Autism research is on the rise according to newly reported analysis of research articles published over the past 30 years.

Thomson Reuters along with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee analyzed the publication of autism related research articles between 1980 and 2010 to determine trends in the quantity and type of research being done on autism.  The amount of research being done has grown to about twelve times what it was at the beginning of the time frame analyzed among other noticeable trends.  Read more about it at disabilityscoop.com here:
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/08/20/autism-research-explosive/16281/
Read the actual report at iacc.hhs.gov here:
http://iacc.hhs.gov/publications-analysis/july2012/index.shtml

Stem cell therapy trial for autism treatment approved by FDA in US

A study investigating possible treatment for autism involving the injection of stem cells grown from each participant's own stored cord blood has received approval to proceed from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Thirty children with autism between two and seven years old will be given injections and then re-evaluated after six months.  They will received injections again and will then be evaluated again after another six months.  Half of the participants will receive the actual stem cell treatment and the other half will receive a placebo in the first round.  In the second round the treatment and placebo will be reversed.  The participants and those evaluating their response will not know which participants are receiving treatment during each round to avoid influencing the evaluation results.  The researchers are hopeful they will get measurable results which could come about through several possible mechanisms, but others are skeptical.

Read more about it at bloomberg.com here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-21/stem-cell-therapy-for-autism-to-be-tested-in-first-trial.html

Father's age may increase the risk of autism according to research that attempted to measure the number of genetic mutations in sperm verses egg.

In cases of autism not linked to a family history of the condition, genetic mutations that might account for autism increase along with the age of the father, but not so much the age of the mother according to whole-genome research conducted in Iceland.  The study looked at the genomes of sets of parents and their child to measure the number of unique mutations present in the child's genome that may be attributed to the father's sperm verses the mother's egg.  Sperm are produced throughout the father's reproductive years through continuous cell division, but the mother's eggs are produced prior to her birth and do not undergo further cell division until fertilized.  The implication that logically follows is that with each cycle of cell division the opportunity for new mutations to be introduced increases the likelihood that a father's sperm will pass on mutations linked to conditions including autism and schizophrenia.  Watch a report on the new research at cbsnews.com here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57498675/study-fathers-age-a-likely-factor-in-autism/
Read the article reporting on the research at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/news/fathers-bequeath-more-mutations-as-they-age-1.11247

Presence of private companies providing autism related services in U.S. public schools is seen as profitable and likely to keep growing

Some in private business see inroads into public education in the U.S. as an opportunity for big profit.  Autism education in particular is viewed as an area of business opportunity.  While, at least some who follow the public education system in the U.S. seem to be worried that the quality of eduction may not be furthered by profit motive.  Read more about it at reuters.com here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/02/usa-education-investment-idUSL2E8J15FR20120802

Woman with ASD sentenced to prison for sexual assault against teen girls is the subject of a new television documentary.

Gemma Barker who pleaded guilty for sexually assaulting two teen girls while she was disguised as teen boys and pleaded guilty for criminal fraud for faking an assault by one of the fictitious boys was sentenced to 30 months in prison last spring.  Barker was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD prior to sentencing.  Her crimes are the subject of a recent television documentary which can be viewed online at channel4.com here:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-girl-who-became-three-boys/4od

Research shows how a gene associated with autism may effect neurons in the brain.

Genetic research conducted in association with the UC Davis MIND Institute on mice may have identified a mechanism through which genes associated with autism effect energy use in neurons.  The disruption causes harm in the mitochondria of nerve cells and this then seems to lead to some social avoidance and repetitive behaviors in mice of the type associated with Autism.  Read more about it at medicalnewstoday.com here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249009.php
Read the research article at plosone.org here:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0042504

Hormones released by male fetuses and boys may explain prevalence of autism in males.

In newly reported research from the University of Otago levels of two male hormones in boys with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders varied a lot from boy to boy, but where not abnormal for boys with ASD's.  On average the hormone levels where within the same range for boys with or without ASD's, but within the group of boys with ASD's the hormone levels were linked to the severity of their autism symptoms.  Read the full story at sciencealert.com here:
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news-nz/20121508-23660-2.html
Read the research article in Translational Psychiatry at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v2/n8/full/tp201272a.html

Article shines a spotlight on four women with careers, with relationships, and with Asperger syndrome.

A new human interest article features four UK women with successful careers, loving partners, and Asperger syndrome. By opening up and sharing their stories it seems these four can serve as role models and should offer some hope and encouragement to others on the spectrum.  Read all about it at dailymail.co.uk here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2188423/They-successful-career-women-loving-relationships--live-affliction-surprise-you.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

A young man has been denied a place on a heart transplant center's list of eligible recipients due at least in part to autism

Twenty-three year old Paul Corby is in need of a heart transplant due to a congenital heart condition.  He was not recommended for the donor heart recipient list by Penn Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania "given his psychiatric issues, autism, the complexity of the process, multiple procedures and the unknown and unpredictable effect of steroids on behavior."  Read more about it at the strollerderby blog at blogs.babble.com here:
http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2012/08/07/family-young-man-denied-heart-transplant-because-hes-autistic/

After conviction and sentencing of Pennsylvania County Councilman his attorney aserts Asperger syndrome as new evidence relevant to criminal intent

An Erie Pennsylvania County Councilman, Ebert Beeman, was recently convicted of Social Security fraud and sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison by a federal court.  Beeman is now seaking to delay serving time until issues suggested by his sister, a social worker, at trial can be further examined.  Beeman's sister suggested he might have attention deficit disorder and Asperger syndrome while acting as a character witness on her brother's behalf and he has apparently very recently been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.  Beeman's attorney appears to be suggesting that Beeman's mental condition may have precluded him from forming the intent required to be guilty of criminal fraud.  Read more about it at goerie.com here:
http://www.goerie.com/article/20120804/NEWS02/308039902/Lawyer%3A-Beeman-should-not-be-jailed-now 
Also read more at erietvnews.com here:
http://www.erietvnews.com/story/19192190/attorney-says-beeman-diagnosed-with-aspergers-syndrome

Asperger Syndrome did not get a convicted murderer in Japan a reduced sentence.

In Japan the prosecutors requested a 16 year sentence in the trial of a 42 year old man with Asperger syndrome who was recently convicted of murder in the stabbing death of his sister.  The court sentenced the man to the maximum 20 years, beyond the prosecutions requested sentence and despite the pursuit of a suspended sentence by his defense.  The court apparently acknowledged the man's Asperger syndrome diagnosis and that it factored into the man's intent to kill, but cited maintaining social order and concern about the possibility the man might commit murder again as reasons for the harsh sentence.

Read more about it at japandailypress.com here:
http://japandailypress.com/asperger-syndrome-patient-given-20-years-for-murder-sign-of-failure-in-japans-support-018020