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August 2010 |
OAR NewsGo Back to School and Save at OAR Conference
So bring a friend or bring your whole office! From now until September 29, groups of two or more will receive 10 percent off the regular Early Bird rate. This discount will reduce prices to only $90/person for one day, or $157.50/person for both days. To qualify, all individuals must register for the same days during the same transaction. This year, OAR’s conference will be taking place on October 29-30 at the Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington, Va. A discounted room block has been reserved at the rate of $180/night plus tax. Tracks include OAR-Sponsored Research, Research to Practice, Education for School Age Learners, and Transition and Life in the Community. All conference attendees will receive:
To register or for additional information, such as the full schedule, please visit www.researchautism.org/news/conference. For questions, please e-mail conference@researchautism.org or call toll-free 1-866-366-9710 x227.
Military personnel and the people who serve in our federal government perform vital tasks every day in the service of our country. Many serve in harm’s way in faraway places, while many more work to ensure those deployed have the food, supplies, and equipment they need to accomplish their mission. Here in the United States, countless federal workers in agencies ranging from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health are working to make our country healthy and safe every day. Despite the demands of their missions or jobs, they go above and beyond to give even more each year through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which kicks off again next month. Drives Support OAR Employees in several state and municipal charitable drives as well as others in private corporate workplace campaigns contributed more than $77,300, resulting in a total of $361,600 in CFC/workplace campaign pledges last year. OAR will receive these funds in monthly distributions over the next year and will use them immediately to support its ongoing research and information programs. “The donations we receive from our military personnel and federal employees significantly increase OAR’s capacity to deliver quality information and resources that offer to help improve the lives of all those living with autism,” says Mike Maloney, OAR’s executive director. “We’re especially pleased this year to have added Operation Autism, a Web site expressly for military families impacted by autism, and Life Journey through Autism: A Guide for Military Families to our list of free, highly accessible resources for parents and families.” The CFC is the federal government’s annual charitable campaign. OAR first participated in 2003 as a local agency in selected CFC drives in the National Capital area, which includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Since 2004, OAR has participated nationally as a member of the Health and Medical Research Charities of America federation. OAR has once again met all the qualifying standards for the CFC this year and will participate in the campaign this fall. Meeting the Standards On a related note, in 2005, OAR received the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, and just last year, Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating, symbolic of an efficient, well-managed charity. The Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America (ICA) and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the U.S. government for inclusion in the CFC. According the ICA’s estimate, of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards. Of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded the seal. Charity Navigator is the largest and most utilized, independent evaluator of charities in the United States. Its 4-star rating signifies that the charity “exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its Cause.” Only about 25 percent of charities it reviews receive four stars. For more information on OAR’s participation in the CFC or state and local charitable campaigns, please contact Mike Maloney at OAR by e-mail at mmaloney@researchautism.org or by phone at 703-243-9727.
OAR takes great pleasure in announcing the recipients of the Schwallie Family Scholarships for 2010. Each of this year’s 18 winners will receive a $3,000 scholarship for the next academic year. OAR makes awards in three categories: students attending a four-year college, those attending a two-year college, and those attending a vocational/technical school that leads to a certification. To be eligible, an applicant must have an autism diagnosis, be accepted for enrollment as a full-time student, complete OAR’s application form, and submit a personal essay. This year OAR received a record-breaking 371 applications. Ten of the recipients will study at a four-year college, seven will pursue a two-year degree, and the final scholarship winner will attend a vocational/technical school. The 2010 Schwallie Family Scholarship Recipients Four-year undergraduate studies: Robert Clifton Boling graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Ill., and has been accepted to attend Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has many interests, such as biology and chemistry, and has completed an internship as an engineering research assistant at the Argonne National Laboratory. He will be attending the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard College in the fall. Amanda Dane, from Stamford, N.Y., was accepted to Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva, N.Y., in hopes of becoming a lawyer. Her goal is to “help others in a situation similar to [hers].” She graduated third in her class from high school after much dedication and hard work. John Fornear graduated from Upper St. Clair High School in Pennsylvania and is excited to attend Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, in Erie, Pa. His goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering in order to “design objects to make life better for people.” He wants to redesign prosthetic limbs to improve their function and appear more realistic. Isaac Harrell, from Medford, Ore., is a freshman attending Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Ore. He graduated from high school with a 3.8 grade point average, and continues his success in college. Isaac is pursuing his studies in accounting and has other interests in zoology and music. He also enjoys playing the guitar and drums, and singing. Valerie Luise Hedger will be attending the Texas Christian University this fall after her graduation from Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Tex. She is an incredible varsity softball player, and has given back to the community by volunteering at a therapeutic horse ranch. In high school, Valerie was a student of art and entered VASE, a competition for visual artists. Though Valerie may have some difficulty with words, she has the gift to communicate through her artwork. Mariel Horn has been accepted into the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She discovered a passion for singing and acting and attended the Long Island School of the Arts in New York. This helped her become successful with her academics. “Attending LIHSA has completed me as a high school student. It is like being nearsighted, but then correct glasses make the difference. You can see!” Her hope is to have a career in theater. Spencer Klessens from Eagle River, Ark., is hoping to pursue his dream career in video game design by attending the University of Alaska Anchorage. He loves to play video games and wants to create them for the public. In addition to video games, Spencer likes to take Tae Kwon Do classes, which has taught him respect and discipline. Dana Pelligra from Jackson, N.J., has been accepted to Rutgers University and hopes to get involved with its animal science program. She is interested in working with animals, because she feels she has a strong connection with them. As she states, “they don’t judge me the way humans do… they judge me on how I treat them.” Dana’s award was funded by a special donation from the Council of the New Jersey Knights of Columbus, marked especially for a deserving individual from New Jersey. Olivia Scalzetti recently graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia. She is looking forward to attending the Moore College of Art and Design in her hometown in hopes of becoming a writer and illustrator. She has a true love of art, which is one of the most important things in her life. One day, she aspires to be a voice actor as well. Alan Stentiford is attending Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., in the fall and hopes to major in drama and English with a minor in musical theater. Alan has maintained honor roll status throughout middle and high school and has a passion for acting, singing, art, and the piano. He hopes to show others “how to use [a disorder] as a benefit and how to find their passions and then use their abilities to enhance what they love to do” in his future. Two-year undergraduate studies: Craig Allaby is currently enrolled at Middlesex Community College in Lowell, Mass. He is working on his associate’s degree in computer science-information technology and would like to further his education once he receives his associate’s degree. Craig has been building and repairing computers since he was in high school and hopes to own a computer repair shop once he has finished his education. Joshua Blanks earned an advanced diploma from Windsor High School in Smithfield, Va., and will be attending Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Va., beginning in the fall. His goal is to receive an associate’s degree in social science with a concentration in education. Joshua hopes to continue his education by transferring to a university and majoring in special education. He says he “wants to be a role model and mentor for students with autism spectrum disorders and encourage them to live up to their potential.” Matthew DeGeyter of Mishawaka, Ind., recently graduated from Penn High School, and will begin to earn his associate’s degree in the fall at Ivy Tech Community College. Matthew has loved sports since a young age when his father used to read him the sports news articles every morning, and he hopes to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. “I understand that in today’s world being a young adult means that I have certain responsibilities to live up to. One of these is to further my education and make my parents proud.” Cassandra Gabel will be attending Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Neb. She will be pursuing her education in the visual publications program and start her own business once she has completed her college education. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society and Speech Team, was involved in 4-H, and was treasurer of the Art Club. Cassandra states, “With my future, I will be able to do anything I can put my mind to.” Kelsey Grippin recently graduated from Wilson Central High School in Lebanon, Tenn., and will be attending Volunteer State Community College in the fall. Kelsey enjoys volunteering with Southern Stars, where she helps with equine therapy for children with special needs, many of whom also have autism. Through her volunteer work, Kelsey grew to love working with horses and plans to major in animal science at Volunteer State. Alicia Hill, from Ramona, Calif., plans to attend Palomar Community College beginning this fall, and hopes to one day teach children with autism. “I could really help these children and their families out, because I have gone through most of what they themselves will eventually have to go through,” says Alicia. In addition to playing in the percussion section of her high school band, Alicia also enjoys anime and art. Joseph Ragland is a rising sophomore at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va. He is on the Dean’s List and a member of honor societies Phi Beta Lambda and Phi Theta Kappa. Joseph completed over 300 hours of community service in high school and is currently involved with organizations, such as Easter Seals Project Success and the Autism Society’s 5K Walk/Run. Joseph is pursuing a degree in accounting. Trade, technical or vocational school winner: Christopher Tandler grew up in Northwestern Wisconsin and plans to pursue a career as a woodworker, “a profession that is becoming a lost art,” says Chris. He is involved in Blue Hills Manufacturing, and his most recent accomplishment includes building a roll top desk. Chris will receive his technical diploma from the Wood Technics program where he will gain the skills necessary to succeed in the industry. Congratulations to each of the winners and the parents and teachers who contributed to their development and success along the way! The Schwallie Family Scholarship program, now in its fourth year, is the inspiration of OAR Board member Ed Schwallie, his wife, Marge, and the Schwallie family. Since its inception in 2007, 25 individuals with autism have received Schwallie Family scholarships. OAR is grateful for the reviewers, led by OAR Board members Lori Lapin Jones and Lisa Hussman, who had the most difficult job of narrowing down 371 well-deserving applicants to 18 finalists. OAR sends a special “thank you” to the Somerville Council of the New Jersey Knights of Columbus and to Hussman, whose generous donations allowed OAR to again raise the number of scholarships offered in 2010 to 18. It is OAR's hope that the number of awards given each year will continue to increase as awareness and support for this program grows. For more information on donating, please visit www.researchautism.org/support/donate/index.asp. For those interested in applying for a Schwallie Family Scholarship next year, you will find the guidelines and application form at www.researchautism.org/news/otherevents/scholarship.asp.
OAR is embracing social media to reach the autism community. The OAR blog, accessible through the Operation Autism website, contains articles with information about autism research and resources for parents and educators. Future articles will focus on everyday tips, applying research, and personal experiences. The blog is a community forum for parents, families, and researchers to interact and share information.
With six years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and a desire to publicize the importance of research-based practices and information, Allison Gilmour is the perfect fit for a new position at OAR, assistant director, programs and community outreach. “When I read Allison’s resume and met with her, I could immediately tell that she brings not only the perfect background for this job but also the energy and passion the position needs,” explains OAR Executive Director Mike Maloney. He looks forward to working with Allison and has already appreciated her input and ideas for OAR since she began work at the beginning of August. Gilmour says that she enjoyed teaching but was looking for a position that involved special education advocacy and policy. “OAR allows me to help families and individuals with autism while playing a larger role in the autism community. Also, OAR has so many wonderful resources for parents and educators that I want the community to know all about.” She has a bachelor’s of science degree in special education and a bachelor’s of arts degree in religious studies, both from Penn State. She taught high school students with autism and intellectual disabilities for three years in the Fairfax County, Va., public schools before coming to OAR and lives in Fairfax. She has set an ambitious goal for her work with OAR, turning OAR into a “household name in the autism community,” and hopes to widen the access to OAR’s information on research-based practice for parents and educators. “Mike encourages us to dream big,” she explains, noting that working at OAR is a lot more fun because the people and the culture “foster creativity and hard work.” Gilmour will fit right into the RUN FOR AUTISM program, having completed a Marine Corps Marathon two years ago. “When I told my class about it, one student very seriously told me he hoped I would win. I found it so sweet!” Spotlight On Conference Keynote AddressesFinding Biological Markers for Autism Could Lead to Early Diagnosis If autism could be diagnosed biologically rather than behaviorally, OAR conference keynote speaker Karen Pierce, Ph.D., believes, then that diagnosis could be made much earlier than it currently is. And that’s what she hopes her research will make possible.
As she will discuss in her closing keynote speech on Friday, October 29, she is studying bio-behavioral markers that could lead to a “signature” indicating autism in babies as young as 12 months of age. Dr. Pierce will discuss new behavioral early warning signs of autism such as those relating to a baby’s pattern of eye gaze and/or how he explores his environment as well as abnormal patterns of brain activation as revealed by functional brain imaging. Dr. Pierce, who is the director of clinical research at the University of California-San Diego’s Autism Center of Excellence and an assistant research scientist at the university’s Department of Neurosciences, has been in the field of autism research for 20 years and is an invited speaker both nationally and internationally on the topic of autism. She has published dozens of autism research articles spanning topics from treatment and behavior to functional brain imaging. “I started doing autism research at the age of 19 at Stony Brook University as an undergraduate student and have never stopped since. Autism is fascinating and I love doing this research because I hope that my findings will have direct, immediate benefit to children and families,” she explains. At One Year She and her colleagues at the Autism Center of Excellence have developed a network of 150 pediatricians in San Diego, who administer a broad developmental screening tool used with the babies who come to them. The screening tool is a simple questionnaire with 24 questions that the parent fills out before taking the child in to see the doctor. An administrator scores the questionnaire and gives it to the doctor. The procedure is designed to identify children who are missing significant social milestones by their one-year checkups by uncovering warning signs such as lack of eye contact or interest in the parents’ faces, reduced pointing at objects, lack of response to parents’ voices, or reduced curiosity in exploring toys and other objects. Using the score from the screening tool, the doctor can refer babies at risk and their parents to the center where they are followed until the age of 3, and provided with behavioral therapy, education, and other support. “At 12 months, we can’t give a certain diagnosis so the babies continue to come in every six months for behavioral and neurobiological testing. The results of those tests are compared to those at risk for autism and their normally developing peers.” Performing this testing can provide the signature that she and her colleagues are looking for when those children with autism are diagnosed at age 3. Finding Markers In earlier studies, she and her colleagues found abnormally low activity in the left temporal cortex of the brains of the children with autism, which has been suspected of playing a part in the developmental disorder because of its critical role in learning language. In those children, the brain activity moved to the right temporal cortex, a region normally focused on social skills development. In a May article in the San Diego Tribune, her fellow researcher, Eric Courchesne, Ph.D., said that may help explain “why autism affects both the mechanics of language and social elements of communication.” Dr. Pierce said that that inactivity is also the “first measurable biological indicator signaling an increased risk for developing autism.” “Because we are testing these children at younger ages than a child with autism is diagnosed, we can also provide therapy to help them with what is not working as it would in typically developing children,” says Dr. Pierce. “And, since they return every six months, we can measure their progress. At such a young age, the brain is very plastic, which means it is more responsive than it will be at older ages.” Dr. Pierce hopes her research will make it possible to both diagnose and treat children at younger ages than it can currently be done. “The importance of identifying autism at the youngest ages possible cannot be overestimated. Caring for a child with autism is costly both financially and emotionally for parents and school systems alike. Earlier identification means earlier treatment and thus a better outcome for the child and family.” News from the RUN FOR AUTISMPony On Up and Join OAR in San Antonio. It’s Free!
This will be the final 2010 Rock ‘n’ Roll race series event for RUN FOR AUTISM team participants. In the race’s third year, OAR is offering the runners something special—complimentary race entry. That’s right; OAR will offer to pay the race registration for any runner who commits to raising $600. But don’t wait; this offer ends on October 8, less than a month and a half away! Like other Rock ‘n’ Roll events, the San Antonio event promises to be a destination suited for all: serious or recreational runners, veterans or first-timers. San Antonio has more to offer than just a race. Home to the legendary Battle of the Alamo, the city has more recently become known for its mix of delicious food (the best huevos rancheros RUN FOR AUTISM director Lily Matusiak has ever had!), deep cultural roots, rich history, lively nightlife, and family fun. The seventh largest city in the United States, San Antonio has a number of attractions in addition to the Alamo, including the Riverwalk, Sea World, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, plus a wide variety of museums, shopping, entertainment, and recreational activities. OAR’s participation in Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio includes a booth at the two-day race expo, which is held on Friday and Saturday at the Alamodome sports arena where the post-race concert also takes place on Sunday evening. OAR will also have a tent in the Finish Line Charity Village Area, celebrating with each and every one of the RUN FOR AUTISM runners and their friends, family and fans. For more information on the San Antonio marathons or other RUN FOR AUTISM opportunities, please go to our Web site at www.runforautism.org or e-mail run@researchautism.org with any questions.
The RUN staff is confident that the tops will be a hit with the team. “We’re so pleased with the final product,” comments RUN FOR AUTISM Director Lily Matusiak. “The tops are high quality and have a sharp design. We can’t wait to see them in action!” The new tri tank is available for purchase at a cost of $65.00, which includes a $25.00 donation to support autism research. OAR will offer the tri top to members of its TRI FOR AUTISM team at cost for $40.00. To order or receive more information, please contact tri@researchautism.org or call Lily Matusiak at 703-243-8020.
The RUN FOR AUTISM is looking forward to a Rock ‘n’ Roll September with teams in the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach™ Half Marathon presented by SunTrust on September 5 and ING Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia™ Half Marathon on September 19. Although registration is no longer open for race participants, we invite you to join us as a volunteer. Share the day with the RUN FOR AUTISM-Virginia Beach team by helping out at the Health and Fitness Expo in Virginia Beach on Friday, September 3 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. or on Saturday, September 4 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. OAR is also looking for volunteers in the City of Brotherly Love to help at the Health and Fitness Expo in Philadelphia on Friday, September 17 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. or on Saturday, September 18 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Volunteers will help OAR staff members represent the organization, field questions from Expo attendees, recruit future runners, and hand out literature. Shifts are flexible and last two to three hours. OAR gladly provides a free RUN FOR AUTISM t-shirt to all who lend their time, and community service letters can be provided for school credit. If you are interested in helping the cause at one of these Rock ‘n’ Roll races, please e-mail Lily Matusiak at run@researchautism.org. We hope to see you there!
On August 1, the roads of Chicago were blocked, traffic was diverted, and thousands of people hit the streets. No, not for the filming of Transformers 3, which also took place in Chicago this summer. This time, those people were out running and walking in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon. No red carpet, no Shia LeBouef or Meghan Fox, just 13.1 wonderful miles through the metropolitan streets of a great Midwestern city and its lakefront. Race weekend kicked off with a sense of excitement at the Health and Fitness Expo at the McCormick Place Convention Center. During the two-day Expo, RUN FOR AUTISM Director Lily Matusiak was excited to meet many of this year’s Chicago half marathon team, including first-time and veteran runners, as well as those training for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
The RUN FOR AUTISM-Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon team raised the bar for future Rock ‘n’ Roll race series participants, raising almost $23,000. Stephanie Hart and Jim Tobin led the way, raising over $6,750 and $4,000 respectively. Hart was running in honor of her son R.E., who you can read more about in this issue’s RUN Profile. Tobin joined the team in honor of his 17-year-old son, Liam, a handsome and caring young man. Lisa and Cory Combs signed up for the race on their own and in doing so, realized that they wanted to run for a cause. OAR couldn’t be more thrilled that they chose autism research and OAR. Together, Team Combs trained hard for the race and raised over $3,400. With constant smiles on their faces, they conquered the 13.1 miles and raised more money for applied research than they had originally hoped. The $1,000+ club also includes Emilie Giacobbe, inspired by the children in the special education classes her husband teaches. Diane Kellenburger, a veteran OAR runner who is also training for the Chicago and Marine Corps Marathons with the RUN FOR AUTISM teams, turned 63 on race day and has raised over $1,200 this year. Rounding out the club are Lois Ryan and Jeffrey Cabotaje, two dedicated and spirited individuals. As always, the OAR staff and volunteers had a fantastic team and experience in Chicago this summer and are already looking forward to returning to the Windy City for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. If you want to be part of the OAR excitement in Chicago come October, you can volunteer to help at the Expo on Friday and Saturday, October 8 and 9 or in the Charity Village on Sunday, October 10. With the charity registration period now closed, the only way to join OAR’s team as a runner is if you have already registered on your own and have an entry. For more information on OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM – Chicago activities or to volunteer, please call Lily Matusiak at (703) 243-9710 or e-mail OAR at run@researchautism.org RUN ProfileAsk Me Why I Run
“My son, Robert Evan [who goes by R.E.] is autistic so that was one of the big reasons I decided run it. He was diagnosed around the age of 3 and is now almost 8. He has made big strides and works hard. I wanted to make more people aware of autism and how it affects families. Something so insignificant to others is something huge to a family with an autistic child. We need to bring more attention to this disability and get the therapy we need for our children,” explains Stephanie Hart, who ran the Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon on Sunday, August 1. Hart is proud of R.E. and his sister, Sena, who will be 3 on Halloween. “R.E. has ADHD along with autism. He is full of energy and goes full bore nonstop all day. I tell people I run and work out so I can keep up with him. He’s a beautiful child inside and out,” she observes, noting that he’s got an infectious giggle that keeps everyone around him happy. “He is such a sweet little boy who loves being outside, swimming and going to the park.” As a mother, she particularly loves those times when she looks at him and he really connects with her, when she knows he understands the bond between them. Parenting a child with autism is not easy and Hart can easily describe the challenges she and her family face. “Frustrating, exhausting, rewarding, isolating, overwhelming, perplexing are some words that come to mind,” she says. “There is so much more that goes into everyday planning with your child. We are advocates and educators. We fight day in and out to figure it all out so it’s very tiring.” But she’s not a quitter and she believes that she has been given what she can handle and tries to stay positive and strong. And it’s clear that parenthood suits Hart to a tee. She and her husband adopted R.E. and Sena, who has cerebral palsy on her right side. “But she doesn’t let that stop her. She tries to keep up with R.E. and loves him to death. She gets a lot of therapy too and has really done well. I always joke that I will have the bumper sticker that says Therapy Mom instead of Soccer Mom and I am fine with that!” Like her big brother, Sena keeps her parents on their toes. Full Speed Ahead Once she decided that raising awareness of the disability that affects her son was a priority, she needed to find the right organization to work with. “I do a lot of running and I got to thinking that there has to be an organization to raise money for autism. I did a search and found OAR. I also think it’s great that OAR focuses on applied research.” By the time she crossed the finish line, Hart had raised almost $4,500 and her total rose to almost $7,000 as donations rolled in after the half marathon. “It was great that all my friends and even strangers donated. I sold raffle tickets for a bracelet that my husband’s jewelry store donated and then I organized a Celebrity Bartender night at a local pub. All the tips went to OAR! It turned out great! “I am surrounded by wonderful people so it wasn’t hard to raise money at all and I am very thankful for that. My friends were so eager to help out in any way they could. The Celebrity Bartender night was a huge success for us. It was great and everyone had such a good time!” The whole experience, from training to raising money to the marathon itself, was such a great experience that Hart has already recruited the start of a team. “My sister wants to run so I am planning on recruiting some friends.” SCIENCE, FADS, AND BEHAVIOR ANALYSISBy Thomas Zane, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Center for Applied Behavior Analysis at The Sage Colleges, Troy, New YorkThe Story of Brain Inflammation, Autism, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Pseudoscientific treatments are those that have little to no empirical evidence of effectiveness, but are portrayed as having roots in science and logic that gives them the appearance of being a scientifically proven therapy. One characteristic of these treatments is the use of scientific jargon and scientific knowledge to make the treatment appear more research-based than it actually might be and thus appear to have more evidence of effectiveness than it actually does. For example, advertisements for countless numbers of products refer to the products being “scientifically tested” or that the product has been “thoroughly researched.” In autism intervention, like advertising, this is not always the case. The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for children with autism serves as an example of a treatment for autism for which there is currently little to no empirical support. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are pressurized containers that increase the atmospheric pressure (e.g., up to 1.3 times normal pressure) and the concentration of oxygen. These chambers originally were used to treat decompression sickness in deep-sea divers, but they are purported to treat other physical conditions, such as carbon monoxide poisoning and wound healing (e.g., Leach, Rees, & Wilmshurst, 1999; Feldmeier, 2003). The proponents of HBOT have conducted several studies on the effect of hyperbaric oxygen chambers on different symptoms of autism (e.g., Rossignol & Rossignol, 2006; Rossignol, Rossignol, James, Melnyk, & Mumper, 2007; Rossignol, et al., 2009). In the reviews of the literature provided in each of these studies, the author(s) cite neuroinflammation of the brain of children with autism as one of the main reasons for using HBOT with children on the spectrum. The danger of neuroinflammation is “hypoperfusion” (i.e., decreased blood flow to the brain), which could possibly have the negative effects of limited cognition, poor attention, and other behavioral manifestations associated with autism spectrum disorders. HBOT, according to the research cited, has been shown to increase the amount of oxygen that is carried via the plasma and thus infused into the tissues. The general hypothesis by proponents of HBOT is that the brains of children with autism show evidence of neuroinflammation; HBOT might reduce this inflammation; and the result could be improved functioning. That hypothesis, however, remains unproven. To support the belief of neuroinflammation of the brain of autistic subjects, and thus the use of HBOT, the research studies discussed cited Vargas, Nascimbene, Krishnan, Zimmerman, and Pardo (2005), who were among the first researchers to find evidence of neuroinflammation. Vargas and colleagues conducted brain autopsies on 15 persons diagnosed with autism, ranging in age from 5 to 44 years old. A control group of nine individuals with no diagnosis was studied as well. Brain tissues from the subjects were collected, and the researchers conducted numerous detailed medical analyses (i.e., immunocytochemistry, cytokine protein arrays, enzyme-liked immunosorbent assays). One of the major findings was “… an active neuroinflammatory process…” mostly in the cerebellum of the patients with autism (2005; p. 67). However, Vargas and colleagues were very limited in their conclusions and implications. In fact, they published a “Frequently Asked Questions” primer (http://www.neuro.jhmi.edu/neuroimmunopath/autism_faqs.htm) so that they could more easily explain the limitations of their research as it applied to clinical practice. Their concerns were several. First, they emphasized that it was not certain, based upon their study, that all persons with autism would in fact be found with neuroinflammation; some persons may not in fact show any sign of this condition. They explained that some of their subjects exhibited other neurological disorders (such as epilepsy and mental retardation), and thus the neuroinflammation might have been associated with those conditions instead of the autism. Vargas and colleagues also underscored that such inflammation was not necessarily harmful to the brain. Although the inflammation could be a cause of brain injury or dysfunction, they asserted that another explanation equally plausible might be that the inflammation was protecting the brain: “…there is strong evidence from experimental models that in some situations, both microglia and astroglia also contribute to the repair and restoration of neuronal connections and produce growth factors to maintain normal CNS function” (p. 1). Last, the authors asked this question in their FAQ: “If there is neuroinflammation in the brain of some autistic patients, is treatment with anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory medications indicated?” (p. 3). Their answer was clear: “At present, there is no indication for using anti-inflammatory medications in patients with autism.” (p.3). Pardo, Vargas, and Zimmerman (2005) went on to argue that treatment of neuroinflammation in children with autism was not yet clinically indicated. They asserted that there was not yet a clear understanding of the role of neuroinflammation in autism, and it could possibly be the case that neuroinflammation was in fact part of the healing process (Neuhaus, Archelos, & Hartung, 2003). The researchers who were first to discover the presence of neuroinflammation in the brains of persons with autism provided very clear and public limitations of their research as it could be applied to possible clinical interventions. They clearly cautioned against assuming that neuroinflammation should automatically be considered a debilitating condition, because some research existed that suggested that neuroinflammation might be part of a natural healing process of insult or injury. Subsequent research relative to HBOT and autism has not answered these underlying questions and raises questions as to its efficacy. Two recent studies concluded that HBOT does not have strong evidence of effectiveness in alleviating any symptom of autism (e.g. Granpeesheh, Tarbox, Dixon, Wilke, Allen, & Bradstreet, 2010; Lerman, Sansbury, Hovanetz, Wolever, Garcia, O’Brien, & Adedipe, 2008). Thus, at this time HBOT must be considered a fad treatment. In this instance, an observed symptom, (i.e., presence of neuroinflammation) is used as a basis for an unproven therapy (HBOT). Unfortunately, this is not uncommon when it comes to autism and some of what are called alternative or complementary therapies. Parents and professionals alike would be well advised to ask more questions, acquire greater knowledge as to the difference between science and pseudoscience, understand what comprises real scientific method, and develop a skeptical attitude when considering any intervention.
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On November 14, thousands of runners will take their places for the always popular Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and Half Marathon, and the RUN FOR AUTISM will be there! This sunny and warm race is known to be flat and fun, taking runners through the historic and scenic highlights of one of the most popular Texas cities. 
OAR is thrilled to announce that its first ever TRI FOR AUTISM tri top by Sugoi, one of the leading manufacturers of technical clothing for athletes, is now available for purchase. This “Fuel Tri Tank” style top comes in both men’s and women’s cuts and is equipped with two rear fuel pockets, a front zipper, and mesh side panels for cooling ventilation. The sharp navy blue and teal top features the yellow OAR sun logo on the front and the “TRI FOR AUTISM” logo on the back.
Thomas Zane, Ph.D., BCBA-D, a licensed psychologist, is an associate professor in the School of Education and the founder and director of the Center for Applied Behavior Analysis at The Sage Colleges. He has published in various journals and books and presented at regional, national, and international conferences. His research interests include teacher training, staff development, and evidenced-based practice in autism. 