April 2014: Autism Awareness Month: What Have We Learned In The Last Year?

What Have We Learned In The Last Year?

There's been a lot of important and significant news affecting individuals with Autism in the past year.  Let's take a few moments to review some of these developments:

• Last February, a new APP became available for parents of children with Autism. The APP---"My Socius"---was designed to be a digital tutor for parents. The APP is available by calling 402.423.2444. Cost: $24.99.
• iSTAR program at the University of Utah developed a unique program teaching students with Autism how to use computers in 3-D modeling.
• The Journal of the American Medical Association reported women who took folic acid four weeks before conception and through eight weeks of their pregnancy were 40% less likely to have a child with Autism.

• A new study out of the University of Queensland in Australia found that children with Autism increase their positive social behavior around animals.
• ABC News reported many individuals with Autism were finding jobs in information technology. One reason: those with Autism are able to spot patterns well according to AutonomyWorks. 
• Researchers at the University of Toronto reported they were studying the link between Autism and gastrointestinal problems.
• In early February, USA Today reported Royal Caribbean announced it will be the first Autism friendly cruiseline.
• Yoga and other uses of calming techniques have proven to be invaluable in calming individuals with Autism prone to exhibiting behavior problems.

• The New England Journal of Medicine reported  Autism may start in the womb. Brain tissue taken from children who died exhibited patches of disorganization in the cortex. This research appears to support earlier research by UCLA.
• And just this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported rates of Autism climbed by 30% between 2008 and 2010. It is believed Autism now affects 1 of every 68 eight-year olds, up from 1 in 88 two years ago. 

For Your Bookshelf (Books Recommended Since Last Year)

What You Should Know About The Myths Of Autism

Autism Myths

It's unfortunate there are countless myths about autism. For example, people with autism are aggressive is one common myth. Another myth supposes people with autism are all geniuses. Let's put some of these myths to rest now:

• People with autism are aggressive. While there are some individuals with autism who exhibit aggressive behaviors, most do not. Like most people, individuals with autism may get angry on occasion because of some type of discomfort. They may also feel frustrated because of their inability to communicate.
• Individuals with autism are a danger to society, to themselves and others. Again, like the general population, there are some people with autism who exhibit such behaviors. Most do not. There is absolutely no reason to fear an individual with autism. In fact, it's rare that people with autism react violently.
• People with autism are all alike. Nothing could be further from the truth. While some behaviors can be generalized, e.g. difficulty in social communication, they are as different as anyone else. 
• Autism is a mental health disorder. What we now know about autism is that it's a biological disorder that affects the development of the individuals brain and its development.
• Autism is the fault of the parents. I have only one word for that claim: absurd. As far as we now know, autism has nothing to do with how the child was raised. Genetics overrides that foolish belief. In fact, environmental factors have little to do with autism.  For example, identical twin studies show if one twin has autism, the other twin has a 90% chance of having autism as well.
• Autism can be cured. As of this writing, there is no known cure for autism.

For Your Bookshelf:

Some Of The Best Autism Blogs For 2013; Staggering Cost Of Autism For Families; Noise: What Is It Good For?

Autism Is Not A Tragedy. Being Judged Is...Author Unknown

Some Outstanding Autism Blogs For 2013

While there are many good blogs on autism (allow me to add---like this one), we are also fortunate to be rich in the availability of diverse blogs targeting autism.

The following is a list of some of the best blogs on the subject of autism:

• John Elder Robison
• Autism From A Father's Point Of View
• Fighting Monsters With Rubber Swords
• The Third Glance
• Just Stimming
• Asperkids
• Hope Saves The Day
• Big Daddy Autism
• Mostly True Stuff
• Autism Daddy
• Anybody Want A Peanut?

Babble

Families Can Be Overwhelmed By The Cost Of Autism 

The University of Calgary's School of Public Policy found that the life-long care-giving costs for a child with autism can reach almost $160,000 per year.

"A scan of provincial programs finds a patchwork of unequal and incomplete supports for individuals living with autism spectrum disorders," the report also found.

The Epoch Times

Some Children With Autism React To Noise 

Those of us who have worked with individuals with autism know that many react to noise more than others. A new study by Vanderbilt University may have shown the reason why.

The research shows that, while most people see others talking in sync, for many children with autism there is a delay between what they they see and what they hear, causing them to see speech out of sync. The researchers found that 90% of children with autism have some sort of "auditory processing delay."

The same research found that there are video games and other means available to accelerate the auditory processing so that it gets in sync. See book below on the "Out Of Sync Child."

CBS News

For Your Bookshelf