News from Jasmina Sisirak: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are affected by significantly more health problems than the general population and are much more likely to have significant health risks.

Yet evidence suggests they are not receiving the same level of health education and health promotion opportunities as other members of society.

This important, interdisciplinary book is aimed at increasing professional awareness of the importance of health promotion activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Written by an international board of experts, it is a thorough and comprehensive guide for students, professionals and carers.

Health Promotion for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities considers a variety of challenges faced by those with intellectual disabilities, from physical illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy and sexual health issues, through to issues such as addiction, mental health and ageing.

A new federally-funded review of thousands of studies finds that there are more than two dozen autism interventions worthy of being called 'evidence-based'. 

Researchers combed through over 29,000 studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1990 and 2011 that tested various behavioral, developmental or educational interventions for autism to identify the most meaningful approaches for those with the developmental disorder from birth through age 22. 

Ultimately the review identified 27 interventions with substantial research backing ranging from cognitive behavioral intervention to exercise, modeling, scripting and use of a picture exchange communication system. 

Read more here.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/01/21/which-autism-work-best/19037/ 

Extracted from an article by Michelle Diament: After years of escalating growth, a new study looking at data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that autism rates could drop off thanks to new diagnostic criteria for the developmental disorder.

In a review of surveillance data on 8-year-olds with autism collected by the CDC in 2006 and 2008, researchers found that nearly 1 in 5 of the youngsters would not have qualified for a diagnosis on the autism spectrum under updated criteria in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Last year, a fifth edition of the DSM was published which included sweeping and controversial changes to the diagnosis of autism. The new version of the manual altered the diagnostic criteria and did away with Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified, instead creating an umbrella classification of 'autism spectrum disorder' with clinicians indicating a level of severity.

The change was met with significant trepidation among many in the autism community who were concerned that individuals might be stripped of their diagnosis and lose needed services. In response, those behind the DSM update appended the autism entry with a note indicating that people with an existing diagnosis on the spectrum should retain the label.

More here: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/01/23/autism-decline-dsm/19044/