HIAWATHA, Iowa- Parents of children diagnosed with autism will soon have some new treatment options. A well-known, Des Moines-area program is opening up a first-ever facility in eastern Iowa. The Homestead will operate a Childrens Autism Project office at 1661 Boyson Square Dr. in Hiawatha. Organizers expect up to 30 children will take part in the intensive programming when actual clinical work starts in about three weeks. Steve Muller, executive director of The Homestead, said the treatment services they offer are geared specifically to people diagnosed with autism. The program began in 1994 in central Iowa and treats about 150 people on a regular basis now. In central Iowa, the programs are offered both for children and adults and include a residential facility. In Hiawatha, the focus will be strictly on children on an outpatient basis at first. Agustin Ernie, 4, will be one of the first clients. He attends special preschool classes now. But when The Homesteads program opens next month, hell spend at least half the day at the Hiawatha facility. The center uses a treatment technique called Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). And Brad Bezilla, clinic director, said some of the goals for parents of the children ages … Continue reading →

A simple blood test might be able to reveal whether a child has autism, according to researchers who recently launched a study to evaluate such a test. The study, which began this week and involves 660 participants at 20 facilities around the United States, will examine whether the test can accurately distinguish between children who have autism and children who have other developmental delays, the researchers said. While the blood test by itself cannot diagnose an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the researchers hope it will speed up the time it takes to diagnose the condition, which can be a lengthy process. "If a blood test could indicate ASD risk, it would help families and physicians know when to refer children to an ASD expert, potentially leading to earlier treatment and better outcomes," Dr. Jeremy Veenstra VanderWeele, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Vanderbilt University, said in a statement. The study is being funded by SynapDx, the company that hopes to develop and market the test. Autism spectrum disorders are a range of developmental disorders characterized by social impairment, language difficulties and repetitive behaviors. Currently, ASD is diagnosed by evaluating a person's behavior and taking into account their medical history. The … Continue reading →

Saturday April 27, 2013 GREAT BARRINGTON -- When Tammy Merenda first started working at the Autism Treatment Center of America in Sheffield, the field of work done there was a new concept to them. "I didn't know what to expect. I had no clue what autism was," she said of the center, which is part of The Option Institute. After working there for a while and interacting with families and staff members, she and her husband, Chris, developed an understanding of the disorder and respect and appreciation for the programs and support the center offers families. "We were so inspired," she said. "Even after we stopped working there, we wanted to give something back to them. We want to help families learn what we've learned." Three years ago, she and her husband, a local musician, decided to organize a benefit autism awareness concert. This year, the concert, which will feature about a dozen musical acts today at the Guthrie Center, takes on a new meaning as the couple prepares to adopt a young boy with autism. So far, pre-concert efforts have raised more than $6,000 for the Autism Treatment Center of America. The funding helps support scholarships for family education … Continue reading →

Mohan Krishnan is a neuropsychologist and director of childrens services for Hope Network. Information about Hope Networks Center for Autism is available at hopenetwork.org/autism. By Mohan Krishnan GRFAND RAPIDS, MI -- We spend a lot of time talking about whether autism occurs in 1 in 110 children, 1 in 88, or 1 in 50. This is important we have to understand why this rate goes up and up, and if there are modifiable factors affecting it. However, the rate of autism is also frequently interjected in the discussion of whether we treat autism. Why? We do not ask if leukemia, congenital heart disease, or other serious childhood disorders are common enough to merit treatment one child who goes unhelped is one too many. Its no different with autism. Each child matters. Although therapies that can help have been available for decades, they have traditionally been inaccessible to all but the wealthiest few and lucky recipients of scholarships. One year ago, in a historic and daring gesture, with bipartisan support led by legislators, businesspeople, families, and healthcare providers standing united, Michigan joined an elite group of 31 states that mandate availability of autism therapies as an insurance benefit. This law went … Continue reading →

Acupuncture in Stroke victims http://www.hpiacupuncture.com/ Welcome to Health Point Integrative Acupuncture and Wellness. We are so happy you have actually located us, and anticipate ser... By: Marion Bahogtae … Continue reading →