Research conducted at Washington University School of Medicine looked at 144 children from 67 families, in which at least one child had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, in addition to at least one biological sibling in the same age group, were enrolled to participate in the study.
By using a measure of motor proficiency, commonly used in children with disabilities, to measure strength, agility, fine manual control, body coordination and manual control.
The researchers asked the participants to perform a variety of motor skills, including push-ups, cutting with scissors, running, copying forms and throwing a ball; and they found that eighty-three percent of children with autism scored below average in motor skills, compared with only six percent of their siblings without the disorder.
The findings also report that siblings who both had the disorder scored very closely.
Lead researcher of the study, Claudia List Hilton, said: “From our results, it looks like motor impairments may be part of the autism diagnosis, rather than a trait genetically carried in the family. That suggests that motor impairments are a core characteristic of the diagnosis.
“The data suggests that genes play a role in the motor impairments observed in those with autism spectrum disorder. This is further evidence that autism spectrum disorder is a largely genetic disorder."
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( 3 / 5 )The government have been warned by senior MPs that tests planned for a new disability benefit must be accurate and fair, with the chair of the Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee claimed the proposed changes were causing anxiety.
Under the government’s proposals the disability living allowance (DLA) will be replaced with a new personal independent payment (PIP) for those of working age. However, in a reported published over the weekend the work and pensions select committee said there were high levels of anxiety among DLA claimants about means testing PIP claimants.
The Treasury have claimed that twenty percent savings could be made under the new system, set to be introduced in 2013, but the committee said it is unclear who is set to lose their benefits.
Labour MP Anne Begg said the new assessment must avoid the "mechanistic box-ticking approach" of that used for previous government disability benefit schemes.
She added: “The government's own estimates show that 500,000 fewer people will receive support by 2015-16 compared to the situation if DLA for working-age claimants had continued.
"Announcing the change against a background of budget cuts and the previous negative experience which many people have had with the Work Capability Assessment has created high levels of anxiety amongst DLA recipients.
“The government needs to be certain that the new assessment procedure is accurate and fair before it is introduced.”
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( 3 / 5 )Under plans being drawn up by the Department for Work and Pensions, some long-term sick and disabled people face being forced to work unpaid for an unlimited amount of time, or risk having their benefits cut.
The new proposals outlined by the Department for Work and Pensions officials during meetings with disabled groups are due to be announced once legal changes contained in clause 54 of the Welfare Reform Bill have been passed by parliament.
The proposed changes under the policy could see those on employment and support allowance that have been placed in the work-related activity group (Wrag) could be compelled to undertake work experience for charities, public bodies and High Street stores; with the Department for Work and Pensions admitting that they were not intending on putting a limit on the work experience placements.
Wrag includes those who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer but have more than six months to live; accident and stroke victims; and some of those with mental health issues.
A Department for Work and Pensions presentation on the proposal advises: "This is a supportive measure and claimants will only be asked to do this where it is suitable in their personal circumstances."
Whilst a Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson added: "It is clear that some groups wish to label people with a variety of illnesses and conditions as unable to work. This is not only wrong, it is unfair to those individuals who despite their illness want to keep working.
"Our reforms look at what an individual can do and wants to do. For those claimants for whom work is not a realistic option, there will be unconditional support available.
"Placements would normally be short-term, but there is currently no set duration and this will generally be agreed between the adviser and claimant."
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( 3 / 5 )Recent research has found that the increase of sports stars sharing their experiences of depression in recent times has had a significant impact on attitudes towards the illness.
The research which was carried out in Ireland by Lean on Me and the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland, in an attempt to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and depression found that sixty-three percent of those who took part in the survey, said that the recent media coverage of high profile sports stars experiencing depression had made them more sympathetic towards the issue of mental health and depression.
The study also found that seventy six percent of participants admitted that the recent media coverage had raised their own awareness of the issues and problems caused as a result of mental health and depression.
General Secretary of the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland, , Stephen McGuinness, said: “I have huge respect for the sports people who have spoken publicly about their struggles recently.
“Unfortunately there is a stigma around depression and players are reluctant to come forward and seek help for any problems they might be having, often because they feel it might show a weakness that will affect their selection or career. Just as your team helps you succeed on the pitch, they are also there to help off the pitch”
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( 3 / 5 )A link between memory loss and a high calorie diet has been suggested by researchers who have been investigating mild cognitive impairment.
The American researchers investigated the effect of diet in 1,233 people aged between 70 and 89 years old, none of whom had dementia, but 163 were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
Volunteers were divided into three groups, depending on their daily calorie intake. Low (600 – 1,526 calories per day), Middle (1,526 – 2,142.5 calories per day), High (2,142.5 – 6,000 calories per day) with the incidence of mild cognitive impairment being compared.
The findings, which were presented at a recent conference, suggest that there is no difference between the low and middle groups, whilst the high calorie intake group had more than double their incidence of mild cognitive impairment.
Dr Geda, one of the researchers said: “We observed a dose-response pattern which simply means; the higher the amount of calories consumed each day, the higher the risk of MCI.”
Whilst the study cannot say that a high calorie diet causes MCI, it does suggest that people who are cognitively impaired could end up eating more food or there could be another factor involved which increases the risk of both.
The current recommended calorie intake in the UK is 2,605 kcal for men and 2,079 kcal for women.
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