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Autism & Hoarding: Adult Son Fears Parent’s Help with Overflowing Room
Advice on understanding hoarding and developing helpful strategies, from a psychologist in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network
Our 22-year-old son has Asperger syndrome and is a hoarder. He’s afraid to let me help him clean out his room for fear that I will throw everything away even though I told him I won't. Can you recommend some strategies for working with him?”
By psychologist Micah Mazurek, of the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. The center is one of 14 sites in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN).
Thanks so much for your question and for sharing your experiences. I think many of our families face similar challenges.
It may be that your...
Your ATN@Work: Investigating Maternal Antibodies and Autism
Autism Speaks ATN and its families are participating in research to advance understanding of the immune system’s role in autism
Autism Speaks ATN and its families are participating in research to advance understanding of the immune system’s role in autismBy developmental-behavioral pediatrician Kathleen Angkustsiri, the lead investigator in a new study investigating the role of maternal antibodies in the prenatal development of some forms of autism. Dr. Angkustsiri practices at the University of California, Davis, MIND Institute. Her study on maternal antibodies and autism is supported by a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Young Investigator Award.
I’m so pleased to tell you about our research collaboration with the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN).
In particular, we are grateful for the participation of families at the ATN sites at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia...
What Does Babbling Mean in an Otherwise Nonverbal Person with Autism?
Insights from a speech-language specialist in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network
“What does babbling mean in an otherwise nonverbal person with autism? Does it indicate that the person is trying to express something? Does it suggest a potential for developing speech?”
Today’s “Got Questions?” response is from speech-language pathologist Barbara Braddock. Dr. Braddock practices at the SSM Cardinal Glennon Medical Center of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The center is one of 14 sites in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN).
Thanks for your question. Babbling, in and of itself, doesn’t represent meaningful words.
In infants, babbling is motor "practice" for speech. We observe babies...
Autism, Probiotics and Dietary Fiber: Q&A with GI Specialist Tim Buie
Autism Speaks ATN gastroenterologist Tim Buie answers your questions from last week’s “Office Hours” video on probiotics and dietary fiber
Autism Speaks ATN gastroenterologist Tim Buie answers your questions from last week’s “Office Hours” video on probiotics and dietary fiber
Thank you for your response to “Autism and Probiotics” the second segment in Autism Speaks’ “Office Hours” series with GI specialist Timothy Buie. (See video above.) Dr. Buie is the director of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at MassGeneral Hospital’s Lurie Center for Autism, in Boston. The center is one of 14 sites in the ...
Your ATN@Work in Toronto: A Health Watch Table for Autism
Doctors at this Autism Speaks ATN center helped develop guidelines to meet the changing health needs of those with autism across the lifespan
Post by (left to right) developmental psychiatrist Elspeth Bradley, information specialist Marika Korossy site coordinator Salina Eldon and developmental pediatrician Alvin Loh. The authors work at Surrey Place Centre within the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) in Toronto. One of 14 ATN centers across North America, the Toronto ATN site is a collaboration between Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Sick Kids Hospital and Surrey Place Centre.
We appreciate this opportunity to share our Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Health Watch Table...
Family Feels Trapped: Child with Autism Refuses to Eat Outside Home
Insights and advice from a developmental pediatrician and a behavior analyst in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network
“Please help. We’re feeling trapped in our own home. Our 8 year old [who has autism] won’t eat outside the house because he’s afraid of vomiting. We can’t go to restaurants. He won’t eat at birthday parties. We can’t even stay long when we drive to see my mom, who lives outside of town, because he won’t eat until we get back home. Even here, he eats only a few types of food. It’s very hard.”
Today’s “Got Questions?” answer is by developmental pediatrician Amanda Bennett and behavior analyst Megan Carolan Tomkinson. Dr. Bennett is the director of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network...
The ATN@Work: Visual Supports Ease Medical Visits for Kids with Autism
Clinicians at Vanderbilt Medical Center demonstrate how visual supports can empower young patients with developmental disabilities
Clinicians at Vanderbilt Medical Center demonstrate how visual supports can empower young patients with developmental disabilitiesBy David Crnobori, education and behavior consultant with the Center for Child Development at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville. Vanderbilt is one of 14 sites in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network.
“What are you going to do to me?”
“When can I go home?”
When a child with autism arrives for an appointment at our clinic, these are some of the important questions we try to answer visually.
We know that individuals with autism respond well to visual information. Behavioral therapists and special-education...
Help Needed: Child with Autism Eats Only When Spoonfed in Mom's Lap
Autism-feeding expert provides advice on teaching 4-year-old to feed himself while sitting in his own chair at the family table
Our child is 4 and has autism. He’ll eat only if I spoon feed him while he’s seated on my lap watching his iPad. How can we encourage him to sit in his own chair at the table with the rest of the family?
This week’s “Food for Thought?” answer comes from psychologist Emily Kuschner, of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The hospital is one of 14 sites in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN). With the support of an Autism Speaks research grant...
Your ATN@Work in Columbus: Autism and Shakespeare
Families at this ATN center helped evaluate a Shakespearian approach to therapy and develop a powerful new play about autism
Post by Amy Hess, site coordinator for the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio State’s Nisonger Center, in Columbus, Ohio.
A few years ago, I participated in an acting workshop run by actress and director Kelly Hunter, in partnership with The Ohio State University. I was asked to participate as both a parent and the site coordinator for our Autism Speaks ATN center.
Kelly, a member of England’s Royal Shakespeare Company, is the creator of “The Hunter Heartbeat Method,” a therapy program for children with autism. (For more information on the Hunter Method, see...
Miralax & Laxative Safety: Q&A with GI-Autism Specialist Kent Williams
A specialist with the Autism Speaks ATN addresses your concerns about a new investigation into the safety of polyethylene-glycol laxatives
In response to this week’s news report about an investigation into the safety of Miralax and other laxatives containing polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG-3350), many of you wrote to us or posted questions in the story’s comment section and on the Autism Speaks Facebook page.
In its news story, the New York Times quoted pediatric gastroenterologist and autism specialist Kent Williams as having concerns about PEG 3350’s safety when used long term, as is the case with many children who...