EPA Announces Research Grant for Early Life Exposures
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications for a new Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center, the Center for Early Lifestage Vulnerabilities to Environmental Stressors.
BYU Develops Special Glasses to Increase Eye Contact for Kids with ASD
Making eye contact is challenging for many children with autism. The inability to maintain eye contact can prevent children from developing meaningful social relationships. To assist with this dilemma, an engineering team at Brigham Young University (BYU) developed a unique pair of eyeglasses which display animated images on eyeglass lenses to increase engagement and ease children’s tension as they work on eye contact skills.
Disability Programs in Danger of Closing Due to COVID-19
Data collected in July by the American Network of Community Options and Resources or ANCOR showed that 77% of organizations serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have reported shutting down and discontinuing programs due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, 16% of those programs are never expected to reopen again.
Measuring Metabolites in Blood Could Be Used to Diagnose Autism
Scientists are one step closer to developing a serological test that could be used to diagnose autism. Researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York designed a blood test that analyzes measurements of metabolites in a blood sample to predict whether or not an individual has autism. Their model proved fairly accurate, the blood test was able to successfully identify 124 of 131 children with autism in their study.
Special Needs Caregivers Describe More Negative Effects From Pandemic Versus Non-Caregivers
A new report issued from the National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Family Support at the University of Pittsburgh found that caregivers of individuals with special needs are more likely to experience health and financial difficulties since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh conducted a survey of caregivers from April 15 to May 27 and found that sixty-three percent faced an increase in responsibilities since stay at home orders began.
Participate in Autism Research: ASD COVID-19 Study
The Johnson Center for Child Health and Development is conducting an online, questionnaire based study to address the psychosocial and behavioral impact of COVID-19 on children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study includes questions about the level of supports and services your child received at the beginning of 2020 and compares with the time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
