Institute Publications

More than 25,000 children will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders this year a number greater than AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined yet so many aspects of the disorder remain a mystery. Is its cause genetic, environmental, or some combination of factors? Are dietary changes and drugs the best hope for treatment, or should the focus remain solely on behavioral interventions?

Mealtimes can be a source of tension for many families with young children. From cajoling finicky eaters to eat their broccoli to battling restless youngsters who simply refuse to sit at the table and finish their dinner, parents can face an uphill battle when it comes to feeding their children balanced meals every day.

Most 18-year-old girls love to talk. Maggie Piet is no exception. She just uses modern technology to do so.

Learning to read can be a long and difficult process. The promise of first reading single words, then sentences, and then entire books waits like a light at the end of the tunnel. For a child with poor reading comprehension, however, the light never comes. Sentences are meaningless as the young reader struggles to understand the connection between different words.

The lobby of the ice rink hums with excitement as children laugh and talk while their parents bundle them up and help them get their skates on. In one corner, a little boy grins from ear to ear as his dad helps him to his feet and his mom snaps photo after photo. Across the room, another mom keeps a careful eye on her son as he practices walking in his skates, one hand on the wall for stability.

Spirits were once again high at this year's ROAR for Autism event. On Sunday, April 25, at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, Maryland, an enthusiastic group of more than 1,000 participants were on hand for ROAR for Autism's sixth annual bike ride, nature walk, and family fun festival. The event raises critically needed funds for autism research and programs at the Institute and serves as a way to recognize Autism Awareness Month.

Every month, I meet my best friends for dinner where we get to catch up with each other. Then we go to Circle of Friends, a part of Kennedy Krieger's Brightside mentoring program, where we learn about friendship and how to socialize with other people. I am 25 years old, and I have Down syndrome, which means that I was born with 22 chromosomes instead of 21.

The 19th annual Kennedy Krieger Institute Festival of Trees was held November 28-30 in the Cow Palace at the Maryland St ate Fairgrounds in Timonium. This three-day event is an exciting holiday-themed festival held annually to raise funds for the research, treatment, education, and community programs at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. This year, Festival of Trees' over 38,000 attendees helped raise more than $890,000 to support the important work of the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

As 6-year-old Cameron Mott sings and dances her way around her family's North Carolina living room, it's obvious she has some serious star power. But things weren't always this way. At age three she started having seizures and was diagnosed with cortical dysplasia, an abnormality in the development of the cerebral cortex.

"She was having six to 10 seizures a day," says her dad, Casey. The seizures robbed Cameron's family of their little girl. Every morning she was clear and bright, but then the first seizure would hit. Cameron would lose consciousness and fall to the floor.

For years, child care providers throughout the State of Maryland have been asking for help. They want to learn how to better care for children with special needs in their programs. Many are unfamiliar with certain pediatric disabilities and are often afraid they will be unable to meet their needs.