Dr. Meghan Regina Harper-shankie MD

Recommended Articles

• The Most Common Misconceptions About Autism

  Introduction From the perspective of an outsider, it is very difficult to understand what it is to have autism. This misunderstanding, unfortunately, can result in a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes about people with autism. Below are certain misconceptions, which people usually have in...

• Brain Fluid Build-Up May Be Observed in Young Children with Autism

  According to a recent study, children with autism ages 2 to 4 have around 15% more fluid build-up between their skull and brain, as opposed to their typical peers. Based on the researchers’ findings, the excess fluid may indicate an early warning sign for autism, thereby possibly helping to...

• What Is the Babinski Reflex?

  Reflexes Seen in NewbornsMuch of a baby's activity during the first few weeks of life is reflexive. When you put your finger in your baby's mouth, your baby would automatically suck on it by reflex. Your baby would not think of what to do but rather respond according to reflexes. When exposed to a...

• CRISPR Could be the Possible Cure for Muscular Dystrophy

  How about technology that could offer a “cut and paste” or just a “delete” solution to all genetic mutations, defects, and resulting disorders? Well, that may sound too much to ask for, an oversimplification, but it is exactly what many scientific researchers in the field of genetic modeling...

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Therapy Receives Rare Pediatric Disease Designation

  Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration paired with weakness.  This is caused by the lack of dystrophin.  This protein is the key to muscles staying strong and uninjured.  This disorder is typically found when a person is very young, as early as three years...

• Was the Backlash Justified? 60 Minutes Portrayal of Max Whelan, a 12-Year-Old Boy with Severe Non-Verbal Autism

  12-year-old Max Whelan has severe non-verbal autism and an undiagnosed intellectual disability, which makes him prone to unpredictable violent behavior and destructive meltdowns. “He is unpredictable. One minute he will be aggressive, hitting and punching anything he can reach, and the next he...