Emily Bourke 8 Nov 2013

PETER LLOYD: American medical researchers have uncovered some surprising findings about children with autism.

It's been thought for some time that autism could be the result of a brain that lacks enough neural connections - but new research has found the opposite. Brains of children with autism actually have more connections than other children.

That's turned some of the conventional medical wisdom about autism on its head and it could lead to changes to the way the condition is diagnosed and treated.

Emily Bourke has our story

Neil Bramwell

THE latest Australian data on autism contradicts research indicating that new cases have levelled off in the UK, according to an expert.

Local rates appear to be in line with recent US data, which found that one in 88 eight-year-olds had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

WA first: Reproductive Technology Council approves application for fertility clinic to screen for autism

Cathy O'Leary Medical Editor, The West Australian

For the first time, WA health authorities have allowed embryos to be screened to reduce the chance of a high-risk family having a child with autism.

The Reproductive Technology Council approved the application for a fertility clinic to do a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD, to screen for autism.

There are no genetic tests for autism, so instead of looking for a gene mutation, the screening identifies the embryo's sex because boys are at least four times more likely to develop autism.

It is a new frontier in embryo screening because, unlike other conditions with a distinct genetic basis, autism is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Disability commissioner Graeme Innes said the stories of discrimination from the Border’s victims, prisoners and witnesses echoed those he had heard around Australia. Picture: BEN EYLES"

By NATALIE KOTSIOS

A MAN spends months in jail while needing professional care. A woman, harassed by her neighbour, is ignored by the courts. Another’s cries of abuse at the hands of a housemate go unnoticed.

These were just a few for the real-life stories shared yesterday at a forum in Albury, discussing how people with disabilities are treated by police and the justice system.

The forum, hosted by Disability Advocacy and Information Service, saw people with disabilities, their carers and those working relates in fields to swap experiences and ideas and listen to speakers, including disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes.

Testing identifies the embryo's sex because boys are at least four times more likely to develop autism.
CATHY O'LEARY October 19, 2013

For the first time, WA health authorities have allowed embryos to be screened to reduce the chance of a high-risk family having a child with autism.

The Reproductive Technology Council approved the application for a fertility clinic to do a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD, to screen for autism.

Anna Salleh ABC

Autism may be under-diagnosed in girls because they are not as hyperactive as boys, say Australian researchers.

The findings are published in a recent issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

By Barb Cook

Barb Cook was just 14 years old when her mother was dragged off to an asylum because she had autism. For the next 25 years, Barb tried keep her own symptoms hidden from medical professionals until she was finally diagnosed with Asperger's at 40. Here, she writes about her journey from terror to acceptance and relief.