New Zealand software developer and dad Wayne Lewis has developed an iPad application to help reduce his autistic son Ciarans struggle expressing his simple wants and needs. Called Communicate Easy Waynes app is now available to children living with autism. Wayne is a senior software developer with Datacom and he spent over a year of his own time building the iPad application geared towards helping his son and all kids with special learning needs. His son Ciaran is acutely autistic and has trouble with the basics, he doesn't speak and needs help getting dressed and using the bathroom. Wayne says, "Its really helped him, hes taken to the iPad with ease. Already toilet training has improved markedly and hes now able to do many of the steps himself. Ciarans ability to make choices has improved too as a result of the way the app presents clear information on the touch screen." The Communicate Easy app works visually to set up a schedule for simple tasks, such as getting dressed or bath time and importantly using the app helps the seven year old understand what his parents want him to do next. "Ciaran points to the pictures on the screen and … Continue reading →

The software, co-developed by Step By Steps executive director, has successfully implemented ABA WebTech, a clinical management tool, at each of its intensive behavior intervention classrooms in several school districts, its remote treatment facilities, as well as its main Ohio campus. Columbus, OH (PRWEB) January 22, 2013 ABA WebTech is a software tool that utilizes the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and allows clinicians, caregivers and teachers to more easily develop, implement, closely monitor and modify customized treatment plans for each of their clients receiving ABA intervention. ABA WebTech incorporates some very powerful features, one of which allows for remote monitoring of progress through its mobile device to web-based program. The system also automatically flags areas of difficulty to ensure that any adjustments in treatment are made in real time. Through its cloud-based format, ABA WebTech was designed to make providing support to remote locations, including IBI classrooms, much easier. As a tool, its interface can be accessed from anywhere there is an Internet connection. Since the system is web-based, we can access all of the information within a patients record any time of day from any of our locations, including any of our interactive classrooms at each of … Continue reading →

Its a medication technique that many may be reluctant to swallow, but its slowly proving to be a valuable tool in treating autoimmune disorders ingesting the eggs of parasitic worms. The use of this alternative medicine is all part of the hygiene hypothesis the idea that harmful organisms might actually be protecting our immune systems. In the 19th century, people did not bathe as frequently as they do now, and many lived among filth but autoimmune diseases were virtually non-existent. Subsequently, those who currently live in third-world countries also have a lower rate of developing autoimmune diseases. Related: Scientists aim to prevent diabetes, Crohn's with worm-based therapy Dr. Eric Hollander got the idea to study the use of the hygiene hypothesis to treat autism when he noticed one of his patients behavior improve while self-medicating with Trichuris suis ova (TSO), the eggs of a whipworm. Over the past 20 years, doctors have noticed parasitic worms help alleviate symptoms for patients with Crohns disease, but other disorders, like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes are also being studied. Autism activated by immune system? Now, Hollander, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and director of Autism and … Continue reading →

January22,2013 Experts say there is a great need for applied behavioral analysts across West Virginia. The southern part of the state has no specialists. West Virginia implemented a new law last year that covers treatment for children on the autism disorder spectrum. But experts say theres still work to be done in coverage, teacher training, and access to care. In 2009 The National Alliance on Mental Illness released a grading scale for states. In the report, overall the NAMI said Americas mental health care system is in crisis. West Virginia was one of six states that received a failing grade while the majority didnt fair much better with a D grade. Autism is not considered to be a mental illness but a neurological disability. Very bright articulate young man, Stacey Jewell said. To look at him you would know nothing was wrong with him at all. He has a lot of social issues. Jewell's 15-year-old-son Donald was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome around the fifth grade. The disorder is currently on the autism spectrum. Its often referred to as high functioning autism. Jewell admits it was an adjustment. I did everything that the doctor told me to do and I still … Continue reading →

Universal Images Group / Getty Images Small autistic boy playing ritually with a broom in living room at home, UK There is more evidence that a minority of autistic children may eventually overcome their developmental issues, but experts caution that such recovery is rare. Its long been the hope of parents of autistic children that the right care and support can reduce or even reverse some of the developmental problems associated with the condition. But while a recent study found that behavioral intervention programs are linked with normalization of some brain activity, the question of whether children can outgrow autism remains difficult to answer. Studies to date that have hinted at this possibility were plagued with lingering questions about whether the children who apparently shed their autism were properly diagnosed with the developmental disorder in the first place. The new research, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and led by Deborah Fein of the University of Connecticut, involved 34 people ages 8 to 21 who had been diagnosed with autism but no longer met criteria for the condition. The initial diagnosis had to be made in writing by a doctor or psychologist specializing in autism before the … Continue reading →

Everyone must know what a stroke is and its management since it changes the life of an individual and also of society, professor of neurology of AIIMS (New Delhi) and president-elect of Indian Stroke Society Padma Srivastava said here on Saturday. There should be stroke care centres in every town and small place and not just the major cities and they should be known to the people, said Dr. Padma Srivastava while stressing the need for a comprehensive and quickly reachable treatment for those who suffered a stroke. She was speaking after inaugurating a one-day stroke update organised by the SevenHills Hospitals. Advice to youngsters She advised the youngsters to think and keep asking themselves why and when, to improve their knowledge. Superintendent of King George Hospital M. Madhusudhana Babu said it was necessary to make the people understand what stroke is and its treatment since 15 million non-fatal strokes were being reported every year all over the world. Updates would help the medical professionals to gain more knowledge about stroke, he added. Neurophysician of SevenHills Hospitals and convenor of the update R.V. Narayana explained about the programme. Neurophysicians like V. Satyanarayana, K. Venkateswarlu, Sibasankar Dalai, Jaydip R. Chaudhuri and … Continue reading →