6 a.m.Oct. 1, 2014 Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy is now available for children on Medi-Cal who have autism spectrum disorder. As a result, low-income families on Medi-Cal may call their health plan and their childs primary care physician and request an assessment for ABA therapy, which is a system of autism treatment based on theories that behaviors can be taught through a system of rewards and consequences. To be eligible, children need to have a diagnostic assessment of autism spectrum disorder and a prescription for ABA therapy from either a psychologist or treating physician. The prescribing professional must explain why ABA therapy is medically necessary. In July, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued rules stating that state Medicaid programs must cover a full range of autism services, including ABA therapy. Because the order was issued on July 7, eligible Medi-Cal children whose families have been paying for ABA out-of-pocket between July 1 and Sept. 15 will be eligible for reimbursement. Californias Department of Health Care Services has been proactive in asking for feedback and taking suggestions from families, advocacy groups, ABA providers and others about how to best implement the new ABA benefit. At a Sept. … Continue reading →

A new Oregon State University study of children with autism found that they are more sedentary than their typically-developing peers, averaging 50 minutes less a day of moderate physical activity and 70 minutes more each day sitting. The small study of 29 children, some with autism and some without, showed that children with autism perform as well as their typical peers on fitness assessments such as body mass index, aerobic fitness levels and flexibility. The results warrant expanding the study to a larger group of children, said Megan MacDonald, an assistant professor in OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences. "These kids, compared to their peers, are similarly fit," MacDonald said. "That's really exciting, because it means those underlying fitness abilities are there." The findings were published this month in the journal Autism Research and Treatment. Co-authors are Kiley Tyler, a doctoral student at OSU, and Kristi Menear of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The study was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education with additional support from OSU. For the study, researchers tested the fitness and physical activity levels of 17 children with autism and 12 children without autism. The fitness assessments, conducted in the … Continue reading →

The Heart and Stroke Foundation had a fundraiser this past weekend and did quite well, at least partly because of the prizes they offered. However, the thought occurred to me a donation to Heart and Stroke might actually be a good investment. Why investment when you dont usually get any returns on donations, you ask? Well, look at it this way. Heart and Stroke sponsors research and one thing they have come up with is a drug that is used world-wide and if given within three hours of a stroke, reverses the effects of the stroke. In the past, the only treatment after a stroke was hours and hours of gruelling physiotherapy and exercise for months and months to get back a portion of the abilities lost. Both of my fathers parents could have used advice from Heart and Stroke. My grandfather had a few heart attacks In his sixties but still managed to live into his nineties. My grandmother on the other hand, had a few strokes and died. She managed to recover from the first two which were relatively mild, but the last one was fatal The difference between my two grandparents was the doctor persuaded my grandfather … Continue reading →

London, UK (PRWEB) October 01, 2014 Fine Treatment recommends Dr. Allens therapeutic device that improves the prostate gland condition easing the mixture of sperm, fluid from the prostate and fluid from the seminal vesicles to pass out, thus making men to feel superior. However, many men try to maintain their strength in testosterone pills and injections, thus, as has been reported by the Harvard Medical School recently, exposing themselves to grave danger, such as heart attack, stroke and blood clots. According to the article, Testosterone - The 'Heart' of the Matter, by Dr. Simon from Harvard Medical School, dated September 14, 2014, the most worrisome risks of testosterone therapy are heart attack, stroke and blood clots. More recent studies have suggested testosterone therapy does increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in the men that are using it the most middle aged and older men. This year reports of another potential life-threatening problem have emerged. Some men using testosterone are developing blood clots in leg veins. This is called deep vein thrombosis. "When the prostate is healthy, it manufactures its portion of semen, assists ejaculation. Therefore, because of these interconnections, when prostate disorders do occur; they may affect both … Continue reading →