Monthly Archives: September 2012

Health care workers under pressure to come to work sick – poll

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VANCOUVER, Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Polling released today by the Hospital Employees' Union shows one out of three health care workers (33.6 per cent) report coming to work while experiencing cold or flu symptoms because of pressure from their boss not to access sick days.

The poll raises serious questions about the government's recent measures to combat the spread of influenza in B.C.'s health facilities.

Last month, government announced it would require health care workers to wear surgical masks for the entire flu season if they do receive the annual flu vaccine.

The government release also notes that health employers are taking other measures to prevent the spread of influenza to vulnerable populations including "asking staff to stay home when ill."

But that approach, says HEU secretary-business manager Bonnie Pearson, is at odds with the actions of a number of health authorities, which have put "attendance management" programs in place that penalize sick workers for accessing sick leave.

"B.C.'s health employers are using increasingly coercive methods to reduce the use of sick leave with predictable consequences," says Pearson. "And those practices contradict other public health initiatives intended to reduce the spread of the flu virus."

Health authorities' attendance management programs penalize workers who are deemed to have above-average sick time usage through a range of measures such as denying access to overtime hours, reducing their hours of work, and threatening them with dismissal.

HEU is grieving the practice at an arbitration hearing in October on behalf of the multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association. The outcome will have industry-wide application.

"Employers can't have it both ways. The first line of defense in reducing the spread of influenza in health facilities needs to be encouraging workers to stay home when they are sick - not punishing them for accessing sick leave."

The telephone poll conducted by Viewpoints Research Ltd. sampled 800 HEU members employed in B.C.'s publicly-funded hospitals, residential care facilities and other health care sites across the province. The poll was in the field from August 1322.

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Health care workers under pressure to come to work sick - poll

SBAC and SimpleHx to Resubmit Loan Application for Private Health Insurance Cooperative

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CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Sep 24, 2012) - After attaining authorization for health care cooperatives in Illinois to stabilize health care costs for small business, the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) and SimpleHx, along with the Coalition for Cooperatives, are now seeking approval for a federal loan to fund the cooperative.

The Affordable Care Act creates a program to help create new, private nonprofit health insurers, called Consumer Oriented and Operated Plans, or "CO-OPs."The CO-OP program offers low-interest loans to eligible private, nonprofit groups to help set up and maintain health plans.CO-OPs are directed by their customers and designed to offer individuals and small businesses additional affordable, consumer-friendly and high-quality health insurance options.

"The cost of health insurance is debilitating for small business owners, and as a result, many small businesses cannot afford to provide health insurance for their employees," said Elliot Richardson, SBAC President. "For the sake of our business owners, their employees and the Illinois economy, we need a health insurance cooperative that is governed by small business owners and operated by medical and insurance professionals dedicated to stabilizing insurance costs."

Representatives from the SBAC and SimpleHx, a group made up of doctors, surgeons and business leaders, recently presented their vision for an Illinois Health Insurance Cooperative and requested a startup loan in order to operate and maintain adequate reserves.The groups were recently asked to resubmit the application with additional information, and will resubmit by the October 1, 2012 deadline.

The SBAC is a non-partisan, member driven organization that promotes the success of small business through political advocacy, support services and educational programs. The group was established in 2010 and currently represents over 550 businesses in the Chicagoland area.

"As a leading consultant to small businesses, the number one issue they raise is the unpredictable annual increases passed on to them from the current insurance carriers," said Ken Olson, Division President of Horton Insurance. "The timing is now perfect for a new model in Illinois."Horton Insurance has played a major role in bringing a cooperative to Illinois.

The SBAC launched the Coalition for Cooperatives, made up of business and consumer organizations across Illinois, to promote small business support of health cooperatives across the state. Current coalition members include:

"As a small business owner for over 15 years, I've seen my insurance rates increase exponentially year after year with little explanation," said Steve Banke, SBAC Health Care Committee Chair and owner of 3-Points, a technology company in the Chicagoland area. "Health care CO-OPs provide an excellent opportunity for small businesses to control health care costs while lowering operating costs and encouraging economic growth."

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SBAC and SimpleHx to Resubmit Loan Application for Private Health Insurance Cooperative

Study: Estonia, U.S. have most Internet freedom

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Estonian flag

Residents of Estonia have the most freedom to do what they want on the Internet, with the U.S. ranking second among 47 countries examined by a group that pushes for democratic freedoms worldwide.

However, residents of several countries have experienced attacks on bloggers, politically motivated surveillance, government manipulation of Web content and regulations focused on online speech, said Freedom House, which issued a report on Internet freedoms Monday.

Twenty of the 47 countries have less Internet freedom now than they did in January 2011, with Bahrain, Pakistan, and Ethiopia seeing the greatest declines, according to the report.

"We are seeing an increasing number of governments trying to limit free speech online," Sanja Kelly, project director of the study, said during a forum in Washington, D.C.

A number of governments in the Middle East have restricted Internet freedom since the Arab Spring movement that began in late 2010, she said. "They saw what kind of consequences can happen when people organize with social media," Kelly said.

In 14 countries, the governments are hiring people to comment online and drown out unpopular posts. This is one of the more "worrying trends" the study found, Kelly said.

The study found new laws or directives passed since January 2011 in 19 of the 47 countries to restrict online speech, violate user privacy, or punish people who post content deemed objectionable or undesirable.

In 26 countries, at least one blogger or Internet user has been arrested for content posted online or sent by text messages. In 19 countries, a blogger or Internet user was tortured, beaten or has disappeared apparently in response to their online posts, the study said. In five countries, an activist or citizen journalist was killed in retribution for posting information that exposed human rights abuses.

But the study reports what Kelly called a positive development in Internet freedom. In several countries, Internet activists and technology companies have fought against restrictive laws, she said.

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Study: Estonia, U.S. have most Internet freedom

Here's how you can help cleanup beaches today

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Three beach fronts will be ready for cleaning Saturday and Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson promises fun while helping keep Texas beaches clean.

The 26th Annual Texas General Land Office Fall Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at Sea Rim State Park, McFaddin Beach and near the Chambers County beach at Texas 124 and 87.

"A right not exercised is a right that will be lost," Patterson said in a prepared statement. "Join us Saturday, Sept. 22 for a fun time and a great cause, exercising your rights and keeping Texas beaches trash-free."

Volunteers should wear shoes, a hat and sunscreen and will be given data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags. Most sites along the coast conclude the day's cleanup with cold drinks and hot food.

Volunteers may register on-line at http://www.TexasAdoptABeach.org or become a fan of the Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach program on Facebook. Texans who can't make it to the beach but still want to support the effort can make a tax-deductible donation at http://www.TexasAdoptABeach.org. Sponsorship levels range from $25 to $25,000.

In 26 years, 430,000 Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have picked up more than 8,300 tons of trash from the Texas Gulf Coast. Shell Oil Company is the statewide sponsor for the 26th Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup. Other sponsors include Apache Corporation, AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry LLC, Cheniere Energy, Halliburton and the Ocean Conservancy.

For more information about how you can get involved, call 1-877-TXCOAST or visit our Web site at http://www.texasadoptabeach.org.

Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup check-in sites in the Beaumont area:

n Sea Rim State Park

Check-in: Park entrance, 10 miles west of Sabine Pass on Highway 87 South

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Here's how you can help cleanup beaches today

Hyderabad’s aerospace hub bets on first-mover advantage

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Hyderabad, Sept 24:

The countrys first aerospace and precision engineering special economic zone (SEZ) is taking shape at a location close to the Hyderabad international airport.

This emerging aerospace manufacturing cluster at Adibatla will focus on defence equipment, commercial aircraft components, testing and calibration labs, a commercial MRO and flying training hub. It will also include design and development of satellites.

According to S. Ramadorai, Chairman of Tata Elxsi and Vice-Chairman of Tata Consultancy Services, the Tata initiative that has brought international presence here can trigger a larger developmental advantage for this whole area as an Aero Cluster, he feels.

Tata Advanced Systems, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, has built a top-notch facility from where it has begun deliveries of the centre wing box to be used in planes.

From no employee in 2009, this unit now has 700 aerospace professionals, meeting all aerospace technical standards.

You will be amazed that the average age of the employees in three Tata facilities is only 23 years. An academy has been set up to train young engineers and mechanics to global standards of aerospace, adding to the national talent pool, Ramadorai says .

Although traditionally one would associate aircraft clusters with Montreal, Seattle, Toronto and Toulouse, international outsourcing has produced spillovers and created new poles of growth, mainly in Southeast Asia.

With India spending as much as $36 billion (data for 2009) on its defence needs among the top 10 globally Hyderabad is well placed for defence and aerospace activities, since the city provides an ecosystem for the sector. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd already has an Avionics Division, there are several defence laboratories, and active defence equipment and component manufacturers here.

Global leaders in aerospace have also set up their technology and engineering service support centres in Hyderabad. With over 700 engineering colleges and technical institutes, talent supply is not a constraint , according to Ramadorai.

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Hyderabad’s aerospace hub bets on first-mover advantage

Dance for Parkinson's kicks off its fourth year with visit from Mark Morris Dance Group

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SEATTLE, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Laughter and joy are classroom staples at a popular dance class that combines live music and dance instruction from world-class professional dancers. Dance for Parkinson's inspires those living with Parkinson's disease (PD) to explore the benefits of dance and movement with others who share some of the challenging symptoms of the disease.

Dance for Parkinson's was initiated in the Northwest by Seattle Theatre Group in partnership with EvergreenHealth and Spectrum Dance Theater, later expanding to include Northwest Parkinson's Foundation and Des Moines Senior Center. Classes are offered in Kirkland (Peter Kirk Community Center), Seattle (Garfield Community Center) and Des Moines (Des Moines Senior Center).

EvergreenHealth is one of the first healthcare organizations in the nation to provide this program, hosting a quarterly series of classes each year since 2009.

Classes are free of charge, are led by professional dancers, and engage students in dance styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap and world dance to address PD-specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation and depression. No dance experience is required, and the fun, uplifting classes are a welcome respite from the stress of Parkinson's on participants and caregivers.

"The ability to help Parkinson's patients reclaim independent movement through creative dance is effective therapy not just physically, but emotionally," said Dr. Juan Aragon, Director of Medical Specialties and Medical Staff at EvergreenHealth. "Dancers leave the class glowing and truly inspired, which is beautiful to see in our patients."

A new 8-week fall season will kick-off with a special visit from David Leventhal, former principal dancer for Mark Morris Dance Group from 1997-2011 and Program Manager for Dance for PD in New York City.

Dance for PD was born of collaboration between Mark Morris Dance Group and Brooklyn Parkinson's Group Executive Director Olie Westheimer in 2001, with global expansion taking off in 2005. Today, classes are held across the United States and the world, including Tel Aviv and Auckland. A Seattle native, Mark Morris is the Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group in Brooklyn, New York.

"Although participants from all over the world tell us they find elements of the class therapeutic, the primary goal of our program is for people to enjoy dance for dancing's sake in a group settingand to explore the range of physical and creative possibilities that are still very much open to them," said David Leventhal.

Leventhal is visiting Seattle to host a seminar for health professionals, physical therapists, social workers, senior program professionals and any member of the public who is interested in learning more about the unique approach of this community arts and health program. The seminar will be held at Garfield Community Center on Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and will incorporate a live class to demonstrate the benefits of the program for participants.

"We're so pleased to see the Mark Morris Dance Group's initial partnership with Seattle Theatre Group, EvergreenHealth and Spectrum Dance Theater blossom into such a strong, high-quality program with multiple sites reaching multiple districts in the Seattle area," said Leventhal. "The success of the Seattle program shows just how effective arts and health programs can be when organizations that share an innovative vision work together collaboratively."

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Dance for Parkinson's kicks off its fourth year with visit from Mark Morris Dance Group

Dance for Parkinson’s kicks off its fourth year with visit from Mark Morris Dance Group

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SEATTLE, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Laughter and joy are classroom staples at a popular dance class that combines live music and dance instruction from world-class professional dancers. Dance for Parkinson's inspires those living with Parkinson's disease (PD) to explore the benefits of dance and movement with others who share some of the challenging symptoms of the disease.

Dance for Parkinson's was initiated in the Northwest by Seattle Theatre Group in partnership with EvergreenHealth and Spectrum Dance Theater, later expanding to include Northwest Parkinson's Foundation and Des Moines Senior Center. Classes are offered in Kirkland (Peter Kirk Community Center), Seattle (Garfield Community Center) and Des Moines (Des Moines Senior Center).

EvergreenHealth is one of the first healthcare organizations in the nation to provide this program, hosting a quarterly series of classes each year since 2009.

Classes are free of charge, are led by professional dancers, and engage students in dance styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap and world dance to address PD-specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation and depression. No dance experience is required, and the fun, uplifting classes are a welcome respite from the stress of Parkinson's on participants and caregivers.

"The ability to help Parkinson's patients reclaim independent movement through creative dance is effective therapy not just physically, but emotionally," said Dr. Juan Aragon, Director of Medical Specialties and Medical Staff at EvergreenHealth. "Dancers leave the class glowing and truly inspired, which is beautiful to see in our patients."

A new 8-week fall season will kick-off with a special visit from David Leventhal, former principal dancer for Mark Morris Dance Group from 1997-2011 and Program Manager for Dance for PD in New York City.

Dance for PD was born of collaboration between Mark Morris Dance Group and Brooklyn Parkinson's Group Executive Director Olie Westheimer in 2001, with global expansion taking off in 2005. Today, classes are held across the United States and the world, including Tel Aviv and Auckland. A Seattle native, Mark Morris is the Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group in Brooklyn, New York.

"Although participants from all over the world tell us they find elements of the class therapeutic, the primary goal of our program is for people to enjoy dance for dancing's sake in a group settingand to explore the range of physical and creative possibilities that are still very much open to them," said David Leventhal.

Leventhal is visiting Seattle to host a seminar for health professionals, physical therapists, social workers, senior program professionals and any member of the public who is interested in learning more about the unique approach of this community arts and health program. The seminar will be held at Garfield Community Center on Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and will incorporate a live class to demonstrate the benefits of the program for participants.

"We're so pleased to see the Mark Morris Dance Group's initial partnership with Seattle Theatre Group, EvergreenHealth and Spectrum Dance Theater blossom into such a strong, high-quality program with multiple sites reaching multiple districts in the Seattle area," said Leventhal. "The success of the Seattle program shows just how effective arts and health programs can be when organizations that share an innovative vision work together collaboratively."

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Dance for Parkinson's kicks off its fourth year with visit from Mark Morris Dance Group

Celebrities drawing attention to multiple sclerosis a sign of hope for N.J. patients

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Quick: What do Ozzy Osbourne and Mitt Romney have in common?

DON SMITH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Patients work out at Holy Name Medical Center's MS Center.

The former is a rocker who once bit the head off a bat and starred in his own reality television series, while the latter was a titan of Bain Capital and now Republican candidate for president.

Both are part of the 1 percent.

But beyond that, each has a family member diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

For Ozzy, it's son Jack Osbourne, 26, who learned in June that he has MS after partial blindness in his right eye led him to seek a doctor's care. Word of the diagnosis came two weeks after his fiance, Lisa Stelly, gave birth to their daughter.

"I was just angry and frustrated and kept thinking, 'Why now?'x'' he told People magazine.

For Mitt, it's wife Ann Romney, 63, whose Republican National Convention speech, aimed at humanizing the candidate, scoffed at the notion that theirs is a "storybook marriage." Those storybooks, she said, "never seemed to have chapters called 'MS' or 'Breast Cancer.'x"

Her husband's steadfastness through her illnesses, she implied, provided ample evidence to voters that "this man will not let us down."

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Celebrities drawing attention to multiple sclerosis a sign of hope for N.J. patients

Easing multiple sclerosis symptoms with food

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For multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers, symptoms like numbness, fatigue and difficulty walking can be debilitating but changing what they eat can have a big impact on the quality of their lives.

The National MS Society website advises a diet thats low in saturated fats and high in omega-3 fatty acids.

A two-year study of 312 MS patients revealed that people who ingested 10 grams of fish oil each day had less progression of the debilitating disease than those who did not take supplements.

You can take a supplement, but it is always a good idea to incorporate whole foods into your diet, said Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing health editor at FoxNews.com.

Walnuts, flaxseed and cod liver oil are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as fatty fish such as salmon.

According to the National MS Society, three grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day is considered safe, but you should talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

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Easing multiple sclerosis symptoms with food

ANN ARBOR: District library to host Lewy Body Dementia talk Oct. 16

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The Ann Arbor District Library will host an informational program about http://www.lbda.org">Lewy Body Dementia from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave., in Ann Arbor.

The talk will feature local medical professionals and people helping loved ones cope with the disease.

Washtenaw County resident Tamara Real watched helplessly for two years as her husband, Carl Rinne, withdrew from life before he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in in 2010.

Real's experience is not an unusual one among Lewy Body Dementia caregivers, though she was not aware of how prevalent the problem was at first.

Then Real found the Lewy Body Dementia Association and learned that most Lewy Body Dementia families are faced with educating not just their friends and families about Lewy Body Dementia, but sometimes physicians and nurses as well.

When LBDA launched its nationwide October awareness movement, "A Month to Remember," in order to raise Lewy Body Dementia awareness, Real volunteered.

Lewy body dementia is a progressive brain disease that is misdiagnosed more often than not.

In a study by the Lewy Body Dementia Association, family caregivers reported that Lewy Body Dementia was not the first diagnosis in 78 percent of cases.

Despite an estimated patient population of 1.3 million people in the U.S., Lewy Body Dementia is most often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or a psychiatric disorder.

"Given the growing population of older Americans, at some point in your life Lewy Body Dementia will likely affect someone you know," said Angela Herron, president of LBDA's board of directors, in a news release. Continued...

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ANN ARBOR: District library to host Lewy Body Dementia talk Oct. 16

New report highlights innovative approach of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership

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New report highlights innovative approach of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership

CARDIFF, Wales: A new report by autism charities demonstrated the innovative approaches to improving the lives of people with autism across the North of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

That's the feeling of many of the charities within the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership (CNAP) and those in the Autism Alliance UK. CNAP spokesman Cathy Maclean said: "The North of Ireland, Scotland and Wales are being particularly dynamic in the way their devolved governments are helping with national autism strategies,"

Arlene Cassidy, CEO of Autism Northern Ireland, commented: "Massive social change takes time but it also takes leadership, consistency and inclusive practice. This was vital in our successful campaign for equality legislation for Autism in Northern Ireland."

Sinn Fin Health spokesperson Councillor Paul Fleming said: "Since the Welsh and Scottish Governments' introduction of an all-age autism strategy, legislation in the North of Ireland now impels all government departments to work together to deliver an all-age autism strategy and financial commitment has been promised for this. Government-funded strategies across the North of Ireland, much like in Scotland and Wales, are making real differences to the autism community and those who support them, especially the many voluntary sector organisations."

"In the future, there is the potential for the Island of Ireland to establish an all-age Autism Research Centre and work in conjunction with NUI Galway's centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research, to provide better outcomes for autistic individuals and their families mirroring that which has been established at Cardiff University in Wales, which could increase investment and focus into autism research in Ireland."

(Source: CNAP, July 26, 2012)

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New report highlights innovative approach of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership

Research Lacking on Drugs for Older Children With Autism, Study Finds

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MONDAY, Sept. 24 (HealthDay News) -- More and more children are growing up with autism, and although many treatments and interventions are now available, clinical studies on the use of medications in teens and young adults are lacking, according to new research.

"The majority of (older) individuals with autism spectrum disorders appear to be taking medications that we have very little evidence for," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, medical director of the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Vanderbilt Brain Institute in Nashville, Tenn.

"In the absence of sufficient evidence, parents and people with autism should find a clinician who tells you what's known and unknown about the potential benefits and risks of any medication," he said. "It should be a shared decision-making process."

Results of the study were published online on Sept. 24 in the journal Pediatrics.

Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders that impair social development and communication. Autism spectrum disorders also may cause repetitive movements and even self-abusive behavior, such as head banging, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

It is estimated that about one in 88 American children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder

As children with autism age, some do experience significant improvements, according to NINDS, but many do not. There is no cure for autism, although there are many treatments available, including education and behavioral interventions and medications.

Medications usually are used to treat some of the symptoms associated with autism, rather than the core symptoms of the condition, according to background information in the new study. For example, the medication risperidone (brand name Risperdal) may be used to treat behavioral symptoms associated with autism, such as aggression, outbursts and irritability, said Dr. Melissa Nishawala, medical director of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinical and Research Program at the NYU Child Study Center in New York City.

"Medications like risperidone and aripiprazole don't address the cause of autism, but they help calm down [people with autism]," Veenstra-VanderWeele said.

For the new study, the researchers reviewed medical literature from 1980 through 2011 to find clinical trials on drugs for people with autism between the ages of 13 and 30 years old. They found eight studies with at least 20 participants. Two investigators independently assessed the quality of the studies.

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Research Lacking on Drugs for Older Children With Autism, Study Finds

Girl diagnosed with autism and DiGeorge syndrome memorizes entire Coppelia ballet

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(CBS News) It's hard to remember an entire dance routine, but one special girl has committed the entire lead ballet role in Coppelia to memory.

Clara Bergs's parents wrote that they thought their daughter was just dancing ballet moves around the house, until they realized she had memorized an entire routine from the Coppelia ballet.

Complete coverage: Autism awareness 9 amazing autistic artists with savant syndrome Top 10 toys and gifts for children with autism

The 10-year-old is diagnosed with both autism and DiGeorge syndrome, a genetic disorder.

According to the Mayo Clinic, DiGeorge syndrome is a disorder caused by a chromosome 22 defect that leads to poor development of different body systems. The syndrome is normally associated with heart defects, poor immune system function, a cleft palate, complications related to low levels of calcium in the blood and behavioral disorders. According to a National Institute of Health study, prevalence is estimated at 14.1 affected patients per 100,000 live births.

About 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, which are rooted in problems with behavior, communication and socialization. The rate jumps to 1 in 54 when it comes to boys.

Bergs was diagnosed with the conditions following her birth on June 24, 2002 according to her official Facebook page Clara's Happy Thumbs. She spent her first 16 months in the hospital, and thanks to multiple therapies, supplements and diets she started walking at the age of 4, talking at the age of 6 and has stayed relatively healthy.

For more videos starring Bergs, visit her YouTube channel.

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Girl diagnosed with autism and DiGeorge syndrome memorizes entire Coppelia ballet

Little evidence supports medical treatment options for adolescents with autism, researchers say

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ScienceDaily (Sep. 24, 2012) Vanderbilt University researchers are reporting today that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism.

Despite studies that show that many adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders are being prescribed medications, there is almost no evidence to show whether these medications are helpful in this population, the researchers said.

These findings are featured in the Sept. 24 issue of Pediatrics.

"We need more research to be able to understand how to treat core symptoms of autism in this population, as well as common associated symptoms such as anxiety, compulsive behaviors and agitation," said Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator. "Individuals, families and clinicians currently have to make decisions together, often in a state of desperation, without clear guidance on what might make things better and what might make things worse, and too often, people with autism spectrum disorders end up on one or more medications without a clear sense of whether the medicine is helping."

This research is part of a larger report on interventions for adolescents and young adults with autism that found there is little evidence to support findings, good or bad, for all therapies currently used.

The researchers systematically screened more than 4,500 studies and reviewed the 32 studies published from January 1980 to December 2011 on therapies for people ages 13 to 30 with autism spectrum disorders. They focused on the outcomes, including harms and adverse effects, of interventions, including medical, behavioral, educational and vocational.

Key findings:

Although the prevalence of autism is on the rise, much remains to be discovered when it comes to interventions for this population, the researchers concluded.

As recently as the 1970s, autism was believed to affect just one in 2,000 children, but newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder. Boys with autism outnumber girls 5-to-1, which estimates that one in 54 boys in the United States has autism.

Additional investigators on this report include Melissa McPheeters, Ph.D., MPH, director of Vanderbilt's Evidence-Based Practice Center and senior author; Zachary Warren, Ph.D., director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders; Julie Lounds Taylor, Ph.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics and Special Education and lead author; Dwayne Dove, M.D., Ph.D., fellow in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics; Nila Sathe, M.S., M.L.I.S., program manager, Institute for Medicine and Public Health; and Rebecca Jerome, M.L.I.S., MPH, assistant director, Eskind Biomedical Library.

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Little evidence supports medical treatment options for adolescents with autism, researchers say

Little Evidence Supports Medical Treatment Options for Adolescents with Autism

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To view this release online, visit http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2012/09/little-evidence-supports-medical-treatment-options-for-adolescents-with-autism/.

Newswise Vanderbilt University researchers are reporting today that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism.

Despite studies that show that many adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders are being prescribed medications, there is almost no evidence to show whether these medications are helpful in this population, the researchers said.

These findings are featured in the Sept. 24 issue of Pediatrics.

We need more research to be able to understand how to treat core symptoms of autism in this population, as well as common associated symptoms such as anxiety, compulsive behaviors and agitation, said Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator. Individuals, families and clinicians currently have to make decisions together, often in a state of desperation, without clear guidance on what might make things better and what might make things worse, and too often, people with autism spectrum disorders end up on one or more medications without a clear sense of whether the medicine is helping."

This research is part of a larger report on interventions for adolescents and young adults with autism that found there is little evidence to support findings, good or bad, for all therapies currently used.

The researchers systematically screened more than 4,500 studies and reviewed the 32 studies published from January 1980 to December 2011 on therapies for people ages 13 to 30 with autism spectrum disorders. They focused on the outcomes, including harms and adverse effects, of interventions, including medical, behavioral, educational and vocational.

Key findings:

Some evidence revealed that treatments could improve social skills and educational outcomes such as vocabulary or reading, but the studies were generally small and had limited follow-up.

Limited evidence supports the use of medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism. The most consistent findings were identified for the effects of antipsychotic medications on reducing problem behaviors that tend to occur with autism, such as irritability and aggression. Harms associated with medications included sedation and weight gain.

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Little Evidence Supports Medical Treatment Options for Adolescents with Autism

Research lacking on drugs for older children with autism

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By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Sept. 24 (HealthDay News) -- More and more children are growing up with autism, and although many treatments and interventions are now available, clinical studies on the use of medications in teens and young adults are lacking, according to new research.

"The majority of (older) individuals with autism spectrum disorders appear to be taking medications that we have very little evidence for," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, medical director of the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Vanderbilt Brain Institute in Nashville, Tenn.

"In the absence of sufficient evidence, parents and people with autism should find a clinician who tells you what's known and unknown about the potential benefits and risks of any medication," he said. "It should be a shared decision-making process."

Results of the study were published online on Sept. 24 in the journal Pediatrics.

Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders that impair social development and communication. Autism spectrum disorders also may cause repetitive movements and even self-abusive behavior, such as head banging, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

It is estimated that about one in 88 American children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder

As children with autism age, some do experience significant improvements, according to NINDS, but many do not. There is no cure for autism, although there are many treatments available, including education and behavioral interventions and medications.

Medications usually are used to treat some of the symptoms associated with autism, rather than the core symptoms of the condition, according to background information in the new study. For example, the medication risperidone (brand name Risperdal) may be used to treat behavioral symptoms associated with autism, such as aggression, outbursts and irritability, said Dr. Melissa Nishawala, medical director of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinical and Research Program at the NYU Child Study Center in New York City.

"Medications like risperidone and aripiprazole don't address the cause of autism, but they help calm down [people with autism]," Veenstra-VanderWeele said.

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Research lacking on drugs for older children with autism

Autism After 16 Begins Series on Mental Health and Autism

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Roanoke, VA (PRWEB) September 24, 2012

Autism After 16 today published the first in a series of articles on autism and mental health.

When Autism and Mental Health Issues Collide focuses on challenges faced by teens and adults with autism who simultaneously experience mental illness. While studies indicate that a number of adults with autism also face mental health challenges, accurately assessing the presence of a comorbid conditionone that exists alongside the autism diagnosiscan be difficult. Often behavioral challenges are considered to be part of the autism diagnosis, when mental illness is actually present.

We have so much more to learn about the parameters of autism, its hard to know at what point a person should receive an additional diagnosis, says Dr. Ken Duckworth, medical director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness. But there are people who have all of the symptoms of a mental illness in addition to the autism that warrant additional diagnoses.

When comorbid conditions arent accurately diagnosed, treatment becomes difficult. The Autism After 16 article shares the story of a young man whose comorbid mental illness began to threaten his well-being and that of his family. Coping with mental illness in addition to autism can be extremely complicated, notes editor Merope Pavlides. The individual suffers, and so does the family. We want to help drive dialogue about this issue and to encourage families to seek help. And to know that they are not alone.

Written by Florida-based journalist Cara Nissman, When Autism and Mental Health Issues Collide is the first of several articles on mental health that Autism After 16 will publish. The next one will examine mental health concerns in college support programs for students with autism.

Autism After 16 is a website devoted to providing information and analysis of adult autism issues. Over 50 percent of its contributing writers are autistic adults, while many others are family members. Autism After 16 provides informational articles on accessing adult services, commentary, links to useful resources, and a library of videos to help teach independent living skills.

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Autism After 16 Begins Series on Mental Health and Autism

NYU Langone Medical Center Collaborates on Groundbreaking International Initiative to Advance Autism Research

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

NYU Langone Medical Center announced today the creation of a new groundbreaking collaboration in autism research. The Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) is a database of brain scans from more than 15 leading international research institutions and academic medical centers. ABIDE was designed to advance scientific understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by allowing researchers to share autism data within the broader scientific community. The collaboration is led by NYU Langone, coordinator of ABIDE and the single largest contributor of research to the consortium, and Kennedy Krieger Institute.

This collaboration fills an unmet need among the autism research community. By providing access to an unprecedented large-scale dataset, ABIDE has the potential to move autism research forward andthus advance our understanding of a complex disorder, said Adriana Di Martino, MD, co-founder and coordinator of ABIDE and Leon Levy assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Child Study Center at NYU Langone Medical Center. We are honored that some of the worlds leading institutions have contributed data and truly feel this initiative will help to change the face of autism research. This is only the beginning.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 88 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder by age 8. A key focus area for autism research is brain imaging to map out the pathology of disease, which can lead to important new understandings about the function and structures of the brain.

ABIDE was created to facilitate and advance autism research and is expected to contribute to increasing collaboration within the autism research community. ABIDE currently includes brain images from more than 1,000 individuals, ages 6 to 64 years old, aggregated from more than 15 leading medical and research institutions around the world.

Acquiring imaging data in children with autism can be challenging. By establishing a collaborative environment for data sharing, ABIDE helps us overcome obstacles and will undoubtedly lead to progress in understanding brain structure and function in autism, said Dr. Stewart Mostofsky, co-founder of ABIDE and Director of the Laboratory for Neurocognitive and Imaging Research at Kennedy Krieger Institute. This is a vital demonstration of how the scientific community can become more cooperative and, by working together, increase our knowledge to help improve autism diagnosis and treatment.

ABIDE represents an unparalleled resource for researchers and clinicians in the autism field, according to Glenn Saxe, MD, the Arnold Simon Professor and Chair of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and director of the Child Study Center at NYU Langone.

The magnitude of this initiative cannot be overstated as it may potentially change the landscape of autism research, advance the discovery of diagnostic tools and treatments and most importantly, ultimately help us provide the highest level of patient care to children with this debilitating disorder, he added. We hope the ABIDE initiative will become a model for other research areas, as innovation drives the advancement of ideas.

The Child Study Center (CSC) at NYU Langone Medical Center is a recognized leader in the treatment of child psychiatric disorders through scientific practice, research, and education. The CSC offers a wide range of mental health services for children, adolescents, young adults and families and our experts specialize in the fields of child, adolescent and adult psychiatry, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, social work, pediatric neurology and education and academic achievement. The center recently moved to their new location at One Park Ave. in Manhattan and has facilities in New Jersey and on Long Island. For more information, please visit the Child Study Center website or call (212) 263-6622.

About NYU Langone Medical Center

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NYU Langone Medical Center Collaborates on Groundbreaking International Initiative to Advance Autism Research