What's New: Research, News, and Comments

Autism and Aging: Hardly Out of the Woods
The Consultant Pharmacist, by Wick, JY, and Zanni GR, published in 2009, summarized Mar 2010

Doctors who care for aging people with autism need to know about the many aspects of autism in order to create an effective treatment plan.

This review article describes the problems that come with the long-term care of people with autism. Adults who were diagnosed with autism in the 1980s are now starting to reach old age and some will need long-term care in homes. There is very little research on what happens as people with autism age, although studies suggest that older people with autism will have many problems. They will likely have trouble knowing others’ intent and they will likely behave in ways that may be hard to manage.


Does Risperidone Improve Hyperacusia in Children with Autism?
Psychopharmacology Bulletin, by Ghanizadeh, A., published in 2009, summarized Mar 2010

Risperidone may help children with autism overcome sensitivity to loud noises.

This case study described the use of risperidone to treat a five and a half year old girl with autism who was frightened by loud sounds (hyperacusia). While many children with autism do not process sound the way other children do, only some children with autism cry and avoid loud sounds. Children with hyperacusia may also cover their ears when they hear loud sounds such as a vacuum cleaner, car, or washing machine. The doctor reports that this child’s hyperacusia improved when she took risperidone. This appears to be the only report that has described this effect of risperidone.


Safety and Efficacy of Oral DMSA Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Part A – Medical Results
BMC Clinical Pharmacology, by Adams, JB, Baral M., Geis E., Mitchell J., Ingram J., Hensley A., Zappia I., and Newmark S., published in 2009, summarized Mar 2010

Oral dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) therapy may be helpful in normalizing red blood cell glutathione levels in children with autism.

This study was designed to see if DMSA therapy (9 doses over 3 days, 10 mg/kg-dose) would cause children with autism to excrete toxic metals. DMSA was very good at causing lead to be released from the body. The children seemed to have less lead in their bodies after treatment than children in other research studies. Children were given 3 rounds of DMSA treatment. Researchers said that 80% of the children may need more than three rounds of DMSA treatment in order to remove all of the toxic metals. The authors said that DMSA therapy may reduce toxic metals and improve glutathione levels with few apparent side effects.


Generalized Effects of Video Modeling on Establishing Instructional Stimulus Control in Children with Autism
Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, by Nikopoulos, CK, Canavan C., and Nikopoulou-Smyrni P., published in 2009, summarized Mar 2010

Video modeling may be a useful tool for stopping problem behaviors as well as teaching skills to children with autism.

This study looked to see if video modeling could help children with autism learn to stop what they are doing and clean up a toy. The three children in the study had good classroom behavior even before the study began. Two of the three children were able to generalize from the toy seen in the video to other toys. The third child had the most problem behaviors going into the study and he also had the most trouble learning from the videos. The authors note that videos are good because they can be made for each child to meet the needs of each child.


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The Whole Learning School Uses Sensory Integraton Approach

Mar 10, 2010

The Whole Learning School, located in Plymouth MN, teaches children with autism and other developmental delays using a sensory approach. This small, private school focuses on visual, auditory, and touch as a means of making sure that each student can learn to the best of his ability. Another method the school uses to best work with the individual child is to group learners by ability and not by grade level. Ann Rooney, head of the school says, “All of our kids have processing deficits. The way they move information, process it and comprehend it is slower than their typical peer. So they need more opportunities to practice it, in shorter duration." The school environment is also about learning and becoming comfortable in social situations that will occur outside the school walls.

Read original article: An Education for All


Toledo Hospital System Offers Early Intervention to Kids with Autism

Mar 8, 2010

Mercy Children’s Hospital in Toledo Ohio offers an intensive preschool program for children with autism along with a home intensive program. The programs focus on early intervention including speech and occupational therapies. The Lyons twins are both on the spectrum and have improved speech skills and social skills since becoming involved with Mercy. The program runs 24 hours a week for 12 months and the cost of the program is partially funded by the state. As with other schools working with children with autism, the goal is for children to integrate with their peers.

Read original article: Autism Programs Focus on Early Intervention


Occupational Therapist Provides Playground in Her Clinic

Mar 5, 2010

Lyndsey Stevenato is an occupational therapist in Barrie, Ontario. Her clinic, Children’s Therapy Services, provides therapy for children with autism and other disabilities, as well as training for their parents. The clinic is full of therapy tools, but also resembles a playground with swings, colors, boards, and toys. Stevenato has worked with kids for over 23 years and says, “The kids know I understand them. I'm able to figure out their triggers and break tasks down." She works with children individually based on their needs; a child may need feeding therapy, help with hygiene, or academics.

Read original article: Therapy Through Play


Autism Therapy Center Provides Instruction in Every Day Living Skills

Mar 3, 2010

The Jefferson School at Finan recently opened an autism therapy center. This Maryland facility is an offshoot of the Sheppard Pratt Health System. The center serves children from kindergarten through high school, although the current students range in age from 10 to 15. Children with severe autism are introduced to the facility one at a time so that individual therapy can be provided. The center has classrooms, library, computer room, and an “independent living area” where students are taught domestic skills. Therapies include occupational therapy and sensory integration therapy; the sensory room has a trampoline and swing. The goal of the program is for children to eventually be able to attend school.

Read original article: Autism Center Clicks for Students, Staff


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Comments

Mar 8, 2010 by john-smith

Btw It's really nice to discuss with you. I am happy but now I am collecting the business video for my friends and other persons. Because I my aim to provide best and knowledgeable material. And I hope you will also like and help me to continue this


Music dance

Mar 8, 2010 by john-smith

I have good news for you, Richie and others, inquiring about the use of dance/movement therapy with autistic individuals. I am a dance therapist in Austin TX and there is plenty of valuable use of dance, movement and rhythm for individuals with autism. The concepts are that a person is not merely his/her brain; obviously we are connected through mind, body, and spirit. Therefore if a person can connect with another through movement, then behavioral and cognitive change can result if the neurological patterns are stimulated through dance and movement. Of course, dance is a form of self-expression and release, as well. Engaging in dance and movement can help in that manner, whether it is dancing with the therapist or creating a form of self-expression and having the therapist guide the movement patterns into another shape, rhythm, or form to encourage a different behavior or thought process. Btw It's really nice to discuss with you. I am happy but now I am collecting the php for my friends and other persons. Because I my aim to provide best and knowledgeable material. And I hope you will also like and help me to continue this


Responding to Adderall (amphetamine)

Mar 8, 2010 by Anonymous

Mistä syinesta voi ostaa tätä adderallia.


Pablito

Mar 5, 2010 by Anonymous

Nunca imagine que una palabra de mi Hijo me llenarai tanto como madre, lo diagnosticaron cuando tenia dos años y medio, desde ese entonces esta en terapia, fue muy dificil por que no hay en nuestra ciudad un especialista , paro encontre terapistas de lenguaje que lo empezaron a ayudar, empezamos con la terapia del abrazo que consistia en que cuando dormia o cuando lo permitia abrazarlo o acercarnos lo mas que podiamos a el y hablarle de el , de su concepcion, de su desarrollo dentro de mi, que como la habiamos esperado, de cuando lo amabamos y como ansiabamos tenerlo a nuestro lado, o sencillamente cantarle algo suave al oido,su papa le tocaba la guitarra lo que disfrutaba inmensamente .

yo creo que al año y medio de hacerlo constantemente y de nunca renunciar a la terapia empezamos a tener respuesta, ya nos miraba Luego vino la etapa de los animalitos, los insectos,le gustaban tanto que con cada uno de los muñequitos que le proporcionabamos el nos daba una palabra, La integracion a un centro educativo regular, lo ayudo inmensamente, hoy cinco años despues de su diagnostico, , su lenguaje es claro, su aprendizaje es rapido, su nivel de comprension va en aumento, en la terapia esta trabajando en problemas logicos, absurdos verbales, trabalenguas, a avanzado muchisimo, Sabemos que siempre sera autista mas sin embrago esta practicamente rehabilitado, Lo mas importante tengan Fe y amen profundamente a sus niños, el amor todo lo puede.


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