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Neuroscientists reverse autism symptoms

Turning on a gene later in life can restore typical behavior in mice.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office
February 17, 2016

Autism has diverse genetic causes, most of which are still unknown. About 1 percent of people with autism are missing a gene called Shank3, which is critical for brain development. Without this gene, individuals develop typical autism symptoms including repetitive behavior and avoidance of social interactions.

researchIn a study of mice, MIT researchers have now shown that they can reverse some of those behavioral symptoms by turning the gene back on later in life, allowing the brain to properly rewire itself.

This suggests that even in the adult brain we have profound plasticity to some degree, says Guoping Feng, an MIT professor of brain and cognitive sciences. There is more and more evidence showing that some of the defects are indeed reversible, giving hope that we can develop treatment for autistic patients in the future.

Feng, who is the James W. and Patricia Poitras Professor of Neuroscience and a member of MITs McGovern Institute for Brain Research and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute, is the senior author of the study, which appears in the Feb. 17 issue of Nature. The papers lead authors are former MIT graduate student Yuan Mei and former Broad Institute visiting graduate student Patricia Monteiro, now at the University of Coimbra in Portugal.

READ MORE

Sexual Safety Issues for People with ASD’s

The Grandparent Autism Network invites you to join us for this special presentation, “Sexual Safety Issues for people with ASD’s” to be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

Grandparents, parents and adults ages 16 years and older are invited to attend. No children will be admitted. Come early to meet and network with other GAN members and to welcome families affected by autism in Orange County.

The presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m. and you will have an opportunity to ask questions from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please plan to arrive before the presentation begins as we will be videotaping it.

EVENT DETAILS
Sexual Safety Issues for People with ASD’s
In dating relationships
At the workplace
In the community
Presented by Marlene Driscoll, MA, LMFT, who has worked with people impacted by ASDs for over 20 years. Marlene is the Clinical Director at Autism Partnership. She will discuss sexual matters that affect individuals with autism and their caregivers. Learn about common areas of difficulty, risk assessment, practices and guidelines related to sexual behavior.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016
5:00 p.m. Meet & Greet – Refreshments
6:00-8:00 p.m. Presentation, Q & A

Temple Beth Sholom -Social Hall
2625 N. Tustin Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705

Free Admission – No RSVP Needed

Grandparent Autism Network and Project SEARCH

The Grandparent Autism Network (GAN) was instrumental in getting Project Search, an international job training program for people with disabilities, established at CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). GANs founder, Bonnie Gillman, and her late husband, Dr. Sherwin Gillman, supported a 5 year effort to initiate the program there. Tom Capizzi, the VP of HR, Dr. Nick Anas, the Medical Director of pediatric critical care and Dr. Maria Minon, Chief Medical Officer at CHOC were very supportive in establishing the program at CHOC. 

The program will begin in April 2016. Ten adults with developmental disabilities will receive job training with the goal of either gaining employment for the participants at the hospital, or elsewhere, utilizing their newly acquired skills.

The Project Search program at CHOC will bring hope to the many families that have children with developmental disabilities being treated at CHOC. and it is a new way for CHOC to increase resources and support for the families in Orange County it serves.

Project Search is an international program that was initiated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996. Its primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Learn more about this program which has grown to more than 300 sites world-wide by watching the video below. 

Project Search – Job Training for Individuals with Disabilities

The Regional Center of Orange County, will be partnering with Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Integrated Resources, Coastline Community College, University of California Irvine and Grandparent Autism Network to help young adults with disabilities learn skills for employment. The new Project Search program will offer workforce development including volunteer work, work experience, internships, and health care training at CHOC’s location.

Interns build communication and problem-solving skills as well as job specific skills through work rotations. Worksites are assigned on the interns interests and previous work experiences and assessments. Job coaches are assigned to each participant and fade out as intern gains independence. These interns are working to fulfill their goals of achieving competitive employment. Worksite positions/activities could include assembly, clerical, courier, sterilization, stocking, and environmental services.

Nationally, the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is approximately 64-95%, depending on the disability. Surveys around the country verify that the majority of these individuals want to work. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and on-the-job training and support is a proven model. One of our goals for our clients is competitive employment somewhere in the community using the skills they have acquired in work training. A second goal for adults with disabilities is to continue preparing for careers through post-secondary education at community colleges, universities, regional occupational programs and/or adult education programs.

Linda ONeal, former Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), Career Link Director, will serve as the project consultant through RCOC.

CSUF Social Is a Big Success

CONGRATULATIONS TO CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FULLERTON

The California State University – Fullerton students hosted an outstanding Social for Adults with Autism and Their Caregivers on October 11, 2015. The faculty sponsor, Dr. Debra Cote, and the Autism Speaks’ University club members recruited volunteers from 3 universities to host the event for more than 200 guests. You can read more about the event here

Advocate for Jobs

Grandparents are great advocates. We typically have resided in our community for many years and have built relationships with the businesses we patronize. We may own companies or have held administrative positions in corporations. The number of teens with autism is growing and there is an urgent need to identify new job training and employment opportunities for them. Here are some suggestions of how you can help to advocate:

* Identify banks, restaurants, grocery stores, retail shops, department stores, hospitals, and the personal services you access and determine who is the best person to contact there. Repair services and, especially, businesses that require computer skills and data entry, are also good places to contact.

* Ask the managers in stores where you shop if the company trains or employs people with developmental disabilities. If they do, suggest that they provide more job training opportunities for high school students, ages 16 to 22 years, in Transition to Work programs.

* Enlist the help of family members and friends to contact the corporate headquarters of companies, online or by mail and ask if they have any referrals for you.

* See the sample letter to get some ideas about what to write, whether or not the company has training programs or already employs people with developmental disabilities. If they have both training programs and employees, encourage them to increase the opportunities.

* Be sure to contact the company within a week or two after you send the letter to ensure that they received your request. If they are interested in learning more, contact the nearest high school’s Special Education Director/Job Placement Counselor to request that they follow-up and provide additional information for the company.

Suggestions for Advocacy Letter

 

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More Announcements

Webinar: Grandparents of Children on the Autism Spectrum

Posted: January 30, 2023

Their Own Role, Their Own Challenges In this recorded webinar, Connie Anderson, Ph.D., explores what we know about the experiences of grandparents of children with ASD and their importance in […]

A Grandparent’s Guide to Autism

Posted: January 30, 2023

This Tool Kit is specially designed for grandparents of children who have been diagnosed with autism. This Tool Kit will help you to: Learn about autism and its impact on […]

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Posted: January 11, 2023

Orange County Grandparents and their families are invited to be our guests at Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at Northwood High School in Irvine CA We welcome pre-registered parents, […]

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