New research finds children with autism have mercury levels similar to those of other children. University of California, Davis scientists said that the study was the “most rigorous examination to date of blood-mercury levels in children with autism,” and cautioned that the study did not disprove or prove whether mercury plays a role in causing the disorder. The study looked at the mercury levels in 452 participants – 249 with autism, 143 without it and 60 who had other developmental delays – and found levels “essentially the same” in all the children. More is here. *     *     * Photo courtesy of shoothead (flickr.com) Massachusetts state Rep. Barbara L’Italien, whose child is autistic, has... [Read more]

I attended the first part of Dr. Tony Atwood’s lecture on Asperger’s and high-functioning autism today in New York, presented by YAI. Though I could only attend the first part of the day-long talk, I’d highly recommend Dr. Atwood as a speaker: clear, humorous, and engaging. In announcing how he had to stop himself for the the morning break, for instance: “The longer you spend living with and working with those with ASDs, the more aspects of an ASD you pick up yourself!” Dr. Tony Atwood (photo courtesy YAI) Atwood, who has worked with Aspies for years and founded a clinic some 17 years ago to work specifically with those with the condition, spelled out many interesting aspects of Aspies, some well-known and some... [Read more]

“Massachusetts may have the best health care in the country, but it doesn’t cover the treatment for the fastest-growing health threat to children – autism,” writes ex-NFL quarterback Doug Flutie, in the Boston Globe. “More than 500 babies born this year in Massachusetts will soon be diagnosed with autism. What their parents will learn first – what my wife, Laurie, and I have learned from our son Dougie – is that while the hopes and dreams for their child may change, they will also intensify.” A touchdown statement if I ever heard one. And here’s the extra point from the head the Flutie foundation for autism: “Parents will … be dismayed to discover that, though they’ve always paid... [Read more]

As researchers continue to dig, some parents are splitting into groups: those who believe genes are the cause, and those who cite environmental factors, according to news reports. New research, which we reported on last week, has discovered a possible genetic link in the form of an alteration near a gene called semaphorin 5A, which is thought to guide the growth of brain-cell extensions essential for neuron-to-neuron communication. Any research is certainly progress, but one problem might be that the damned spectrum is so large that covering every case with one cause might well be impossible. Indeed, scientific consensus now is that we’re all talking about a collection of disorders probably related, according to the scientific affairs... [Read more]

Britain’s National Autistic Society is calling for a national strategy to help people with autism get work. the NAS “Don’t Write Me Off” campaign began in light of most of the more than 300,000 working age adults with autism in the U.K. going without work. Only 15% are employed full-time, and the NAS says a key problem is a lack of understanding of autism among agency staff who determine eligibility for benefits and provide employment support. NAS wants the British government to introduce autism coordinators who would work with frontline staff, local employers and employment support services, including services to obtain Britain’s new Employment and Support Allowance. Though the government has pledged support and... [Read more]