Scientists in Australia have developed a genetic test to predict autism spectrum disorder in children. This might sound like the “breakthrough” that some parents are looking for. Personally, I’ve heard so many different things that are said to be the cause of autism that I have grown jaded. Here is a quick round-up of a few of them. Let’s start with the most recent story. Scientists in Australia used United States data from more than 3,000 people who have autism in a recent study. The scientists identified 237 genetic markers and 146 genes and related cellular pathways. The scientists say … Continue reading →

A mother of a teenager who has autism has filed a lawsuit against Autism Speaks. The reason is because Autism Speaks rescinded on a job offer after she requested workplace accommodations that would allow her to care for her son. It seems strange that an autism awareness group would deny that that type of request. According to Disability Scoop Simone Greggs was offered a job as a walk events manager at Autism Speaks office in Washington D.C., in May of 2012. To get this job, she had to successfully complete five different interviews, a pre-employment background check, and a drug … Continue reading →

Researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute have done a study that reveals that an infant who has an older sibling who has autism has an increased risk of developing autism as well. The percentage of risk is actually higher than had previously been estimated. Parents of a child who has autism should make sure that child’s younger siblings are screened for this disorder. The study involved 664 infants. The average age of the infants at enrollment was about 8 months. Two thirds of them were younger than 6 months of age. Researchers followed the babies development until the infant … Continue reading →

Right now, it is difficult to note the signs of autism in children who are younger than the age of three. Doctors at Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School are using an EEG in order to look for the signs of autism in the brain waves of infants. This could, potentially, lead to earlier treatment than is currently possible. You have probably heard of the technology called an EEG. This stands for electroencephalography. It records the tiny electrical impulses that are produced by activity in the brain. Doctors can then take a look at the wave patterns that are … Continue reading →

A study that was done outside of Seoul, South Korea, reveals that one in thirty-eight children has autism. This number is much larger than was previously expected. To understand more about what this study actually indicates, you first must know more about the circumstances surrounding the study. It does not mean that there has been an increase in the number of cases of autism. The study was funded by Autism Speaks, and was led by Young Shin Kim, MD, PhD, MPH, of Yale University. The study focused on a community school located outside of Seoul, South Korea, and had 55,000 … Continue reading →