Your Child and Autism

Autism Expert Advocates Technological Solution to Senate Hearings

Ottawa (PRWeb) December 11, 2006 -- Testifying before the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology inquiry on the issue of funding for the treatment of autism Canadian autism expert, Dr. Jeanette Holden, from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario advocated the use of computer technology as a means to alleviate the problem of providing autism intervention services to families of children with autism.

Speaking about solutions to the lack of necessary funding, Dr Holden said, "We've got to look at technology." She stated further that a Canadian company, Virtual Expert Clinics, has an online program called AutismPro that is not meant to replace therapists, but gives parents on waiting lists a chance to start doing something with their children.

Dr Holden is currently undertaking a research trial consisting of 46 families across Ontario, including 63 adult care providers and 52 children aged 2 to 9, using AutismPro. The study is being done in partnership with Autism Ontario and Autism Spectrum Disorder - Canadian American Research Consortium (ASD - CARC) out of Queen's University. Participants have been provided with a one year subscription to the program.

"Early results of our research trial indicate that parents are strongly impressed by AutismPro as a valuable tool for providing care to their children," said Cynthia Howroyd, CEO and President of Virtual Expert Clinics. A speech pathologist who worked with children with autism in New Brunswick. Ms Howroyd developed the online program as a solution to the dilemma of providing timely autism services with limitations in dollars and trained therapists and the startling growth in the disorder.

"Because AutismPro is online intelligent software and because it integrates the full range of evidence based interventions in autism," said Ms Howroyd, "it is also a powerful tool for researchers to collect data on intervention choices and related outcomes for different children." A speech pathologist who worked with children with autism in New Brunswick, Ms Howroyd developed the online program as a solution to the inadequacy of autism services caused by under-funded agencies and the startling growth in the learning disorder.

The Senate Committee heard witnesses from government, autism agencies (both private and public) and parents of children with autism through November and into December.

A private members motion put forth by New Brunswick Liberal MP Andy Scott calling for the federal government to develop a national autism strategy was passed on December 5. On December 7, the United States senate unanimously passed a bill authorizes nearly a billion dollars in spending for autism research and programs.

About Dr Jeanette Holden
Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Physiology and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario; Director, Cytogenetics and DNA Research Laboratory, Ongwanada, Kingston, Ontario. Current research topics include: the genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs); genetics of developmental disabilities (Fragile X syndrome, X-linked mental retardation syndromes)' identifying environmental factors contributing to ASD susceptibility; epidemiology of ASDs in Canada; identification of new syndromes associated with ASDs or intellectual disabilities; identification of family characteristics associated with ASDs; and the genetics of psychiatric and behavioural disorders (bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia and ADHD).

About AutismPro
AutismPro is a 9-step online treatment program for parents and professionals of young children with autism. AutismPro was developed over a two year period with clinical content from approximately 30 therapists, the Geneva Centre for Autism and an advisory board of internationally recognized experts, including Dr Kathleen Quill, author of the best-selling DO-WATCH-LISTEN-SAY: Social and Communication Intervention for Children with Autism (2000, Brookes Publishing Company, ISBN 1557664536). AutismPro was launched at the Geneva Centre for Autism's 2006 International Symposium. For more information on AutismPro, visit http://www.autismpro.com.

Contact:

Thomas Mitchell
Media Manager

AutismPro
46 Dineen Drive, Suite 347
National Research Council Building
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 9W4

Direct Line: 506.474.8134
Toll Free: 1.866.462.0991

Web Site: www.autismpro.com

###

MORE ARTICLES:

Life Insurance Site Promotes Disability Insurance Awareness Month
PlatinumInsurance.info, a Web site that specializes in the life insurance industry, is promoting awareness about various types of insurance during Disability Insurance Awareness Month.

The Looting of American Taxpayers Social Security Disability by Fraudulent Employers Pt. 1
For more than a decade, you the American taxpayer have been burdened with my disability assistance. Why? Because my high-profile employer, a member of the bar and a politically connected entity in this area along with the assistance of his insurance carrier, insurance investigator and other members of the bar as well as a president-elect of a national civil rights organization at the local level assisted my former employer to get away with denying multiply sustained on-the-job injury and infirmities.

Childhood Epidemic Rises 6,000% What Can Be Learned About Autism?
The latest tallies show that over three million people in North America alone carry some type of autism diagnosis. With this increase the biggest question people are asking is why.

What is Autism
Many people may ask exactly "What is autism?", because it is so different from person to person. Due to the very nature of this disorder, this is very legitimate question.

Can Adults Be Diagnosed With Autism Later In Life?
Autism has been around for many years as specific condition but hasn?t always well understood by the medical community and for some people their condition has been misdiagnosed. Though the classic form of autism is something that is often quite obvious in a child, there are high functioning autism types like Asperger?s that can be thought to be something else entirely. This form is just now being understood, and many who have had it their whole lives are just now learning that this is the case. It seems to make the answer to the questions pertaining to can adults be diagnosed with autism rather simple.

Lorman Education Services Presents "Individuals With Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism: Understanding Their Needs" Seminar on November 8, 2005
This "Individuals With Asperger Syndrome Or High-Functioning Autism: Understanding Their Community And Educational Strengths And Needs" seminar is designed to provide information regarding strategies and interventions that will lay the groundwork for integrated, comprehensive and proactive services, thus maximizing the potential of individuals with Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism.

Autism And Discipline ? It?s All About Consistency
Nearly all parents struggle to find the right way to discipline their children, and there are some families in which discipline is lax or even non-existent. However, when it comes to children with autism, discipline is not only important, it can be hard to implement. Parents must think of autism and discipline in different ways when thinking of how they want to approach this, and they must also be sure to ask for help if they think they are failing.

Enjoy Life Foods Provides Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders a Variety of Delicious Options: Parents Look to Gluten-Free, Casein-Free (GFCF) D
Thousands of parents report dramatic improvements in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) as a result of following a gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet.

Autism Super Mom Saves Son in Compelling New Penguin Release
Autism super mom Jayne Lytel traces the arc of her journey -- the four worst years of her life -- to recover her now 8-year-old son, Leo, from autism in a new book, Act Early Against Autism, which debuts March 4, 2008. Her story, and the rescue of Leo is compelling and resonant. The book has been praised by child development guru, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, and Autism Speaks co-founder Bob Wright.