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Tero Toivanen

Developmental abnormalities in the mirror neuron system may - 1 views

www.theautismnewswire.com/NewsITems.aspx

neuron abnormalities developmental autism mirror neuron special education special needs research

shared by Tero Toivanen on 08 May 11 - No Cached
  • Developmental abnormalities in the mirror neuron system may contribute to social deficits in autism.
  • Now, a new study published in Biological Psychiatry reports that the mirror system in individuals with autism is not actually broken, but simply delayed.
  • While most of us have their strongest mirror activity while they are young, autistic individuals seem to have a weak mirror system in their youth, but their mirror activity increases with age, is normal by about age 30 and unusually high thereafter.
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  • This increase in function of mirror neuron systems may be related to increased capacity for social function or responsiveness to rehabilitative treatments among individuals with autism.
  • One of the next steps in this line of research will be for researchers to examine how individuals with autism accomplish this improvement over time, and how therapeutic interventions targeting the same mechanism can help to support this important process.
Tero Toivanen

Researchers from the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM) have iden - 0 views

www.theautismnewswire.com/NewsITems.aspx

autism research genetics gene SYN1 genetic cause epilepsy

shared by Tero Toivanen on 17 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • The results show for the first time the role of the SYN1 gene in autism, in addition to epilepsy, and strengthen the hypothesis that a deregulation of the function of synapse because of this mutation is the cause of both diseases
  • until now, no other genetic study of humans has made this demonstration.
  • The different forms of autism are often genetic in origin and nearly a third of people with autism also suffer from epilepsy.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Although mutations in other genes involved in the development of synapses (the functional junction between two neurons) have previously been identified, this mechanism has never been proved in epilepsy in humans until the present study.
  • The results of the present study were published in the latest online edition of Human Molecular Genetics.
J B

Autism Training Solutions | Advanced online autism training for schools and service pro... - 0 views

www.autismtrainingsolutions.com

autism professional development ASD:trainings

shared by J B on 02 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • J B on 02 Apr 11
     
    In April, teachers & support staff train free! Use group code: 3yamA7uhe
Tero Toivanen

Sensory Friendly Classrooms with Dr. Roya Ostovar - The SPD Blogger Network - 3 views

www.spdbloggernetwork.com/...lassrooms-with-dr-roya-ostovar

classrooms sensory friendly accommodations school SPD special education special needs SPED classroom autism

shared by Tero Toivanen on 01 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • Having sensory friendly settings is common sense and it benefits everyone, all students and learners as well as teachers and staff. Changing the classroom also teaches all students how to find practical and adaptive ways of making their setting work for them to allow for optimal learning and functioning, a skill that is beneficial to everyone. It also makes more sense to change the environment to fit the child’s needs and not the other way around. Changing the classroom helps the child with SPD blend in with other students, and it is not isolating, or stigmatizing.
  • A sensory friendly classroom improves attention, concentration, ability to focus for longer periods of time, learning, social functioning, and it also reduces the overall level of stress
  • For more specific and multiple examples of the accommodations that can be made, a book I authored titled “The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder” offers a comprehensive guide.
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  • Vision: Reduce/ eliminate clutter and visual distractions; modify assignments to be shorter; use a highlighter
  • Auditory: Reduce/eliminate distracting noise; play Mozart or calming music in the background when possible
  • Tactile: Allow students to use chalk on the board because it is more tactile rich
  • Olfactory: Use scented markers to wake kids up; have lavender lotion or soap; and avoid noxious odors in the classroom
  • Vestibular: Allow movement and breaks; offer therapy balls to sit on; Movin-Sit cushions benefit the whole classroom; stretch breaks, start class with movement activities
  • Properioception: Movement, Movin-Sit cushions, Brain Gym, Yoga, Chair push ups (i.e. sitting on hands and pushing up); chairs and tables at right height and positioned correctly
  • A sensory friendly classroom gets the kids with SPD and ASD ready to learn; improves the overall functioning of the child including learning, attention, concentration, social functioning, and behavioral presentation; and lowers their stress and anxiety levels
  • Two quick suggestions: 1) Simplify the classroom: Less is more. Take a minimalistic approach to setting up the room and; 2) Support all learning styles: Some kids learn through auditory channels, some visual, and some through kinesthetic and hands on activities. By the same token, incorporate activities that support the sensory channel and each child’s sensory profile
Tero Toivanen

Scientists have shown how a single protein may trigger autis - 1 views

www.theautismnewswire.com/NewsITems.aspx

autism protein autistic spectrum disorders brain cells gene genes genetics biochemistry

shared by Tero Toivanen on 26 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Tero Toivanen on 26 Mar 11
     
    Scientists have shown how a single protein may trigger autistic spectrum disorders by stopping effective communication between brain cells. While hundreds of genes linked to the condition have been found, the precise combination of genetics, biochemistry and other environmental factors which produce autism is still unclear.
Tero Toivanen

Many people with autism are taking too many different things - 0 views

www.theautismnewswire.com/NewsITems.aspx

autism medication Prozac Zoloft DMG Paxil effect

shared by Tero Toivanen on 26 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Tero Toivanen on 26 Mar 11
     
    Many people with autism are taking too many different things. If the person has been on the medication for a long time, it must never be abruptly stopped. The dosage should be reduced slowly. If you try a new drug for a few days or weeks and decide you do not like it, you can usually stop it; but it is best to check with your child's doctor.
Tero Toivanen

Research on the genomics of autism from the Center for Biom - 0 views

www.theautismnewswire.com/NewsITems.aspx

research autism genomics genes DNA gene alterations brain development nerve signaling

shared by Tero Toivanen on 19 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Research on the genomics of autism from the Center for Biomedical Informatics at The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia indicated that several genes and genomic variants contribute to autism. The gene alterations are rare but when they are in play, they seem to disrupt genes that are significantly involved in brain development and nerve signaling.
  • According to the September 15, 2010 issue of Science Translational Medicine, males with certain DNA alterations to their X-chromosome are at high risk of having autism.
  • This research was performed at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), in Toronto Canada.
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  • One percent of boys with autism involved in the study had mutations in the PTCHD1 gene on the X-chromosome. No boys without autism showed this mutation.
  • Girls who also had this mutation did not seem to exhibit autistic traits. It appears that girls may be protected from developing autism because they have a second X-chromosome.
  • Still these girls could be carriers, passing on the mutation to their children. Their sons could then have autism.
  • Certain rare genetic variants were found 20 percent more in children with autism than in other children. Researchers also discovered new disruptions, where a child of non-autistic parents had autism.
  • t appears that some children have private genetic mutations not passed on genetically, and this leaves them more susceptible to autism. Interestingly, each child showed a different disturbance in a different gene.
  • Researchers hope to gain more information as they identify groups of disrupted genes. Ultimately they hope to be able to develop treatments for autism.
Tero Toivanen

Autism Information - Autism Information You Need To Know - 1 views

autism.about.com/...formation-You-Need-To-Know.htm

autism information you spectrum disorders research facts disorder causes diagnosis diagnoses treatment special education special needs SPED

shared by Tero Toivanen on 16 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • There are plenty of myths about autism spectrum disorders out there.
  • But even those of use who are well-grounded in autism basics may be surprised by some of these facts, which are emerging from recent research.
  • We do know what causes autism -- but only in about 20% of cases.
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  • Quite a few children who are diagnosed with autism at a very young age are no longer diagnosable with autism by the time they’re school-aged.
  • Whatever the reasons, many children who are diagnosed with autism as toddlers will not be diagnosable by the time they're in fifth grade.
  • Early intervention (diagnosis and treatment prior to age three) is very helpful indeed, but there is no “window of opportunity” that slams shut at a certain age. Thus, even children who are diagnosed later or receive less early intervention may do quite well in the long run.
  • Early intervention does, however, provide a now-or-never opportunity to allow non-verbal children to develop some kind of useful tool for communication (picture cards, signs, or even spelling boards).
  • There is no official “cure” for autism. In fact, researchers like Dr. Susan Levy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia argue that even when a young child is no longer diagnosable on the autism spectrum, he is probably still autistic.
  • Late talking is not an indication of a poor prognosis.
  • Children with autism may or may not be visual thinkers. Thus, school programs designed with visual thinking in mind may or may not be appropriate for any individual child with autism.
  • After many years of research, we still don’t know which treatments are most effective for which children -- or whether one treatment is more effective than another. Behavioral interventions are the best-researched treatments for autism, but even top scientists acknowledge that developmental interventions may or may not be equally useful for any given child. Meanwhile, only two drugs -- Risperdal and Abilify -- have been approved for use with children on the autism spectrum, and neither addresses “core” issues of autism (social/communication deficits).
  • Tero Toivanen on 16 Mar 11
     
    Important facts and information about autism.
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