Autism describes a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. It is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. [AS] Advocates around the world are asking that we go beyond awareness to understanding and acceptance of those children and adults struggling with Autism Spectrum Disorders. To this end, the 4th Annual World Autism Awareness Day will be celebrated on April 2. As part of this initiative Creative Tutors is providing links to some of the most current research on ASD and resources for parents.

Follow up:

Latest research on autism...
Interactive Game Helps Autistic Children Recognize Emotions, Study Suggests ScienceDaily (Mar. 5, 2011) Children with autism spectrum disorders are better able to recognize faces, facial expressions and emotions with the help of an interactive computer program called FaceSay, according to newly published research from psychologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "The software features interactive games that let children with ASD practice recognizing the facial expressions of an avatar," says Maria Hopkins, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences.

Interest in Toys Predicts Effectiveness of Autism Treatment in Toddlers ScienceDaily (Mar. 23, 2011) Parents often detect autism symptoms when their children reach about 17 to 18 months old. Few autism interventions focus on toddlers - children aged 1 to 3 - and those that do can be time-intensive and expensive. The researchers wanted to study the effectiveness of a short-term, relatively low-cost intervention for toddlers showing warning signs.

Latest Research Studies on Autism Spectrum Disorders 100 of the latest research studies on autism spectrum disorders which have been published in peer-reviewed journals published in English.

Serotonin Plays Role in Many Autism Cases, Studies Confirm ScienceDaily (Feb. 24, 2011)  In a recent paper in the Journal of Neurochemistry, Dr. Gould and colleagues showed that a medication called buspirone improved the social behaviors of mice. Social interaction behaviors of the mice were measured by placing them in a three-chamber social interaction test and positioning a "stranger" mouse in one of the chambers. Buspirone-treated mice spent more time in the chamber with the stranger mouse than untreated mice and more time sniffing the stranger.

TOP 10 Science Autism Research Achievements of 2010 The pool of significant advances in autism science in 2010 suggests that scientists and clinicians are indeed up to the challenge. Highlighted are 10 of these advances, which include improved treatments and better means of screening for ASD, new clinical care guidelines and a greater insight into the underlying biology of autism.

Using EEGs to Diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infants: Machine-Learning System Finds Differences in Brain Connectivity ScienceDaily (Feb. 23, 2011) EEGs may provide a safe, practical way of identifying infants at high risk for developing autism by capturing very early differences in brain organization and function. This would allow parents to begin behavioral interventions one to two years before autism can be diagnosed through traditional behavioral testing.

People with autism 'have problem with self-awareness' Scientists have produced evidence that self-awareness is a big problem for people with autism. Sophisticated scans showed the brains of people with autism are less active when engaged in self-reflective thought.

Resources...

• arc: autism research centre
• Autism Speaks: Science News
• Autism Understanding and Acceptance on Facebook
• AutismWeb
• Masters In Health Care: 100 Useful Sites, Networks and Resources for Parents of Autistic Children
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Autism Fact Sheet
• Natural Learning Concepts: Best Selling Tools for Autism and Special Needs
• Science Daily: Autism News

Sources:
Autism Speaks: What is autism?