Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise Like watching a foreign movie that was badly dubbed, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have trouble integrating simultaneous information from their eyes and their ears, according to a Vanderbilt study published today in The Journal of Neuroscience. The study, led by Mark Wallace, Ph.D., director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, is the first to illustrate the link and strongly suggests that deficits in the sensory building blocks for language and communication can ultimately hamper social and communication skills in children with autism. There is a huge amount of effort and energy going into the treatment of children with autism, virtually none of it is based on a strong empirical foundation tied to sensory function, Wallace said. If we can fix this deficit in early sensory function then maybe we can see benefits in language and communication and social interactions. And the findings could have much broader applications because sensory functioning is also changed in developmental disabilities such as dyslexia and schizophrenia, Wallace said. In the study, Vanderbilt researchers compared 32 typically developing children ages 6-18 years old with 32 high-functioning children with autism, matching the groups in virtually every possible way … Continue reading →

Jan. 13, 2014 Increased awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is placing huge demands on health care systems and health care professionals to help children and their families cope with the disorder. A comprehensive evidence-based review published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) aims to help physicians provide appropriate medical support to families of children with ASD, from detection to treatment. "We have come to understand ASD as a remarkably heterogeneous constellation of conditions that covary with other disabilities and disorders (e.g., intellectual disability, epilepsy, ADHD, anxiety disorders) and various medical problems," writes Dr. Stephen Scherer, senior scientist and director of The Centre for Applied Genomics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and director of the McLaughlin Centre at the University of Toronto, with coauthors. "Recent discoveries of underlying genomic factors have shown great complexity and implicate various networks of causal factors." ASD, which includes a variety of traits that range from mild to severe, is estimated to affect about 1% of the population, although it is under-recognized in the developing world. The review, by specialists in pediatrics, psychiatry, epidemiology, neurology and genetics from across Canada, outlines the current understanding of ASD and best practices for pediatricians, family doctors … Continue reading →

By Brenda Goodman HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly 40 percent of preschoolers with autism are getting some kind of complementary or alternative therapy for their condition, with nutritional supplements and special diets being the most common things parents try, a new study shows. There are no medications currently approved specifically to treat autism spectrum disorders and its core symptoms of social and behavioral problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism symptoms also include stomach upset and difficulty sleeping, among others. So doctors and parents often rely on a variety of different, and sometimes unproven and unconventional, treatments to try to manage the wide variety of issues that can crop up. Some experts had feared that parents might be turning to complementary therapies because they couldn't access recommended social or behavioral services or because they were trying to avoid conventional medicines, like vaccines. But the study, published in the January issue of Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, found that wasn't the case. Children in the study were 2 to 5 years old. Nearly all of the 453 children who had autism and another 125 with developmental disabilities were receiving the … Continue reading →

Courtesy of marylynnmagar.com News Release: Florida House of Representatives Stuart, Fla. In Tallahassee early last Wednesday morning, State Representative MaryLynn Magar suffered a mild stroke and was successfully treated at an area hospital. She was released on Saturday and has returned to the district where she will receive physical therapy over the next several weeks. Prior to the stroke, Representative Magar enjoyed excellent health and had none of the risk factors associated with strokes. Her physicians were very pleased with her immediate response to treatment and are expecting a full recovery. Representative Magar will remain in the district for the next several weeks while she works through physical therapy and will request absences for upcoming committee meetings, although she is remaining in close communication with the Speaker, House leadership, and the Chairs of those committees on which she serves. She will return to Tallahassee in time for the beginning of the legislative session. In addition, Representative Magar's legislative and district staff remain fully engaged in advancing the legislation she has already sponsored and in responding to the priorities of her constituents without interruption. "I want to thank God for a loving family, a great team of health care professionals, and … Continue reading →

CONYERS Rockdale Medical Center received special recognition from the Joint Commission after undergoing a rigorous on-site review in December. The hospital was awarded the Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers which signifies its dedication to improving stroke patient outcomes. Rockdale Medical Center is thoroughly committed to providing our patients the highest quality stroke care centered on current scientific research to ensure continued improvement in treatment, said Deborah Armstrong, CEO. In addition to our Joint Commission accreditation, the Primary Stroke Center Certification has given us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide for our patients, and help us improve care overall for our community. A Joint Commission expert reviewed Rockdale Medicals compliance with the requirements for the Joint Commissions Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements, such as collecting Joint Commission core measure data and using if for performance improvement activities. In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, Rockdale Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its stroke patients, said Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission in a press release. Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends Rockdale for … Continue reading →