Celebrating it’s 25th anniversary in 2008, the California Autism Foundation has announced the details for the 2008 Ride for a Better Chance.  Together with the Blacktop Knights Motorcycle Club, the California Autism Foundation will host a poker run with a barbecue to follow featuring live music.  The 2007 event featured over 300 motorcycle enthusiasts; this year the Foundation hopes to top that number.

The 2008 event will be held on Sunday, June 1.  The starting point is at the CruiserCustomizing Showroom in Livermore and the event finishes at the California Autism Foundation office located in Richmond.

For more information, view the Ride for a Better Chance 2008 website.

Larry King will be featuring Jason “J-Mac” McElwain on his show, Larry King Live, on Valentine’s Day - February 14, 2008.  J-Mac is known for his amazing three-point shots during a high school basketball game in 2006.  Playing his first game for Greece Althena high school, J-Mac came in and scored 20 points and made six three-point shots which tied a school record.  J-Mac was ultimately recognized by President George W. Bush, ESPN, and other agencies across the United States.  J-Mac is on the autism spectrum and will talk with Larry King on the Thursday show dedicated to autism spectrum disorders.

Others scheduled to appear on the show include celebrities Holly Robinson Peete, Doug Flutie, and Toni Braxton; all three of these individuals have a child on the autism spectrum.  Unlike other autism shows, the Larry King Live website promises “an uplifting hour with those who know!”

Source:  CNN.com

A February 8, 2008 press release by Vanderbilt University confirms that melatonin can help individuals with an autism spectrum disorder that also have problems with sleep.  Melatonin is a natural supplement; it is believed that people on the autism spectrum are deficient in melatonin.  Supplementing melatonin is thought to induce a more normal and restful sleep pattern.

The Vanderbilt study had 107 participants; 85% of the participants reported improved sleep or completely resolved sleep issues.  According to the news release:

“Although prospective trials will be needed to determine if melatonin is an effective sleep aid in this population, this study does support that it may be a reasonable treatment option in these children when administered under the care of a physician and combined with behavioral therapies for sleep.”

Autism Speaks and the Dana Foundation have pledged $100,000 towards a research study looking at the melatonin solution further. 

Source:  Vanderbilt News Service

A February 9 report by Science Daily discusses a recent study that states that boys with autism are at a higher risk for thin bones when compared to their non-autistic peers.  The study cites a commonly used dietary intervention prevalent among children with autism spectrum disorders - the gluten-free casein-free diet.  Casein is found in all dairy products; dairy products are traditionally the primary source of calcium and vitamin D which are necessary in achieving adequate bone density.

Part of the study’s findings were:

At 5 or 6 years of age, the bones of the autistic boys were significantly thinner than the bones of boys without autism and the difference in bone thickness became even greater at ages 7 and 8.

For more information on the study, which was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, read the Science Daily article.
 

A submission to the January issue of Genetics in Medicine, a journal of the American College of Medical Genetics, details the steps to a genetic diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders.  The article, Genetics Evaluation for the Etiologic Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders, was authored by G. Bradley Schaefer MD and Nancy J. Mendelsohn MD.  Here are a few excerpts of the article as obtained from Ovid Journals Online.

The diagnosis of ASDs is still a clinical one. It is based on behavioral history and behavioral assessments that document persistent deficits in reciprocal social behavior, communication, and restricted interests or repetitive behavior.

The problem with the current method of diagnosis is one doctor may diagnose autistic disorder while another would state the child has pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). 

Epidemiologic data support the presumption that autism is primarily a genetic disorder. The calculated heritability of autism is around 90%.

Data like this is not published by many of today’s leading autism organizations.  It is likely that this study and the projected plans for creating a genetic diagnostic test for autism will be met with controversy. 

An interesting part of the study is a table which lists “Chromosomal Hot Spots for Autism” - among others on the list is the 16p chromosome which was discussed in a January research study.  Other chromosomes of interest are 15q11-13, 7q22-31, 22q11, 22q13, 2q37, Xp, 18q, 17p, and 17q.  As the research from this study is implemented, it will be interesting to see what results are obtained. 

Source:

Schaefer, G Bradley MD & Mendelsohn, Nancy J Md.  Genetics evaluation for the etiologic diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders.  Genetics in Medicine.  January 2008, pp 4-12.  Obtained online from Ovid Journals.

Mark Roth of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has published a new story taking a more in-depth look at the rise in autism diagnoses over the past two decades.  Some autism organizations claim that the United States is currently facing an autism epidemic.  Roth reports on a 2006 study by Paul Shattuck that looks at this dramatic rise in autism.  From the Roth story:

A 2006 study in the journal Pediatrics found, for instance, that the national increase in identified autism cases in elementary schoolchildren between 1984 and 2003 had been paralleled by a similar decrease in the number of children labeled as retarded or learning disabled

The entire Roth article can be found on the Post-Gazette website.  For another look at explanations for the rise in autism cases, read The Autism “Epidemic”.

Source:  Mark Roth - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Online

Autism Conference Presents Latest Treatments, Strategies for Changing Behavior at Home, School

Atlanta, GA ( PRWEB ) February 6, 2008 — Autism may affect as many as 1 in 150 children. This complex disorder is marked by impairments in communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most scientifically backed methods available for the treatment of autism. Leading ABA researchers will be gathering this week to present the latest developments in the application of this life-changing science.

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), along with its Autism and Parent Professional Partnership Special Interest Groups, will be hosting its Second Annual Autism Conference from Friday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 10 in Atlanta.

This year’s conference, “Issues and Recent Advancements in the Behavioral Treatment of Autism: Practical Strategies for Changing Behavior at Home and School,” will focus on home- and community-based interventions as well as curriculum and instruction in the classroom.

The three-day conference will bring together 10 distinguished experts on ABA presenting resources and information that teachers, therapists and parents can use to improve the lives of children with autism. Some of the presentation topics include:

“Teaching the Social Dance” — strategies to teach young people with autism the verbal and non-verbal components to conversation

“One Size Does Not Fit All” — ways to tailor treatments to individual needs to promise the best treatment outcome

“From DT to DI: Using Direct Instruction to Teach Students with ASD” — how Direct Instruction (DI) can address the unique needs of learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) while supporting the acquisition of academic skills

This year’s Autism Conference will be held at Atlanta’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. New additions include exhibitor booths, a bookstore and author book signing by the 10 presenters.

For more information visit the Association for Behavior Analysis International website or call (269) 492-4310. On-site registration is available at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Hyatt Regency, Exhibit Level in Grand Hall West. Credentialed members of the news media may attend free of charge with prior authorization.

About ABA International
The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is a nonprofit professional membership organization with the mission of developing, enhancing and supporting the growth and vitality of behavior analysis through research, education and practice. Founded in 1974, the association has approximately 5,000 members worldwide. Its affiliated chapters have a total membership of 12,000 worldwide.

Complete Presentation List:

Teaching the Social Dance: Helping Children with Autism Engage in Social Interaction and Conversation
Patricia Krantz, Ph.D.
Executive Director Emeritus, Princeton Child Development Institute

“Evidence-Based Practice”: Improvement or Illusion?
Gina Green, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, San Diego State University

One Size Does Not Fit All: Individualizing Treatment Programs for Children with Autism
Laura Schreibman, Ph.D.
Professor, University of California, San Diego

Effective School-Based Program for Children with Autism
Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, University of Washington

Because Our Kids Are Worth It: A Parent’s Perspective on Behavioral Interventions at Home and School
Mary Elizabeth Walsh, Ph.D.
Professor, Caldwell College

Using ABA to Improve the Lives of Adults with Autism in Work, Community and Residential Settings
Gregory MacDuff, Ph.D.
Director of Adult and Community-Living Programs, Princeton Child Development Institute

What’s My Motivation?: Encouraging Children with Autism to Develop Active Learner Participation
James W. Partington, Ph.D., BCBA
Director, Behavior Analysts, Inc.

Picking the Right ABA Program for Your Loved One: Matching Learner Needs with Instructional Strategies
Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor/Director of Research and Training, Rutgers University

One-on-One Programming: Using Direct Instruction to Teach Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Cathy L. Watkins, Ph.D., BCBA
Professor, California State University, Stanislaus

A Clear Picture: Using Images to Get What You Want
Andrew S. Bondy, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.

Source:  PRWeb

The annual Easter Seals Autism Symposium will be held on February 13 and 14 in Monterey, California.  The symposium is geared towards educators, parents, therapists, social works, case administrators, and psychologists.  The Monterey Conference Center will host the 2008 symposium.  Dr. Richard Solomon, a Michigan physician, will be the keynote speaker on day one speaking on the topic P.L.A.Y. Project Level 1 Workshop Introduction to Floortime and P.L.A.Y.  Floortime and the Developmental, Individualized, and Relationship Oriented (DIR) model are based on the works of noted author and physician Dr. Stanley Greenspan.  DIR is one of several key types of autism therapy.

 Source:  Monterey Easter Seals Autism Symposium

Families in Washington State who have a child on the autism spectrum and a younger child who is asymptomatic are being asked to participate in a groundbreaking research study being conducted by the University of Washington Autism Center.  From the Journal Newspapers story on the study:

Researchers at the University of Washington were recently granted $11.3 million to work on the prevention of autism. Their work will be the first study done with a pre-symptomatic population who are thought to be at risk for autism because they have an autistic sibling.

Babies that participate in the study will be assessed at six, 12, and 24 months of age.  Out of the 200 children that the University of Washington hopes to have as participants, 100 will be chosen for a more intensive program.  This intensive program will help to foster a strong and positive attachment between the infant and his primary caregiver.

For more information, view the University of Washington’s Early Connections website.

Source:  Journal Newspapers

Autism Awareness Month is rapidly approaching (April); Toys R’Us has published a news release announcing its commitment to continue supporting Autism Speaks in 2008.  Toys R’Us and the Toys R’Us Children’s Fund have awarded a $250,000 grant to Autism Speaks.  In addition, the stores located throughout the United States will sponsor dozens of the Autism Speaks fundraising walks and allow customers to donate to Autism Speaks through in-store fundraising efforts.  The 2007 in-store fundraising brought in more than $1 million to benefit Autism Speaks.

For more information read the entire Toys R’Us/Autism Speaks press release.