Breaking News

Changes Proposed for Autism Definition

The American Psychiatry Association (APA) has proposed changes to the definition of autism in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, or the DSM 5, which is currently being revised. According to a statement by the APA, the proposal would eliminate Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS and childhood disintegrative disorder as separate diagnoses to be included in a single category called autism spectrum disorders. Click here for more details and contact information for the APA

MRI May Aid Early Diagnosis

It is widely accepted that early diagnosis of autism is important in making treatment more effective. A new study published this month in Biological Psychiatry suggests that the use of magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, may be helpful in finding differences in the brains of children with autism.

Click here to read more

A new study suggests nearly one in five children with an autistic older sibling will develop the disorder too - a rate much higher than previously thought. Researchers followed 664 infants who had at least one older brother or sister with autism. Overall, 132 infants or about 19 percent ended up with an autism diagnosis, too, by their third birthdays. Previous smaller or less diverse studies reported a prevalence of between 3 percent and 14 percent.

Click here for more information

(link provided by autismnews@aboard.org)

Women and girls with autism often present with a unique set of characteristics that can make diagnosing their autism difficult. Furthermore, their set of strengths can mask their deficits.

Because boys are primarily the gender mentioned in the news, it is easy to overlook the fact that girls are on the spectrum too. True, boys represent 4/5 of the autism population but that leaves 20% of the affected, female. With the staggering statistics of autism's rise, that is a significant number of people and probably a conservative figure.

Dr. Tony Attwood has identified common characteristics of women and girls on the autism spectrum, especially those with Asperger's Syndrome.

Girls with Autism...

• Often use doll play to replay and understand social situations and often have imaginary friends and extremely detailed imaginary worlds.
• Typically have a single friend who provides guidance and security for them and they tend to offer peer support to others.
• Often observe and try to understand a situation before they make the first step and may mimick or even try to take on all the characteristics of someone they are trying to emulate.
• Read fiction (or watch soap operas) to help them learn about inner thoughts, feelings and motivations.
• Apologize frequently and want to appease others
• May be categorized as Tom Boys
• Tend to have what is classified as a "male brain" and they may be specially gifted in the areas of mathematics and engineering.
• Usually show no interest in fashion.
• Generally have a faster rate of learning social skills than boys but they may still need to be directly taught certain social skills.
• Tend to have a special interest that is more likely to be unusual in terms of intensity rather than focus.
• May be so successful at "faking it" that they only come to the attention of a clinician when a secondary mood disorder emerges.

(Reported courtesy of autismnews@aboard.org)

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are looking for participants for a study to better understand the involvement of parents in interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Participants must be the primary caregiver of a child up to 21 years of age who has been diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, ASD, or PDD. The study, which includes four anonymous online questionnaires, will take approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete. After completing all the questionnaires, participants have the option to provide an email and be entered into a drawing for one of five $20 gift certificates.

To participate in the online study, click this link:

For more information, contact Karen Tang at (574) 631-8126 or ktang@nd.edu, or Joshua Diehl, Ph.D. at (574) 631-5729. For more information about the Notre Dame research program, visit Notre Dame's Site.

SAVE THE DATE: Notre Dame Professor to Present on Autism Research

The Barber National Institute welcomes Dr. Joshua Diehl, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame as he presents research and analyses on treatment options for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders on Tuesday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the North Lobby. Click here to read more.

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2011 Community Art Show

Submissions for the 4th Annual Community Art Show, “Celebrating the Possibilities,” will be accepted at the Institute’s main campus on:

Thursday and Friday, March 10-11 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and
Saturday, March 12 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Children and adults whose lives have been touched by a disability, as well as local amateur and professional artists, are encouraged to submit artwork for this year’s show. Pieces may be: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, collage, or mixed media. Participants will be divided into three categories: student, adult amateur and adult professional. Monetary awards will be awarded to the winner of each category. The Barber National Institute’s Art Show celebrates the artistic possibilities of all individuals and believes in the importance of creative expression.

A reception for all artists will be held Thursday, April 7 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. The Show will be held Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, April 8, 11, 12, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 10, from noon – 3:00 p.m.

Download PDF registration form for 2011 Art Show Entries

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Connecting through Dance at the Barber National Institute

Teenagers are excited to swing into spring with the second season of a popular dance program, but you won’t see it on TV. All of the excitement will be taking place at the Barber National Institute. Dance Connections is a ballroom dance class for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders that encourages social and communication skills.

The program, which was first offered last fall, will again be offered on six consecutive Thursday evenings starting March 31 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Following the pilot program that began last October, participants offered rave reviews. “When we began, all of the participants were very nervous and apprehensive,” says Dr. Maureen Barber-Carey, executive vice president of the Barber National Institute. “But the change even during that first class was remarkable. Now, the teenagers readily go up to partners and ask them to dance.”

Young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders daily face challenges with social interaction. Many find it difficult to initiate, develop, and maintain social relationships. Ballroom dancing gives them the opportunity for social development in a fun, supportive setting. It requires contact with a dance partner, and strengthens healthy lifestyles by encouraging exercise, communication, and of course, fun.

This program sponsored by the Barber National Institute is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. “This is a cutting-edge approach for adolescents on the autism spectrum,” says Dr. Joseph Barber, MD, who assisted in the fall program. “Because of the social interaction and the repetitive movements, it is a perfect match.”

The classes will once again be led by Connie Shoop of Connie’s Ballroom Dance, and are funded in part by a grant from the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation. The cost is $10 for six one-hour sessions. The class size is limited. Register by contacting Jessica Woods at (814) 878-5903 or JWoods@BarberInstitute.org.


Click here to watch a video from last year's class

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Grandparent Support Group Spring Meetings
Family and Community Support Services is once again offering Grandparent Autism Support Group meetings this spring. The first session will be held Thursday, April 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Institute (enter from East Bay Dr.) On this date we will welcome back grandparents who have attended in the past and welcome new faces to the group. Fred Chovan, Psychologist in the Elizabeth Lee Black School, will speak about living “Under the Autism Spectrum.”
Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month:	Click here for Fact flyer.
April 14 May 12 June 9 Sept. 8 Oct. 13 Nov. 10
(Note: Meetings will not be held in July and Aug.) For more information, or to be added to the mailing list, please call Family Support Services at 814-878-5961 or email JoyceMcDonnell@BarberInstitute.org.

Videoconference: Update on Diagnostic and Treatment Issues for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine will present updates on a number of areas related to Autism Spectrum Disorder on Wednesday, February 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. in the Barber National Institute’s videoconference room. Presentations will focus on a range of issues affecting infants to adolescents. A number of continuing education credits are available through this program. Preregistration is required at least two weeks prior to this event.

Click here to download a printable PDF version of the registration form.

Barber National Institute Library Media Center

The Library Media Center at the Barber National Institute offers a variety of books and other materials to children and adults within our services and to the general public. It is a great resource within our community and we welcome you to visit.

Our children’s collection includes: books, magazines, audiobooks, computer games, and videos.

We have an extensive collection of publications for physicians, educators, therapists, and parents on a number of disabilities such as autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. This includes professional journals and videos.

Our library also participates in Access PA, a program that allows us to search for and borrow materials from any library throughout the state, free of charge.

Library hours:

Monday through Thursday— 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Friday—  9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Click here for more information

Autism News: A Year in Review 2010

Staying up-to-date on current autism research and news is imperative for professionals, parents, and families. Geri Dawson, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of Autism Speaks, has compiled articles covering the most significant information presented within the past year pertaining to autism: Click Here to view.

Two Unique Services for Children & Adolescents with Autism

The Barber National Institute offers two unique programs to support children and families living with autism in our community.

Specialized Family Based Mental Health Services is an intensive, in-home therapy for children and their families.

Blended Case Management offers professional assistance to locate, advocate, and coordinate services that address the unique needs of children and teens with autism.

Adult Autism Connection

Adult Autism Connection offers adults with autism neuropsychiatric services designed to meet their unique needs.

Click here to read more...

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Universal Screenings for Autism

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends universal screenings for all children at age 18 and 24 months. Parents or professionals who may have questions or concerns about the signs and symptoms of autism are encouraged to click here to forward their questions to us. Also, we recommend that you click to autismspeaks.org for additional information, including video clips contrasting the behavior of typically developing children and children with autism. The Barber National Institute strongly supports the Academy's recommended treatment that includes at least 25 hours a week of intensive behavior-based therapy, including educational activities and speech therapy.

For the full reports issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, visit AAP.org

How to Identify if Your Child Should be Evaluated

Autism is a spectrum disorder, with symptoms that can range from mild to severe. While every situation must be considered on an individual basis, the American Academy of Pediatrics lists the following "red flags" that it considers to be absolute indications for immediate evaluation:

• No babbling or pointing or other gestures by 12 months
• No single words by 16 months
• No two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months
• Loss of language or social skills at any age

In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics lists the following "pre-speech deficits" that may warrant further evaluation:

• Lack of appropriate gaze
• Lack of warm, joyful expressions with gaze
• Lack of the alternating to-and-fro pattern of vocalization between infant and parent that usually occurs at approximately 6 months of age (infants with autism spectrum disorders usually continue vocalizing without regard for the parent's speech)
• Lack of recognition of mother (or father's or consistent caregiver's) voice
• Disregard for vocalizations (i.e. lack of response to name), yet keen awareness for environmental sounds
• Delayed onset of babbling past 9 months of age
• Decreased or absent use of prespeech gestures (waving, pointing, showing)
• Lack of expressions such as "oh oh" or "huh"
• Lack of interest or response of any kind to neutral statements (eg. "Oh no, it's raining again")
  
  

Autism is a neurological disorder that typically appears prior to three years of age. It occurs in as many as 1 in 150 children and is about four times more common in boys than in girls.

There are no medical tests for Autism. Children with Autistic Disorder are found in all cultures and socioeconomic levels.

Autism is a spectrum disorder. The symptoms and characteristics are present in different combinations and with different levels of severity. Autism is one of five Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The disorders in the Autism spectrum are: Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

The symptoms of Autism involve three major areas of development and impact a child's abilities to:

• Engage in reciprocal social interactions with others
• Communicate with others in developmentally appropriate ways
• Participate in a range of activities and interests typical for the child's age and stage of development

The causes of Autism are not yet known and there is no known cure. Early identification and intervention are keys to optimizing the development of each child. Click here to visit our FAQ's section.