[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Entries from March 2012
Skeletal Fitness by Mirabai Holland Osteoporosis Prevention Bone Loading and Strength Training Exercises:A Workout For Bones and Bone Health for Boomers, Seniors, and Beginners
March 31st, 2012 · Comments Off
Skeletal Fitness by Mirabai Holland® is a comprehensive bone loading program for the whole body, with special emphasis on the areas at risk for osteoporotic fracture: the spine, thigh bone at the...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Tags: Disability
Keeping Your Mind Young
March 31st, 2012 · Comments Off
Aging brings many physical changes to your body. Wrinkles appear, you gain weight without trying very hard, and you’re not quite as strong as you used to be. But perhaps the most disturbing...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Tags: Disability
Canada’s Autism Epidemic? To Start With We Have to Use American Numbers 1in 88 Children, 1 in 54 Boys
March 30th, 2012 · Comments Off
Canada Flag Photo by Harold L Doherty
The CDC in the US has released new numbers on the autism epidemic in the US. It now estimates that 1in 88 children (1 in 54 boys) have an autism disorder. There are no known, reliable estimates available for Canada which has not updated its autism estimates in several years. The Harper government has not taken Canada's national autism crisis seriously preferring to hide behind constitutional walls and leave the availability of treatment to an autistic child to depend on which province his/her parents live in.
A National Autism Symposium was cancelled once the Harper government became aware that serous autism advocates were planning to participate. The symposium was rescheduled and the resulting symposium was a sham. Speakers and so called "community representatives" were chosen who would not take an aggressive advocacy position on any autism issues.
The speakers list even included persistent anti-ABA activist Dr. Laurent Mottron who believes that the idea of curing autism is nonsense. Mottron's mentor and fellow anti-ABA, anti-autism cure activist Michelle Dawson was also in attendance. Causes of autism stressed the genetic bases of autism with no attention to possible environmental causes or triggers. The prevalance rate of 1 in 165 advanced by Dr. Eric Fombonne at that 2006 symposium is still the only figure recognized by the Harper government and by the Autism Society Canada.
With the release of the United States CDC estimate of 1 in 88 Autism Speaks has called for a serious response to the autism epidemic:
Autism Speaks called for the development of a national autism action plan that should include, among other elements:
- Increased funding for basic science uncovering the genetic underpinnings of autism;
- Increased funding for environmental research detecting the causes of autism;
- Accelerated funding and development of effective medicines and treatments;
- Commitment to a strategy where all children with autism from every background are diagnosed no later than18 months of age;
- Commitment to a National Training Corps to recruit more therapists and service providers, as well as specially trained teachers and teacher assistants;
- A strategy to address the growing needs of adults with autism, specifically around continuing education, employment, housing/residential living and community integration.
In terms of the prevalence rate though it is absurd to rely on the outdated figure of 1 in 165. In the absence of any credible, current estimates from Canadian government institutions or from federal autism advocacy groups, the US figure of 1in 88 should be taken as the best available estimate of Canada's autism rates.
We must also continue the push for national Medicare coverage of effective ABA autism treatment, for continued, real autism research of causes and cures, and for the beginnings of a plan for adult autism employment opportunities and adult residential care and treatment facilities.
The US has stepped up to the plate, again, in offering meaningful, honest information about the autism epidemic. Canada has long suffered from a lack of will that has allowed our autism epidemic to become a national autism crisis. We must begin now working toward the day when a new national government is elected that will take our autism crisis seriously.
In the meantime we should abandon the ridiculously outdated autism estimate of 1 in 165 and use the American estimates: 1 in 88 children, 1 in 54 boys.
Tags: Autism
Carnival of Healing #218
March 30th, 2012 · Comments Off
Welcome to the 218th Carnival of Healing — take two. Apparently gremlins ate most of this week’s submissions, but fear not, the Carnival has recovered. Let’s proceed to some yummy holistic goodness. Healthy Living Joe E presents New Research Shows How Rheumatoid Arthritis Spreads posted at Promote Health, saying, “New research has shown exactly how [...]
Tags: Health
Dual Diagnosis
March 30th, 2012 · Comments Off
Dual diagnosis is a difficult combination of addictive behaviors and mental health issues.
Tags: Health
AUTISM SPEAKS Demands An Urgent, New Response To The Autism Epidemic As CDC Updates Prevalence Estimates
March 30th, 2012 · Comments Off
1 in 88 Children; 1 in 54 Boys
AUTISM SPEAKS DEMANDS AN URGENT, NEW RESPONSE TO THE AUTISM EPIDEMIC AS CDC UPDATES PREVALENCE ESTIMATES
Population of People with Autism and Cost to Society Continue to Skyrocket
A National Public Health Crisis Requires a National Strategy
NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 29, 2012) – Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, today called on the nation’s elected and appointed leaders to immediately develop a new, coordinated strategy to take on a national public health emergency – the autism epidemic – in the wake of a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) finding that autism is now diagnosed in a staggering 1 in every 88 American children.
Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, said, “We have an epidemic on our hands. The costs are staggering and will continue to rise as prevalence continues to increase. We know that early diagnosis and treatment are critical, so it is imperative that the U.S. government steps up its commitment to helping people living with autism today. There is a way to address this. The investment we make now is essential to reducing the immediate and long-term costs of autism to families and society.”
Autism Speaks called for the development of a national autism action plan that should include, among other elements:
- Increased funding for basic science uncovering the genetic underpinnings of autism;
- Increased funding for environmental research detecting the causes of autism;
- Accelerated funding and development of effective medicines and treatments;
- Commitment to a strategy where all children with autism from every background are diagnosed no later than18 months of age;
- Commitment to a National Training Corps to recruit more therapists and service providers, as well as specially trained teachers and teacher assistants;
- A strategy to address the growing needs of adults with autism, specifically around continuing education, employment, housing/residential living and community integration.
"Our commitment must meet the challenge,” added Wright. “We need the President, the public health agencies and representatives from both sides of the aisle to come together. A national emergency needs a national strategy. Anything less won't be enough."
The CDC report, published in this week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), states that more than 1 percent, or 1 in every 88 children, is diagnosed with autism today, including 1 in 54 boys. This is a 78% percent increase in 6 years (2002-2008) and a 10-fold (1000%) increase in reported prevalence over the last 40 years. The report uses the same methodology that produced the CDC’s 2009 prevalence findings of 1 in 110 children with autism.
"We know early diagnosis matters, but early diagnosis without access to treatment means nothing,” said Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., Autism Speaks chief science officer. “A majority of children don't get the treatment and services they need and deserve. We have to address all of this as we move forward."
“The CDC numbers are alarming, yet they don’t begin to tell the story of the real families, real individuals struggling every day,” said Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr. “From fighting to get a diagnosis and secure appropriate educational services and therapies, to trying to manage tremendous financial and emotional burdens or find a satisfying job opportunity, families are engaged in a daily battle against this disorder. We need to marshal the same resources and attention that the government has devoted to other diseases and disorders and finally make this a fair fight.”
The total 2011 National Institutes of Health budget was $30.5 billion. Of this, only $169 million – or 0.6% -- was directly focused on autism research.
Earlier this week, Autism Speaks announced preliminary results of new research that estimates autism costs society a staggering $126 billion per year (U.S.) – a number that has more than tripled since 2006. This cost increases to $137B with the new prevalence numbers. The cost of providing care for each person with autism affected by intellectual disability in the U.S. is $2.3 million through his or her lifespan. The lifetime cost of caring for individuals who are not impacted by intellectual disability is $1.4 million. The Autism Speaks-funded research was conducted by researchers Martin Knapp, Ph.D., of the London School of Economics and David Mandell, Sc.D. of the University of Pennsylvania.
About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 1000 percent increase in the past 40 years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed over $173 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 95 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
Tags: Autism
Autism Speaks: Lifetime Care of Individuals with Autism Highest for Those with Intellectual Disability $2.3 Million U.S.
March 29th, 2012 · Comments Off
NOTE: The information in this Autism Speaks news release is based on the US estimate of 1 in 110 persons having an autism disorder. New autism prevalence information released today by the CDC indicates that autism disorder diagnoses have increased by 78% to a current rate of 1 in 88 persons, 1 in 55 for males. HLD.
NEW RESEARCH FINDS ANNUAL COST OF AUTISM HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED TO $126 BILLION IN THE US AND REACHED £34 BILLION IN THE UK
Lifetime Care of Individuals with Autism Highest for Those with Intellectual Disability $2.3 Million U.S. and £1.5 Million U.K.
New York, N.Y. (March 28, 2012) – Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, today announced preliminary results of new research that estimates autism costs society a staggering $126 billion per year (U.S.) – a number that has more than tripled since 2006, and annually in the U.K. has reached more than £34 billion (equivalent to $54 billion U.S.). The costs of providing care for each person with autism affected by intellectual disability through his or her lifespan are $2.3 million in the U.S. and £1.5 million ($2.4 million) in the U.K. The lifetime costs of caring for individuals who are not impacted by intellectual disability are $1.4 million in the U.S. and £917,000 in the U.K. (equivalent to $1.46 million). The Autism Speaks-funded research, conducted by researchers Martin Knapp, Ph.D., of the London School of Economics, and David Mandell, Sc.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, will be presented at the international conference “Investing in our Future: The Economic Costs of Autism,” hosted by Goldman Sachs Hong Kong in collaboration with the Child Development Centre and Autism Speaks, on March 31 in Hong Kong.
Drs. Knapp and Mandell compiled information from recent studies of autism costs from multiple sources to calculate the current cost of autism associated with the current CDC-reported prevalence that 1:110 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The cost of autism continues to grow with the rise in prevalence. While the latest prevalence estimates in the U.S. and U.K. are comparable, the primary difference in total costs of autism in the U.S. and U.K. are due to differences in total country population (five times larger in the U.S. than the U.K.).The research team found that the cost of autism in the U.S. alone is greater than the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 139 countries around the world.
Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, said, “Autism is a global public health crisis. The costs are staggering and will continue to rise as prevalence continues to increase. We know that early diagnosis and treatment are critical, so it is imperative that the U.S. and governments around the world step up their commitment to helping people living with autism today. The investment we make now is essential to reducing the long-term costs of autism.”
This research found that intellectual disability plays a major role in the cost of autism to individuals, families, and society as a whole. The costs of autism per year are nearly twice as high on average for children and adults with intellectual disability than for children and adults without intellectual disability, $2.3 million in the U.S. and £1.5 million in the U.K. ($2.4 million) for those individualswho are impacted by intellectual disability compared with more than $1.4 million in the U.S. and£917,000 ($1.46 million) in the U.K. for those who do not have intellectual disability.
A number of factors were considered by the researchers that contributed to the cost differential between U.S. and U.K. lifetime and total costs. The education and healthcare systems in the two countries offer different responses to the needs of people with autism and their families. Access to empirical data regarding healthcare and education costs differed between the two countries. It is also currently estimated that 45 percent of individuals with ASD in the U.S. and 55 percent of individuals with ASD in the U.K. have intellectual disabilities, defined as an IQ of 70 or less. Experts consistently point to early interventions as key to increasing language and IQ scores, and reducing life span costs.
Total costs to the U.S. were also based on adult prevalence of one-half of one percent, lower than currently estimated 1:110 prevalence of autism in children, derived from past CDC studies. The researchers point to adult prevalence as an area for additional study in the U.S.
The research also found that non-medical costs account for the greatest proportion of expenses. While direct medical costs, such as outpatient care, home care, and pharmacy, contribute significantly to overall expenses, non-medical costs, including intervention services and special education, child daycare, and especially residential placements and care for adults who age out of school and can no longer live at home with parents account for the largest proportion of autism costs.
“The burden on families affected by autism is enormous,” continued Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr. “The extraordinary cost further exacerbates that burden. The time and effort involved in coordinating the care and treatment plan across a large number of providers has reduced the ability of many families to earn a living. Too many families are still denied insurance coverage for essential treatments and services, and the economics add to overall emotional burden on families.”
Building on this preliminary research, Autism Speaks recently provided additional funding to Drs. Knapp and Mandell to support an additional year of study to examine how autism therapies reduce lifetime costs associated with autism. Their investigation will focus on both intensive preschool behavioral interventions and vocational interventions that support an individual’s independence during the transition to adulthood. Calculations will take into account costs related to healthcare, education, caregiving, housing, and employment.
As confirmed by this study, the majority of costs related to autism are incurred during adulthood, principally due to the cost of residential care as well as loss of productivity, underemployment and unemployment among adults with autism. Services for adults are both lacking and expensive.
In 2007, Michael L. Ganz, Ph.D. of the Harvard School of Public Health published research in the journal Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine which estimated that autism cost the United States more than $35 billion per year, and that the incremental cost of caring for an individual with autism over his or her lifetime due to their special needs was more than $3 million. Despite growing prevalence, autism currently receives less than five percent of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases and disorders.
Dr. Mandell added, “We are paying for the costs of inaction and the costs of ‘inappropriate action.’ Social exclusion of individuals with autism and intellectual disability, and exclusion of higher-functioning individuals from employment opportunities are increasing the burden not only on these individuals and their families, but on society as a whole.”
Dr. Mandell and his colleagues recently published findings in Pediatrics that mothers of children with ASD are less likely to work, work fewer hours per week and earn substantially less. Typically the primary caregiver, mothers are called upon to serve as their child’s case manager and advocate, and on average, earn 56 percent less than mothers of children with no health limitations. They earn 35 percent less than mothers of children with another health limitation. They are 6 percent less likely to be employed, and they work an average of seven hours less per week.
Dr. Knapp, Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science and a preeminent expert on health economics explained that the economic burden of autism varies widely across different parts of society from the individuals with ASD, their families, the communities they live in, businesses in those communities, to the government agencies which provide healthcare, education, welfare benefits, social care, and housing. “There is an immediate need for better coordination across public agencies and levels of government from local to national in the way that society structures its service delivery system; too often responses to the needs of individuals and families are piecemeal and less helpful than they could be,” he concluded.
This research was wholly funded by Autism Speaks. The World Health Organization (WHO), through its partnership with Autism Speaks, is serving in an advisory capacity and providing technical support for the cost of autism analysis.
About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 110 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 600 percent increase in the past two decades that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed over $173 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 95 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
###
| JANE E. RUBINSTEIN | Senior Vice President |
| Rubenstein Associates, Inc. | 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105 |
Tags: Autism
Yoga’s Benefits
March 29th, 2012 · Comments Off
The beauty of yoga is that it can be practiced by anyone. It doesn’t matter what your physical condition, or your age–if you’re breathing you can do yoga. One of the quickest ways to attain a fitter body is to do yoga. Yoga also increases an individual’s physical coordination and promotes better posture. And it [...]
Tags: Health
Drive Medical Bellavita Auto Bath Lifter
March 29th, 2012 · Comments Off
The lightest bath lift on the market at only 20. 5 lbs. At 2. 3″ the Bellavita is the lowest bath lift available. Seat height reaches a record 18. 8″. Excellent for deeper model tubs. The...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Tags: Disability
Chinese Herbal Secrets: The Key to Total Health
March 29th, 2012 · Comments Off
A simple, well-illustrated introduction to Chinese herbal medicine. While information on self-diagnosis and treatment is included, the material itself makes clear the need for the help of a knowledgeable professional caregiver. Chmelik has studied and practiced in both China and England (he is president of the UK Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine), and he explains [...]
Tags: Health