Autism and Nutrition

Parents claim that a casein (milk protein)-free gluten (wheat protein)-free diet helped improved their children’s autistic behavior. On the other hand, researchers are concerned that this diet may increase the challenge of ensuring adequate nutrition. Calcium is crucial for building strong bones, protein is important for growth and mental development. Read more about nutirition-related information … Read more

Causes of Autism: Genetic vs. Environmental

February 6, 2013 Can autism be prevented? According to Dr. Robert Melillo, co-founder of the Brain Balance Achievement Centers, the epidemic increase in the number of people diagnosed with autism can not be explained based on genetic reasons only. He said that it would take genes much longer to create such an increase in numbers. … Read more

Be Careful with Labels

When we try to classify individuals with autism on the spectrum, we usually refer to two major categories: HF, high-functioning and LF, low-functioning. Ironically, it was decided to use the word spectrum or continuum to include the whole range of autistic people. If you consider the Bell Diagram/Graph/Curve that describes the natural distribution of any … Read more

Future Blood Test for Accurate Diagnosis

Test Detects: Panel of Proteins “Researchers found 55 genes that produce factors that differ in autistic people from nonautistic; that trial detected autism with 70% accuracy.” In the near future a blood test will allow a more accurate and cheaper way to diagnose autism. Source: Time magazine, February 11, 2013, Page 18, Health and Science nadia … Read more

What Are Students with Autism Favorite Majors?

A study published by the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that students with ASD are interested in enrolling in the following majors: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Likewise, the director of the Autism Research Center in the University of Cambridge U.K. said: “It may be that people with autism naturally think like … Read more

Innovative, High Quality Autism Programs

Six organizations in U.S. recognized for innovative, high quality autism programs. Find out about the great programs helping individuals with autism to move on with their life in their adulthood. They provide guidance about education, employment, performing arts, community life… www.autismspeaks.org/about-us/press-releases/six-organizations-us-recognized-innovative-high-quality-autism-programs Reference: Autism Speaks nadia shanab

Genes & Autism Disorders

The 57 th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society (BPS), held Feb 2-6, in Philadelphia, Pa will present new work to examine which genes are responsible for autism disorders. “Autism is the most inheritable of neurodevelopmental disorders,” according to Rajini Rao of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. Reference: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130201095929.htm