Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. Early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills. There is no cure.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorThu, 20 Nov 2008 3:37:35 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/41681/could-rain-trigger-autism.html?refid=rss_all_defaultUS counties with higher rates of rainfall also have higher rates of autism, according to a controversial new study published by the American Medical Association. Pollutants in the precipitation, longer periods spent watching television, lower levels of vitamin D, or some other environmental factor linked to rainfall may trigger autism in some children, reports USA Today .http://www.newser.com/story/41681/could-rain-trigger-autism.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 03 Nov 2008 22:49:10 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/40012/denis-leary-autistic-kids-are-just-stupid.html?refid=rss_all_defaultDenis Leary is not a sensitive man. His new book, Why We Suck , seems bound to offend people, the New York Post reports, particularly autistic people. Leary asserts that autism is booming because parents “want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can’t compete academically,” so they run to psychologists. “I don’t give a [bleep] what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you,” Leary writes, “yer kid is NOT autistic. He’s just stupid.”http://www.newser.com/story/40012/denis-leary-autistic-kids-are-just-stupid.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 15 Oct 2008 9:49:59 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38249/autism-reversing-drugs-show-promise.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMIT scientists have discovered one of the mechanisms of Fragile X Syndrome, one cause of autism, and are developing drugs to treat it, NPR reports. The disorder, triggered by a genetic mutation, interferes with the normal links between brain cells, making those networks something like a car without a brakes. The new drugs limit acceleration, and have been successful in mice.http://www.newser.com/story/38249/autism-reversing-drugs-show-promise.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 24 Sep 2008 8:06:22 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37593/insurers-balk-at-paying-for-autism-therapy.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA national autism advocacy group is pushing insurance companies to pick up the tab for intensive new therapies now footed by local school districts, the Boston Globe reports. They say the rising number of autism cases will swamp school budgets and make it unlikely that kids will get the help they need. On the flip side, pushing insurers into the education business will “drive up costs for everyone,” says an industry rep, who adds that the therapies—which can run $100,000 a year—are still unproven.http://www.newser.com/story/37593/insurers-balk-at-paying-for-autism-therapy.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 16 Sep 2008 16:00:04 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36576/new-study-finds-no-vaccine-link-to-autism.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA new study concludes that a childhood vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella is not linked to autism, reports the Washington Post . Researchers studied bowel biopsies from 38 autistic children and found no link between the vaccine and the digestive problems often associated with autism. The results, which contradict the findings of an earlier study, come amid a federal investigation on the controversial topic.http://www.newser.com/story/36576/new-study-finds-no-vaccine-link-to-autism.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 03 Sep 2008 23:48:37 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/33007/savage-defends-attack-on-autistic-brats.html?refid=rss_all_defaultRight-wing mouth Michael Savage isn't backing down from his remarks characterizing autistic kids as nothing more than "brats," outraging thousands of parents, the New York Times reports. The radio host said in a broadcast last week that autism was a "fraud" and 99% of cases were created by poor parenting. Dozens of parents demonstrated outside his studio yesterday, and an insurance company has canceled advertising on his program.http://www.newser.com/story/33007/savage-defends-attack-on-autistic-brats.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 21 Jul 2008 22:40:27 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32135/study-yields-more-clues-about-autism.html?refid=rss_all_defaultScientists have found six new genes linked to autism, inching closer to a fuller understanding of the disorder and how to treat it, the AP reports. The genes in question are necessary for learning but are essentially stuck in the "off" position. The finding lends credence to the philosophy behind intensive education programs that seek to give the circuits an "extra push," said one expert.http://www.newser.com/story/32135/study-yields-more-clues-about-autism.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 10 Jul 2008 16:50:14 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/31397/for-top-vaccine-doc-autism-battle-hits-home.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFor one of the country's highest-profile vaccine researchers, the accusation that the medical establishment is covering up a link between autism and vaccinations hits a nerve. Peter Hotez's 15-year-old daughter, Rachel, has autism, a fact that colors every aspect of her family's life. Her parents, Peter and Ann, declined to let a reporter meet Rachel but opened up to the Washington Post.http://www.newser.com/story/31397/for-top-vaccine-doc-autism-battle-hits-home.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 01 Jul 2008 15:58:19 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/26624/autism-linked-to-parents-mental-disorders.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA new study of autistic children may provide insight into the causes of autism and its epidemic rates in developed countries. Researchers have found a link between autism and mental disorders among parents—including schizophrenia, personality disorders and clinical depression. Mothers and fathers diagnosed with schizophrenia are about twice as likely to have a child diagnosed with autism, the study found.http://www.newser.com/story/26624/autism-linked-to-parents-mental-disorders.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 06 May 2008 12:43:03 CDT