SAN DIEGO (MedPage Today) -- The hypertension and anxiety treatment propranolol improved general social functioning in young adults with autism spectrum disorder, researchers reported here.

The Gupta Guide: Autism

www.medpagetoday.com - 3/21/13

(MedPage Today) -- The latest autism numbers suggest the continuation of an alarming trend -- now an estimated one in 50 school kids meets autism Dx criteria. In this Gupta Guide edition, Sanjay Gupta, MD, shares his thoughts on the numbers.

Autism Linked to Parents, Grandparents (CME/CE)

www.medpagetoday.com - 3/20/13

(MedPage Today) -- Multigenerational factors may play a role in the incidence of autism, according to U.S. and Swedish researchers.

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Autism

Genetic Testing for Autism

In this podcast, Dr John Harrington of Eastern Virginia Medical School and Dr Michael Paul and Rena Vanzo of Lineagen discuss genetic testing for autism spectrum disorders and genetic counseling. … Read More
What to Make of the Latest Statistics?

The recent research on prevalence rates mirrors what many of us on the frontlines have known for several years now: more children than ever are receiving a diagnosis on the ever-widening autism spectrum. … Read More
Navigating The Autism Therapy Maze

Pediatricians can help guide the families of children with an autism spectrum disorder through the maze of interventions, toward the goal of optimizing these children's potential for a productive, independent, brighter future. … Read More
Child With Difficulty in Walking

A 4-year-old boy with a history of autism presents to his pediatrician's office with a complaint of right leg pain. He is presumed to have pulled a muscle.… Read More

LATEST FEATURES

September 1, 2008

Information For Parents

Parents are understandably concerned about vaccines and autism, a relationship publicized by lawsuits, alternative therapies, and claims of government... More »

October 1, 2007

Helping Parents Decide on Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Their Child With Autism

As the father of a child with classic autism and an academic pediatrician who cares for many affected families, I thought my perspective might be... More »

October 1, 2007

Complementary or Alternative Therapies: Can They Help a Child With Autism?

Showing 11 - 13 of 13 results.

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DR HARRINGTON ON AUTISM

Transition to Adulthood for Youths With Autism and the Need to Advocate an Early Start
April 6, 2011

The recent article in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine by Shattuck and colleagues should act as a wakeup call to all policymakers about the use of resources for families with disabilities. The transition from being a dependent adolescent with autism to an independent adult requires a major financial and social investment from schools, families, and entire communities.

Genetic Testing for Autism: What Can Be Done, How Helpful Is It?
January 26, 2011

In this podcast, Dr John Harrington of Eastern Virginia Medical School and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, and Dr Michael Paul, CEO and Rena Vanzo, Genetic Counselor of Lineagen—provider of a new integrated genetic testing and counseling service FirstStepDx—discuss the diagnosis of autism and genetic testing for autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: What to Make of the Latest Statistics?
February 12, 2010

Two recent reports, one conducted by the Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) and a second from the CDC, now estimate that the current prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children born in the United States has risen from 1:150 to around 1:100. The HRSA report was based on a telephone survey of 78,037 parents involved in the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health. However, for its study, the CDC used a rigorous identification and confirmation system called the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, which cross-references educational and health data in 11 states.

Vaccines, the Public Trust, and the Importance of the Medical Home
November 1, 2008

I thoroughly enjoyed the articles "Anti-Vaccine Media: Its Impact-and Strategies to Combat It" by Linda Nield, MD, and "Vaccinations: Immunizations Do Not Cause Autism Spectrum Disorder . . . They Prevent Disease" by Golder Wilson, MD, PhD, and Miranda Ramirez, MD (both of which appeared in the Special Issue on Vaccines that accompanied the September 2008 issue of CONSULTANT FOR PEDIATRICIANS).

People-First Language
August 1, 2008

The easiest way to explain what "people-first" language is might be to examine what it is not. We can do this by considering commonly accepted uses of titles that we may hear every day-usages such as "Coach Pat" or "Doctor Bob."

Helping Parents Decide on Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Their Child With Autism
October 1, 2007

As the father of a child with classic autism and an academic pediatrician who cares for many affected families, I thought my perspective might be helpful to other physicians who deal with the conundrum of complementary or alternative therapies that parents of children with autism may choose.

MEDLINE

Periconceptional folic acid and risk of autism spectrum disorders.

pubmed.gov - 2/12/13

23403688 2013 02 13 2013 02 19 1538-3598 309 6 Feb 13 JAMA 611-3 10.1001/jama.2013.198 Berry Robert J RJ Crider Krista S KS Yeargin-Allsopp Marshalyn M eng Comment Editorial Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. United States JAMA 7501160 0098-7484

Association between maternal use of folic acid supplements and risk of autism spectrum disorders in children.

pubmed.gov - 2/12/13

Prenatal folic acid supplements reduce the risk of neural tube defects in children, but it has not been determined whether they protect against other neurodevelopmental disorders.|To examine the association between maternal use of prenatal folic acid supplements and subsequent risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) (autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS]) in children.|The study sample of 85,176 children was derived from the population-based, prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). The children were born in 2002-2008; by the end of follow-up on March 31, 2012, the age range was 3.3 through 10.2 years (mean, 6.4 years). The exposure of primary interest was use of folic acid from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after the start of pregnancy, defined as the first day of the last menstrual period before conception. Relative risks of ASDs were estimated by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs in a logistic regression

Novel PTEN germline mutation in a family with mild phenotype: difficulties in genetic counseling.

pubmed.gov - 1/9/13

PTEN gene (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten, MIM 601628) is a tumor suppressor gene implicated in PTEN hamartoma tumor syndromes (PHTS) including Cowden syndrome, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome and Proteus-like syndrome. PTEN mutations have been more recently reported in children with macrocephaly and autism spectrum disorders or mental retardation, without other symptoms of PHTS. Although tumor risk has not been evaluated in these patients and their relatives, the same surveillance as for Cowden syndrome is usually proposed. We report a family including patients carrying a novel PTEN mutation and presenting with a mild phenotype consisting of macrocephaly, hypotonia during the first year of life and mild learning disabilities, without autistic features. None of these patients exhibited PTHS-related symptoms such as tumors, lipomas, vascular malformations or pigmented macules of the glans penis. This report raises the question of extending the indications of

Synaptic plasticity and non-invasive brain stimulation in autism spectrum disorders.

pubmed.gov - 12/31/12

23157461 2012 12 17 2013 02 19 1469-8749 55 1 Jan Dev Med Child Neurol 13-4 10.1111/dmcn.12042 Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Center, The Alfred and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia. Enticott Peter G PG

The mirror mechanism and its potential role in autism spectrum disorder.

pubmed.gov - 12/31/12

The mirror mechanism allows the direct translation of a perceived (seen, felt, heard) action into the same motor representation of its related goal. This mechanism allows a direct comprehension of others' goals and motor intentions, enabling an embodied link between individuals. Because the mirror mechanism is a functional expression of the motor system, these findings suggest the relevance of the motor system to social cognition. It has been hypothesized that the impaired understanding of others' intentions, sensations, and emotions reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could be linked to an alteration of the mirror mechanism in all of these domains. In this review, we address the theoretical issues underlying the social impairments in ASD and discuss them in relation to the cognitive role of the mirror mechanism.

JOURNAL SCAN

EBN resources page

ebn.bmj.com - 12/3/12

SIGN Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android

http://itunes.com/apps/signguidelines; http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rootcreative.sign

The app for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad has been updated with quick reference guides (QRG) of recently published SIGN guidelines includi

Efficacy of risperidone in managing maladaptive behaviors for children with autistic spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis.

pubmed.gov - 6/24/12

Atypical antipsychotic agents are widely used psychopharmacological interventions for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Among the atypical antipsychotic agents, risperidone has demonstrated considerable benefits in reducing several behavioral symptoms associated with ASDs. This meta-analysis examined research regarding the effectiveness of risperidone use among children with ASD using articles published since the year 2000.|The database for the analyses comprised 22 studies including 16 open-label and six placebo-controlled studies. Based on the quality, sample size, and study design of studies prior to 2000, the database was then restricted to articles published after the year 2000. Effect sizes were calculated for each reported measure within a study to calculate an average effect size per study.|The mean effect size for the database was 1.047 and the sample weighted mean effect size was 1.108, with a variance of 0.18.|Outcome measures demonstrated mean improvement in problematic

Brain structure anomalies in autism spectrum disorder--a meta-analysis of VBM studies using anatomic likelihood estimation.

pubmed.gov - 6/1/12

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive developmental disorders with characteristic core symptoms such as impairments in social interaction, deviance in communication, repetitive and stereotyped behavior, and impaired motor skills. Anomalies of brain structure have repeatedly been hypothesized to play a major role in the etiopathogenesis of the disorder. Our objective was to perform unbiased meta-analysis on brain structure changes as reported in the current ASD literature. We thus conducted a comprehensive search for morphometric studies by Pubmed query and literature review. We used a revised version of the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) approach for coordinate-based meta-analysis of neuroimaging results. Probabilistic cytoarchitectonic maps were applied to compare the localization of the obtained significant effects to histological areas. Each of the significant ALE clusters was analyzed separately for age effects on gray and white matter density changes. We found six

Oxidative stress-related biomarkers in autism: systematic review and meta-analyses.

pubmed.gov - 5/14/12

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are rarely diagnosed in children younger than 2 years, because diagnosis is based entirely on behavioral tests. Oxidative damage may play a central role in this pathogenesis, together with the interconnected transmethylation cycle and transsulfuration pathway. In an attempt to clarify and quantify the relationship between oxidative stress-related blood biomarkers and ASDs, a systematic literature review was carried out. For each identified study, mean biomarker levels were compared in cases and controls providing a point estimate, the mean ratio, for each biomarker. After meta-analysis, the ASD patients showed decreased blood levels of reduced glutathione (27%), glutathione peroxidase (18%), methionine (13%), and cysteine (14%) and increased concentrations of oxidized glutathione (45%) relative to controls, whereas superoxide dismutase, homocysteine, and cystathionine showed no association with ASDs. For the C677T allele in the methylene

Pharmacologic treatment of repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders: evidence of publication bias.

pubmed.gov - 5/1/12

The goal of this study was to examine the efficacy of serotonin receptor inhibitors (SRIs) for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders (ASD).|Two reviewers searched PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of SRIs for repetitive behaviors in ASD. Our primary outcome was mean improvement in ratings scales of repetitive behavior. Publication bias was assessed by using a funnel plot, the Egger's test, and a meta-regression of sample size and effect size.|Our search identified 5 published and 5 unpublished but completed trials eligible for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of 5 published and 1 unpublished trial (which provided data) demonstrated a small but significant effect of SRI for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in ASD (standardized mean difference: 0.22 [95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.37], z score = 2.87, P < .005). There was significant evidence of publication bias in all analyses.

PRACTICE GUIDELINES

Microsoft Word

www.aacap.org -

9/8/2011 Please Call Speaker Boehner Ask Him to Allow a Vote on The Combating Autism Reauthorization Act Before it Expires on September 30th The Combating Autism Act of 2006 ... If The Combating Autism Reauthorization Act ( CARA, H.R. 2005) is not passed

National Guideline Clearinghouse | Best evidence statement (BESt). Craniosacral therapy for children with autism and/or sensory processing disorder.

www.guidelines.gov -

Best evidence statement (BESt). Craniosacral therapy for children with autism and/or sensory processing disorder.

National Guideline Clearinghouse | Best evidence statement (BESt). The use of video-based modeling in teaching daily living skills to children with autism.

www.guidelines.gov -

Best evidence statement (BESt). The use of video-based modeling in teaching daily living skills to children with autism.

National Guideline Clearinghouse | Best evidence statement (BESt). Outcomes assessment tool for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

www.guidelines.gov -

Best evidence statement (BESt). Outcomes assessment tool for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

National Guideline Clearinghouse | Best evidence statement (BESt). Use of sensory assessment tools with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

www.guidelines.gov -

Best evidence statement (BESt). Use of sensory assessment tools with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

AUTISM AND GENETICS

Update on Coverage Mandates for Patients With Autism

dbt.consultantlive.com - 6/3/10

The treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their various complications has become one of the most discussed and demanded insurance coverage mandates in multiple states. Insurance mandates are being heavily pushed by advocacy groups, especially Autism Speaks, with good success.

AUTISM AND VACCINES

Vaccine Court Says Autism Not Linked to Thimerosal

dbt.consultantlive.com - 4/16/10

Thimerosal, the organomercurial compound commonly used as a preservative in vaccines, does not cause autism, ruled the so-called vaccine court, a special branch of the US Court of Federal Claims that was established to handle claims of injury caused by vaccines. In this case, a group of parents who are convinced that there is a connection between the additive and autism were told that they had failed to prove their belief.1

Consultantlive.com | No Autism-Vaccine Link, Researchers Re-Confirm

www.consultantlive.com - 7/4/06

MONTREAL ? As the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal was removed from vaccines, and as fewer children received the mumps-measles-rubella vaccine, the rates of autism and related disorders rose.

Neurological Management

dbt.consultantlive.com -

Autism

Genetic Testing for Autism

What to Make of the Latest Statistics?

Navigating The Autism Therapy Maze

Child With Difficulty in Walking