1st - Ever Autism Research Conference to Explore New Frontiers * How To Avoid Mercury * One Last Evening, A Proud Papa * Appointment of 1st Canadian University Chair in Autism

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" Healing Autism: No Finer a Cause on the Planet "

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October 25, 2001 News Morgue Search www.feat.org/search/news.asp

RESEARCH

* First-Ever Autism Research Conference to Explore New Frontiers

PUBLIC HEALTH

* Experts Show How To Avoid Mercury

AWARENESS

* One Last Evening, A Proud Papa

* Appointment of First Canadian University Chair in Autism

First-Ever Autism Research Conference to Explore New Frontiers

More than 200 studies slated for presentation

http://www.newswise.com/articles/2001/10/IMFAR.UCM.html

In a move that reflects the emergence of autism to the center stage of

the scientific community, the International Meeting for Autism Research

(IMFAR) will promote communication and facilitate interdisciplinary

collaboration among scientists researching the disorder. The inaugural forum

will be held on November 9-10, 2001 in San Diego, California, as a satellite

event of the Society for Neuroscience Meeting. The conference is

underwritten collaboratively by the Cure Autism Now Foundation, the UC

M.I.N.D. Institute and the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) --

three of the most prominent organizations in the field.

Spearheaded by parent activists, the plight of children with autism

has been brought to national and international awareness. The scientific

community has responded; an increasing number of scientists are carrying out

research into all facets of the disorder. As a result, IMFAR is expected to

attract preeminent research scientists from around the world.

" Five years ago, the Neuroscience meeting had perhaps six

presentations on autism. Suddenly in six short years, autism has its own

meeting with over two hundred presentations, " said Shestack,

co-founder of the Cure Autism Now Foundation.

" This is an amazing change and testimony to a very strong emerging

field, an exponential growth in available funding and a tragic rise in

incidence. We hope that this forum, the first of its kind, will lead to even

greater awareness, better communication and collaboration and rapid

development of treatments. "

IMFAR's keynote presentations, slide and poster presentations,

workshops and plenary sessions will highlight many different topics in

autism, including structural imaging, molecular and genetic approaches, and

epidemiological investigations. In addition, the conference will feature a

" State-of-the-Science " symposium that will provide a broad overview of

current knowledge and future directions on autism research, as well as a

presentation of the Lifetime Award for Research on Autism posthumously to

Dr. Cohen, formerly Director of the Yale University Child Study

Center, Chairman of the Department of Child Psychiatry, and Sterling

Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology.

" This is a period of long-overdue mobilization for autism research, "

said G. Amaral, Ph.D., research director at the UC M.I.N.D.

Institute. " An increasing number of scientists are exploring the

complexities of the disorder. This first-of-its-kind meeting, where we will

share our findings, is a highlight in the short history of autism research.

With the exchange of information at this conference now, and in the future,

it is our hope that the pace and the successes of the scientific community

in solving the pieces of the puzzle of this complicated disorder will be

greatly enhanced. "

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder typically

characterized by an inability to participate in normal social interactions,

language and communication impairments, and stereotyped, repetitive

behaviors. It is conservatively estimated that at least one in every 500

children have some form of autism; in one recent study, however, rates have

been found to be as high as one in 150. There is currently no medical

treatment or cure for autism, underscoring the importance of shared research

and collaborative efforts to understand this debilitating disorder.

" Science offers the best hope for unlocking the secrets of autism, and

parents are passing the baton to the scientific community to take ownership

in forwarding the cause, " said Prisca Chen Marvin, president of NAAR. " The

unique complexity of this disorder requires a cross-disciplinary approach.

IMFAR presents an excellent opportunity for scientists of different

disciplines to share their knowledge and ideas, and will be an important

step in determining where science needs to go in order to expedite finding

the causes, treatment and, eventually, a cure. "

For more information about the conference, visit IMFAR's virtual

newsroom at http://www.newswise.com/vpr/mtg2001.ucm.html

The International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) is the

first-ever scientific research conference specifically devoted to the topic

of autism. The conference is underwritten collaboratively by the Cure Autism

Now Foundation, the UC M.I.N.D. Institute and the National Alliance

for Autism Research (NAAR). Its mission is to provide a unique opportunity

for researchers, advocates, health care professionals, service providers and

others affected by autism to discuss and promote new research into the

condition. www.imfar.org.

The Cure Autism Now Foundation is an organization of parents,

physicians, and researchers, dedicated to promoting and funding research

with direct clinical implications for treatment and a cure for autism. Since

its founding in 1995 the Cure Autism Now Foundation has directed millions of

dollars to support research projects and a crucial scientific resource - the

Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). AGRE is the world's first

collaborative gene bank that contains information on families with more than

one child with autism. www.cureautismnow.org.

Founded in 1998 as a unique interdisciplinary organization to study

neurodevelopmental disorders, the UC M.I.N.D. Institute, which stands

for the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, is a

collaboration of parents, community leaders, researchers, clinicians and

volunteers. The institute aims to unravel the problems of autism and other

neurodevelopmental disorders by focusing on research, treatment and

education. www.mindinstitute.org.

The National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) was established in

1994 as the first nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research into

the causes, prevention, effective treatment and ultimate cure of the autism

spectrum disorders. Since its inception, NAAR has committed millions of

dollars to researchers worldwide. NAAR was also instrumental in

establishing, and continues to fund, the Autism Tissue Program, the first

and only parent-led initiative to encourage donation and provide brain

tissue for research into autism spectrum disorders. www.naar.org

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* * *

Experts Show How To Avoid Mercury

[by Gaudette in the Associated Press, Contra Costa Times,

California.]

http://www.contracostatimes.com/health/stories/merc_20011025.htm

San Francisco - Pediatricians say simple steps such as taking off

shoes when entering a home or tossing old thermometers can prevent brain

damage kids may suffer from exposure to mercury and pesticides.

Doctors at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics

said Wednesday that parents must monitor any way their children could come

into contact with such toxins, especially when they're in the womb.

" It's almost certain the most critical part of pregnancy is the first

trimester as far as brain development, " said , a pediatrician

at Children's Hospital Boston. " If something happens on day 14, there is

nothing you can do subsequently. "

said kids younger than 5 and women planning to become

pregnant should cut back on eating fish at the top of the food chain, such

as tuna, shark and swordfish, all of which can absorb high levels of

mercury. He suggested women eat no more than 12 ounces of fish each week

beginning four months before they conceive.

The connection between high levels of exposure to mercury and nervous

system disorders has long been known. Much of the country's mercury comes

from fossil fuel-burning power plants and waste incinerators. Closer to

home, a broken mercury thermometer can emit toxic vapors.

In July, the American Academy of Pediatrics said doctors and parents

should use digital thermometers. To avoid sending more mercury into the

environment, owners should dispose of mercury thermometers at hazardous

waste collection centers.

Some vaccines also use a form of mercury as a preservative called

thimerosal. Scientists so far are unable to determine if there is a link

between thimerosal and childhood disorders, but the National Academy of

Sciences this month advised health authorities to reduce its use.

More than 35 law firms have formed a coalition in an effort to force

the pharmaceutical industry to pay for studies investigating whether trace

amounts of mercury in vaccines cause autism and learning disabilities in

young children.

Weil, a pediatrician and member of the academy's

environmental health committee, advised families to remove shoes indoors to

avoid spreading weed and insect killer on the carpet, which can then end up

on children's hands and toys.

Pediatricians also advise people to wash fruits and vegetables

thoroughly. Remove outer leaves of lettuce, cabbage and other leafy

vegetables before eating. Outer layers typically carry the highest levels of

pesticides.

* * *

One Last Evening, A Proud Papa

[by Aberback in The Record, New Jersey.]

http://www.bergen.com/news/aronowba200110253.htm

Sept. 10 was a landmark day for Aronow and his family.

When the Mahwah resident came home from work that night, his

4-year-old son, Willie, told him about meeting the children's character

Winnie the Pooh at a bookstore earlier that day.

Willie, who is autistic and suffers from verbal apraxia, can't

produce sounds easily. Prior to Sept. 10, he had not shared stories about

his daily activities.

" It was the first time I remember [Willie] trying to tell anyone

about his day, " said Aronow's wife, Weinberg. " was just so

happy with how Willie was doing. "

Aronow, 48, was devoted to his son, his wife said. When Willie was

diagnosed with autism in February 2000, Aronow buried himself in books,

learning all he could about the developmental disorder.

" He was very involved, " his wife said. " He was there for every

doctor's visit. Whenever Willie had blood drawn, he sat on his father's

lap. "

An attorney with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,

Aronow worked on the 66th floor of One World Trade Center and is among the

missing from the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

Spending time with his wife and son was Aronow's top priority,

Weinberg said. She said the family spent most weekends taking day trips to

museums and parks. Weinberg recalled a recent trip to West Point.

" We just stayed in a spot of grass by a river for hours, " she said.

" We were having a little picnic. Willie was so content to play with his toys

and lie down by his dad. The two of them were so cute. "

Splashing about in the family backyard pool was a favorite father-son

activity. Whenever he could, Aronow would head for the pool after work.

Aronow and his wife traveled extensively together. The couple, whose

13th wedding anniversary was Oct. 16, had been to Bali, New Zealand, and

Australia. With Willie in tow, they visited Thailand, Hong Kong, Britain,

and Hawaii.

The oldest of three children, Aronow was raised in Cherry Hill and on

Long Island. He graduated from Columbia University in 1975 with a degree in

history and Asian studies. He received his law degree from the University of

Texas at Austin in 1978. He served as deputy chief of the leases division of

the Port Authority.

Aronow's interest in history and civil rights prompted him to join

many organizations, including the National Historic Trust, the Mahwah

Historic Society, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Amnesty

International.

" When I was trying to tell Willie about his father over the past

year, " Weinberg said, " I would just say, 'Your dad's a good guy.' "

Copyright © 2001 North Jersey Media Group Inc.

* * *

Appointment of First Canadian University Chair in Autism

Autism Society Canada applauds

[Thanks again to Zwack.]

Dalhousie University announced that Dr. Bryson has been

appointed as Canada's first Chair in Autism. Autism Society Canada is

thrilled that the Craig Family, through their foundation, have exercised

leadership in bringing this position to fruition.

Such dedication is greatly appreciated by Canadians with autism

conditions, especially since Canada has seen a 63% rise in reported cases in

the past two years.

Research has accelerated in the United States in the past five years

due to family driven fundraising and advocacy efforts. However, Canada has

been lagging behind.

While Dr. Bryson's appointment is step in the right direction, there

is still a great deal more that must be done if Canada is to address the

issues that the growing number of cases of autism conditions presents. With

a current lifetime cost of $2 million (with the current system of mostly

ineffective, inappropriate and inaccessible treatments and supports),

Canada's estimated 3000 annual new cases create an eventual cost to

taxpayers of $60 billion.

However, by using best practices from research to date, that cost can

be cut in half. While that seems a logical approach, it is not happening in

Canada, with families in six provinces having taken to suing their province

as the means to obtain effective treatment and supports for their children

with autism conditions. What other medical condition is so poorly addressed

that families are driven to pursing litigation to obtain medically necessary

treatment?

Canada needs research to better understand autism conditions and their

implications, more effective treatments in both the behavioural and

biomedical fields, and much better application of research to current

practice in order to avoid tremendous financial implications, wasted lives

and tragedy.

With the sorrow of another child with autism having had his life taken

by a parent this month, the need for autism conditions to be a priority of

government is rising. While Canada has seen the lives of six children with

disabilities be taken by parents in the last five years, half of those had

autism conditions.

The reality speaks for itself. Families of people with autism need

help. A few provinces have provided effective behavioural treatment to

young children with autism. All but one uses an age cut-off to restrict

access to effective treatment. What other medical condition is only made

available to some of the people with that condition, while denying others on

the basis of age?

This unacceptable two-tiered medical situation has compelled Autism

Society Canada to ask Health Canada for an Autism Secretariat to address

these autism issues, including development of national standards based on

best practices and universal no-cost accessibility to effective treatments

and adequate supports for people of all ages with autism conditions.

Dr. Bryson and the other (few) Canadian autism condition researchers

have made very valuable contributions to global autism knowledge. However,

their challenge has only just begun. Autism Society Canada encourages other

families and Governments to rise to match the Craig family's efforts at

Dalhousie, and establish Chairs in Autism at each major Canadian University.

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