• Current News
• News Archive

Article: U of Pittsburgh student volunteers learn with autistic girl.

Two University of Alabama professors in the psychology department have developed an interactive computer game to help detect autism in mentally retarded children ages five to 18.

The latest in a series of studies on secretin has failed to show that giving the digestive hormone to children with autism alleviates symptoms of the disorder, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Editor Note: This is a "single-dose" study. There is significant anecdotal evidence from parents that multiple treatments have benefitted children, particularly those with pre-existing gastrointestinal problems.

Temple Grandin, an assistant professor in the animal sciences department at Colorado State University and longtime consultant to the meatpacking industry on issues of humane animal handling, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2002 Richard L. Knowlton Innovation Award from Meat Marketing & Technology magazine.
Equally compelling is Grandin's personal story, having overcome autism to develop a deep, intuitive understanding of animal behavior. "I credit my visualization abilities with helping me understand the animal perspective," Grandin said. "I would kneel down and take pictures...from a cow's eye level. Using the photos I was able to identify things that scared the cattle, such as shadows or bright spots of sunlight."

Major Stress During Pregnancy Linked to Autism
Columbus, Ohio - Women who have had a major stressful event - death of a spouse, job loss, or a long-distance move - midway through their pregnancy may have a greater chance of having an autistic child than do their unstressed counterparts say researchers at The Ohio State University Medical Center.

Sep 2001 DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) Conference Summaries; now available from the Autism Research Institute:

• $112 for all 16 audiotapes from Parent/General session, includes syllabus
• $49 for Introductory Practitioner Training tapes, including syllabus
• $49 for Advanced Practitioner Training tapes, including syllabus
• $199 for all 28 audiotapes, including both syllabi
• $50 for each audiotape (3 or more $40 each), includes syllabus
• $299 for VHS Videos (12 tapes), includes syllabi
• $450 + $20 shipping/handling for all cassettesss and videos, including syllabi
  

Christmas Gift from Unlocking Autism:
100% white cotton sweat shirts are now available. The Unlocking Autism sweat shirts have a bright and colorful design as shown. The caption on the back of the sweat shirt reads "One Door, One Child at a Time.

Tourette Syndrome: Rate of Disease Much Higher Than Had Been Thought.

Signals from nervous system influence immune system, study shows.

Federal research grant brings new center to study autism to N.J. Scientists at a new children's environmental health research center run by New Jersey's biggest universities will try to solve the mystery of what causes autism and related neurological disorders. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman on Friday announced a 5-year, $5 million federal grant to fund the Center For Childhood Neurotoxicology and Exposure Assessment.

Many of you have noticed and commented on the Cure Autism Now signs that are prominently displayed this season on the television show ER.
The cast and crew of ER have done much for Cure Autism Now - and this was the idea of the shows prop masters - Rick Ladomade and Rick Kearns. These guys organized the ER golf tournament that was held last May and raised over $200,000. Rick Kearns is the parent of a child with autism.
We would like to thank them and CAN board member Anthony Edwards for all they have done to promote autism awareness.
Elizabeth Kilpatrick
Director of Development
Cure Autism Now

Wired Magazine Article investigates the significant rise in autism in Silicon Valley, and a possible link with genes responsible for enhanced programming abilities in adults with Asperger's Syndrome.

Article: Schools cope with growing number of autistic children. Shortage of trained teachers hinders efforts; By Kristen Go, The Arizona Republic.

The OASIS Autism 2001 Conference, sponsored by the The Northwest Autism Foundation in cooperation with the Autism Society of Oregon, is scheduled for December 1, 2001 in Portland Oregon.
Last year OASIS AUTISM 2000 drew over 850 participants. It was the largest regional autism conference in the country.

Two Distressing Articles:

• Judge signs petition charging autistic boy with murder
• Autistic Woman in Protective Custody

2001 Autism Rally, Conference, Hearings, and Caucus

Book of the Week:
Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Salon Cover Story on Autism:
"Secrets and Lies" by Lesli Mitchell

New Book!
From Emotions to Advocacy; The Special Education Survival Guide; Pete Wright, J.D.

New Book!
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations : Hidden Dangers, Pros and Cons, and Safety Measures That Can Protect Your Child by Stephanie, Md. Cave, Deborah Mitchell (Contributor)

New Book! Soon Will Come the Light : A View from Inside the Autism Puzzle By Thomas McKean