Monday, September 20, 2010

Therapy provides hope in abating autism » Features » Tahlequah Daily Press

Therapy provides hope in abating autism » Features » Tahlequah Daily Press: "Hope for recovery is a concept many people, including some physicians, do not generally associate with autism.

Carla Howard and Michelle Spencer are not among them.

The local moms spent a week training in the Son-Rise program in Sheffield, Mass. The program was created by parents of an autistic child, and today, their son directs the program."

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Kids with autism don't experience contagious yawning - Health - Mental health - msnbc.com

Kids with autism don't experience contagious yawning - Health - Mental health - msnbc.com: "Molly Helt discovered an interesting aspect of her son's autism somewhat serendipitously, during a plane ride. When the plane descended, in an attempt to help relieve painful pressure in her son's ears, she tried to get him to yawn by yawning right in front of him.
About 45 percent of us yawn when we see someone else yawn, but Helt's yawns had no such effect on her little one.
The observation prompted Helt, a clinical psychology researcher at the University of Connecticut, to investigate the contagious yawning in children with autism."

Technology Review: A Drug Shows Promise in Autism

Technology Review: A Drug Shows Promise in Autism: "Though the research is still preliminary, scientists appear to be closing in on a molecular explanation for at least some cases of autism. Research in lab animals, cadavers, and now in a small clinical trial in children seems to support the idea that autism is caused by a lack of chemical regulation in synapses, the junction between brain cells."

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

"Swring" Making Impact On Kids With Autism - Health News Story - KXLY Spokane

"Swring" Making Impact On Kids With Autism - Health News Story - KXLY Spokane: "“Kids began to really not just enjoy it, but she could see definite progress in some of the children's behavior and their ability to be involved in a social setting with other kids,' Emory, who is also a grandfather to 11 kids, said.
The Swring, he says, brings out smiles and joy to autistic kids who normally struggle with the ability to show emotion."

Toddlers With Autism May Fix Their Eyes On Geometric Patterns Rather Than Children Playing

Toddlers With Autism May Fix Their Eyes On Geometric Patterns Rather Than Children Playing: "Children with autism may stare at geometric patterns when they are just 14 months old rather than look at kids playing around or doing yoga, say researchers in an article published in Archives of General Psychiatry. Children without autism prefer looking at other kids doing things, the authors added."

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Where an infant fixes their gaze 'could be an early indicator of autism' | Mail Online

Where an infant fixes their gaze 'could be an early indicator of autism' Mail Online: "An early sign that a child may develop autism could be as simple as noting where they fix their gaze.Those considered at 'high-risk' of developing a form of the disorder were far more likely to become fixated with a non-social toy when left to their own devices."