Study indicates Autism risk is higher for babies with high or low birth weight

A largest of its kind study conducted by the University of Manchester and led by Professor Kathryn Abel was recently published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.  The study looked at data on approximately 40,000 children in Sweden.  The results showed that babies over 4.5 kg (9 lb 14 oz) had a 60% increased risk for autism and babies under 2.5 kg (5 lb 8 oz) had a 63% increased risk for autism.  The increased risk was observed whether the babies were born early or after reaching full term. Professor Abel has suggested that disfunction in the placenta may be were something is disrupting normal development of the babies. Read more about it at manchester.ac.uk here:
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/?id=9955
The journal article is available online at ajp.psychiatryonline.org here:
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=1674558

Play based on fiction novel about boy with Asperger syndrome wins big at Laurence Olivier Awards

"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," a stage production based on the fiction novel of the same name was recognized seven times at the Laurence Olivier Awards in April, 2013.  The story centers on a 15 year old boy who displays the attributes of someone with Asperger syndrome although the story does not explicitly state that he has the condition.  Learn more about it at telegraph.co.uk here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/10024578/Olivier-Awards-2013-Curious-Incident-Of-The-Dog-In-The-Night-Time-sweeps-the-board.html
Read more about the book at wikipedia.org here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Incident_of_the_Dog_in_the_Night-Time

Study of blood test for Autism risk begins

A study is now underway to determine if a blood test can be useful in the early detection of Autism risk.  The hope is that a quick blood test that detects differences in the expression of 55 genes known to be associated with Autism can prompt earlier interventions to minimize the impairments that result.  The research is being funded by SynapDx, the company that now holds the intellectual property rights to the test which was developed in earlier research.  Read more about it at foxnews.com here:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/04/26/could-blood-test-tetect-autism-study-aims-to-answer/

A novel about a fictitious professor with Asperger syndrome is gaining popularity

"The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion won a Victorian Premier's Literary Award as an unpublished manuscript and is now being published and making its way around the globe starting in the author's home of Australia.  The book apparently focuses on the misadventures of a university professor of genetics whose autistic attributes are the driving force behind his comic hero character.  Read more about it at guardian.co.uk here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/apr/28/rosie-project-graeme-simsion-review

A fictional novel centered on historical characters Orville and Wilbur Wright suggests Asperger syndrome may describe them

A new work of fiction that centers on the historical work of aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright suggests that Asperger syndrome might explain the personal attributes that allowed them to lead the development of fixed-wing powered flight at the turn of the 20th century.  Read more about it at huffingtonpost.com here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carolyn-bass/new-novel-suggests-wright_b_3167940.html

Termination of a Scottish teacher based on Asperger syndrome diagnosis ruled unfair

A teacher in Perth, Scotland that suffering difficulties and abscence from work due to stress and depression was eventually diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. The teacher was then terminated from his job by the county council.  The disciplinary action was subsequently found to be unfair and discriminatory based on presumptions about the diagnosis.  The tribunal ruling on the case found that reasonable adjustments were not made to allow the teacher the opportunity to meet the required standards in light of his diagnosis.  Read more about it at thecourier.co.uk here:
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/tribunal-rules-perthshire-teacher-s-sacking-was-unfair-1.88131

Examining folds and cell growth on the placenta may predict likihood of autism diagnosis in newborns

Research recently reported in the journal Biological Psychiatry, lead by Dr. Harvey Kliman of Yale University, offers further support to the idea that examining the placenta of a newborn for folds and unusual cell growth known as trophoblast inclusions may be a very good predictor of Autism risk.  The study looked for these anomolies in placentas from newborns with siblings that had or had not been diagnosed with Autism, which is an established predictor of risk for developing Autism.  Read more about it at healthyday.com here:
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=675720
Purchase access to the full research report in the journal Biological Psychiatry at sciencedirect.com here:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322313002497

Use of anti-seizure medication during pregnancy may increase Autism risk for featus

Valproate, which is also known by the brand name Depakote, is an anti-seizure medication used in the treatement of epilepsy and mood disorders.  Two studies now have shown prenatal use by mothers-to-be may increase the likelihood of their unborn babies being diagnosed with autism.  Valproate is also believed to contribute to several birth defects if used prenatally.  It is approved for treatment of bipolar disorder and migraine prevention.  It is also used in the treatment of schizophrenia among other off-lable uses.  Read about it at jamanetwork.com here:
http://media.jamanetwork.com/news-item/use-of-anti-epileptic-drug-during-pregnancy-associated-with-increased-risk-of-autism/
Read more about it at businessweek.com here:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-04-23/seizure-drug-used-in-pregnancy-boosts-baby-s-autism-risk