Tuesday, August 28, 2012

3 Days left to WIN a FREE Copy of Autismate Autism App ($49.99) - Leave a comment to win

FREE Copy of Autismate Autism App ($49.99) - Leave a comment @ AutismParents.NET  to win


Jobs programs for Autism. Do they work?

Do job programs for autistic adults work? | Reuters.


(Reuters Health) - Programs are out there to help young adults with autism find and keep a job. But no one yet knows whether they work, according to a study published Monday.

Combing the medical literature for evidence on the question, researchers were able to find only five studies. All were generally low-quality, the team reports in the journal Pediatrics.

"We did identify some small studies with promising results," said lead researcher Julie Lounds Taylor, an assistant professor of pediatrics and special education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Autism epidemic caused by old dads?

Men have a biological clock, too: Landmark study warns potential dads not to put off fatherhood as they are responsible for majority of faulty genes | Mail Online


It was thought the woman’s age was key to a child’s health, but researchers found older fathers pass down the majority of the faulty genes linked to conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. 
Scientists in Iceland discovered 97 per cent of genetic mutations were caused by the age of the father, while the mother’s age had no effect at all.  
The child of a 40-year-old dad had a two-and-half times as many potentially damaging mutations as the offspring of a 20-year-old, and they increase with every passing year, the authors said.  
Experts say the study raises the possibility that men in their 30s should freeze their sperm if they are planning to have children late in life.  
While it was suspected that the trend towards late fatherhood may be related to rising rates of autism, this study is the first large-scale test.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2192136/Men-biological-clock-Landmark-study-warns-potential-dads-fatherhood-responsible-majority-faulty-genes.html#ixzz24J690ma6


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Win a copy of AUTISMATE ($49.99 value) - Leave a Comment to Win

FREE Copy of Autismate Autism App ($49.99) - Leave a comment to win

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Autism Parents Support Hotline

Support Hotline for Parents of Children With Special Needs - Special Needs - Families.com

All parents, no matter what their circumstances, can benefit from some support. Parents of children who have special needs also require support. In San Jose, California, a support hotline is being set up for parents who cannot leave home to attend a support group.


Friday, August 17, 2012

Denied heart transplant because of Autism

After adult autistic son denied heart transplant, Pennsylvania woman seeks to reverse decision - The Washington Post
PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania woman whose autistic adult son was not recommended for a heart transplant said she wants to bring more attention to the decision-making process so that those with ailments or disabilities are not passed over without careful consideration.
Karen Corby said Thursday that her son, Paul, now 23, was denied a heart transplant from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania last summer over what it said were concerns about his “psychiatric issues” and “autism,” among other factors.


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Darrell Issa/Dan Burton: Schedule Promised Vaccine Hearings


"Call Reps. Burton and Issa Today Ask them to Schedule Promised Vaccine Hearings Representative Darrell Issa, the powerful Chairman of the House of Representatives Oversight and Reform Committee, has promised hearings on the actions of the federal government - the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) – in the conduct in the Omnibus Autism Proceedings and on the actions of the CDC regarding the 2004 IOM report on mercury and vaccines. However, so far the hearings have not been scheduled on calendar of the Oversight and Reform Committee. Please call the district office of Congressman Darrell Issa at (760) 599-5000 and the district office of Congressman Dan Burton at (317) 848-0201 and thank them for the efforts they made so far to move these hearings along and politely let them know that it is very important to you that the hearings are scheudled for September or October. Congressman Burton is retiring this November and this may be our last best chance for awhile to have hearings on vaccine issues. The time is now to push Congress to hold hearings. We greatly appreciate the efforts Reps. Issa and Burton have made, you can be sure that they are getting huge pressure not to look at these issues, we need to provide them the support they need to move forward."

Issa - http://issa.house.gov/Burton - http://burton.house.gov/

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Scientists find how faulty gene related to "autism like" symptoms AGAIN

Scientists find how faulty gene causes brain changes in autism | Business Standard


Scientists have discovered how a defective gene in autistic people triggers brain changes that lead to behavioural disorders. 
Researchers from the University of California - Davis Health System Institute found that a defective gene called 'pten' reduces energy production in neurons leading to brain changes which cause antisocial and prolonged repetitive behaviour- traits found in autism. 
Previous research has shown that the gene is defective in children with autism, but its effect on neurons in the brain was not known.   More @ http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/scientists-find-how-faulty-gene-causes-brain-changes-in-autism/43210/



Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Want to commit suicide because of my son's autism ...

Autism Mom Blog: Want to commit suicide because of my son's autismAutism Mom Blog

The title of this post, “Want to commit suicide because of my son’s autism” is a keyword search that led someone to my blog this morning.  My heart dropped when I saw this.  The person did not leave a comment, I wish she had.  (I don’t know if it was a he or she, but I’m going to use she to make writing this easier).  The thought that someone is thinking about doing this is scary.  I pray that the commit suicide search on the internet is her way of reaching out for some kind of help.  I know how isolating having a child with autism can be.  For some, reaching out online is the only thing they can do.  This post is a message to that person.



The Roses...Mike and Angela: 10 Things People Tell Autism Parents

The Roses...Mike and Angela: 10 Things People Tell Autism Parents

Being a parent of a kid with Autism is a unique experience. You feel often times like you are in the same world as everyone, yet also entirely in another. Often times from the outside, things can appear normal and fine, but upon closer look you realize the inner workings are entirely different.

Here are some of the things people say to me, as a mom of a kid with Autism. On the surface, these statements seem true to them...but it's only upon closer look, that you realize the true depth to Autism and the impact it has on my every day, plan, future, and heart.

10 Things People Tell Autism Parents
1) It's okay now that your kid has Autism, because you are used to it.
How I really feel: I look fine. I smile. I am happy. Truly, I am. But, I am never quite used to the fact that my kid has Autism. This is something that never goes away. Not in a month, a year, or a decade. It is always there and always challenging in different ways at every stage in Colton's life. It hits me in different ways every day and still hurts to realize...he is different...he might not ever get married, or have a group of real friends, he might get bullied. I'll never fully get used to it.

More @ http://familyofroses.blogspot.com/2012/08/10-things-people-tell-autism-parents.html

Friday, August 3, 2012

Focus on Strengths Improves Autistic Teens’ Social Skills | Psych Central News

Focus on Strengths Improves Autistic Teens’ Social Skills | Psych Central News

Emerging research suggests that given the appropriate programming, autistic teens can improve their social skills during adolescence. 
Most would agree that junior high and high school years are emotionally challenging for all teens, and, for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the time is often difficult. Deficits in social skills among teens with ASD may result in students being ostracized and bullied by their classmates. 
Paradoxically, the new approach developed by researchers at the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara hinges on exploiting the unique strengths of teens with ASD – their high intelligence and very specific interests.
More @ http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/08/02/focus-on-strengths-improves-autistic-teens-social-skills/42565.html


Embracing Chaos

Embracing Chaos added to The Autism Retort!

Autism - Google News

The Autism Retort: 25 Newest Blogs Posts


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