Autism Spectrum-logo

Autism Spectrum

ReachMD

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.

Location:

United States

Networks:

ReachMD

Description:

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.

Language:

English


Episodes
Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

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

7/2/2018
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...

Duration:00:14:29

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

What is the Economic Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

7/2/2018
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.

Duration:00:14:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Autism: The Critical Importance of Early, Individualized Diagnosis

6/27/2018
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.

Duration:00:04:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk Factors: Environmental and Genetic Components

11/17/2017
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...

Duration:00:08:00

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Environmental Risk Factors Affecting Autism Spectrum Disorder Rates

10/8/2017
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...

Duration:00:13:00

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Paradox of Conflicting Results

9/23/2017
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...

Duration:00:13:30

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

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

9/6/2017
Host: Paul Rokuskie Autism Spectrum Disorder affects communication skills as well as emotional & 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...

Duration:00:12:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Future Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder

12/17/2016
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...

Duration:00:13:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Pioneering Research Avenues for Autism Spectrum Disorder

11/28/2016
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.

Duration:00:14:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

How Autism Manifests Differently in Girls vs Boys

4/20/2016
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...

Duration:00:10:30

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Research Foundations for Early Autism Intervention Programs

3/28/2016
Host: Paul Rokuskie Host Paul Rokuski welcomes Dr. Sally Rogers, Professor of Psychiatry & 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...

Duration:00:14:29

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

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

9/28/2015
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.

Duration:00:15:00

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Autism's Culture Clash: Anthropological Perspectives Across the Globe

8/17/2015
Host: Paul Rokuskie Autism Spectrum Disorder has had some profound effects on our global culture over the past few years. As greater understandings of this neurological disorder are communicated by scientists, physicians, advocacy groups, educational professionals and parents, public awareness shifts and societies reshape how autism is ultimately perceived. Paul Rokuskie welcomes Richard Grinker, PhD, Professor and Chair of Anthropology, and Director of the Institute for Ethnographic...

Duration:00:14:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Addressing Social Cognitive Deficits in Children with Autism

8/3/2015
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...

Duration:00:14:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

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

5/25/2015
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...

Duration:00:17:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Parental Roles in Autism Advocacy: Perspectives from Eustacia Cutler

5/18/2015
Host: Paul Rokuskie Autism spectrum disorder has been around for centuries, but the modern terminology of how it is defined only started in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Since then, the definition of autism has changed many times, refined into today’s current understanding of this mental disorder. But one point of constancy over this time frame has been the advocacy work of mothers and fathers to better understand the disease that impacts their children’s lives, helping...

Duration:00:14:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Social Joint Attention as an Early Diagnostic Marker for Autism in Infancy

2/9/2015
Host: Paul Rokuskie Joint attention, one of the defining characteristics of social interactions that becomes impaired in children with autism, is a developmental milestone of great importance to researchers and clinicians alike. With early detection of autism spectrum disorder, children can receive better treatments to gain more exposure and training for critical social processes. But is it possible for early detection of joint attention deficits, even in infancy, to one day serve as...

Duration:00:14:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Autism in Adults: Special Challenges and Therapeutic Approaches

12/22/2014
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...

Duration:00:15:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Autism's Gut/Brain Connection: Can the Microbiome Influence Neurodevelopment?

12/15/2014
Host: Paul Rokuskie Associations between autism and gastrointestinal health are being actively investigated in medical research. Two major projects, each spanning three years, are focusing in particular on intestinal bacteria, ie the microbiome, and constipation, respectively. Leading the charge on these investigations are Drs. Pat Levitt and James Versalovic. Dr. Levitt is Chair of Developmental Neurogenetics at Children's Hospital - Los Angeles (CHLA), while Dr. Versalovic is Chief of the...

Duration:00:14:59

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Fostering Greater Collaboration in ASD Care: The Autism Treatment Network

4/8/2014
Host: Paul Rokuskie Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a significant public health issue, affecting over 1% of all American children under the age of 18. One organization, Autism Speaks, is accelerating the care of these individuals and their families to the next level through their Autism Treatment Network, which creates collaborations that bridge multiple discplines across the United States. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to elaborate on this initiative is Dr. Dan Coury, Professor of...

Duration:00:14:59