Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mary Franson spouts bogus autism theories at House hearing, gets shut down [VIDEO]

At a committee hearing Wednesday, Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) treated her fellow representatives -- and, thanks to MN House's video feed, the rest of us -- to her Very Scientific Theories on vaccines and autism. The committee was supposed to be talking about Rep. Kim Norton's bill to require insuran ... More >>

Debate over autism coverage continues as mom sues providers for discrimination

Tracy Reid's seven-year-old son, Max, was diagnosed as severely autistic in 2008. Over the next two years, he experienced huge gains through a type of treatment known as Intensive Early Intervention Behavioral Therapy, or IEIBT. Advocates say it's the closest thing to a cure for autistic children, a ... More >>

Anthony Martin Ramos sentenced for beating, robbing autistic teenager

Anthony Martin Ramos is going to jail.​Anthony Martin Ramos broke down in tears the day he admitted in court to terrorizing, beating and robbing an autistic teen behind a Cub Foods in St. Paul two days before Christmas. The victim was on a shopping errand to help his mother make Christmas co ... More >>

Anthony Martin Ramos admits terrorizing autistic teen

Anthony Martin Ramos will be sentenced in May.​Anthony Martin Ramos broke down in a Ramsey County courtroom yesterday, filled with remorse and sorrow after admitting his role in a truly pathetic crime: Beating and robbing a 16-year-old autistic kid of everything he had, including the ginger al ... More >>

Intensive autism therapy gets court hearing

Max Reid's treatment for autism was initially uncovered by his insurance.​We first told you about the fight over Intensive Early Intervention Behavioral therapy for kids with autism in our January feature. More recently, the issue got prominent treatment in a two-part series on the cover of t ... More >>

Intensive Early Intervention Behavioral Therapy could cure autism

But HealthPartners and other insurance companies won't pay for it

Andrew Wakefield faked autism study but told Somalis there's hope

Wakefield was invited to Minneapolis by Somalis families.​The now disgraced British doctor who scared the world with his theory linking childhood vaccines with autism, recently spread his debunked theories to Somali families in Minneapolis. Andrew Wakefield's 1994 research paper has just been ... More >>

Mario Cortolezzis pleads guilty in autism fraud

​Mario Cortolezzis -- the father who stole from his own autism charity and was the subject of our November 24 cover story -- pleaded guilty to the scheme today in Carver County court, on all four counts of felony theft. "He really was very cooperative," says SAFER founder and Carver County Sh ... More >>

Mario Cortolezzis rips off autism charity he founded for his son

Man has a long history of schemes

Temple Grandin, animal welfare activist, to speak at Kickapoo Country Fair

www.wikipedia.comTemple Grandin gives a TED talk.​Organic Valley scored a big coup for this year's Kickapoo Country Fair. The festival, which takes place July 24-25 in La Farge, Wisconsin, will host Dr. Temple Grandin as its keynote speaker. Grandin learned to cope with autism and use her uniq ... More >>

dre.dance

White Castle offers Slyder-scented candle to benefit autism

Is this what teen spirit smells like?​We're right on the cusp of National Hamburger Month, and to celebrate White Castle is recruiting "special guest" employees (apparently several members of Congress have "expressed an interest" to volunteer their burger-grilling skills--I'll put in a call to ... More >>

Elderly couple steals plants, hides from police

Wednesday's five most fascinating stories printed on wood pulp.

Rare Hib disease increases in Minnesota

Is the anti-vaccine movement to blame?

Why does Minnesota have the nation's highest autism rate?

One in every 81 births here is an autistic child — twice the national average