Latest news with #WorldAutismAwarenessDay
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The vitamin D supplement scientists say could significantly improve core autism symptoms
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORM of vitamin D could significantly improve core autism symptoms, researchers claim. Studies examining whether the common supplement could improve symptoms of autism have had inconsistent results. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A vitamin D3 nanoemulsion was found to improve core autism symptoms Credit: Getty But scientists from the National Research Centre in Cairo, Egypt, say a vitamin D3 nanoemulsion might help ease challenges with social interaction and restrictive or repetitive behaviours in young children. There are at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, according to the National Autistic Society. Autism is not an illness or disease - it influences how people experience and interact with the world. People with the condition may find socialising confusing or tiring, and can become overwhelmed in loud or busy places. They may have intense interests, prefer order and routine, and use repeated movements or actions to calm themselves or express joy. Many mask their discomfort to try and fit in. Previous research into the condition has linked autism to a lack of vitamin D - a vital nutrient the body relies on for various functions, including "brain development", the Egyptian researchers said. Newborn babies with a vitamin D deficiency had a higher chance of developing ADHD, schizophrenia and autism, a University of Queensland study published in May found. Earlier research from the university suggested vitamin deficiencies in mums could also play a part. But studies looking into whether supplements could ease symptoms of autism have had mixed results. World Autism Awareness Day: Everything you need to know One found that giving children vitamin D3 "no influence on irritability or core autism spectrum disorder symptoms, yet it had a beneficial effect on hyperactivity", the Egyptian research team said. "On the other hand, some studies reported improved core symptoms after supplementation with the marketed vitamin D3." Instead of using regular vitamin D3 supplements, the new study used a nanoemulsion of vitamin D3. It involves suspending tiny nano-sized droplets of vitamin D3 in a liquid so it can more easily absorbed used by the body. "This study aims to investigate the influence of vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion supplementation on adaptive behaviour and language performance in a group of children with autism compared to the influence of the marketed product of vitamin D3," researchers wrote in LabMed Discovery. The study involved 80 children with confirmed autism diagnoses, aged between three and six, who were randomly split into two groups. One group took a nanoemulsion of vitamine D3 for six months, while the other group was given a commonly available standard supplement. "The vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion was prepared in the pharmaceutical technology lab at the authors' institute by the pharmacists in the research team of this study," study authors noted. What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people's feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations. When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead. They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals. Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress. High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder. Researchers evaluated the children's vitamin D3 levels, as well social and adaptive behaviours and language development, both before and after the kids took supplements. The children had "delays in social IQ and language abilities" when they were assessed at the start of the study. But researchers found that the nanoemulsion raised vitamin D3 levels in the blood and seemed to significantly improve core autism symptoms. 'The supplementation of children with autism using the prepared vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion has led to a reduction in the severity of autism and a rise in the social IQ, especially fine motor performance and language abilities of the children with autism spectrum disorder, without adverse effects,' the researchers wrote. The conventional supplement didn't improve autism symptoms, despite raising vitamin D3 levels in the blood. The researchers said vitamin D3 is thought to play a role in memory, mood, behaviour and sleep regulation. Not having enough vitamin D can disrupt the metabolism of fatty acids, which are needed for the quality and function of the membranes of cells such as neurons, they added. "Children with autism have been reported to have gastrointestinal and sensory processing disorders, particularly those involving taste and smell, " study authors suggested. "This makes them very prone to vitamin deficiency. "Therefore, incorporating vitamin D3 in a nanoemulsion formulation can facilitate its absorption, its consumption at the cellular level, and its bioavailability to overcome intestinal and sensory processing disorders limiting the vitamin intake. "This is very essential for enhancing the vitamin impact on the brain and other systems involved in adaptive behaviour." Larger and more long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the difference in vitamin D response between girls and boys, the authors concluded. Past research on vitamin D3 nanoemulsions has identified some concerns. Manufacturing can be complex and expensive and the solution can become unstable. On top of that, there is a risk of vitamin D toxicity, which can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and kidney problems. The NHS advises that everyone take a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter, as our body can't make enough of the nutrient - 10 micrograms is what's recommended. But babies and children aged one to four need to take a daily supplement throughout the year, between 8.5 to 10 micrograms.
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Business Standard
04-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
/ World Autism Awareness Day
When is World Autism Awareness Day The World Autism Awareness Day is held every year on April 2. It is recognised by the United Nations' member states as a day to remember the rights of autistic individuals around the world. The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared the day to advocate the need for persons with autism to be able to lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of the society. The day was proposed by UN representatives from Qatar. The day is one of the only seven official health-specific days recognised by the UN. Read More ...
Observer
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
20 artworks by children with autism spectrum disorder
MUSCAT: In celebration of World Autism Awareness Day, the Ministry of Social Development, represented by the National Autism Centre in collaboration with the Royal Opera House Muscat, inaugurated the Second Autism Spectrum Disorder Art Exhibition, titled 'Citizenship: Identity and Belonging.' The event was held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Dr Kamil bin Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers; and in the presence of Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, along with several high-ranking officials and members of the State Council. The exhibition aims to showcase the talents and creativity of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), highlighting their abilities particularly in the creative arts — as a means of expression that helps them communicate, interact socially, stimulate creative thinking, build self-confidence and promote social inclusion. The exhibition features 20 unique artworks created by children with ASD, along with a collection of artistic products. This year's works reflect themes of national identity and citizenship, aiming to foster a sense of belonging and community responsibility while raising public awareness of the individual's role in nation-building. It also highlights the role of culture and art in strengthening social cohesion and delivering meaningful messages through a visual language accessible to all segments of society. The Second Autism Spectrum Disorder Art Exhibition, titled 'Citizenship: Identity and Belonging' was opened on Tuesday evening. The event also featured the official launch of the children's story 'A Spectrum of Light', the second in a series inspired by the real-life experiences of individuals with ASD. The book, authored by Fawzia bint Ali al Fahdiyah and illustrated by Haneen al Lawati, is supported by Omantel. The story tells the inspiring journey of a child with ASD and showcases the efforts of the National Autism Centre in supporting and developing the child's skills. The book aims to promote awareness, acceptance and empathy among children towards their peers with ASD. Additionally, an agreement was signed during the ceremony with the Mohammed al Barwani Foundation for Charitable Works to support the establishment of a Hydroponic Agricultural Reserve, designed to provide vocational training for individuals with ASD. The initiative seeks to offer a supportive learning environment where participants can acquire hydroponic farming skills, enhance their social integration and raise public awareness about the importance of including individuals with ASD in community and developmental activities. The National Autism Centre continues to provide comprehensive rehabilitation programmes; and specialised educational and psychological services aimed at developing the skills of children with ASD and enhancing their integration into society. The centre also strives to organise exhibitions and events that showcase the talents of these children, encouraging interaction with their families and the wider community to build a supportive and inclusive environment that recognises their needs and celebrates their abilities.
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
The Parktown community came together to raise awareness about neurodevelopmental disorders
The Parktown community came together to raise awareness about neurodevelopmental disorders The Key School for children with autism embarked on a walk on April 25 around Parktown with its neighbours, JMPD, SAPS bikers and other stakeholders to bring awareness to autism and neurodiversity during Autism Awareness Month. Read more: Local non-profit raises awareness about head and brain injuries School principal Michelle Pallaton-Emerick said there was autism awareness every day at the school. 'Our aim this year is to spread knowledge and give our learners and their families a space where they feel heard and accepted without judgement and the stigmas around autism. My teachers teach with heart and lead with hope.' Pallaton-Emerick added that every small step was a victory, and the staff would continue to fight for every voice to be heard and every child to be seen. According to the United Nations, World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 was observed under the theme Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlighted the intersection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts, showcasing how inclusive policies and practices could drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide and contribute to the achievements of the SDGs. Also read: Parktown Girls High School learner inspires awareness for neurodiverse individuals through pageantry 'Bringing together global experts, policymakers, and autistic voices, the event features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, addressing areas such as inclusive healthcare, education, employment, and urban development. This year's discussion explored the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that promote accessibility, equality, and innovation across multiple sectors,' noted the United Nations. Discussions focused on inclusive healthcare, quality education, workplace accessibility, reducing inequalities, and designing autism-friendly cities and communities. The school aims to provide a safe learning environment for children on the spectrum and embraces each learner's educational needs through a different way of teaching. Head facilitator at the school Ronel McIntosh concluded, 'Raising awareness helps reduce stigma, encourages empathy and promotes inclusivity in schools, workplaces and communities; creating a more supportive environment not only for the children but also the families.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Join ILoveBoobies and the Imagine Challenge 2024: a step towards creating awareness for breast cancer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why RFK Jr.'s search for autism's cause is so divisive
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s pledge to investigate autism's 'root cause' has split advocates for people with the condition: Some, like Kennedy, want to know what's causing it, while prominent groups think his search could do more harm than good. Kennedy's grim depiction of the most profound cases of autism — many 'will never use a toilet unassisted,' he said in April — sparked condemnation from several groups devoted to championing autistic people. They said his remarks perpetuate stigmas associated with a condition that has a broad spectrum of manifestations — and, coupled with his well-known vaccine skepticism, color any attempt by the agency he leads, the Department of Health and Human Services, to conduct further autism research. But others who say they speak for people with severe autism were heartened that Kennedy is promising to devote HHS's resources to help them as autism diagnosis rates continue to climb. 'America has a big problem, and we have to face up to it,' said one of them, Jill Escher, president of the National Council on Severe Autism. The divide shows how Kennedy's search for autism's source — he's pledged to have some answers by September — has inflamed a long-simmering debate among people who advocate for those with the neurodevelopmental disorder and suggests that his investigation, whatever its findings, will be politically explosive. In a statement, an HHS spokesperson said Kennedy is 'committed to working toward a society where people with autism have access to meaningful opportunities, appropriate supports, and the full respect and recognition they deserve.' Kennedy's plan, the spokesperson said, aims to further those goals, 'not to stigmatize individuals with autism or their families.' But many in the autism community said Kennedy's not the person to lead the effort. After his speech, several leading groups, including the Autism Society of America, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and Autism Speaks, slammed him for spreading misinformation. 'Claims that Autism is 'preventable' is not supported by scientific consensus and perpetuate stigma,' they said in a statement. 'Language framing Autism as a 'chronic disease,' a 'childhood disease' or 'epidemic' distorts public understanding and undermines respect for Autistic people.' But that view is not universal. Escher, who briefly met with Kennedy in April, said she agrees with him that rising autism rates constitute an 'epidemic' even as she rejects his long-held view that they're linked to vaccines. She appeared in an HHS-produced video marking World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Her organization also took issue with those, like the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and experts quoted in a New York Times op-ed, who said they thought Kennedy's research plan was rooted in eugenics — the idea that science could be harnessed to prevent autistic people from being born. In a statement, the National Council on Severe Autism said it 'categorically' rejected the claim. That group and others, like the Autism Science Foundation and the Profound Autism Alliance, believe autism's rise — the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data says 1 in 31 eight-year-old children have the condition — underscores the need to continue studying potential causes so that people can better understand risk factors and develop treatments for individuals with more severe forms of autism. The Autism Science Foundation chose not to endorse the statement of its peer groups condemning Kennedy, President Alison Singer told POLITICO, because 'there was a focus in that letter that we shouldn't be focusing science on prevention, and we believe strongly that we should.' By identifying causes and developing treatments for severe autism, she said, 'we can prevent our family members from suffering.' While parents of severely autistic children said they appreciate Kennedy's recognition of their experiences, they still take issue with his choice of words. In his April speech, Kennedy also said many people with autism 'will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go out on a date.' 'You can talk about high-support needs without degrading someone's humanity,' said Judith Ursitti, co-founder and president of the Profound Autism Alliance. Many autism advocacy groups have shifted their efforts in recent years toward amplifying the voices of people who have autism and urging society to accept them — and away from the search for a cause or cure. 'Too large a percentage of autism research is focused on causation. We're missing out on research on things that can best impact people's lives,' Zoe Gross, director of advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, said. It was that pivot that prompted Escher and Ursitti to form their own organizations committed to uncovering root causes while also pushing for more federal support for services. Kennedy's rhetoric has thrown fuel on these simmering fires, as has his willingness to favor some groups over others with face time. Representatives of the Autism Society of America, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and Autism Speaks said their organizations have yet to get a meeting with Kennedy or other HHS officials. They said they'd like to register their disapproval with Kennedy's search in person. They dispute Kennedy's premise that 'environmental toxins' cause autism and are alarmed by the reported involvement of David Geier, an anti-vaccine researcher, in the search. Those who are talking to Kennedy and HHS said they're not endorsing Kennedy's predilections but hope they can help direct the research by sitting down with those leading it. 'Meeting with people doesn't mean you agree with them,' said Ursitti, whose group has corresponded with staff at the National Institutes of Health who will play a key role in Kennedy's search. Critics of Kennedy's interest in environmental toxins point to studies that have found that genetics play a role in who develops autism and that autism can run in families. Older parents may be more likely to have a child with autism, some research suggests. Other studies indicate that infections or obesity during pregnancy could be factors. A number of large studies have found no link between vaccines and autism. Still, advocates for those with severe autism said they've been largely shut out of clinical research since the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as the DSM, was updated in 2013 to collapse subtypes into one diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Trial recruitment for clinical research is especially difficult for a population with high-support needs, Ursitti said, and severely autistic people may have trouble demonstrating consent to participate. But she thinks it can be done. 'As we move forward, we don't want to stomp anyone else,' she said. 'We just want to make progress for this particular population.' Gross said Kennedy is undermining his own effort by cutting research. A University of Virginia study that Gross' group was involved in was canceled as part of a Trump administration purge of research related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Gross is also critical of Kennedy's plan to move programs from the Administration for Community Living, which has traditionally supported people with disabilities, into a new agency dubbed the Administration for Healthy Living. And she worries about possible cuts to Medicaid, the federal-state insurer of low-income people, that Republicans in Congress are considering. Kennedy 'is, with one hand, trying to take away autistic people's needs and saying we're here to support autistic people's needs,' she said. Ursitti said she'd like to see her colleagues in the autism advocacy community put aside their differences. 'Everyone on the spectrum, the voices of all groups, truly matter,' she said. 'And we've gotten into this us/them mentality, which really just gets us nowhere.'
