The case Bruesewitz v. Wyeth, 09-152 will argue whether companies will be held responsible for causing autism (Photo by Flickr/ProgressOhio)

As the search for the primary cause of autism continues, mounting scientific evidence is showing consistency in study results which continue to shift the reoccurring blame from the mother’s age and genetics to  medications and vaccines.

This pointed finger comes from studies such as the one held by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in 2007.

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Now, The Supreme Court may decide to empower women by allowing them to sue vaccine makers for their possible role in causing autism.

One of the 5,000 autism cases that have led to this enormous debate include a Pennsylvania trial that involved a child who developed seizures after a third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. As a result, the parents sued Wyeth, a pharmaceutical company, which is now owned by Pfizer.

…the ruling will decide whether women will finally be able to assume power over the pharmaceutical industry.

On an interesting side note, a now 92-year-old, Wyeth investor, Violet Patton, just donated a whopping 28 million dollars to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. This is the largest single gift that the University has ever received.

As more legal issues arise such as the aforementioned, steps taken to approve suing pharmaceutical companies may take place quickly. With the overwhelming amount of claims waiting to sue and hold pharmaceutical companies responsible, the ruling will decide whether women will finally be able to assume power over the pharmaceutical industry.

For this reason, Pfizer issued in a statement that they are “hopeful that the Supreme Court will affirm” the…ruling in Wyeth’s favor.

The case Bruesewitz v. Wyeth, 09-152 will argue whether companies who deliver vaccines containing Thimerosal will be held responsible for the children with autism as opposed to the mother’s genetics.

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> > > 2010 Icare4autism: Cocktail Gala :  TAMPA, FLORIDA : Get All the Info

> > > International Autism Conference : Jerusalem, Israel : Get All the Info

Dr. Steve, Medical Reporter, recently made a trip to meet with the key members of the International Center For Autism Research and Education

The PIX television network (formerly known as the WB) took an anticipated trip across the ‘Big Apple’ to meet up with the key members of the International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism).

Dr. Steve Salvatore, the Medical Reporter for the WPIX 11 Morning News, interviewed Icare4autism Advisory Board Chairman, Dr. Eric Hollander, on the details pertaining to the use of oxytocin in his current research on young adults with autism. This segment comes as a follow-up to the research in-depth articles that were released on Dr. Hollander’s work with oxytocin (Washington Post and The Epoch Times).

PIX filming took place at Hear Our Voices- School and Center for Children with Autism

Dr. Steve prepares to interview a family member of a child with autism

Upon airing, the PIX television segment will also feature a first-hand, up-close look at oxytocin. This is the first time oxytocin will be shown in its packaged form, for this type of research. Dr. Hollander answered many core questions during this interview.

Dr. Steve and PIX Producers also spoke with Icare4autism Founder and President, Joshua Weinstein. One could say that Weinstein is an entrepreneur of non-profit’s, as he has created four successful organizations. In the United States these organizations are the International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism), Hear Our Voices- School and Center for Children with Autism and Benjamin House. The fourth non-profit creation of Weinstein is Tishma- School and Center for Children with Autism, is located in Jerusalem, Israel.

Also, in attendance, at the television shoot, was Icare4autism’s Chief of Staff, Ruth Amber Gristak. The segment is set to air on the popular morning show, approximately, within the next week.

Suicide is more common in individuals with autism (Photo by Flickr/Pink Sherbet Photography)

While the pressures of raising a child with autism take its toll on the parents and family, many forget the insurmountable frustrations the individual endures every day. Most recently, Ryan Emory of Greenville, a teen with autism, has expressed his increasing pains through the act of suicide.

Recently, as Emory was being transported back to his psychiatric hospital, he struggled out of his gurney straps. Leaping out onto the speeding road, the paramedic desperately tried, but failed, to grab him and prevent his death.

Suicide rates among individuals with autism have skyrocketed. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), in 2006, 33,300 (approximately 11 per 100,000) people died by suicide in the U.S. More than 90 percent of these people have a diagnosable mental disorder.

Shelley Hodge, the teen’s tearful mother described her shock; “He jumps out of an ambulance. I mean, how does that happen?” But she also says her son’s suicide has not been marked by unexpected changes. Hodge notes that Emory became more aggressive and lashed out at everyone from relatives to strangers.

The National Autistic Society (NAS), in England has conducted studies linking autism and depression. A major report in 2001 found that 56% had suffered with depression and 8% felt suicidal or had attempted suicide. To prevent this, the National Autistic Society (NAS), places extreme emphasis on early diagnosis of the autism, and hidden disorders that may lie beneath.

For more information on this story, please check back. The International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism) will continue to post on this topic, as new details are received.

Official link to site: www.icare4autism.org

Image is Courtesy of the New York Times

According to an Official Statement, made by the White House, President Obama spoke with President Michelle Bachelet to express his condolences for the losses Chile suffered as a result of the tragic earthquake.  The President commended President Bachelet for the Chilean government’s response to the disaster and recognized Chile’s capacity and expertise in responding to earthquakes.

Mr. Joshua Weinstein, Founder and President of the International Center for Autism Research and Education, (Icare4autism) gave made an anticipated statement to the press.

“My heart goes out to all the Chile residents who endured the quake and are left picking up the pieces,” said Weinstein.

Obama later reiterated that the United States stands ready to assist the Chilean government’s rescue and recovery efforts. President Bachelet thanked President Obama for his call, and said that she would be in touch should Chile require any support.

Following this statement, I received further notification that President Obama would soon make another announcement.

“The United States stands ready to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts, and we have resources that are positioned to deploy should the Chilean government ask for our help,”  said Obama.

According to multiple reports, from creditable sources, the areas in Chile affected by the earthquake include: Santiago, Rancagua, Talca, Dichato, The Valparaiso Region (Main Seaport), Juan Fernández Islands and Concepción. Concepcion is home to the University of Concepcion (Universidad de Concepción). This University is home of much research. This university also has a department that includes matters of autism. This is learned through the Alasbinmn Journal. To view the journal, CLICK HERE.

According to the New York Times- online, there was at least 31 people were killed in Concepcion (the Bio-Bio region). The online report also reported that a major bridge was destroyed and several buildings collapsed, including one where 60 people are reported missing. The NY Times also estimated that sixty thousand were affected in the city and said that tsunami waves hit nearby city of Talcahuano.

As an International Center for Autism Research & Education, reporters here at Icare4autism, will be continuing to report on this devastating series of events. Please continue to check back to the official website www.icare4autism.org.

According to www.earthquake.usgs.gov these are the most recent earthquakes in Chile.

Time                            Magnitude                 Location

7:15am EST                 6.1                              Maule, Chile (Map)

2/27/10                        6.9                              Off the coast of Bio-Bio, Chile (Map)

2/27/10                        8.8                              Offshore Maule, Chile

If you would like to attend a fund-raising event for “Global Autism Initiative,” please CLICK HERE to view upcoming events in your area.

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More unfortunate, is that these kinds of video game are stuck to only been brainstormed about, by progressive thinkers, in that coffee shop “what if” sequence of idealistic hope. Enter Bill Mueller, President of Vision Audio Inc., creator of the Electronic Auditory Stimulation Effect (EASe) Audio CD’s and video games. Mueller efforts are connecting many imperative dots.

From the process of researching the EASe series of video games, I was very impressed. Recently, I able to conduct an exclusive, in-depth interview with the acclaimed entrepreneur. What came out in my interview with Mueller is an impressive look inside an altruistic inventor.

The latest title, to be released by the Electronic Auditory Stimulation Effect is Funhouse Treasure Hunt. This game, which I reviewed at first hand, is currently being shown as an effective therapy tool for the hypersensitive child with autism who battles sensory challenges on a daily basis.  After testing the disks for myself, it is easy to see why therapists and parents alike have given them high accolades.

Prior to this endeavor, Mueller paved his success in the entertainment industry.  As a highly accomplished and respected sound engineer Mueller has been nominated for a Grammy, worked with over one hundred-fifty major recording artists, including The Who, engineered audio for Presidents Reagan and Bush, and even developed a computer programs for NASA.

Mueller’s advocacy for children experiencing abnormalities of the brain and his in depth studies in the field of psychoacoustics led him to creation of the first EASe audio CD’s. The tie-in comes as these CD’s deliver short, intense bursts of sensory experiences. These bursts stimulate without over-stimulating a child who experiencing difficulty with sensory processing and organization.

Mueller better explains what the therapy treats; “We all habituate to noise, and we do it so smoothly we don’t even notice it. A good example would be if we were standing on the street corner and a taxicab drives right up to the corner and hits his screechy brakes; the first time we hear this, we may jump. The second screechy cab drives up, our brains will have habituated the sound and we will not be as startled. The child with auditory hypersensitivity issues that occur with Autism can’t make those habituation calls, and every time that cab screeches up, that child has a fight or flight reaction that is uncontrollable, to the point they will eventually shut down all sound when the one sound is heard.”

Mueller recalls the origins of the EASe games,“ We kept getting calls from parents asking us if their child could play video games while they were listening to the EASe Audio CD’s ;those requests and the appeal that computers have with a good portion of Autistic children.”

The passionate entrepreneur, continued by saying, I just knew that there could be something that could combine the elements, and be even more beneficial to child.”  Since that time, six EASe games have been released for PC, most recently “Funhouse Treasure hunt”.

Inside the Game

Within a fun and positive environment, the video games use driving formats and open world areas to encourage the gamer to explore. There are no negative consequences for not doing as the game dictates. To win or losing is not key. Having fun is the true objective.

One of the big things a gamer-parent will notice is the positive reinforcement that is given when a classic driving game mistake is made. For example, when playing the Funhouse Treasure Hunt video game, driving off of a ledge or into a wall yields a slapstick comedy type sound effect.

The games contribute to the therapy as Mueller explains by “stimulating and challenging the virtual-vestibular, visual, and auditory triad of sensory pathways to reinforce and promote appropriate response to sound and reinforce balance.”

One of the ways this is done is by giving the gamer complete control over the viewing angle and vehicle movement. This presents the gamer with multiple tasks to keep in mind while playing. Overall, the game represents a completely unique therapeutic experience for children with autism. It is a fulfilling departure from what electronic gaming is almost always about: mindless entertainment.

For Mueller, the biggest focus is on making games that are not only entertaining, but offer some kind of contribution to society.

Mueller said, “ For me, it’s about leaving something behind that is positive and can help some children who need it.”

Further Details: EASe games like “Funhouse Treasure hunt” are sold at the affordable price of  $39.99, and can be purchased at www.easecd.com.

Sensitivity and patience is important for children

More autism evidence has been released that reinforces the importance of sensitive parenting while emphasizing the maternal role that influences whether or not children develop autism.

Conducted by The University of Miami, the study is titled “A Pilot Study of Maternal Sensitivity in the Context of Emergent Autism.” Appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the autism research links maternal behavior and language to children with autism.

The autism study involved an 18-month assessment where researchers videotaped groups of mothers interacting with their individual children for five-minutes. Each mother was scored on a “maternal sensitivity scale” which demonstrated her approach to teaching as well as behavior. After 3 years, when the children were old enough to be evaluated, 12 of them from the high-risk group received an autism-spectrum diagnosis.

Jason K. Baker, a postdoctoral fellow at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison and one of the main researchers on the study commented; “Parenting may matter even more for children with developmental problems such as autism because certain things that tend to develop easily in children with typical neurological development, like social communication, don’t come as naturally for kids with autism, so these skills need to be taught.“

While interaction with the mother encourages development in all facets, the cause of autism does not rely solely on this. Baker commented; “We know that parenting doesn’t cause autism. The message here is that parents can make a difference in helping their children fight against autism.”

For more information on this story, please check back. The International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism) will continue to post on this topic, as new details are received.

Official link to site: www.icare4autism.org

Google software helps autistic kids learn and create (Photo by Flickr/whiteafrican)

The University of Utah’s department of Family and Consumer Studies is utilizing a complex architecture computer program to help treat children with autism.

The program, originally constructed by two Colorado software designers in 2000, is called SketchUp and features cutting-edge 3D modeling that is found to stimulate autistic children’s creativity and enhance their learning abilities. The program was improved and implemented as the result of a partnership between Google and Universal Creative Studios.

With SketchUp, the children push a cursor around downloadable objects. The designers created these objects into two-dimensional scenes. As the creative process flows, these scenes have the option of becoming three-dimensional, complete with editing tools.

With the high cost, but more importantly, the scarcity of autism treatment centers, this program offers an alternative outlet.

University of Utah’s Department chair Cheryl Wright agrees, “there are a lot of people trying to sell things to parents of autistic children, usually at a very high cost.” She continued to say; “parents really like the fact that this is a free service from Google.”

Know as “Project Spectrum” to Chris Cronin, original Google SketchUp designer, and Steve Michael Gross, Universal Creative designer; the university has already held a workshop on February 6. As a result they have received tons of positive feedback from parents and from the children themselves.

For more information on this story, please check back. The International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism) will continue to post on this topic, as new details are received.

Official link to site: www.icare4autism.org

Quinn Hasslinger was left behind while classmates took a school trip (Photo by Flickr/blisschan)

Quinn, a boy from Oregon diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, has a hard enough time fitting in and socializing with his classmates. When the opportunity came for Quinn to join his fellow students at an overnight field trip to Upham Woods in the Dells, his mother Cathy Hasslinger was heartbroken to discover that the school district forbade him to attend.

Since enrolling Quinn in Karate class at the age of 13, Hasslinger tried everything to help her autistic son belong. Because of this class, not only is he more disciplined and focused, but happier in general. But this rejection has affected him as well as his mother, who is, with reason, outraged at the school’s reaction.

Hasslinger suggested multiple ways to sway the school district into letting her son attend such as taking care of Quinn on the trip, supervising him and merely participating as a spectator.

Still, the Oregon school district has remained unyielding in their decision. Hasslinger commented; “Something just went wrong. This should not have happened.”

Now Hasslinger is seeking justice from the law, claiming that the Oregon school district cannot deny her son a simple overnight trip with the school.

Jeff Spitzer-Resnick, an attorney with Disability Rights Wisconsin, says the district should have accommodated Quinn. He continued to say “Both federal and state law requires an interactive process and for the school district to provide reasonable accommodations so that kids with disabilities can participate in the same activities as their non-disabled peers.”

For more information on this story, please check back. The International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism) will continue to post on this topic, as new details are received.

Official link to site: www.icare4autism.org

Photo by Flickr/admiretime

Experiments, spearheaded by Dr. Steve Clapcote from the University of Leeds’s Faculty of Biological Sciences, are looking for autism links to Schizophrenia and antipsychotic drugs.

In Clapcote’s autism research, he is using mice affected by both autism and schizophrenia; linking both disorders to a similar mutation of neurexin 1a. The protein, neurexin 1a, is important because it forms and maintains nerve signals in the brain. Since autisic individuals have trouble forming new thoughts and learning, lack or deficiency of neurexin 1a is thought to be considered a cause of autism.

In related experiments, other autism research in America also linked autism with schizophrenia when observing two groups of mice that have each condition respectively, but shared behavioral abnormalities.

Clapcote expects to face some obstacles in the study as well. “We don’t fully understand how the drugs used to treat schizophrenia and some symptoms of autism work,” explained Clapcote.

The doctor continued on to say, “If we can show they can affect mice with this particular genetic mutation, then it gives us a clue to better understand the illnesses and opens up the possibility of more targeted treatments with fewer side effects.”

In order to discover the link between the drugs, schizophrenia and autism, Clapcote will analyze mice affected by the neurexin 1a mutation. Similar to symptoms in autistic individuals, Clapcote will analyze the mice’s behavior including: hyperactivity, sensitivity to psycho-stimulants, attention levels, memory, social interaction and learning. To do this Clapcote will implement bat recorders to understand how the high-pitched mice communicate with each other.

For more information on this story, please check back. The International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism) will continue to post on this topic, as new details are received.

Official link to site: www.icare4autism.org