LaurenWelle.com

A new study has been published indicating that Measles vaccinations are not related to the onset of autism.  Some issues arise with this notion in that we are not entirely sure what the sample size of the test subjects were as well as the ongoing debatable effectiveness of vaccines.

The new study examined children, average age of five, suffering from both autism and GI problems (associated with measles).  Scientific American was able to get a quote:

Researchers examined cells in biopsies (from 25 children with both autism and GI problems and 13 with just GI disturbances) to determine whether they contained genetic sequences of the measles virus. They only found a detectable amount of the virus remnants in one child in each group (4 percent of the autism and GI kids, 8 percent of the GI-only tykes). This indicates that autism is not related to the MMR vaccine or to the presence of measles sequences in the intestinal tract, says Columbia epidemiologist Mady Hornig, adding that the results were replicated in three different labs.

CNN states that the study used 38 children (25 of whom had autism), and found only one instance where a subject had both the bowel disorder and autism.

The Autism Society of America cautioned that “the cause autism is complex and more research is needed to fully understand the role, if any, of the vaccine.”

That’s a prudent and responsible response as this study seems to raise more wuesitons than answers.  What do you think?

As most of you know I work with children with autism and I love these kids with all my heart. They are smart, loving, funny and have so many UNIQUE abilities but stuggle with many daily life skills that seem simple to you and me. I am so proud to say that I am a part of my students lives and hopefully making this world a more calming place for them to live.

I am walking in the fight against autism at Walk Now for Autism. If you would like to walk or if you can not walk and would like to donate, please visit: www.walknowforautism.org .

If you would like to mail a check please fill out a donation form and make your check payable to Autism Speaks. Mail to:

Autism Speaks/Walk Now for Autism
5455 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Below is the date, time and location if you are able to walk.

The walk Date: Saturday, November 8, 2008
Location: The National Mall
15th St. at Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC
Registration: 8:30 am
Walk Starts: 10:00 am
Distance: Approximately 2 miles miles
Map: Washington Monument Grounds
Parking: On-street parking; local garages.
Activities: Face painting; carnival games; roaming entertainers; snacks and drinks; autism resource fair

The money raised at Walk Now for Autism supports Autism Speaks mission to finding the causes, effective treatments and a cure for autism through funding essential biomedical research. One in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism.

Thank you for taking an important step in the fight against autism.

 Please join us for a night of

shopping and fun

Friday, August 29th

8:30 - ?

 You will be treated to refreshments and a personal shopping experience after normal store hours.

 –  Please RSVP to poec@poec.org  –

 Fairfax Corner
11945 Grand Commons Avenue
Suite A
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-266-3448

 Portion of the proceeds to benefit Parents of Exceptional Children

http://www.poec.org

Can you believe August is almost over? The beginning of the 2008-2009 school year is just around the corner! I have attached some important information for those of you who have a child attending preschool or Kindergarten in Fairfax County so that you can begin to prepare for the first day of school.

2008-2009 School Year Calendar

Back to School Night Dates

Registration Information (if you are new to Fairfax County)

Immunization Requirements (most of you already have this unless you are new to the county)

Purchasing Lunch (optional- let your child’s teacher know if you have put money into your account)

Kindergarten (How to help and prepare your child at home, curriculum and orientation dates)

Preschool/Child Find Information

For those of you who have preschoolers:

The original start date for preschool was September 4th. THIS HAS CHANGED. The first day of preschool is September 2nd.

Your child’s teacher will be contacting you the week of August 25th to discuss the upcoming year and transportation.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Hearing is directly related to the development of learning, speech, language and communication skills. If you are concerned about these areas of development, it is possible that your child might have a hearing loss.

There are several types of hearing loss including mixed, unilateral and sensorineural. Today I am focusing on sensorineural hearing loss which takes place when there is damage to hair cells in the cochlea and sound cannot reach the auditory nerve. A cochlear implant, unlike hearing aids that amplify sound, works by directly stimulating auditory nerves inside the cochlea with electrical impulses. The cochlear implant does not result in restored or cured hearing. It does, however, allow for the perception of sound sensation.

Cochlear implants include both external and internal parts. The external parts include a microphone, a speech processor, and a transmitter. The microphone looks like a behind-the-ear hearing aid. It picks up sounds and sends them to the speech processor which may be housed behind the ear or in a small “box” worn in a chest pocket. The speech processor is a computer that analyzes and digitizes the sound signals and sends them to a transmitter worn on the head just behind the ear.

The internal parts include a receiver and electrodes . The receiver takes the electrical signals from the transmitter and delivers them to electrodes that have been surgically inserted in the cochlea. The electrodes stimulate the fibers of the auditory nerve and sound sensations are perceived.

Candidates for cochlear implants include those who have a profound hearing loss in both ears, have no other medical conditions that would make the surgery risky, and are able to, along with their parents, commit to rehabilitation services.

Nearly 3000 people worldwide have cochlear implants, including 1600 children. As of 2006, the world’s youngest recipient of a bilateral implant was just over 5 months old.

Remember, cochlear implants are just one type of hearing device. Ask your doctor or an audiologist about other hearing aid options to see what works best for your child. Early intervention is key.