world autism congress

[Guest guest]

----- , Nov.12,2002

Some of you may be interested in the following report presented at

the World Autism Congress in Melbourne, Australia,

Nov.12,2002. Barb

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Autism Breakthrough Announced at World Congress

http://news.morningstar.com/news/PR/M11/D12/1037091067956.html

11-12-02 03:56 AM EST | MELBOURNE, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A major

breakthrough in autism research may lead to early detection and

prevention of the condition, it was announced today at the first

World Autism Congress in Melbourne, Australia. In one of the most

significant finds since autism was first recognised in the 1940s, Dr

Courchesne of the University of California has discovered a

biological development signalling the onset of autism; the brain

growing too fast and two large in the first 12 months after

birth. " For 60 years, scientists and doctors have been looking for an

early warning signal of brain abnormality preceding autism but have

found nothing. That is until now, " Dr Courchesne said. " For the first

time we have identified a biological abnormality that precedes the

clinical manifestation of autism. We know the specific type of

abnormality occurring and when it occurs. This discovery means it may

be possible to detect the onset of autism in babies and provide

effective intervention. " Sophisticated MRI (magnetic resonance

imaging) equipment enabled Dr Courchesne and his team to study brain

development in children with autism, leading to their find. Prior to

MRI, the developmental brain basis of autism was virtually unknown.

Dr Courchesne announced his new findings, obtained just a few months

ago at his lab in the USA, at the World Autism Congress in Melbourne.

Experts from 32 countries are meeting for four days to share

knowledge and discuss their latest findings on possible causes,

prevention and improved therapies. The number of children diagnosed

with autism has doubled in the past five years from about 1-in-1000

to 1-in-500. Three of every four children affected are boys. Some

areas such as Geelong in , Australia, have recorded rates as

high as 1-in-200 children. The demand for services for children with

autism is now greater than the demand for services for children with

cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome or sensory disabilities such as

blindness or deafness in the USA, UK & Europe, Australia, Canada and

New Zealand. Education and therapy services are limited and most

children and their parents wait a year or more for access to

government-funded programs. Experts say the shortage of services will

reach crisis levels by 2004 unless programs are expanded. The

President of the World Autism Organisation, Mr Pat s,

said: " Large numbers of children are being diagnosed with autism

every year. Yet autism remains a mystery. There is no known cause or

cure. This historic congress is recognition that a combined global

effort is needed to solve this mystery condition. " The President of

the Autism Council of Australia, Dr Lawrence Bartak, said: " The

congress offers new hope of improved quality of life for people

affected by autism. " SOURCE World Autism Congress

SOURCE World Autism Congress