April is World Autism Month
Maryland Legislative Effort Could Bring Positive Change for Autism Services – In remembrance of April’s World Autism Month, SafeMinds Shares highlights a legislative effort which could bring positive change in addressing the autism crisis. In 2 years, the prevalence of autism has grown 10% and now affects 1 in 54 children.
Socioeconomic & Racial Divide in Autism Numbers
New Study Shows Rates Escalating Among Poor but Declining for Wealthy Whites in California: A startling new study out of the University of Colorado Boulder exposed an unexpected trend. Autism rates are escalating for African American and Hispanic families as well as economically disadvantaged families, while the rates for wealthy Caucasian families have declined.
Dealing with the Coronavirus Emergency For Autism Families
Let’s face it, we are living in unprecedented times. The threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted normal life in ways most people would never think possible. Fully functional individuals are full of worry about easing the risk of illness for their families. Add a family member with a disability into the mix, and anxiety is likely to reach sky high. Especially since the CDC recognizes that those with neurological and neurodevelopment conditions [including disorders of the brain, epilepsy (seizure disorders), intellectual disability, and moderate to severe developmental delay] may have an increased risk of serious illness due to COVID-19.
Exposure to Phthalates During Pregnancy Associated with Autism Traits
Despite a several decades long rise in prevalence, the cause or causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) still remain largely unknown. For years, researchers have primarily pointed a finger towards genetic reasons. However, a dramatic increase in a disorder, like the one exhibited in autism, shows that it becomes less likely that genetics are solely responsible. Researchers have begun to turn to environmental exposures as a likely culprit explaining part of the increase in rates.
Duquesne University Research Team Sets Lofty Goal of Stopping Autism Pathology as it Develops
CBS 2 in Pittsburgh reports on innovative autism research coming from Duquesne University, which has just announced a biomarker test developed to identify children in the process of developing autism, possibly stopping the progression before their brain pathology worsens. In the future, this test may even help identify newborns at risk of developing the disorder.
Autism & Sleep Troubles: A Critical Concern and Least Studied Feature of the Spectrum
Ask any parent raising a child with autism about their daily challenges, a list will be produced fairly quick. Whether it is dealing with picky eating, rigid dressing and grooming routines, self-stimulatory behaviors, echolalia or all the above; managing these autism related issues takes an enormous amount of patience and dedication to remaining calm. By the end of the day, most parents are ready for peace, quiet and most of all rest. However, the respite that these parents desperately need is unlikely to easily occur.
