Archived News Entries
The San Diego Union-Tribune recently interviewed Eric Courchesne, part of a research team investigating gene abnormality and autism. The study, which appeared in PLoS Genetics on March 22, finds that genetic abnormalities not only impact the developing brain but continue to impact the adult autistic brain, albeit in very different ways, as it attempts to “rewire” itself. This study is among the first to focus on the dynamic neurological evolution of autism over the lifespan. In the interview, Courchesne notes, “That would seem to offer a potential target for pharmaceuticals to improve the remodeling.” At AA16 we hope that these results may help to change the popular conception of autism as an early childhood event to one of an evolving neurological process.
Sixteen-year-old Carly Fleischmann, who does not speak, has published a glimpse into her world by contributing to a new book, Carly's Voice. Carly's father, Arthur Fleischmann, is the primary author of the book, which chronicles Carly's development from a "nonverbal" child into a teen advocate.
Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC), a Maryland-based service provider, has created a photography program for adults with autism. Called the InFocus Project, the program was created when several autistic adults expressed an interest in the arts. The photographers involved in the program sell their work online and have had an exhibit in Washington, DC studio.
Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC), a Maryland-based service provider, has created a photography program for adults with autism. Called the InFocus Project, the program was created when several autistic adults expressed an interest in the arts. The photographers involved in the program sell their work online and have had an exhibit in Washington, DC studio.
The Florida Times-Union today profiles the mother of a 20-year-old man with severe autism. Michele Sheffield tells of her difficulties caring for her son and her concerns about finding adequate support.
Larry Blumenthal, executive producer for health at Philly.com, is the father of a 16-year-old son with autism who uses a computer to communicate. Blumenthal addresses some of the tough questions facing many families in an essay today.
Autism Speaks yesterday announced that it has awarded $450,000 to two projects focused on the needs of adults with ASD. One grant will help fund the development of a Functional Assessment Tool for Transition Aged Individuals with ASD, while the other will go toward a Daily Living and Residential Curriculum Project. These are the largest Family Services grants Autism Speaks has made to date.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is partnering with several philanthropic organizations to offer a week-long training program in advocacy for college students with ASD. Called the Autism Campus Inclusion Summer Institute, the program will take place in Baltimore, Maryland August 12-17, 2012. According to ASAN, "participants will learn how to engage in activism and advocacy activities on their college campuses."
British author Charlotte Moore wrote about life with her two autistic sons in "George and Sam: Two Boys, One Family, and Autism,"published in 2007. In an upcoming edition of the book, Moore expands her family's story to give readers a glimpse into going through adolescence with autism.
In a study published February 17 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a research team led by Dr. Joseph Piven at the University of North Carolina identified different developmental trajectories of white matter in the brains of infants who subsequently developed autism compared with infants who did not. Images taken at six months, one year and two years of age showed 12 of 15 major brain pathways developed differently in 28 infants who later exhibited autism, generally characterized by a “slowing” of white matter growth, compared with the 64 other infants who did not. “These results offer promise that we may one day be able to identify infants at risk for autism before the behavioral symptoms are present,” said study co-author Geri Dawson, Chief Science Officer for Autism Speaks.
April wasn’t only Autism Awareness Month. It was National Stress Awareness Month too. Coincidence?
Part II of our story on autistic adults living in rural America.
Friday night, Cameron attended his high school prom. This wasn’t his first prom, as his school invites all high school students to attend each year, and Cameron had attended the year before...
Our family originally qualified for Supplementary Security income for Cody when he was four years old. I was a single mother, not working at the time and my husband, Bill,
At present, I’m not a parent. I don’t have a son or daughter of my own, but if ever I do, I have a very specific item at the top of my parenting to-do list.
When I was very young, I remember using the telephone in my parents’ house to call a home shopping network in an attempt to get a pretty-looking umbrella.
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