Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD) are a group of disorders characterized by abnormalities in social interactions and in patterns of communication, and by restricted repetitive interests and activities. These abnormalities are a pervasive feature (affecting everything).
Autism spectrum disorders, or ASD, is an umbrella term commonly used to describe several developmental disorders in which individuals have substantial differences in the nature of their social development and communication skills, as well as unusual behaviors and interests. ASD is not a diagnostic category, but is widely used to refer to three of the five diagnoses under the category of pervasive developmental disorders: Autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition.
When the DSM-V is published in 2012 it is expected that PDD-NOS will be renamed to ASD-NOS and PDD will be discarded from terminology completely.
"The following red flags may indicate a child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder, and is in need of an immediate evaluation.".
Children and adults labelled with Asperger Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking. HFA means High Functioning Autism although a person with HFA may not have been high functioning from birth.
"ASPEN provides families and individuals whose lives are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NOS, High Functioning Autism), and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities with: Education about the issues surrounding the disorders. Support in knowing that they are not alone, and in helping individuals with ASD's and NLD achieve their maximum potential. Advocacy in areas of appropriate educational programs, medical research funding, adult issues and increased public awareness and understanding."
So much was wrong - never made sense - then I found Aspergers! Then found self, my autism core/ heart. It is who I am, I love that. [Alyson Bradley, NZ]
Aspire "was established by a group of parents in 1995 to provide support for people with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and their carers, and to encourage research into the condition."
"ASPIRES is an on-line resource for spouses and family members of adults diagnosed or suspected to be on the autistic spectrum. Our approach to one another and towards our "significant others" is directed towards solving problems in our relationship with a spectrum-sitting spouse. ASPIRES is an e-mail subscription list for individuals with AS, and those who have a parent, spouse, or child with AS."
"Auties.org is an Aspie & Autie friendly site for all people on the Autistic Spectrum who are ready to dare reach out to occupation and employment, open the doors to the community and market their abilities directly to the public and for those interested in supporting these pioneers."
Auties.org is for people on the Autistic Spectrum who are ready to dare reach out, open the doors to the community and market their abilities directly to the public and for those interested in supporting these pioneers.
Positive Perspectives, Practical Strategies, Proactive Solutions! In a nutshell, that sums up the Autism Asperger’s Digest.
"An innovative online community for people dealing with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism.".
Kate Goldfield has written articles about her AS that have appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Hartford Courant, and The Autism Perspective magazine. She has spoken at two national autism conferences about her experiences.
"This website is an attempt to give someone an idea of what it is like to have Asperger's Syndrome. My name is Derek, and I am an afflictee of the condition, from Ireland. Although I did not get a formal diagnosis, I am fairly sure that I have the condition. I usually refer to the condition simply as "AS". In today's busy lifestyle anything is fair game for getting abbreviated, and Asperger's Syndrome is no exception."
Home Website of Australia's most famous Woman with Autism who fought through difficult childhood and disgestive problems to evolve into a respected, liked and popular public speaker on Autism Spectrum Disorder. And author of two world bestselling books.
Livestock Behaviour, Design of Facilities and Humane Slaughter.
"Our mission is to offer support to the family members of adult individuals affected with Asperger's Syndrome. Our goal is to educate the public to the existence of Asperger's Syndrome in the ADULT population and to bring awareness of this neurological disorder and its ramifications on the "whole" family to the medical communities who are directly or indirectly involved. Another key aspect to our work is to give the families a measure of reassurance so they can validate their concerns and frustrations as concrete issues rather than simple "family problems". The goals of FAAAS are as follows:
"An Online Survival Guide for Parents & Teachers of Gifted Children in Ireland.
Eric Chen discovered he was an adult aspergers autistic in 2001. He succeeded in connecting with his emotions & instincts, making contact with Humanity.
"Welcome to the web site of the Irish Centre for Talented Youth (CTYI). This web site has been constructed to meet the needs of the many groups of parents, teachers, researchers and students who avail of our services. We hope that you will find the site useful in whatever activity you are performing and would welcome any feedback you may have on how we can improve our service to you".
"New Zealand songstress Ladyhawke aka Pip Brown - currently enjoying extensive airplay with her latest single My Delirium." She has a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.
"Wendy Lawson has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, Wendy has graduated, over time, from being a child considered to be intellectually disabled and 'almost incapable of doing as she is told' (as one school report stated) to a mum of four children with five university degrees. She now operates her own business."
"Nua Healthcare Services provides specialised residential, respite and day services to individuals with Asperger Syndrome, Learning Disabilities and Brain Injuries.... a person centred service whilst promoting independent living in a healthy spacious country environment.".
Terrific Parent-run Information portal for parents of children with Asperger syndrome to use as a reference.
A Danish IT consultancy is using the special skills of people with autism to improve the quality of its software testing.
"Did you know that close to one percent of the population meet the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Did you know that most people with ASD do not get the necessary support because of lack of ASD knowledge?
Did you know that the business community realises a growing need for specialists?
Did you know that people with ASD are natural born specialists?"
Website as guide for parents, professionals and people with Asperger's Syndrome and their partners with issues related to Asperger's Syndrome, resources, resource papers Tony has authored, related topics and presentation schedule.
"Understanding the Student with Asperger Syndrome: Guidelines for Teachers" by Karen Williams, 1995, FOCUS ON AUTISTIC BEHAVIOR, Vol. 10, No. 2. [Copyright, PRO-ED, Inc]
"Children diagnosed with Asperger syndrome present a special challenge in the educational milieu. This article provides teachers with descriptions of seven defining characteristics of Asperger syndrome, in addition to suggestions and strategies for addressing these symptoms in the classroom. Behavioral and academic interventions based on the author's teaching experiences with children with Asperger syndrome are offered."
" This site is named after the book Uniquely Gifted: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Twice-Exceptional Student, edited by Kiesa Kay".
Wrong Planet is the web community designed for individuals (and parents of those) with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences.
Possible Triggers for ASD and related Developmental Disabilties.
"Among the many mysteries that befuddle autism researchers: why the disorder affects boys four times more often than girls. But in new findings reported online today by the journal Molecular Psychiatry, researchers say they have found a genetic clue that may help explain the disparity.".
A Medical Hypothesis: "The recently disclosed data suggest a possible correlation between autism incidence and a previously unconsidered environmental toxin. It is generally accepted in the scientific community that radiofrequency radiation is a biologically active substance. It is also readily acknowledged that human exposures to radiofrequency radiation have become pervasive during the past twenty years, whereas such exposures were uncommon prior to that time.
"ABSTRACT
Background Autism spectrum disorder is a heritable developmental disorder in which chromosomal abnormalities are thought to play a role.
Methods As a first component of a genomewide association study of families from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), we used two novel algorithms to search for recurrent copy-number variations in genotype data from 751 multiplex families with autism. Specific recurrent de novo events were further evaluated in clinical-testing data from Children's Hospital Boston and in a large population study in Iceland.
"Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a group of childhood neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by deficits in verbal communication, impairment of social interaction, and restricted and repetitive patterns of interests and behaviour. To identify common genetic risk factors underlying ASDs, here we present the results of genome-wide association studies on a cohort of 780 families (3,101 subjects) with affected children, and a second cohort of 1,204 affected subjects and 6,491 control subjects, all of whom were of European ancestry.
"For more than 25 years, Microwave News has been reporting on the potential health and environmental impacts of electromagnetic fields and radiation. We are widely recognized as a fair and objective source of information on this controversial subject."
Swedish children who live in homes with vinyl floors are more likely to have autism, according to a new study, but what's behind the link is unclear. ... Experts suspect that genetic and environmental factors combine to cause autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that has increased dramatically in children over the past 20 years. [reported in Scientific American, Mar 31st 2009].
Report and discussion about possible environmental causes for ASDs, particularly genetic susceptibility, environmental chemicals and exposures to microbes. [chemical & engineering news, Vol.85, No.20]
"VRAN recognizes that vaccines are not without risk and supports the right of each individual to adequate disclosure prior to providing consent. The Vaccination Risk Awareness Network is opposed to mandatory vaccination, and upholds the right of individuals to exercise "Informed Consent" when considering an invasive medical procedure such as vaccination...".
It is known that environmental insults contribute to some incidences of ASD where a genetic susceptibility exists.
A small dose of Toxology - "Learn About the Health Effects Common Chemicals"
The Autism Research Unit is based at the Department of Pharmacy, Health & Well-being at the University of Sunderland. They do Analysis of biological samples, study relating to Gluten-Casien Diet and "Biological and genomic analysis of the contribution of the 'environment' to autism and associated spectral conditions".
The mission of Grassroots Environmental Education is to educate the public about the links between common environmental exposures and human health. Are these common exposures really enough to make us sick? The evidence is mounting, but scientific certainty may be decades away.
"The Institute for Children's Environmental Health (ICEH) ... primary mission is to foster collaborative initiatives to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental exposures that can undermine the health of current and future generations."
Presentation by Dr Jepson titled "The Autism Tsunami" which looks at environmental and genetic factors in the incidence of ASD. Environmental factors are considered causitive in some cases autism as a trigger due to existance of genetic susceptabilties to ASD in some people.
"The Irish Doctors' Environmental Association (IDEA) is an Irish organisation established by health professionals seeking to promote the right to health and peaceful co-existence worldwide.
The main objective of the IDEA is to foster and promote, through education, publications and seminars, a concept of health as a state of physical, psychological and social well-being, which acknowledges the potential impact of environmental conditions, violent conflict, and inequalities within and between nations on that well-being."
Research links soaring incidence of the mysterious neurological disorder to fetal and infant exposure to pesticides, viruses, household chemicals [Scientific American, Jan 2009].
Autism is a complex disorder with many contributing factors and there is some belief that that environmental factors are the key factors triggering this devastating epidemic (ARI).
Apr 13, 2009, Children living near Superfund ("toxic waste") sites are more likely to be autistic. [Source: Environmental Health News, www.environmentalhealthnews.org]
This is an anti-GM foods website... "You may have heard the FDA and food industry claims that genetically modified (GM) foods are safe, properly tested, and necessary to feed a hungry world. UNTRUE! Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are one of the most dangerous and radical changes to our food supply. These largely unregulated ingredients found in 60-70% of the foods in the US, are well worth the effort to avoid them.".
The Physicians for Social Responsibility (non-profit advocacy organization) provides a number of valuable leaflets on
"Air Pollution and Health",
"Children's Environmental Health",
"Safe Drinking Water"
"Toxics and Health"
All of which are highly recommended for families, communities and professionals.
Some emerging and long-standing research indicates there may be risk to human health from Electro-Magnetic Radiation. Plausable if the incidence of ASD is indeed rising. Maybe a trigger for some cases of ASD?
Bioelectromagnetics, health and well-being : research. "h.e.s.e project, the international scientific Internet platform on topical issues in affiliation with the Kompetenz initiative."
SafeMinds is a US-based nonprofit organization lobbying regarding the "risks to infants and children of exposure to mercury" and "thimerosal in vaccines". In the US, there is some continuing controversy over the past use of Thimerosal in vaccines (thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines).
"The group is lead by Dr Louise Gallagher and based at the Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Molecular Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James’s Hospital, Dublin. We are a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, post-doctoral research fellows, post-graduate students and research assistants. Our work encompasses clinical assessment, neuropsychology, neurophysiology, neuroimaging, molecular genetics, bioinformatics and functional biology.".
"We are a grass roots organization begun based on the need for an organization to mobilize the Lyme and Autism Communities to find answers for these children.".
These links are provided for informational purposes only.
Generation Rescue is an "international movement of scientists, physicians and parent-volunteers researching the causes and treatments for autism and mentoring thousands of families in recovering their children from autism."
JABS as a UK self-help and lobby group ("neither recommends nor advises against vaccinations") but aims to promote the availability of comprehensive information for all parents to make an informed decision on vaccination.
M-M-R® II (MEASLES, MUMPS, and RUBELLA VIRUS VACCINE LIVE)
This document lists a clinical description, usage, precautions, warnings, adverse reactions (reported in clinical trials) and dosage for the MMR-II vaccine.
Published by Merck, December 2007.
"... Just before President Bush signed the homeland security bill into law an unknown member of Congress inserted a provision into the legislation that blocks lawsuits against the maker of a controversial vaccine preservative called "thimerosal," used in vaccines that are given to children." [Source: CBS News, 2002]
This is a private practice which "offers you choice by providing single measles, rubella and mumps vaccines, which will protect your child as effectively as the combined MMR."
PDA, first described by Elizabeth Newson during the 1980s as a pervasive developmental disorder distinct from autism, is increasingly becoming recognised as part of the autism spectrum....
"We are an association of parents and families of people with Rett Syndrome. We came together to provide support and information: to each other, to parents and families who have received a new diagnosis, to raise awareness among medical professionals and others who work with people who have Rett Syndrome and to raise public awareness of the condition and it's effects on those affected by it. ".
Rett syndrome: Scientists show possibility of reversing effects of a severe neurological syndrome in a mouse model by restoring full function to a gene formerly rendered inactive. [Scientific American, Feb2007]
