Month: October 2023

The orchestra tuned as the last musicians ambled into Schoenfeld Hall at USC. On a muggy Sunday afternoon in September, they were rehearsing a new symphony, “Unforgettable Sunrise,” by an unknown local composer. Conductor Daniel Newman-Lessler snapped them all to attention: Today they’d run through the symphony’s second movement, “Page Turner.” “This is more like…

In an increasingly digital world, e-safety has emerged as a paramount concern for parents. Ensuring the online security and well-being of our children has become an essential part of modern parenting. The internet offers a wealth of opportunities for learning, socialising, and entertainment, but it also presents potential risks and challenges. As parents, it is…

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my 23-year-old autistic son, Gavin, for a deeply personal conversation. We delve into his aspirations, hopes, and vision for independence. Gavin’s insights not only shed light on his unique journey but also resonate universally, offering inspiration to all. Join us as we uncover the profound meaning of…

The four candidates running for two at-large seats on the Aspen School District Board of Education discussed how they would address affordable housing and school safety for district employees in a candidate forum on Tuesday night. Housing for district staff is a top priority for the candidates running for school board as available units are…

A missing nonverbal boy with autism was found dead just a day after he disappeared from his home. 3-year-old Jermaine Jones from Watertown Township, Michigan, went missing at around 2 pm on Monday after walking out of his home on S. Bauer Road while his babysitter was showering. After the unfortunate incident, a massive search…

Junction function: In the hippocampus of mice, DYRK1A (green) dampens the activity of ABLIM3 (magenta), a protein that localizes to tight junctions (gray) between cells. Social difficulties and deficits in inhibitory signals across the hippocampus characterize mice lacking one copy of the autism-associated gene DYRK1A, a new study finds. Activating inhibitory neurons in this brain…

At Dogs for Better Lives, we are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children with autism and their families. Our Autism Assistance Dog program has been a beacon of hope, offering support and companionship to children within the age range of 4 to 8 years old. To serve more families through this…

In today’s episode, we dive deep into a topic many parents grapple with: how to tell your child they have autism. Join me as I sit down with my incredible 15-year-old son, Emmett, who himself is autistic. He shares his profound insights and personal experience about being on the receiving end of this pivotal conversation.…

There has been growing interest in recent years in neurodiversity, which often refers to people with some form of autism spectrum disorder (‘ASD’ or ‘autism’ for short) or Asperger syndrome. It also covers other conditions such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and pathological demand avoidance, whereby the person’s brain functions in a different way…

Scientific adviser, International Society for Stem Cell Research Stem cells have proven to be powerful — and popular — tools for understanding human biology and conditions such as autism. But there is an urgent need for standardization and quality control, says a task force of scientists organized by the International Society for Stem Cell Research…