Six New Autism Research Abstracts. * Georgia State Receives $17.3Million Grant

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Subject:Six New Autism Research Abstracts. * Georgia State Receives $17.3Million Grant

---- edit 02/04/04 06:42:21 !SAReport SAReport Six New Autism Research Abstracts. * Georgia State Receives $173Million Grant SCHAFER AUTISM REPORT "Healing Autism: No Finer a Cause on the Planet" ______________ Wednesday, February 04, 2004 Vol. 8 No. 24 THE AUTISM CALENDAR: NOW WITH OVER 300 EVENTS LISTED http://home.doitnow.com/~events No Registration, No Log-Ins, No Password, No Search Forms, No Cost RESEARCH (Abstracts) * Public Health Monitoring Of Developmental Disabilities With A Focus On The Autism Spectrum Disorders * Association and Transmission Analysis Of The Fmr1 Ivs10 + 14c-T Variant In Autism * No Association Between the APOE Gene And Autism * Association of Tryptophan 2,3 Dioxygenase Gene Polymorphism With Autism * An Investigation Into Sub-Telomeric Deletions Of Chromosome 22 And Pervasive Developmental Disorders * Georgia State Receives $17.3 Million Grant ADVOCACY * A Success Worth Celebrating... A Website Worth Visiting: Clay Aiken's * Tots' Special-Needs Therapy To Stay Free For Poor NJ Parents LETTERS * To the Editor of the New York Times in response to recent articles on Autism * On "Inclusion: A Broken Promise?" by Nancy Salvato * And Some More on "Lovaas" RESEARCH Public Health Monitoring Of Developmental Disabilities With A Focus On The Autism Spectrum Disorders http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_ui ds=14755430 & dopt=Abstract <- - address ends here. Rice C, Schendel D, Cunniff C, Doernberg N. Developmental disabilities (DDs) are conditions characterized by physical, cognitive, psychological, sensory, adaptive, and/or communication impairments manifested during development. Approximately 17% of individuals in the United States 18 years and younger have a DD, and for most children the cause of their condition is unknown. Of particular interest are the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), characterized by unusual social, communication, and behavioral development. Previously autism was thought to be a rare condition, but the number of children receiving services for an ASD has increased dramatically in the last decade. Concerns about increases in DDs, particularly ASDs, their causes, and the high costs of intervention have highlighted the need for systematic public health monitoring. Service provider data, such as annual reporting of special education services or of state DD programs, do not provide a complete estimate of the rates for DDs, including ASDs. Unlike genetic metabolic disorders or congenital hearing loss (HL) for which newborn screening programs can provide accurate prevalence rates, there are currently no genetic or biologic markers for the ASDs to enable consistent and early identification of affected children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP) is a model for population monitoring of ASDs/DDs that has been implemented in other states. This article discusses the role of ASD/DD tracking in public health, as well as the challenges of ASD/DD tracking, including case definition and identification, associated conditions, linkages, and data access. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 14755430 [PubMed - in process] * * * Association and Transmission Analysis Of The Fmr1 Ivs10 + 14c-T Variant In Autism http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_ui ds=14755444 & dopt=Abstract <- - address ends here. Vincent JB, Thevarkunnel S, Kolozsvari D, Paterson AD, Roberts W, Scherer SW. Program in Genetics and Genomic Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada. Evidence from the high male to female ratio of individuals with autism as well as suggestive linkage data have implicated the possible involvement of X chromosomal loci in the aetiology of autism. Studies of the FMR1 gene on Xq27 have shown that occasionally individuals, and particularly females, with the [CGG] repeat expansion and methylation mutation may present with autistic symptoms. However, molecular studies suggest that such mutations are not a major cause of autism. Previously, we have screened autism probands for mutations in regions of the FMR1 gene downstream of the [CGG] repeat and identified an intronic variant in the FMR1 gene, IVS10 + 14C-T, which was present at a significantly higher frequency in autistic individuals compared to controls individuals. We have now investigated this variant in a further 136 autism families and 186 control individuals. We have established that the variant is significantly more frequent among East Asian individuals within our affected and control groups (P < 0.0001) and although we observed a trend of higher transmission frequency of the rare allele to affected individuals, there was no significant evidence in either family-based or case/control association studies for this variant in autism (P > 0.05). Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 14755444 [PubMed - in process] * * * No Association Between the APOE Gene And Autism http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_ui ds=14755445 & dopt=Abstract <- - address ends here. Raiford KL, Shao Y, Allen IC, Martin ER, Menold MM, Wright HH, Abramson RK, Worley G, DeLong GR, Vance JM, Cuccaro ML, Gilbert JR, Pericak-Vance MA. Department of Medicine and Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by stereotypic and repetitive behavior and interests, together with social and communicative deficiencies. The results of several genomic screens suggest the presence of an autism susceptibility locus on chromosome 19p13.2-q13.4. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene on chromosome 19 encodes for a protein, apoE, whose different isoforms (E2, E3, E4) influence neuronal growth. APOE participates in lipid transport and metabolism, repair, growth, and maintenance of axons and myelin during neuronal development. The APOE protein competes with the Reelin protein for VLDL/APOER2 receptor binding. Several studies have reported evidence for an association between autism and the Reelin gene. Based on these data we tested for association between APOE and autism using family-based association methods in a data set of 322 autism families. Three promoter, one intronic, and one 3' UTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the APOE gene (-491a/t, -427c/t, -219g/t, 113c/g, and 5361c/t) as well as the APOE functional polymorphism (E2, E3, E4) were examined and failed to reveal significant evidence that autism is associated with APOE. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 14755445 [PubMed - in process] * * * No Association Between the APOE Gene And Autism http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_ui ds=14755446 & dopt=Abstract <- - address ends here. Notch4 Gene Polymorphisms Are Not Associated With Autism In Japanese Population Koishi S, Yamazaki K, Yamamoto K, Koishi S, Enseki Y, Nakamura Y, Oya A, Yasueda M, Asakura A, Aoki Y, Atsumi M, Inomata J, Inoko H, Matsumoto H. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Bouseidai, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan. PMID: 14755446 [PubMed - in process] * * * Association of Tryptophan 2,3 Dioxygenase Gene Polymorphism With Autism http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_ui ds=14755447 & dopt=Abstract <- - address ends here. Nabi R, Serajee FJ, Chugani DC, Zhong H, Huq AH. Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Although elevation of blood and platelet serotonin has been documented in autism, genetic analyses of serotonin transporter gene have given conflicting results. Tryptophan 2,3 dioxygenase (TDO2) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin. A mutation that results in decreased activity of the TDO2 can decrease catabolism of tryptophan and increase the level of whole body serotonin. As such it is a potential candidate gene for autism. We have investigated five single nucleotide polymorphisms in the TDO2 gene for association with autistic disorder. One hundred and ninety six multiplex autistic disorder families were tested using transmission disequilibrium test. There was a significant difference in the transmission of a promoter variant to autistic subjects (P = 0.0006). Haplotype analysis also demonstrated significant difference in the transmission of TDO2 haplotypes to autistic subjects (P = 0.0027). Our results suggest the presence of a susceptibility mutation in the TDO2 or a nearby gene, but may also represent a chance finding. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 14755447 [PubMed - in process] -- > DO SOMETHING ABOUT AUTISM NOW < -- SUBSCRIBE. . . ! . . .Read, then Forward the Schafer Autism Report. To Subscribe http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/ Or subs No Cost! _____ * * * An Investigation Into Sub-Telomeric Deletions Of Chromosome 22 And Pervasive Developmental Disorders http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_ui ds=14755453 & dopt=Abstract <- - address ends here. Nair-Miranda K, Murch A, Petterson B, Hill W, Nikolova-Hill A, Bradley L, Jackson S, Hallmayer J. School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia. Deletions of the sub-telomeric region of chromosome 22 have been associated with mental retardation, developmental delay, and autistic behaviors. This study investigated sub-telomeric anomalies of chromosome 22 using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) probes in 82 subjects diagnosed with autism and atypical autism. No microdeletions were detected in this group. Similar FISH analyses were undertaken on two children with developmental delay, who were ascertained to be ring 22 during routine cytogenetic investigations. One subject was shown to have a microdeletion in the sub-telomeric region tested. Both children met the social and communication cut off for autism on the ADI and but did not meet the cut off for restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Only one of the two children met the criteria for PDD on the ADOS. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 14755453 [PubMed - in process] * * * Georgia State Receives $17.3 Million Grant [by Steve Wilson.] http://www.gsusignal.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/02/03/401fd0e1e04d9 A renewed grant program will enable Georgia State University researchers to continue their renowned work on researching and understanding the human brain. The Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, (CBN) a consortium of eight metro Atlanta colleges and universities with more than 90 neuroscientists, has been awarded a $17.3 million five-year grant renewal from the National Science Foundation, according to the press release provided by the university’s Relations Office. Pending congressional approval, total NSF support for the center will be raised to $37.2 million through November 2009. Over the same period, the Georgia Research Alliance a private, nonprofit partnership of Georgia’s research universities, government and industry that drives the state’s science and technology strategy — has committed several million dollars in infrastructure support for CBN. "We are grateful to both the National Science Foundation and the Georgia Research Alliance for their substantial investments in the center," said CBN Director Elliott Albers of Georgia State University. "The commitments demonstrate their conviction that CBN is making significant contributions to improving understanding of behavioral neuroscience and in our potential to leverage research findings and technologies into new clinical and commercial applications." Dr. Albers believes the renewed grant will not only allow important neuroscience research to continue but will enable underrepresented groups to take part in these critical endeavors."The grant renewal gives us the opportunity to further develop our already internationally-recognized research programs in behavioral neuroscience," said Dr. Albers. Dr. Albers said that he and his team of researchers are convinced that these findings will help to understand disorders like autism and lead to the development of new types of therapy."The renewal," he said, "will also allow us to continue to bring the excitement of behavioral neuroscience to the public in association with our partners, such as Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Zoo Atlanta, and to build innovative educational programs designed to recruit and retain underrepresented minorities and women at all levels into neuroscience." In the field of behavioral neuroscience, experts have identified CBN as a leading player in the southeast’s biotech industry. Looking ahead, Dr. Albers noted that CBN will work to commercialize its technologies and develop industry partnerships. "We are convinced the CBN will play a major role in the burgeoning biotech industry in Georgia," said GRA President Michael Cassidy. "The findings emerging from CBN studies are already leading to clinical and commercial applications, many more of which are certain to emerge over the next few years."Since its founding in 1999, CBN has conducted breakthrough research in four basic areas of social behavior: fear, aggression, affiliation and reproduction. Specifically, this includes studies on the brain’s amygdala, which controls the fear response. This has led to the development of a therapy for people suffering from acrophobia. Other areas have resulted in breakthroughs in the areas of estrogen replacement therapy, the treatment of autism and in understanding violent behavior in humans. CBN consists of researchers at Georgia State, Emory University, Georgia Tech and the five schools comprising the Atlanta University Center (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College and Spelman College). -- > ANOTHER THING YOU CAN DO ABOUT AUTISM NOW < -- TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER http://home.sprynet.com/~schafer/ref.htm _____ * * * ADVOCACY A Success Worth Celebrating... A Website Worth Visiting: Clay Aiken's [From the Bubel/Aiken home web page.] http://www.thebubelaikenfoundation.org/home.htm The Bubel/Aiken Foundation will serve to bridge the gap now existing for young people with developmental disabilities between full inclusion and today's reality. While on staff at the YMCA, Clay watched as children with special needs were turned away from programs due either to the lack of staff members trained specifically in working with the disabled or a staffer to participant ratio that was too high to provide the necessary support. A Success Worth Celebrating... Posted Special to The Charlotte Observer, Sun, Dec. 21, 2003. Some opportunities present themselves just once, and no doubt, I've been blessed to experience several beyond my wildest dreams this year. High on that list -- with "American Idol," the "American Music Awards" and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, among others -- is an event every bit as exciting and memorable: my college commencement at UNC Charlotte. Yesterday, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education. I donned the robe and mortarboard, sat with fellow students, and took in the sights and sounds of a transformed Halton Arena. People were brimming with anticipation, pride and joy. I "walked" in line to receive my diploma. I shook hands with the chancellor and the College of Education dean. I turned my tassel upon the conferring of degrees, cheering loudly upon joining the ranks of the 49er alumni. And I wouldn't have missed it for the world. While I truly regret any inconvenience my attendance may have caused, I am grateful to have had the chance to come back to UNC Charlotte to celebrate this milestone. A triumph four years in the making, this was a "magical moment" that I wanted to capture -- for myself and those whose support made it possible. In what could be the understatement of the year, my life has changed dramatically since that first American Idol try-out. It's surreal, actually, thinking about the whirlwind of events that have unfolded. The interviews. The awards. The invitations. Even the rumors, which, unfortunately, come with the territory. I was warned, "It's the price of fame." Yet fame and glory are fleeting, especially in the music business. That's why completing my degree and graduating from college were priorities. How long this ride will last is anyone's guess, but the fact remains that if it all ended tomorrow, I'd still have Plan A to fall back on -- and that's not a typo. My first dream was to work with children with disabilities. Reaching that goal began with my education at UNC Charlotte. I am indebted to the faculty and administrators of the College of Education for their support and guidance in the special education program, including my special study on service needs for children with autism. However, college also opened doors beyond the classroom that provided a glimpse of life in the "real-world." For example, the Bubel family not only welcomed me into their lives, but entrusted me to help care for their most precious gift -- their son, Mike, who has autism. He continues to be my inspiration and motivation to help children with disabilities. If my career detour from special education to singing has done one thing, it has afforded me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. In founding the Bubel-Aiken Foundation, we hope to be able to help families receive much-needed support with the care and education of their special needs children. What's more, the friendships I made with special ed majors and other UNC Charlotte students are as valuable as the knowledge gained from my studies. In time, good memories will only grow stronger -- and those few hours at commencement with friends have already become precious. For a short while, I was who I was before fate intervened: Clay Aiken, Class of 2003, caught up in the moment of graduating. Thomas Wolfe said you can't go home again, and now I understand. In 12 months, my life has changed forever. I've learned a lot outside the classroom -- about myself, business, friendships and especially, the value of time. I missed out on some opportunities due to schedule conflicts -- and while those windows may open again, second chances aren't guaranteed. I did not want my college commencement to fall into that category. I worked hard to earn my degree, and so, too, did a lot of others who invested their time, talent and concern to help me reach my goals. Still, for all of the changes that come with being in the public eye, there is one that I embrace because I am a teacher at heart. I can lead by example and encourage others to pursue their educational goals. I hope that my participation in UNC Charlotte's commencement sends a clear signal that far outlasts whatever fame my future holds: there is nothing more important than obtaining an education. Hmmm I wonder if there's a song in there. Singer Clay Aiken, a graduate of UNC Charlotte in special education, was runner-up in the American Idol competition and is founder of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. * * * Tots' Special-Needs Therapy To Stay Free For Poor NJ Parents [by Susan K. Livio for the Star-Ledger.] http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1075878846274710. xml State health officials have dropped plans to charge poor working families for therapy for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. Middle-class and wealthy families will face added charges for services provided by the Early Intervention Program as of March 1, under a plan expected to gain approval from federal officials. But these charges will be less than those proposed last fall by the state Department of Health and Senior Services. State officials scaled back the fee increases after they drew protests from nearly 175 people who wrote letters and testified at hearings. "We commend the department for listening to the concerns of families and advocates," said Lowell Arye, executive director of the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities, which represents private agencies that provide services to people with developmental disabilities. He said the alliance and "others were concerned that many families would forgo necessary services because of an inability to make monthly payments." The program serves about 14,000 children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, vision impairments, and delayed development experienced by premature infants. Officials proposed the fees to raise an extra $7 million for a program whose cost has doubled over the past two years. The program has grown at a 15 percent annual rate for the last eight years, chiefly because pediatricians are now identifying problems earlier. State officials yesterday could not say how much the reduced fee structure would generate. "The Early Intervention System is very important to families of children with developmental disabilities," Health and Senior Services Commissioner Clifton R. Lacy said in a statement yesterday. He said the department "has taken the necessary steps to keep this important program affordable and accessible to all New Jersey families who need these vital services." Under the new plan that begins next month, middle-class and wealthy families with children who have developmental problems will have to pay for two hours a week of speech, physical and occupational therapy the state has provided free for the past 30 years. The state already charges some families whose children require more than two hours a week of therapy. Under the original proposal, the state would have instituted fees for families of four making as little as $27,600 a year. Under the new plan, fees for families of four would not kick in until their incomes reach $64,500 a year. The fees will be on a sliding scale, based on income. Those families of four earning $64,500 annually would pay $10 a month. The state originally proposed charging such families $12.65 a month. Higher-income families also will pay less under the revised plan. A family of four earning $156,400 annually would have paid $442 a month; the revised plan calls for a $194 monthly fee, according to the state. Information on the Early Intervention System can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/eiphome.htm. * * * LETTERS To the Editor of the New York Times in response to recent articles on Autism. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/30/nyregion/30AUTI.html Re "As Autism Cases Rise, Parents Run Frenzied Race to Get Help" As the parent of a 10-year-old boy with autism, I find it difficult to describe the determination you must have to create a successful program that will work with and not against your child. One misconception that I hear over and over is that school districts are reluctant to waste money on lawyers and that parents are anxious to exercise their due process rights against their school district. At best your chance of winning this kind of case is about 50-50. We won our case against the Stamford School District, but it took five years, 33 hearing days, $180,000 in legal fees, and an indescribable emotional and physical toll on our family. I can deal with the autism, but I can't deal with the ignorance and wastefulness of school districts that would rather pay lawyers than teachers. - Denise Buckenheimer New Canaan, Conn. * * Re "Autism Cases Up; Cause Is Unclear" (front page, Jan. 26): The federal government, in concert with groups advocating for autistic children, has created a 10-year plan to examine the causes, diagnosis and treatment of autism. While a good foundation, this is an unfinanced plan at the beginning of a political process. Moreover, the road map does not address the critical shortage of intervention services for the thousands of autistic children and adults living today. Access to these services depends on eligibility formulas that vary from state to state, school district to school district and agency to agency. Until equal access to the best programs is ensured, the quality of life for children and adults with autism will continue to be substandard. - Lynda Geller Stony Brook, N.Y. The writer is director of community services and education, Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Stony Brook University. * * The cause of the dramatic increase in recognized cases of autism is a puzzle that has no definitive answer (front page, Jan. 26). What we do know with certainty is that the young children so identified will have a much better chance of typical futures if they receive early and intensive educational services delivered with great skill. We know that autism is not a unitary disorder but rather a spectrum of disorders. The 4-year-old who doesn't speak or understand speech, who may bang or hit his head repeatedly, who appears oblivious to people much of the time, is quite different from the 4-year-old who can recite large numbers of facts and do mathematical computations but is oblivious to people much of the time and engages in odd, repetitive behaviors. Both need highly skilled intervention, although not of the same type. What we can do is provide increased education and training to prepare teachers and other school personnel to become better providers of services to children with autism. - Shirley Cohen, New York The writer is interim dean, School of Education, Hunter College. * * Yes, we have gotten better at diagnosing autism, but the increase in autism is real and in dire need of our attention and of serious research dollars (front page, Jan. 26). Few of us can remember knowing an autistic child back in the 1950's and 1960's. Most of us are familiar with one today. - Corey Shea Orleans, Mass. * * Many long-term educators and tutors will tell you that there are many more kids on the autism spectrum today — not just numbers being reclassified (front page, Jan. 26). If you spend time at play groups, schools and so on, you will notice firsthand how many of these kids there are. Growing up, I knew no kids who were affected. But today, a handful of my friends' kids are. Those who don't believe the rise are just fooling themselves and keeping others from making the right decisions. - Marian Miller, Menlo Park, Calif. * * In reference to the New York Times Article about parents scrambling to find services I must comment on the assumption that North Carolina has seamless and well-coordinated services from preschool to age 21. After living in North Carolina for the past two years we are scrambling to get out. Our daughter has been assaulted by a teacher, has met no goals in two years and is on an endless "CAP" (Medicaid) waiting list. We have absolutely no financial help at all. It's taken me two years to find decent therapists and there are no private schools in our area as well. Just know it depends on where you live in North Carolina because the state is hurting financially and is also very behind the times in many ways regarding Autistic treatments and education. -Kathy Hudson (Abby's mom) * * On "Inclusion: A Broken Promise?" by Nancy Salvato I understand the concerns Nancy Salvato has as a General Education teacher. But, the answer lies not in going backwards or seeking to destroy the hard won rights of Individuals with Disabilites as reflected in I.D.E.A. The answer lies in changing education to accommodate the growing population of children with neurological impairments. She is incorrect in her assertion that the educational standards for Special Needs population are not the same. According to the No Child Left Behind Act (another unfunded educational mandate), children with special needs are expected to pass federally required minimum proficiency exams in order to attain a high school diploma. (See Education Week: Volume XXIII; Number 17; January 8, 204; "Special Education in an Era of Standards") - Sally Rubin, Oakland, CA * * I am an RN in Open Heart Surgery (an RN for 17 yrs) & a parent to Alex (10 in April with Aspergers). Nancy Salvato's little rant, "Inclusion: A Broken Promise?", Jan 29., angered me. She wants to complain about training - DON'T even go there! Don't you think us nurses are always inundated with new things, i.e. sexual abuse, domestic violence, disabilities, etc. But to be at the top of our game, we educate ourselves. Maybe she should stop her rant & realize that maybe she is in the wrong profession. If she had a child with a disability, she would no doubt be doing what we're all doing: defending our kids rights to a right education. I'm glad she isn't in my school district because mine are very compassionate and involved. - Debbie Denn * * You know, most inclusion issues as pertaining to teacher training could be solved with future teachers by simply having some required coursework in special ed for bachelor's degrees. Of course, as with many things in government, it would be too simple for the Board of Regents to think, "hey, why don't require a couple of courses on special ed for regular ed teachers", since they will be teaching kids with special ed issues. Rather than this sort of common-sense approach, a parent group must hire a lobby to solicit college boards and state legislature. Then a million $$ study would have to be created to see if this really would help inclusion issues. The issue must be debated for several years and argued about by the TEA. Then finally because someone thinks it will either be a good career move or increase electability, he or she will put on the squeeze to implement/pass the changes. Finally the changes will be made, scheduled for implementation several years down the road. So, about ten years after the law/standards are created the first graduates will enter the workforce and another ten years will pass so another $5 million study can conclude that, yes, it was good to add that one course about special ed in regular ed curriculum and, in fact, why not add a second course... - Debi Haney Readers can write to Nancy Salvato directly regarding her commentary at: Educational Liaison, Office of Il Sen. Ray Soden, 630-853-7390 civicedu.60515 - Editor * * And Some More on "Lovaas" David Kiasi of Maryland made some important points in his “Response to An Article Promoting ABA.” Foremost of these is the reality that few home ABA programs achieve the 47% recovery/success rate that Lovaas achieved. (The pseudo-ABA programs offered by some schools districts also have poor results.) This should not be a surprise. Lovaas has emphasized many times that his research program had very strict quality controls for all aspects of training and supervising therapists--standards that exceed what any home program could do. In addition to a clinic-based program based on his research, the Lovaas organization “LIFE“ (http://www.lovaas.com/) also provides a workshop model for assisting home programs. LIFE does not make any claims for the recovery rate of children in the workshop model but estimates are that the recovery rate is less than half of the 47% success rate in the more controlled Lovaas clinic model. What can we conclude from these facts? First, even a 20% chance of recovery is better than doing nothing or depending solely on unproven treatments like diet, medications, etc. Whatever else you decide to try, your best chance is to start with a solid ABA program and build on that with diet, biomedical treatments, etc. Lovaas and others have identified two things that have a huge impact on the success of ABA programs. First, the Lovaas study showed that the number of therapy hours per week is critical. A program of 40 hours a week is not just 4 times better than 10 hours/week, it is probably 50 times more effective. The second critical factor is “quality.” The marks of a quality program are: (1) quality people with a proven record of success, (2) weekly observations and training of each therapist by an experienced Senior Therapist, (3) parental commitment to learning and applying ABA daily outside of therapy hours, (4) actual data and regular progress reviews to compare your child with the progress seen in children who recovered. -David Eland, Lenexa, KS david.r.eland