Amid protest, U.S. backs vaccinations As thousands protested yesterday that childhood vaccines are unsafe, federal health officials emphasized that they're looking for any signs of a link between the shots and autism but that evidence supports the health benefits. Read More

Jim Carrey Marches On (E! Online) Not all the political action was happening with the presidential campaigns this week. Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy, along with thousands more, took part in the Green Our Vaccines march on Washington D.C. The event aimed to promote cleaner vaccines and to push for altering the current schedule for vaccinating children. Read More

Marching Over Vaccines And Autism (CBS News) Led by actors Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey, they're marching against the medical establishment that says there's no evidence vaccines cause autism, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook reports. Read More

Horse-riding program helps kids overcome disabilities (Michigan City, Ind.) Learning to walk independently is a milestone in every child's life. Lilly Petrella of Valparaiso is no exception, but her first steps came when she was 4 1/2 years old, after battling cerebral palsy since birth. Read More

Autistic children may benefit from bond with service dogs Maryville College and Wilderwood Service Dogs have partnered together to study potential benefits autistic children may receive from bonding with service dogs. Read More

Parent Protest Links Autism To Vaccines (Vancouver, Wash.) Miriam Mason is one of the local parents who'll join with thousands of others in our nation's capitol. They're there to represent the millions of American families who have children with autism... and many others who are concerned about the growing use - and potentially damaging effect - of vaccines on our children. Read More

Vaccinations, therapies add to mysteries of autism For the first 19 months of his life, Brett Weigel was a normal, happy, healthy boy, his mother said. But suddenly, Tracy Weigel said, her son "lost everything." There was no talking, no waving. Read More

Action for Autism: Defining the disorder is difficult Chances are, if you don't have a child with autism, you know one. Read More

Living to learn, learning to live: A lifetime of dealing with autism (Jefferson City, Mo.) All the small yet extremely celebrated successes in Chad Winkler's 22 years have led him to his biggest success yet: college graduation. Read More

Southeast student creates coloring book on autism (Sarasota, Fla.) A Southeast High School student, senior Katlin Kenney, made it her goal to inform others about autism. Read More

Dozens Ride for Autism (Jacksonville, Fla.) Dozens of bike riders came out early this Memorial Day to take part in the first annual "Ride With Me" autism fundraiser. Read More

How Safe Are Vaccines? (TIME) Life, if you're a bacterium or virus, boils down to this: finding a pristine human home to provide for your every need, from food and nutrients to shelter against biological storms. Read More

Researchers seek better clues to autism (Seattle, Wash.) When her toddler son seemed not to notice a door slamming nearby during his checkup, Jo James thought nothing of it. Her husband, a Microsoft manager, also has an uncanny ability to block out his surroundings. Read More

ROCKING OUT FOR AUTISM (Guelph, Canada) With statistics showing that rates of children being diagnosed with autism have increased tenfold in the past decade -- one in 150 in North America -- pressure is building to firmly address this mysterious and often misunderstood disease that impedes communication skills and behaviour development. Read More

Autism Doctor Answers Viewers' Questions (ABC News) Neurologist Dr. Fernando Miranda takes a radically different approach to behavioral disorders. Using high-tech scanning imagery he looks inside people's brains to diagnose and treat autism and attention deficit disorder. Read More

Brain Scans May Reveal Fewer Children Have Autism A simple brain scan may help determine whether a child has autism. Read More

Virtual pal a real help (Chicago, Ill.) For most kids, learning how to make conversation and to interpret people's thoughts and feelings comes naturally. But for 5-year-old Kelly Willuweit, who is autistic, basic social interaction is a challenge. Read More

Group draws attention to autism in Central Texas (Austin, Texas) A disorder affecting thousands of children nationwide has hit 3,000 in Central Texas alone. The American Academy of Pediatricians has recommended all children be tested for autism twice before age 3, and the academy has teamed up with one local group to do it. Read More

The Answers to Autism May Be Inside the Mind - ABC News On the front lines of autism treatment, things can get emotional, controversial and -- sometimes -- hopeful. Justin Senigar, left, was diagnosed with autism but his parents later found out he had a seizure disorder. One doctor in California is ... Read More

Infant Vaccines Produce Autism Symptoms in New Primate Study by ... - PR Newswire Findings released Friday showed that infant monkeys given vaccines officially recommended by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) exhibited autism-like symptoms. Lead investigator Laura ... Read More

Autism Study Links Repetitive Behavior Patterns to Brain Function Individuals with autism who exhibit repetitive behavior show reduced activity in brain regions normally responsible for attention and executive function, the processes that help organize our actions and behaviors, researchers at Hofstra, Duke, and the University of North Carolina report in the current issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry. Read More

Forum helps families respond to 'growing epidemic' of autism (Goshen, N.Y.) Parents of children with autism told a state Assembly hearing on the condition that they want and need more support. Read More

Missing Grand Rapids child with autism found safe (Grand Rapids, Mich.) A child with autism who walked away from her home Thursday evening was found safe and reunited with her parents about two hours later. Read More

Using Music To Explore The Neural Bases Of Emotional 'Processing' In The Autistic Brain Music has a universal ability to tap into our deepest emotions. Unfortunately, for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), understanding emotions is a very difficult task. Can music help them? Read More

How the Brain Detects the Emotions of Others (ABC News) People who are good at interpreting facial expressions have "mirror neuron" systems that are more active, say researchers. The finding adds weight to the idea that these cells are crucial to helping us figure out how others are feeling. Read More

Couple works to assure early intervention for autistic children (Olathe, Kansas) Diagnosed with autism at age 2, 9-year-old Kate Wasmer is now in a regular third grade classroom at Morse Elementary School in the Blue Valley School District. Read More

Families Will Make Case for Vaccine Link to Autism Families claiming that a mercury-based preservative in vaccines triggers autism will challenge mainstream medicine Monday as they take their case to a federal court. Read More

"Autism: The Musical" Premieres on DVD Musical documentary follows the lives of five children with autism. Documentary film Autism: The Musical, which premiered on HBO last March, is now available on DVD through Docurama Films.

VH1 Classic Rocks Autism The limited edition VH1 Classic Rock Autism t-shirt not only got its wearers noticed wherever they went this year sales of the shirt also raised $10,000 for the Autism Society of America. VH1 and rocker Sebastian Bach presented the check to ASA President and CEO Lee Grossman. Shirts are still available at rockautism.vh1classic.com. Each shirt comes with an informational card about autism, ASA and the Rock Autism initiative. The shirt is available in all men's, women's and children's sizes.

Online Autism Project Helps Parents Autism occurs in one out of every 150 births and experts predict in the next decade autism will affect up to 4 million Americans. Read More

Doctor plans to continue treating patients (Butler, Penn.) A doctor who had been accused of causing the death of a 5-year-old autistic boy through a controversial treatment said he plans to continue treating patients now that criminal charges have been dropped. Read more

Healing Power of Horses for Special Needs Children Read More

What's autism? Symptoms vary among people with disorder The gap between the reality and public image of autism is getting wider. Autism still inspires thoughts of Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man," gifted yet odd individuals who carry out pi to 1,000 places or recite "Moby-Dick" from memory. Read more

Goal is helping others to understand (West Hazleton, Penn.) Hair salon owner Kim Kuzma held a fundraiser to benefit Autism Speaks.   Read more

Healing Power of Horses for Special Needs Children Read More

Autism forum allows parents to have a say (Sacramento, Calif.) Parents of autistic children want answers, and in an unprecedented move, federal health officials will be in Sacramento on Saturday to ask how they can help provide them.   Read more

Study: Horseback Riding Good For Kids With Autism (Southwest Miami-Dade)
One in 150 kids is diagnosed with some form of autism and the numbers are growing. But the University of Miami, in conjunction with Good Hope Equestrian Training Center in South Miami-Dade, just wrapped up a research project that found children with autism improve with therapeutic horseback riding. Read More

Emissions, autism are linked, study says (Dallas, Texas) A possible link between mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and higher autism rates in Texas was the focus of a rally Wednesday outside the federal courthouse in Dallas.   Read more

Panel backs making insurers cover autism (Louisiana) A House committee Wednesday approved legislation that would require insurance coverage to pay for treating autism.   Read more

Checking links between vaccines and autism (Long Island, N.Y.)
Nassau County officials are looking at a potential link between children vaccines and autism. Read More

New Study Shows Link Between Mercury Exposure And Autism A new study shows a statistically significant link between industrial release of mercury and increased rates of autism in children at a time when more Americans are using compact fluorescent light bulbs that can release mercury if thrown in the trash instead of being carefully recycled.   Read more

Golf Tournament Supports Autism Organization (Greensboro, N.C.) The disorder affects a person's ability to understand what they see, hear and sense. An annual golf tournament helps raise money to support children with autism.   Read more

Therapy Unlocks Abilities (Watertown, N.Y.)
For most 3-year-olds, making eye contact or saying complete sentences may be routine, but for children with autism spectrum disorder, such as Michael E. White, those accomplishments are monumental. Read More

Rose Bowl event will raise funds for autism research (Pasadena, Calif.) Like many other parents of autistic children, Megan Browne of Sierra Madre couldn't quite put her finger on it but sensed something wasn't right with her son Kevin.   Read more

Doctors make advances against autism (New York)
Fourteen years ago, Eric Hollander was one of the psychiatrists who founded the Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine to offer specialized care for autism patients and conduct cutting-edge research on the disease.   Read More

Sesame Place plans day for children with autism (Middletown, Penn.) Children with autism and their families will have Sesame Place in Middletown all to themselves from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Best of all, it's free.   Read more

New Social Network for Moms Fighting Autism Launches In honor of autism awareness month, an Orange County man launches a social network called Moms Fighting Autism (www.momsfightingautism.com). The social network aims to connect moms of children with autism. Read more

Daylong autism conference to touch on diet, drugs (El Paso, Texas)
The Southwest Chapter of the Autism Society of America will present a daylong conference on autism called "Critical Connections: A Blended Approach to Treating Autism and Related Disorders."   Read More

Overcoming barriers to autism treatment (Pennsylvania) Autism is a lonely disease, often locking children in their own little worlds. The professionals and services that hold the key are often locked away as well by insurance companies that don't want to pay for the treatments.   Read more

Autism advocates to rally at Capitol (Michigan) Parents and autism advocates from across the state on Tuesday will channel their love and frustration into a state Capitol rally that highlights the need for insurance reform.   Read more

Furry friends aid autistic children (Carolinas)
Five-year-old Thomas Clement turned his attention away from the television while standing in the middle of his family's living room floor, then started flapping his arms and making noises.   Read More

The equine equation (Wilsonville, Ore.) Meeting new people sometimes scares Michael and Daniel Ballard, 5-year-old Oregon City twins who have autism. But horses they can handle. Last year, when their parents took them on a meet-and-greet to Forward Stride, a nonprofit therapeutic riding organization then in Wilsonville, the boys shocked their parents by petting the animals.   Read more

Weekend events aimed at families dealing with autism (Waco, Texas) A series of events designed to raise awareness about autism will be held this weekend in Waco.   Read more

Spring Hill Barnes and Noble hosts autism event (Spring Hill, Ill.) When you hear the word "autism," do you immediately think of Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man?" If so, you may have a misconception.   Read more

Mapping Genetic Abnormalities in Autism (Technology Review)
New tools could uncover subtle changes. A new project to study the brains of people with autism in unprecedented detail could finally pinpoint subtle neurological changes that underlie the disorder. Researchers will use an innovative set of tools developed to study gene expression to analyze exactly where early brain development goes awry.   Read More

Hundreds Walk to Raise Awareness for Autism in Lehigh Valley (Pennsylvania) Volunteers in the Lehigh Valley are stepping out and walking to fight autism. Hundreds of people packed the parkway to walk or run the more than three mile trail. The event is part of Autism Speaks' "Walk Now for Autism" fundraiser.   Read more

Father: Child's case shifts autism debate
Autism in the U.S. has reached epidemic levels, at 1 in 150 children. Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has recently upgraded autism to "an urgent health threat." The most contentious issue of the autism debate is the link to routine childhood vaccines. My daughter's case, Hannah Poling v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has changed this debate forever. Hannah has pointed us in a new and promising direction -- the mitochondria.   Read More

Columbia University Begins Search For Causes Of Autism International Effort Considered Groundbreaking Columbia University researchers are involved in a multi-site consortium to gather and bank DNA samples from 2,000 autism patients and their families over the next three years.   Read more

Premature births, autism signs linked
A small study of toddlers finds that about one-quarter of babies born very prematurely had signs of autism on an early screening test.   Read More

Autism Diagnosis Runs In Families While researchers still know very little about autism and its causes, they do know there seems to be a genetic link.   Read more

Autism: Looking for Clues in the Brain Dr. Eric Courchesne and Dr. Karen Pierce at the University of California Autism Center are looking for abnormalities in the brains of young infants who develop autism.   Read more

Conference focuses on autism Imagine what it might be like if going inside a Wal-Mart felt like being trapped inside the speaker at a rock concert. This is how Dr. Temple Grandin, a well-known author and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, describes the way going into a store feels to her.   Read more

Bouncing For Autism In April April is Autism Awareness Month. In effort to raise awareness, the Autism Society of America (ASA) is running "Bounce for Autism" events around the country. Marguerite Colston of the ASA explains.   Read more

Crist, Marino want insurance companies to cover autism treatments (Tallahassee, Fla.)
Gov. Charlie Crist and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino spoke strongly in favor of legislation Wednesday that would require insurance companies to cover autism screenings and treatment.   Read More

Bills address autism rates (Sacramento, Calif.) Even as budgets are facing drastic cuts, Democratic legislative leaders said Wednesday that services for autistic children must continue to grow.   Read more

California Democrats push bills to fight spread of autism Undeterred by the state's budget woes, Democratic lawmakers Wednesday unveiled eight bills to address the dramatic rise in diagnosis of children with autism.   Read more

First global Autism Awareness Day tomorrow
First World Autism Awareness Day will be observed across the globe on Wednesday. Several organizations are organizing various programs in order to create awareness regarding the issue across the country.   Read More

Stars line up for autism benefit Kelsey Grammer, Ben Stiller, Maroon 5 and The Roots are the latest celebrities booked to appear at a New York City benefit for autism education.  
Read more

Groups take measures to inform public about autism (S.C.) April is Autism Awareness Month and a few local groups are taking measures to inform the community about a disease that is often misconstrued.   Read more

FOR WORLD AUTISM DAY: APRIL 2 - Jenny McCarthy & David Kirby for a full hour on LARRY KING LIVE
On World Autism Day, the controversy over vaccines! Do they contribute to autism, or is there a greater risk going without? Actress and mother of an autistic child, Jenny McCarthy, debates the issue with medical professionals.   Click here for show times and more info

Barnes & Noble helps promote Autism Awareness Month  with special events in April Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism advocacy organization, has announced a series of national and local initiatives intended to help increase awareness about autism and increase fundraising efforts during Autism Awareness Month in April.   Read more

The Next Big Autism Bomb: Are 1 in 50 Kids Potentially At Risk?   Read more

CSU's Grandin to discuss autism (Colorado)
Temple Grandin, an internationally known professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University, will speak at the University of Northern Colorado on Monday night.   Read more

Autism education focus of two-day symposium (Arkansas)
Having parents partner with teachers is an effective way to teach children with autism, a panel of autism experts said Thursday.   Read more

School teachers, therapists uninformed of learning disabilities: teachers union (NYC)
Teachers and therapists at nearly a third of the city's 1,400 schools were not properly informed about learning disabilities and other student problems in their classrooms.   Read more

The Costs of Autism (Florida)
It's estimated by the Centers for Disease Control that a new case of autism is diagnosed every twenty minutes in the United States. Researchers have found that early intervention can play a major role in the development of a child with autism. But many families wonder how they'll be able to afford what their child needs. That's what one family in Delray Beach is facing.   Read more

Chevrolet Supports Autism Speaks' Efforts to Boost Awareness and Raise Funds for Autism Research
Chevrolet Supports Autism Speaks' Efforts to Boost Awareness and Raise Funds for Autism Research Autism Speaks and Chevrolet on March 26 announced a month-long promotion to help generate up to $1 million for the non-profit organization and create greater awareness of autism, a disorder that is now diagnosed in one in every 150 children. Visit www.chevrolet.com/autismspeaks/.  Read more

The preventive edge of autism research (Seattle, Wash.)
From head size to birthday home videos, researchers at the University of Washington's renowned Autism Center have found early signs of the condition in some unusual places. Now they are bringing their innovative methods to a bold new study on autism prevention.   Read more

The Words Within
It's a lifelong disorder with no known cause or cure. Autism spectrum disorder affects approximately one in 150 children in North America - and the rates of diagnosis are steadily rising. Despite its prevalence, the disorder has long remained a mystery to all but those afflicted.  Read more

FAU Mommy & Me Autism Course (Boca Raton, Fla.)
WPTV is beginning an unprecedented weeklong look at autism, a neurological disorder that has no known cause or cure, and is affecting a growing number of children in South Florida and across the entire country. News Channel 5 first highlights a special program in Boca Raton that helps both autistic children and their parents.  Read more

Therapy through play is game plan for Abbeville firm
The shortest distance between two points is not always a straight line. Sometimes it is a whirly swing ride, a bounce on a trampoline, or a trip through a twisty tunnel slide into a colorful ball pit.  Read more

World Autism Day: Obama, Clinton & McCain urged to speak out
World Autism Awareness Day falls on Wednesday 2nd April. The United Nations General Assembly in New York will mark this historic day called for by the State of Qatar. Events are now being organized across the United States of America and around the world. There are 60 million people with autism around the world, many suffer without access to public services.   Read more

Autism: The Musical" makes heartfelt connection
The format is as old as show business: Hey, kids, let's put on a show. Watch behind- the-scenes drama and the tedium and hard work of rehearsals as a theatrical production takes shape. This time, however, let's do it with children who can't stand still or make eye contact. "Autism: The Musical," a moving and uplifting documentary that's as surprising as its title, chronicles the making of that show.  Read more

Autism: Expanding the promise
Nearly 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with autism. It is the fastest growing developmental disability in the US but also one of the most under-assisted.  Read more

Gene for brain connections linked with autism
A gene that helps the brain make connections may underlie a significant number of autism cases, researchers in the United States reported on Tuesday.   Read more

Autism Speaks, the nation's leading autism advocacy organization, and The Bachman Company announces their "Puzzle Pretzel" line.
The all-natural pretzels come in the shape of the Autism Speaks puzzle piece logo. It will be available in stores across the Northeast in the coming days . Five percent of all sales will benefit Autism Speaks, which is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism and raising funds for autism research.  Read more

Walgreens corporate manager touts company's efforts to hire people with disabilities (Terre Haute, Ind.)
Walgreens hires people based on their abilities. Sounds simple enough, but the retail giant has taken that statement to another level by making a conscious effort to hire people with disabilities.  Read more

Mice could provide clues to autistic behaviors; Stanford researcher says
Scientists have developed a new mouse model to help illuminate the vagaries of autism, according to a study from a Stanford University School of Medicine researcher and other colleagues.   Read more

First-Ever Internet Autism PSA Aims to Unite Online Users
The Early Intervention Network has launched an online public service announcement campaign that allows Internet users worldwide to play a role in raising awareness of autism's earliest warning signs during national Autism Awareness month in April.  Read more

Health insurance gets a closer look in Florida
Erica Kinsey knew something was wrong with her baby shortly after he was born. Davis had frequent, bloody bowel movements, and extreme gas caused him to scream with pain. She discovered her son had a severe milk protein allergy that caused ulcers in the baby's intestines. The solution was a special amino acid-based formula. But her insurance company gave her a difficult choice.  Read more

U.S. Health Officials Back Off Preference for New MMRV Vaccine (Washington Post)
U.S. health officials are no longer recommending the combination MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine over the MMR vaccine and a separate varicella vaccine for kids.   Read more

Walk Now for Autism planning begins, volunteers needed (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
Planning for the third annual Walk Now for Autism has begun, and organizers are looking for volunteers to help. The walk will be in Foster Park on September 27.  Read more

Autism walk, fundraiser seeking participants, sponsors (Reno, Nev.)
The Autism Coalition of Nevada is holding its "Spring Forward for Autism" walk on April 19. The run will begin at 9 a.m. at UNR's Mackay Stadium. The walk begins at 10 a.m. All proceeds from the event go towards treatment of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other neurodevelopment disorders.  Read more

Autism and other disorders, co-exist
Many individuals with autism have also been diagnosed with another disorder.   Read more

Autism settlement raises worry about vaccines
Autism settlement raises worry about vaccines; some parents opt to not give their kids shots Last week, the federal government agreed to compensate the family of a 9-year-old autistic girl in Athens, reviving fears among some parents that childhood vaccines may trigger autism.   Read more

Identical Twins Have Identical DNA
It is a basic tenet of human biology, taught in grade schools everywhere: Identical twins come from the same fertilized egg and, thus, share identical genetic profiles. But according to new research, though identical twins share very similar genes, identical they are not. The discovery opens a new understanding of why two people who hail from the same embryo can differ in phenotype, as biologists refer to a person's physical manifestation.  Read more

Comedians to gather for autism benefit - New York
After being surrounded by the dramatic heavyweight stars of the Oscars, Jon Stewart will play host again, this time amid a bevy of comedians. Stewart will host the second biannual "Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education" on April 13 at the Beacon Theater in New York. The show will air live on Comedy Central (8 p.m. EST).   Read more

Zebra fish give clues to autism
An old painting from one of UT Associate Professor of Pharmacology Fred Williams' kids hangs proudly on his office door. It's a reminder of why he's researching zebra fish. Williams' kids have autism. "Autism is a developmental disorder," he said. What Williams is trying to do is determine through his collection of fish if autism has a link to processing metal.  Read more

Case Stokes Debate About Autism, Vaccines (NPR.com)
The federal government has agreed to award damages from a special vaccine compensation fund to the family of a girl with symptoms of autism. Officials deny they are admitting a link between vaccines and autism, but autism activists are using the case to back up their claims about vaccine dangers.   Read more

Autism Speaks:
Barnes & Noble stores are working with the Autism Speaks organization to conduct story-time events in April as part of Autism Awareness Month.  Read more

Maternal antibodies may cause autism
A group of researchers at Hopkins has found evidence that a mother's immune system might trigger the eventual development of autism in her child.  Read more

Case renews debate on vaccine-autism link (AP)
Government health officials have conceded that childhood vaccines worsened a rare, underlying disorder that ultimately led to autism-like symptoms in a Georgia girl, and that she should be paid from a federal vaccine-injury fund. A lawyer for the 9-year-old girl has scheduled a news conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday. CNN Larry King Live tentatively scheduled a family interview on this landmark case on March 6th.
Please check Larry King website for an announcement & viewing times.   Read more

Lawmakers Consider New Autism Bill
There may be some relief for families coping with the skyrocketing price of autism treatments. Beginning Thursday, the state Legislature will consider a bill requiring health insurance companies to cover treatments related to autism, something those insurance companies are likely to protest.  Read more

SADLER TO AUCTION RACE HELMET FOR HERMIE AND ELLIOTT SADLER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION TO BENEFIT AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH STATESVILLE, N.C. (April 10, 2007)
It's not everyday that NASCAR fans have the opportunity to purchase something that was worn by their favorite driver. But this April, fans will get that chance as Elliott Sadler auctions off his race-used helmet.   Read more

Obama and Clinton Respond to ACHAMP Questions
Last December A-CHAMP began a campaign to obtain answers from all the presidential candidates to their autism issues questionnaire. They have received responses from Senators Obama, Clinton, Biden and Dodd.  Read more

Autism bill put on hold
A bill that would have forced health insurance companies to provide coverage for autism has been downgraded to a study resolution, upsetting autism advocates and a state lawmaker who championed the measure.   Read more

UA researchers on team that sees link of autism to brain deficiency, inability to perceive self (Birmingham, Ala.)
Researchers are linking autism to a specific area of the brain and learning that the condition is marked by a person's lack of self-awareness. The findings, by a team that included researchers from the University of Alabama, are changing long-held concepts about the condition, which affects more than a million Americans.  Read more

Families expand autism group (Lacey, Wash.)  Read more

Illness in fetus linked to mother's immune reaction
Causes of autism remain largely a mystery, but Johns Hopkins researchers have found another likely culprit. In rare cases, brain cells from a fetus may migrate into the mother, triggering an immune reaction linked to autism, the Hopkins researchers reported.  Read more

Toys 'R' Us kicks off second-annual autism fundraiser
This weekend Toys 'R' Us will kick off its second-annual fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks, the US's leading organization dedicated to facilitating research into the condition.
Read more

Hundreds Rally For Autism Insurance Coverage At State Capitol  Read more

Web Site Can Help Parents Spot Autism's Red Flags (ABC 7, Denver)
This year, more than 24,000 children will be diagnosed with autism. Autism is a complex neurological disorder and is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders called autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).   Read more

Group Applauds Retailer for Pulling Ads From Big Brother (Clearwater, Fla.)
Family Network on Disabilities of Florida (FND) is today applauding the action of Lowe's, the home improvement company. Lowe's announced that they are pulling their advertising from the CBS show Big Brother because of the use of a slur against persons with disabilities by one of the contestants.  Read more

Senate to vote on autism bill Tuesday (Wis.)
Parents of children with autism are crossing their fingers as they wait for the state Legislature to do something about insurance coverage for their children's treatment. A bill before the state Senate would require health insurance policies - as well as self-insured governmental and school district health plans - to cover the cost of treatment for autism, Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.   Read more

HelpYourAutisticChild.com Launches Blog for Parents of Autistic Children
Mike Worthley of www.HelpYourAutisticChild.com has been offering educational aids for parents of autistic children for over a year.  Read more

Exploring the senses (Greensburg, Penn.)
Jamie Beers likes to relax in the "sensory room" that recently opened in Greensburg.  Read more

Autism project takes aim at genetic markers (Columbia, Mo.)
Researchers at the University of Missouri are joining a national effort to find out why some children have autism even though no member of their extended family suffers from the disorder.   Read more

Antibody studies show autism link
Abnormal antibodies in maternal blood that bind to fetal brain cells may contribute to the development of autism, according to two new studies from the MIND Institute at the University of California, Davis.   Read more

Aquariums May Help Kids With Autism   Read more

Babies With an Autistic Sibling Wanted for UW Study (Kitsap, Wash.)
Baby brothers and sisters of autistic children are needed for a new University of Washington study searching for very early signs of the disorder. The research at the UW Autism Center aims to find clues in the brains of siblings, who are at an elevated risk of developing the disorder.   Read more

Amid Growing Need, Training for Special Education Aides Lacking (San Diego, Calif.)
For 30 years, teacher assistant Joyce Fullylove has tended to kids with learning disabilities, taking direction from a classroom teacher.  Read more

Autism group demands apology from CBS New Research on Autism Raises More Questions
NEW YORK - A national autism group is demanding an apology from CBS over a disparaging remark a contestant on the reality show "Big Brother" made about people with the disorder.   Read more

Few Tenn. teachers have autism training.   Read more

UA researchers help devise autism test (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Diagnosing autism early in a child's life can be difficult and is usually done by observation and conversation with parents. Researchers have been looking for some sort of measurable, distinguishable trait in the brain to show some degree of the neurological disorder, and a team of researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Alabama believe they found one.   Read more

New Research on Autism Raises More Questions
What causes autism is a question that still looms among doctors and experts, but this latest report has created more insight into this mysterious disorder.   Read more

UA researchers help devise autism test (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Diagnosing autism early in a child's life can be difficult and is usually done by observation and conversation with parents. Researchers have been looking for some sort of measurable, distinguishable trait in the brain to show some degree of the neurological disorder, and a team of researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Alabama believe they found one.  Read more

New Research on Autism Raises More Questions
What causes autism is a question that still looms among doctors and experts, but this latest report has created more insight into this mysterious disorder. It's an uplifting hour with those who know! 
Read more

Music's magic enchants many (California)
Bobbie Brown knows the power of music. Five years ago she started bringing music into a pre-school classroom for children diagnosed with autism spectrum.  Read more

Autistic kids' parents persuade panel to advance bill mandating coverage (Tucson, Ariz)
Four parents of autistic children, with other parents and their children in the audience, urged lawmakers Thursday to require health insurance to cover autism treatments that they said can lead to dramatic improvements.  Read more

Antibodies may be risk factor for autism. A reaction between fetal brain cells and maternal antibodies may be linked to autistic behaviors, a U.S. study finds.  Read more

Larry King-Thursday Feb 14th- The heartbreak ...and hope of autism. Holly Robinson Peete, Doug Flutie and Toni Braxton join the discussion to bust myths and present breakthroughs. It's an uplifting hour with those who know!  Read more

Some Cases Of Autism May Be Traced To The Immune System Of Mothers During Pregnancy (ScienceDaily)   Read more

Pensacola's Sacred Heart Hospital Takes First Step to Establish
Center for Autism (PENSACOLA, Fla.)
Sacred Heart Hospital has announced plans to create an Autism Center in Pensacola to improve assessment and intervention services for children with autism-related disorders and to create new support services for parents and teachers.   Read more

Red Flag For Autism
This year, more than 24-thousand kids in the U-S will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder -- an umbrella term for a variety of disorders including autism.   Read more

An Autism "Valentine" on Larry King (About.com)
If you're looking for a positive slant on autism, you may find it on Larry King Live this Thursday, February 14. Larry's invited autism celebs, including Holly Robinson Peete, Doug Flutie and Toni Braxton, to talk about autism on Valentine's day. He's also invited Jason McElwain, the young man with an autism spectrum diagnosis who made a tricky basketball shot and won the heart of the world.   Read more

Melatonin Shows Promise for Improving Sleep Problems In Children with Autism
A new study published in the Journal of Child Neurology has found that melatonin supplements are well-tolerated and show promise for improving sleep in children with autism.  Read more

Registration Now Open for ASA's Day on the Hill 2008
(Autism Society of America) ASA will host its 2008 Day on
Capitol Hill March 12-13 to increase awareness and understanding of autism.   Read more

Brain Signal Linked to Autism (Technology Review)
Imaging the brain during social interaction reveals a deficit that may be tied to a sense of self.
Read more

Families sue to get autism therapists into school (Mississauga News)
A Mississauga woman fighting to have her eight-year-old autistic son attend school, accompanied by his therapist, is taking her case to the Ontario Court of Appeal on Monday morning.  Read more

New approach to genetic diagnosis in autism (Medical Condition News)
A practical, stepwise approach to diagnosing genetic causes of autism and related disorders is proposed in the January issue of Genetics in Medicine.  Read more

Family's Struggle: All Six Kids Are Autistic
Autism is a difficult diagnosis for any parent. For Robin and John Kirton, it's difficulty times six.
Read more

Brain study suggests way to measure, treat Autism
Researchers have pinpointed subtle deficits in the brains of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)  Read more

Poor recognition of "self" found in higher functioning people with autism   Read more

Study Warns of Chemicals in Baby Items - 2008-02-08 CHICAGO (AP) — Baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems, a small study suggests.  Read more

Cover vaccine-autism link endures - 2008-02-02 The belief that routine childhood vaccines can lead to autism remains one of the most stubbornly enduring. The mainstream medical community insists there is no evidence to support the theory, and cite study after study that have found no link.  Read more

Eli Stone: It's not about autism - 2008-01-30
Unlike officials at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and many pro-vaccination bloggers, I've had a chance to preview the entire pilot episode of ABC's fictional dramedy "Eli Stone."   Read more

Wayne, New Jersey based Toys 'R' Us is pairing up with Autism Speaks for the second year  Read more

Expert to speak on Autism ‘cure’  Read more

Special Dogs Help Children with Autism on the First Coast (Yulee, Fla.)  Read more

Program helps special-needs students (Salem, Ore).   Read more