Autism prognosis: Parental genes ‘incredibly useful’

By Catharine Paddock PhD While one main risk gene may make an individual susceptible to autism or another neurodevelopmental disorder, it is the whole collection of associated changes in their DNA that decides whether they develop it and how severe it becomes. This was the conclusion that researchers arrived at after analyzing developmental, cognitive, and genome sequencing data of hundreds of people with known risk genes together with that of their parents and siblings. They […]

Social Life on the Spectrum

Everyone has some memory that continues to thrill us years later: our first real friend, the first time we went on a date, the time we received an award at work. These memories are sweet and they have a direct impact on our confidence. Human beings derive not just pleasure but also self-respect, a sense of dignity, and a sense of meaning from succeeding socially. Almost always in my line of work as an autism […]

Some Advice for Parents of Newborns with Cerebral Palsy

This week National Health Education Week and now is as good of a time as any to talk about Cerebral Palsy (CP) and how it affects both newborns and parents. CP can come in many forms leaving children requiring different levels of care depending on how severe the condition is, and oftentimes this is overwhelming for parents who are taken off guard and are searching for ways to cope. There are several different challenges that will need […]

New supplemental awards boost NIH funding for research on Down syndrome

The National Institutes of Health has awarded $22.2 million in supplemental funding to bolster support for Down syndrome research ranging from basic to clinical. The investment is part of the INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down SyndromE) project, which was launched in June 2018 in response to a Congressional directive to develop a new trans-NIH initiative to investigate critical health and quality-of-life needs for individuals with Down syndrome. With these […]

Addressing the Academic Needs of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Secondary Education

As the number of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in secondary school settings grows, many educators are not prepared to adapt their instruction to meet state standards and the diverse needs of the full spectrum of adolescents with ASD. Yet, academic achievement in high school plays a critical role in students’ future education and career outcomes. In addition, greater demand for a technologically advanced workforce makes academic skills more essential for high school graduates. […]