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..