D-Cycloserine and Autism

Low-Dose D-cycloserine Ineffective for Social Withdrawal Symptoms in Children With Autism: Presented at AACAP

By Laura Gater

CHICAGO, Ill -- October 31, 2008 -- The standard drug treatment in autism is aimed at reducing associated symptoms, such as irritability and hyperactivity. No drugs have been shown to improve core social and community impairment in autism, according to David J. Posey, MD, MS, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN.

In a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), Dr. Posey also noted that D-cycloserine (DCS) is a partial agonist at the glycine modulatory site of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamatergic receptors. In schizophrenia, DCS had initially shown to improve negative symptoms that have similarities to the social withdrawal in autism. However, a recent large, multisite study failed to confirm these findings.

In a larger, double-blind, parallel-group study, Dr. Posey and colleagues aimed to determine the efficacy of low-dose DCS for social withdrawal in a larger sample of children with autism.

This study was an 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of boys and girls aged 3 to 12 years. Patients received either DCS 1.7 mg/kg/day divided into twice-daily doses or matching placebo for 8 weeks.

Primary outcome measures were parent-rated social withdrawal subscales of the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Scale. Secondary outcome measures were parent-rated ABC and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS).

[FULL ARTICLE]

Related:

• Antibiotic Offers Some Hope In Autism Treatment
• D-cycloserine seems to improve social and communication skills in autistic children
• D-Cycloserine in Autism

Lupron and Autism: Patent Application

TAP's Patent Application to Give Lupron to Autistic Children

Along with co-applicants Mark and David Geier, TAP Pharmaceuticals* filed an international patent application (PCT/US2007/082866), "Methods of Treating Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders," in October of last year for the use of Lupron (leuprolide acetate, a GnRH analog), with or without chelation, in children with autism. (A big discovery hat tip for finding this patent application, along with related US patent applications, goes to Kathleen Seidel of the Neurodiversity blog.) The text of this application was published in August May of this year, and treatment descriptions in 7 children can be found if the reader is willing to wade through a lot of repetitive verbiage—including a seemingly endless string of "need in the art," "known in the art," and "skilled in the art."

[FULL ARTICLE]

Related:

• Lupron Victims Hub
• Mark Geier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Autism & Lupron: Playing With Fire
• Dr. Mark Geier and the changing Lupron protocol - Autism Speaks ...
• Loopy Lupron

Attn: Private Insurers: Autism not ‘rare’ disease, should be taken seriously

Your Turn: Autism not ‘rare’ disease, should be taken seriously

In Monday’s Post endorsement of Jill Thompson (no surprise there), there was an incredibly startling statement that I feel needs to be brought into the spotlight. The endorsement stated that “forcing private health insurers to provide coverage of rare conditions such as autism and diabetes would drive up the price of insurance.” We all know The Post Editorial Board leans Republican, but there are some serious issues with that statement.

Autism and diabetes are NOT RARE diseases. The Center for Disease Control estimated that approximately one in 150 births resulted in a child with autism; take the entire population of Ohio (11,478,006) and divide that by 150 and we can guess that over 76,000 people in this state alone have autism — that’s over three times the size of Athens — and the CDC says it is growing by 10-17 percent per year. As of August 2007, it is estimated that over 9 percent of Ohioans have diabetes. That’s more than 1 million people. It is the fifth leading cause of death in Ohio. It is especially prevalent in the Appalachian region, making it vitally important that the people we elect to represent us understand and care about the issue.

[FULL LETTER TO EDITOR @ THE POST]

DynaVox v. 1.05 Enhancements

DynaVox Releases Software Version 1.05 for DynaVox V and Vmax Latest Software Enhances Communication Options and Provides Greater Flexibility PITTSBURGH, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- DynaVox, the world's leading provider of advanced communication solutions that assist individuals with significant speech, language and learning disabilities, announced the release of software version 1.05 for the V and Vmax speech-output devices. This new release includes a range of new features that enhance communication options, ease device setup and use, and provide greater flexibility when working with applications outside the V/Vmax communication software. New features include: -- EyeMax Support - A robust new eye gaze system, the EyeMax enables individuals with significant physical limitations to access all Vmax features using just their eyes. -- eBook Reader - This tool allows users to download books from sites such as bookshare.org and eBooks.com directly to the V or Vmax. Books added to the eBook Reader can be read onscreen using multiple access methods, or the V/Vmax can read the book aloud to the user. -- Navigator - This intuitive user interface provides quick access to speech, email, internet, computer, eBooks, and environmental control capabilities. An alphabet-based core word strategy that combines seamlessly with the InterAACT language framework, Navigator supports fast, easy and independent communication for literate adults. -- Onscreen Keyboards - These specialized keyboard pages enable V/Vmax users to operate other Windows software applications using the same selection method (e.g., scanning or eye gaze) used for their communication software. -- Enhanced Environmental Control Functionality - An intuitive setup interface allows individuals with significant physical limitations and their care teams to quickly configure V and Vmax devices to operate common household appliances such televisions, DVD players, etc. equipped with infrared remote controls. -- Bluetooth Connectivity - The V or Vmax can now be configured to control another computer through a Bluetooth connection. This benefits users who wish to use another computer as their primary computer. "This latest software release for the V and Vmax is very exciting," said Jim Shea, DynaVox's vice president of marketing. "Software version 1.05 streamlines communication and device support and makes basic tasks such as reading a book or using computer software easier and more accessible. This release is the direct result of customer feedback and DynaVox's commitment to supporting our customers by continuing to enhance our product line to better meet their needs." Software version 1.05 for the V and Vmax is available free of charge and is included with all devices shipped on or after September 24, 2008. Individuals with devices that shipped before that date can obtain the software by visiting Support at Dynavoxtech.com. Instructions for determining the current software version running on a specific V/Vmax can be found on the same page. About DynaVox DynaVox pioneers speech communication technology, giving an opportunity for a better life to the millions of adults and children around the world challenged by significant speech, language and learning disabilities caused by conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's Disease, autism and mental retardation. Driving by a strong entrepreneurial culture, the company applies proprietary and third-party technologies, and applied research efforts to deliver a broad range of speech communication hardware and software tools, and offers an extensive customer support program, which enables individuals and their families to access the latest technology and reimbursement counsel regarding the company's suite of products. For more information about DynaVox, visit http://www.dynavoxtech.com.

Dynavox Symbols Changed, Setup for failure? One of these things is not like the other, one of these things does not belong...

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs: One of these things is not like the other, one of these things does not belong...

My blog / Mijn blog / Mi blog / Blogul meu: ABA, VB, ABA/VB or VBA?

My blog / Mijn blog / Mi blog / Blogul meu: ABA, VB, ABA/VB or VBA?

Autism Interventions: ABA vs. Floortime

Autism Interventions: ABA vs. Floortime

The Developmental, Individual Difference, and Relationship Based (DIR®) Model Theory and Application with Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

This document has been developed to provide professional colleagues and parents in Australia
information on -:

• The theoretical and research support for the DIR® model, with an emphasis on the
application of the DIR® Floortime approach with children with an autistic spectrum disorder.
• Experiences and perspectives from professionals who are using the DIR® approach in their
work with children and families as well as anecotal evidence from our local Australian
parents using DIR® Floortime as an effective approach with their children.
• The levels of training and mentorship required by professionals to be able to practice as a
DIR® Floortime therapist/educator at an accredited level.
• The DIR® infrastructure and networks within Australia

Please note that this paper has been written and collated by staff from the Learning Tree
Therapy Centre, a multidisciplinary DIR® based service, which is based in Perth, Western
Australia (www.learningtreetherapy.com.au, www.sensoryconnections.com.au).

DIR Floortime Australian Position Paper

Autism Agenda

O'HANLON and SPELMAN: Autism agenda beckons
Michael O'Hanlon and Stuart Spelman

WASHINGTON TIMES COMMENTARY:

In their last debate, Barack Obama and John McCain both graciously expressed concern about children with autism.

Mr. Obama in particular then spoke about the need for more research funding to understand the causes of this prevalent handicap. We concur. But that is hardly the extent of what the candidates need to understand about the state of autism in the United States today. Preventing future cases is crucial, but so is addressing the huge unmet needs of the more than 1 million Americans already afflicted.

Here's an example. At age 2, little Olivia was diagnosed with an autism disorder. Unable to speak, she preferred to sit in the corner of the room and repeatedly push her mini-Ferris Wheel hundreds of times in a row. She did not look people in the eye; she did not try to attract their attention by pointing with her index finger like normal toddlers. She was largely oblivious to, and uninterested in, other kids around her. She even lost the three or four words that she had learned the year before.

Four years later, after 30 hours a week of a type of intensive intervention that resembles speech or occupational therapy, Olivia was in regular kindergarten, following class discussions and interacting with her peers. She still was limited in her use of language, and had trouble keeping up with peers socially - but at least she was imitating and learning from her peers. Her future was still very uncertain. But her prospects for graduating from school, holding a job and having at least some real friendships had gone from nil to rather promising.

Those four years of preschool intervention came at a high price - about $75,000 a year. Medical insurance paid for none of it. Claiming that the therapies, which fell under the general billing of applied behavior analysis or ABA, were still "experimental," Olivia's insurance plan flatly denied coverage. Counting on the fact that mental and cognitive ailments have often been viewed as second-class issues by America's health care system, the insurer was confident it could escape with this bogus excuse. That was the case even though the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other key organizations endorse precisely the therapy regimen that Olivia followed - and even though ABA has been repeatedly shown to help up to half of all children with autism wind up mainstreamed in school, with the other half showing major progress as well.

It is time for this to change.

[FULL STORY]