The READi Lab is conducting a new study to examine the use of Reciprocal Imitation Teaching (RIT) by EI providers and families! RIT is a play-based intervention designed for children with autism or social communication challenges. It is fun and can be used at home by caregivers. We are looking for EI programs and EI providers in Washington State who are interested in participating in the Sprout Study. A flyer describing this study can be found here.

 

 

There are many challenges that children with autism may face when it’s time to get a haircut, from sensory issues to anxiety about a new adventure. However, there are ways to improve the haircut experience for both children and their caregivers. This guide from Autism Speaks provides information that can be given to hair stylists to make the experience more positive and enjoyable for everyone.

Click below to access the guide and find out more how you can prepare for a successful haircut! Also, be sure to check out the list of child-centered hair salons in the area.

 

 

 

Ashley De Marchena and Casey Zampella at Spectrum News report that up to 87% of autistic children have challenges moving and coordinating their arms and legs, but only a small number of them receive treatment that specifically targets these motor impairments. Even though motor challenges have long been associated with autism, this area has received relatively little attention.

The importance of understanding the differences in motor skills can help highlight a new clinical target for people with autism. Read on to learn more about what treatment can mean for those with motor skill difficulties.

 

 

 

Published by Spectrum, the leading site for autism research news.

 

 

——————————–

 

 

Lisa has been an invaluable member of the UW READi Lab for the past 11 years. Starting out as a Postdoctoral Fellow, she grew into the positions of Senior Research Scientist and Associate Director of the READi Lab. She has been generous in enhancing the growth of others, whether they be graduate students, lab colleagues, or our community partners. Although she is irreplaceable, we are grateful for the time she has shared with us and wish her the best in her transition to the world of industry.

 

Meet Carly, a former behavioral technician, and an aspiring clinical psychologist. She joined our READi lab team just before the holidays, and we’re so excited to have her! Learn a bit about her below.

 

You’re new to the team! What are your motivations for joining the READi lab?

I have known that I’ve wanted to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology since my third year in undergrad, but I knew that I needed more research experience before jumping into school again. After working as a behavioral technician with children with autism for the last few years, I knew that I wanted to continue doing so. The READi lab is doing some amazing work, and getting to be a part of a team as great as this and learning from some incredible researchers made it the perfect place for me!

 

Will you tell us a bit about your favorite experiences as a behavioral technician?

Working as a behavioral technician was overall an incredible experience, but the best part was watching the kids learn and grow in real-time! I was able to teach skills that the kids will use for the rest of their lives, which felt impactful and made the job that much more fulfilling. Working directly with kids made for lots of laughs which kept everyday fun and exciting!

 

Do you have any pets?

Yes! I have two cats who I adopted through a cat cafe when I was living in Santa Barbara. They are sisters named Ygritte and Yara and they definitely have loved moving up here!

 

Did you pick up any new hobbies during the COVID quarantine?

I didn’t pick up anything new, but I did rediscover my love for reading and have acquired quite the library over the past year or so!

 

Share with us two truths and a lie!

I’ve never broken a bone

I was the first person in my family to graduate with a college degree

I spilled soup on Rob Lowe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(It wasn’t soup, it was salsa!)

Please see our 2021 research highlights below! We’re available for questions or feedback at readilab@uw.edu.

 

Visiting with Santa is a common holiday tradition for many families, but some children may be wary of the larger crowds and accompanying noises. And that’s excluding the new constraints that many families are facing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sensitive Santas are those who are trained to accommodate children with sensory needs and whose workshops are a bit more soothing. Jessica Plesko with Parent Map Magazine recently published a list of all the Sensitive Santas around Seattle, the Eastside, and the South Sound.

There are options for adults with disabilities, as well as for scheduling virtual and at-home visits with Santa, too!

 

Earlier this month, the CDC published current autism prevalence numbers in the United States. As of 2018, one child in 44 was diagnosed with autism. This number has increased from one in 54 children in 2016.

Many people are curious about why these numbers are increasing. Peter Hess and Angie Voyles Askham with Spectrum News break down the reasons for these increases. Autistic people have always existed, but experts agree that we’re becoming better at identifying autism.

Read the summary on Spectrum’s website by following this link.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by Spectrum, the leading site for autism research news.

Grandparents are significant role models and playmates for their young grandchildren. It is common for a grandparent to be unsure of how to support and connect with their grandchild after a new autism diagnosis.

Autism Speaks published ‘A Grandparent’s Guide to Autism’ that includes information about autism, tips on how to support autistic grandchildren and their parents, and long-distance grandparenting.

This free toolkit is available for download on the Autism Speaks’ website.

 

A recent commentary entitled, “Rethinking autism spectrum disorder assessment for children during COVID-19 and beyond” was published in the journal Autism Research in September 2021. Drs. Wendy Stone and Lisa Ibanez are two of the co-authors of this opinion piece. The article described the challenges imposed on autism families and clinicians by the COVID-19 pandemic and by documented health disparities. The budding role of telehealth in autism assessments to mitigate these challenges is also discussed.

Spectrum News recently published a Q & A with two of the authors of the article, Drs. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum and Somer Bishop that you can read here: Q & A on Spectrum. Look for the shout-out to our very own Dr. Ibanez, who emphasizes that the COVID-19 pandemic offers a good starting point for hitting the “re-set” button for rethinking the goals of autism assessments and providing equitable access.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by Spectrum, the leading site for autism research news.

Many children with autism struggle to get a restful night’s sleep. Why is sleeplessness so prevalent in autistic children?

In their special report animation titled ‘Sleepless on the Spectrum’, Emma Bryce and Lottie Kingslake with Spectrum News break down the internal factors and environmental reasons why autistic people may struggle to fall asleep and to stay asleep, as well as share a few tips and tricks to help autistic loved ones get the rest they need.

Access this video and other featured reports at this link!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by Spectrum, the leading site for autism research news.

 

 

‘Different: A Great Thing to Be!’ introduces us to Macy, a kind and relatable girl who celebrates what makes her unique. Written by Heather Avis and narrated by Lily Moore, Macy’s story is available for free download as an audiobook through Audible’s Premium Plus trial.

Follow this link to read the story summary and learn more about the Audible trial.

This children’s book is New York Times Bestseller and physical books are available for purchase through most bookstores as well.

Today’s Flashback Friday revisits the “Understanding Autism: Reflection & Insights from Parents and Professionals” video created by our READi lab team, in collaboration with Seattle Children’s Autism Center and Gigantic Planet.

These videos were developed for caregivers of children newly diagnosed with autism. They comprise five ‘chapters’ that feature parents who describe their experiences and offer helpful tips and strategies. Topics cover a variety of areas, including the diagnostic process, how to care for and your family, getting help for your child, and more. The videos can be accessed on our website here, and free copies of the DVD are also available.

El DVD viene con subtítulos en español y tenemos copias gratis para distribuirle al público.

 

Meet Daina, a child clinical psychologist, and READi Lab’s newest postdoctoral researcher. She recently joined the team and has already contributed immensely to our new RISE study! Learn a bit about her and how she integrates theory with evidence-based practices below.

 

Questions: 

 

So, you’re a postdoctoral researcher. What exactly does that mean?

Being a postdoctoral researcher means that I have completed my doctoral degree and pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology, but that I want more experience working with accomplished researchers and building up my own independent research before officially going on the job market and trying to become a professor!

What are the real-world applications of your research?

My research focuses on the development, adaptation, dissemination, and implementation of assessments and interventions for young children with autism. I am also interested in novel ways to assess change through intervention and utilizing family-centered assessment and treatment protocols. This work helps make evidence-based interventions and assessments available in real-world settings such as community clinics and schools and helps ensure services are in line with patient goals and priorities to improve their overall quality of life.

You’re also a budding child clinical psychologist. What is the best part of your clinical work?

I love being able to take what I learn in my clinical work and apply it to my research and vice versa. For example, on my internship, I was trained in a parent-training intervention to help manage behavioral problems in children with autism. Through talking to parents and clients, our clinic very quickly realized that the intervention would also be incredibly helpful to parents of adults with autism, so we developed a research project to adapt and test the intervention for a completely new population – adults. One day we hope to be able to formalize this intervention for adults and encourage providers across the country to utilize it!

There’s a rumor that you own a small… wizard? What’s that about? 

I have a 10-month old French Bulldog/Wizard named Merlin! He is magical 🙂 (see picture).

Did you pick up any new hobbies during the COVID quarantine?

I was definitely a part of the sourdough breadmaking trend. I also started making my own kombucha!

Share with us two truths and a lie.  (Scroll down to see Daina’s fib!)

I can do a backflip.

I won a competition to start my own business.

I started drinking coffee when I was 6.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The lie is the second one. I was a finalist, but I didn’t win).

With summer 2021 rapidly coming to an end, a bucket list item for families may be the Chutes-and-Ladders style game at New West Fenwick Park in Kent, WA. This is a life-sized game, meaning that you and your family act as the game pieces, and the playground itself is the game board! This game is ADA-accessible.

Devon Hammer with Parent Map magazine recently shared the game’s instructions as well as other fun equipment and activities at the park! Interested in playing? Follow this link.

 

 

photo credit: Devon Hammer

 

 

New for Fall 2021, Autism Speaks recently published an updated ‘Guide to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).’ This guide is free, interactive, and mobile-friendly. The information is current and offers a wide variety of content across six modules. Helpful videos cover the basics of IEPs, how to advocate for your child, and more! This guide can be downloaded on Autism Speaks’ website.

Our READi Lab team could not be prouder of Alaina, a UW undergrad who graduated with a degree in Psychology in June 2021. She joined our lab in 2019, and since then she has helped prepare ImPACT and Pathways study visits, coded behavioral assessments, and provided sibling care for the families who visit our lab. We know she’s going to accomplish incredible things, starting with her new role as a Behavior Tech at A.P.P.L.E. Consulting.

Alaina always came into the lab with a positive attitude and a smile on her face that never failed to lift our spirits. Her willingness to learn new things helped the READi Lab tremendously, especially when we were working from home, and we will miss her dearly! We wish you the best in your new adventures, Alaina!