Abstract Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) is considered a safe and effective therapy for children with cerebral palsy (CP), especially in the hands of experienced injectors and for the majority of children. Recently, some risks have been noted for children with Gross Motor Classification Scale (GMFCS) of IV and the risks are substantial for level V. Recommendations for treatment with BoNT-A have been published since 1993, with continuous optimisation and development of new treatment concepts. This […]
Category: Special Needs
Lurasidone Improves Function in Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder
As published in PracticeUpdate® May 18, 2015—Toronto, Ontario, Canada—Lurasidone has been proven effective in patients with autism spectrum disorder. This outcome of a retrospective chart review of the drug in seven patients from a developmental disability clinic was presented at the 168th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association from May 16 – 19. Aadhar Patil, MD, of St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital, New York, explained that his group’s report is the first on the use of […]
Autism: A New Theory
BY JOHN J. CANNELL, MD It’s time to look at autism a new way – with a new theory. If the CDC’s worst-case scenario of a 12 percent yearly increase in the incidence of autism proves to be true, we will be in serious trouble in terms of caring for these individuals. Over the past 20 years, scientists have assured us that effective prevention and treatment of autism are just a matter of time. However, […]
Autism in April
PUZZLES & CAMO BY SHELLY HUHTANEN This April, I’m still going to drag out my autism awareness sign and plop it in my yard… I’ll try not to be as callous and put my best foot forward in the hopes of some good information sharing on our usual media channels, but I’m going to put my foot down on one thing. April is here. Another Autism Awareness Month has arrived. I don’t know why, but […]
Challenges And Resources For Military Families Touched By Autism
BY JENNIFER WOODWORTH, PSY.D Jen Gerberding felt that the military lifestyle was better understood when surrounded by other military families; that being separated due to the military is common for training, deployments, or certain jobs, and not viewed as a hindrance to the family. One of the main challenges that you might first think of when hearing the diagnosis of autism is of rigidity, inflexibility, and consistent structure. However, a military family encounters unique situations […]