Front Page News: Archive
CDC Reports Increase in Autism Prevalence
(Associated Press) Two new government studies indicate about 1 in 100 children have autism disorders — higher than a previous U.S. estimate of 1 in 150. Greater awareness, broader definitions and spotting autism in younger children may explain some of the increase, federal health officials said. Figuring out how many children have autism is extremely difficult because diagnosis is based on a child's behavior, said Dr. Susan E. Levy of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics subcommittee on autism. "With diabetes you can get a blood test," said Levy. "As of yet, there's no consistent biologic marker we can use to make the diagnosis of autism." The new estimate would mean about 673,000 American children have autism. Previous estimates put the number at about 560,000. Read More
Novel H1N1 Vaccine and Autism: What You Need to Know
According to the CDC, the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza vaccines that FDA is licensing will be manufactured in several formulations. Some will come in multi-dose vials and will contain thimerosal as a preservative. The most recent and rigorous scientific research does not support the hypothesis that thimerosal-containing vaccines are harmful. Read more
ASF Sponsors Rockland Autism Symposium
The Autism Science Foundation will co-sponsor the 4th annual Rockland Autism Symposium on November 9, 2009, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Pearl River Hilton, Pearl River, New York. The symposium is sponsored by Rockland County Legislator Tom Murphy, and co-facilitated by The Venture Foundation and the Autism Science Foundation and underwritten by the MindWorks Charitable Lead Trust. Last year, over 800 people attended this science, treatment and education focused event.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Thomas Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and chair of the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Read More and Register Here
First Request for Scientific Grant Proposals
Grants will fund doctoral students focused on autism research
Blue + Yellow = Green for Autism Science Foundation
Our sincere thanks to the Brookhaven National Laboratory, which donated the $4500 raised at its "Collide-the-Ions" walk to the Autism Science Foundation. Over 400 Brookhaven Lab employees, students, and guests played the part of protons, walking in opposite directions around the campus and eventually "colliding". The walk was part of a daylong event to recognize Setauket-based Renaissance Technologies for its support of research at the Lab’s Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Watch a video of the "collision" and learn more here.
IACC to Hold Science Workshops
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) will be holding a two-day Scientific Workshop on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 and Thursday October 1, 2009 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, MD.
The workshop will cover the six questions in the 2009 IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorders Research, focusing on noted research gaps, new opportunities for advancing research and knowledge about autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and the prioritization of short-term and long-term objectives in the plan. The format of the meeting will include presentations by invited panelists (clinicians, researchers and people with ASD or family members of people with ASD), as well as discussions by panelists, the public and members of the IACC. The meeting will be open to the public.
Click here to view the agenda
Click here to register (pre-registration is required for attendance)
Chronicle of Philanthropy Profiles Autism Science Foundation
The Chonicle of Philanthropy, the nation's leading newspaper of the non profit world, has published a lengthy profile of the Autism Science Foundation entitled New Autism Charity Hopes to Carve Out It's Niche. The article also appears on the Chronicle's home page.
Few nonprofit leaders would consider 2009 an ideal time to start up a charity. But Alison Tepper Singer isn't letting the recession deter her. What she believes is an important gap in autism research can't wait for the economy to rebound, she says. Read More
IACC Seeking Input on National Autism Strategic Plan
On behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the National Institute of Mental Health is seeking comments to inform the annual update of the IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research as required by the Combating Autism Act of 2006.
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit input from ASD stakeholders to inform the next update of the Strategic Plan. In the RFI form, there will be an opportunity to provide input on each section of the IACC Strategic Plan. Please include suggestions regarding missing or underrepresented knowledge areas, new opportunities needed for advancing research and knowledge about ASD, and suggestions for prioritizing research objectives.
The RFI will close on August 21, 2009. Responses must be submitted electronically via this web-based form.
New Study Published in Pediatrics Examines Autism, Gastrointestinal Issues
A new Mayo Clinic study, published in the August 1 issue of Pediatrics, did not find a significant difference between kids with autism and matched controls (kids without autism) when it came to diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, bloating, reflux or vomiting. The study did show that the kids with autism were more likely than their nonautistic counterparts to be picky eaters or to be constipated.
According to Pediatrics, "as constipation and feeding issues/food selectivity often have a behavioral etiology, data suggest that a neurobehavioral rather than a primary organic gastrointestinal etiology may account for the higher incidence of these gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism."
For years, parents, physicians and researchers have wondered whether people with autism suffered from more digestive problems than the rest of the population. Many autistic children are following aggressive medical regimens aimed at treating suspected gut trouble, including multiple nutritional supplements, and anti-fungal, anti viral and antibiotic medications. Some also are on a restrictive diet.
Pediatrics is the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
ASF "Science and Sandwiches" lunch with Dr. Richard Grinker
View photos and read a summary of this week's "Science and Sandwiches" lunch with Dr. Richard Grinker.
Dr. Grinker with Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and ASF President Alison Singer
IACC to hold Town Hall Meeting on Services Research
on July 24, 2009
A Town Hall meeting of the IACC Services Subcommittee will take place on Friday, July 24, 2009 from 10:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CT at the 2009 Autism Society of America National Conference at Pheasant Run Resort and Spa in St. Charles, IL
The meeting will be open to the public, with attendance limited to space available in the main room and overflow room. The meeting will begin with a 30 minute presentation by members of the IACC, followed by an open microphone session in which comments may be shared on topics related to services for people with ASD. Topics of particular interest include: Questions 5 and 6 of the IACC Strategic Plan for ASD Research:"Where can I turn for services?" and "What does the future hold?"
Click here to learn more about how you can participate
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) met on Wednesday July 15, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington, DC.
The morning session included a joint meeting with the National Vaccine Advisory Committee Vaccine Safety Working Group, followed by a presentation on the NIH Autism Centers of Excellence and the National Database for Autism Research. In the afternoon, the IACC discussed services subcommittee activities and strategic plan subcommittee activities, as well as the annual Summary of Scientific Advances. Learn more and view the videocast here.
Dr. Eric London Resigns from Autism Speaks, citing disagreement over vaccine research
Lack of Efficacy of Citalopram in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and High Levels of Repetitive Behavior--Archives of General Psychiatry
(June 1, 2009) Citalopram (Celexa), a medication commonly prescribed to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), was no more effective than a placebo at reducing repetitive behaviors, according to a multi-site clinical trial guided by lead author Bryan King, MD, director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Seattle Children's Hospital and professor and vice chair of psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Because citalopram is also prescribed for patients with obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), these study results may challenge the widely held premise that repetitive behaviors in children with ASD are similar to repetitive behaviors often found in cases of OCD. Read the press release. Read the study abstract.
AUDIO: To hear and download audio of Dr. King discussing the study, visit: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/home/about_childrens/press_releases/2009/06/004756.asp
Autism Science Foundation Launches New Blog
Join the Conversation! http://autismsciencefoundation.wordpress.com
Autism drug Lupron: 'Miracle drug' Called Junk Science--Chicago Tribune
Part 1: Powerful castration drug pushed for autistic children, but medical experts denounce unproven claims.
(May 21, 2009) Desperate to help their autistic children, hundreds of parents nationwide are turning to an unproven and potentially damaging treatment: multiple high doses of a drug sometimes used to chemically castrate sex offenders.
The therapy is based on a theory, unsupported by mainstream medicine, that autism is caused by a harmful link between mercury and testosterone. Children with autism have too much of the hormone, according to the theory, and a drug called Lupron can fix that.But experts say the idea that Lupron can work miracles for children with autism is not grounded in scientific evidence.
Read More
Part 2: Autism doctor: Troubling Record Trails Doctor Treating Autism
(May 22, 2009) Dr. Mayer Eisenstein's practice embraces home births and shuns vaccines, but parents' lawsuits tell a story of harm and death. He treats autistic children with Lupron, despite top endocrinologists and autism experts dismissing the treatment as junk science. Read More
ASF's "Science and Sandwiches" Program
Makes Delicious Debut
(May 12, 2009) Dr. Ami Klin, Dr. Paul Offit, and Alison Singer at the Autism Science Foundation's first "Science and Sandwiches" lunchtime presentation. Read more about our debut event.
International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) Attracts Over 1500 Participants
(May 7, 2009) The 8th annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) included over 900 research and educational presentations. Highlights included presentations by Dr. Mark Bear (Fulfilling the Promise of Molecular Medicine in Autism), Dr. Cathy Lord (What would Better Diagnosis of ASDs Look Like?) and Dr. Stephen Scherer (Copy Number Variations in Autism: What do they Mean?). Click here to read abstracts of studies presented at IMFAR
NEWLY FOUND GENETIC VARIATION LINKED TO AUTISM
April 28, 2009: A newly identified genetic variant could account for up to 15 percent of autism cases, say researchers who studied genes that are important in connecting brain cells. In Wednesday's issue of the journal Nature, researchers say the variant is carried by about 65 per cent of people with autism. Read more.
PEDIATRICIANS GIVE SOUND ADVICE ON AUTISM, VACCINES
April 27, 2009: The American Academy of Pediatrics is offering a new resource for parents who have questions about autism and vaccines. A series of audio interviews with pediatricians, parents of children with autism, infectious disease experts and others is available here. Topics covered include:
AUTISM SCIENCE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES OPERATIONS
New advocacy group will focus on non-vaccine-related autism research
April 18, 2009: The Autism Science Foundation, a new not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding autism research, launched its operations today, debuting its web site (www.autismsciencefoundation.org) and kicking off its “First 100 Days” fundraising drive with an announcement at the Association of Healthcare Journalists’ Annual Conference. The organization is co-founded by Alison Singer, formerly Executive Vice President of Autism Speaks, and Karen London, co-founder of the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR). Both Singer and London are parents of children with autism. Singer will serve as President of the new organization.
Singer resigned from Autism Speaks in January of this year, citing disagreement with the group’s decision to continue to fund more vaccine research despite multiple scientific studies exonerating vaccines as a cause of autism. “After I left Autism Speaks, I heard over and over from parents who said they needed an organization they could trust to fund nothing but the very best science; science that would open new doors and ask questions that have not yet been answered. That’s what we’ll do at the Autism Science Foundation.”
ASF’s mission is to support autism research by providing funding and other assistance to scientists and organizations conducting, facilitating, publicizing and disseminating autism research. The organization will also provide information about autism to the general public and will serve to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the needs of individuals and families affected by autism.
“This organization will adhere to the rigorous scientific standards and values that defined NAAR during its 12 year, pre-merger history,” said London. “Outstanding research is the greatest gift we can offer our families. Every research dollar needs to count.” Founded in 1994, NAAR was the first nonprofit organization in the world dedicated to advancing autism research. In 2006, NAAR merged with Autism Speaks.
The Autism Science Foundation’s mission is premised on the following facts and principles:
• Autism is known to have a strong genetic component. Research must aim to discover the mechanisms of action that trigger autism, as well as safe, effective and novel treatments to enhance the quality of life for children and adults currently affected.
• Early diagnosis and early intervention are critical to helping people with autism reach their potential, but educational, vocational and support services must be applied across the lifespan. Science has a critical role to play in creating evidence-based, effective lifespan interventions.
• Vaccines save lives; they do not cause autism. Numerous studies have failed to show a causal link between vaccines and autism. Vaccine safety research should continue to be conducted by the public health system in order to ensure vaccine safety and maintain confidence in our national vaccine program, but further investment of limited autism research dollars is not warranted at this time.
"We know more about autism than we did just a few years ago. For example, new discoveries in neuroscience, genetics, and epigenetics offer hope for improving the lives of people with autism," said Dr. Edwin Trevathan, Director of CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. "It is important that we apply these scientific advances to public health research to learn what causes autism spectrum disorders, how to treat autism, and eventually how to prevent autism-associated disability. As we all strive to follow where the science leads, the Autism Science Foundation will play an important role."
“We need the most rigorous science to understand autism and develop new treatments,” said Dr. Tom Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Chair of the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). “I look forward to the Autism Science Foundation joining the public-private partnership described in the new strategic plan for autism research.”
"As we attempt to understand the causes of autism, and to develop optimal treatment programs, it is critical that parents have access to information that is based upon the best medical evidence" said David T. Tayloe Jr., MD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of more than 60,000 pediatricians dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. "We welcome the chance to work closely with the Autism Science Foundation to improve the lives of children diagnosed with autism."
Joining London and Singer on the Autism Science Foundation Board of Directors are Dr. Paul Offit, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and author of the critically acclaimed Autism’s False Prophets; Bad Science, Risky Medicine and the Search for a Cure, and Michael Lewis, attorney, mediator and grandfather of a child with autism. ASF’s Scientific Advisory Board, still in formation, includes Dr. Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom (UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; past program chair of the International Society for Autism Research); Dr. Ami Klin (Yale Child Study Center); Dr. Harold Koplewicz (NYU Child Study Center); Dr. Sharon Humiston (University of Rochester); Dr. Eric London (NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities and co-founder of NAAR); Dr. Catherine Lord (University of Michigan); and Dr. Matthew State (Yale Medical School).
