| New This Week on NASETNASET's Autism Spectrum Disorder Series Issue #32 Autism in the Lyme Light: A Literature Review By Kerri Elizabeth Beisner, M.Ed.
This issue of NASET'sAutism Spectrum Disorderseries was written by Kerri Elizabeth Beisner, M.Ed., and focuses on autism and lyme disease. Lyme disease is often overlooked and perceived as a small infection transmitted by a tick. Usually accompanied by flu like symptoms or achy joints, many doctors believe all the bacteria transmitted during attachment will be killed with a few weeks of antibiotics. There is much discrepancy over the idea of Lyme disease persisting within the human body for more than a few weeks, but increasing research is discovering that if left untreated, Lyme disease can wreak havoc on the human body and has even been the cause of death. Over the course of the past 20 years, Lyme disease has been spreading at epic proportions and is now linked to and associated with conditions such as CFS, ME, Alzheimer's Disease, MS, and Autism. The lack of agreement within the medical community on Lyme disease is ultimately leaving hundreds of thousands of patients seeking help for an ailment or symptoms that are increasingly more difficult to treat and understand. With multiple presentations and a lack of consistency in symptoms amongst various individuals, research is now supporting the notion that Lyme disease can potentially be the cause of many conditions, some of which includes Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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| Challenges for Extreme Preemies Can Last into TeensThe complications and medical treatments that extremely preterm or extremely small newborns experience in their first weeks of life can have an impact years later, a new study reveals. Preemies who had bleeding in their brain or who received corticosteroids were at particular risk for more difficulty with school or thinking skills, the researchers found, regardless of their environment growing up. "The most surprising finding was that the effects of events occurring in the nursery had such long-lasting and persistent effects on thinking ability and academic performance, even into late adolescence," said study author Dr. Lex Doyle. He is a professor of neonatal pediatrics at the Royal Women's Hospital in Parkville, Victoria, in Australia. To read more,click here |
| Water Park In The Works For Those With Special NeedsFive years after establishing the world's first fully-accessible theme park, construction is underway on a water park where every attraction promises to be disability-friendly. Morgan's Wonderland, located in San Antonio, said this week that it is expanding with a water park. The new offering called Morgan's Inspiration Island is expected to open in the spring of 2017. It will include five water attractions, all of which will be fully wheelchair accessible, officials said. "In many ways, creating Morgan's Inspiration Island feels a lot like it did when our team designed and built Morgan's Wonderland with special-needs individuals in mind - it's never been done before," said Gordon Hartman, the philanthropist behind the parks. To read more,click here |
| Some Kids With Heart Defects Struggle in SchoolChildren born with heart defects often do worse in school than their peers, a new study finds. Researchers led by Dr. Matthew Oster of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta analyzed end-of-grade test results for third-grade students in North Carolina public schools between 1998 and 2003. Compared to other children, those with a congenital heart defect were 40 percent less likely to meet reading proficiency standards, 20 percent less likely to meet math standards, and 50 percent less likely to meet standards in both subjects, the study found. The researchers also found that 2.8 percent of children with heart defects were held back in third-grade, compared with 1.9 percent of other children. To read more,click here |
|  NASET MEMBER'S BENEFIT - Board Certification in Special Education Available to NASET MembersThrough an agreement with The American Academy of Special Education Professionals(AASEP), NASET members now have the opportunity to achieve AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) at a reduced fee. AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) is a voluntary choice on the part of the candidate. The candidate for Board Certification wishes to demonstrate a commitment to excellence to employers, peers, administrators, other professionals, and parents. From the standpoint of the Academy, board certification will demonstrate the highest professional competency in the area of special education. Board Certification in Special Educationestablishes a much needed standard for professionals, across disciplines, who work with exceptional children. For more information on Board Certification in Special Education,click here |
| Marriage Concerns Insufficient To Warrant GuardianshipA family's concerns about a 29-year-old man with Down syndrome wanting to marry are not sufficient reason to place him under guardianship, a judge has determined. The mother and brother of a man known as D.D. in court papers sought to become his legal guardians in a Brooklyn, N.Y. court. Central to the petition, however, was D.D.'s desire to marry his girlfriend, Janice. He told the court that he is saving for an engagement ring. D.D.'s mother adamantly opposes such a union, testifying that "Janice is too pushy." The mother, referred to as Ms. D. in court documents, said that she worried a marriage would lead to a child with Down syndrome who the couple would be unable to care for. To read more,click here |
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| TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEKGuess the answer to this week's trivia question and we'll recognize you in next week's Week in Review.
Congratulations to: Danielle Wines, Laura Palacios, Joan Helbing, Hermie Speckels, Sarah McCarthy, Evelyn McNelis, Amy Hickok, Kimberly Rehbaum, Jennifer Klump, Lauralyn Kontis, Heather Chapman, Debbie Ridgely, Barry Amper, Donna McWhorter, Prahbhjot Malhi, Barbara Babcock, Patsy Ray, Laura Cochran, Pamela Downing-Hosten and Olumide Akerele, who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question: Sesame Street has introduced a new orange haired-green eyed girl muppet, Julia, to its cast. Julia is diagnosed with a specific IDEIA disability. What is it?ANSWER: AUTISM
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: According to the latest research in the field, exposure to dogs or farm animals early in life appears to reduce a child's risk of developing a particular health impairment. Researchers looking at more than one million Swedish children found that those who grew up with dogs in the home were nearly 15 percent less likely to develop what specific health impairment than those not exposed to dogs?
If you know the answer, send an email tocontactus@naset.org
All answers must be submitted no later than Monday, November 23, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. |
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| World First Blood Test Reduces Risk, Increases Accuracy in Prenatal TestingResearch into a simple, accurate and low risk blood test that can detect fetal blood group, sex, and genetic conditions in unborn babies has been published in the international scientific journal,Clinical Chemistry. The research is the result of a collaboration between Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and Plymouth University. The DNA test costs pence and is non-invasive -- as opposed to the traditional amniocentesis test that is available on the NHS, involves a needle and carries a minor (1%) risk of miscarriage. The test developed can be carried out on mothers at risk of X-linked genetic recessive diseases including haemophilia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy and mothers at risk of haemolytic disease of the new-born. It can use the blood that is taken from the mother when she has her first appointment with her GP or midwife at the early stages of pregnancy, negating the need for multiple appointments and making best use of resources. To read more,click here |
| Gene Therapy in Dogs Offers Glimmer of Hope for Fatal Childhood DisorderScientists working with animals say they've made an advance in efforts to develop gene therapy that one day might treat a fatal neurodegenerative disease in children. Batten disease is a fatal, inherited disorder caused by a mutation in the TPP1 gene, which impairs brain cells' ability to recycle cellular waste. The abnormal buildup of this waste affects walking, talking, thinking and sight. Symptoms and seizures typically begin in early childhood, then the disease progresses. Many children with Batten disease die by age 10, according to the researchers. In this study, the researchers placed a working version of the TPP1 gene into dogs with a naturally occurring disease that mimics Batten disease. The treatment did not cure the dogs, but did delay the onset of symptoms and extended their lives. To read more,click here |
| Chemical Exposure During Pregnancy Linked to Excess Weight in KidsExposure in the womb to high levels of a widely used industrial chemical appears to increase a child's risk of obesity, a new study suggests. The research included information on just over 200 Cincinnati mothers and their children. The findings showed that youngsters whose mothers were exposed to relatively high levels of a chemical known as PFOA during pregnancy had more rapid accumulation of body fat. Specifically, those children had higher amounts of body fat by age 8 compared to kids whose mothers had less exposure to the chemical during pregnancy. PFOA is used to make oil/water-repellent textiles, firefighting foam and nonstick coatings. The chemical was used for years at an industrial plant along the Ohio River and upstream of Cincinnati, the researchers said. To read more,click here |
| Childhood Cancer Tied to Raised Risk for Other Ills in Adult LifeChildhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for diabetes and other autoimmune diseases, a new study suggests. "Cure is no longer a sufficient goal in childhood cancer care," the researchers wrote. "As the vast majority of these patients survive, attention must be paid to their long-term quality of life and health challenges." In the study, the investigators analyzed data from more than 20,000 adults in Denmark, Iceland and Sweden, who had cancer before the age of 20 and survived for at least one year, and compared them to nearly 126,000 adults who did not have childhood cancer. To read more,click here |
| Newborn Probiotic Use Tied to Lower Risk of Type 1 DiabetesAdding probiotics -- good bacteria -- to an infant's feedings in the first month of life may reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes for those genetically predisposed to getting the disease, new research suggests. Supplementing with probiotics later in infancy didn't seem to confer the same benefit, the researchers noted. "Early probiotic exposure during the first 27 days is associated with a decreased risk of type 1 diabetes among those who have the highest genetic risk of type 1 diabetes," said lead researcher Ulla Uusitalo, an associate professor in the department of pediatric epidemiology at the University of South Florida in Tampa. To read more,click here |
| NASET - Members Only SavingsNASET is pleased to provide our members with exclusive access to discounts on products and services. These savings are available to all currentNASETmembers. To find out more about savings from Life Lock, Avis, Budget, Cruises Only, Orlando Vacations and more -Click here |
| Two-Year-Olds with Poor Language Skills Fall Behind at PlayTwo-year-olds with poor language skills fare worse than their peers at play and, subsequently, fall behind socially. This was the finding of a new study from the Stavanger Project at the Norwegian Reading Centre, University of Stavanger. While 70% of 2-year-olds with normal language development function well when playing with other children, only 11% of 2-year-olds with poor language skills manage to play with others. Children with poor language skills also have problems keeping up when playing. This causes other children to stop including them, meaning children with poor language skills are excluded from the all-important playtime. This was the finding of a new study that was presented during the Stavanger Project's annual research gathering on November 4 in Stavanger. To read more,click here |
| Obese Children as Young as 8 Show Signs of Heart DiseaseObese children can develop signs of heart abnormalities as young as age 8, which might drive up their risk for early death as adults, new research suggests. "It is both surprising and alarming to us that even the youngest obese children in our study who were 8 years old had evidence of heart disease," said study lead author Linyuan Jing, a postdoctoral fellow with Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa. "Ultimately, we hope that the effects we see in the hearts of these children are reversible," Jing added. "However, it is possible that there could be permanent damage." To read more,click here |
| Study Finds Blood Test May Detect Concussion in KidsA simple blood test may one day be able to detect concussions in children, a new study suggests. The test, which has already been used in adults, detected traumatic brain injuries in kids 94 percent of the time. More important, a negative result means a CT scan, and the radiation exposure it brings, may not be needed the researchers said. "When a child comes in with a head injury, we have to decide whether they have a concussion," said study author Dr. Linda Papa, an emergency medicine physician with Orlando Health in Florida. "We also have to decide whether the child needs a CT scan," Papa added. "CT scans are not harmless." To read more,click here |
| NASET MEMBER'S BENEFIT - Board Certification in Special Education Available to NASET MembersThrough an agreement with The American Academy of Special Education Professionals(AASEP), NASET members now have the opportunity to achieve AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) at a reduced fee. AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) is a voluntary choice on the part of the candidate. The candidate for Board Certification wishes to demonstrate a commitment to excellence to employers, peers, administrators, other professionals, and parents. From the standpoint of the Academy, board certification will demonstrate the highest professional competency in the area of special education. Board Certification in Special Educationestablishes a much needed standard for professionals, across disciplines, who work with exceptional children. For more information on Board Certification in Special Education,click here |
| University To Employ, House Adults With AutismIn what's being billed as a first-of-its-kind effort, a major university is looking to create housing and employment opportunities for adults on the spectrum. Rutgers University said it's hoping to establish a model that could be replicated at academic institutions nationwide through its new Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services. The university said it will employ as many as 60 adults with developmental disorder at its New Brunswick, N.J. campus. New hires with autism could start coming on board by late next year and will be supported by clinical staff and graduate students, officials said. In addition to working on campus, those in the program will participate in life skills training and recreational activities. To read more,click here |
| Rule Changes Might Lead to More Lung Transplants for KidsTwice as many young people in the United States could get lung transplants if donor lungs were available from a wider geographic area, a new study contends. "Children are dying while waiting for an organ. Geography should be one less barrier to pediatric patients receiving a potentially lifesaving transplant," said senior study author Dr. Maryam Valapour. She is a senior lung investigator at the Cleveland Clinic's Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and director of Lung Transplant Outcomes. Currently, donor lungs are first offered to transplant candidates near the donor hospital. If there are no local candidates, the lungs are offered beyond the local area in 500-mile radius increments. Child candidates are given priority for child donor lungs within a 1,000-mile radius of the donor hospital, followed by teens and then adults. Teen candidates get priority for teen donor lungs, followed by children and then adults, the researchers explained. To read more,click here |
| Study Shows Why Four-Year-Olds Don't Thrive in Head Start ClassesMost Head Start classrooms serve children of mixed ages and that hurts the academic growth of older children, a new national study suggests. Researchers found that 4-year-olds in Head Start classrooms that included higher concentrations of 3-year-olds were up to five months behind in academic development compared with their peers in classrooms with fewer younger children. That's a problem because, as of 2009, about 75 percent of all Head Start classrooms were mixed-age. Head Start is a federal preschool program that promotes the school readiness of children in low-income families from age 3 to age 5. "While there has been some enthusiasm for mixed-age classrooms, our results suggest there may be a significant downside for older children," said Kelly Purtell, co-author of the study and assistant professor of human sciences at The Ohio State University. To read more,click here |
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| Intellectual Disabilities Share Disease Mechanisms, Study SuggestsBrain disorders that cause intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders may share common defects despite having different genetic causes, a study has found. A study of two models of intellectual disability in mice has found that they share similar disease mechanisms. Researchers found that treatment with a statin drug called Lovastatin -- commonly used to treat high cholesterol -- can correct high levels of protein production in the brain linked to the conditions. The findings suggest that different types of intellectual disabilities may benefit from common therapeutic approaches, the researchers say. To read more,click here |
| 3-D Computer Modeling Might Improve Children's Heart TransplantsA new 3-D computer modeling system may help surgeons choose the best-sized donor heart for children who need a heart transplant, new research finds. To develop the system, researchers first created a library of 3D images using MRI and CT scans. The images included scans of the hearts of healthy children weighing up to 99 pounds. The library was then used to predict the best donor body weight to ensure the proper heart size for recipients. The researchers then compared before and after images from infants who already had a heart transplant. They found that their 3D imaging system accurately pinpointed an appropriate heart size. To read more,click here |
| Service Dog Group Trains People And Their Pups TogetherIt's the first day of classes, and Pippa can barely contain her excitement. She knows she's supposed to sit still and listen to instructions, and for one so young and full of energy, she does an admirable job. Fortunately, the promise of a treat makes it easier to pay attention. Pippa is a 4-month-old Vizsla puppy with a smooth caramel coat, big droopy ears and the kind of soft, sweet eyes that make humans melt. She's intently engaged with her surroundings and with what she's being taught in her first class with IDEA Service Dogs of Keller. Her owners, 16-year-old Lina Perez and her mom, Katie, live in far north Fort Worth, and have come to IDEA's founder, Maureen Bennett, to learn how to train Pippa to be a seizure response dog. To read more,click here |
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