Updated Friday, June 5, 2015The Brain Bank for Autism in the UK has reported that a severe shortage of brains is hampering its research efforts. Researchers know that the developing brain is altered in Autism but need to do more research to try and find out how and why these alterations take place. For more information go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/mar/31/autism-inside-the-brain-bank
No Connection Between Vaccines & Autism
Updated Friday, June 5, 2015A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics find no relationship between childhood vaccines and autism It also finds no relationship between the number of vaccines a child receives in 1 day and the development of autism. The study was done by the Centers for Disease Control and involved 1,000 toddlers. Its findings confirm the absence of a link between autism and vaccination as concluded by prior studies. For more information go to: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-29/autism-risk-isn-t-increased-by-vaccine-schedule-study-finds.html
Gaze Shifting Delay May Help Diagnose Autism Earlier
Updated Friday, June 5, 2015A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows that infants at 7 months of age who are later diagnosed with autism take slightly longer to shift their gaze than other infants which may be a precursor to diagnosing autism at an earlier stage. For more information see: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/258189.php
Autism – another genetic connection
Updated Friday, June 5, 2015A small study published in Autism Research shows genetic connections between autism and Chromosome 15q Duplication Syndrome (Dup15q). For more information go to: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130326101532.htm
Suicidal Tendencies & Autism
Updated Friday, June 5, 2015A recent report indicates that people with autism may be at a higher risk of suicidal ideation. More information is available here: http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/14238/20130312/autism-suicidal-tendencies-higher-autistic-children.htm
Autism and Aggression
Updated Friday, June 5, 2015Disability Scoop reports that half of children with autism struggle with aggression issues. For more information go to: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/03/18/aggression-struggle-autism/17510/
Advocacy – The Importance of Personalisation
Updated Friday, June 5, 2015 No matter what type of interaction you are having with a school, government agency or health provider, you need to make sure your child is not viewed as just another number. It is much easier to refuse to do something for someone you know nothing about. In all your communications, use your child’s name and tell some of her story. You want to paint a picture of your child in the listener’s mind. If you are writing a letter to someone who doesn’t have a personal connection with your child, put your child’s picture right into the text of the letter. Tell your child’s story – why […]
Tips for writing better letters to help your child with special needs
Updated Saturday, August 8, 2015Letter writing is a great advocacy tool as it gives you time to think and analyse your thoughts before you put them on paper. Writing a letter on an important issue is a process that requires some planning. This post will help you write an effective letter when advocating for your child with special needs. Define your advocacy goal Your first step is defining your goal or objective. What do you want to achieve by writing this letter? You should have a specific goal or objective that you want to convey in the letter. Decide who you need to write to You need to decide who you need to send the letter […]
