Staten Island USA

  • Home
  • BP James Oddo
  • News
  • Events
  • Initiatives
  • Resources
  • According to Jim
  • Social
  • Contact/Report
  • Budget
  • Home
  • BP James Oddo
  • News
  • Events
  • Initiatives
  • Resources
  • According to Jim
  • Social
  • Contact/Report
  • Budget

BLOG

Navigating the spectrum

4/18/2018

 
Picture
The following blog post was written by Dr. Ginny Mantello, Director of Health and Wellness.
​

If you are a parent dealing with a child on the autism spectrum, you may have heard many different terms, including high-functioning autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, atypical autism, autism spectrum disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. Understandably, there is a great deal of confusion about the names of various autism-related disorders and what it means to have a child diagnosed on the autism spectrum. In 2013, The American Psychiatric Association attempted to simplify matters by combining the list of developmental disorders into a single diagnostic classification called Autism Spectrum Disorder.
 
Every child on the autism spectrum has unique abilities, symptoms, and challenges. Learning about the different autism spectrum disorders will help you better understand your own child, get a handle on what all the different autism terms mean, and make it easier to communicate with the doctors, teachers, and therapists helping your child. Here are 5 things to know about Autism Spectrum Disorder: 

  1. Autism is not a single disorder, but a group of closely related disorders referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some professionals speak of “the autisms” to avoid addressing the sometimes subtle differences among the conditions along the autism spectrum, as they share a list of common core symptoms.
  2. ASD is the fastest growing developmental disorder. The prevalence of ASD has risen to 1 in 64 births, compared to 2004, when the rate was 1 in 125, according to the CDC.
  3. People with ASD have difficulty with social communication and interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. ASD is diagnosed based on the presence of multiple symptoms that disrupt a person’s ability to communicate, form relationships, explore, play, and learn.
  4. Scientists believe that both genetics and environment play a role in causing ASD. Although scientists are still trying to understand why some people develop ASD and others don’t, some risk factors include: having a sibling with ASD, having older parents, having certain genetic conditions, as well as a very low birth weight.
  5. Early diagnosis and early intervention are key to improving a child's development with ASD. There is no single medical test that can diagnose it definitively; instead, in order to accurately pinpoint your child's problem, multiple evaluations and tests may be necessary. Early intervention during the preschool years will improve your child’s chances for overcoming his or her developmental delays.
 
Take a look at my segment with NY1 where I talk about these 5 points and the importance of talking with your health care provider about any concerns you may have with your child’s development:
​http://www.ny1.com/nyc/staten-island/week-in-review/2018/04/13/5-things-to-know-about-autism
​

Reducing Your Risk Factors

4/3/2018

 
Picture
The following blog post was written by Dr. Ginny Mantello, Director of Health and Wellness.
​

Most people may not know that colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the second leading cause in New York State. The American Cancer Society has predicted that in 2018 alone, there will be 140,000 new cases diagnosed and about 50,000 deaths from the disease. This means that there are a large number of people who are not being screened early enough. You can reduce your risk of getting colorectal cancer by reducing risk factors.

Here are 5 things to know about colorectal cancer:

  1. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer and cancer-related deaths in both men and women.
  2. A person’s risk of getting colon cancer increases with age. It also increases based on certain underlying conditions, such as adenomatous polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, or a family history of colon cancer.
  3. Over the past few decades, the overall death rate from colon cancer has been dropping, but there has been a sharp rise in colorectal cancer rate and deaths in younger population. It is important to talk to your doctor, no matter what your age is, if you have any underlying conditions.
  4. Colon cancer is linked to certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity, drinking alcohol, and lack of physical activity. In order for people to reduce their risk factors, it is important for people to be mindful of their lifestyles.
  5. Colon cancer is preventable through screenings. It is important to have routine screenings, as symptoms don’t always present themselves. Colonoscopies are the gold standard, but there are other options available, such as an at-home FIT or FOBT test.
​
Staten Island has a free program for those without insurance called the Cancer Services Program. This program, funded through the City Council, is available at both Staten Island hospitals and provides free colonoscopies. You can get more information by calling 718-226-6447.

Talk with your doctor or a health professional if you have any concerns and remember to get screened. 

    Picture
    You’re following us on Facebook and probably see our tweets, but this blog is an opportunity for us to get a little more in depth on the issues on the minds of the folks at Borough Hall, specifically BP Oddo. The blog is published regularly and with you – our readers and constituents – in mind.
    ​Enjoy.

    Insider Archives

    March 2019
    January 2019
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016

    Authors

    All
    Allison Cohen
    Chris DeCicco
    Dr. Ginny Mantello
    Emil Micha
    Frank Santarpia
    James Oddo
    Jennifer Sammartino
    Laura Timoney
    Lexey Chandler
    Nikki Marra
    Renee Sarno
    Rose Kerr

RESOURCES
​
​Helpful Links
Local Government
Borough Board
INITIATIVES
​
​Clean Up SI
​
Culture & The Arts
​Economic Development
Education


​Health & Wellness
Infrastructure
Parks
Substance Abuse


​The Heart Project
Tourism
Transparency
Transportation
CONTACT

​BP Assist Mobile App
BP's Office
Staff Directory
Internships
About Us
Privacy Policy
Office of Staten Island Borough President James S. Oddo  •  10 Richmond Terrace  •  Staten Island, NY 10301  •  718-816-2000
Picture