Recognized as the leading publisher on autism and Asperger syndrome, they publish in a range of areas including social work, education and arts therapies.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers books are for parents, professionals, academics and general readers.
In response to:
“New Tests for Newborns, And Dilemmas for Parents” by Amy Dockser Marcus
Wall Street Journal, July 26, 2011
“Test Can Tell Fetal Sex at 7 Weeks, Study Says” by Pam Belluck
NY Times, August 9, 2011
AXYS submitted this letter to the editor:
“AXYS serves individuals who have one of the most prevalent and yet confoundingly unknown genetic conditions, sex chromosome aneuploidy. The most common of these conditions is 47,XXY, also known as Klinefelter Syndrome. There are many other aneuploidies, affecting 1 in 500 males and females in total. Life is certainly worth living for these individuals. Early diagnosis leads to effective interventions that vastly improve lives, yet the majority of individuals with these conditions go undiagnosed for years—even a lifetime. Misdiagnosis and resulting mistreatment are common and lead to unwarranted suffering. One man spent 52 years diagnosed with bipolar disorder only to discover by accident he is 47,XXY. He was transformed from suicidal to exuberant when he received the right treatments. Undiagnosed individuals are susceptible to myriad comorbid conditions, such as heart disease and cancers, which can strike by surprise. Those with an accurate diagnosis can watch for and address these problems before they become life-threatening. AXYS strongly urges rapid development and deployment of early diagnostic testing to detect these conditions. In the case of X and Y chromosome variations, ignorance most definitely is NOT bliss.”
Please support our effort by submitting your letter to the Wall Street Journal at these two email addresses:
AXYS was founded on the response to a letter to Ann Landers sent by our founder, Melissa Aylstock. David Drexler, a long-time volunteer with AXYS and member of our communications committee, has written a beautiful, compelling letter to Dear Abby. Please write to Dear Abby and share your letter with us.
David’s letter:
Dear Abby,
I’m writing you today to alert your readers to chromosome anomalies that affect one in five hundred people, male and female. Although they are the most common of the chromosome anomalies they are also seldom diagnosed, most often by amniocentesis or in a fertility workup.
Every cell of a normal body has 23 pairs of chromosomes and on those chromosomes are the genes that control who and what we are. The sex chromosomes (23rd pair) dictate sex. A normal male has XY chromosomes and a normal female has XX. For reasons we don’t know, in some cases there are more than two sex chromosomes with an extra X, called 47,XXY or just XXY. There can also be more than two Xs and more than one Y for example trisomy X or 47,XXX.
Article Title: New Guide Offers Road Map To IEP Process
Author: Michelle Diament
Date of Publication: August 23, 2011
We rarely use Wikipedia as a resource, but this overview on bone density is quite well done. As with any medical issue or question, please consult your physician. The Wikipedia entry is a general discussion of the topic. It is not specifically related to X and Y Chromosome Variations. For individuals who are 47,XXY, untreated hypogonadism can lead to osteoporosis and osteopenia. Most benefit from testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Those who identify as intersex or choose not to use TRT should seek competent medical help for alternative methods to preserve bone density.
Authors: A.S. Herlihy, L. Gillam
Date of Publication: March 2011
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21453406
International Journal of Andrology ｪ 2011 European Academy of Andrology, 1–2
A common genetic condition affecting males, Klinefelter syndrome (KS), is often described as ‘The Forgotten Syndrome’.Although the prevalence of KS has been estimated to be as high as 1 in 450 (Herlihy et al., in press.), between 50 and 70% of males are never diagnosed (Bojesen et al.,2003). Klinefelter et al., 1942 first described KS as a syndrome in males, characterized by tall stature with eunuchoidal body proportions, gynaecomastia, small testes,hypogonadism, azoospermia and increased FSH levels(Klinefelter et al., 1942). The cause of this syndrome was identified 17 years later as an additional X chromosome in males, resulting in a 47, XXY karyotype (Jacobs & Strong,1959). Since then, there have been many advances in research concerning the biomedical aspects of KS, in addition to the cognitive and neuropsychological features,providing a greater understanding of the variety of behavioural, learning and psychological difficulties that may be present (Bojesen & Gravholt, 2007).
From their website description:
We are 100% Social & Life Skills
I had started to put together a list of challenges from our family experiences plus things I had read on the forums over the past few years and wanted to share it with the group. You may find this helpful in talking with teachers and health professionals and may want to add more things that are specific to your son.
Challenges that can be associated with 47,XXY
Available as an MS Excel File (This is preferable, because you can add your notes or comments to it easily)
Also available as a PDF
-Gary Glissman
Article Title: Testosterone Deficiency
Author: E. Barry Gordon, MD
Date of Publication: 2006
Most people have heard of testosterone, but very few are aware of the diseases resulting from the hormone’s deficiency. This situation is not surprising. Testosterone is frequently in the news media either because of its energizing effect on our sexuality or, more commonly, because of its illegal overuse to enhance athletic performance. Because of this the hormone has taken on something of a sordid, sleazy, even illegal, aura.
The reason very few people are aware of the disease of testosterone deficiency is that no one talks about it. It’s been swept under the medical rug and kept there. Even most of the medical community know very little, if anything, about the scope and severity of this disease. Many don’t want to know about it. They are frightened by the myths and don’t want to be associated with the popular perceptions.
Article Title: Triple X syndrome: a review of the literature
Authors: Otter, Schrander-Stumpel, and Curfs
Date of Publication: July 1, 2009
“Triple X syndrome is a syndrome with a high level of variety in the physical and behavioural phenotype. Triple X syndrome is not rare, but it is often undiagnosed. Notwithstanding the relatively high prevalence of triple X syndrome, there are many issues yet to be studied in physical and behavioural development up to old age.”
“Above all, further study is needed to establish evidence-based treatment and support protocols in physical treatments (endocrinological treatment, fertility issues and treatment in cases with EEG anomalies in relation to behaviour, etc.), educational support, psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, and psychological treatment, such as psychotherapy and family therapy.”
