Children who suffer from infantile spasms (IS) may be at increased risk for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but very few of their siblings are at risk for epilepsy or ASD, according to study results presented at the American Epilepsy Society 2019 Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, Maryland from December 6 to 10. Previous studies have reported that IS – a severe form of epilepsy characterized by epileptic spasms, hypsarrhythmia, and developmental impairment – is associated with an increased risk for other forms of epilepsy, as well as ASD. The increased risk for ASD may be secondary to a shared genetic susceptibility or secondary to a causative role of IS in the development of ASD. The retrospective cohort study included 294...
A new study looking at autism in 5 countries found that 80 percent of autism risk can be traced to inherited genes rather than environmental factors and random mutations. A new study looking at autism in 5 countries found that 80 percent of autism risk can be traced to inherited genes rather than environmental factors and random mutations. The study, published July 18 in JAMA Psychiatry, analyzed data of nearly 2 million people across Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Israel, and Western Australia. It is the largest family-based genetic autism study to date, including children with autism, their siblings and cousins, as well as parents and their siblings. “We expanded on previous results by including more family members and data from countries...
Katie Noll was ready at the cash register when one of the first customers of the day stepped up. “Is that everything?” Noll, 19, asked. “Oh, wait, hold on,” said the customer, a fellow West Chester University student, as she whirled around to grab gum. “Your total will be $7.96,” Noll said. The transaction was a simple one, but for a student such as Noll, who has autism, the experience of working in a newly opened convenience store, dealing with strangers, managing multiple tasks, and understanding basic social cues can be challenging but also key to preparing for the career world. West Chester last week became the first university in the country to open a convenience store on campus to...
Tim Rohrer's heartfelt advice on how to treat people with disabilities led to global feedback, speaking gigs and what he sought most -- friendships. MILLSTONE - Tim Rohrer’s expectations were modest when he decided to go public with a deeply personal message: It hurts to be excluded because you have autism. The Millstone teen hoped the brochure he created, “How to be a Good Influence to People with Disabilities,” would make an impact locally. Turns out, it resonated globally. Feedback started pouring in last April, after the Asbury Park Press featured Tim and the brochure during Autism Awareness Month. It came from a workplace in Louisiana, a church group in Arizona and a teacher in the Baltic nation of Latvia — who translated...
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- It's a friendship like no other. 3-year old Fox was jumping with excitement when his best friend, Deputy Cruz, pulled up this morning, surprising him with a fleet of police cars. "I have no words," Columbia County Deputy Marta Cruz said. "It makes it totally worth it." But to fully understand their bond, you have to go back to the day Deputy Cruz noticed a little boy running after her car. "His whole face... it was like, wow," Deputy Cruz said. "He was beyond excited. I can't describe it." Fox has autism so the lights and sounds draw him in, but his love for law enforcement goes beyond that. The two became inseparable when Deputy Cruz...
