Autism

[HomoSapiens]

I have aspergers. I am lonely 16 years old person. Doesn't know i have friends and doesn't get a girlfriend because i have aspergers. :S

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by HomoSapiens

I have aspergers. I am lonely 16 years old person. Doesn't know i have friends and doesn't get a girlfriend because i have aspergers. :S

You have plenty of time to change and develop
Learning social skills is hard but not impossible
You might need the help of a therapist

Aspergers can also be a gift heping you to focus on one area of knowledge and become expert in it
My cousin (with 10 kids) says all males are aspergers. to some extent or another. I think she is right

Few 16 YOds have a girlfriend. Try a subscription to Playboy!

[Michaelangelica]

A Few Amazing Brains: Geniuses with Savant Syndrome
11/28/2007
A Few Amazing Brains: Geniuses with Savant Syndrome,good,news,good news,positive,positive-news,good news media, inspiring stories,green news,health news,family news,heroes,pets,celebrities,Inspirational Story, Good News, Inspirational Message, Daily
Let me know if videos are good.

[Michaelangelica]

Autistic Children May Have Abnormal Functioning Of Mirror Neuron System

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2007) — Using a novel imaging technique to study autistic children, researchers have found increased gray matter in the brain areas that govern social processing and learning by observation.

Autistic Children May Have Abnormal Functioning Of Mirror Neuron System

[Turtle]

Charlie Rose is doing some interviews with specialists on brain science & mental illness. Here's a link, but the video is not available yet as the show just aired.
Charlie Rose Science Series: From Potential of the Mind to Diseases of the Brain - Charlie Rose

At any rate, one of the Doctors said there is some new evidence that autism may result from sperm deformities that occur with aging. This bears on why autism is on the rise, because men are waiting longer to start families.

The entire show is an excellent primer on the current state of brain science.

[Michaelangelica]

Thanks; that sounds like a great site.

There seem to be plenty of theories for causes and treatments.
One specialist said everything he tried worked to some extent, even Homoeopathy.
This is one of the latest theories
How Cell Phones May Cause Autism - Articles

How Cell Phones May Cause Autism

If you want, there is a course available on Autism SD

Virtual Symposium on Autism
From the 2006 U.S. Psychiatric & Mental Health Congress

Learn the latest developments in in treating autism, and earn CME credit—online.

Exploring Optimal Treatment Options in Childhood Autism identifies the behavioural symptoms of autism, outlines current diagnostic approaches to the autistic child, and explains how to integrate pharmacotherapy with behavioral therapy to achieve optimal outcomes in patients.

This user-friendly program includes audio and video presentations, and is accessible from any Web-connected computer.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

Thanks; that sounds like a great site.

There seem to be plenty of theories for causes and treatments.
One specialist said everything he tried worked to some extent, even Homoeopathy.
This is one of the latest theories
How Cell Phones May Cause Autism - Articles

If you want, there is a course available on Autism SD

No worries. I can't get the cell phone page to load just now, but any such explanation is only fitting for the time since that technology came about. Autism is not new, and laying any technology as its cause is fraught with logical peril. The panel on the program also give some insight into adult autism, which is currently out of the spotlight as it has shifted to the increasing occurance in children. You can watch the program and make your own assessment of the authority of the panel and how new their information is.

[Turtle]

Researchers have identified a gene significantly correlated to autism.

BBC NEWS | Health | Autism gene breakthrough hailed

Originally Posted by BBC

...Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioural challenges.

Scientists have long suspected that errors in a person's genetic blueprint play a part in autism.

Genetic code, DNA, is packaged in cells in the form of chromosomes, which are made up of strings of genes.

Experts have now located a region of one chromosome - 11p - and a gene called neurexin 1.

[Michaelangelica]

Images offer autism insight

Sarah Price
January 6, 2008

BRAIN scans are delivering a new perspective on autism and Asperger syndrome, providing a greater understanding of what is behind the characteristic repetitive behaviour.

Professor Florence Levy, from the University of NSW's school of psychiatry, said the scans could help lead to better, more targeted treatment.

An estimated 120,000 Australians live with autism or Asperger syndrome.

Images offer autism insight - National - smh.com.au



This lady is fascinating, functioning at a high level with autism
I had a bit of trouble downloading the audio, but there are many other references to her work if you google her name.

A Conversation with Temple Grandin

Listen Now [34 min 38 sec] add to playlist

Talk of the Nation, January 20, 2006 · Animal scientist Temple Grandin says autism helps her see things as animals do. Grandin talks about her work designing humane slaughter systems for animals, and her unique way of looking at the world.

Related NPR Stories

NPR : A Conversation with Temple Grandin

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

This lady is fascinating, functioning at a high level with autism
I had a bit of trouble downloading the audio, but there are many other references to her work if you google her name.

NPR : A Conversation with Temple Grandin

She is familiar to me. I read about her years ago. She designed gates that hold the cattle closely around the mid section. Much like wrapping an infant tightly around a baby will relax them, the tightness the cattle feel around the belly and rib arera soothes them, and makes the process of slaughter orders of magnitude less stressful. Something about being held tightly (but, not too tightly) is calming.