Monthly Archives: February 2012

By: Josh Won / Staff Writer Posted on 26. Feb, 2012 in News One out of every 110 children are born with an autism spectrum disorder, making autism more prevalent among children than AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer for Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, reported this fact in an hour-long presentation to between 20 and 30 students and faculty at Sennott Square on Friday. Pitt’s chapter of psychology honor society Psi Chi invited Dawson to report on recent developments in the study of autism, including the benefits for autistic-spectrum children of interacting with other children when they are between 6 and 12 months old — a crucial stage of development. “The idea is to be able to intervene at the earliest stage of development,” Dawson said, emphasizing the use of the Denver Model, a developmental approach to autism treatment that stresses early intervention. Dawson said that her studies show that autistic children’s IQs increased by as many as 30 points as a result of partaking in social engagement from a young age according to the Denver Model. This includes strategies such as waiting for eye contact, offering interactive choices and positively affirming … Continue reading →

HARTFORD, Conn. (MCT) -- When Caleb Geary was diagnosed with autism at age 3, he had never spoken or eaten solid food. Now 6, the boy speaks and tests at his first-grade level -- progress that his parents attribute to insurance-based services at home and intensive behavioral intervention at the boy's school in Hamden, Conn. But they worry what will happen to Caleb's diagnosis -- and the services that have come with it -- if the American Psychiatry Association's proposal to change the definition of autism is adopted. Lori Geary said she has already fought to get her son the help he needs. Tom Zwicker, Caleb's father and the director of an autism center for the Easter Seals of Coastal Fairfield County, Conn., said he believes insurance companies will start requesting annual diagnostic evaluations if the definition is revised. As a result, his son -- and many other children -- will lose out on services to treat their conditions. "You have an entire group receiving services that would be left out in the cold," said Zwicker, who lives in Branford, Conn. "We're going to lose a whole generation of children." The autism community has been embroiled in a heated debate … Continue reading →

Families for Effective Autism Treatment hosted a workshop for individuals who have experience in working with children with developmental disabilities. The individuals learned different techniques and methodologies of Applied Behavior Analysis, the science of modifying behavior using modern behavioral theory. The workshop consisted of a series of lectures led by Ellen Catoe of Texana Children’s Center for Autism, and break-out sessions, where the participants divided in to groups of five and applied the theories and methods of ABA through role-play. Catoe presented power point lectures called “ABC’s of ABA,” which illustrated basic ways an instructor can deal with a child with autism – such as prompting, assistance in getting a response from individual and fading out where less assistance is needed. “Approximately one in 100 children are diagnosed with some form of autism. Our goal is to provide education and information on how they can help children with autism,” Catoe said. “The goal of these workshops is to help further educate the public on how to help these children to be successful and independent.” Ellen Goudeau, member of FEAT, has a 21-year-old son who suffers from autism and is grateful for how much the organization has helped her tackle adversity. … Continue reading →

Feb 27 2012 More people are dialling 999 when they suspect a stroke following a campaign to highlight key symptoms, the Government has said. The Act FAST stroke campaign is intended to show how emergency treatment can reduce the risk of death and disability from stroke, which affects around 150,000 people in the UK every year. Last April and May, after the adverts finished running, the NHS in England saw a 24% rise in stroke-related 999 calls, to 229,974. The Department of Health said there was also a 16% rise in stroke sufferers being seen more quickly. Introduced under Labour in 2009, the campaign has run on an annual basis, with new adverts planned to run from the end of this month to March 25. After the first 2009 campaign, there was a 16% rise in 999 calls, followed by a 20% rise in 2010. The campaign urges people to look out for the following signs and call 999 if they spot a single one: Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms? Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? … Continue reading →

More people are dialling 999 when they suspect a stroke following a campaign to highlight key symptoms, the Government has said. The Act FAST stroke campaign is intended to show how emergency treatment can reduce the risk of death and disability from stroke, which affects around 150,000 people in the UK every year. Last April and May, after the adverts finished running, the NHS in England saw a 24% rise in stroke-related 999 calls, to 229,974. The Department of Health said there was also a 16% rise in stroke sufferers being seen more quickly. Introduced under Labour in 2009, the campaign has run on an annual basis, with new adverts planned to run from the end of this month to March 25. After the first 2009 campaign, there was a 16% rise in 999 calls, followed by a 20% rise in 2010. The campaign urges people to look out for the following signs and call 999 if they spot a single one: Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms? Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Time - to … Continue reading →

A new approach to stroke treatment initially developed by Dr. Jeffrey Saver's group at the UCLA Stroke Center combines the ability to restore circulation and remove clots using only a single device ... and it's showing significant promise in trials. In a study comparing the Covidien Solitaire FR Revascularization Device with the FDA-approved Merci Retriever, the device successfully and safely treated roughly 60 percent of stroke patients, compared to roughly 30 percent when the Merci Retriever was used. Such treatment is intended to minimize brain damage due to lack of oxygen and/or glucose in patients presenting with blockage of large intracranial blood vessels - particularly those for whom the use of clot-dissolving drugs is not advisable. The Solitaire Revascularization Device in use (Image: Covidien) Roughly speaking, there are four main steps in the operation: 1. Poke a hole in the clot with a microcatheter (roughly 2.5 mm/0.1-inch in diameter). 2. Slide the Solitaire device through the microcatheter until it extends on either side of the clot. 3. Slide the microcatheter back so that the Solitaire device expands and traps the clot. 4. Pull the Solitaire device back to the end of the microcatheter, and use suction to remove the clot … Continue reading →