P.L.A.Y. Project: Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters

Easter Seals and Autism » Blog Archive » Studying the P.L.A.Y. Project

The P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) is conducting a two-year, randomized, controlled, and blinded clinical trial on the effectiveness of The P.L.A.Y. Project model of intervention. We at Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington are pleased to be one of the five Easter Seals affiliates participating.

With research-design guidance from Michigan State University, and community-outreach support from Easter Seals, the study compares the outcomes of 60 children who participate in The P.L.A.Y. Project with the outcomes of 60 children who receive standard, community interventions, making it the largest study of its kind.

Before and after the 12-month intervention, each child is assessed with a battery of tests to measure developmental level, speech and language, sensory-motor profile, and social skills. Year one preliminary results are very promising for the first 60 children involved in the study. Parents participating in The P.L.A.Y. Project reported 15-20 hours per week engaged interaction, and recorded observations demonstrate that the parents:

• were responsive to child’s cues,
• followed the child’s lead, and
• effectively elicited back-and-forth interaction.

An added benefit: parents involved in the P.L.A.Y. project suffered less stress and depression over time. In respect to child-specific progress, scores on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, or ADOS, showed significant improvement in the intervention group’s severity of autism symptoms. That said, there were little significant differences in IQ scores between the study and control groups.

Year two of The P.L.A.Y. Project study will end later this spring, and additional study results will be available in the next year. Until then, if you have questions about our participation in The P.L.A.Y. study, you can contact Easter Seals in Peoria at 309-686-1177 or Bloomington at 309.663-8375.

More @ http://autismblog.easterseals.com/studying-the-p-l-a-y-project/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EasterSealsAutismBlog+%28Easter+Seals%27+Autism+Blog%29

Related: http://www.playproject.org/

Bacteria in the gut of children with autism different

Bacteria in the gut of autistic children different from non-autistic children

Bacteria belonging to the group Sutterella represented a relatively large proportion of the microorganisms found in 12 of 23 tissue samples from the guts of autistic children, but these organisms were not detected in any samples from non-autistic children. Why this organism is present only in autistic kids with gastrointestinal problems and not in unaffected kids is unclear. More @ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109211825.htm

Meadowlands hospital neuroscientist fired over controversial autism treatment | NJ.com

Meadowlands hospital neuroscientist fired over controversial autism treatment | NJ.com

SECAUCUS — The neuroscientist who would have overseen a controversial therapy for children with autism has been fired by Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus and, in a separate action, his nomination to a state commission on brain research has been delayed.

Philip DeFina was part of an ambitious plan by Meadowlands to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to children diagnosed with autism. The therapy, typically used to treat burns and other wounds by energizing dying tissue, required approval from the state Department of Health and Senior Services. Meadowlands would have been the first hospital in the state to offer the experimental treatment.

More @ http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/meadowlands_hospital_neuroscie.html

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Simplified Approach by Daniel Rossignol, MD, & Richard Frye, MD, PhD

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Simplified Approach by Daniel Rossignol, MD, & R...

Buspar for Autism? (buspirone hydrochloride,Vanspar)

Autism Therapy: Buspar (buspirone hydrochloride) | Healing Thresholds

Autism Therapy: Buspar (buspirone hydrochloride)
definition of Buspar (buspirone hydrochloride): Buspar® is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for short-term relief of more severe symptoms of anxiety. Buspirone may be prescribed off-label for people with autism to help reduce anxiety and aggression and to help improve behaviors. Buspirone has helped improve behaviors in some people with autism. This medication is currently being tested in children and adults with autism.

Response Interruption/Redirection (RIR)

Response Interruption/Redirection | autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu

OVERVIEW: Response interruption/redirection (RIR) is an evidence-based practice used to decrease interfering behaviors, predominantly those that are repetitive, stereotypical, and/or self-injurious. RIR often is implemented after a functional behavior assessment (FBA) has been conducted to identify the function of the interfering behavior. RIR is particularly useful with persistent interfering behaviors that occur in the absence of other people, in a number of different settings, and during a variety of tasks. These behaviors often are not maintained by attention or escape. Instead, they are more likely maintained by sensory reinforcement and are often resistant to intervention attempts. RIR is particularly effective with sensory-maintained behaviors because teachers/practitioners interrupt learners from engaging in interfering behaviors and redirect them to more appropriate, alternative behaviors.

Gaming treatment for autism

Gaming treatment for autism used in Issaquah - KAYU

One in every 110 kids in the United States have autism, but the Lakeside Center for Autism in Issaquah is turning technology into treatment.

"It`s always a barrier for our kids with autism to connect socially and with peers especially," said Lakeside counselor Peiera Miller.

That's where the Kinect comes in. The gaming system is helping to teach basic skills most of us take for granted.

When Landon Kacatin arrived at Lakeside three years ago, he wasn't talking. "He's OK with adults, but with children that's very difficult for him; he would avoid it all the time," said his mother, Laconia Kacatin.

After just a year of playing games on the Kinect, Landon isn't just talking to other kids, he's rooting for them.

More @ http://www.myfoxspokane.com/news/kcpq-gaming-treatment-for-autism-used-in-issaquah-20111207,0,6183377.story

CM-AT Trial Targeting Core Symptoms of Autism

Autism Jabberwocky: First Drug Targeting Core Symptoms of Autism Nears?

Curemark LLC Reports Positive Phase III Results of CM-AT In Children With Autism
Wednesday, December 7th - 2011

RYE, New York, Dec. 7, 2011 – Curemark LLC, a Rye, New York-based drug research and development company, today announced that its Phase III double blind randomized placebo controlled multicenter clinical trial of CM-AT for autism met its primary and secondary endpoints. The trial compared CM-AT to placebo in children with autism aged 3 – 8. Top line results demonstrate a statistically significant effect of CM-AT over placebo on both core and non-core symptoms of autism. Analysis of the full trial data is ongoing and the results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.

“We are extremely pleased with the results of our trial,” said Dr. Joan Fallon, CEO of Curemark. “We wish to thank all the children and their parents who participated in the study, and look forward to a full review of the data by the FDA.”

CM-AT has been granted Fast Track status by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The fast track programs of the Food and Drug Administration are designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new drugs that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs.

Acupuncture for Autism?

Acupuncture for Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Background. There has been lack of reviews of evidence on efficacy, methodology, and/or safety of acupuncture in autism spectrum disorders. This paper examines the emerging evidence of the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of autistic children. Method. A literature review was completed via Medline and three Chinese search engines. A total of 31 studies were evaluated for acupuncture methodology, study design, treatment effects, and tolerability. Results. The acupoints used, the duration of needling, the frequency of treatment, the choice of stimulation, and the course of the treatment were highly variable amongst the studies. Behavioral and/or developmental improvements were reported in all acupuncture treatment studies. All studies reported general tolerability. Weakness of experimental designs was discussed. Conclusions. Vigorously controlled double-blinded clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in children with autism spectrum disorders.