When girls with symptoms of autism or ADHD seek professional medical help, their problems are often played down or misinterpreted, and there is a real risk that they will not get the help or support they need. As such, more training is needed in this area, particularly in the public sector, reveals a thesis from the University of Gothenburg.

Maureen S. Durkin, et. al.

Abstract

Background

This study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children in the United States is positively associated with socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods

The presentation below was given at APAC'09 in Sydney. Among other things, it shows the growing number of children whose family get's Carer Allowance (that is, children who have been formally diagnosed with Autistic or Asperger's Disorders and also registered to receive Carer Allowance).

Previously, a paper on autism prevalence in Australia was published in the peer reviewed proceedings of the 2004 Biennial Australian Autism conference (see http://a4.org.au/sites/default/files/buckley_submit2.pdf).

CHICAGO — Leo Lytel was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. But by age 9 he had overcome the disorder.

His progress is part of a growing body of research that suggests at least 10 percent of children with autism can "recover" from it — most of them after undergoing years of intensive behavioral therapy.

Skeptics question the phenomenon, but University of Connecticut psychology professor Deborah Fein is among those convinced it's real.

Toddlers with autism may closely monitor co-occurring sights and sounds, resulting in a neglect of social signals

By Bruce Bower
April 25th, 2009; Vol.175 #9 (p. 8)

Genome-wide associations home in on proteins responsible for cell adhesion
By Tina Hesman Saey
Web edition : Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Whether dietary changes can improve brain functioning is still unclear
By Tina Hesman Saey
March 28th, 2009; Vol.175 #7 (p. 11)