When the criteria for diagnosing autism were changed last year, concerns were raised that people already diagnosed might be re-evaluated and end up losing access to treatments and services. The American Psychiatric Association (APA), which publishes the diagnostic guidelines, recommends that children who are receiving appropriate treatment as the result of the old criteria should not be required to undergo a re-examination with the new criteria by insurance companies. But a small survey revealed to New Scientist suggests that not everyone is following the party line. In May, the APA published the DSM-5, the latest edition of what has come to be known as psychiatry's diagnostic bible. One controversial change was to the criteria used to diagnose different kinds of autism, which are now combined under the umbrella term of "Autism Spectrum Disorder" (ASD). Under the previous criteria of DSM-4, a person would be diagnosed with ASD by exhibiting at least six of 12 behaviours, which include problems with communication, interaction and repetition. Now, that same person would need to exhibit three deficits in social communication and interaction and at least two repetitive behaviours the latter, say critics, makes the new criteria more restrictive. To see how the change in … Continue reading →

Miracle number one was that I had my lifejacket on, said McNaughton, who likes to fish from his kayak. I happened to be on shore, but I hadnt bothered to take it off. He had promised his wife Arlette Raaen that he would wear his lifejacket whenever near the water fishing. As the stroke hit, McNaughton dove headfirst into the water. A person who regularly fishes in the area and knows McNaughton saw him go into the water and ran over to assist him. After he had recovered somewhat, Raaen told him how shocked the man was to see McNaughton dive in the water at that moment. He said I knew that Chris is a real avid fisherman, but when he went teeth-first for the fish I thought that was a little overboard, recounted McNaughton. While in the water, he did not realize what was happening to him but remembers thinking about the effect drinking so much saltwater was going to have on his digestion. Little did I know, he added. BC Ambulance Service and Malaspina Volunteer Fire Department came to McNaughtons aid and he was taken to Powell River General Hospital (PRGH). Miracle number two was the fact that … Continue reading →

Glendale, Arizona (PRWEB) January 24, 2014 Floppy, a nine year old Dachshund, struggled to get up from a laying position before his recent stem cell therapy at Happy Valley Animal Hospital. The pain from arthritis was so bad he was reluctant to move much at all, even when encouraged by his family. This holiday season Floppys owners gifted him with quality of life. Now hes bringing in the New Year with less pain and more ability to run and play again. Floppy had been suffering from osteoarthritis in his hips and knees long enough that it was affecting other joints in his hind end. He had difficulty getting up after sitting, limped, and exhibited stiffness. Happy Valley Animal Hospitals Dr. Victor Saltzman determined Floppy was a great candidate for stem cell therapy using Vet-Stem services, and in early December scheduled Floppy for a small fat tissue collection to start the process. Floppys fat was overnighted to Vet-Stems lab in San Diego, California where it was processed into injectable doses of Floppys own stem cells. In 48 hours Dr. Saltzman received the doses back and had started Floppy on his way to recovery. We are extremely pleased with the results. The … Continue reading →