August 29 • 2019 69 jn Doctors at Israel’ s Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, are bringing hope to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dr. Lidia Gabis, a Sheba pediatric neurologist and researcher, discovered that a combination of the drug donepezil (commonly known as Aricept, used to treat Alzheimer’ s disease) and choline (a food additive that Gabis hypothesized could enhance the drug) improved receptive language skills in children ages 5-10 while resulting in minor improvement in adolescents. Receptive language is the ability to understand words and language, something that is often difficult for children with autism. In this study, significant improvement was found in receptive language skills even six months after the end of treatment as compared to placebos. “We were so thrilled with the results in the younger children. This is a huge breakthrough showing that core symptoms of autism can be improved with a novel pharmacological combination,” Gabis said. Sixty children and adolescents with ASD took part in the nine-month study. The younger group showed significant improvements. Adolescents showed minor improvements with a side effect of irritability. Minor gastrointestinal issues were also reported in both groups. In another Sheba study, it was shown that medical clowns participating in group therapy had a beneficial effect on young children (ages 2-6) diagnosed with autism. Twenty-four children with ASD, enrolled in Sheba’ s special education intensive program, were examined before and after clown intervention. There was significant increase in words used by the children, play reciprocity and more social smiles. “These preliminary results indicate that medical clowning may be beneficial for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder because it promotes communication and social reciprocity in a fun and lively interventional setting, ” Gabis said. Sheba Researchers Find Hope for Autistic Children at ed d g i c gr gr Dr. Lidia Gabis The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit received a $10,000 grant to support its Opening the Doors (OTD) Mental Health Student Empowerment project. The grant, from the Teen Board of the Jewish Fund, will sup- port OTD’ s work providing special educators, early childhood para educators, classroom assistants and consultants in Jewish schools, as well as a teen leadership program and community conferences with educational resources. This grant will aid work with schools and mental health organi- zations to provide educational and consultant services to empower youth with special needs, experi- encing social emotional concerns and/or bullying, provide psy- cho-educational evaluations and education classes for teachers. JCC’ s OTD program annually enables 1,200 children and adoles- cents with a wide range of learning, social and behavioral differences and abilities to be included and engaged with their peers in mean- ingful Jewish education classrooms. OTD works in partnership with 24 Jewish early childhood, day school and congregational religious schools, as well as mental health organizations. To learn more, visit jccdet.org/specialneeds. JCC & Mental Health Student Empowerment Grant COURTESY OF OPENING THE DOORS The JCC received a check from the Jewish Fund to help its Opening the Doors program. Awaken the Beauty Within... DANIEL SHERBERT, M.D. F.A.C.S. Certifi ed by The American Board of Surgery, The American Board of Plastic Surgery & Fellowship Trained in Aesthetic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery Specializing in Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery W est Maple Plastic Surgery (248) 865-6400 5807 W. Maple Suite 177 West Bloomfi eld We Help You Stay In Your Own Home Marisa is dedicated to making home care more personal and affordable...because sometimes you need a hand. Local l y Owned and Oper at ed | 27698 Fr ankl i n Road | Sout hfiel d 248. 354. 7600 | marisahomecare. com