Sensory and Autism - Differences in Brain Wiring

Today is a good day for research results. Here is a science digest synopsis of research showing that sensory and autism issues can be distinguished from each other using MRI DTI techniques. The entire article is open access and can be found here.

Food Intolerances; Brain Inflammation

Autism Speaks Science Digest is a great source for keeping track of research findings that affect the day-to-day lives of parents of children with autism. This issue had two interesting articles I'd like to share with you. The first talks about food intolerances and behaviors. The second is about brain inflammation and autism.

You can subscribe to the digest to an email version that shows up twice a month in your mailbox.



References:

1. Food and intolerances: http://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2014/07/18/can-food-allergies-aggravate-autism-symptoms?utm_source=email&utm_medium=text-link&utm_campaign=sciencedigest

2. Inflammation: http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/researchers-target-inflammation%E2%80%99s-role-brain-disorders?utm_source=email&utm_medium=text-link&utm_campaign=sciencedigest

New Materials from CDC on Autism

There are a few new items worth checking out on the autism page of the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

**  Autism Case Training is a program to train health practitioners in "identifying, diagnosing, and managing autism spectrum disorders through real life scenarios." There are 5 training segments with lessons, videos and printable handouts. What I like best is the series of back-to-back videos showing development and behaviors of typical children versus that of children with autism. The training program was developed with pediatricians in mind, but it is valuable for others working with children with ASD.

**  The CDC's Seed II Study is conducting a large, multi-state study of the risk factors in autism and developmental delays. The study focuses on the differences in children ages 2-5 with and without autism. It looks at environmental factors, genetics and physiological data including saliva, blood samples and bowel activity.

** A report on the state of autism based on the large study that the CDC conducted in 2008 is also available.