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Autism Science Foundation Launches Operations New Advocacy Group Will Focus on Non-Vaccine-Related Autism Research
The Autism Science Foundation, a new not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding autism research, launched its operations in April, debuting its web site and blog (www.autismsciencefoundation.org and autismsciencefoundation.wordpress.com) and kicking off its “First 100 Days”...
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Autism Spectrum and the Clinical Geneticist: An Approach to the Family
More than any other condition, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of diseases that affects families. They have profound effects on the individual with the disorder, and significantly alter the lives of parents, siblings, the family, and the community. The extended nature of ASDs has...
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A New Genetic Perspective on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Recent genetic studies in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) support an important role for what are being termed multiple “rare variants” in these conditions. ”Rare variants” include what we think of as mutations, and can be the cause of an ASD when they are found. This is an extremely...
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Columbia University Study Refutes Connection Between MMR Vaccine and Autism
In a case-control study, the presence of measles virus RNA was no more likely in children with autism and GI disturbances than in children with only GI disturbances. Furthermore, GI symptom and autism onset were unrelated to MMR vaccine timing. Study findings are reported online in the Public...
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Autism’s False Prophets – Dr. Paul Offit Speaks Candidly about Childhood Vaccines with Autism Spectrum News
Autism Spectrum News recently sat down with Dr. Paul Offit, author of the newly released book “Autism’s False Prophets” and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The book examines the theory that vaccines cause autism and the cottage industry of...
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Research in Parenting a Child with Asperger Syndrome Identifies Challenges and Coping Strategies
The numbers of children affected by Asperger Syndrome (AS) in the United States is almost twice that of the number of children who exhibit classic autism. Despite these numbers, there is little empirically guided information about how best to serve families of a child with AS. Most federally funded...
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Use Science and the Scientific Method When Considering Treatments for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Autism is a spectrum disorder that varies in degree from mild to severe with a wide range of needs. AHA Association’s mission is to attain appropriate educational programs, effective social skills training, increased social and recreational opportunities, meaningful employment, and sufficient and...
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View From the Spectrum: Autism From Around the World
Four students with Asperger Syndrome from a school in in Christchurch, New Zealand have gone on to successful courses of study at colleges or universities. Another school in Beijing, PR China has developed a remarkable program emphasizing the administration of sensory integration therapy. Yet...
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The Promise of Research – The National Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Combating Autism Act of 2006 mandated the reestablishment of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) to coordinate all efforts concerning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). IACC membership includes an individual with an ASD,...
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The Path Forward: Brain Stimulation in Autism
Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), while once considered extremely rare, are now recognized as relatively common. At Columbia University Medical Center, we are using the cutting edge technology to develop an innovative approach to studying and treating the symptoms of autism. What Do We...
