September 04, 2023
- Excess fluid between the brain and the skull could provide clues to the biological basis of autism, according to new research from the University of California Davis MIND Institute. The team behind this work found that baby siblings of children with autism who were later diagnosed with the disorder had excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared to neurotypical children. The authors have since confirmed the link in hundreds of infants, including some with no family history of autism. They are now investigating whether defects in CSF circulation might also contribute to autism. Excess CSF could eventually be used to predict autism likelihood in infants, provided it is combined with additional information about the child.
- A week of an organic diet can significantly reduce levels of the herbicide glyphosate in pregnant women’s urine, according to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the popular pesticide RoundUp, is linked to premature birth and low birth weight, which may lead to infant mortality and a range of neurodevelopmental disorders. The study’s participants who ate an organic diet saw their glyphosate levels decrease by 25% to 30%, which rose to 43% after excluding participants who did not perfectly comply with the diet.
- Two individuals on the spectrum from Colorado have turned to physical exertion to manage their symptoms of autism. Over the past five years, a teenager named Lucius Shea has climbed hundreds of mountains with his father and is now planning to climb Mt. Everest. Lucius’ father says mountaineering has helped his son regulate his emotions and fostered perseverance. Additionally, a 29-year-old freelance writer and sports psychologist with autism, Lucie Hanes, uses long-distance running to battle an eating disorder. Hanes has used running to manage a “dark period” where she said her mind was going in the wrong direction. Her running career has been incredibly successful. She recently finished second in her debut 100-mile race.
- The Social Security Administration is proposing a new rule to modify how it alters Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments for those who receive a rental subsidy as “in-kind support and maintenance.” Under current rules, SSI benefits are reduced if a person pays rent or shelter expenses lower than the current market value. However, due to court rulings, the agency uses a less stringent standard in seven states. The proposed rule published this month in the Federal Register seeks to expand the more lenient standard already in place in seven states to the entire country. The Social Security Administration estimates that about 41,000 current SSI beneficiaries would see their monthly payments rise under the rule change by an average of $128 monthly.
- Travel expert and author of Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse, Dawn M. Barclay, has recently been featured in a helpful article offering suggestions to make restaurant visits for families with children with special needs go more smoothly. Barclay’s six best tips for a successful dining experience include: 1) Practicing at Home 2) Knowing Your Child’s Triggers 3) Starting Small and Alert the Staff 4) Packing Smart 5) Staying Focused 6) Preparing for the Unexpected.
