Autism Research

For many parents, April is a time of hope. Since the 1970’s, the Autism Society has been celebrating the month of April as National Autism Awareness month, a time for educating the public about autism and issues within the autism community.

As the parent, friend, or family member of someone with autism, there are many things you can do throughout the month of April to support the cause and to raise awareness of this disorder. Show your support for someone you love in the autistic community by:

Supporting Legislation

The Keeping All Students Safe Act, Autism Treatment Acceleration Act, Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act Reform can greatly change the way our nation supports autism. For more information about this legislation and to take action to support it, visit www.vote4autism.org.

Texting

To donate $10 to the Autism Society, simply text “AUTISM” to 50555 and 100% of your donations will be used to improve the lives of those affected by autism.

Reaching Out

Take time this month to reach out to other parents, especially those with newly diagnosed children. Help them by sharing information, experiences, and support.

Showing Gratitude

Your child’s support staff, teacher, speech therapist, and doctor have no doubt given you so much help throughout this journey. Show your support and thanks for all that they do by doing something nice for these special people. Let them know that they’re making a difference.

Finding a Mentor

Local college students and community agencies are always looking to mentor children with special needs. Connect your child with a helper or an aide so that both your child and his or her mentor can learn from each other.

Spreading the Word

Raise awareness of autism in your community by participating in or hosting events, fundraisers, school programs, and community outreach programs. Also, spread the word by wearing the ribbon, displaying your support of autism awareness on your car, or even by writing about it on the web. Your voice will be heard.

According to a recent release, the American Academy of Pediatrics has now recommended new guidelines that indicate that all children should be screened for autism at 18 months and 2 years old. While this new guideline should help with earlier diagnosis and intervention, there’s a new program that’s getting even more attention in the process.

Rapid ABC is a new screening technique that uses simple activities to test for autism, like having a child’s name called, looking at a book, or playing. Then, the screening will target attention, reciprocity, and communication in the children, which usually age 15 to 17 month. Once it’s complete, a software program then computes a score. If autism is suspected, the child will then be put through further testing to get an appropriate diagnosis.

The Rapid ABC test was developed by Emory University and Georgia Tech and several studies show it’s accurate in identifying toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders. This helps alert parents to the need for further testing as well as early intervention. The goal of those involved with Rapid ABC is to make the program part of regular pediatric checkups at both 18 and 24 months so that children at risk for autism can be properly diagnosed without delay so intervention and treatment can take place.

According to a recent study published online in the November 30 issue of Pediatrics, there’s a new approach to autism that could actually help in the boosting of IQ along with children’s language and social skills. The special, intensive early intervention program was developed as part of the study to examine whether or not targeting certain areas of development could in fact help those who may have been diagnosed with autism.

“When done in this fashion (the program), many children are able to learn and make remarkable progress,” said Geraldine Dawson, lead author of the stud and chief science officer of Autism Speaks. “Some of the kids at the end of the study were going into regular preschool and had developed language and friendships with their peers.”

The program, known as the Denver Model, targets language, social behavior, motor skills, play, self-help skills, and other developmental milestones in a format provided by trained professionals who work with each child one-on-one in the home for several two-hour sessions for five days per week. During this time, parents were also trained in various intervention strategies to make dealing with autistic behaviors easier.

“The strategies in this model are delivered in a very naturalistic, play-based and relationship-focused context rather than sitting the child down at a table and doing drills,” said Dawson. “It’s just a slow process, sort of a labor of love, teaching kids step by step all these different skills.”

Two years after each program was implemented, children involved in the Denver Model were tested for progress. The intervention program was shown to improve a child’s IQ on an average of 15.4 points. Additionally, children participating in the Denver Model program were also more likely to have their diagnosis changed from autism to pervasive developmental disorder. These successes have since prompted the study team to publish a step-by-step manual describing this unique approach.

“It sets a benchmark for additional therapies that may come along,” said Keith A. Young, chairman of the Tissue Advisory Board at Autism Speaks. “This treatment was done in a very scientifically rigorous way and I think … this is going to become the standard for what needs to be done to get these kids to function better.”

If you’re interested in reading more about the Denver Model and the study, visit the official release page.