


Archive for January, 2011
 
By JAIME CONE / Reformer Staff
Thursday September 16, 2010
BRATTLEBORO — As the number of children with autism continues to grow, so does the number of deaf young people diagnosed with the developmental brain disorder, according to Robert Carter, president of the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
The center has responded by launching the nation’s first deaf-autism program, which started classes Aug. 30.
“We use a lot of the same approaches in our regular curriculum,” Carter said of the new program. “We adapted them so they are more suited for deaf autistic children.”
VCDHH is a Vermont-based, statewide non-profit organization currently serving 625 deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Vermont and southern New Hampshire.
There are currently eight students from all over the country, ages 11 to 17, enrolled in the new deaf-autism program.
“It’s very exciting,” said Carter. “It’s a great group of kids we have now, and we’ve already seen progress just because they are in an environment where they have access to communication.”
The $2 million program was funded in part by several grants, the most recent of which was a $4,000 grant from the Turrell Fund.
“We are grateful to the Turrell Fund,” said Carter. “Generous contributions like this one will enable this initiative to expand and allow us to measure outcomes, document best practices and share the results across the United States.”
In the next few years, VCDHH expects the program to grow to accommodate as many as 20 students.
“We’re going to take it incrementally so we don’t grow too fast,” Carter said. “It’s difficult to staff (the deaf-autism program), so we want to take students as we are sure we have the appropriate staffing.”
Carter said there are two teachers for the program, and both were already members of the VCDHH staff.
“They had interest in this area, and we provided them with additional training,” he explained.
The new curriculum gives the students the ability to communicate. In the past, Carter said, deaf autistic students would be put in a deaf program that’s not equipped to deal with autistic children, or visa versa.
Read in Full:Â http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_16087231?source=rss
 
15 September 2010 by Andy Coghlan
THE first trial of a drug intended to rebalance the brain chemistry of people with autism has helped symptoms in most of the 25 volunteers who tested it – with reductions in irritability and tantrums, and improvements in social skills.
The announcement coincides with news that the US federal government has finalised its financial package for Hannah Poling. In 2008 the government concluded that vaccinations may have resulted in her autism-like symptoms. The family will receive $1.5 million, plus $500,000 annually to cover the costs of caring for her.
Her case, however, is likely to be unique – she has a rare underlying genetic condition affecting her mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell. This was judged to account for the symptoms she developed after vaccination.
As the debate over vaccination and autism rumbles on in the US, the results from the drug trial of arbaclofen are encouraging. Although doctors sometimes prescribe drugs for autism, they are usually antidepressants and anti-psychotics and aimed at specific symptoms.
Read in Full:Â http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727783.900-autism-drug-aims-to-balance-brain-signals.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
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Autism breakthrough as drug that eases distressing symptoms is successfully tested on patients for first time
By David Derbyshire
Last updated at 7:47 AM on 16th September 2010
A drug for autism has been hailed as the first treatment that could aid the condition.
In a clinical trial, researchers found that it eased many of the distressing symptoms, helping sufferers improve their social skills and reduce tantrums. They were also able to make eye contact more frequently and became less irritable.
It is the first time the drug has been successfully tested on patients. And although it is many years away from being available here, the scientist believe their work could pave the way for treatments.
Researcher Dr Craig Erickson, from the Indiana University School of Medicine, who helped run the trial, explained: ‘We observed marked improvement in the majority of patients treated in the study, including reductions in agitation and tantrums.
‘This work will potentially open up a door to treating disorders that has, until recently, been firmly shut.’
About one in 100 in the UK are diagnosed with an autism disorder. The severity ranges dramatically, but all sufferers experience problems with communication, imagination and their social relationships.
Although doctors prescribe anti-depressants and anti-psychotics for particular symptoms, there are no specialist autism drugs.
The new drug, Arbaclofen, is intended to rebalance the brain chemistry of those with autism.
It was tested on 25 children with the condition aged between six and 17, over eight weeks. They suffered few side effects and by the end of the trial were calmer and more sociable.
They made eye contact more easily and were less anxious than at the start.
One teenager who took part in the trial was agitated at the start and was unable to stay in the room with the researchers for more than a few minutes. However, by the end, the patient was writing notes to the scientists and seemed less anxious and less aggressive.
Previous studies have shown that people living with the condition produce too much of the brain chemical glutamate which excites brain cells. Some may also make too little of another neurotransmitter called gamme amino butyric acid, New Scientist magazine reports today.
Dr Randall Carpenter, of Seaside Therapeutics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which has developed the drug, said: ‘We are trying to normalise signalling functions within the brain.
‘Too much activation with glutamate makes people with autism very sensitive to loud noises and other sudden changes in the environment, increasing anxiety and fear.’
Arbaclofen ‘may stop them being oversensitive’, Dr Carpenter added. The results of the trial were so promising, that a larger-scale test is planned. The results have not been published in a medical journal.
Autism charities welcomed the trial, but stressed that the number of people taking part was small.
The results could also be biased because the drug was not compared to a placebo, a harmless ‘dummy’ drug. And the assessment of the children was subjective, meaning that they could be misinterpreted.
Amanda Batten, of the National Autistic Society, said: ‘As the nature of autism is so complex, many interventions have been tried and tested over the years, but what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another.
‘Further rigorous research is required into potential interventions, such as Arbaclofen, to properly understand and assess the impact that they could have on people’s lives.’
The Learning Disability Coalition (LDC) has launched its campaign to Protect the Frontline, on the steps outside HM Treasury in London.
The Protect the Frontline campaign, which is supported by The National Autistic Society as a member of the LDC, calls on Central Government and local authorities to recognise that despite the tough financial climate, funding for learning disability services must be protected against any cuts.
You can show your support for the campaign by emailing your MP.
The LDC published the findings from their Learning Disability Coalition Local Authorities Survey ‘Social Care in Crisis’ to support the need for the campaign. The survey showed that:
- 74% of local authorities were already making efficiency savings
- 10% had already been forced to make cuts to support services
- 84% rated the funding situation for learning disability services as difficult.Â
At the launch, a determined group of campaigners, many of whom use social care support, held “Cuts Incident†boards displaying the vital frontline services which they fear will be heavily affected by the Government’s Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review.Â
Without social care support, they and many more people with a learning disability would not be able to meet their most basic needs, such as eating, personal hygiene, dressing, keeping safe and having somewhere to live.
The new Government has made a commitment to “fairness†in society, and “dignity and respect†for people with a disability. Social care support is just as vital to thousands of vulnerable people as doctors and nurses are to those who are unwell.
Anthea Cox, Director for the Learning Disability Coalition, said:
Our survey clearly shows that the social care support system cannot withstand further cuts as it is already in crisis. Any more reductions in social care spending will be a direct cut to the lives of people with a learning disability and a betrayal of the promises made by the Government to some of the most at-risk people in our society.
The Learning Disability Coalition is sending a copy of its survey to all MPs and local authorities, along with a supporting report called “Stories from the Frontline†which features the diaries of seven families, clearly displaying the breadth of need for social care services in England.
Source:Â http://www.autism.org.uk/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/ldc-launches-protect-the-frontline-campaign.aspx

 
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on September 16, 2010
Being a teenager is tough enough as it is. Worries about being part of the ‘in crowd,’ whether you’re wearing the right clothes or talking and acting the right way are common worries at this age. However, ethnic minorities must deal with these concerns as well as the burden of discrimination, says a UCLA study.
According to the researchers, teens from Latin American and Asian backgrounds experienced more discrimination than teens from European backgrounds, and this discrimination came not only from their peers but from adults as well. The level of discrimination also affected these teens’ grade-point averages and their health, in the forms of depression, distress and lower levels of self-esteem.
Lead author of the study, Virginia W. Huynh, a graduate student in the laboratory of Andrew J. Fuligni, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, observed 601 high school seniors, equally divided between males and females. The students were asked to keep a daily diary for two weeks to record any discriminatory events or comments they experienced. They were also asked to separately rate on a four-point scale any physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches or general pain.
Almost 60 percent reported discrimination from other teens; 63 percent reported discrimination from adults; 12 percent reported discrimination on a daily basis. Teens from Latin American backgrounds reported more adult discrimination than Asian Americans. However, Asian Americans reported more adult discrimination than teens from European backgrounds. Both Latin American and Asian American teens reported higher levels of peer discrimination.
The researchers found that teens who suffered higher levels of discrimination also reported more aches, pains and other symptoms, as well as having a lower overall grade-point average. This leads to the idea that discrimination not only negatively affects adolescents’ physical and psychological health but may also inhibit their ability to achieve in school, the researchers said.
Read in Full:Â http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/09/16/discrimination-lowers-teens-physical-health/18146.html
 
Article Date: 16 Sep 2010 – 7:00 PDT
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched a new, interactive, online resource center to support children and adults living with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is a condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It affects 9 percent of children ages 3-17 and is the most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder in young people.
But ADHD is not a disorder limited to children ADHD often persists into adolescence and adulthood and is frequently not diagnosed until later years. Treatment requires a “multimodal” approach involving medical, educational, behavioral and psychological methods.
“ADHD is a condition that can impact every aspect of a person’s life, including relationships, school and work,” said Mike Fitzpatrick, NAMI executive director. “The earlier an individual receives treatment for ADHD, the better the outcome.”
“NAMI’s ADHD Resource Center tools can both help individuals manage their own illness and educate parents, caregivers, school professionals and others about the needs of children living with the condition.”
Website visitors can:
— Learn about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options
— Get tips on managing ADHD at home, school and work
— Watch a “Fireside Chat” video series of leading psychiatrists discussing the condition
— Read personal stories about living with and managing ADHD
— Keep up with current ADHD research
 
Article Date: 16 Sep 2010 – 6:00 PDT
Joseph C. Blader, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, and colleagues, found that almost half of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) whose aggressive behaviors had not been effectively controlled during routine outpatient care could achieve near absence of aggressive, explosive behavior when implementing “first-line” stimulant treatments for ADHD tailored to individual needs, along with behavioral therapy. The study findings are to be published in the October issue of Pediatrics, and an early online edition the week of September 13.
“The results of our research strongly suggest that more intensive and methodical approaches to prescribing stimulants may reduce the need to resort to antipsychotic medications to control severe aggression among children with ADHD,” says Dr. Blader. “And our findings are especially significant in light of recent concerns about the proliferation in the use of other medications with greater side effects, such as antipsychotic medication, than standard stimulant medication when treating children with ADHD who display aggressive behavior.”
Read in Full:Â http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/201333.php
 
The National Autistic Society (NAS) says it is saddened but unsurprised by the poor provision and low standards revealed in Ofsted’s review of special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities, published on 14 September 2010.
Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The National Autistic Society (NAS) said:
Ofsted’s important report exposes a number of key failings within the SEN system and crucially recognises that children with complex needs, such as autism, are not getting the help they need in the classroom.
A great many parents of children with autism have to fight huge battles to have their child’s needs recognised, understood and met. We hear terrible stories of parents who have their educational concerns dismissed. They are told their child is simply naughty or even that they have made up their diagnosis.
So many parents say a statement is a valuable and essential tool in helping to fight for their child’s rights and to hold schools to account if they fail to provide appropriate support.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach for children with autism, who have very specific needs. We urge the Government to consider these in the forthcoming Green paper on SEN. With the right support at the right time, children with SEN can and do flourish at school.
 
The Government has launched a ‘Call for Views’ on how the education system is working for children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. They will use the information they get from this to write a ‘Green Paper’ which will set out proposals for reform. The Green Paper is expected to be published later this year.
To coincide with the launch, we have launched NAS education update. This is a new service designed to keep you up-to-date on Government plans for education of children with SEN in England. We’ll also use the service to let you know how the NAS is working to ensure that children with autism can benefit from the reforms and how you can get involved.
Read in Full:Â http://www.autism.org.uk/en-gb/news-and-events/news-from-the-nas/government asks for views on education for children with sen.aspx
 
The majority of major corporations and countries are headed by men. When women are appointed to leadership positions, it tends to be when an organisation is in crisis – a phenomenon known as the glass cliff. Recent examples include: the appointment of Lynn Elsenhans as CEO of the oil company Sunoco in 2008, just after their shares had halved in value; and the election of Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir as prime minister of Iceland, just after her country’s economy had been crippled by the global recession.
Real life examples are supported by lab studies in which male and female participants show a bias for selecting female candidates to take charge of fictitious organisations in crisis. Further investigation has ruled out possible explanations for the glass cliff – it’s not due to malicious sexism nor to women favouring such roles.
Now a brand new study suggests the phenomenon occurs firstly, because a crisis shifts people’s stereotyped view of what makes for an ideal leader, and secondly, because men generally don’t fit that stereotype. ‘…[I]t may not be so important for the glass cliff that women are stereotypically seen as possessing more of the attributes that matter in times of crisis,’ the researchers wrote, ‘but rather that men are seen as lacking these attributes …’.
Susanne Bruckmüller and Nyla Branscombe first established when the glass cliff is most likely to occur. They presented 119 male and female participants with different versions of newspaper articles about an organic food company. Participants were more likely to select a fictitious female candidate to take over the company if it was described as being in crisis, and its previous three leaders had all been male. For participants who read that the previous managers had all been female, the glass cliff disappeared – they were just as likely to select a fictitious male candidate to take over the crisis stricken firm as they were to select a female.
This finding suggests the glass cliff has to do with people believing that a change from the status quo (from male leaders to a female) is what’s needed in a crisis. However, this explanation breaks down because the reverse pattern wasn’t found. Participants didn’t show a bias for a male candidate to take over a crisis-stricken company that had had a run of three previous female leaders.
 
ScienceDaily (Sep. 15, 2010) — If someone near you yawns, do you yawn, too? About half of adults yawn after someone else does in a phenomenon called contagious yawning. Now a new study has found that most children aren’t susceptible to contagious yawning until they’re about 4 years old — and that children with autism are less likely to yawn contagiously than others.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Connecticut, appears in the September/October 2010 issue of the journal Child Development.
To determine the extent to which children at various stages of social development are likely to yawn contagiously, the researchers studied 120 typically developing 1- to 6-year-olds. Although babies begin to yawn spontaneously even before they leave the womb, most of the children in this study didn’t show signs of contagious yawning until they were 4.
The team also studied about 30 6- to 15-year-olds with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), comparing them to two other groups of typically developing children with the same mental and chronological ages. The children with ASD were less likely to yawn contagiously than their typically developing peers, the researchers found. And children with diagnoses that imply more severe autistic symptoms were much less likely to yawn contagiously than those with milder diagnoses.
“Given that contagious yawning may be a sign of empathy, this study suggests that empathy — and the mimicry that may underlie it — develops slowly over the first few years of life, and that children with ASD may miss subtle cues that tie them emotionally to others,” according to the researchers. This study may provide guidance for approaches to working with children with ASD so that they focus more on such cues.
Journal Reference:
- Molly S. Helt, Inge-Marie Eigsti, Peter J. Snyder, Deborah A. Fein. Contagious Yawning in Autistic and Typical Development. Child Development, 2010; 81 (5): 1620 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01495.x
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100915080427.htm

