principal investigator, Laura Hewitson from the University of Pittsburgh, reports developmental delays, behavior problems and brain changes in macaque monkeys that mimic “certain neurological abnormalities of autism.”

The findings are being reported Friday and Saturday at a major international autism conference in London.

Although couched in scientific language, Hewitson’s findings are explosive. They suggest, for the first time, that our closest animal cousins develop characteristics of autism when subjected to the same immunizations – such as the MMR shot — and vaccine formulations – such as the mercury preservative thimerosal — that American children received when autism diagnoses exploded in the 1990s.

The first publicly reported results of this research project come in both oral and poster presentations on Friday and Saturday at the International Meeting For Autism Research in London. Poster presentations must go through a form of peer review before they are presented at the conference; the papers have not yet appeared in a scientific journal.

In addition to Hewitson’s oral presentation today, on Saturday in one of two related poster presentations, the researchers also are reporting in their abstract that “vaccinated animals exhibited progressively severe chronic active inflammation [in gastrointestinal tissue] whereas unexposed animals did not. We have found many significant differences in the GI tissue gene expression profiles between vaccinated and unvaccinated animals.” Numerous scientific studies, as well as many parents, report severe GI ailments in children with regressive autism.

The results are sure to be controversial, in part because they lend credence to studies first published in 1998 by British pediatric gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield, one of Hewitson’s co-authors on these findings. He described an unusual inflammatory bowel condition in children who had regressed into autism after they received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. Wakefield is currently fighting charges of medical misconduct in Britain over allegations of conflict-of-interest and improper procedures related to that paper. He denies the charges.

In the program for the conference, the 7th Annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), there are three separate presentations listed that report results from the overall research program. The first, an oral presentation entitled “Pediatric Vaccines Influence Primate Behavior, and Amygdala Growth and Opioid Ligand Binding” (the “amygdala abstract”) was led by Dr. Hewitson and lists 12 co-authors, including five of her colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Wakefield. Other authors are chemists, pathologists and psychologists from the universities of Kentucky, California-Irvine, and Washington.

Hewitson’s introductory presentation will be followed by two poster presentations on Saturday; one of the two, “Pediatric Vaccines Influence Primate Behavior, and Brain Stem Volume and Opioid Ligand Binding”, was led by Wakefield and includes six additional co-authors.

It focuses on the developmental effect of vaccine exposures on brain growth during infancy. The second, “Microarray Analysis of GI Tissue in a Macaque Model of the Effects of Infant Vaccination,” was led by Steven Walker of Wake Forest University and performed gene array analysis on the intestinal tissues of the vaccinated and unvaccinated monkeys.

The studies address – albeit in animals, not children — one of the major criticisms by parents and scientists concerned about a possible link between the greatly stepped-up immunization schedule in the 1990s, including higher exposure to the mercury preservative, and autism. While the Food and Drug Administration approves individual vaccines as safe and effective, and an advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the childhood immunization schedule adopted by the states, the overall health outcomes from the total vaccine load, versus no vaccinations at all, have never been compared, the authors said.

A bill requiring the government to conduct a study of autism rates in unvaccinated American children is pending in the U.S. House of Representatives, co-sponsored by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Tom Osborne (R.-Neb.). Just this week, former National Institutes of Health Director Bernadine Healy called for more research into a possible vaccine link to autism and said the question had not been settled, despite repeated assertions to that effect by the CDC, the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In the abstract for today’s oral presentation, the authors noted that macaques, the type of monkey used in the study, “are commonly used in pre-clinical vaccine safety testing, but the combined childhood vaccine regimen, rather than individual vaccines, has not been studied. Childhood vaccines are a possible causal factor in autism, and abnormal behaviors and anomalous amygdala growth are potentially inter-related features of this condition.”

The study found evidence of both behavioral and biological changes after the 13 macaque monkey infants were administered proportional doses, adjusted for age, of the vaccines recommended between 1994 and 1999. Three monkeys were not given any vaccines.

“Primate development, cognition and social behavior were assessed for both vaccinated and unvaccinated infants using standardized tests developed at the Washington National Primate Research Center.” MRI and PET scans looked for brain changes after administration of the MMR.

“Compared with unexposed animals, significant neurodevelopmental deficits were evident for exposed animals in survival reflexes, tests of color discrimination and reversal, and learning sets,” the authors reported. “Differences in behaviors were observed between exposed and unexposed animals and within the exposed group before and after MMR vaccination. Compared with unexposed animals, exposed animals showed attenuation of amygdala growth and differences in the amygdala binding of [11C]diprenorphine. Interaction models identified significant associations between specific aberrant social and non-social behaviors, isotope binding, and vaccine exposure.”

One of the Saturday abstracts makes the further point that the research “revealed significant differences between exposed and unexposed animals” in the kinds of developmental behaviors a mother might be able to observe, “with delayed acquisition of root, suck, clasp hand, and clasp foot reflexes.” They conclude by noting that “This animal model examines the neurological consequences of the childhood vaccine regimen, Functional and … brainstem anomalies were evident in vaccinated animals that may be relevant to some aspects of autism. The findings raise important safety issues while providing a potential animal model for examining aspects of causation and disease pathogenesis in acquired neurodevelopmental disorders.”
–
Dan Olmsted is Editor of Age of Autism.

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Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have recently generated a mice model for autistic savants – a phenomenon in which an autistic person has an outstanding skill alongside his poor ability in social interactions. By using genetically engineered mice in which a specific protein in the brain was inactive, the researchers discovered an enhanced learning ability of the mice, but also an impaired long term memory, which resembles autism characteristics. The scientists hope that in the future, this work will lead to the development of treatment for autism and for other brain development disorders.
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Jenny and Jim, Autism Awareness’s newest and some of the most visible advocates for Autism reserach and CHANGE to lead march on Washington.

March on Washington DC to Clean Vaccine ingredients and request a better vaccination schedule.
JUNE 4th 2008 Visit www.tacanow.org for more info

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Tomorrow, April 2, 2008 is a day committed to Autism on CNN TV. All day they will feature insight into Autism Spectrum Diseases. The CNN web site is already gearing up with tons of fresh content.

It remains one of the greatest mysteries of medicine. Although autism will be diagnosed in more than 25,000 U.S. children this year, more than new cases of childhood AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined, scientists and doctors still know very little about the neurological disorder. full story

Check it out and pass the word.

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I am curious to see Jon Stewarts usually funny and satirical view on Autism. I could use a good laugh.

March 11, 2008

Comedy Central has again partnered with Jon Stewart’s Busboy Prods. for its biannual live on-air special event “Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education.”

The event, which benefits Autism education programs, is set to air live at 8 p.m. ET April 13 from the Beacon Theatre in New York. Stewart will host the evening, which will include live performances, sketches and short films from a range of comedy stars.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com

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We all have our theory’s but its a proven fact that lead destroys the nervous system and ha wiped out whole

populations through acute lead poisoning. Who is to blame and why? This is an interesting story, as i always try to think about

things which were invented or used more than ever the past 15- 20 years like cell phones and computers or the more use of plastics and

increased outsourcing to manufacturers who don’t really mind poisoning our children with lead tainted toys, cookware and clothing.

Environmental Health Perspectives Focus Article

http://www.ehponline.org/members/2008/116-2/focus.html

Face to Face with Toy Safety: Understanding an Unexpected Threat Face to Face with Toy Safety: Understanding an Unexpected Threat

Until March 2007, thousands of kids around the country could be found playing with toy trucks, helicopters, and soldiers sold under the “Elite Operations” brand name. The toys were fun, and they looked great with their thick coat of glossy paint. Trouble was, that paint was loaded with 5,000 ppm lead, a potent developmental neurotoxicant with no known safe exposure level.

When the high lead levels were detected during a routine inspection, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall, the first for a lead-contaminated toy in 2007. Lead-triggered toy recalls were rare, but not unheard of in the United States, with just a handful issued in the last decade. Eventually, nearly 130,000 Elite Operations units—made by a Hong Kong company called Toy Century Industrial and imported by Toys R Us—would be recalled.
group shot of toys
The $22 billion U.S. toy industry sells about 3 billion toys each year. In 2007 there were 81 toy recalls for a variety of reasons. Half of these, involving nearly 6 million toys, were related to lead paint.

In a typical year, the recall would have barely ruffled the $22 billion U.S. toy industry, which sells 3 billion units annually. But 2007 was far from typical as far as import recalls were concerned. Contaminated pet food, cough syrup, toothpaste, and other products—mostly made in China—were being yanked off store shelves under the full glare of the media. Given that most of its wares are made in China, the toy industry ramped up its inspections for lead, and found that high levels were a lot more common than they had assumed. By year’s end, 42 recalls involving nearly 6 million toys had been issued because of excessive lead levels.

Lead-contaminated toys became one of the biggest environmental health stories of recent times. It was shocking to think of children being poisoned while playing, and by lead no less, a toxic metal that consumers assumed had been purged from products long ago. Now lead was back, sparking a furor over toy safety.

Looking for Answers

“The ‘toxic toy’ issue really exposed holes in safety testing procedures,” says Sally Edwards, a researcher with the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. “The CPSC has responsibility for over fifteen thousand products, but it’s underfunded, understaffed, and dependent on voluntary testing by industry. What’s more, the toy industry is highly competitive; consumers expect low prices, and that forces manufacturers to look for low-cost materials. When you externalize the cost of production, you’re going to pay the price somewhere.”
group shot of toys
Who can you trust? Ramped-up safety inspections in recent months revealed that even trusted brands of toys could contain potentially unsafe levels of lead. Many experts cite the shifting of manufacturing overseas—which makes monitoring more difficult—as a reason why hazardous materials are turning up in consumer products.

Years ago, most toys sold in the United States were produced domestically. Now, 87% are produced abroad, according to Santa’s Sweatshop: “Made in D.C.” with Bad Trade Policy, a December 2007 report issued by the nonprofit Public Citizen, and of those, 74% are manufactured in China, where it would seem lead paint is used plentifully. A study led by Scott Clark, a professor of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati, found that 50% of the paint sold in China, India, and Malaysia had lead concentrations 30 times higher than the CPSC standard. That finding was published in Environmental Research in September 2006.

With manufacturing shifting overseas, U.S. toy importers have come to rely increasingly on test results from foreign suppliers. But overseas testing has been problematic for companies to monitor, and growing evidence suggests it’s more sporadic than one might assume. In congressional testimony given on 19 September 2007, Mattel’s chairman and chief executive officer, Robert A. Eckert, conceded that “a few [overseas] vendors, either deliberately or out of carelessness, circumvented our long-established [testing] standards and procedures.” As a result, Mattel wound up with 3 lead paint–triggered toy recalls in 2007.

Jeff Gearhart, campaign director for the Ecology Center, a nonprofit environmental group in Ann Arbor, Michigan, emphasizes that Chinese toys are not the only culprits. The center’s investigations have shown lead-containing toys originate from numerous countries in addition to China, including Canada, Mexico, Thailand, and the United States. “There’s nothing pristine about the U.S.’s regulatory structure or its production practices that would prevent toxic toys from being produced here,” Gearhart says.

Children’s advocates and industry disagree over where the non-DINP phthalates came from. Visit EHP direct to read more or make a comment

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Polish your chrome, rev up your engine and join Autism Speaks in South Florida for the newest ING DIRECT Ride Now event on March 29. Motorcycle riders from various starting points in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will travel via several routes and converge at the Pompano Race Track in Broward County. Enjoy performances by Riders on the Storm and The Guess Who, as well as a motorcycle fair. Learn more.

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By Todd Neale, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: February 07, 2008
Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston.

LONDON, Feb. 7 — A community-based case-control study found no relationship between the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism spectrum disorders, researchers reported here.

“No difference was detected in the distribution of measles antibody or in measles virus in [autism spectrum disorder] cases and controls whether the children had received the first, second, or both MMR vaccinations,” Gillian Baird, Ph.D., of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and colleagues wrote online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

This study reinforces the findings of two case-control studies published last year and three epidemiological studies published since 1999 that also failed to make any connection between the vaccine and autism spectrum disorders.

Analyzing a cohort of children born from July 1, 1990 through Dec. 31, 1991 in the South Thames region of England, the researchers tested the hypothesis that the MMR vaccine contributed to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders, “as evidenced by signs of a persistent measles infection or abnormally persistent immune response.”

Using various diagnostic criteria, Dr. Baird’s team recruited 98 children with autism spectrum disorders. They were divided into those with broad disorders (66) and those with narrow autism (32).

The researchers also recruited two control groups. One comprised 52 children with special educational needs but no signs of autism spectrum disorders, and the other, 90 children who were developing normally.

All participants had blood drawn and all had had at least one MMR vaccination.

The researchers tested for a persistent measles infection in peripheral blood mononuclear cells because viral replication occurs here during acute infection and has been reported to contain measles genome in a small number of autistic children. They used three reverse transcriptase PCR assays. Samples were tested to ensure that they were adequate by using a β2 microglobulin housekeeping gene PCR with a sensitivity of 10 genome copies per reaction mixture.

All samples were negative for the first two assays. On one of the assays — the M gene PCR — three samples were reactive for measles virus, with one sample from the narrow autism group containing the C2 strain and two from the normally developing control group containing the D6 strain. All three samples were negative when retested.

The researchers proposed two explanations for the initial positive finding: laboratory cross-contamination or incomplete immunity, which can allow measles virus to be found in asymptomatic people.

Dr. Baird’s team then tested the blood samples for measles IgG antibody with the plaque neutralization test to look for evidence of an abnormal immune response. There was no difference in IgG antibody levels between those with one or two MMR vaccinations (difference=0 log10 (mIU/mL), 95% CI -0.12 to 0.11, P=0.94).

There were no significant differences between the antibody levels in either autism spectrum disorder group or either of the control groups (P=0.13). Differences did not reach statistical significance when those with one or two vaccinations were analyzed separately (P=0.20 and P=0.66, respectively).

The combined control group of special educational needs and normally developing children did not have significantly lower levels of antibodies than those for the narrow autism (P=0.45), broad disorder (P=0.29), or combined autism/broad disorder (P=0.27) groups.

Some level of regression — either the loss of five or more words used communicatively during a three-month period or a regression of words or skills in communication or play behavior — was reported in 23 children in the broad disorders group but antibody levels were not significantly higher than those in the combined control group (P=0.18).

The researchers acknowledged limitations to the study, including the fact that the participants in the normal development control group were not randomly selected.

Also, parents were informed that the study was about MMR vaccination, which may have biased those who signed up to participate.

The researchers noted that only 29% of children with a local diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders received a second MMR vaccination, compared with 50% of those without such a diagnosis, a finding that “is of public health relevance. … This may reflect parental concern about vaccination following a diagnosis of developmental abnormality.”

The study was funded by the Department of Health, the Wellcome Trust, the National Alliance for Autism Research, and Remedi.

Dr. Baird has acted as an expert witness for the diagnosis of autism. Two co-authors have given unpaid advice to lawyers, and another has served as an expert witness, in MMR and MR litigation. Another co-author receives royalties from diagnostic tools used in this study.

Primary source: Archives of Disease in Childhood
Source reference:
Baird G, et al “Measles vaccination and antibody response in autism spectrum disorder” Arch Dis Child 2008; DOI: 10.1136/adc.2007.122937.

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What is SEED?

SEED stands for the Study to Explore Early Development. It is a 5-year, multi-site collaborative study that will help identify what might put children at risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other developmental disabilities. It is being conducted by six study sites and a data coordinating center called the Centers for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology (CADDRE) Network.

What are the six CADDRE centers?

The six CADDRE centers are:

* California CADDRE: Kaiser Permanente Division of Research and the California Department of Health Services
* Colorado CADDRE: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the University of Colorado at Denver and Heath Sciences Center
* Georgia CADDRE: the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
* Maryland CADDRE: Johns Hopkins University and Kennedy Krieger Institute
* North Carolina CADDRE: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
* Pennsylvania CADDRE: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania

Where exactly is SEED being conducted?

California

a two county area: Alameda and Santa Clara counties

Colorado

the seven-county Denver metropolitan area: (Arapahoe, Adams, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties).

Georgia (CDC)

the five-county metropolitan Atlanta area: Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties.

Maryland

seven jurisdictions in northeastern Maryland: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford and Howard Counties and Baltimore City.

North Carolina

a ten county area: Alamance, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Johnston, Orange, Randolph, and Wake counties.

Pennsylvania

three counties: Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

*CDC also funds Michigan State University to run the study’s Data Coordinating Center and Johns Hopkins University to run the study’s central laboratory.

How were the sites selected?

The sites were originally picked through an open competitive review process in 2001 and funded for 5 years. The sites were selected based on the merit of their application. In 2006, CDC had a limited competitive review process and funded the sites for another 5 years.

How can I enroll my child into the study?

The study is a population based study – meaning that the participants will be recruited from all children and families in each study community who meet certain criteria rather then focusing on individuals at a specific clinic or school. Families of children with specific developmental conditions, as well as a random sample of all children born in the community will be invited to participate. If the invited family is interested, then we ask some questions to determine if they are eligible, and if they are eligible then the family is enrolled.

Can I sign my child up for this study?

Although families can self-refer to participate in this study, they have to fulfill certain criteria in order to be eligible. Some families who self refer may not be eligible. Our goal is to send letters of invitation to all families who may fulfill the eligibility criteria. By sending letters of invitation to as many eligible families as possible, we hope to enroll a representative sample of families in each study area.

Examples of the study eligibility criteria include – the child must be born within the study period, the child must be born and still living in the study area, they must have a legal guardian, they must know English or Spanish (although these vary by site), and they must also meet certain diagnostic criteria.

What will each study participant have to do?

Each parent or caregiver will have to answer questions about their child’s development and their family’s medical history. The study clinicians will perform a brief exam and developmental tests on the child. Each parent and child will have to give small samples of blood, cells from inside the mouth, and a sample of the child’s hair. Finally, we would access the mother’s and the child’s medical records.

Why are we only looking at children in 6 states?

The funding for the study allowed us to support 6 study sites around the country.

Why are we only looking at children between the ages of 2-5?

The study will focus on children who are 2 to 5 years old. This age range was selected to reduce the amount of time since pregnancy and early development so that parent recall of events during these time periods is better, so that medical information is easier to retrieve, so that families are less likely to have moved away from the study area, and it will also be nearer the beginning of treatment for children in developmental intervention programs.

What is being investigated, and why?

* Physical and behavioral characteristics – Autism is a complex disorder and we want to better understand the full range of characteristics that are associated with autism. In this way, we may also better understand how the different causes of autism may be associated with specific subgroups of children within the autism spectrum.
* Infection and immune function, including autoimmunity – We want to follow up on reports that infections, or an abnormal response to infection – called the body’s immune response – may increase the risk for autism.
* Reproductive and hormonal features – We want to follow up on reports that abnormal hormone function – perhaps in the mother when she is trying to get pregnant, or later during pregnancy, or even later in the child after birth – may be associated with autism.
* Gastrointestinal features – We want to follow-up on reports that children with autism have abnormal gastrointestinal function, and whether it may be related to the causes of autism.
* Genetic features – Autism is a highly genetic disorder, but in particular we want to see if the genes that may be related to risk factors we are investigating – such as the genes that control immune function – are associated with autism.
* Socio-demographic features – We want to better understand the social, demographic, and economic features of families that are associated with having a child with autism.
* Smoking and alcohol use in pregnancy – Substance use in pregnancy can potentially harm the developing fetus and so we want to see if these so-called lifestyle factors are associated with autism.
* Sleep features – We want to follow-up on reports that children with autism have abnormal sleep patterns.
* Select mercury exposures – There are several studies, including studies funded by the government, looking at environmental exposures related to autism including mercury. CADDRE didn’t want to duplicate the work of these other studies, but we chose to look at information on vaccines and other types of medical procedures that may have mercury exposure that we can get through medical records.
* Occupational exposures – There are several studies, including studies funded by the government, looking at environmental exposures related to autism including mercury. CADDRE didn’t want to duplicate the work of these other studies, but we chose to ask parents to report to us about possible exposures they may have had at their jobs.

We selected these research factors after an extensive review of the literature. We designated each of the factors as high priority based on the how strongly they seemed to be associated with ASD and what new information we needed to collect about each factor, balanced by how well we could study each factor with our particular study methods.

What “selected mercury exposures” will be studied? How will they be studied? Why were these selected?

The mercury exposures we are looking at relate to vaccines or other medical treatments that are being studied include – vaccines that the mom received during pregnancy, the child’s vaccine exposures after birth and specific other factors such as RhoGAM treatment in pregnancy if the mom has developed an immune response against the fetus that can harm it.

There are several studies, including studies funded by the government, looking at environmental exposures related to autism including mercury. SEED didn’t want to duplicate the work of these other studies, but since we are getting medical records, we choose to look at information on vaccines and other types of medical procedures that may have mercury exposure that we can get through medical records.

Will the study include vaccines as a potential cause of autism?

Yes, the study will include vaccines. The mercury exposures being studies include – vaccines that the mom received during pregnancy, the child’s vaccine exposures after birth and specific other factors such as RhoGAM treatment in pregnancy if the mom has developed an immune response against the fetus that can harm it.

There are several studies, including studies funded by the government, now looking at environmental exposures in autism such as mercury. SEED doesn’t want to duplicate the work of these other studies, but since we are getting medical records, we choose to look at information on vaccines and other types of medical procedures that may have mercury exposure that we can get through medical records.

Will CDC find out if thimerosal causes autism?

It is too soon to speculate on the results of the study. We hope the study will give us a better idea of which of the risk factors that we will be looking at seem to be the most important in causing autism.

If the study shows that thimerosal is a cause of autism, will CDC report the data? What guarantees does the public have that the findings won’t be covered up?

We will report all the findings of the study by following the normal scientific review process as soon as possible.

When the study is completed, will we know the causes of autism?

It is too soon to speculate on the results of the study. We hope the study will give us a better idea of which of the risk factors that we will be looking at seem to be the most important in causing autism. The causes may be related to genes, the environment, or a relationship between the two – such as if some groups of children with certain genes are more easily harmed by some environmental exposures.

Will this study find a prevention/cure for autism?

It is too soon to speculate on what we might find about the causes of autism. But, we are hopeful that the findings from SEED will help the development of future studies specifically designed to assess treatments among children with autism.

What are the other developmental disabilities being studied?

We will be studying a range of other developmental disabilities, including mental retardation, developmental delay, and other behavioral problems in early childhood.

Why are we looking at other developmental disabilities?

By comparing children with autism and children with other developmental disabilities we will try to see if the risk factors we observe in children with autism are unique to autism or if they are also important in children with other developmental problems.

Looking at children with other developmental disabilities will also provide a way of comparing responses of children with developmental disabilities, in general, versus typically developing children.

How will you get the names of children to invite into the study?

We are working with our partners in the community who serve children with developmental problems and through these partners we will be sending out letters to families to invite them to participate.

Why didn’t or doesn’t the 2001/2002 funding represent “the first national study”?

In the initial grant awards (2001/2002), the grantees were responsible for 3 activities: setting up monitoring programs for autism and other developmental disorders, collaboration on the multi-site epidemiologic study, and investigator-initiated special studies. Although the multi-site study was planned, funding levels were not adequate to implement the multi-site study during the 2002/2002 funding cycle. Consequently, implementation was delayed until the current funding cycle. All funds awarded to the grantees in the current grant cycle are dedicated to implementation of the multi-site study. The grantees competed for funding to continue their monitoring activities under a separate grant announcement earlier in 2006, and no funding will be available for investigator-initiated special studies.

In what way(s) will the sample populations be representative of all children?

It seems that by not including major states like New York, Illinois, Texas, etc. it’s hard to claim this is “nationally representative”? Further, how will the selection/recruitment processes ensure or foster generalizability?

The two groups of children with ASD and other developmental problems will be identified in multiple clinical and educational facilities in each community to insure that the participants are representative of all children with these types of developmental problems – and not just children who might be seen at a single clinic or intervention program. The third group of study children will be randomly selected from all children born in each community during the same time period so that they are representative of all children in the study area most of whom do not have developmental problems.

Although resources do not permit the sample to be drawn so that it is statistically representative of all children in the nation, by conducting the study in 6 different geographic areas across the country with diverse populations and by identifying children from multiple sources in each community we hope to have a study sample that more closely represents children with ASD, other developmental problems, and typical development across the country.

Will there be interim results or will the study first have results six or so years from now?

Many of the core study hypotheses will require that we have data collection completed on the full study sample before analysis can take be completed, but some interim analyses that require less than the full study sample may be possible. We don’t want to rush interim analyses, however, before we have a good representative sample of children.

What do you mean by “community diversity”?

SEED is located in select study areas within 6 states: 2 counties in the San Francisco, California area, 7 counties in the Denver, Colorado area, 5 counties in the Atlanta, Georgia area, 7 counties in the Baltimore and northeast Maryland area, 10 counties in central North Carolina, and 3 counties in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

These study areas include diverse communities and populations from which study participants will be drawn.

Can this really be classified as a national study since it only involves six states?

It is a multi-site study set in diverse communities in 6 locations around the country: California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

Although resources do not permit the sample to be drawn so that it is statistically representative of all children in the nation, by conducting the study in 6 different geographic areas across the country with diverse populations and by identifying children from multiple sources in each community we hope to have a study sample that more closely represents children with ASD, other developmental problems, and typical development across the country.

How will this give us national insight?

Compared to a study located in a single area, our study in six different areas gives us geographic and community diversity that will give us greater insights into the variability of who is at risk and what are the risk factors for autism.

What is the methodology for collecting the data? Same for each state?

Yes, all the sites are using a common study protocol – meaning they are following the same procedures for recruiting participants and collecting data so that, at the end, the data from all 6 sites can be pooled into a single large data base for analysis.

We will be asking participants to complete self-administered questionnaires; interviewing mothers about pregnancy-related issues and developmental conditions in their children; conducting a developmental exam of each study child to evaluate cognitive and

emotional development, language and adaptive skills, and motor skills, and a dysmorphology exam of the child (that will look at physical features that may indicate an underlying genetic condition); taking cheek swab and blood samples from the mother; father, and child; taking a hair sample from the child; and looking at the mother and child’s medical records.

Do all 2,700 of the children have an ASD?

No, there will be 900 children in each of 3 groups: children with ASDs, children with other developmental problems, and children drawn from the community most of whom are typically developing.

I live in one of the states with a CADDRE center. Who can I contact for more information about the study?

California CADDRE
Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
California Department of Health Services
Oakland, CA
510.620.3700

Colorado CADDRE
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
University of Colorado at Denver and Heath Sciences Center
Denver, CO
303.315.0066
303.692.2680

Georgia CADDRE
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Atlanta, GA
404.498.3800

Maryland CADDRE
Johns Hopkins University
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, MD
877.868.8014

North Carolina CADDRE
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
919.966.2068

Pennsylvania CADDRE
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
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Date: December 19, 2007
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

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Results of an early study suggest that dairy-free diets and unconventional food preferences could put boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at higher than normal risk for thinner, less dense bones when compared to a group of boys the same age who do not have autism.

The study, by researchers from the National Institutes of Health and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, was published online in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

The researchers believe that boys with autism and ASD are at risk for poor bone development for a number of reasons. These factors are lack of exercise, a reluctance to eat a varied diet, lack of vitamin D, digestive problems, and diets that exclude casein, a protein found in milk and milk products. Dairy products provide a significant source of calcium and vitamin D. Casein-free diets are a controversial treatment thought by some to lessen the symptoms of autism.

Funding for the study was provided by the NIH’s National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and National Center for Research Resources. The research team that conducted the study was led by Mary L. Hediger, Ph.D., a biological anthropologist in NICHD’s Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research.

“Our results suggest that children with autism and autism spectrum disorder may be at risk for calcium and vitamin D deficiencies,” Dr. Hediger said. “Parents of these children may wish to include a dietitian in their children’s health care team, to ensure that they receive a balanced diet.”

Dr. Hediger stressed that the current study results need to be confirmed by larger studies. Until definitive information is available, however, it would be prudent for parents of children with autism and ASD to include a dietitian in their care, particularly if the children’s diets do not include dairy products or they are not otherwise eating a balanced diet, she said.

Because girls are much less likely to have autism or ASD than are boys, the researchers were unable to enroll a sufficient number of girls within the short time frame of the study to allow them to draw firm conclusions. Dr. Hediger added that if a girl with autism or ASD is not eating diary products or eating a balanced diet, it would be prudent for a dietitian to be included in her health care team.

Autism is a complex brain disorder involving communication and social difficulties as well as repetitive behavior or narrow interests. Autism is often grouped with similar disorders, which are often referred to collectively as autism spectrum disorders. The underlying causes of autism and ASD are unclear. There is no cure for the disorders and treatments are limited.

When the boys were enrolled in the study, the researchers asked the boys’ parents if the boys were taking over-the-counter or prescription medications, were taking any vitamin or mineral supplements, or were on a restricted diet.

During the study, researchers X-rayed the hands of 75 boys between the ages of 4 and 8 years old who had been diagnosed with autism or ASD. The researchers then measured the thickness of the bone located between the knuckle of the index finger and the wrist and compared its development to a standardized reference based on a group of boys without autism.

Dr. Hediger said that the research team measured cortical bone thickness. She added that this procedure was done as a substitute for a conventional bone scan, which measures bone density. Bone density is an indication of bones’ mineral content. Less dense bones may indicate a risk of bone fracture.

The researchers used the measure of bone thickness because many of the boys were unable to remain still long enough for the conventional scan, which requires individuals to lie immobile for an extended period of time. To successfully complete the bone scan, many of the boys would have required sedation — a step the researchers were reluctant to take for an early study.

The hand X-ray, Dr. Hediger explained, offers an approximate indication of bone density. She added, however, that because the researchers were unable to use a conventional bone scan, the results of the current study should be confirmed by additional studies using conventional bone scans.

The investigators found that the bones of the boys with autism were growing longer but were not thickening at a normal rate. During normal bone development, material from inside the bone is transferred to the outside of the bone, increasing thickness, while at the same time, the bones are also growing longer.

At 5 or 6 years of age, the bones of the autistic boys were significantly thinner than the bones of boys without autism and the difference in bone thickness became even greater at ages 7 and 8.

The bone thinning was particularly notable because the boys with autism and ASD were heavier than average and would therefore be expected to have thicker bones.

The researchers do not know for certain why the boys had thinner than normal bones. A possible explanation is lack of calcium and vitamin D in their diets. Dr. Hediger explained that a deficiency of these important nutrients in the boys’ diets could result from a variety of causes. Many children with autism, she said, have aversions to certain foods. Some will insist on eating the same foods nearly every day, to the exclusion of other foods. So while they may consume enough calories to meet their needs — or even more calories than they need — they may lack certain nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D.

Other children with autism may have digestive problems which interfere with the absorption of nutrients. Moreover, many children with autism remain indoors because they require supervision during outdoor activity. Lack of exercise hinders proper bone development, she said. Similarly, if children remain indoors and are not exposed to sunlight, they may not make enough vitamin D, which is needed to process calcium into bones.

The boys in the study who were on a casein-free diet had the thinnest bones. In fact, the 9 boys who were on a casein-free diet had bones that were 20 percent thinner than normal for children their age. Boys who were not on a casein-free diet showed a 10 percent decrease in bone thickness when compared to boys with normal bone development.

The study authors wrote that bone development of children on casein-free diets should be monitored very carefully. They noted that studies of casein-free diets had not proven the diets to be effective in treating the symptoms of autism or ASD.

Only 9 boys on casein-free diets were available to participate in the study, Dr. Hediger said. When conducting a scientific study, it’s easier to obtain statistically valid results by studying a larger number of individuals than with a smaller number of individuals. However, the dramatic difference in the boys’ bone thickness when they were either on a casein-free diet or an unrestricted diet and when compared to normally developing bones strongly suggest that the bone thinning the researchers observed was statistically valid.

The researchers recommended that larger studies be conducted to confirm their results.

Until those studies can be conducted, Dr. Hediger offered the following advice: “Our study shows that it couldn’t hurt — and would probably help — if parents of children with autism or autism spectrum disorder consulted with a dietitian during their children’s routine medical care to make sure that their diets are balanced.”

General information about autism and ASD is available from the NICHD’s Web site, at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/autism/overview/index.cfm.

The NICHD sponsors research on development, before and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit the Institute’s Web site at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation’s Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

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Controversial Preservative Doesn’t Have Time to Build Up in Babies’ Bodies

“Though it’s reassuring to affirm that these immunizations have always been safe, our findings really have greater implications for world health.”

February’s issue of Pediatrics offers another reason to rethink blaming the spike in autism diagnoses on thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative routinely used in several childhood vaccines until the late ‘90s.

New research from the University of Rochester suggests that infants’ bodies expel the thimerosal mercury much faster than once thought – thereby leaving little chance for a progressive building up of the toxic metal. This debunks the myth, believed by some parents and some pediatricians, that the gauntlet of thimerosal-containing shots many infants received in the 1990s – when the average number of vaccines kids received increased sharply – had put them at risk for developmental disorders.

“Thimerosal has been used for decades, but the surge in vaccinations caused fear that possible accumulations of ethyl mercury, the kind in thimerosal, might exceed safe levels – at least, when based on the stringent risk guidelines applied to its better-understood chemical cousin, methyl mercury, which is associated with eating fish,” said Michael Pichichero, M.D., professor of Microbiology/Immunology, Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Rochester and the study’s main author.

But scientists are learning that the two mercury species actually behave quite differently. In fact, the body rids the kind found in thimerosal more that 10 times faster than it removes the kind one might encounter in a Friday night fish fry.

In the Rochester study, 216 infants from R. Gutierrez Children’s Hospital (in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where thimerosal is still routinely used in vaccines) were divided into three age groups to have their blood-mercury levels tested both before and after shots were administered at either their newborn, 2- or 6-month checkup. Researchers learned that, in all three age groups, the half-life of ethyl mercury in the blood – or, the time it takes for the body to dispose of half the mercury, and then another half, and so on – was measured to be 3.7 days. That’s a far cry from the blood half-life of methyl mercury, which is 44 days.

“Until recently, that longer half-life was assumed to be the rule for both types of mercury. Now it’s obvious that ethyl mercury’s short half-life prevents toxic build-up from occurring. It’s just gone too fast,” Pichichero said.

To illustrate, researchers cite that infants in the 6-month-old group – who, in their lifetimes, had encountered more total ethyl mercury that any other group studied – still had the same pre-vaccination blood-mercury levels before their checkups as most 2-month-olds had before theirs. This suggests that, before each round of shots, the mercury has plenty of time to be cleared.

While the study was not specifically designed to assess the toxicity of thimerosal, it does provide data helpful for assessing related risk — in light of the short blood half-life of ethyl mercury. Moreover, the study also showed that ethyl mercury was nearly undetectable in urine samples; instead, it seemed that most of it was eliminated via stools. That’s good, because mercury in large amounts is toxic to kidneys – yet in the study sample, there was no evidence suggesting any harm to renal tissues.

These findings come in the wake of recent news from the California Department of Health, which reported last month that autism rates continue to mushroom in spite of the widespread removal of thimerosal from most U.S. childhood vaccines in 2001, though it continues to be used in vaccines used elsewhere in the world.

Thimerosal, hailed for its bacteria-killing properties, has been a vaccine staple ingredient since the 1930s. But when the Environmental Protection Agency announced in 1999 that the cumulative exposure children typically received in vaccines might exceed a safe level for intake based on methyl mercury statistics (even this “safe level” was placed ten times lower than the amount held to pose real risk), public health officials, together with the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommended its removal – though still without concrete evidence of harm. The decision demanded a new formulation be created and administered — at a higher cost.

“Though it’s reassuring to affirm that these immunizations have always been safe, our findings really have greater implications for world health,” Pichichero said. “Replacing the thimerosal in vaccines globally would put these vaccines beyond what the world community could afford for its children. It’s a relief we haven’t cause to do that.”

Pichichero has served as consultant to the World Health Organization, and his research has held considerable weight in the WHO decision to continue using thimerosal in vaccines administered in nations outside the United States.

In the past, Pichichero has also served as a consultant to vaccine manufacturers including GSK Biologicals, sanofi pasteur, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and MedImmune.

This research was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health. It was performed in conjunction with investigators Angela Gentile, M.D, Norberto Giglio, M.D., and Veronica Umido, M.D., of R. Gutierrez Children’s Hospital in Buenos Aires; Carlos Gotelli, Ph.D., and Mariano Gotelli, Ph.D., of the Center of Toxicology Research in Buenos Aires; Lihan Yan, M.S., of EMMES Corp in Rockville, Maryland; and Thomas Clarkson, Ph.D., Elsa Cernichiari, M.S., Grazyna Zareba, Ph.D., and John Treanor, M.D., of the University of Rochester.
For more media inquiries, contact:
Becky Jones
(585) 275-8490
rebecca_jones@urmc.rochester.edu

direct link to story – http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pr/news/story.cfm?id=1848

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All we seem to hear about these days is the debacle facing the mortgage industry and the looming “National Foreclosure Crisis”. I personally do not know of anyone who is going through foreclosure, but based upon the news coverage, it seems everyone has a condition named “Foreclosure.” There is currently underway a government bail out for the many consumers who traded up to most likely, what they couldn’t afford in the first place or to simply live large on equity. But that’s another story. Last week or so I heard on Face The Nation or some other Weekend News show that 1 in 550 familes are facing mortgage default and or foreclosure - “An Alarming Rate” said one politician, “The most in the past 30 years”, said another. “Too Much for the country to bare, a real crisis and burden to the economy.” So a multi-billion dollar bail out is underway, through interest rate cuts and government loans.

Now I am not saying this isn’t important to do as a nation. Our economy is our best strength for sure. But unlike the Mortgage Foreclosure fiasco- which mostly affects people in the the Southeast, Southwest and California, and one we generally took on ourselves,  Autism knows no geographical boundary’s and today affects every town, county, city, state and country in the world, with intolerable indifference in selection by social standing, financial well being, class, race, religion and or nationality. Today- Autism affects 1 in 150 families or more and poses a lifelong commitment to a roller coaster of emotions an feelings an is expected to cost 200-400 Billion dollars ANNUALLY by 2010.
SO I have to ask, sine the numbers are so similar. Where is the multi-billion dollar bail out to help save our children, unlock or at least better understand this disease?

The awareness of Autism is on the rise for sure, we are light years from just 5 years ago in terms of awareness, research and understanding, but why is the very thing that has shown to help improve a child with Autism so unobtainable still today? Why do I have to spend $20, $30, $40,000 per year or more on therapy’s which only guarantee hope as the next great thing? Why is the school system an absolute joke for most children with Autism? Why do we have to wait 2 years to get into a program identified to offer the very things my child needs, mostly due to a lack of funding to expand? Where do George, Dick and the Presidential Candidates stand on Autism Research?

Ask your politician – what are you doing specifically to help find a cure, financial support for families, better therapy’s and more understanding of Autism and other PDD’s? And use the foreclosure vs Autism stats to show your point.

If you visit this site, you can replace “Foreclosure” and “Foreclosure Filings” with “New Autism Diagnosis” to give you an idea of just what 1 in 150 means. There were 220,000 new foreclosure filings in October and the number of people who have been diagnosed with Autism has reached  770,000.  WOW. Think about that for a while.

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A website which lists the best places to live for those with Autism and in need of services, tolerance, acceptance and more. Its been a challenge to find good information on this topic. If you know of a good resource for this, please let us know. Is there a Best Place at all?If you want to share tips on where you live or in general, please post comments or send an email.

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And this will seem to explain why for some its a stomach and diet issue, for others cellular and for still others more cerebral symptoms.

Again, another connection to Meditating and insight form the Dali Lama.
Story By Jamie Talan.
It used to be dogma that the brain was shut away from the actions of the immune system, shielded from the outside forces of nature. But
that’s not how it is at all. In fact, thanks to the scientific detective work of Kevin Tracey, MD, it turns out that the brain talks
directly to the immune system, sending commands that control the body’s inflammatory response to infection and autoimmune diseases.
Understanding the intimate relationship is leading to a novel way to treat diseases triggered by a dangerous inflammatory response.
Dr. Tracey, director and chief executive of The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, will be giving the 2007 Stetten
Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. His talk – Physiology and Immunology of the Cholinergic
Anti-inflammatory Pathway – will highlight the discoveries made in his laboratory and the clinical trials underway to test the theory that
stimulation of the vagus nerve could block a rogue inflammatory response and treat a number of diseases, including life-threatening
sepsis.
With this new understanding of the vagus nerve’s role in regulating inflammation, scientists believe that they can tap into the
body’s natural healing defenses and calm the sepsis storm before it wipes out its victims.
Each year, 750,000 people in the United States develop severe sepsis, and 215,000 will die no matter how hard doctors fight to save them.
Sepsis is triggered by the body’s own overpowering immune response to a systemic infection, and hospitals are the battlegrounds for these
potentially lethal conditions.
The vagus nerve is located in the brainstem and snakes down from the brain to the heart and on through to the abdomen. Dr. Tracey and
others are now studying ways of altering the brain’s response or targeting the immune system itself as a way to control diseases.
Dr. Tracey is a neurosurgeon who came into research through the back door of the operating room. More than two decades ago, he was
treating a young girl whose body had been accidentally scorched by boiling water and she was fighting for her life to overcome sepsis. She didn’t make it.

Dr. Tracey headed into the laboratory to figure out why the body makes its own cells that can do fatal damage. Dr. Tracey discovered that the
vagus nerve speaks directly to the immune system through a neurochemical called acetylcholine. And stimulating the vagus nerve
sent commands to the immune system to stop pumping out toxic inflammatory markers. “This was so surprising to us,” said Dr. Tracey,
who immediately saw the potential to use vagus stimulation as a way to shut off abnormal immune system responses.
He calls this network “the inflammatory reflex.” Research is now underway to see whether tweaking the brain’s acetylcholine system could be a natural way to control the inflammatory response. Inflammation is key to many diseases – from autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis to Alzheimer’s, where scientists have identified a strong inflammatory component.
Dr. Tracey has presented his work to the Dalai Lama, who has shown a great interest in the neurosciences and the mind-body
connection. He has also written a book called “Fatal Sequence,” about the double-edge sword of the immune system.

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Recently I came across this link on Toys R US. 10 Toys geared towards differently-abled children. Although some may have children who have outgrown these specific toys, it is inspiring to see that Autism Speaks is making strides in creating awareness. I would also add arts and crafts, costumes, sports equipment and cause an effect toys such as , science themed projects, stained glass and shrink dinks. Toys that won’t create compulsiveness or a sense of dependency for the child seem to be one’s which are somewhat dynamic, Tinker Toys, train tracks and other put it together and tear it down items. What do you think?
Check It Out.

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