e-Speaks: Autism Genes Discovered; Environmental Innovator Award Recipient Publishes New Data; Autism Speaks Visits the Middle East

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e-Speaks: Autism Genes Discovered; Environmental Innovator Award

Recipient Publishes New Data; Autism Speaks Visits the Middle East

e-Speaks || May 1, 2009

Autism Genes Implicated in Early Neural Development Discovered

Two recently published studies - the results of collaborative efforts of

researchers from more than a dozen institutions, and led by Hakon

Hakonarson, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Applied Genomics at The

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - have identified genes with important

contributions to autism. One study pinpoints a gene region that may account

for as many as 15 percent of autism cases, while another study identifies

missing or duplicated stretches of DNA along two crucial gene pathways.

Significantly, both studies detected genes implicated in the development of

brain circuitry in early childhood. " Autism Speaks is pleased to have

facilitated this critical research, having provided both funding and access

to thousands of DNA samples through Autism Speaks' Autism Genetic Research

Exchange (AGRE), " said Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., chief science officer for

Autism Speaks. Read more.

Environmental Innovator Award Recipient Publishes New Data on PCBs and Brain

Development

In a series of manuscripts currently being published, Autism Speaks 2006

Environmental Innovator award recipient Isaac Pessah, Ph.D., reports the

potential effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on brain development.

Using an animal model, Dr. Pessah focused on the impact of PCBs on a protein

known as the ryanodine receptor. This receptor regulates calcium signaling

in the brain and plays a role in " turning on or off " the activity of nerve

cells. These findings are important, as some of the genes associated with

autism risk either regulate calcium signaling or are themselves regulated by

calcium. Read more.

Autism Speaks Visits the Middle East

Autism Speaks Co-founders Suzanne and Bob , along with Vice President

of Scientific Affairs Andy Shih, Ph.D., recently traveled to the Middle East

to meet with dignitaries, scientists and government officials in Riyadh,

Saudi Arabia as well as attend the Fourth Annual Shafallah Center

International Forum on Achieving Independence, in Doha, Qatar. Read more.

Autism Speaks Board Members Ring NASDAQ Closing Bell

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Autism Speaks Board Member

Slatkin, Harry Slatkin, president of Home Design for Limited Brands and of

Slatkin & Co., and their nine-year-old son , who has autism, rang the

closing bell at the NASDAQ stock market on April 27, 2009. Read more.

Autism Speaks Hails Senator Arlen Specter's Introduction of the Cures

Acceleration Network Act

This week Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) introduced the Cures Acceleration

Network (CAN) Act, groundbreaking legislation focused on accelerating the

process of moving the most promising research discoveries from the lab bench

to the bedside. The CAN Act would reauthorize the National Institutes of

Health (NIH) at a new baseline funding level of $40 billion per year, in

essence making recently added stimulus funds a permanent part of the NIH

budget. The second major aspect of the bill is the creation of a new,

independent federal agency, the Cures Acceleration Network, specifically

tasked with more quickly translating research discoveries into practical

medical applications. For more information on the CAN Act, visit

www.AutismVotes.org/CAN.

States Push Autism Insurance Bills Towards Passage

Momentum across the country is growing as several more autism insurance

reform bills have passed halfway through their state legislatures! Missouri

Senate Bill 167 has passed the State Senate and will now be reviewed by the

members of the State House. Nevada Assembly Bill 162 has passed the State

Assembly and moves on to the Senate. The Minnesota House passed autism

insurance reform as part of the Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance

Bill (HF 1362). And the Colorado State Senate passed Senate Bill 244 and the

effort now moves to the House. Autism Speaks will continue to push these

bills towards passage, along with over twenty others that have been

introduced in state legislatures this year, adding to the ten states that

have already enacted comprehensive autism insurance reform.

Five Walk Now for Autism Events Raise Nearly $2 Million

The 2009 Walk Now for Autism spring season continues with five successful

events in Broward County, Cumberland Tri-State, Lehigh Valley, Sonoma and

Los Angeles. More than 35,000 people participated, raising nearly $2

million. Read more and view photos here.

Celebrities, Runners and Rockers Raise Funds at Community Events

Four fundraising events - Autism SpeaksU First Annual " Fear the Turtle, Find

a Cure 5K Race/3K Walk " , The Seventh Annual Bethesda Super-Sprint Triathlon,

HEROES for Autism, and Rock 'Til It Stops - took place from coast-to-coast,

attracting television stars, musicians, walkers and tri-athletes and raising

over $356,000. Read more and view photos here.

Autism Speaks Files Amicus Brief with U.S. Supreme Court

Autism Speaks, through its Federal Legal Appeals Project (FLAP), filed an

amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in Forest Grove School

District v. T.A. (Forest Grove), a case that had originated in the Ninth

Circuit Court of Appeals. The salient issue in Forest Grove is whether or

not a parent has " standing " to challenge their child's IEP and seek

reimbursement relief if that parent has never before " tried out " the school

district's recommended program. The Ninth Circuit, consistent with the

Second Circuit in the Tom F. case, held that a parent need not try out the

district's program to gain standing to challenge the IEP and seek

reimbursement relief. Read more.

Innovative Video Glossary Upgraded and Re-Launched

The Autism Speaks video glossary, first introduced in late 2007, has been

upgraded and re-launched to better serve the needs of users. The glossary is

designed to help parents and professionals learn more about the early

warning signs of autism spectrum disorders. More than one hundred

side-by-side video clips illustrate typical development and behaviors that

are red flags for autism, facilitating earlier diagnosis and intervention

for children with autism. Visit the Autism Speaks video glossary here.

New Shared Heart Collection is a Gem for Autism Speaks

Zales Corporation, Autism Speaks' newest corporate partner, will donate $5

for every piece of jewelry sold from the new, exclusive Shared Heart

collection at Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet and Gordon's Jewelers stores.

Zale has committed a minimum donation of $100,000 as a part of this

partnership. Read more.

Honor Mom on Mother's Day - May 10

In our next e-Speaks we will feature tributes from our readers to wives,

moms, other female caregivers, or personal experiences from the mother of

children on the spectrum, in honor of Mother's Day. E-mail your paragraph to

editors@... with a photo. Due to space constraints, not all

submissons can be used. Surprise mom with a great gift for Mother's Day -

check out the limited edition Judith Ripka Autism Speaks Puzzle Pendant and

other suggested gift items here. Celebrate the holiday by sending a Mother's

Day e-card, too!

In Their Own Words: I Beat Autism

In our latest " In Their Own Words " essay, a teenager shares his memories of

growing up with autism. He details how rigid therapy helped him recover from

autism, to the point that he is now a " typical " high school senior - one

involved in sports and activities. Read more.

Coming Soon

May 2

Utah Walk Now for Autism (Orem, Utah.)

May 3

1st Annual " UWere, UAre, USpeak Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk " (Amherst,

Mass.)

Georgia Walk Now for Autism (Atlanta, Ga.)

Northern New Jersey Walk Now for Autism (Paramus, N.J.)

May 5

National Chamber Players Concert (andria, Va.)

May 7-9

The 8th Annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) (Chicago,

Ill.)

May 13

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio Walk Now for Autism Kick-off

(Mayfield Heights, Ohio)

May 14

New Jersey Shore Walk Now for Autism Kick-off (Long Branch, N.J.)

May 16

Chicago Walk Now for Autism (Chicago, Ill.)

Cincinnati Walk Now for Autism (Cincinnati, Ohio)

May 17

Laurel Highlands Walk Now for Autism (Ligonier, Penn.)

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