Autistic Daily

molly darling on Flickr

Several pregnancy complications may lead to an increased risk of giving birth to a child that will later develop autism, according to a US review of 40 studies appearing in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Here are two problems the studies linked with autism:

1. Gestational Diabetes-The condition affects as many as 1 in 4 pregnancies and was associated with a two-fold increase in autism

2. Bleeding in pregnancy-Resulted in an 81% increase risk of the disease.

It’s thought that bleeding may deprive the fetus of oxygen, thus leading to impairment of brain development.

But it wasn’t noted consistently when the bleeding occurred, whether it was early or late in the pregnancy.

Bleeding during the earlier stages of pregnancy is thought to be not as risky to the fetus as later.

via bbc.co.uk

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karschsp on Flickr

Consumer Watchdog, a California state group that monitors insurance practices, says that insurers that deny treatment for autism prescribed by a patient’s doctor are violating mental health and other laws.

“Californians, including those stricken with autism and their parents and caregivers, expect regulators to enforce the law, not to side with insurance companies seeking to boost their profits by denying patients the care they need,” said Harvey Rosenfield, founder of the nonprofit organization.

They’re asking a judge to order the Department of Managed Health Care to require such providers to cover these treatments.

One such treatment that has been declined by insurers is applied behavioral analysis, a type of behavior modification therapy, which can cost as much as $70,000 per child.

In addition, insurers are arguing that ABA is educational, which would mean they aren’t required to cover it.

Insurers are claiming they’re follow the law and provide reimbursement for most autism treatments according to the 1999 Mental Health Parity Act, but the dispute still remains over certain types of treatments, like ABA.

via latimes.com

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