Adult twins with autism locked in a barren basement room every night. No lights. No bed. Their parents charged with abuse. The criminal allegations against Janice and John Land that erupted last week in Montgomery County have captured the attention of many but no group more so than other parents who are caring for the growing number of autistic children entering adulthood. We cant condone their choices, says Mark Bucknam, a professor at the National War College who lives two miles from the Lands. Court papers say that the young men were kept in a room with no working lights and a comforter on a bare tile floor. But its possible that, in their minds, this was the least bad way to deal with this, Bucknam says. As he speaks, his 18-year-old son John starts to pace and moan in the kitchen. John typically wont sit down for dinner until he and his parents are around the table, holding hands, his father saying the blessing. Mark walks toward the kitchen, past the locked front door, the locked door to the garage, the locked door to the basement. Those barriers, along with a tracking device John wears, the burglar alarm and … Continue reading →

By Guthrie Memorial Library Hanover's Public Library According to the American Medical Association, "autism is a nervous system disorder beginning in early childhood and characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with communication and imagination, and unusual or limited activities or interests." World Book Encyclopedia claims "some children with autism appear to have only one interest, such as clocks, airplanes, or calendars, and spend their time pursuing that interest, excluding all others. Children with autism often insist on sameness and become distressed by changes in their environment or routine. There is no cure for autism, but early detection and treatment can improve the lives of children with the disorder." Autism affects 1 out of every 100 children. Monday SunStyle Books Page - Library Notes - Library Logo The Guthrie Memorial Library Hanover's Public Library can provide information you may need to help your child. Numerous books are shelved with our parent/teacher collection housed in the children's department including "Autism Spectrum Disorders: what every parent needs to know"; "What is Autism: understanding life with autism or Aspergers"; "An early start for your child with autism." Hopefully our collection of books on autism will benefit you and your child. The following items have … Continue reading →

An anonymous gift of $1 million will enable the Family Autism Center at East Carolina University to increase professional staff and expand services for people with autism in eastern North Carolina. We look forward to adding colleagues from psychology and social work, as well as experienced therapists (speech-language and occupational therapists) to our current physician and nursing staff, said Dr. Michael Reichel, a developmental and behavioral specialist in ECUs pediatrics department and the centers director. Providing interdisciplinary evaluations and services will mark yet another step in fulfilling our mission to serve children and families in our region. Marcy Romary, interim president for ECUs Medical & Health Sciences Foundation, said the recent gift was motivated by the donors close relationship with grandparents of a child on the autism spectrum. They saw firsthand how early diagnosis and treatment was so beneficial to this family, and wanted to ensure that families throughout the region would have access to first-rate diagnosis and care through the Brody School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Romary said. Autism spectrum disorder refers to a group of developmental disabilities that affect how a person understands what they see, hear or sense, according to information published by the Autism Society … Continue reading →

Adult twins with autism locked in a barren basement room every night. No lights. No bed. Their parents charged with abuse. The criminal allegations against Janice and John Land that erupted last week in Montgomery County have captured the attention of many but no group more so than other parents who are caring for the growing number of autistic children entering adulthood. We cant condone their choices, says Mark Bucknam, a professor at the National War College who lives two miles from the Lands. Court papers say that the young men were kept in a room with no working lights and a comforter on a bare tile floor. But its possible that, in their minds, this was the least bad way to deal with this, Bucknam says. As he speaks, his 18-year-old son John starts to pace and moan in the kitchen. John typically wont sit down for dinner until he and his parents are around the table, holding hands, his father saying the blessing. Mark walks toward the kitchen, past the locked front door, the locked door to the garage, the locked door to the basement. Those barriers, along with a tracking device John wears, the burglar alarm and … Continue reading →

CBS Los Angeles (con't) Affordable Care Act Updates: CBSLA.com/ACA Health News & Information: CBSLA.com/Health RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com)Scientists at UC Riverside are pointing at an enzyme called MMP-9 as playing a critical role in the development of autism. The scientists finding were published Friday online in the Journal of Neuroscience. Scientists told KCAL9s Crystal Cruz that they have long known how MMP-9 is created; its produced by brain cells. Small amounts of the enzyme dont seem to affect a person. But too much of the enzyme can cause synapses, the connections between the cells that translate brainwaves, to become dysfunctional. This finding is significant because it possibly leads to the medical world being a step closer figuring out how better to help people with autism. The finding doesnt mean an effective treatment for autism is imminent, but it could be on the distant horizon. The scientists mostly used mice in their research, but human brain cells were also studied. The study concludes that the naturally produced enzyme is responsible for autism and other neurological disorders with people to have what is called Fragile X Syndrome. Its been a few years since Jessica Nerrens son Royce, 8, was diagnosed with autism. More: Scientists … Continue reading →