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Clinical Evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience a range of vulnerabilities that span across areas of development, as well as vary throughout life. Thus, in order to accurately assess areas of need, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation is merited – oftentimes, at multiple...
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New Autism Charity Hopes to Carve Out Its Niche, Despite Tough Times
Few nonprofit leaders would consider 2009 an ideal time to start up a charity. But Alison Tepper Singer isn’t letting the recession deter her. What she believes is an important gap in autism research can’t wait for the economy to rebound, she says. Ms. Singer created the Autism Science...
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Overcoming the Challenges of Assessing Young Children for Autism
Assessing young children for autism can be very challenging. It can be quite difficult to be confident in a diagnosis of autism at the earliest ages due to many factors that I’ll highlight below. At the same time it is very important for parents with concerns about their child to have an...
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Parenting an Individual with Autism: A Roadmap
When a child is first diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, his or her parents are confronted with an immense set of decisions. What do I do first? Where do I go? What can I worry about later? Sometimes, this can be overwhelming. In my experience, it is best to simplify the process as much as...
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Scientists Find Brain Region Responsible for Our Sense of Personal Space
Finding Could Offer Insight into Autism and Other Disorders In a finding that sheds new light on the neural mechanisms involved in social behavior, neuroscientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have pinpointed the brain structure responsible for our sense of personal...
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Supporting Parents in Their Search for the Whole Picture – A Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Assessments for Individuals with ASD
For many families and caregivers, entry into the world of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) first begins as part of their search for an accurate diagnosis – the answer that can help explain their child’s behavior, strengths, and weaknesses. This “assessment process,” which for some families...
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YAI Helps Adults on the Spectrum Develop Language
An innovative pilot program using a technique that develops language acquisition in children on the autism spectrum is proving effective with a group of young adults with limited or no verbal/vocal communication. A decade ago, I began training staff at the New York League for Early Learning...
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An Inside Look At the Grant Assessment Process
Assessing grant proposals is one of the most exciting and challenging aspects of running a not-for-profit organization whose mission includes awarding grants. The challenges of writing great guidelines, operating efficiently and reviewing requests fairly require a focused vision of the goals of the...
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Assessing the Functions of Behavior: The Importance of Understanding Communicative Intent
Autism is associated with significant impairments in language/communication, deficits in social interaction and restricted interests/stereotypical behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Learners with autism have difficulty in all aspects of communication, including receptive...
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Assessing Young Children with ASD: A Multidisciplinary Approach
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) every year. But how can parents be sure that they have received the proper assessment? And what are the key steps in ensuring that these children receive the necessary level of...
