NSSHLA minutes from April 9, 2007

For those of you who were not able to join our insightful meeting tonight, this is what you missed:

Statistics: 1 out of 150 have Autism
About 1.5 million people under the age of 17 have Autism

-In California, there has been a 238% rise in Autism cases over the last 14 years.
-The earlier you diagnose a child and the earlier you start intervention, the better the progression.

WHAT IS AUTISM?
=Autism affects the developmental brain and the nervous system
=Autism affects boys more than girls
=Usually diagnosed by 3 years of age
=Deficits in 3 core areas: 1. Language
2. Social Communication
3. Repetitive Behavior
=Autism is a spectrum disorder
=Autistic individuals have sensory deficits
=Autism is the third most common developmental disability after Mental Retardation and Cerebral Palsy.
=No two children have the same symptoms or behavior profile, making it difficult to categorize children into coherent symptom groups.

WHAT ARE SIGNS OF AUTISM?
+ Children do not respond to their name by 12 months of age
+ They fail to meet certain developmental milestones
+ They fail to make eye contact, have absence of pointing and gesturing
+ They have an absence in imaginative and social play.+ Use toys in odd ways+ Their language is imitative or repetitive (echolalia) + They are obsessed with objects

WHAT ARE CAUSES OF AUTISM?
: Genetics
: Environment
: A number of genes associated with Autism
: Stress, pollution, and vaccines--- when exposed during pregnancy


Clinical Research
AGRE-Autism Genetic Resource Exchange
This program is the world’s largest collection of clinical information. They have over 1600 families with two or more autistic children. They set the standards for collaboration and data sharing in autism research. Information is standardized and available to scientific researchers.

Autism Research Network (TRN)
This research program provides diagnosis and treatment and provides a medical home for children with ASD. This program develops standards for medical care. It also develops protocols for multidisciplinary assessment.

Autism Tissue Program (ATP)
This program makes brain tissue available for research. ATP increases out ability to learn about diagnosis of Autism. Over 42 studies have been possible though ATP.
CTN- Clinical Trails Network
This is the first multi-site network of established clinics and researchers with expertise in running clinical trails. The first trial is this year. This network works with the pharmaceutical/nutraceutical industry.
Autism Genone Project
This project is looking at human genone and looking at what genes are susceptible. Phase 1 of this project was completed and was published in Nature Genetics.


WALK NOW!!!
~This year there are over 60 walks in the US, Canada and the UK.
~Los Angelwes was the first walk to raise over one million dollars.
~Resource Fair provides valuable information about current research and treatment options for parents.
~Cal State LA raised $1,500
>>>>Log onto Walknow.org and sign up for the walk.
Log onto autismspeaks.org for more information on Autism.