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'Autism drug' research still early

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Kelly Andrus plays with her son Bradley in his classroom at Children’s Choice Learning Centers Inc., in Lewisville, Texas. Bradley, who turns three in a couple of weeks, was diagnosed a year ago with mild autism.

Associated Press

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Research into the development patterns of children with autism disorders has documented a disturbing truth that likely comes as no surprise to parents trying to nurture autistic kids into adulthood.

A study by Washington University in St. Louis validates what many families have witnessed firsthand that the road to maturation is difficult and often disheartening. The study shows 35 percent of children with autism-related disorders who finish high school do not go forward with additional education or make it into the workforce.

As one researcher put it, “They were just not involved in anything.”

It is an alarmingly large number, especially by comparison. The rate of young adults with a severe speech impairment who are not working or in school is 7 percent. For older kids with documented learning disabilities, it is 3 percent. Among those with severe mental disabilities, it is 26 percent.

Why those with autism-spectrum disorders encounter roadblocks in greater proportion than others is not entirely apparent. The research, however, points to some possibilities. Most programs that deal with autism focus on diagnosis and early intervention. There are apparently fewer established programs that deal specifically with children moving out of adolescence.

That may be no fault of anything other than the fact that we are still in the early stages of learning about autism, its possible causes and various manifestations.

Earlier this year, data from 2008 was released, indicating a colossal jump in diagnoses of autism over a six-year period: 78 percent nationally, 157 percent in Utah. The data does not answer whether incidents of the disorders are for some reason increasing dramatically, or whether the higher number is a by-product of greater awareness and more diagnostic prowess. Many experts suspect the latter.

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In our opinion: Editorial: Treating autism

BRIDGETON A study done by Childrens Specialized Hospital found high rates of autism in Bridgeton and five other New Jersey communities.

The hospital looked at schools in Newark, Plainfield, Elizabeth, Trenton, New Brunswick and Bridgeton and asked teachers to screen for autism in preschools and day care centers. The New Jersey Governors Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism funded the study, which was released Wednesday.

Autism, a neurodevelopment disorder, impaires social interaction and communication.

Researchers looked at an initial 1,000 children in the six locations.

The study found 31 children, which makes up 3 percent of the sample, to be on the autism spectrum. According to an article quoted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, studies show the national average to be 1 percent.

We found that unless we go out into underserved communities, we are going to be missing many children who have autism, said Dr. Yvette Janvier, lead researcher, development/behavioral pediatrician and medical director at the Toms River Childrens Specialized Hospital. This is the first study to look at using teachers in preschools and day care centers to screen for autism.

Although parents and doctors are normally used to identify children with autism, the study used teachers as a way to evaluate the children.

According to Beth Bevan, a licensed clinical social worker at CompleteCare Health Network, teachers can better identify children with autism because they are able to compare the child with their peers.

Teachers spend a lot of time with children and observe a lot of behavior, Bevan said.

Evaluations that determine whether a child has autism usually begin at 18 months to 24 months, according to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. However, with racial and economic disparities, many poor children miss out on early intervention.

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Bridgeton autism rate above average, according to Children's Specialized Hospital study

by JANET ST. JAMES

WFAA

Posted on May 16, 2012 at 5:50 PM

Updated Wednesday, May 16 at 5:51 PM

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS Nine-year-old Alex Arrington considers himself a Lego master.

This third-grader is great, in fact, with just about any methodical subject.

“Science, but I’m best at math,” Alex said. “I like fractions.”

Socially, it’s a different story.

“He hasn’t been invited to many birthday parties or anything like that,” admits his mother, Debbie Arrington. “He’s better now, but he was so aggressive in the earlier years in school. And I think the kids got to where they were afraid of him. It’s very sad for Alex, and sad that the other kids don’t understand him.”

What many people don’t understand is that Alex has Asperger’s, a disorder on the autism spectrum that particularly affects social interaction.

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Many Parents of Kids With Autism Don't Put Faith in Pediatricians

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Genetic Test May Spot Raised Autism Risk

Public release date: 16-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jane Rubinstein jrubinstein@rubenstein.com 516-993-0708 Autism Speaks

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 15, 2012) Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, is a major sponsor and scientific participant in the 2012 International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Organized by the International Society of Autism Research, IMFAR brings together more than 1800 scientists, clinicians, students, parents and individuals with autism from 40 countries to discuss and share the latest research into autism’s causes, treatments and diagnoses. The conference is being held May 20-22 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto, 123 Queen Street West, Ontario, Canada.

“Autism is a global challenge,” commented Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., “and this conference offers an opportunity to bring together researchers from around the world to share their findings and collaborate, which helps accelerate research on diagnosis, causes and treatments needed by families in every country.”

Autism Speaks’ Autism Treatment Network, a collaboration of medical centers dedicated to providing families with state of the art, multidisciplinary care, will be participating in numerous presentations throughout IMFAR. These include the technology demonstration Development of a Training Video to Teach Best Practices for Delivering An ASD Diagnosis to Families; an oral presentation titled Spotting Children with Autism in Early Childcare Settings (SPAECS): Workshops to increase knowledge and confidence in Autism for Early Childcare Providers; and several posters including The Relations among Language, Behavior, and Social Skills in Children with High Functioning ASD: Exploration to Inform Pivotal Interventions; Cognitive Assessment of Children with ASD; Autism Symptom Severity as Moderator of IQ and Language Development among Children with Delayed Phrase Speech and Autism Spectrum Disorder; Differential Perceptions of Clinical Anxiety among Clinicians and Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; and Initial Psychometric Properties of the Autism Impact Measure (AIM): A New Tool for Treatment Outcome Measurement.

During the three-day meeting, Autism Speaks encourages the media to attend the below events. Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., will be available for interviews along with other scientists.

Wednesday, May 16

8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Toddler Treatment Network Meeting. Autism Speaks is hosting an academic meeting on early interventions in ASD, including both toddlers and infants, and dissemination of these treatment approaches to parents and professionals. This day-long meeting will bring together over 60 researchers from across the world to share their ideas and research plans on early interventions.

11:00 a.m. IMFAR Press Conference. Scientists will discuss key studies to be presented during IMFAR including studies on the outcomes of siblings of children with autism, the impact of early social skill intervention on longer term outcomes, the role of oxytocin on social brain function in persons with autism, and the challenges of meeting the health care needs of children with autism in the primary care setting. In addition, Helen Tager-Flusberg, Ph.D., president of INSAR, will provide commentary on the conference as a whole. Dr. Dawson is available to provide comments on the importance and impact of these research efforts to the autism community represented by Autism Speaks.

Thursday, May 17

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Autism Speaks plays key roles at 2012 International Meeting for Autism Research

May 17, 2012

WOONSOCKET For the first time, municipal ambulance crews who believe their patients are suffering a stroke can deliver them to Landmark Medical Center. Thats because Landmark was certified by the Joint Commission, the nations main accrediting body of health care organizations, as a primary stroke treatment center, the hospital announced. The state Department of Health has also added Landmark to its official list of Certified Stroke Centers, enabling Landmark to treat more residents from northern Rhode Island who have suffered a stroke or who are likely to. Because of northern Rhode Islands high elderly population, and the increased likelihood of stroke for people 65 and older, Landmarks improved capability to treat patients suffering from stroke and offer rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island is arriving at a crucial time, said Richard Charest, hospital president. The timing also dovetails with the proposed sale of Landmark to the Steward Health Care System, which continues to move through regulatory channels. A joint review of the merger by the attorney general and DOH under the Hospital Conversions Act is expected to be complete no later than July 17, and Health Director Michael Fine is expected to sign off any day on the Health Services Councils May 8 recommendation to transfer effective control of Landmark to Steward. Landmark has been attempting to complete a merger with a financially sound health care company since entering receivership in June 2008, saying it was on the brink of insolvency. Steward, a fledgling for-profit hospital chain created with backing from a New York private equity company, was approved as a qualified buyer last May in Superior Court. The company now owns 11 hospitals, all in Massachusetts, including the former Caritas Christi network. Bill Fischer, a spokesman for Landmark, says the Joint Commissions stroke certification would be good news for the hospital even outside the context of the merger because it means more patients for Landmark. Its a good thing in general, he said. Its going to increase the patient census. Landmark had been seeking approval as a certified stroke center for approximately a year. The commissions certification took effect May 7 and DOH followed suit a week later. Previously, stroke patients were admitted to the hospital as long as they were transported by a friend or a family member. Under the law, ambulances may only deliver suspected stroke patients at certified stroke centers, however. The big change, and its a major change, is that ambulances can now take stroke victims to Landmark, Fischer said. Thats huge for us. Fischer said the hospital has been in touch with municipal ambulance services in the Greater Woonsocket area, including those in nearby Massachusetts, to make sure they are aware of the change. Heart attack and stroke are two leading causes of death in Northern Rhode Island residents, said Charest. Landmark already has an outstanding cardiac program. The new commission-approved program will now allow Landmark to provide excellent acute stroke care locally as well. Nationally, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death, according to 2012 statistics from the American Heart Association, Charest said.

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Landmark certified as primary stroke center

When regenerative medicine firm Cytomedix (OTC:CMXI) acquired biotechnology company Aldagen, the stem cell-based stroke treatment in clinical trials was the centerpiece of the all stock deal.

Cytomedix is now making moves to develop other stem cell treatments from its Aldagen acquisition. Two more clinical trials will start later this year, CEO Martin Rosendale told analysts on a conference call to discuss first-quarter financial results. Rosendale wouldnt identify the indications that will be studied, and said only that they will be announced this summer: one for an arterial disease and the other a neurological condition.

Cytomedixs goal is to ultimately find large pharmaceutical partners to commercialize these treatments. These additional clinical studies dont represent those kinds of partnerships. Rosendale said there are two facilities that will conduct investigator-led clinical trials. But those trials will be funded by outside sources, not by Cytomedix.

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Two stem cell therapies from Cytomedix to start trials; stroke study expands