Clinic Notes: Autism In India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Barfi-strikes-emotional-chord-with-autistic-kids/articleshow/16555879.cms

Clinic Notes: Choosing Apps for Children with Autism

Parents, schools, and assorted health care professionals frequently ask me for app recommendations. Currently, there are over 900 “autism “ apps iTunes app store. Some are designed by professionals who work with children with autism other disorders, while others are designed by someone who thought “that would be helpful.” Some autism apps are tested with children with autism while some are not. Often, it is hard to know which is which. At The Children’s Treatment Center we have looked at a lot of apps. We use other developers’ apps as well as our own on a daily basis in our clinic and we know which ones work best and ones that may be fun for a child with autism, but are not professionally designed to maximize learning. To help parent, other caregivers, and health care professionals we have produced an app titled DX/Treatment, which is a list of apps arranges in a Treatment plan. Other advice on the best science has to offer it treating autism is also provided. Check it out at http://drbrownsapps.com/apps/autism-dx/
Dr. Brown, PhD. Psychologist/HSP

Apples and Autism

When it comes to teaching kids with #Autism A is for Apple ( Apple iPad that is.) http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56318:a-is-for-apple

Autism Campers

A camp that pairs children with #autism and normally developing children. http://www2.wsls.com/news/2012/jun/29/autism-camp-wraps-radford-university-ar-2023924/

Perhaps a New treatment for Autism

The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine may be an effective treatment for some features of autism,
http://www.mississauga.com/news/business/article/1383097--antioxidant-shows-promise-as-autism-treatment

Accomadations For Children with Autism

With 1 in 88 children being diagnosed with autism in the future we may have accomadations for children and adults with ‪#autism‬ in school and the workplace. http://www.wkyc.com/news/health/ar …

Children with Autism Learn to Read Facs

Children with #autism learn to read faces using computer games. But will it generalize to real life? http://www.timescolonist.com/health/Learning+read+faces/6853776/story.html

Can Autism be Diagnosed with an EEG

EEG in large sample of children with #autism indicated poor function in language area of brain. http://t.co/viI0ILEC

Seven Years for Autism Diagnosis in Wales

In Wales parents wait 7 years for an #autism diagnosis. Goodbye early intervention.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-18540252

Autism, Shared Attention, and Language

When adults point to toys and engage the attention of preschool children with autism by pointing the result is a long term increase in language skills, according to researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health.
http://www.pharmpro.com/News/Feeds/2012/06/agencies-and-organizations-national-institutes-of-health-(nih)-for-young-children-with-autism

Mainstreaming Children with Autism

Some children with #autism are asked to leave autism schools because they passed a language test. And the problem is parents are worried about bullying. Well that can be a problem but at some point children with autism need to be mainstreamed if they are going to function in society as adults. I know it is scary for parents but . . http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/parent-fury-at-autism-language-test-20120619-20m20.html

An iPad for every child with Autism

Reach for the apps is trying to provide iPads for children with autism. They are accepting donations. http://www.reachfortheapps.org/

An iPad for every child with Autism

Reach for the apps is trying to provide iPads for children with autism. They are accepting donations. http://www.reachfortheapps.org/

An iPad for every child with Autism

Reach for the apps is trying to provide iPads for children with autism. They are accepting donations. http://www.reachfortheapps.org/

With Our Apps Teachers Can Speak the Language and Teach the Skills That Children with Autism Understand

Apple's iPad* is a wonderful tool for children with autism and related disorders. These children who come to The Children’s Treatment Center appear to have a hypnotic-like relationship with the iPad. They calmly work on drills on the iPad with greater ease and less prompting to stay on task than they do with flashcards or even computer drills. Our top selling-well reviewed apps are designed by Dr. Brown, a Licensed Psychologist/Health Service Provider who has 40 years of experience and works with kids 40 hrs + each week. Our apps are based on the best research-best practices protocols and tested extensively before release with children with Autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders at the Children’s Treatment Center.

Dr. Brown's Autism/DTT Apps are fully automated and use Discrete Trial Training (DTT) to teach colors, shapes, numbers, letters, sight words, learn about animals, and learn about people. Dr. Brown’s Autism Diagnosis and Treatment app offers a comprehensive, scientifically-based treatment plan and his iBook, ABA Programs for Kids with Autism, is available in iTunes. Dr. Brown’s dream is to develop a technology that will help children with autism lead a normal life.
Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AutismApps

*Also available for most droid tablets

Clinic Notes: Children with autism Making Friends

Summer camp for children with #autism teaches social skills that build friendships http://t.co/mfX7p6cc

Clinic Notes: Apps are the Voices that the Child with Autism Hears Best

Apple's iPad is a wonderful tool for children with autism and related disorders. The children with autism who come to our clinic have what appears to be a hypnotic like relationship with the iPad. They calmly work on drills on the iPad with greater ease and less prompting to stay on task than they do with flashcards or even computer drills. Dr. Brown's Autism/DTT Apps are fully automated and use Discrete Trial Training (DTT) to teach colors, shapes, numbers, letters, sight words, learn about animals, and learn about people. Each DTT app been tested extensively with children with Autism, ADD, ADHD, and other disorders at the Children’s Treatment Center. In addition, Dr. Brown’s Autism Diagnosis and Treatment app offers a comprehensive, scientifically based treatment plan and his iBook, ABA Programs for Kids with Autism is available in iTunes. My dream is to develop a technology that will cure autism. Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AutismApps

Is Autism a New Definition of Life?

Autism rates are increasing and will continue to increase so we might as well accept it. I don't think so. http://www.ageofautism.com/2012/06/bismarck-is-blind-to-the-autism-epidemic.html

Clinic Notes: Dr Browns App review

Kida (Kids institute for development and advancement) reviews two of our apps, DTT letters and DTT Words Apps. http://www.kida.com/2012/06/investigating-the-apps-early-literacy-apps/

Autism Speaks Expands

Autism America Radio Becomes Official Radio Program of National Nonprofit Autism Speaks http://www.execdigital.com/press_releases/personal-carefitness/autism-america-radio-becomes-official-radio-program-of-national-nonprofit-a

Autism and Flying

Major airlines' "Wings for #Autism" is a new program to helps children on the spectrum with sensory issues associated with flying http://www.westhartfordnews.com/articles/2012/06/13/news/doc4fd6804ee03bc226881910.txt

Autism and iPad apps

Apple announces that children with #autism cannot opt out of apps with IOS^ update. This is great news for those of us who develop and use apps with these special children everyday.

Clinic Notes: SSRI's in Water Supply?

#Autism caused by SSRI's (Proxac etc) in water supply? I practice in rural area and autism rates up but well water. http://blogs.plos.org/blog/2012/06/08/fish-antidepressants-autism-and-a-problematic-research-premise-2/

Clinic Notes: Weak Head and Neck Control and Autism

Weak head and neck control in babies has always been a red flag for developmental delays. But a new study at the Kennedy Krieger Institute finds weak head and neck control could also signal autism.

Clinic Notes: Autism Causes Problems for Young Adults in School and Workplace

A recent study published in the journal “Pediatrics” finds that Young adults with autism do not do well in school or the workplace. These adults with autism were a product of special education programs. Most were unemployed and were not able to attend college or find a job. A good case for keeping children with autism mainstreamed it seems to me.

Clinic Notes: Where does Geek end and Asperger’s Begin?

Since I have published studies on the etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders, have a clinical practice of mostly children with Autism, develop apps for children with Autism, I am know as an, “Autism Expert.” (I am reminded of a song lyric from an old Eagles song- “The more I know, the less I understand.”) And one thing, among many others, that I don’t understand is where does Geek end and Asperger’s begin? Asperger’s has been linked with scientific genius and many speculate that Einstein, Bill Gates, and most of Silicon Valley have Asperger’s. There are many children that I see who are diagnosed with Asperger’s and do well in a specific area, but are socially inept and often lack “common sense.” We have all had professors who pontificated on their subject in the classroom as well as social gatherings oblivious that they were boring their “audience.” Well the short answer is I don’t know. But I am dismayed that the new version of DSM will do away with Asperger’s as a diagnostic category and just label these special, often wonderful people, as high functioning Autism.

Clinic Notes: Autism and Poverty Redux

Children from low-income families are less likely to be diagnosed with autism and therefore less likely to receive treatment. In large cities like New York City there are program like the NEST program, which try to help identify how children with autism might behave. In Harlem schools are recruiting high functioning children for inclusion into the regular curriculum. Something nice.

Clinic Notes: Being Poor and Having Autism

A California study found that being poor and having autism sucks. Again money talks and children of higher income parents progressed where those of lower income parents did not. It’s all about having money for services and it is not fair. But providers like myself cannot keep a clinic open without money.

Clinic Notes: Hope for Children with Autism

The American Academy of Pediatrics finds in a new study that children with autism, even those who are low functioning, ten percent improve significantly over time. The key is early intervention and an acceptance of the differences between normally developing children and children with autism..

Clinic Notes: Autism Epidemic a National Emergency

I see 40 or so kids in my clinic weekly most of whom have autism. I am overwhelmed. According to Autism Speaks, a child diagnosed with autism will cost $3.2 million for medical services, long term care, and lost income. They tally up annual cost if 1 child in 88 has autism to be a staggering $126 billion. Now I am really overwhelmed.

Clinic Notes: Increase in Autism: Real or Better Diagnosis?

With the new CDC figure saying that 1 child in 88 now has autism a controversy has started hat we have heard before. Is the increase real or is diagnosis getting better? Every time I hear this I get a little irritated. What difference does it make? We don’t know what causes autism so we can’t change the numbers. Perhaps the increase generates new hypotheses, but unless we can correlate the increases with something else and then prove a causal relationship the increase is not meaningful. No government planning is going on. And as far as therapy if a child has problems you treat those problems no matter the diagnosis. My waiting list is always getting longer no matter what the number say.

Clinic Notes: More Evidence for Faulty Serotonin Genes

Another recent study in a mouse model finds that the level of the neural transmitter serotonin in the brain, which is under genetic control, reduces the serotonin levels at the synapse and may be responsible for Autism. This make since because medication which raise serotonin levels, the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) are helpful in children with autism.

Clinic Notes: Military Pilot Program for Autism Treatment Extended

Good news for military families with children. The Pentagon is extending Tricare’s insurance plan, which pays for 10 hours of ABA each week. Several members of Congress want to extend the coverage to military retirees and those on leave for medical reasons. Certainly a benefit they deserve after their sacrifice for our country.

Clinic Notes: As Society Adjusts to the Autism Epidemic

Those of us who work with children on the Autism Spectrum in clinical setting everyday sometimes forget that children with autism miss our on a lot of activities that other children find rewarding. I was delighted to see that Broadway offered an autism friendly production of “The Lion King” and many popular restaurant chains are having staff training to make eating out with a child with autism more enjoyable. Now I read that churches, synagogues, and mosques are also doing what they can to include families with autism and other special needs. Recently, a minister I knew called me and asked if iPads would keep children with autism occupied so their families could worship. I told him that should work and he brought five and is now interested in finding apps on religious topics the kids on the spectrum could use. Interestingly, public schools seem to have the most difficulty adapting to the autism epidemic. But then it is not really fair to require them to treat a neurological disorder without providing the resources.

Clinic Notes: Autism Diagnosis and Treatment Plan App

The majority of parents and other caregivers who bring their children to my clinic are drowning in a sea of autism information and misinformation. I have seen countless children diagnosed and misdiagnosed with autism and treated and mistreated by different therapies. I have watched children with autism grow into adulthood; and know how the story ends for children who get the recommended therapies and those who do not. So I have developed an app that covers issues with diagnosis and treatment. What works and what doesn’t and what parents have to do to give their child the best chance at being mainstreamed. Go to iTunes and find my Autism Dx and Treatment .

ABA Programs for Kids with Autism

My ABA eBook in now available on iTunes for your iPad with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes.
Description
This book contains 25 ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) programs, plus many more helpful tips for helping your child with Autism. These ABA programs are designed as guidelines for parents and caregivers of children with behavioral problems and developmental delays associated with neuropsychological disorders, such as autism.

Clinic Notes: Do iPads Apps Really help Children with Autism?

Recently a number of blog posts and online articles have asked if iPads apps really do help children with autism. These authors correctly point out that there are no empirical studies comparing the progress of children with autism who have the opportunity to use the many programs available to those who do not have the opportunity. At the same time many parents of children with autism are holding fundraisers to buy an iPad for their children with the idea that the iPad will help their children well beyond any other methodology currently available. Well, it would be hard to do empirical studies. Of course the control group would not get an iPad while the experimental group would. So the question could be asked is that ethical? Also these studies would be difficult for other technical reasons and after the studies were completed I don’t know if we would know more than we do now.
At the Children’s Treatment Center we use iPads with all of our kids with autism as well as other disorders. I bought iPads for all my grandchildren for Christmas and they are normally functioning. I am an app developer for Apple and do have a vested interest in the sale of apps, but I personally am convinced, as are many others, that the positive effect that I see with children who come to our clinic as well as my own grandchildren is overwhelming. The iPad holds the child’s attention like nothing else I have seen in my forty years of practice. Learning is fun as it should be. Yes the evidence is anecdotal not scientific, but much like asking the question is eating good for you. Do we need a scientific study?

Clinic Notes: A Drop in the Number of Children Diagnosed with Autism

In my clinic 80-90% of the children I see each week have a diagnosis of autism. And I have a wailing list that I can’t get to. I’m sure many of the kids on the waiting list will also have an autism diagnosis, too. The American Psychiatric Association is in the process of redefining the diagnostic criteria for autism for the new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be released in May 2013. This is the fifth edition of the “bible”, which is used by doctors to diagnose, study and treat “mental” illnesses. I’m not sure how many of the children that I see will loose their autism diagnosis under the new guidelines, and possibly loose services. Asperger’s is going to disappear and the kids with Asperger’s are not happy with that. They say that they do not have high functioning autism and I agree with them. So what’s the upside to the change in diagnosis? Beats me.