What Remains

Singer/song writer Jamie Manning has an album of songs called "What Remains" that tells the stories of parents raising children with autism. You can find out more about it and hear song clips here.

Warning - these songs might make you cry. They are heartfelt and beautiful. I was particularly moved by his version of "The Water Is Wide". When I took my son to Music Together classes, we used to sing this song and it always gave me a lump in my throat. I think it has special meaning for parents of a special needs child. Manning has also added his own extra lyrics to his version.

Chelation Study

Here is more detailed information on the chelation study being done by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Gene Mutation Study

New study on nerve cell gene mutation in people with autism.

Can This Marriage Be Saved?

This situation probably rings true for many.

New NY Law

A new law protecting autistic patients in NY state from insurance discrimination was enacted on Thursday.
"State regulated insurance companies who provide coverage for hospital, surgical, or medical care will now include coverage for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions otherwise covered by the policy solely because the treatment is provided to diagnose or treat autism, according to the law. In addition, autism will now be classified as a physical condition rather than a mental disorder."
Brief article here.

Article Series on Autism

The Bergen Record has put together a series of stories on autism. It includes a link to the CDC report on autism in Brick Township, NJ.

Toy Guide

Toy guide available at Toys r Us for parents of kids with autism.

I think this is the online version of the guide. The National Lekotek Center helped them put it together.

Fox's "House"

This week's episode of "House" will feature a plotline involving a ten year old autistic boy.

New Studies Announced

The National Institute of Mental Health has announced the start of three new studies on autism:
*One study will define differences--both biological and behavioral--in autistic children with diverse developmental histories.
*In another study, NIMH researchers will examine the use of the antibiotic minocycline to measure its usefulness in treating regressive autism.
*The third study seeks to address the widespread but unproven theory that autism may be treated successfully by chelation therapy, which seeks to remove heavy metals from the blood.

Low Cholesterol Linked to Some ASDs

News of a study which found that a small subgroup of children with ASD have abnormally low cholesterol levels (hypocholesterolemia), leading researchers to believe cholesterol may play a role in the cause of some cases of the disorder. The children's low cholesterol levels were apparently due to a limited ability to make cholesterol.

Free Online Conference

Awares (this is a Welsh organization) is offering its second annual free online conference. A list of topics and speakers has been posted here.

Paternal Age May Play a Part in Autism

This article has some specific details about a recent study of more than 300,000 men and women reporting for the draft in Israel. It found that men in their 40s are nearly six times more likely than men in their 20s to father children with autism spectrum disorders.

Back to Work

Apologies for the paucity of posts of late. Work was hectic, and some minor family emergencies got in the way.