Autism Blog

There are many changes that will be included in the new DSM-5.  Changes to how children with autism will be diagnoses and who will be included in this catagory.  The children most effected will be children with a current diagnosis of PDD-NOS and Aspergers, if they continue to qualify, they will be diagnosed Autism.  For more information and to see the American Psychiatric Association updates on all proposed changes:  go here  You can review the current criteria and view what will become the new criteria.

Please post comments below to let us know what your concerns are.

Posted by Lynne Adams

I found a great article about the importance of early intensive services for children on the spectrum.  http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/09/30/early-intense-therapy-benefits-children-with-autism/29925.html

I came across this video of an ABA therapy session and thought I would share.  Too many school districts don't want to provide ABA or they provide it with an untrained individual.  This is not acceptable.  It's too important to the early learning for children on the spectrum. 


I found this on YouTube. If you can't see the video, here is the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbVG8lYEsNs&feature=related

This is great news for families with children with autism.  Up until now there are lots of  theories about what causes autism, but there is no definitive cause that has been identified.  There is also no cure, but lots of  treatment options and the outcomes of treatment depend on certain criteria. When is the child diagnosed, when does treatment begin, what type of treatment is provided, how much treatment is provided, who is providing the treatment, and many other variables. 

You can see the whole article at http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/healthquest/new-brain-health-institute-to-focus-on-autism-alzheimers-disease-and-auditory-aging

NAPSEA will be looking at ways to support this institute.