Archived News Entries
Aspiritech, an Illinois-based company that hires adults with autism, was the subject of a short AP video report this week. Aspiritech provides software testing services.
The article, "Autistic and Seeking a Place in Adulthood," which ran in The New York Times last Sunday has spurred numerous letters to the paper. Today writer Amy Harmon answers many of the questions in a follow-up piece.
The US House of Representatives approved the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act (HR 2005) late Tuesday afternoon. The bill reauthorizes federal spending for autism research and treatment.
The New York Times once again focused on adults on the autism spectrum this weekend, with a long feature article profiling Justin Canha, an artist with autism.
Scientists from Columbia University and Harvard Medical School report that children with autism have altered expressions of genes involved in digestion. These variations may contribute to changes in the types of bacteria in their intestines. "The findings are consistent with other research suggesting that autism may be a system-wide disorder, and provide insight into why changes in diet or the use of antibiotics may help alleviate symptoms in some children," stated Mady Hornig, MD, Director of Translational Research at the Center for Infection and Immunity.
The Georgia Supreme Court reversed its prior decision and ruled that a family cannot pursue claims that a vaccine containing thimerosal caused their son's autism. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-2 in February that vaccine manufacturers were protected against liability claims based on defective-design allegations. The reversal by the Georgia court indicates to us that, based on Bruesewitz v. Wyeth, tort cases seeking relief against vaccine manufacturers by claiming defective vaccine design will be very difficult to win.
While a report from the the University of Michigan this week indicated that teachers in that state are not generally utilizing best practice in teaching students with autism, a British study released today suggests that teachers in the UK are missing the mark as well. The report found that schools need to "aim higher" in order to increase likelihood of postiive student outcome.
The Windsor Star reports on police efforts to create a registery for individuala with autism in the Canadian city. The registry will provide local police with contact information as well as strategies for approaching and helping ASD adults and children who are lost or need help.
Although titled Neurotypical, Adam Larsen's documentary examines the points of view of three people on the autism spectrum. Larsen will screen his film in his hometown of Asheville, NC, on Thursday as a benefit for TEACCH.
A report in The Australian states that research findings will be presented today at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference that identify two biologically distinct types of autism: One which presents with early brain overgrowth and (in most cases) subsequent developmental regression and another that presents with immune system dysfunction. The report quotes David Amaral, Director of Research at the MIND Institute at UC Davis, at some length, suggesting that it is MIND Institute researchers that made these findings. If true this likely marks a major advance in autism research.
What do you get when you combine an intrepid public school teacher, a classroom of young autistic adults, and a vision of partnership and mutuality? Bittersweet Farms.
Between this column, my blog, and my series of children’s books, I have been able to produce a steady stream of written material.
The first I knew that Mickey’s school was holding a student art auction was from an email from Cindy, the school principal.
Being a single mom is tough. Being a single mom of a child with disabilities is… well, even suckier.
Yes, I do know my son is almost 27 years old and can handle many more things on his own than I give him credit for, but sometimes it is so hard to step back and let that happen.
I read a fascinating article this week: Jeff Howe’s CNN Money piece, “Paying for Finn: A Special-Needs Child.”
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