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e-Speaks || October 5, 2007
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$8.4 Million Grant Will Expand AGRE
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Autism Speaks joined with the University of Southern California in announcing that a multi-institution team led by USC faculty has received a five-year, $8.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for an ambitious effort to survey the genetic, physical and behavioral profiles of children with autism. The grant will vastly increase the scope of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), the world's largest resource for autism research. Read more.
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Autistic Behaviors Linked to Maternal Infections
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Using pregnant mice as a model system, researchers at the California Institute of Technology have identified interleukin-6 as an immune system signaling molecule that, when present in high doses during pregnancy, may lead to abnormal brain development and neurobehavioral disorders such as autism in the offspring. The new research is co-sponsored in part by Autism Speaks, with findings published in this week's Journal of Neuroscience.
Read more.
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Senate HELP Committee Releases Thimerosal Report
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On Friday, September 28, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP Committee) released a report from Ranking Member Senator Michael B. Enzi (R-WY), entitled Thimerosal and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Alleged Misconduct by Government Agencies and Private Entities. The Committee addressed a total of seven allegations brought to its attention by family members of children with autism, as well as by medical researchers active in the autism community. Of the allegations made, two were substantiated, one was partially substantiated, and four were not substantiated by the evidence gathered. Senator Enzi is closing this investigation, while continuing to monitor developments on this issue. Read more and view the government report
here
.
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Supreme Court Case Could Limit Rights of Families to Challenge IEPs |
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The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in the Board of Education of City of New York v. Tom F. The issue under consideration concerns a parent's statutory right to challenge a school district's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). According to the New York City Department of Education, even if the child's IEP is demonstrably inappropriate, a parent should not have standing to challenge their child's IEP unless the parent has first "tried out" the school district's IEP. Autism Speaks filed an amicus brief in this case, arguing that children with autism have no time to waste "trying out" an inappropriate placement.
Read more.
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Inaugural Walks in Michigan and Ohio Attract Thousands
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Inaugural Walk Now for Autism events in Southeast Michigan and Cleveland raised over one million dollars and attracted over 13,000 participants this past weekend. Fall walk season is now in full swing across the nation, with eager walkers raising record funds in several cities across the country. Read more and watch video highlights from walks in
SE Michigan
,
Cleveland, Ohio
,
Rochester, N.Y
.,
West Plains, Mo
., and
New Jersey Shore.
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Autism Speaks Signature Tie Spotted on TV. Get Yours!
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Harry Smith, co-anchor of the CBS Early Show, has been spotted wearing the stylish Autism Speaks tie. The pure Italian silk tie, crafted by Mountain and Sackett, and manufactured in Manhattan is available in five styles here in the Autism Speaks online store. Also in the store is our new ladies microfiber Autism Speaks fleece jacket. Cut in a more feminine silhouette, this lightweight but cozy jacket is perfect for the cool weather ahead. (Guys, we'll have yours next week).
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In Their Own Words: Supreme Court Gives Schools Too Much Credit
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In our latest "In Their Own Words" essay, Gary Mayerson, director of the Autism Speaks Federal Legal Appeals Project and Alison Singer, Executive Vice President of Autism Speaks reflect upon the aforementioned Supreme Court hearing and what it might mean for parents of children with disabilities.
Read more.
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