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Autism Speaks awards $135k in grant funding to support Latino autistic youth in Houston, TX … the transition to adulthood for Latino autistic youth. As a major funder of autism research, Autism Speaks is committed to supporting research and innovation that drives towards improved quality of life and well-being for individuals with autism … Shih. “The grant for this year’s postdoctoral fellowship aims to bridge the service gap in Houston, enhancing mental health support and easing the transition to adulthood for these youth." This year, fellowship applicants were required to focus on … mental health conditions. This fellowship funds a pilot test of this community-developed telehealth program, among a group of 30 Latino autistic young adults and their families, aiming for broader outreach in the region. … Autism Speaks …
WHO Caregiver Skills Training improves parent and child outcomes in urban India… participated in the CST program. Twenty of the children had a formal autism diagnosis. The trainings consisted of nine group sessions and three home visits, all focusing on ways parents can improve in-home interactions with their children to … services, parents in these countries are left to care for their autistic child without the necessary skills and support, negatively affecting the child’s development and their own well-being. The CST program can help these parents … shows promising results in Italy Watch our Autism Speaks Caregiver Quick Tips videos based on the CST program Learn how to support your autistic child with our Parent’s Guide to Autism … WHO Caregiver Skills Training improves parent and child …
Researchers outline method to create gene list for autism-linked genetic variants … A multidisciplinary group of autism researchers proposed a new method for identifying whether certain gene changes are linked to autism, in a … know how certain gene changes impact a person with autism, ultimately helping us to develop tailored treatments that will support that person,” said Dr. Thomas Frazier, Ph.D., Autism Speaks chief science officer and an author of the paper. After … an autism diagnosis, providers will be better able to offer autistic children and adults more personalized health care and supports. … Researchers outline method to create gene list for autism-linked genetic variants …
Autism in Africa: Transforming care and services for a brighter future… spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities face stigmatization, delayed diagnosis and limited access to support services. In many countries, challenges in service delivery are compounded by humanitarian concerns like armed … meeting of the minds focused on advances in global science, practice and policy. As I sat among this distinguished group ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I was proud to represent Autism Speaks alongside my … and UNICEF to launch the Global Report on Children with Developmental Disabilities . Developed with technical and financial support from Autism Speaks, this report is a roadmap for advocates and policymakers in underserved countries around the …
WHO Caregiver Skills Training shows promising results in Italy… through a public outpatient child neuropsychiatry facility. Consisting of 12 sessions, including three home visits and nine group training sessions, the CST program aims to help parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) develop the day-to-day skills they need to better engage with their children. Through modeling, coaching and group discussions, caregivers were taught to play, communicate, establish and maintain shared routines, and embrace positive … the training resulted in several improvements to parent-child interactions. Parents significantly improved their ability to support interactions with their children by “scaffolding” (or guiding) their children’s behavior, maintaining a shared focus …
Study finds health disparities for LGBTQ+ autistic adults … were among the respondents. “The healthcare system is not currently working for many LGBTQ+ autistic adults, when this group has a greater need for health services,” said Dr. Andy Shih, Ph.D., senior vice president, public health and inclusion … research at Autism Speaks demonstrates a large unmet need for healthcare for people with autism,” said Shih. “Where these groups intersect, the community and the healthcare system need to come together to provide added support and remove barriers to appropriate care.” … Study finds health disparities for LGBTQ+ autistic adults …
COVID-19 survey reveals widespread challenges for autism community and wider disparities for minority communities … community are struggling even more, particularly with basic needs.”  Minority respondents, who made up about half of the group surveyed, reported more struggles with a variety of needs related to the pandemic, basic needs, daily routines and education.  The largest disparities were in the areas of food insecurity and receiving distance learning supports, with nonwhite respondents experiencing twice the food insecurity of white respondents and twice as likely to not receive any distance learning supports. Food insecurity was measured as food for the household having run out and families not having enough money to buy …
Small study finds B12 injections ease autism symptoms in some children… in some children who have the disorder. The researchers found that the behavior improvement occurred primarily in a subgroup of children who showed particular blood chemistry changes after the methyl B12 injections . In these children, the … time. Some earlier research has suggested that the process is impaired in some people with autism . The new study, supported by a grant from Autism Speaks , appears online in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology . It is … metabolic abnormality – impaired methylation capacity – holds the potential to improve [autism] symptoms.” They call for support of a larger controlled trial to check and clarify their results. For related news and blog posts, also see: Grandma …
Study: Eye Contact Declines Early in Babies Who Later Develop Autism… with autism. The researchers tested each infant 10 times between 2 and 24 months. Initial levels of eye contact for both groups were similar. But infants who did not develop autism increased their eye contact over time, while eye contact … steadily declined among the 13 infants later diagnosed with autism. (Twelve of the 13 were from the high-risk baby siblings group.) In addition, those infants whose levels of eye contact diminished most rapidly were the most disabled by symptoms of … In fact, earlier eye-gaze studies done without eye-tracking technology failed to capture the pattern. The new results also support the strong role that genetic and prenatal factors play in the development of ASD, Dr. Wang adds. “Some people have …
Autism Speaks awards over $550,000 for autism research… more effective, personalized care in the years ahead,” said Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Andy Shih. “We are proud to support a promising group of young scientists who are propelling the field of autism research forward in new directions.”  Grant applications …