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In This Issue
Upcoming Events
CAR in the News
Autism Science Foundation Feature
Featured Research Study
CAR Accolades
CAR Blog: Driven

autismMatch

 
Cred CARAR uses a tool called autismMatch to link families like yours with autism research studies at CHOP and other research institutions.

 

autismMatch research includes: 

- treatment studies

- diagnostic studies

- genetic studies

- brain imaging studies

- studies on common co-occurring problems, like sleep and anxiety

- qualitative studies on autism's effects on the family

 

Some studies are available only to

autismMatch members.

 

Both children and adults with or without ASD can enroll in autismMatch.


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November 2011Volume II Issue 5

Upcoming Events

Steven ShorePathways to Independence for Young Adults with ASD  

November 11, 2011 

8:30am to 4:30pm
White Manor Country Club
Malvern, PA
The Center for Autism Research, ASCEND, and Elwyn present a conference to focus on transition to adulthood. Dr. Steven Shore will be the keynote speaker. He is an author, self-advocate, and professor at Adelphi University. His research focuses on matching best practices to the needs of people with autism. The conference will also feature two panel sessions related to post-secondary education and transition to employment, as well as a presentation on executive function.

Register for this event>>  

 

 

 Fombonne

Distinguished Lecture Series: Current Issues in Autism Research: Epidemiology, Trends in Rates, Environmental Causes and Other Studies    

Eric Fombonne, MD

November 17th, 2011
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Abramson Research Center, Room 123ABC 
Philadelphia, PA  

In this lecture, Dr. Fombonne will review recent epidemiological surveys from the U.S. and abroad to provide a world-wide picture of where epidemiological research on ASD is currently focused. He will discuss the proposed hypothesis that ASD has reached epidemic status. Dr. Fombonne will also summarize current knowledge on the environmental causes of ASD. He will discuss the controversy on autism and vaccines and will review recent findings that point to possible environmental contributions to the etiology of ASD. This event is free to the community. RSVP for this lecture>>

   

 

 

Next Steps for Professionals
November 30th, 2011
8:00am to 4:00pm

3535 Market Street, 16th Floor
Room D  

Philadelphia, PA

This workshop is for professionals supporting young children newly diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Topics include an overview of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and accompanying conditions, how diagnoses are made, available therapies and treatments and how to decide what interventions to pursue, and tips for supporting families living with ASD. Presenters will include: fellows in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, social work, and researchers from the Center for Autism ResearchRegister for this event>>       

 

 

 

Motherhood the Musical 

Now through February 19th, 2012

Society Hill Playhouse

Philadelphia, PA

Motherhood the Musical, a musical comedy highlighting the universal blessings and perils of being a mother, opened in October at the Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia. The show has chosen the Center for Autism Research to benefit from a portion of its proceeds! Receive $5 off your ticket by using promo code "CAR" and they will give $2 to the Center for Autism Research. Purchase an "I ♥ Motherhood" pin at the show and all proceeds of the purchase will go to CAR as well! Purchase tickets >>   

 

 

Huddle Up Logo   

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Huddle Up for Autism  

CAR in the News
 Lurie donation   
On Wednesday, September 28, 2011, Christina Weiss Lurie and Jeffrey Lurie, Eagles owners and co-founders of the Lurie Family Foundation, announced a $2.5 million gift to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Center for Autism Research (CAR). The gift will support genetic and brain imaging research to enable earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that will help families of children with ASD.


CAR SignPhiladelphia Becomes Hotbed of Autism Research
Five years ago, Philadelphia was not on the map when it came to researching one of the most mysterious and expensive childhood medical conditions of our time. Now, with talent at the Center for Autism Research at CHOP and Drexel's Autism Public Health Research Institute, it is among the top cities in the nation. These research organizations have expertise in nearly all the key fields - genetics, environmental exposure, brain imaging, diagnosis, behavioral interventions - that are critical for finding causes and developing treatments.
Read full story from the Philadelphia Inquirer>>


Lisa Guy
Support for Parents in Teaching Emotional Regulation Skills
Lisa Guy, a clinician at the Center for Autism Research, writes, "Many individuals with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFA) have difficulty with both awareness of their own emotions and their ability to regulate emotional expression. This can lead to significant problems in their behavioral functioning and in their relationships with others." Read the full article>> Read Fall Issue of Autism Spectrum News>> 


Dr. Robert Schultz, director of the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), says "at a population level" genetics is "unequivocally" the most important cause of autism. What else might be involved? Read full story from the Gloucester County Times>> 


A new study out of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
found premature infants with low birth weights were five times more likely to develop autism spectrum disorders than infants born at normal weight. Read full story>> 
 

Autism Science Foundation Feature
The Autism Science Foundation recently conducted a series of interviews with several researchers here at the Center for Autism Research. Please click on any of the following links to hear about their specific research interests and what they had to say about our center!

Bob
Dr. Bob Schultz discusses building a top autism research center (VIDEO)
Dr. Bob Schultz explains CAR's research into the causes of autism and effective treatments and how CAR serves the community of families affected by autism. Dr. Schultz stresses the need for children to participate in studies. With higher participation rates, Dr. Schultz hopes to make diagnoses earlier in a child's lifespan and give treatments as quickly as possible. Watch video>> 


Roberts.Tim
Dr. Timothy Roberts is using MEG technology to measure the biological response to new medical treatments in children with autism. Eventually, he says, MEG will be used to determine which children with autism are most likely to respond to a given treatment. Watch video>>



David Mandell, ScD
Dr. David Mandell Moves Autism Research Out of the Lab, Into the Classroom (Part 1/2-VIDEO)
Dr. David Mandell studies how to implement evidenced based programs in real life settings. The Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research (STAR) program is being tested in Philadelphia public school classrooms, with much broader implications for children and adults alike. Watch video>>


In part 2 of his interview, Dr. Mandell discusses his research on how to organize, finance, and deliver services to enhance outcomes for children with autism. Dr. Mandell discusses his work in assessing public and private insurance companies, the impetus for the autism mandate in Pennsylvania, and how the mandate is affecting families. Watch video>>   
Ted Brodkin 
Dr. Ted Brodkin is using mouse models to study the sociability of children with autism. While mice sniff to exhibit sociabliity and humans rely on visual and auditory cues, Dr. Brodkin explains that there are significant commonalities between how both species' brains process that information. Dr. Brodkin is particularly focused on aggressive behavior, and he explains how mapping the mouse genome can help find gene variants that can shape behavior. Watch video>> 


Featured Research Study 

Males with ASD ages 12-17 Needed for Oxytocin Treatment Trial to Improve Social Functioning  

 

Previous research suggests that the release of the hormone oxytocin is important for social learning and social functioning - core deficits of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study will test whether oxytocin, when administered as a nasal spray, can increase social learning when combined with a computer game intervention, which is designed to help children with ASD recognize faces and facial expressions. Learn more>>

 

If your family is interested in participating, please call the outreach team at 1-866-570-6524 or email autism@email.chop.edu.   

 

 

CAR Accolades

Congratulations Gail Stein!
Gail Stein
On October 15, 2011, Potential, Inc., a non-profit that provides interventions for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, honored CAR's social worker, Gail Stein. They presented her with their first annual Community Leadership Award for her years of hard work and dedication to the autism community. Learn more about Gail's award>>



CAR's Blog: Driven 
All families are invited to contribute to Driven by writing a blog entry about challenges and triumphs related to autism, research, and family. You can find the entry guidelines by clicking here.

Check out our newest entries:
Marchesani blog entry
A Family Perspective on Research at CAR
One family reflects on their research experiences at CAR and the exciting donation announcement by the Lurie Family Foundation.




Julianne Fretz
According to 'Dude'
Julianne Fretz, autismMatch Family Consultant at CAR, reflects on the joys of having a sibling with autism.