We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest research study assistant, Juan Pablo Espinosa! A Yakima native and recent graduate from University of Washington, Juan Pablo will be working primarily on the Screen-Refer-Treat study, facilitating communications and correspondence with Spanish-speaking providers and families. He is excited about assisting in this research study that will benefit the community as well as improve the lives of under-served Hispanic populations statewide. Juan Pablo hopes to become a pediatrician, specifically a primary care provider in a community-based health clinic in eastern Washington. We are excited to have him on our team!

Last week, the READi Lab conducted a training workshop in Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT) for the staff of Seattle Children’s Autism Center’s Early Intervention ABA program. As part of the workshop, these seasoned service providers viewed live demonstrations and had the opportunity to practice new strategies with child volunteers. Stay tuned for more updates about our upcoming RIT trainings across Washington State as a part of the Screen-Refer-Treat grant.

We bid a fond farewell (but just for now!) to one of our ImPACT families who has completed the study. We had fun entertaining big sister (or did she entertain us?), as well as watching her little brother grow up! We look forward to seeing you back for a future project!

This week in The Mighty, a mother shares the experience and insights she acquired following her son’s autism diagnosis. In the article, she provides an honest and inspiring account of her journey: how she handled the news, how her notion of “normalcy” changed, and how she continues to advocate for her son. Check out the full article here!

 

We are excited to introduce Dr. Sarah Baum as the newest member of the READi Lab. Dr. Baum moved recently from Vanderbilt to UW, where she will be completing an Autism Speaks Meixner Postdoctoral Fellowship in Translational Research. Her co-mentors on this award are Wendy Stone, director of the READi Lab, and Adrian KC Lee, director of the Laboratory for Auditory Brain Sciences & Neuroengineering. Her project is designed to learn more about how school-aged children with ASD process sensory information. Toward that end, and she will be studying structural and functional brain connectivity using both fMRI and MEG.  Stay tuned for more detailed information about her research projects!

To read Sarah’s bio and learn more about the entire READi Lab team, visit our About Us section.

For 25 years, Gregory Blackstock, an adult with autism, worked tirelessly as a dishwasher at the Washington Athletic Club. During those years, he discovered his true passion: drawing. His art was always celebrated by those at the WAC; the kitchen walls were adorned with his impressively detailed and off-beat drawings, and oftentimes, his artwork was featured in the employee newsletters. The publicity within the WAC eventually launched Blackstock’s career as an artist—a Seattle art gallery stumbled upon his art and contacted him immediately. Gregory then quit his dishwashing job to pursue his passion for art. He now has collectors and supporters worldwide that love his unique, intricate drawings. So inspiring! To read the full story and view some of Blackstock’s art, click here.

Georgetown University and Children’s National Health System are looking for parents of children with ASD who are under 6 years of age to review a Sesame Street website and provide feedback via an online survey. To learn more about the study and access the link to participate, click here.

 

 

Dr. Stone and the READi Lab are part of a national team that will study the baby teeth of later-born siblings of children with ASD to learn more about risk factors for ASD. Right now you may be thinking, “Baby teeth? Really?”  Well, it turns out that we can learn about a person’s exposure to environmental chemicals by studying their teeth. This project will examine the extent to which genetic susceptibility for ASD and prenatal exposure to chemicals interact to increase a child’s risk for developing ASD. Children’s teeth will be examined for levels of organic pollutants that they might have been exposed to in the womb, during a critical time for brain development. This study was one of several funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH) as part of it Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Initiative (ECHO).

We are excited to be involved as a site for the ASD Cohort Study. Families who have participated in some of our previous research projects may be contacted regarding their interest in participating in in this study. Save those baby teeth! To learn more about the ASD Cohort Study, visit the UW Today article, and to learn more about the larger ECHO Initiative, visit the dedicated NIH webpage.

This week, we are happy to introduce Elyanah Posner as the newest research study assistant on our team! Elyanah graduated from U.C. Berkeley in June 2016 with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Education. She is working on the Screen-Refer-Treat study, assisting with data collection and recruitment in Spokane and Lewis County, and on the ImPACT study, conducting behavioral assessments. Elyanah is excited to be working in a clinical research setting where she can acquire hands-on experience with children with ASD, in preparation for her future career as a clinical psychologist!

To read Elyanah’s bio and learn more about the entire READi Lab team, visit our About Us section.

FEAT of WA is bringing back the Family Pack Giveaway for the 2016/17 football season! Thanks to a generous donation from the Schneider family, FEAT families can enter this giveaway for a chance to win game tickets, food vouchers, and a parking pass for a Seahawks home game at Century Link Field. Submit your entry by noon on September 14^th for your chance to see the game with the the 49ers on Sunday September 25^th! Click here for more information.

The Lewis County Autism Coalition is hosting its 6th Annual Southwest Autism Conference on Friday, October 21st, 2016 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in Chehalis. This year the conference theme is Treatment Across Lifespan, and the keynote address will be presented by Russell Lehman, a young adult with ASD who is an advocate, author, and poet. Similar to previous years, the program is geared toward parents and professionals alike. Conference-goers will have the opportunity to check out the vendor fair, as well as attend informative workshops on topics such as addressing challenging behaviors and protecting against bullying. Click here to learn more about the conference and register.

 

Earlier this week, our team conducted a Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT) workshop in Seattle for service providers at Northwest Center Kids. Participants included speech-language pathologists, special educators, and occupational therapists. Part of the workshop involves the use of role-play activities so that providers can practice specific RIT techniques with each other. The photos do not lie—fun was had by all during the activities!  We enjoyed working with this wonderful group and look forward to our upcoming RIT workshops both locally and in other WA State counties next year.

As part of their Autism 200 class series, Seattle Children’s Autism Center has organized a panel addressing the topic of multicultural issues. Families as well as providers are welcome to attend this free event, which will be held on Thursday, 9/15 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. The panel will include parents and staff from Open Doors for Multicultural Families and the Arc of King County, and discussion will focus on obstacles to – and strategies for – accessing information, support, and treatment across systems (e.g., educational, medical, state agencies). Click here to check out the flyer for more information!

 

Earlier this week, Travis Rudolph– a star wide receiver at Florida State University– demonstrated how a small act of kindness can go a long way. While visiting a local middle school, he spotted Bo Paske, a boy with autism, who had been eating lunch alone.  Rudolph then joined him at the table and began a conversation with him. To read more about their “power lunch,” click here.

 

This week, we are happy to welcome Katie Coddington to our team as a research study assistant! She graduated recently from Pacific Lutheran University with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Statistics and Biology.  Katie will be working on our ImPACT study, conducting behavioral assessments and assisting with visit scheduling and planning. Katie is very passionate about working with children with a wide array of developmental disorders and is eager to learn more about ASD through her experiences in the lab.

To read Katie’s bio and learn more about the entire READi Lab team, visit our About Us section.

 

Our Screen-Refer-Treat (SRT) research team traveled to Yakima this week to conduct our partnership meetings with participating primary care and early intervention providers in the county. These meetings were driven by lively discussions about data collection, family recruitment, and upcoming training workshops. In the photos below, Community Liaison Cindy Carroll and Research Assistant Roya Baharloo strike a pose outside of Children’s Village (the participating birth-to-3 program) and Lisa and Roya play the roles of provider and parent as they demonstrate one way to present the study to families who may be eligible to participate.

Fun fact: Besides being home to a booming wine-making industry, Yakima Valley is one of the leading producers of hops—a key ingredient in beer— in the entire world! Cheers!

With the start of classes right around the corner, The Mighty recently featured some helpful ways to create ease for a child with ASD as they prepare to start the school year. Click here to check out the tips! You can also download the READi Lab’s own Back-to School tips by clicking here!

 

Have you ever wanted to learn more about how to participate in READi Lab research, or enroll as a participant in one of our studies? If so, we have great news for you! Our new “READi Registry” will enable us to maintain updated information about families and their interests, and to communicate more effectively with families who would like to participate in our ongoing and future studies. Joining the READi Registry is quick and easy! Families have the option join the registry either online, over the phone, or in person.

Why join the READi Registry?

• You will receive notifications about studies your family may be eligible.
• You will have access to READi Lab tip sheets and other guides/manuals.
• You will stay updated on latest research findings.

Your participation in the READi Registry can make a significant scientific contribution to our understanding of how autism develops, how it can be identified by community service providers, and how to improve outcomes for children as well as their families.  If you are interested in joining the READi Registry, please click here or call 206-221-3595 to learn more and enroll.

The Washington State Fathers Network (WSFN) provides information, support, and resources for fathers of children with special needs. Their focus is on assisting fathers as they become more competent and compassionate caregivers for their children. In addition to connecting men with other dads, WSFN provides opportunities for “all family” gatherings and celebrations.  This year their annual conference will take place on October 8^th at Tyee Middle School in Bellevue. The conference will include a keynote talk from Dr. Joel Domingo, a former UW LEND Fellow, and several breakout sessions on topics such as parenting skills and understanding insurance benefits. To learn more about conference and register, check out the flyer in English or Spanish!

This week, our Screen-Refer-Treat (SRT) research team traveled to Spokane to kick off a series of partnership meetings with participating primary care and early intervention providers. These meetings included updates and discussions about data collection, family recruitment, and upcoming training workshops. Over the next few weeks, we look forward to continuing these meetings in Spokane, Yakima, Skagit, and Lewis counties and connecting with all of the providers who play such a vital role in this project! In the photo below, Community Liaison Dana Stevens and Research Assistant Allycen Kurup proudly display our recruitment flyer turned poster that will grace the walls of the PCP practices and EI agencies!