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Understanding and Treating the Comorbid Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
As with many childhood neuropsychiatric and emotional disorders, symptoms often overlap causing assessment, diagnostic and treatment planning difficulties. With children on the autistic spectrum, it is crucial to have a thorough evaluation process and multiple treatment options to avoid the...
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Strengths and Challenges of Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an inherited genetic disorder that results in a range of characteristics which include autistic-like features, such as gaze avoidance, hand-flapping, difficulty with transitions, and impaired social and communication skills. It is the most commonly known inherited cause...
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Psychiatric Disorders Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Co-existing psychiatric disorders in individuals on the autism spectrum are common. Based on clinical and community studies, there is strong evidence that up to 70 percent of people with autism meet diagnostic criteria for at least one emotional or behavioral disorder. The presence of these...
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Parents: Give the IEP Team Quality Evaluations with Recommendations
In my last article (The Best Kept Secret, Autism Spectrum News - Summer 2010) I discussed what might be the best kept secret of parent counseling and training (PCT) for parents of children with autism. Under the Federal Regulations of the IDEIA, PCT is to be provided to parents as a related service...
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Addressing Sensory Processing Differences in Children with ASD
There is a growing body of literature describing unusual sensory processing patterns in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A proliferation of writing from individuals with ASD such as Temple Grandin, Donna Williams and others have noted sensory processing impairments as one of the key...
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Make Every Moment Count: Steer Clear of Fad Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have the formidable responsibility of ensuring that their children receive the most effective treatments available within a sufficient time period. However, many parents are ill prepared to make timely and well-informed decisions about what...
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Autism and Epilepsy – What We Know, What We Don’t Know, and How We Are Creating Awareness
People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have a shorter life expectancy than the general population mostly because of various co-morbid medical conditions that affect their health. We do not know why but young people, those with severe intellectual disabilities, and females are at greater risk....
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Distinguishing Stereotypy from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior: Differential Diagnosis in Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Individuals with autism exhibit a wide variety of repetitive and ritualistic behaviors. Such patterns of behavior are a defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorders, and are generally expected as part of the behavioral profile of individuals with autism. While often conceptualized as...
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Ira and David Minot – The Father and Son Team Behind Mental Health News and Autism Spectrum News
Ira and David Minot, Founders and Publishers of Mental Health News (now Behavioral Health News) and Autism Spectrum News, were recently featured in the “Who’s Who” section of AHA’s Fall 2010 magazine, On the Spectrum. “We were honored to be highlighted by AHA because of our shared...
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Using Applied Behavior Analysis to Improve Social Functioning of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Hillside Family of Agencies, a provider of care for youth and families in Central and Western New York, has been utilizing aspects of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) method for many years. Recently, the organization has more widely practiced this therapeutic approach to help children with...
