by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Neurological diseases – autism in particular – are on the rise, but so is the effort to understand, diagnose and treat the conditions.
That was the report presented Tuesday to the Uptown Civitan Club by Harald Sontheimer, Ph.D.. He is a professor of neurobiology at the Civitan International Research Center (CIRC), a world-class clinic at the University of Alabama-Birmingham’s School of Medicine.
“There has been a tremendous increase in diagnosis of autism, six-fold in the last 10 years. It really seems to be getting out of hand,” said Sontheimer. “We’re not sure if the disease is on the rise so much as we are better able to identify it now.”
CIRC was founded in 1990 with a $20 million grant from Civitan International. Since then, the center has grown to 21 departments staffed by more than 80 scientists, researchers and physicians who use some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment available. Sontheimer said unlike a traditional research facility, CIRC combines research with diagnosis and treatment and the level of work couldn’t be done without the financial support of Civitan Clubs all over the world. “Most of our funding comes from the National Institutes of Health,” he added, “Civitan is our only fundraising philanthropy. We were kind of adopted by Civitan. Contributions from Civitan make our work possible.”
More than four million Americans have what Sontheimer described as a “severe developmental disability” ranging from Down syndrome to autism. That includes 1.2 million children.
“CIRC is a complete health care facility for children with developmental disabilities. Sometimes there will be more than a dozen dental students treating a child in the case of a root canal. After the students have gone through this special training they understand the special needs patient and that carries into their medical career. When they enter private practice, most (of our graduates) will devote one day a week to patients with special needs,” he said.
The facility also develops new therapy techniques and has begun a summer camp program for children with autism.
“After eight weeks of the summer camp, we have parents who report that they didn’t recognize their child and there is no more need for medication,” said Sontheimer.
Uptown Civitan member Paulette Lewis gave a report on the Feb. 24 “Celebrity Poker Challenge” the club is sponsoring at The Poker Room at Orange Park Kennel Club. The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year and proceeds will benefit Pine Castle. The top prize is a $10,000 seat at this year’s “World Series of Poker” in Las Vegas. Last year, Uptown raised $50,000 through a “Dancing with the Stars” event, and Lewis said the goal is to raise even more money this year.
A few seats at the table are still available, she added.
For information or registration information for the Celebrity Poker Challenge, visit www.pinecastle.org or call 733-2650.
356-2466