One in 54 Utah kids has autism and one in four of them cannot speak. The Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center for Learning has launched a fund-raising campaign to help more children develop communication skills necessary for mainstream functioning. Bloomua Enlarge photo SALT LAKE CITY One in 54 Utah kids has autism the second highest prevalence in the nation and 1 in 4 cannot or will not speak. "A lot of our kids cannot communicate basic wants or needs," said Julia Hood, director of the Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning, a specialty service of Valley Mental Health that serves children with autism across the Wasatch Front up to age 17. "If they have a stomach ache or a headache, they can't tell you. Sometimes they'll act out behaviorally," she said, adding that some parents don't experience their child's first word until well into the elementary education years, which is a long time to go without knowing how that child feels. Now the school that has a waiting list of 200 children hopes to increase its ability to help more children and soon provide an in-home treatment service where parents can learn how to provide help to their autistic … Continue reading →

You may remember last years ice bucket challenges, with literally chilling videos filling the media while emptying ice machines and freezers nationwide. According to Forbes magazine, the summer phenomenon raised $100 million for the ALS Foundation in fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrigs disease. A Hazleton native has his own idea for a visually intriguing, if not potentially entertaining, fundraiser to generate buckets of money for autism treatment and awareness. Max Jamelli is a 1997 graduate of Hazleton Area High School. He holds a communications degree from Indiana University; he interned at WNEP-TV and also served as sports anchor for WYLN-TV in Hazleton until 2003. Ultimately, he decided to leave media and join the world of teaching, where he found his long-term niche. He now teaches business at Chambersburg Area High School. He and his wife, Jen, are the parents of 6-year-old Derek, a high-functioning autistic child. After witnessing last summers ALS ice bucket challenge, he wondered how something similar might be applied to autism fundraising. His unique idea requires challengers to stuff whole doughnuts into their mouths no nibbling allowed. The doughnuts can be any flavor or shape from tiny cinnamon or powdered … Continue reading →

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 30, 2015 Cutting-edge doctors and researchers are looking forward to the AutismOne/Focus for Health 2015 Conference because of the opportunities to present and grow ideas to help children with autism. This years conference will highlight parents of recovered children, who will be there to support attendees. One such parent, Mary Romaniec, will debut her book Victory over Autism: Practical Steps and Wisdom toward Recovery for the Whole Family. Free copies of Victory over Autism will be available to parents at the new parent mixer and more. According to Mary: Many years ago I attended the first AutismOne Conference (and many others since then) because it was an opportunity to learn the latest information from those leading the way in research, treatment, therapies, and legal issues. Victory over Autism was brought about with a shared philosophy of inspiring and empowering the next parent to begin taking the steps toward health and well-being for their child and family." Victory over Autism publisher Skyhorse Publishing also produces the Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism book series. Said Tony Lyons, president of Skyhorse Publishing, We are delighted to be working with AutismOne to provide Mary Romaniecs upcoming book, Victory over Autism, … Continue reading →

SN ART The new stroke treatment that's changing lives Half a million Australians are living with the devastating consequences of stroke but an experimental treatment in the US is giving some sufferers immediate and long-term relief. However, the drug providing these seemingly miraculous recoveries, is not being clinically trialled yet. Four decades since Johnny 'The Bomber' Peard was at his peak as a Rugby League star, he is now crippled by the effects of a near-fatal stroke. He and mum of five Kylie have travelled to the US to try the experimental drug etanercept. To treat the effects of stroke, etanercept is injected into the in the back of the neck patients are then tipped upside-down for about five minutes so the drug can go directly and quickly into the brain. Dr Nancy Kim says she has been administering this drug on a trial basis and seen incredible results. "There hasnt been anything that has happened to really make anyone have any fear of this injection but we werent able to get approval for a trial, so as you can imagine, it is difficult." After being injected both the patients experienced benefits within minutes. "I feel like someones just flicked … Continue reading →