The American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), will be holding it's 138th annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, from June 23-26, 2014. The theme of the meeting is, Embracing Complexity Inclusion, Participation and Citizenship.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide researchers, clinicians, practitioners, educators, policy makers, local, state and federal agencies with cutting edge research, effective practices, and valuable information on important policy initiatives.
AAIDD is now accepting proposals for the meeting. proposal formats include paper, panel and poster presentations and pre and post conference settings.
Guidelines All presenters who attend the conference must pay the conference registration fee.
A complete proposal consists of the following:
1. Completed Presentation Submission form
2. 500- word summary
50-75 word abstract: brief summary of presentation used for the conference program.
On Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 2pm, the Theatre Development Fund's Autism Theatre Initiative will be presenting an autism-friendly performance of the musical: Spiderman:TURN OFF THE DARK at Foxwoods Theatre (213 West 42ns Street, NYC).
To create an autism-friendly setting, the show is being performed in a friendly, supportive environment for an audience of families and friends with children or adults who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or other sensitivity issues.
Though aggression is not typical of everyone with autism, new research suggest that it affects many with the developmental disorder and brings significant and often lifelong challenges. In a study out of Canada, researchers followed 15 families of male children and young adults with varying levels of autism. of the study participants, nine families said that aggression is an issue they face.
When I conduct trainings on developmental disability and sensitivity, I often mention the importance of seeing the ability of each person. When one focuses on the disability, it is very easy to see the limitations of the person and ignore their capabilities.
Most IEP's CFA's, and ISP's will indicate the strength and weaknesses of each person in order in order to determine a plan of service. But, what if we saw the characteristics as stengths? For example, some people with autism have specific symptoms. What if we saw these symptoms or characteristics as positive traits? People with autism often demonstrate repetitive behavior, artistic ability, attention to detail, creativity, energy, good memory and a stick-to- itiveness.
I bring to you Miss Clara Berg, a ten-year-old diagnosed with autism and Di George Syndrome, who has memorized the principal character, Swanhilde's entire lead routine from the Coppelia ballet. This is a perfect example of realizing that we all come with great gifts that need to be nurtured on a regular basis. Watch this amazing video of Clara, and I dare you not to be moved by it!
Scientists say that roughly 20% of autism cases can be linked to known genetic abnormalities, and may more may be discovered. Pinpointing a genetic explanation can help predict whether siblings are likely to have the disorder and even point to new, targeted treatments. Last week, for example, researchers reported that an experimental drug, arbaclofen, reduced social withdrawal and challenging behaviors in children and adults with Fragile X syndrome, the single most common genetic cause of autism.
Many children with autism have interrelated health problems that can have significant impact on their home and school lives, a new study finds. Researchers looked at nearly 3,000 children with autism and found that nearly one-fourth also had chronic gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and nausea.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment will be presenting the 16th Advances in Autism Conference on Sunday, October 14, 2012 in the Stern Auditorium at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
The goal of the conference is to provide general updates and enhancement of knowledge related to the accurate recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. For conference and registration information, please email: jessica.brownfeld@mssm.edu or call 212-241-0349
In early 2012, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued findings from a study that 1 in 88 children is now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by the age of eight. This is a 23 percent increase in ASD diagnoses in just two years. What troubles doctors is that the rate has risen far above the 2006 estimate at one in 110.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that ASD includes a range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by social impairment, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior.
When Marcie and Derek Williams' 3-year-old son was diagnosed with autism, the Louisville couple accepted that his life would be different from other children.
They decided it would be up to them to make sure Blake- Marcie's first child and Derek's fifth- had the same opportunities to grow up to be an independent adult as other children in their Louisville household.
A Pennsylvania woman whose autistic son was not recommended for a heart transplant said she wants to bring more attention to the decision-making process so that those with ailments or disabilities are not passed over without careful consideration.
Karen Corby said Thursday that her son Paul, now 23 was denied a heart transplant from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania last summer over what it said were concerns about his "psychiatric issues" and "autism", among other factors
TRACEY Amodeo's tears tell the real story of
autism.
They speak of a mother battling against
impossible odds, a mother with three, of her four kids, diagnosed with some
form of autism. "There are times where I just think I
can't do it anymore," she explains. "There are times when I'm just so tired,
I don't do anything for myself." How Tracey makes it through a day caring for
these children is anyone's guess. Christian, one of her younger boys, struggles the most.Read the rest of the article at Fraser Coast Chronicle
Rett Syndrome is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder discovered by Dr. Andreas Rett, an Austrian pediatrician who in the late 1950's noticed that a few of his patients shared similar characteristics such as hand-wringling. Dr. Rett soon disovered similar cases in other parts of Euope. After publish a paper on the cases in a professional journal, other cases were noted in the United States. Epidemiology
Rett Syndrome is rare and will affect 1/10,000 females
75% will lose their ability to walk in later years.
85% will develop scoliosis
Caused by a mutation in the gene which is believed to control the functions of many genes.
Symptoms
The child may appear normal for the first 6-18 months
will begin to lose:
loss of finger skills
loss of communication skills
deceleration of head growth
will develop scoliosis
Many believe that Rett Syndrome should not be placed in the catergory of PDD since it is a neurological disorder because of distinct differences such as in some cases, eye contct is maintained and hand movements are very different from the motor stereotypes of a person with autism.
Years ago, I worked with adults diagnosed with autism in an adult day treatment setting. Very few programs were in existence during the time so much of what I learned was through reading as much information that I could on the topic, attending conferences and through trial and error. Twenty-five years later, due to the increase of children born with autism, most people in the United States know at least one person diagnosed with autism or a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).
What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
According to DSM IV, a diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder includes a delay or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:
A) a qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
marked impairment in the use of multiple non-verbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture and gestures to regulate social interaction.
failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental levels.
a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievement with other people.
Lack of social or emotional reciprocity.
B) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least on of the following:
delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language.
in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others.
stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language.
C) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns manifested by at least tow of the following:
encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus.
apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non-functional routines or rituals.
stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerism.
persistent preoccupation with parts or objects.
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
The broad category of Pervasive Developmental Disorder also includes the following disorders:
Asperger Syndrome-described in the 1940's by a Viennese pediatrician, Hans Asperger, Asperger Syndrome was officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for the first time in the Fourth edition published in 1994. Characterized by higher cognitive abilities, people with Asperger's Syndrome may have poor eye contact, difficulty making/keeping friends and have difficulty with changes and transitions.
Rett Syndrome- a disorder of the nervous system that leads to developmental reversals, especially in the areas of expressive language and hand use. It occurs almost exclusively in girls and affects about 1 out of 10,000 children.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder- a disorder in which a child develops normally through age 3 or 4. Then over a few months, children lose language, motor, social, and other skills that they already learned. The cause is unknown, but it has been linked to brain and nervous system problems.
PPD-NOS-indicates the person is on the autism spectrum, but not falling within any of the existing specific categories of autism.
STATISTICS
CDC estimates that about 1 in 88 children have been identified with an ASD. Data also shows that:
ASD's are reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
ASD's are almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252).
About 1 in 6 children in the U.S. had a developmental disability in 2006-2008, ranging from mild disabilities such as speech and language impairments to serious developmental disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and autism.
Strategies when working or teaching people with autism:
People benefit the most when material is presented visually rather than auditory.
Consider developing self-regulation programs so that the person can understand their own needs and how to manage them
Motivate them to increase time on tasks through concrete reinforcement
Use color-coded material.
Break task into steps
Incorporate parents, and family members ideas on what techniques work the best
I came across this video, that I wanted to share with you. It highlights people with autism in their own words. While I recognize the broad cognitive levels of autism, I thought this video would give a different perspective.
