In recent weeks national and local media outlets have reported about proposed changes to diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM 5). The proposed changes have not been formalized and that process is expected to be completed by December 2012. – Editor What will the…
House Budget Proposal Released, Includes 1915 b/c Managed Care Waiver
Budget: The General Assembly House Appropriations Sub-committees released their budget proposals and budget special provisions last week. In most cases, sub-committees used the Governor’s budget cuts as a starting point and then cut an additional 1.6 billion dollars from the state budget for a total reduction of 2.5 billion dollars from the base budget….
April is Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month During the month of April, the Autism Society of North Carolina encourages the public to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the resources available to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Autism affects 1 out of every 110 children born today, making it the second most…
Another possible tool for diagnosing autism even younger
Georgia Tech researchers are leading a team of universities to try to develop computerized tools to help people without specialized training to diagnose autism. With the help of a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the tools include a smart video camera, as well as heart rate and skin monitors to measure responses…
CAP-MR/DD Stakeholder Survey
During the month of September, you are invited to participate in a survey about the CAP-MR/DD Medicaid waivers (Comprehensive Waiver and Supports Waiver). Your feedback is very important to us as we continue to improve the waivers. We want to hear from individuals receiving CAP-MR/DD services, parents and guardians of individuals receiving services, service providers,…
Diagnosing Autism with an MRI Scan?
Sounds a little futuristic—diagnosing autism with a brain scan. In a small study of 60 adults, Dr. Christine Ecker of King’s College London was able to use an MRI to detect which adults had autism with 90% accuracy. The study, published Tuesday in the Journal of Neuroscience, has several limitations. First and most importantly, the…
Report on use of antidepressants and autism
According to an article in The Boston Globe, antidepressants may not be helpful for treating the symptoms of autism. However, parents and individuals on the spectrum have reported that they might still help with accompanying depression. As usual, study results need to be taken in context: this is based on a compilation of only 7…