EBD Blog

Over on Behavior Mod Info there’s a post describing an up-coming conference on behavior analysis and Autism. Link to the post.

In “Lack of Association between Measles Virus Vaccine and Autism with Enteropathy: A Case-Control Study” published on line by the Public Library of Science, Mady Hornig and colleagues knocked out another argument supporting a causal link between vaccinations (specifically, those for measles, mumps, and rubella) and Autism. The research team—composed of scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health’s Center for Infection and Immunity, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Trinity College Dublin (IR)—examined the cornerstone studies that started many down the road to the hypothesis that vaccinations cause Autism. They examined material from the gastrointestinal systems of children with and without Autism to see whether those with Autism harbored the genetic remnants of the measles virus. No go.

Abstract

Background

The presence of measles virus (MV) RNA in bowel tissue from children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances was reported in 1998. Subsequent investigations found no associations between MV exposure and ASD but did not test for the presence of MV RNA in bowel or focus on children with ASD and GI disturbances. Failure to replicate the original study design may contribute to continued public concern with respect to the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Methodology/Principal Findings
The objective of this case-control study was to determine whether children with GI disturbances and autism are more likely than children with GI disturbances alone to have MV RNA and/or inflammation in bowel tissues and if autism and/or GI episode onset relate temporally to receipt of MMR. The sample was an age-matched group of US children undergoing clinically-indicated ileocolonoscopy. Ileal and cecal tissues from 25 children with autism and GI disturbances and 13 children with GI disturbances alone (controls) were evaluated by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for presence of MV RNA in three laboratories blinded to diagnosis, including one wherein the original findings suggesting a link between MV and ASD were reported. The temporal order of onset of GI episodes and autism relative to timing of MMR administration was examined. We found no differences between case and control groups in the presence of MV RNA in ileum and cecum. Results were consistent across the three laboratory sites. GI symptom and autism onset were unrelated to MMR timing. Eighty-eight percent of ASD cases had behavioral regression.

Conclusions/Significance
This study provides strong evidence against association of autism with persistent MV RNA in the GI tract or MMR exposure. Autism with GI disturbances is associated with elevated rates of regression in language or other skills and may represent an endophenotype distinct from other ASD.

Hornig M., Briese T., Buie T., Bauman M. L., Lauwers G., et al. (2008) Lack of association between measles virus vaccine and autism with enteropathy: A case-control study. PLoS ONE 3(9): e3140.

Link directly to the Hornig et al. article. See the press release from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Link to Science Daily coverage of the story.

As a search of EBD Blog would reveal, I don’t usually complete memes. Julie Lorenzen of Austism-Blog tagged me with one, though. I’m following through here.
Continue reading ‘Random sentences meme’

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Here in central Virginia, we are fortunate to have many marvelous neighbors and entertainment activities. In a nifty coincidence, two of those are connected. The Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA) is taking advantage of author Jeffrey Cohen visiting C’ville for the Virginia Festival of the Book at the end of March 2008. As illustrated at the right, VIA is hosting a special reception for Mr. Cohen’s visit and invites folks to attend.

Mr. Cohen, who writes the Double Feature and Aaron Tucker mysteries, is also the author of The Asperger Parent: How to Raise a Child With Asperger Syndrome and Maintain Your Sense of Humor, and Guns A’ Blazing: How Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum and Schools Can Work Together—Without a Shot Being Fired.

As you’ll learn if you read the invitation, there’s a special treat at this reception: The fabulous Hamiltons’ will be serving desert. Yummm!

Here’s a link to the Virginia Festival of the Book Web site and another to the program information about Mr. Cohen’s presentation based on one of his books about Autism. In addition, readers can learn more about VIA via the VIA Web site more about Mr. Cohen’s books on Austim-Aspergers at his Web site.

In “Juvenile prison system needs reform, lawyers say: Advocates urge a judge to appoint a receiver to take over a system they say remains broken despite long-standing promises to fix it,” Michael Rothfeld reports that lawyers told a judge that long-standing problems with prisons for California youth apparently have failed and more drastic action is needed. Published in the Los Angeles (CA, US) Times 18 February 2008, Mr. Rothfeld’s report includes specific concerns about students with disabilities, many of whom are likely to have Emotional and Behavioral Disorders.

Mr Rothfeld’s article includes some recognition of these problems:

* Students do not attend classes the required four hours a day; they often are removed from classrooms for misbehaving, for work assignments or for counseling. At one prison school, 347 classes were canceled between August and October last year because there were not enough substitute teachers.

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* A plan to accommodate youths with disabilities suffered from a lack of leadership and funding. Staffers never received disability sensitivity training, and working groups that were to integrate programs for the disabled with other services were never convened. In two facilities, accessible visiting areas for the disabled were supposed to be in place in 2006, but were not.

Although many people probably have little sympathy for juveniles who have been convicted of crimes and incarcerated, education—especially those with disabilities—is fundamental to any reasoned hope of their rehabilitation. Furthermore, students with disabilities, including those in prisons, are legally guaranteed a free and appropriate public education. So, all of our usual concerns should apply to these schooling situations.

Having observed education services in one such institution, I have heightened concern about problems in juvenile justice system. I saw many failures to provide appropriate services. To be sure, some of them were linked to failure to adopt the kinds of methods discussed on Teach Effectively, but others were simple and clear failures to meet the letter and spirit of laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

• Link to Mr. Rothfeld ’s article.
• Some of the other materials available regarding this case: Second (June 2006) and Fifth Report of Special Master(October 2007; Donna Brorby, Special Master and Cathleen Beltz, Monitor).
• National Center on Education and Juvenile Justice
• Some academic references:
  • Howell, K. W., & Wolford, B. I. (2002). Corrections and juvenile justice: Current education practice for youth with learning and other disabilities. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency. Available on-line at http://www.edjj.org.
  • Leone, P. E., Zaremba, B. A., Chapin, M. S., & Isili, C. (1995). Understanding the overrepresentation of youths with disabilities in juvenile detention. District of Columbia Law Review, 3, 389-401.
  • Malmgren, K., & Leone, P. E. (2000). Effects of a short-term auxiliary reading program on the reading skills of incarcerated youth. Education and Treatment of Children, 23, 239-247.
  • Murphy, D. M. (1986). The prevalence of handicapping conditions among juvenile delinquents. RASE: Remedial & Special Education, 7(3), 7-17.
  • Quinn, M. M., Rutherford, R. B., Leone, P. E., Osher, D. M., & Poirier, J. M. (2005). Youth with disabilities in Juvenile Corrections: A national survey. Exceptional Children, 71, 339-345.
  • Snowling, M. J., Adams, J. W., & Bowyer-Crane, C. (2000). Levels of literacy among juvenile offenders: The incidence of specific reading difficulties. Criminal Behaviour & Mental Health, 10, 229-241.
  • Robinson, T. R, & Rapport, M. J. K. (1999). Providing special education in the juvenile justice system. RASE: Remedial & Special Education, 20(1), 19-26.
  • Tulman, J. B. (2003). Disability and delinquency: How failures to identify, accommodate, and serve youth with education-related disabilities leads to their disproportionate representation in the delinquency system. Whittier Journal of Child And Family Advocacy, 3(1), 3-76.

In the fall of 2006 Scott Kollins, Laurence Greenhilll, James Swanson and a host of colleagues described the Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS; funded by the US National Institute of Mental Heath or NIMH) in one of a series of articles in the prestigious Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. In other articles, the research team presented the outcomes of the study: Ratings of ADHD symptoms were lower among children who received doses of between 2.5 and 7.5 mgs of Methylphenidate three times a day and children taking the medication grew more slowly than expected.
Continue reading ‘Pre-school ADHD’

Over on ms-teacher, a teacher has a little piece applauding a mother’s response to her daughter being suspended from school for bullying. The entry refers to a newspaper article describing how 12-year-old Miasha Williams’ mother had her hold a sign reading “I engaged in bullying behavior. I got suspended from school and this street corner. Don’t be like me. Stop bullying” in front of schools.
Continue reading ‘Bully picture’

Over on Liquid Waffle Girl, Jill reports about a student who brought a weapon to school. I hope she keeps us posted about the events. Read “Jay’s Got a Knife.”

This post is a little off point for EBD Blog, but it will probably be interesting to folks who work with or study children and youths who have Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. Over on a site called Luminous Lint, which is devoted to phtotography, there is a series of photos taken by Jean-Philippe Charbonnierin in the 1950s. The photos show adults in or on their way to French psychiatric hospitals.
Continue reading ’50s French hospital’

Shira Salamone—who is mother of a boy with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and has documented the trials, tribulations, and joys of being the boy’s parent in a series of entries “Park your ego at the door: Links to my series ‘On raising a child with disabilities’”—has a post reflecting on the twists and turns that parenthood takes. It is, in part, a celebration of her son’s college successes.

When our son was young and giving us enough trouble to turn my husband’s hair gray and make me want to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, I never dreamed that a day would come when we would consider ourselves to be among the lucky ones. Our son “made it.” Other people’s children did not.

But, there is much more to it than that. It’s a recommended read (look in the sidebar for a link to the “Park Your Ego” series.

Over on Mentor Matters Mrs. Ris has comments about a book she’s read recently and her experiences with students with bi-polar disorder. Grab your mouse (or tab key) and go on over there.

I’m about to depart the home base again. For about a month, I’ll be in Portugal, teaching a class and talking about special education with folks there. I hope to drop a few posts here while I’m away.