Autism in the News
***The California
Department of Developmental Services has issued a report on the state and
incidence rates of autism in comparison to other developmental disorders. The entire report, issued in March of 1999,
can be found on-line.
The National Institute
of Mental Health (NIMH) has a paper on-line detailing the most up to date
research directions and findings in autism.
Not only do they have a comprehensive research fact sheet,
but they also have many useful brochures and
articles with information about autism.
Just search
their database with keyword “autism”. There is no way that we could provide you
with better information than that!
October 20, 2000 – Children’s Health Act
President Clinton signed
the Children’s Health Act. The
law includes the following:
1. Directs the NIH to expand, intensify, and coordinate its activities regarding
research on autism by establishing not less than five Centers of
Excellence for Autism Research. These centers would conduct basic and clinical
research including investigations into the cause, diagnosis, early detection,
prevention, control and treatment of autism.
2. Directs the Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), through the CDC, to
award grants for the establishment of not less that three Centers of
Excellence in Autism and PDD Epidemiology. These centers would be responsible
for collecting, and analyzing information on the number, incidence, correlates,
and causes of autism and related disorders.
3. Requires DHHS to also establish and implement a program to provide
information and education on autism to health professionals and the general
public, including information and education on advances in the diagnosis and
treatment of autism and training and continuing education through programs for
scientists, physicians, and other health professionals who provide care for
patients with autism.
CH Act summary courtesy of
The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for
the Autism Community
December 1999 – Genetic Findings
Researchers at the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported that a gene on chromosome 13 might be
associated with autism. The research
was conducted by examining the DNA of 75 families that had multiple children
with autism. They found that the heritability
(the degree to which a trait can be associated to genetic or biological
factors) of twins for autism was 90%.
Upon examination of the DNA sequences of their sample, the researchers
found that a region on chromosome 13 was statistically more frequent in the family
members than chance would allow for.
The research also found a site on chromosome 7 that was associated with
the presence of autism – other researchers had previously identified this site.
Joseph Piven, one of the
researchers involved, cautions that most researchers agree that autism is not
caused by one specific gene, but rather the confluence of several genes
together. "We believe there
must be more than one gene involved in autism," Piven says. "As in
all complex behavioral disorders, there's no clear evidence when looking at
family pedigrees or family trees that suggests a single-gene may underlie this
disorder."*
Another
interesting research finding by Piven is that autistic children tend to have
larger brains than their peers.
*Please
see the Brief Article on this matter at FindArticles.com
Disclaimer: This
site was put together by undergraduate students. The information provided is meant to be used as resource and
should never be used in the place of professional services. Should you have a problem with any of the
information provided on this site, please contact the
site’s administrator.
12/14/03