Developing a Test for Autism

A revolutionary new test takes the guesswork out of confirming autism.

Researchers at Harvard have found a new way to use brain scans to confirm the presence of autism. Rather than look for structural abnormalities of the brain, these researchers decided to look at the circuitry that links these structures. The test makes use of preexisting technology in the form of MRI brain scans.

Until now, there was no subjective way to diagnose autism: no clinical tests perform that would prove or disprove autism. Autism could only be presumed by observing the subject’s autistic behavior.

Gold Standard

Previous efforts to find a biological test for autism have been a failure. Researchers looking for the gold standard of a biological autism test had focused in the main on viewing the various structures of the brain, looking for differences between the typical and the autistic brain. But this search yielded no fruit.

Harvard Medical School’s Nicholas Lange and his team decided to look for anomalies in the circuitry that links the brain structures rather than at the functional brain structures themselves. “The brain may be okay, the parts that do the work may be okay,” said Lange. “But the wiring—the ‘cables’ between the points in the brain, one to another –may be disrupted in some way.”

Harvard Medical School

The circuitry of the brain is also called “white matter” and can be seen with magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI). Lange applied a specific technique called diffusion tensor imaging that can show to what extent the brain’s circuits are organized.

Uncooked Spaghetti

Lange says the brain’s circuitry is not unlike a package of uncooked spaghetti, all neat and organized within its packaging. After the spaghetti is cooked, however, it’s just a disorganized tangle. The circuitry of the brain can be very organized like the neat packages of spaghetti on a grocer’s shelf, or it can resemble a tangle of pasta in a colander.

With the help of MRI scans, the researchers were able to assess the organization of these connections in the two parts of the brain dedicated to language and social functioning. According to the results of their work, just published in the journal Autism Research, the scientists were able to use these scans to tell who had autism with 94% accuracy. A later study performed to confirm these findings had an even greater success rate, making this the most accurate biological test for autism, yet.

Lange believes the application of this research is most helpful for other researchers at this point. Further studies need be done to prove the worth of this diagnostic tool; though Lange feels such scans might be helpful in confirming autism at an earlier stage than is possible at present, making early intervention a possibility. At present, autism cannot be diagnosed before the age of three.

This article has been copied from www.cognibeat.com and can be found in it's entirety at http://community.cognibeat.com/2010/12/scanthis

Was MJ Autistic?

Was MJ Autistic?

Love him or hate him, no one can dispute that the late Michael Jackson was loaded with talent. But his limited social abilities have led at least one doctor to speculate as to whether Jackson might have had Autism.

Since his sudden death on June 25, 2009, at 50, the world has speculated on the nature of Michael Jackson’s indisputable genius and his strange and solitary private life. One doctor, who refuses to reveal his identity, says that Michael’s unique abilities and awkward social skills were due to Autism.
Abnormal Intensity

The anonymous physician was called to Jackson’s Las Vegas hotel room back in 2003 for an unrelated condition. While examining Jackson, the doctor noted that, “the singer displayed classic signs of autism, the brain development disorder of which symptoms include poor social interaction and communication, abnormal intensity or focus, severe insomnia and unusual eating habits.”



Some reports about the deceased singer suggest Jackson may have had a mild case of autism or was an Autistic Savant who achieves expertise or brilliance in one area in spite of profound developmental disorders. High-functioning autistic people can lead active lives but display some odd social behaviors.

Jackson was a well-known recluse. He was uncomfortable when forced to interact with others. It was rare for him to give interviews and though he could read at length from a script, said no more than a few words during acceptance speeches.

Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records said that Jackson had “two personalities.” When Gordy spoke at the singer’s memorial he said, “Offstage he was shy, soft spoken and childlike, but when he took the stage in front of his screaming fans, he turned into another person; a master, a take-no-prisoner showman.”

As an adult, Jackson preferred the company of children. This became apparent beginning in 1984 when Jackson came to the Grammy’s carrying his guest, 12 year-old Emmanuel Lewis. His friendship with Macaulay Culkin was well-publicized, he was often seen with children, and was known to host sleepovers for children in his home where the star would screen Disney films and play computer games with his young friends.

This propensity to befriend children rather than adults fits in well with the fact that autistic people find it hard to form friendships. This in combination with his strange social ideas, such as covering the faces of his children when out in public, might have been symptoms of autism.

Another hallmark of autism is an intense focus on specific and narrow interests. Vincent Paterson director of some of Jackson’s music videos spoke of watching Michael, “rehearse a dance sequence for four hours in front of a mirror until it felt like second nature. That’s how he developed the moonwalk, working on it for days if not weeks until it was organic. He took an idea that he had seen some street kids do and perfected it.” (“Pop Icon, Michael Jackson is Dead,” New York Times, June 26, 2009)
Carrot Addiction

Experts say that autistic people can develop strange eating patterns such as eating only one type of food. Jackson was a vegetarian and big brother Tito once spoke about Michael’s addiction to carrots. He said Michael ate so many carrots his hands turned orange.

Michael also suffered from insomnia, a common symptom of autism. “Michael Jackson was so distraught over persistent insomnia in recent months that he pleaded for a powerful sedative despite warnings it could be harmful, says a nutritionist who was working with the singer…” (“Michael Jackson was so Distraught over Insomnia that he Begged for Powerful Drug”, Huffington Post, June 30, 2009)

Was the magic of Michael the result of 45 years of hard work, or was it due to Autism?

Rising Autism Figures - Greater Awareness or True Increase?

New autism estimates suggest that the number of children afflicted with the condition is rising. Is this due to greater awareness of autism or do the new figures represent a true increase?

Two recent government studies have found that 1 in 100 children are afflicted with autism disorders. This figure is higher than a previous estimate which put the number at 1 in 150. Federal health officials believe that the increase is due to better awareness and broader-based definitions of autism, which have led to a greater ability to spot the condition in younger children.

Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health voiced the concern that the figures may still reflect a true increase in the condition. "We're going to have to think very hard about what we're going to do for the 1 in 100," said Insel.

Behavior-Based Diagnosis

It’s hard to generate an exact figure on how many children have autism, because the diagnosis is based on the child’s behavior, explained Dr. Susan E. Levy from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "With diabetes you can get a blood test," said Levy. "As of yet, there's no consistent biologic marker we can use to make the diagnosis of autism." Levy is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics subcommittee on autism.

Earlier estimates put the number of U.S. children with autism at around 560,000. This new estimate would raise that figure to around 673,000.

Overused Term

Dr. Jennifer Ashton states that boys are diagnosed with autism four-times more than girls. Ashton cautions that some experts believe that the term “autism” is in overuse, but she views the increased awareness of the condition as a positive development.

Insel says that President Obama has prioritized autism research. Federal stimulus money has been set aside for autism, and a law passed in 2006 generated millions of federal dollars into autism research, evaluation, and treatment.

The recent findings, which include data at the state level, will assist the government in planning new autism services. This is according to Michael Kogan, a federal Health Resources and Services Administration researcher. Kogan led this study which included authors from many august government bodies, including the CDC.

The findings were produced by way of a national telephone survey including 78,000 parents of kids aged 3-17. While the survey dealt with a number of health issues, two of the questions were about autism.

Parents were asked if they’d ever had a doctor or other health care provider tell them their child had autism, Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, or any other autism spectrum disorder. If this question generated a positive response, parents were then asked whether their child has autism or an autism spectrum disorder at the present time. Two yeses were counted as representing an autistic child.

Children suffering from autism find it hard to communicate and interact. They resist eye contact and engage in repetitive movement such as hand-flapping or rocking.

"Autism is a highly prevalent disorder," said Geraldine Dawson, who is chief science officer for Autism Speaks. "We're looking at a major public health challenge."

Surviving the Season

Getting Through the Holidays with the LD Child

How can parents and their children with learning disabilities (LD) get through the holiday season with a minimum of emotional meltdowns?

This time of year, we often hear the words “merry” and “joyous” banded about in reference to the holiday season. But for the parents of a child with a learning disability, the holiday is anything but a happy time. Routine and structure are the lifeblood of a child with a learning difficulty of any sort and the long winter vacation offers just the opposite. It’s no wonder things get a little hairy and emotional meltdowns are the order, rather than the exception, of the day.

The antidote is clear: in order for parents (and their children) to survive, some sort of structure must be imposed and a routine created. Yet the holidays are hectic and overwhelming, even for well-organized adults. How can a parent compensate for the lack of structure and routine for a learning-disabled child when things are so frenzied?

The simplest way to help your child is to include them as a factor in your holiday planning. Just as you schedule your holidays plans in your calendar (bake X-mas cookies Wednesday, host open-house from 12PM-5PM January 1st) so too, you can pencil in activities with your child. The typical school day is broken up into regular blocks of time spent in routine activities. You can’t quite mimic that effect, and you’re not expected to do so, but any kind of quiet, scheduled activity, for instance 45 minutes of reading from a favorite storybook, can give your child back their bearings at this time.

Ongoing Activities

In order to keep your child from feeling pressured, you may want to make an activity an ongoing event. For instance, if your child likes decorating the tree, schedule a time of day for that, and let them decorate the tree over a period of days. You can start things off by stringing the lights. Then, during the time you’ve scheduled each day for tree-decoration, place a box of ornaments nearby for them to choose from.

The great thing about this activity is that your child feels included in your holiday preparations. They feel a part of things. Stay near your child to offer assistance as needed, and don’t neglect to tell them stories about the history of those decorations.

A parent should also prioritize their holiday plans and activities. Each demand on your time and energy should be considered in the light of your child’s needs and what you must provide to keep them happy and calm. In some cases, you may not have a choice. Some family outings, for instance, may be mandatory.

Examining Choices

If going to Grandma’s house for X-mas Eve dinner is nonnegotiable, attending five open houses in a row definitely is open to discussion. Keep plans down to a minimum for the sake of your child to avoid exposing them to unfamiliar surroundings, activities, and fuss. You can discuss this as a family and decide together which events take precedence and which, with regrets, you must skip. By examining your choices together as a family, you can determine the best way to spend your emotional and physical resources.

Last but not least, schedule in the joy. Clear a space on your calendar to just be with each other and enjoy time together. Take a walk in the snow and smell the air. Listen to some holiday music and sip a cup of hot cocoa together. Talk to your child and listen to them, too. That’s the stuff of joy for both you and your child and the holiday dividends of being a parent.

Happy Holidays!

Thanks to www.cognibeat.com for allowing us to reproduce this article. It can be found in it's entirety at http://community.cognibeat.com/2010/12/survivingtheseason/

Just Blame Mom

Bruno Bettelheim's Refrigerator Mothers

At a time when perfect mothering was synonymous with all that was right in postwar America, mothers of autistic children were held accountable for their children's disorder and reviled. A compelling film called Refrigerator Mothers tells their stories.

When we think of the 1950’s and 1960’s, an image of the late Barbara Billingsley comes to mind. Billingsley’s portrayal of June Cleaver, mother of Beaver in the television series 'Leave it to Beaver' epitomized the comforting postwar mom we all wanted to have. Mrs. Cleaver was always pristine and calm, as she set about her housework in sweater set, pearls, heels, and frilly little apron. Beaver was always getting into mischief and June always knew how to fix things and make them right.

No Choice

Back then, a mother’s prime purpose was delineated for her in black and white: she was meant to raise neat, clean, happy children. June never had a choice, not that we think she would have chosen a different path—that would be unthinkable. But for the mother whose child received a diagnosis of autism, things were very different.

Little was known about autism at that time and so the experts pretty much made things up, blaming it all on mom. Instead of receiving the help and support she needed, the mother of an autistic child found herself reviled by a medical establishment who insisted that the autistic child’s weird behaviors were due to detached and frigid mothering. They even gave mom a psychiatric label: “refrigerator mother.”

Sacrificed Humanity

In the 2003 film Refrigerator Mothers, David E. Simpson (Director) and JJ Hanley (Producer) set out to show us what it was like to be the mother of an autistic child in that faraway time. Through the medium of film, we feel the lonely burden of having a child with a profound disorder, and we feel a mother’s pain as she is labeled both culpable and inhuman.
Once upon a time, these mothers had no voice, but today have emerged with resilience and strength to share their tragic stories. In their poignant retelling of those times, we see what happens when authoritative experts are not questioned and we sacrifice humanity in the search for answers.

At the forefront of the refrigerator mother theory was Bruno Bettelheim. The Austrian-born Dr. Bettelheim was an art historian who metamorphosed as the director of the Orthogenic School, the University of Chicago-sponsored home for disturbed children. Bettelheim’s theory held that children developed autism as the direct result of cold and distant mothering dispensed by what he termed “refrigerator mothers.”

Now we know better. We know that autism is a neurological condition. But in the 50’s and 60’s, Bettelheim’s theories were the flavor of the day and it was accepted that the onus was on mom. Traces of this cruel stigma still remain.

The full article can be found at http://community.cognibeat.com/2010/12/justblamemom/

Who Was Asperger, Anyway?

One of the cooler aspects of discovering a new syndrome or disease, aside from making medical history, is that you get to name the disease after yourself. In the case of Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), the name is derived from Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician, Feb. 18, 1906 - Oct. 21, 1980. Hans Asperger was a prolific writer, penning over 300 publications, most of them to do with autism in children.

Uninterested Classmates

Asperger was born to a farming family in the rural town of Hausbrunn, which lies on the outskirts of Vienna, Austria. The eldest of two boys, as a youngster he had a talent for languages and liked to quote the poet Franz Grillparzer to his uninterested classmates.

Quoted Himself

Some say that Asperger exhibited many of the tendencies of the syndrome he so well described. Hans found it hard to make friends and was seen as somewhat introverted. He was known to refer to himself in the third person and would often quote his own words.

He studied medicine in Vienna, becoming a doctor of medicine in 1931. Asperger practiced at Vienna’s University Children’s Hospital. In 1935 Dr. Asperger married and went on to father 5 children.

Toward the end of World War II Asperger served as a medical officer in Croatia. His younger brother perished in The Battle of Stalingrad.

After the publication of Asperger’s landmark paper on autism symptoms in 1944, he was given a tenured position at the University of Vienna. Just after the war ended, he was made the director of a children’s clinic in that city. Asperger was appointed chair of pediatrics at the university and served in that position for 2 decades. He later took a position in Innsbruck. In 1964 he agreed to head the SOS-Kinderdorf in Hinterbrühl, becoming professor emeritus in 1977.

Dr. Asperger first wrote up his definition of Asperger’s syndrome in 1944 but his work was little recognized during his lifetime. This is due to the fact that his work was in German and translations were rare. The first paper to mention Asperger’s Syndrome was published in 1981 by Lorna Wing, a British researcher. Wing’s paper on the subject, Asperger's syndrome: a clinical account, served as a challenge to the accepted model of autism as presented by Leo Kanner in 1943.

Once Asperger’s findings began to be translated into English in 1989, the English-speaking world sat up and took note. At that point, his findings gained notice and Asperger’s syndrome received recognition as a diagnosis.

Asperger had identified a certain pattern of behaviors and special abilities in four boys which he called “autistic psychopathy.” This pattern of behavior included, "a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversations, intense absorption in a special interest, and clumsy movements." Asperger spoke of children with AS as "little professors" because they could speak on a favorite topic in great detail.

Dr. Asperger believed that these children would make use of their s

pecial talents when they reached adulthood. One of the children, Fritz V., later became a professor of astronomy and managed to solve an error in Newton’s work that he had noticed in his childhood.

Dr. Hans Asperger

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Asperger’s work is his positive description of Asperger’s syndrome which is striking in comparison to Leo Kanner’s depressing description of autism. Asperger’s syndrome is considered a higher-functioning form of autism.

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http://community.cognibeat.com/2010/12/hansasperger