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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Two New Autism Clinical Reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics

AUTISM: Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians
With approximately 1 in 150 children being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), virtually every pediatric office needs to be prepared for the unique challenges these conditions pose. Now, the AAP has developed a multifaceted clinical resource to assist in the recognition, evaluation, and ongoing management of ASDs throughout your patient's life span.  This all-new toolkit brings together a wealth of ready-to-use, practice-focused resources - all on a single economically priced CD-ROM.  

General Resources and Information

ASD Video Glossary
http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php?
The ASD Video Glossary, an innovative web-based tool designed to help parents and professionals learn more about the early red flags and diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorders, contains over a hundred video clips and is available free of charge.

Autism Information Center at NCBDDD
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddautism.htm
NCBDDD provides information about autism, CDC activities, other federal activities such as projects at the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies, state activities, resources and information for kids.

Learn The Signs. Act Early.
Early Identification of Children with Autism or other Developmental Disorders Awareness Campaign

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the many organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, has launched an awareness campaign to educate parents about childhood development, including early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders. The earlier a child with a developmental delay receives appropriate assessment and intervention, the better the developmental outcome can be.

To help prepare the health care community for the anticipated increase in questions and requests for information from parents, CDC has developed a Provider Resource Kit. This kit contains materials designed to help health care professionals communicate with parents about childhood development, what parents should be concerned about, and the warning signs of autism and other delays.

Please visit the campaign Web site at www.cdc.gov/actearly to view the campaign resources designed for health care professionals – you can download them from the Web site or order materials to be mailed to your office at no charge to you.

Autism Society of America
www.autism-society.org
Autism Society of America (ASA) is a leading voice and resource of the entire autism community in education, advocacy, services, research and support. The ASA is committed to meaningful participation and self-determination in all aspects of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. ASA accomplishes its ongoing mission through close collaboration with a network of chapters, members and supporters.

Autism Speaks
www.autismspeaks.org
Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. Autism Speaks is committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals.

MCH Library Knowledge Path: Autism Spectrum Disorders
www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_autism.html.
The knowledge path is intended for use by health professionals, educators, researchers, policymakers, and families. A selection of current, high-quality resources about autism spectrum disorders (ASD) identification and intervention. The knowledge path, produced by the MCH Library, includes information on (and links to) Web sites, electronic and print publications, and databases containing resources about biomedical research into the causes of ASD; resources that address the communication, education, and vocational challenges associated with ASD; and resources about ASD's impact on family life. Separate sections identify resources about ASD and environmental health research as well as those that address concerns about vaccines.

Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
In addition, this past April for Autism Awareness Month, Autism Speaks, in partnership with the Academy and others, is releasing a series of PSAs about autism, including information about how common autism is as well as the importance of early detection. These ads bring an increased focus on autism and may increase the number of parents asking questions about child development. You can view the TV and Radio PSAs below:

Information for Families
AAP Patient Education

On the Spectrum: Children and Autism Video (CD Format)
This 24-minute educational video available on DVD format will enable pediatric practitioners, clinicians, and early childhood educators to recognize the early warning signs of autism spectrum disorders in early childhood and to understand the impact of early and appropriate intervention. The video outlines the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders, provides guidelines for conducting a developmental screening, and describes how to relay developmental concerns to parents. Published by First Signs.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
This 44 page booklet, written for parents, provides critical information about autism spectrum disorders and answers all the most common questions asked by parents about ASD. ASD has lifelong conditions and this booklet will help identify symptoms so that an intervention program can be started as soon as possible.

" Is Your One-Year Old Communicating with You?"
This brochure helps encourage parents to share any concerns they have about their baby's language development as early as possible. Provides early language and social milestones that parents can watch for in their one-year-old child.

Healing Thresholds
www.HealingThresholds.com is a new Web site targeted at parents. It includes fully referenced fact sheets on common autism therapies and lay summaries of the latest research on autism therapies. www.HealingThresholds.com is evidence-based and designed to help parents rapidly and efficiently design an optimal therapeutic program for their child.

Interactive Autism Network
IAN, the Interactive Autism Network, was established in January 2006 at Kennedy Krieger Institute and is funded by a grant from Autism Speaks. IAN’s goal is to facilitate research that will lead to advancements in the prevention, treatment, and cure of autism spectrum disorders. To accomplish this goal, they created the IAN Community and IAN Research.

IAN Community
The IAN Community is an online environment designed to act as an inviting library and meeting place where everyone concerned with autism spectrum disorders can learn more about autism research. Everyone can participate and benefit from the IAN Community.

IAN Research
IAN Research is scientific study where parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder and qualified researchers throughout the United States work together to understand autism spectrum disorders.

Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z, 2004
www.asdAtoZ.com
Although the diagnosis of autism is on the rise, only 1 of 2 Hispanic children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is being identified and served in the education system. One of the biggest obstacles for families has been the lack of information in Spanish. Fortunately, Los Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo de la A a la Z is now available. This award-winning book is the most comprehensive resource about ASD available in Spanish, helping readers identify and understand autism, and cope with a diagnosis. From infancy to adulthood, the book provides essential information, including how to get educational services and family supports. Other subjects include selecting goals, and explaining autism to the person affected and to others. Autismo A-Z is an indispensable resource for families, schools, service agencies, advocacy organizations, support groups and libraries. With over 500 pages of useful information, Autismo A-Z is a great value.

Los Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo de la A a la Z
http://www.asdatoz.com
A pesar del hecho que la incidencia de autismo ha subido hasta afectar a 1 de cada 166 niños, solo se identifican a uno de cada dos niños hispanos que de verás tienen autismo o una condición semejante. Hasta ahora, un obstáculo ha sido la falta de información suficiente en español. Afortunadamente, Los Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo de la A a la Z esta disponible ahora. El mejor libro tan extenso y detallado sobre autismo en español ayuda a los lectores a identificar, comprender y enfrentarse con autismo y discapacidades semejantes. Desde la infancia a la vejez, provee información esencial de cómo obtener servicios educacionales y terapéuticos para ayudar a la persona afectada y a la familia. Otros temas incluyen cómo identificar las necesidades de la persona, cómo escoger metas, y cómo explicar el autismo a la persona que lo tiene y a otros. Autismo A-Z es un recurso indispensable para familias, escuelas, agencias de servicios sociales, y  para organizaciones de abogacía y apoyo. Con más de 500 páginas Autismo A-Z es útil y económico.

Information for Professionals
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)- Releases Promising Practices Reports for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders
By CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News August 14, 2007 Vol. 07-125.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is announced the availability of three new promising practices reports that focus on Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Since 1999, CMS has developed an on-line repository of more than 75 Promising Practices in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to highlight State efforts to enable persons of any age who have a disability or long-term illness to live in the most integrated community setting appropriate to their individual support requirements and preferences, exercise meaningful choices, and obtain quality services. The promising practices web site is: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/promisingpractices/

The on-line Promising Practices Reports disseminate timely information on program and policy innovation. The new reports on ASDS are:

California - Single Process for Diagnosis and Service Delivery
Connecticut- Pilot Program for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Delaware - Supported Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism A.L.A.R.M. - Helping Primary Care Physicians Diagnose Autism Early By Chris P. Johnson, M.D., M.Ed., FAAP. AAP News. February 2004. Full Text

Autism A.L.A.R.M.
The following guidelines adapted from key policy statements of the AAP and American Academy of Neurology, were developed in order to establish standard practices among physicians, to simplify the screening process, and to ensure that all children receive routine and appropriate screenings and timely interventions. These recommended guidelines are critical for ensuring that children stay on a healthy developmental path. Fact sheet

National Medical Home Autism Initiative: www.waisman.wisc.edu/nmhai/index.html
The National Medical Home Autism Initiative, founded as a cooperative agreement by the federal Maternal Child Health Bureau, is a national technical assistance, resource and advocacy project designed to promote methods that will improve the capacity of the medical home and early intervention community to identify, appropriately serve and integrate children with autism into their communities.

The Waisman Center has released Medical Home Services for Autism Spectrum Disorders; the purpose of the report is to present a framework for ASD services within the Medical Home and to offer a series of system guidelines to promote discussion, interaction and collaboration among various stakeholders who are involved with services to children with ASD and their families.

First Signs - The mission of First Signs is to promote the early identification of, and intervention for, autism and other developmental disorders.

Screening Guidelines
www.firstsigns.org/screening/guidelines.htm
Information on Developmental Screening
www.firstsigns.org/screening/dev.htm
Information on Autism Screening
www.firstsigns.org/screening/asd.htm
Information on Audiological Screening
www.firstsigns.org/screening/audio.htm

To order educational materials, such as the "First Signs Screening Kit, which provides quick, accurate, and affordable developmental and autism screening tools, A 24-minute award-winning educational video,
" On the Spectrum: Children and Autism; the wall chart Key Milestones for Social, Emotional, and Communication Development and First Signs Parent Brochures, click on each link or go to: www.firstsigns.org/products_svcs/index.htm

Video Clip of "On the Spectrum: Children and Autism" attached below.
First Signs VIDEO

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Communication and Language - Presentation
Amy M. Wetherby
Dept. of Communication Disorders
Florida State University
Presented at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition, October 2003


AAP Council on Children with Disabilities Reports

Idenfication and Evaluation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Clinical Report)

Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Clinical Report)

Auditory Integration Training and Facilitated Communication for Autism
Published: PEDIATRICS, August 1998, Reaffirmed May 2002
Author: Committee on Children with Disabilities

Endorsed Practice Parameter:
Screening and Diagnosis of Autism
Published: NEUROLOGY, August 2000
Author: Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society

Free Pub: Special Education for Children with Autism
In January 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published Special Education: Children with Autism. The publication answers four questions submitted by Congress about special education for children with autism.

Learn about their findings and recommendations - and how you can get a free copy of this free publication - in GAO Publishes Special Education: Children with Autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)
A detailed booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.

This brochure was written by Margaret Strock, Office of Communications, NIMH. Scientific information and review were provided by NIMH staff members Stephen Foote, MD; Ann Wagner, PhD; Audrey Thurm, PhD; Benjamin Vitiello, MD; Douglas Meinecke, PhD; and Judith Cooper, PhD, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Editorial assistance was provided by Ruth Dubois and Antoinette Cooper.

All material in this brochure is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from the Institute. Citation of the National Institute of Mental Health as the source is appreciated.

To order a printed copy, call 1-866-615-NIMH (6464) toll-free. For additional information, please visit the NIMH Web site

Vaccines and Autism Information
The AAP Childhood Immunization Support Program Web site includes a section on Vaccine Safety. Visit the Web site for information about vaccines and autism.
http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/safety_parent.html

The Medical Home and Early Intervention Programs Brochure Adobe PDF
1) To educate pediatric clinicians about early intervention programs funded under Part C of IDEA;
2) To educate early intervention programs about the role of the medical home in providing comprehensive, coordinated, collaborative care in concert with the family and other medical and non-medical service providers;
3) To provide strategies for effective collaboration and communication between the pediatric clinician and early intervention programs in the provision of quality, comprehensive care.

Last Updated August 8, 2008

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