About Autism News and Views

Autism News and Views will provide regular updates on news about Autism. In addition, we have provided important links to a wide variety of web sites that will provide you with information on Education, Health, Safety, Advocacy, Service Providers and much more. Use Autism News and Views as your source for the best information on the Autism Spectrum.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

You Want Resources---We Got Resources; Depression Common in Young Adults with Asperger's; Benefits of Autism Assistance Dogs; Let's Hit The Pool; Is There An Increased Risk of Autism Among Certain Immigrant Groups; Light The Country Up Blue!

"Let's be clear about something. It's all about 'ability' not disability."  Jerry Komar



You Want Resources. We Got Resources

In addition to the plethora of resources available on this blog alone, I'd like to take the opportunity to list additional resources that offer valuable information to parents, teachers, researches and anyone interested in Autism. All of these resources are easily accessed through any search engine. In addition, you will also find many of these resources right here on Autism News and Views. So let's start:

  • Talk Autism. Offers a great data base of professionals.
  • Autism Speaks: Anything and everything you need to know about Autism is available here.
  • Autism Society of America: Great resource for research, news on autism and more.
  • National Autism Association: They do great work in empowering families and fund research.
  • Parent to Parent: Linking families together.
  • Model Me Kids Social Network: Network includes parents, educators and people with autism and Asperger's.
  • First Signs: This group offers information on recognizing autism, screening, referrals and much more.
  • Autism Web: A Parent's Guide to Autism.
  • Moms Fighting Autism.
  • Autism Parents.
  • Grandparent Autism Network.
  • O.A.S.I.S. Great resource on Asperger's.
  • Asperger's Syndrome: Ditto
(Source: Masters in Health Care)



Again, navigate this blog when you have a moment. We have a multiple listing of very useful resources.

Depression Common in Young Adults With Asperger's

A Swedish study found that almost 70% of young Swedes with Asperger's suffered from depression.

University of Gothenburg researcher, Tove Lugnegard, reported that mood disorders and anxiety disorders are very common among this specific population. The mean age of the group was 27 years. In addition, Lugnegard discovered that about 30% of people with Asperger's also have ADHD. He noted his findings confirmed previous studies. He also reported that individuals with schizophrenia and those with Asperger's often have high levels of autistic traits. "So it would appear that people with schizophrenia and those with Asperger's syndrome are more similar to each other than previously realized in terms of both autistic traits and social-cognitive disability," said Lugnegard.
(Psychcentral)





What Benefits Can Assistance Dogs Offer Individuals With Autism?

The answer to the above question: many. According to Support Dogs in the UK, individuals with autism can benefit from assistance dogs in a variety of ways. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Increase safety for the child
  • Increase the individual's independence
  • Teaches the child Independence
  • Offers the individuals full access to the community
  • Helps in behavior modification like reducing aggression
  • And offers comfort to the child.

The Benefits of Aquatic Therapy For Children With Autism



As we know, recreational therapy is wonderful for all children and especially children with autism. And what better way to recreate than to jump into the pool? Just as important, aquatic therapy promotes and enhances an individual's well-being. The following are some important reasons to consider aquatic therapy for individuals with autism.

  • It's great exercise. And the physical fitness benefits are enormous.
  • It suitable for sensory issues. The warm water provides a safe and supportive environment.
  • It can enhance social skills when children play with other children in the pool. It also helps increase self-confidence.
  • Children who participate in aquatic activities show improvement in cognition.
  • Learning to swim is an important skill. As mentioned above, it too enhances self-confidence in a child.

Is There A Risk Of Autism Among Certain Immigrant Groups?

A Swedish study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry shows that children of immigrant parents are disproportionately likely to develop autism with intellectual disability. According to the study, it appears children---whose mothers migrated just before or during pregnancy---ran the highest risk.

The researchers speculate that environmental factors, such as stress upon the developing fetus, diets or infections, could lead to autism. However, the findings also show that autism without intellectual disability, as in Asperger's, was less common in children of non-Swedish parents regardless of when the mother migrated to Sweden. Almost 600,000 children were included in this study.
(Medical News Today)


Up-Coming Events:

Haircuts For Autism: Salon D'Arista and Spa in Deer Park, NY from 10 AM - 4 PM. All proceeds for the day will be to help children with autism. Call: 631-392-0368 for more information



Light It Up Blue: April is Autism Awareness Month. In asking to help build awareness, many buildings throughout the the U.S. and the globe will participate in lighting up their buildings with blue lights. Spread the word!!!

Variety Autism Walk:  Sunday, April 15, 2012 at Plymouth Meeting Mall in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Call 215.735.0803 for more information.

2012 Minnesota Autism Conference: April 25-28. Double Tree Park Place Hotel in Minneapolis, MN. Contact: 651.647.1083 x. 19 for details.

Autism Intervention Conference: April 20-21, 2012 at The Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO. Contact: 573.884.7765 for additional information.