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In This Issue
4th Annual Huddle Up for Autism
CAR in the News
Upcoming Events
Featured Research Study
CAR Blog

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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February 2013Volume IV Issue 2
4th Annual Huddle Up for Autism  

    

Huddle Up Logo

 
The Center for Autism Research and the Philadelphia Eagles are delighted to announce that the 4th Annual Huddle Up for Autism will be held on Sunday, April 14th, 2013!

This free, fun-filled day will include field and locker room tours, arts and crafts, magic shows, games, face painting and more. There will also be special appearances by Eagles personalities!  

 

Tickets for the event will be made available to members of the Center for Autism Research's email listserv late in February.

Information regarding fundraising opportunities will be available in the coming weeks.

This is an event we look forward to every year! We hope you will be able to join us! To learn more about last year's event, check out CAR's blog and Facebook pages!


 

CAR in the News
 
Autism Speaks has chosen findings published by the Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) as one of its Top 10 Autism Research Advances of 2012! Data from this ongoing study of infants who have older siblings diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) showed differences in brain communication pathways as early as six months of age in the infants who went on to develop ASD. This is an important potential biomarker that could lead to earlier therapy and treatment. Click to read full article>>


Looking for Early Signs of Autism (VIDEO)
This video highlights the Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) site located at the Center for Autism Research at CHOP. In 2012, the IBIS study received renewed funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for an additional five years, along with approval to enroll infants into the study at three months old. We are looking forward to continuing our research into improving early detection and intervention for children who are diagnosed with ASD! Click to watch video>>


CAR Paper on Social Motivation Theory among Top 5 Most Viewed in 2012
Early in 2012, members of the CAR team, lead by scientist Coralie Chevallier, PhD, published a paper about the social motivation theory of autism in the journal, Trends in Cognitive Science. At the end of the year, the journal notified the team that the article was among the five most popular published by the journal in 2012. It had over 3,000 full-text downloads and more than 1,000 views online! The social motivation theory suggests that individuals diagnosed with ASD have a diminished interest in orienting themselves to the social world, seeking social rewards, and maintaining social relationships. Click to read full article>>  Link to abstract>>


Navigating Autism -- Creating a Roadmap for Autism (pg. 2)
 The fall issue of CHOP's newsletter, Children's View, featured an article about CAR's plans to create an autism roadmap for families of children with ASD. Expected to go live later in 2013, the roadmap will be a comprehensive website providing families with accurate information about ASD, directories of service providers at CHOP and elsewhere, and information ASD families will need at various stages of life. With so much information available on the internet, CAR hopes this will be a good starting point for families who need help finding their way. Click to read full article (located on pg. 2)>>


Some With Autism Diagnosis Can Overcome Symptoms, Study Finds
In a very small handful of extraordinary cases, young children who exhibit symptoms of autism make such great improvements that they no longer qualify for the diagnosis when they are older. Experts have long been skeptical of this "recovery" phenomenon, but a new paper, which researchers at CAR co-authored, is the first solid science to verify that, while very rare, some children do recover from autism. Researchers don't yet know why, and have no way to predict which children will do well. Click to read full article>>


gene Researchers Link 25 New Gene Variants to Autism
A new study from Hakon Hakonarson, MD, PhD and his team at CHOP's Center for Applied Genomics discovered 25 "high impact" gene variants that occur in some patients with autism. Although rare individually, each genetic variant has a strong effect in raising a person's autism risk. These findings could be incorporated into clinical tests for evaluating children for autism spectrum disorders. Click to read full story>>


      

Upcoming Events

 

Bob Lecture Distinguished Lecture Series: Overview of fMRI Research and Current Studies at CAR - Robert T. Schultz, PhD
February 7th, 2013
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Abramson Research Center, Room 123ABC
Philadelphia, PA 19104

In this lecture, Dr. Schultz will provide an overview of functional MRI (fMRI) and how we utilize it in autism research. He will explain how fMRI works and how researchers can use fMRI to study brain/behavior relationships across multiple symptom domains such as anxiety, inattention, and theory of mind. Finally, Dr. Schultz will discuss the potential role of neuroimaging in validating novel treatments for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). RSVP to reserve your seat>>



Tim Roberts
Distinguished Lecture Series: - Timothy Roberts, PhD
February 21st, 2013
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Abramson Research Center, Room 123ABC
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Lecture details and registration coming soon!




Next Steps Workshop for Families of Young Children
February 27th, 2013
8:30am to 3:30pm
3535 Market Street
16th Floor, Room D
Philadelphia, PA 19104 

This is a workshop for parents/caregivers who have young children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Topics include an overview of ASDs and accompanying conditions, available therapies and treatments, how to decide what interventions to pursue, and tips for supporting families living with ASD. Presenters include specialists in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, speech and language development, occupational therapy, and social work. Parents who have made the next steps with their children will participate in a panel led group discussion. Click to register>>


Next Steps into Adolescence
March 21st, 2013
8:30am to 3:30pm
3535 Market Street
16th Floor, Room B
Philadelphia, PA 19104

This is a workshop for parents/caregivers who have pre-adolescent or adolescent children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Topics will include a discussion on transitioning to middle school, high school and beyond, tips for helping your child handle changing academic and social demands, and more. Presenters will include experts in behavior, medicine, and education. Click to register>>


REACH for the Future
April 22nd, 2013
6:30pm to 9:00pm
King of Prussia Specialty Care Center
210 Mall Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Join CHOP's Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellows as they present a free workshop designed for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), autism, PDD-NOS, & Asperger syndrome for their transitional planning into life beyond graduation day. Topics that will be covered in detail include: community participation, higher education, job opportunities, and physical health and well-being. Click to read more and to RSVP>> 

 

Featured Research Study 

Study of Executive Functioning and Inattention Looking for Children with ASD ages 11 to 17 

 

 

Children use executive functioning skills to perform activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details, and managing time. Many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulties with executive functioning skills and this may also relate to co-occurring ADHD symptoms.  

 

This study examines the brain and genetic underpinings for these issues. The study will also evaluate how restricted, repetitive behaviors and interests may be related to executive functioning and attention. Learning more about the brain and genetic underpinings for these difficulties will be a stepping stone to developing more targeted treatments.

 

 

If your family is interested in participating or have questions about the study, please call the study coordinator, Maya Mosner, at 267-426-3520 or email mosnerm@email.chop.edu.

 

 

CAR Blog 

  

Poker chips "All In" for Kids Poker Tournament Benefits CHOP's Autism Research and Care Programs

On Thursday, January 17th, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) hosted the "All In" for Kids Poker Tournament at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. This annual tournament brings together celebrities, athletes, and professional poker players with Hospital Trustees, donors, and grateful families for an exciting and worthwhile evening to benefit Children's Hospital. This year, the beneficiary of the tournament was the Hospital's autism research and care programs. Click to read more>> 


 

 Spring 2013 Autism Events in the Greater Philadelphia Region 

It's hard to believe that February is almost here. With the approach of spring comes a full schedule of events in the Greater Philadelphia Region! For your convenience, here is a compiled list of upcoming events. Click to read more>>