ASD

Autism Rates Have Stabilized in U.S. Children

Laura LeBlanc MA, CCC/SLPLeave a comment

Rates of autism spectrum disorder among children in the U.S. remained stable from 2014 to 2016, according to new research—a change from previous studies that found steady increases over the past two decades.

The new research letter, published in JAMA, looked at survey responses from a nationally representative sample of more than 30,000 children, ages 3 to 17, and their families. From 2014 to 2016, adults in each household were asked if a doctor had ever told them that their child had autism, Asperger’s disorder, pervasive developmental disorder or autism spectrum disorder. Data from the study was then adjusted to account for differences in people’s age, gender and ethnicity.

The researchers found that in 2014, 2.24% of participating children were reported to have an autism spectrum disorder. That number rose only slightly in 2015 and 2016, to 2.41% and 2.58%, respectively—an increase that was not statistically significant.

Autism rates did vary by sub-group. Over the three-year period, 3.54% of boys were reported to have an autism spectrum disorder, compared to 1.22% of girls. Prevalence was 1.78% in Hispanic children, 2.36% in black children and 2.71% in white children.

The overall estimate for autism prevalence among children in the analysis—2.4%—is higher than another recent estimate, from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, of 1.46%. The discrepancy may be explained by differences in study design, the authors note in their report. For example, the new study asked parents if their child has received a diagnosis, while the previous study looked at education and health-care evaluations.

Source: Time Health January 2, 2018

Conquering the High Cost of Speech-Language Therapy

Laura LeBlanc MA, CCC/SLPLeave a comment

Families with a speech disordered child often face a financial burden due to the high cost of speech therapy and other needed treatments. In fact, a survey published in Public Health Reports found that 40% of American families with children with special needs report feeling the strain of the financial toll that those healthcare needs cause. The survey further reported that children with disabilities are more likely to grow up in single-parent households, and that those parents often hold lower-paying jobs. As pricey as speech therapy is, you may be able to reduce the high cost of speech therapy with these tips:

Insurance

If you’re not sure if your insurance will cover the cost of speech therapy, talk to your employer’s human resources representative. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, contact the appropriate department in your state for information on insurance programs.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Ask your employer if he offers a flexible spending account (FSA). An FSA allows you to designate a portion of your income for qualifying medical and childcare expenses. The income is not subject to payroll taxes, which can save you a nice chunk of change.

Sliding Scale

Many hospitals, clinics, and early childhood centers offer services based on a sliding scale. It’s always worth asking your child’s speech therapist if she offers a reduced fee or sliding scale program based on your income.

The Gardiner Scholarship (For Home-Schooled Children)

The Gardiner scholarship is for Florida students 3 years old through 12th grade or age 22, whichever comes first, with one of the following disabilities: Autism spectrum disorder, Muscular dystrophy, Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Phelan McDermid syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Spina bifida, Williams syndrome, Intellectual disability (severe cognitive impairment), rare diseases as defined by the National Organization for Rare Disorders, anaphylaxis, deaf, visually impaired, dual sensory impaired, traumatic brain injured, hospital or homebound as defined by the rules of the State Board of Education and evidenced by reports from local school districts, or three, four or five year-olds who are deemed high-risk due to developmental delays.

The term “hospital or homebound” includes a student who has a medically diagnosed physical or psychiatric condition or illness, as defined by the state board in rule, and who is confined to the home or hospital for more than 6 months.

  • Students need an IEP written in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education or with the rules of another state OR the diagnosis of a Florida physician or psychologist or a physician who holds an active license issued by another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  • Students must be at least 3 or 4 on or before Sept 1. Students entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before Sept 1. Students entering first grade must be 6 on or before Sept 1.
  • Students can participate in the Gardiner Scholarship program as part of home education. However, they cannot be enrolled in a public school or receive any other state-sponsored scholarship (McKay Scholarship or the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship).

As always, if you feel that your child is in need of speech-language services, be sure to contact an ASHA Certified provider.

 

 

Autism: Facts and Latest Research Findings

Laura LeBlanc MA, CCC/SLPLeave a comment

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is used to describe a group of developmental disorders which range in severity, symptoms, and level of disability.  These include autism, Asperger’s syndrome and other disorders which affect one’s ability to communicate and socialize.  The national statistics are startling- 1 in 45 children ages 3 through 17 have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the United States. This is notably higher than the official government estimate of 1 in 68. Here are the the latest research findings:

Autism is in the Genes

  • Studies have identified genes and genetic mutations that may contribute to ASD.  Two such studies have discovered 60 genes that have a greater than 90% chance of contributing to ASD among 500 or more genes associated with ASD overall(Ronemus et al, 2014). ASD has been found to be 4.5 times more common in boys than girls.  It affects children of all social, ethnic and socioeconomic categories.

Problems with “Brain Pruning” May Contribute to ASD

  • Brain pruning is the process by which a brain weeds out unimportant connections and strengthens important ones, based on experience. In a recent report published in Neuron, scientists found that ASD may be associated with higher levels of a molecule that may impair the ability of brain cells to rid of dysfunctional components.

White Matter Fiber Tract Differ in Children with ASD

  • Scientists at the University of North Carolina-chapel Hill studies the development of white matter tracts in infants who later went on to be diagnosed with ASD.  Findings indicated that at 6 months of age, infants with ASD had higher of fractional anisotrophy (FA) in key matter tracts. In other words, the superhighways of the brain are not functioning as efficiently in children with ASD as they are for typically developing children.

Environmental “Triggers” May Play a Role in the Development

  • Prenatal exposure to the pharmaceuticals thalidomide and valproic acid, as well as pesticides, has been linked to an increased risk for developing ASD.

Early Intervention Helps

  • Although there is no medical cure for ASD, research shows that early intervention and well-rounded treatment is the most effective way to ensure success with treating ASD.  Speech-language pathologists play a key role in treating ASD-as social skills and communication are often the first symptoms of autism. Children who completed the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a behavioral intervention therapy, showed a significant improvement in IQ and language abilities in toddlers with ASD. Researcher also investigated whether the intervention changes brain functioning.  Children who completed the ESDM intervention had faster neural response and higher cortical activation when looking at faces compared to objects.  This suggests that the ESDM intervention may cultivate brain changes that result in higher IQ, language abilities and social behaviors.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development and/or communication skills, be sure to contact a licensed speech-language pathologist in your area.