Young adults with autism. Today, the majority of autism research focuses on children. But two stories this week reveal a need to help young autistic adults become self-sufficient. Sound Medicine contributor Shia Levitt explores resources aimed at aiding autistics gain skills necessary to enter the work-place. In addition, Sound Medicine’s Barbara Lewis talks with Nathan Racher, a 20-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome, about his transition from high-school to life on his own.
Medical therapy instead of surgery. A recent study led by cardiologist Eric J. Velaquez, M.D., of the Duke Clinical Research Institute, suggests that for patients with ischemic heart failure, medical therapy saves lives just as bypass surgery does. Sound Medicine’s Kathy Miller, M.D., discusses the surprising results of the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) clinical trial with Dr. Velaquez, lead researcher in the study.
Book: Self-Compassion. A new area of psychological research called self-compassion (how people view themselves) suggests that people who are not supportive of themselves suffer from perceived failures, which are compounded by self-criticism. Author Kristen Neff, Ph.D., a pioneer in the field, believes that a lack of self-compassion can be harmful.
Sound Medicine is an award-winning radio program co-produced by the Indiana University School of Medicine and WFYI Public Radio (90.1FM). Sound Medicine is underwritten by Indiana University Health, Indiana University Health Physicians, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Reports on Primary Health Care topics are sponsored by Wishard Health Services.
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