Host: Paul Rokuskie  Did you know that in just 10 years, the national prevalence rate for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has nearly tripled, going from 1 in 166 to 1 in 59? Or that 2 percent of the US population under the age of 18 now carries a diagnosis of ASD? Join Paul Rokuskie as he speaks with Dr. Stuart Shapira, Associate Director for Science at CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, about these and other findings from the 2018 study regarding prevalence rates for ASD. 

Host: Paul Rokuskie Did you know that in just 10 years, the national prevalence rate for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has nearly tripled, going from 1 in 166 to 1 in 59? Or that 2 percent of the US population under the age of 18 now carries a diagnosis of ASD? Join Paul Rokuskie as he speaks with Dr. Stuart Shapira, Associate Director for Science at CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, about these and other findings from the 2018 study regarding prevalence rates for ASD.

Why Has the Prevalence Rate of Autism Tripled in Recent Years?


Host: Paul Rokuskie     Guest: David S. Mandell, ScD  As prevalence rates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increase, so do economic costs. On average, medical expenditures for individuals with an ASD were 4 to 6 times greater than those without an ASD. Join Paul Rokuskie and his guest Dr. David Mandell, Associate Director of the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as they dive into the economic impact of ASD.

Host: Paul Rokuskie Guest: David S. Mandell, ScD As prevalence rates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) increase, so do economic costs. On average, medical expenditures for individuals with an ASD were 4 to 6 times greater than those without an ASD. Join Paul Rokuskie and his guest Dr. David Mandell, Associate Director of the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as they dive into the economic impact of ASD.

What is the Economic Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder?


Host: Paul Rokuskie  As diagnostic information becomes more readily available, the importance of early diagnosis cannot be underestimated when it comes to helping those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Join Paul Rokuskie and his guest Dr. Stuart Shapira, Associate Director for Science at CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, as they discuss the diagnosis criteria for ASD.

Host: Paul Rokuskie As diagnostic information becomes more readily available, the importance of early diagnosis cannot be underestimated when it comes to helping those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Join Paul Rokuskie and his guest Dr. Stuart Shapira, Associate Director for Science at CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, as they discuss the diagnosis criteria for ASD.

Autism: The Critical Importance of Early, Individualized Diagnosis


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Scientists have been doing research into many areas of autism spectrum disorder in the hopes of explaining the doubling of its prevalence rate over the past decade. Both environmental risk factors and genetic components are areas of intense scrutiny for researchers seeking to understand the root causes of autism. Host Paul Rokuskie talks with Craig Newschaffer, Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, about the risk factors for autism spectrum disorder that scientists are working to better define.

Host: Paul Rokuskie Scientists have been doing research into many areas of autism spectrum disorder in the hopes of explaining the doubling of its prevalence rate over the past decade. Both environmental risk factors and genetic components are areas of intense scrutiny for researchers seeking to understand the root causes of autism. Host Paul Rokuskie talks with Craig Newschaffer, Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, about the risk factors for autism spectrum disorder that scientists are working to better define.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk Factors: Environmental and Genetic Components


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Over the past two decades, the world has seen a dramatic rise of individuals being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. For decades scientists and medical professionals have been researching various aspects of this disease to uncover genetic and environmental factors explaining this rapid increase in prevalence; however, discovering definitive clues to causality has proven elusive.  Host Paul Rokuskie talks with Dr. Craig Newschaffer, Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute about the latest research findings into environmental factors affecting autism risk.

Host: Paul Rokuskie Over the past two decades, the world has seen a dramatic rise of individuals being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. For decades scientists and medical professionals have been researching various aspects of this disease to uncover genetic and environmental factors explaining this rapid increase in prevalence; however, discovering definitive clues to causality has proven elusive. Host Paul Rokuskie talks with Dr. Craig Newschaffer, Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute about the latest research findings into environmental factors affecting autism risk.

Environmental Risk Factors Affecting Autism Spectrum Disorder Rates


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Researchers have been challenged for years by the simultaneous results of numerous studies into brain network connections in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some results show strong connections, while others suggest the opposite. New research has helped bring some clarity to this ongoing paradox. Host Paul Rokuskie is joined by Dr. Benjamin Yerys, a child psychologist in the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. They talk about how it’s possible to see conflicting results and, paradoxically, for both to be true.

Host: Paul Rokuskie Researchers have been challenged for years by the simultaneous results of numerous studies into brain network connections in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some results show strong connections, while others suggest the opposite. New research has helped bring some clarity to this ongoing paradox. Host Paul Rokuskie is joined by Dr. Benjamin Yerys, a child psychologist in the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. They talk about how it’s possible to see conflicting results and, paradoxically, for both to be true.

Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Paradox of Conflicting Results


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Autism Spectrum Disorder affects communication skills as well as emotional &amp; social development. Researchers have been studying the brain for decades to better understand how these developmental differences manifest as autism. Recent studies that measure rapid eye movement (REM) have been showing great promise in elucidating the origins and mechanisms of disease. Host Paul Rokusie sits down with Dr. John Foxe to talk about his study on rapid eye movement, its implications on disease pathogenesis, and new insights it can bring to future autism research.

Host: Paul Rokuskie Autism Spectrum Disorder affects communication skills as well as emotional &amp; social development. Researchers have been studying the brain for decades to better understand how these developmental differences manifest as autism. Recent studies that measure rapid eye movement (REM) have been showing great promise in elucidating the origins and mechanisms of disease. Host Paul Rokusie sits down with Dr. John Foxe to talk about his study on rapid eye movement, its implications on disease pathogenesis, and new insights it can bring to future autism research.

Rapid Eye Movement:The Gateway to New Insights in Autism?


Host: Paul Rokuskie  As medical professionals gain better understandings of the etiologies, mechanisms, and progressions of autism spectrum disorder, they are looking for ways to standardize this diagnosis. This creates new needs to change the way autism is conceptualized clinically, from severity scales to behavioral impacts on quality of life.  Host Paul Rokuskie welcomes Dr. Sven Bolte, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Science and Director of the Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. The two discuss the complex process for building new diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder.

Host: Paul Rokuskie As medical professionals gain better understandings of the etiologies, mechanisms, and progressions of autism spectrum disorder, they are looking for ways to standardize this diagnosis. This creates new needs to change the way autism is conceptualized clinically, from severity scales to behavioral impacts on quality of life. Host Paul Rokuskie welcomes Dr. Sven Bolte, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Science and Director of the Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. The two discuss the complex process for building new diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder.

Future Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder


Host: Paul Rokuskie  New research is vital toward better understanding the complexities of autism spectrum disorder. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss the latest research projects striving to identify the underlying causes as well as effective treatments for autism is Dr. Robert Schultz, Director of the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Host: Paul Rokuskie New research is vital toward better understanding the complexities of autism spectrum disorder. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss the latest research projects striving to identify the underlying causes as well as effective treatments for autism is Dr. Robert Schultz, Director of the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Pioneering Research Avenues for Autism Spectrum Disorder 


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Recent studies have uncovered sex differences in both the neurobiology and phenotypical presentations of autism. These emerging understandings for how autism manifests uniquely in girls vs boys may radically change the way autism spectrum disorder is clinically perceived, improving diagnostic sensitivity and personalizing therapies.   Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss this line of research developments in autism spectrum disorder is Dr. Kaustubh Supekar, research scientist in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine. 

Host: Paul Rokuskie Recent studies have uncovered sex differences in both the neurobiology and phenotypical presentations of autism. These emerging understandings for how autism manifests uniquely in girls vs boys may radically change the way autism spectrum disorder is clinically perceived, improving diagnostic sensitivity and personalizing therapies. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss this line of research developments in autism spectrum disorder is Dr. Kaustubh Supekar, research scientist in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine.

How Autism Manifests Differently in Girls vs Boys


Over a time span of only eight years, the national prevalence rate for Autism Spectrum Disorder has risen dramatically from 1 in 166 to 1 in 68. This change creates major societal, medical, and economic impacts, leading to questions of how and why the number of autism diagnoses in the United States has risen so sharply. This series, Autism Spectrum, is hosted by Paul Rokuskie and will explore the latest research, diagnostic approaches, patient challenges, and evolving roles of the health care professional in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Spectrum

Host: Paul Rokuskie  Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is considered a safe and effective treatment approach for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but it is often misconceived by parents and teaching professionals in school settings. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss research behind ABA techniques for increasing positive, useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning is Dr. Gina Green, Executive Director at the Association of Professional Behavioral Analysis.

Host: Paul Rokuskie Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is considered a safe and effective treatment approach for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but it is often misconceived by parents and teaching professionals in school settings. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss research behind ABA techniques for increasing positive, useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning is Dr. Gina Green, Executive Director at the Association of Professional Behavioral Analysis.

Roles of Applied Behavioral Analysis in Autism Therapy


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Autism is not just a child matter. As the prevelance rates of autism continue to rise, so do the numbers of patients entering adulthood. What are the special challenges faced by these patients, their families, and the clinicians who treat and counsel them both respectively? And how can updated therapeutic approaches help change the life trajectories for adults with autism? Host Paul Rokuskie welcomes Dr. Marsha Mailick, Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Her research on autism in adults has brought new awareness and understanding to the special needs of this patient population. 

Host: Paul Rokuskie Autism is not just a child matter. As the prevelance rates of autism continue to rise, so do the numbers of patients entering adulthood. What are the special challenges faced by these patients, their families, and the clinicians who treat and counsel them both respectively? And how can updated therapeutic approaches help change the life trajectories for adults with autism? Host Paul Rokuskie welcomes Dr. Marsha Mailick, Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Her research on autism in adults has brought new awareness and understanding to the special needs of this patient population.

Autism in Adults: Special Challenges and Therapeutic Approaches


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Social and emotional skills come fairly easily for neurotypical individuals. But for those with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), these may be some of the most challenging skills to learn. Thankfully there is a lot of experience among educators using techniques to help individuals with ASD become more social. Join host Paul Rokuskie as he welcomes speech/language pathologist Jill Kuzma to discuss therapeutic approaches for social cognitive deficits in children with ASD. 

Host: Paul Rokuskie Social and emotional skills come fairly easily for neurotypical individuals. But for those with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), these may be some of the most challenging skills to learn. Thankfully there is a lot of experience among educators using techniques to help individuals with ASD become more social. Join host Paul Rokuskie as he welcomes speech/language pathologist Jill Kuzma to discuss therapeutic approaches for social cognitive deficits in children with ASD.

Addressing Social Cognitive Deficits in Children with Autism


Host: Paul Rokuskie  It has been over 10 years since the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, has been updated and released in its fifth edition. There has been much anticipation and controversy over the many changes that have been incorporated, and among the most carefully scrutinized are those pertaining to autism spectrum disorder. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss important DSM-V updates in the diagnosis and classification of autism are Dr. David Kupfer, Chair of the DSM-V Taskforce, and Dr. Catherine Lord of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Workgroup.

Host: Paul Rokuskie It has been over 10 years since the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, has been updated and released in its fifth edition. There has been much anticipation and controversy over the many changes that have been incorporated, and among the most carefully scrutinized are those pertaining to autism spectrum disorder. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss important DSM-V updates in the diagnosis and classification of autism are Dr. David Kupfer, Chair of the DSM-V Taskforce, and Dr. Catherine Lord of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Workgroup.

DSM-V Updates in the Diagnosis and Classification of Autism


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Andy Bondy, PhD, Co-Founder and President of Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. join host Paul Rokuski for an in-depth discussion on the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), which allows children with autism who have little or no communication abilities a novel means of communicating non-verbally.

Host: Paul Rokuskie Andy Bondy, PhD, Co-Founder and President of Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. join host Paul Rokuski for an in-depth discussion on the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), which allows children with autism who have little or no communication abilities a novel means of communicating non-verbally.

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): How Technology Aids Non-Verbal Communication


Host: Paul Rokuskie  When Derek Volk's oldest child, Dylan, was two years old, his wife suggested, "Something is not quite right with Dylan." They struggled for the next several years as they were bounced from one diagnostician to another, each offering a unique perspective on Dylan's challenging behaviors. Finally, at eight years old, Dylan was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and the Volk family was able to start making sense of Dylan's differences. In Chasing the Rabbit, authors Derek and Dylan Volk share their respective experiences coping with the challenges of autism in the household and the healthcare system.

Host: Paul Rokuskie When Derek Volk's oldest child, Dylan, was two years old, his wife suggested, "Something is not quite right with Dylan." They struggled for the next several years as they were bounced from one diagnostician to another, each offering a unique perspective on Dylan's challenging behaviors. Finally, at eight years old, Dylan was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and the Volk family was able to start making sense of Dylan's differences. In Chasing the Rabbit, authors Derek and Dylan Volk share their respective experiences coping with the challenges of autism in the household and the healthcare system.

Chasing the Rabbit: A Dad's Life Raising a Son on the Spectrum


Host: Paul Rokuskie  Host Paul Rokuski welcomes Dr. Sally Rogers, Professor of Psychiatry &amp; Behavioral Sciences and Director of Training and Mentoring at the MIND Institute of the University of California-Davis. Dr. Rogers specializes in conducting developmental and treatment research into autism and other developmental disorders. She is currently focused on developing and improving treatments for early autism using a treatment model that she developed in collaboration with Geraldine Dawson, the Early Start Denver Model. 

Host: Paul Rokuskie Host Paul Rokuski welcomes Dr. Sally Rogers, Professor of Psychiatry &amp; Behavioral Sciences and Director of Training and Mentoring at the MIND Institute of the University of California-Davis. Dr. Rogers specializes in conducting developmental and treatment research into autism and other developmental disorders. She is currently focused on developing and improving treatments for early autism using a treatment model that she developed in collaboration with Geraldine Dawson, the Early Start Denver Model.

Research Foundations for Early Autism Intervention Programs


Host: Paul Rokuskie  For some time, serotonin and vitamin D have been proposed to play a role in autism, but until recently no causal mechanism has ever been established. Autism researchers Dr. Bruce Ames and Dr. Rhonda Patrick of Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) join host Paul Rokuskie to discuss their study on the demonstrated impact of Vitamin D on social behavior associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Their research implicates vitamin D as an activator of serotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin, three brain hormones that affect social behavior related to autism. 

Host: Paul Rokuskie For some time, serotonin and vitamin D have been proposed to play a role in autism, but until recently no causal mechanism has ever been established. Autism researchers Dr. Bruce Ames and Dr. Rhonda Patrick of Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) join host Paul Rokuskie to discuss their study on the demonstrated impact of Vitamin D on social behavior associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Their research implicates vitamin D as an activator of serotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin, three brain hormones that affect social behavior related to autism.

Could Vitamin D Supplementation Help Prevent Autism?


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