Welcome to USAAA WeeklyNews, an email newsletter that addresses a range of topics on Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
George Washington University Professor Appointed to USAAA Scientific Advisory Board
 The US Autism & Asperger Association (USAAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Valerie Hu, PhD to the USAAA Advisory Board. Dr. Hu is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences as well as a mother of a son with autism. 
Dr. Hu redirected her research focus towards autism in 2005 and has since published 10 papers on the genes and biological pathways associated with ASD. "The long-term goals of my laboratory are personalized diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We aim to achieve these goals by developing a better understanding of the underlying biology giving rise to different manifestations of autism through the identification of altered genes, pathways, and gene regulatory mechanisms specific to the different subtypes of ASD."
" Thus, a systems approach to ASD using integrative genomics coupled with phenotyping of subjects has led to the discovery of novel candidate genes relevant to pathobiological processes involved in ASD as well as to the identification of potential diagnostic biomarkers at multiple levels: gene expression, microRNA, DNA methylation, and genetics." |
Dr. Hu received her PhD in Chemistry from California Institute of Technology and did her postdoctoral research in Membrane Biochemistry and Immunology at UCLA. Full bio, research and publications...
Dr. Hu presented, "New Discoveries in the Underlying Pathobiology of Autism" at the 2012 US Autism & Asperger Association World Conference last month in Denver. Dr. Hu's presentation is available for download. Download now.
Access to USAAA Newsletter Archive 2005 - 2012
Wandering a common risk for children with autism
Utah pediatrician has co-edited a resource for parents of children who have the disorder.
By Heather May | The Salt Lake Tribune
 Cobilynn Dickinson lives with fear every day.
Her son has autism, and he's a runner who doesn't always respond to his name. So the South Jordan mother bolts the door as soon as the family enters the house, or she has a sibling stand guard when she's unloading groceries. She recently installed an alarm system to alert her when doors are opened.
Adams recommends parents pass out fliers to neighbors to alert them what to do if they see their wandering child... |
"For the last three years, I haven't left his side," she says of her 4-year-old, Hagen. "When he gets out, he just runs. He can be anywhere and he won't answer you."
Full Story
Access to USAAA Newsletter Archive 2005 - 2012
Nothing can replace the power of confidence
A Tale of Two Panels: Confidence and Kansas
By Aaron Likens
 I'm back in Saint Louis but on Saturday [September 8] I was once again on a panel at the USAAA conference. It was back two years ago that I was on my first panel at a USAAA conference and the sense of anticipation and fear was so great it felt as if it was going to consume my entire being.
" Confidence, however, isn't something that can be forced or faked. |
This year was different. Instead of being so nervous I was shaking I felt no pre-panel jitters at all. Practice is an amazing thing having done so many presentations since two years ago I now don't have any fear before a presentation and the emotion that has replaced it is confidence.
I have said many times that nothing can replace the power of confidence. Confidence, however, isn't something that can be forced or faked. After my presentation on Friday [September 7] a parent asked me, "What did you mean that, if I saw you outside a presentation, I may not recognize you?" and I explained a good chunk of that is because of the lack of confidence.
Read More...
Aaron Likens presented, "A Journey of Pain, Suffering, Struggles, and Hope" and was a panelist on the "Advocacy and Combating Bullying" Panel at the 2012 US Autism & Asperger Association World Conference last month in Denver. Aaron's presentation and panel presentation are available for download. Download now.
Access to USAAA Newsletter Archive 2005 - 2012
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