Autistic Daily

mavi on Flickr

While some individuals with Asperger’s syndrome have difficulty perceiving other people’s states of minds, new research has indicated that a little “push” might do the trick in helping them understand what the other person is thinking.

In the Sally-Anne False Belief Test, an actor places an object underneath a box and leaves the room. Another actor comes in and places the same object underneath a different box. When the original actor returns, researchers track eye movements of the subjects to see if they follow where they think the actor will look for the object.

Normal individuals look underneath the box the actor placed it originally. But the eyes of those on the autistic spectrum look at the box the object was moved to after the original actor left the room, which researchers suggest indicates autistics have trouble understanding the first actor doesn’t have the same viewpoint as they do.

In an experiment using the Sally-Anne False Belief test with Aspergers individuals, researchers found those with Asperger’s looked randomly from box to box unless they were prompted to verbally express which box the actor would look at, which would result in a correct answer.

Researchers suggest this new data could result in programs designed to train Aspergers and others on the spectrum to make more conscious efforts to assess others’ motivations.

via scientificamerican.com

Possibly Related Posts:

• Breast Still Best, Even With Autism Risk? Doc Weighs In.
• Autism Rate Now One Percent Of All Children?
• The Sexy Stereotype Of Autism In Hollywood
• iPods May Help Those With Asperger’s
• Thimerosal Induces Autism-Like Neurotoxicity

ashkyd on Flickr

Jake Crosby, contributing editor at Age of Autism, has taken a moment to discuss why Asperger’s Syndrome is a legal disability.

Apparently, someone commented on one of his earlier posts on the blog that Asperger’s Syndrome is not a disability because it is not legally defined as one.

Geez, talk about simplicity!

Given the fact that laws change every year based on both public and legislator opinion, new data, and culture, it seems rather silly to dismiss the plight that Asperger’s often carries in education and employment situations as not being a “disability.”

A few excerpts from Jake’s article:

“People with Asperger Syndrome are covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Act to receive accommodations in both work and in school.”

“One contradictory element in such views is the claim we do not qualify for “most” disability programs as opposed to all of them and then make the argument that just because we can’t put handicapped stickers in our cars that we are therefore not disabled. Yet, “disability” is a legal term, not open to interpretation. Someone is either disabled or they are not. If he qualifies for any disability programs, he is still disabled, regardless of whether or not he qualifies for “most” of them, much less if he has permission to park in a handicapped space.”

Continue reading Jake’s post at ageofautism.com.

Possibly Related Posts:

• The Sexy Stereotype Of Autism In Hollywood
• iPods May Help Those With Asperger’s
• Adams’ Max Mayer Tells About First Asperger Experience
• Asperger Male Scott James Will Be X Factor Hit
• Aspergers Need Prompts In Social Interactions

Green Flames09 on Flickr

Although many parents of children with autism may report their children having frequent gastrointestinal problems, new research suggests the GI issues may not be linked to autism.

UK researchers at the Center for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol, have recently published their results in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal.

Researchers studied 78 children recognized as having autistic spectrum disorders and 12,906 other children without such disorder.

During the first three years of life, there were no major differences between the groups in such factors as stool color, consistency, the frequency of diarrhea or constipation, and of stomach pain.

Though some children experience more frequent bowel movements around 30 months of age, researchers attributed this to differences in diet.

via news.yahoo.com

Possibly Related Posts:

• Breast Still Best, Even With Autism Risk? Doc Weighs In.
• Enhansa: An Effective Autism Supplement?
• Loopey The Pig + City Ordinance = Autistic Boy’s Heartbreak
• Autism Rate Now One Percent Of All Children?
• The Sexy Stereotype Of Autism In Hollywood