January 16, 2023
- Recent research from China has found the weighted prevalence of ADHD, ASD, ID, and LD for American children was 8.5% (95% CI: 7.9–9.2%), 2.9% (95% CI: 2.6–3.4%), 1.4% (95% CI: 1.2–1.7%), and 6.4% (95% CI: 5.8–7.0%), respectively. Data for this study came from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and included 14,983 children and adolescents aged 3-17 years in 2019 and 2020. As seen previously, a higher prevalence of ADHD, ASD, ID, and LD was observed in boys. Interestingly, this research found a higher rate of neurodevelopmental disorders in children who have previously struggled with anxiety or depression symptoms, have a lower family income, live in a rented house, or live with anyone with a mental illness. The researchers also discovered an increased rate of neurodevelopmental disorders in children that had been bullied.
- A new original investigation has examined an alleged association between male infertility and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. This cohort study of 1,575,971 singleton births discovered that ICSI was linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delay in offspring whose parents experienced infertility. Babies born to couples with either male or female infertility who did not receive ICSI intervention had no increased risk of ASD and developmental delay.
- A cross-country runner named Sebastian DeSimone has made it possible for college students with intellectual disabilities to compete in college sports. NCAA rules typically require athletes to be full-time students in degree programs. However, DeSimone is a student with autism enrolled in Gwynedd Mercy University’s Integrated Studies Program for students of differing abilities in which certificates, not degrees, are earned. Since he would not be earning a degree, DeSimone may not have been able to compete. With help from his mother, DeSimone petitioned the NCAA for a waiver to run cross-country for his school. Not only did he receive that waiver, but the NCAA’s subcommittee for legislative relief approved a change that will make it easier for students across the country enrolled in integrated studies programs to compete in Division III athletics.
- The Autism & Grief Project website was created to support autistic adults through grief and loss. The website not only provides help to adults with autism suffering from grief but also offers assistance to those trying to support grieving autistic individuals like family, friends, clergy, and other professionals. The website aims to “validate the grief experiences of autistic adults while recognizing the many strengths and challenges of autism.”
- The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is moderating a webinar that examines maternal exposure to air pollution and adverse birth outcomes that may accompany those exposures. HEAL will hold the webinar on Thursday, January 19, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern.
- The Autism Research Institute (ARI) has welcomed Robert E. Burrier, Ph.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Bob Burrier is a seasoned research scientist and corporate executive with experience in pharmaceutical research, biotech product development, biomarker discovery, and consulting services. His work at Stemina Biomarker Discovery helped grow the company’s capabilities as a leader in metabolomic technologies and focus on understanding the metabolism, which may lead to novel therapies for children on the spectrum with a personalized-medicine approach.
