The Brain and Autism Research

The brain is arguably the most fascinating organ in the human body, and definitely the most complex.  In recent years there have been significant discoveries made by scientist about the brain, but in reality they have only scratched the surface of all the various nuances it holds.  We know the brain is the mecca of our central nervous system as it sends and receives message to the rest of the body.  But did you know that as small as the brain is in comparison to the universe in which we live it holds more neurons and genes than the amount of stars we can actually see.  There has never been a specific count conducted, but it is estimated that the brain has 100 billion neurons.   

For several years now scientists seeking a cause and potential cure for autism spectrum disorders have turned their attention and focus to the brain as it holds the key to understanding the puzzling mystery behind common autism symptoms and characteristics.  While some scientists might be trying to map the entire brain to better understand its unique circuitry, others are trying to understand the various genes, neurons and chromosomes, and how they are all suppose to interact within normal brain functioning.  The process has already started with comparing normal functioning brains with those of individuals on the autism spectrum, and over the years great strides have been made with mapping and unraveling deficiencies in functioning. In some cases scientist have attempted to replicate autism symptoms and characteristics in mice as a means to study various treatments in an attempt to find a cure. 

A recent study discovered that injections of an agent called “GRN-529” into mice reduced autism like symptoms.  Specifically, agent “GRN-529”  reduced repetitive behaviors and increased social interaction among the mice.  Another study involving mice bred to harbor autism like behaviors found a deletion in a gene called “SHANK3”, which is located in chromosome 22.  What is “SHANK3” you ask?  According to the National Institute on Health (2013), “The SHANK3 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is found in many of the body's tissues but is most abundant in the brain. The SHANK3 protein plays a role in the functioning of synapses, which are the connections between nerve cells (neurons) where cell-to-cell communication occurs. Within synapses, the SHANK3 protein acts as a scaffold that connects neurons, ensuring that the signals sent by one neuron are received by another.”  

There is still a lot of research to be conducted on agent “GRN-529” and “SHANK3” gene, but the preliminary findings are promising and should bring some optimism. For more information regarding the studies mentioned in this blog you can click on the following links:   

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2012/agent-reduces-autism-like-behaviors-in-mice.shtml

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2011/mice-with-autism-related-mutations-replicate-autism-like-behaviors.shtml

LTO Ventures...Helping Adults with Autism Live on Their Own

As the autism population gets older and migrates into adulthood, parents wonder and are concerned about what will happen to them next.  Where will they live and work?  Will they be capable of living independently and have the capacity to work at all?  Just like any parent, those raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) hope that one day their child will obtain employment, and live on their own or maybe in a group home.  According to reports, unemployment among adults with an ASD is a staggering 90 percent, and an estimated 70-85 percent live with a parent or family member. 

Occupational and speech therapy along with educational programs has shown to improve the development of those with an ASD, and increased the potential for job and residential placement.  However, finding employers and residential facilities willing to provide opportunities for those with an ASD is a subsequent challenge.  There are several government agencies and non-profit organizations across the United States that are starting to provide such services to those on the spectrum. 

LTO Ventures based in Henderson, Nevada is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization providing residential models for adults with an ASD and recently announced an entrepreneurial program.  The organization was started by Mark Olson after being inspired by his teenage daughter, who has autism and is nonverbal, and unlikely she will ever be able to live independently.  LTO Ventures creates “Live/Work/Play communities” to help adults with an ASD to have residential opportunities without having to continue to live with a parent or family member.   The communities house approximately 100 residents and are funded in part by grants, donations, private pay, special needs trust, philanthropic equity funding, and endowments.   

Housing options include individual and shared apartment living, and units are organized in clusters to encourage interaction among residents.  Each unit is adapted and equipped to the specific needs and desires of each person.  The communities are vehicle-free and access managed campuses to ensure the safety and security of the residents.  There are currently 18 such LTO community models in existence or under development in the United States.  Further, each campus also consists of businesses that will create employment opportunities. 

In addition to the residential opportunities that LTO Ventures provides, they recently announced the Autism Entrepreneur Center to help adults with an ASD start-up and run a business.  The center will create partnerships between typical adults and those with an ASD to create and successfully run for-profit or non-profit companies.  The mission of the Center is to give ASD adults the specific guidance, tools and resources they need to create, launch and run their own real business.  The first year goal is to create 12 new businesses and putting an estimated 100 adults with an ASD to work. 

For more information about LTO Ventures you can log on to http://ltoventures.org/

 

Ohio Governor Issues Directive for Insurance Plans to Cover Services for Autism

Recently, Ohio Governor John Kasich announced a directive for insurance plans to include services for autism.  The directive requires insurance plans to include specific treatments, such as, speech and occupational therapy, initial assessments, psychiatric appointments, and other related therapies to treat those diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  More specifically, the insurance plan must cover up to 70 therapy sessions per year and 20 hours of Applied Behavioral Analysis treatment per week.  This directive follows 32 other states that have mandated coverage for autism related services that insurance companies were not previously required to cover. Further, Governor Kasich has advised that State employee health plans will include services for autism by 2014.  This means that 49,000 state employees and approximately 40,000 children covered under state insurance plans will be eligible for benefits. 

The directive comes after the Ohio General Assembly had been debating the issue for several years after a bill was introduced and has yet to take a vote.  Ohio already provides access to autism related services to children through its medicaid program.  Research has shown that early intervention and therapy treatment helps make a significant long-term difference in the lives of children with autism by improving speech, social, occupational, and cognitive skills.

Governor Kasich’s directive was not without criticism from special interest groups.  Some folks are concerned that adding such a benefit will increase the cost of insurance to employees and employers.  Due to the additional cost of coverage and the amount of benefits insurance companies will be paying out will force insurance companies to increase the cost that will be passed down to the consumer. 

“These things aren’t free”, said Roger Geiger, who is the vice president and executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Ohio.  “They are all noble and sound good, but at some point it’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back.  Do you want basic coverage for many or Cadillac coverage for a few?”

An estimated 60,000 Ohioans have an autism spectrum disorder and the numbers are rising.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1 in 88 children have an autism spectrum disorder, which is an increase from 1 in 150 just five years ago.  Being a state employee and the father of a child with autism, I applaud Governor Kasich’s bold step to provide insurance coverage.  With that being said I fully anticipate lawsuits being filed to stop the Governor’s directive and an argument for the Ohio General Assembly to make the decision to cover autism services or not.