Autism Speaks Official Blog

3-D technology helps autistic kids learn to read (Orlando Sentinel)
A menagerie of virtual 3-D animals that swim, eat bugs and fly are building crucial reading skills in autistic children at Audubon Park Elementary in Orlando. Read more.

Autism advocates give learning plan failing grade (Canada)
The provincial Education Department’s latest plan falls short when it comes to supporting autistic students, advocates of people with the developmental disorder say. Read more.

Editorial: Autism law requires remedy to meet original intention (Herald Dispatch)
West Virginia’s new law extending health care coverage to children with autism didn’t turn out exactly as billed, and advocates for that new coverage are now seeking a fix. Read more.

Local Artists Among Developmental Disabilities Institute Art Exhibit (Three Village Patch)
To commemorate 50 years of service, the Developmental Disabilities Institute will present an art gallery with work from people with autism and other developmental disabilities – including some from the Three Village community – on Thursday. Read more.

Birthday Parties Can Be a Real Zoo (Northbrook Patch)
My son’s birthday is coming soon. Which means we have been thinking a lot about birthday parties. Read more.

Autism Speaks’ daily blog “Autism in the News” is a mix of top news stories of the day. Autism Speaks does not vet the stories and the views contained therein do not necessarily reflect Autism Speaks beliefs or point of view.

Revised Autism Definition Too Important to Rush Into Print: View (Bloomberg)
When is a person just a little different, and when is his peculiarity a symptom of a disabling disorder? Read more.

Parents of autistic children hope to win coverage for care (Livingston Daily)
Justin and Amie Giersdorf’s plans for a second child were all but dashed in July when their son was diagnosed with autism — a disability they learned could cost them upward of $30,000 annually to have treated. Read more.

Autistic man struggles in Iowa’s mental health system (Des Moines Register)
Nobody in Iowa has a place for Jeff Paprocki. Since early October, Paprocki has been locked behind two sets of heavy wood and steel doors at a Des Moines hospital’s psychiatric ward. He hasn’t been outside a single time. He receives little therapy for his serious autism. He sees his family only every other Sunday, when they make the two-hour drive from Waterloo. Read more.

Autistic kids pad their knowledge (Gazette Times)
Debra Redpath’s students in the Communications classroom at Liberty Elementary School have a new tool to process everything from math facts to conversation skills: 13 iPads, one for each student. Read more.

Babies born with either parent over 35 ‘at autism risk’ (Deccan Herald)
Here’s an advice for young couples — make sure you don’t delay your progeny too much, for a study says that babies born with either parent over the age of 35 are a higher risk of suffering from autism. Read more.

Autism Speaks’ daily blog “Autism in the News” is a mix of top news stories of the day. Autism Speaks does not vet the stories and the views contained therein do not necessarily reflect Autism Speaks beliefs or point of view.

Older parents more likely to have an autistic child, study finds (Fox News)
Children born to a parent over age 35 are at greater risk for developing an autism spectrum disorder — but the risk is the same whether just one or both parents are older, according to a new study of Danish families. Read more.

Proposed Changes to Sharon Autism Program Concern Parents (Sharon Patch)
Fourteen Sharon families with autistic children say proposed changes to one program would lead to additional costs for services to students and staff. Read more.

Grand Valley State University seeks to help students with autism transition into the workforce (M Live)
For the thousands of students from throughout Michigan who have autism, transitioning from school to the workforce can be a challenge. Read more.

Painting designed in Braselton will be U.N. stamp (Barrow Journal)
The design is simple, but the intricate stories behind a piece of artwork created in Braselton include the heartbreaking and the uplifting. Read more.

Pa. university program helps autistic students (Erie, Penn.)
Nick Pusateri drapes himself across a couch in a bunker-like room in the basement of his apartment building at Mercyhurst University in Erie. Read more.

Family: Boy, 15, shot to death after attacking police had autism disorder (Chicago, Ill.)
A 15-year-old boy who suffered from an autism disorder was shot and killed by police in his Calumet City home after he threatened officers and cut one of them with a knife, police and the boy’s family said. Read more.

‘I Heart Autism: The New York Miracle Book Tour’ (New York, N.Y.)
The Miracle Project, a theater arts program for children with autism, announces the “I Heart Autism: The New York Miracle Book Tour” kicks off with a fundraiser and book signing on Tuesday, February 7 at Barnes & Noble in New York City. Read more.

Sheringham teenager prepares for birthday skydive (UK)
A Sheringham teenager is set to celebrate her 16th birthday by throwing herself out of a plane for a good cause. Read more.

Cuts sought in schooling costs (UK)
County Hall is looking at ways of cutting the £10.8 million it spends educating children with special educational needs outside Leicestershire. Read more.

Autism Speaks’ daily blog “Autism in the News” is a mix of top news stories of the day. Autism Speaks does not vet the stories and the views contained therein do not necessarily reflect Autism Speaks beliefs or point of view.

Can My Kid Still Get Treatment? Why Autism’s Definition Matters (The Atlantic)
Everyone, now, has something to say about autism. While TV shows, such as Touch, portray autistic children as possessing superhuman powers, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is busy revising its definition of the disorder to focus on only the most affected individuals. Read more.

Making A Difference Using our Talents and Gifts (Bloomingdale-Riverview Patch)
Sometimes I sit down at my computer to write and the words just flow like water. My fingers fly effortlessly across the keyboard as my thoughts are given form. Read more.

Blue Shield, CDI Reach Settlement on Coverage of Autism Therapy (California Healthline)
On Tuesday, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones (D) announced a settlement with Blue Shield of California in which the insurer agreed to immediately cover specialized therapy for people with autism, the Los Angeles Times reports (Lifsher, Los Angeles Times, 2/1). Read more.

Why Do We Want Autistic Kids to Have Superpowers? (Discover Magazine)
Last week saw the debut of Touch, Kiefer Sutherland’s show about a father whose non-neurotypical son turns out to be able to predict future events. This comes on the heels of Alphas, which also gave us Gary, another person who appears to be on the autism spectrum but who has the ability to see hidden energies. And the notion of autistic people as savants or special fixers has been around forever. Read more.

Virginia approves bill to provide insurance coverage for autistic children – again (Richmond, Va.)
The Virginia General Assembly has passed a bill — again — to provide insurance coverage for families with autistic children. Read more.

Changing The Autism Spectrum (Carbondale, Ill.)
Workers at a local center are applauding the decision to change what classifies as autism. The stricter criteria for diagnosing the disorder will likely mean fewer people are considered autistic. Read more.

Kids with Autism Drawn to Video Games (St. Louis, Mo.)
 A new study by Paul Shattuck, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, looks at how children with ASDs spend their “screen time.” Read more.

Autistic teenager attacked by robber in Northampton alleyway (UK)
The mother of a teenage boy robbed at knife-point in Northampton has said the ordeal has left the whole family frightened to leave the house. Read more.

2012 Colgate Women’s Hockey Promotes Autism Awareness Project (Hamilton, N.Y.)
The Colgate women’s hockey team will partner with Autism Speaks, ViewSonic and Goals for Good in its 2012 Autism Awareness Project. The Raiders will launch the 2012 project with their annual Light Up Starr Rink Blue event that will take place Feb. 3 in its ECAC Hockey matchup against Union at 7 p.m. Read more.

Autism Speaks’ daily blog “Autism in the News” is a mix of top news stories of the day. Autism Speaks does not vet the stories and the views contained therein do not necessarily reflect Autism Speaks beliefs or point of view.

NH school principal dives in river to rescue boy (Rochester, N.H.)
An elementary school principal in New Hampshire jumped into a frozen river to save a 10-year-old student who fell through the ice. Read more.

assembly passes set of mental health care bills (Sacramento, Calif.)
The state Assembly on Thursday passed a set of bills intended to broaden the mental health and health care services covered by private insurance plans. Read more.

7-year-old girl killed in fire (wymt tv)
A mother, her 19 and 7 year old daughters, and 2 month grandchild were in their home off Amos Baker road in the Sand Gap community when a fire broke out. Read more.

Health Insurance News (UK)
It could be possible to detect autism at a much earlier age than previously thought, according to a team of international researchers. Read more.

Angels, Duck, stars bowl for autism (Orange County Register)
The event, hosted by ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment) and the Eddie Guardado Foundation, will take place at Bowlmor Lanes, 2405 Park Avenue, Tustin, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Read more.

Autism Speaks’ daily blog “Autism in the News” is a mix of top news stories of the day. Autism Speaks does not vet the stories and the views contained therein do not necessarily reflect Autism Speaks beliefs or point of view.

Study finds early signs of autism in baby brains (FOX News)
Children who develop autism already show signs of different brain responses in their first year of life, scientists said on Thursday in a study that may in the future help doctors diagnose the disorder earlier. Read more.

9th annual Flutie Bowl (Wicked Local)
Richie La Montagne, a former U.S.B.F. Cruiser weight champion, chats with Doug Flutie (L to R) at the 9th annual Flutie Bowl on Monday, January 23. The event was held at Kings at Legacy Place to benefit the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism established by Doug Flutie and his wife Laurie to honor their son Doug, Jr. who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Read more.

Pounding the pavement calms runner with autism in Lake (Mount Dora, Fla.)
When Kyle Krekeler showed up at the Mount Dora Christian Home and Bible School track in July to join a local running group, trainer Vickie Steuben encountered a problem. Read more.

My son had autism. Then he didn’t. (Parenting.com)
I’m trying to hold him, but he’s squirming. The airport lounge is packed with people, and I can feel all eyes on me: the dad who cannot appease his toddler. Brandy sees me struggling, and comes up with a quick fix. She flips over the stroller. She places Jackson next to it. He begins to spin one of the wheels with his hand. He keeps spinning it. Over and over and over. He’s completely absorbed. I look at Brandy quizzically. She shrugs. Read more.

Millville autism support group Puzzle Peace Moms announces 2012 meetings (Millville, N.J.)
The only autism support group in the county announced meeting dates for 2012, held at the Mt. Pleasant Church social hall on 29 Pearl St. in Millville. Read more.

Autism Speaks’ daily blog “Autism in the News” is a mix of top news stories of the day. Autism Speaks does not vet the stories and the views contained therein do not necessarily reflect Autism Speaks beliefs or point of view.

‘Talking things through in their head’ may aid children with autism (Fox News)
Talking to yourself in your head may not be such a bizarre pastime.  It may actually be an important developmental tool. Read more.

Revision to DSM Manual Could Substantially Affect Autistic Individuals and Their Access to Services (Forbes)
The first substantial revision to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (D.S.M.) will be finalized by the end of 2012. Already, the revisions are 90 percent complete according to the task force that is revising the manual. It has been 17 years since the last big overhaul of the manual, and some are worried about how some disorders could be redefined. Read more.

Autistic teen swims his way to success at Fondy High (Wausau Daily Herald)
When Hunter Develice wanted to join the Fond du Lac High School swim team, his father was told that perhaps the family should consider Special Olympics instead. Read more.

Comprehensive $5 million autistic center to open in Howard Beach (Howard Beach, N.Y.)
A Queens group plans to transform a Howard Beach Chinese restaurant into a $5 million comprehensive center for autistic children and adults. Read more.

Women’s hockey launches 2012 Autism Awareness Project (Hamilton, N.Y.)
The Colgate women’s hockey team will kick off its second annual Autism Awareness Project during its home contest against Union on Feb. 3 at Starr Rink in Hamilton. Read more.

Autism Speaks’ daily blog “Autism in the News” is a mix of top news stories of the day. Autism Speaks does not vet the stories and the views contained therein do not necessarily reflect Autism Speaks beliefs or point of view.