July 19, 2021
- The Autism Community in Action (TACA) will be holding their National Conference Virtually this year on October 15-17. Take advantage of their special opening day registration $25 offer on Tuesday, July 20th.
- Don’t be afraid to use the term “autistic” says a new article from Channel News Asia. Citing that many young adults on the spectrum view autism as a neurological difference in functioning and not a disease, and also view their condition as a neuro-cultural identity, they prefer the term “autistic.” These young people have abandoned the identity-first language term “person with autism” and invite others to do so as well.
- A new study has compared levels of serum B12, folate, ferritin, and peripheral inflammatory indicators between children with ASD, ADHD, and healthy controls. Neutrophil levels and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios were higher in the ADHD and ASD groups compared to the healthy controls. There were no significant differences between the levels of vitamin B12, folate, and ferritin levels between the groups. These results may point to an involvement of inflammation in the underlying pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Earlier this month, we included a story regarding Michigan’s new program to include autism diagnosis information on their state ID cards, in an effort to provide disclosure to law enforcement during an encounter. Now, Texas is following suit, but using a specialized license plate to tip off law enforcement that someone in the car could possibly be on the spectrum. Law enforcement encounters can be extremely stressful for people on the spectrum which can cause unusual behaviors.
- An original investigation published in JAMA Pediatrics has discovered that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are connected in two ways. The study showed that children who suffer a severe TBI are at higher risk for developing ADHD. Conversely, it also showed that children who already have ADHD are at a higher risk of suffering a TBI.
- Babies who were severely small for their gestational age and born via early induction of labor are associated with worse developmental and educational outcomes according to a new Australian study. In an accompanying editorial, two doctors from Utah urge obstetricians to evaluate the long-term outcomes associated with obstetric interventions for small gestational age and fetal growth restriction.
