A $7-million grant from the National Institutes of Health will help researchers at the University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center focus more closely on early intervention for the youngest autistic children -- those up to about 18 months old.
Even as babies, most people search others' faces to help assess situations. An autistic child may not, said Catherine Lord, UMACC's director.
Lord said she believes infants can be encouraged to seek out such feedback, cementing a routine that could help as they learn to navigate the world.
"The idea is can you prevent some things from going awry if you catch them early enough?" Lord said.
It's the third such grant in recent months that will help U-M and Wayne State University study autism -- its origins, a possible treatment and the impact of early intervention.
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The grant adds to about $5 million of NIH funds recently awarded to the UMACC for similar early intervention, Lord said.
Those with autism have difficulty with social skills and communication and may have repetitive behaviors like hand-flapping. The most severe cases require lifelong support; other autistic people are high-functioning.
No one has pinpointed a cause or cure.
But the right intervention can lead to results, said Stephanie Harlan, director of the Autism Connections program at the Judson Center, a nonprofit, human service agency with several locations in southeastern Michigan. Her son was diagnosed with the disorder at 2 1/2 years old. He has been in occupational therapy and social skills therapy, takes medication and is on a special diet.
Now 9, he no longer meets the criteria for autism, Harlan said.
"Everyone has different theories of why it has worked for some kids and not for others," she said of intervention. "All I know is we got the right combination of treatments, and it has worked."
At WSU, a nearly $5.8-million NIH grant will fund research toward a possible treatment.
Researcher Diane Chugani, a professor of pediatrics and radiology at the WSU School of Medicine, says autistic children may not produce enough serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps a young brain develop.
Chugani said autistic children were treated with a drug similar to serotonin in an earlier study she did, and many improved their social interactions and reduced repetitive motor actions.
Dr. Eileen Donovan, medical director at the Detroit Institute for Children, which serves disabled children, said the grants will greatly increase the odds of unraveling the mysteries about the disorder. "This is somewhat an uncharted area," she said.
BY ROBIN ERB •Detroit FREE PRESS EDUCATION WRITER • June 7, 2008
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Tuesday
U-M center gets $7 million to study autism in infants
Friday
Billboards put spotlight on autism
By Carl Chancellor/Beacon Journal staff writer
The Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society has decided to put a face -- make that faces -- on the brain disorder that affects 1.5 million people in the United States, including about one of every 150 children.
During April, which is National Autism Awareness Month, the Akron area's skyline will be dotted with 10 billboards featuring the faces of local children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a complex developmental disability.
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In addition to the photographs, the outdoor advertisements will feature an educational message about this common, yet little understood, disorder.
''All 10 billboards prominently feature the tagline: ''Intelligent. Unique. Autism.'' Each billboard also has it own secondary message, such as: ''Speech can be harder with autism -- Be patient;'' ''Making friends is harder with autism -- Be a friend;'' and ''People with autism see the world differently -- Don't we all?''
Lisa Weaver, president of the Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society of America, said the billboards are on display in Summit, Medina and Portage counties. The chapter also serves Stark and Wayne counties.
''We hope the billboards will help raise awareness and understanding of what autism is,'' Weaver said.
A collaboration of the Autism Society and Clear Channel Outdoor advertising made the billboards possible, she said.
Weaver, a Barberton resident, is the mother of two children. Her 13-year-old son Andrew has autism and is featured on one of the billboards.
''The message on his billboard -- 'Seeing the world differently' -- is so perfect for him,'' she said, explaining that her son has difficulty with ''communication skills.''
Autism can be mild to severe and not all autistic people are affected in the same way or have the same symptoms.
In rare cases, autistic people display extraordinary abilities, like amazing memorization powers or playing an instrument without ever being taught.
Weaver said her son began reading when he was 18 months old.
According to the Autism Society, the cause of the disorder is unknown and there is no cure.
The thrust of Autism Awareness Month and of the billboard effort is to encourage the public to educate themselves about the disorder and the challenges autistic people face. The hope is that understanding will foster respect and the realization that with help, kindness, patience and encouragement people with autism can show improvement.
More information about the Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society of America is available at www.asagreaterakron.com or by calling, 330-543-3955.
The Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society has decided to put a face -- make that faces -- on the brain disorder that affects 1.5 million people in the United States, including about one of every 150 children.
During April, which is National Autism Awareness Month, the Akron area's skyline will be dotted with 10 billboards featuring the faces of local children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a complex developmental disability.
In addition to the photographs, the outdoor advertisements will feature an educational message about this common, yet little understood, disorder.
''All 10 billboards prominently feature the tagline: ''Intelligent. Unique. Autism.'' Each billboard also has it own secondary message, such as: ''Speech can be harder with autism -- Be patient;'' ''Making friends is harder with autism -- Be a friend;'' and ''People with autism see the world differently -- Don't we all?''
Lisa Weaver, president of the Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society of America, said the billboards are on display in Summit, Medina and Portage counties. The chapter also serves Stark and Wayne counties.
''We hope the billboards will help raise awareness and understanding of what autism is,'' Weaver said.
A collaboration of the Autism Society and Clear Channel Outdoor advertising made the billboards possible, she said.
Weaver, a Barberton resident, is the mother of two children. Her 13-year-old son Andrew has autism and is featured on one of the billboards.
''The message on his billboard -- 'Seeing the world differently' -- is so perfect for him,'' she said, explaining that her son has difficulty with ''communication skills.''
Autism can be mild to severe and not all autistic people are affected in the same way or have the same symptoms.
In rare cases, autistic people display extraordinary abilities, like amazing memorization powers or playing an instrument without ever being taught.
Weaver said her son began reading when he was 18 months old.
According to the Autism Society, the cause of the disorder is unknown and there is no cure.
The thrust of Autism Awareness Month and of the billboard effort is to encourage the public to educate themselves about the disorder and the challenges autistic people face. The hope is that understanding will foster respect and the realization that with help, kindness, patience and encouragement people with autism can show improvement.
More information about the Greater Akron Chapter of the Autism Society of America is available at www.asagreaterakron.com or by calling, 330-543-3955
Published Apr 03, 2008 Akron Beacon Journal
