Parents – Please Share Your Perspectives!

We are preparing workshops for health care providers and would like to provide them with some tips for talking to parents about ASD concerns. We are interested in two different scenarios: (1) When YOU first express concerns about ASD to your doctor; and (2) When YOUR DOCTOR expresses concerns that your child might have ASD.  To offer your invaluable insights/perspectives, click on the following link to complete our 5-10 minute survey:  https://redcap.iths.org/surveys/?s=T7Y7C3Y7Y4 . Please feel free to share the survey with any parents you think might be interested in offering their input!

Last week at IMFAR, clinical psychology graduate students Lizzy Karp and Colleen Harker presented data collected from service providers in Washington State who attended our ASAP! workshops on Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT).

Lizzy gave an oral presentation that was part of a panel on improving early access to autism screening and specialized services. She described service providers’ (n=128) perceptions of obstacles that families face as they navigate three stages of the service delivery system: (1) obtaining a referral for an ASD diagnostic evaluation; (2) obtaining the diagnostic evaluation; and (3) obtaining ASD-specialized intervention.  Limited capacity to serve families in need was one obstacle reported for all three stages; other obstacles were family factors such as knowledge about ASD, hesitance to acknowledge a problem, cultural differences, and finances. At the intervention stage, additional barriers were family logistical constraints and difficulty navigating complex systems. The obstacles endorsed by providers were predicted by their years of experience working with families with ASD, their work setting, and the characteristics of the community in which they worked.

Colleen gave a poster presentation that compared changes in ratings of RIT acceptability, feasibility, and implementation climate over three time points for service providers who were (n=79) and were not using RIT at follow-up (n=33). Ratings declined for all 3 categories from post-training to a 6-month follow-up), but declined more steeply for providers not using RIT at follow-up.  Although providers find RIT to be acceptable and feasible and rate their work climate as supportive immediately after the workshop, real world application of the intervention may present challenges that temper these ratings and providers’ subsequent use of RIT. Community providers may require additional support within their work settings in order to use new evidence-based interventions with children in their caseload.  To see the poster for yourself, click here!

Stay tuned to learn about the technology-based studies we presented at IMFAR!

The READi Lab team has been busy presenting our research in Baltimore this week at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)! Veronica Kang, one of our research study assistants, was interviewed about her poster on the Pupillary Light Reflex (PLR) for an article that’s featured in the Spectrum News. The study, which was funded by the Simons Foundation and led by Scott Murray and Wendy Stone, compared the PLR in children with ASD (n=45) and TD (n=54) between the ages of 3 and 10 years. Children were asked to watch black and white circles alternating every second on a standard computer monitor, while an eye-tracker measured their pupil size. The results indicated that children with ASD had a larger baseline pupil size and a more delayed PLR latency than TD children, suggesting that some of the conventional PLR measures may serve as a potential early biomarkers for ASD. You can view Veronica’s poster for yourself by clicking here! Note: Scott’s name was not mentioned in the Spectrum article due to their policy of naming only the poster presenters and their labs. So we want to make sure to give Scott a big shout out!

On Wednesday evening, READi Lab Director Dr. Wendy Stone co-presented a public lecture with Dr. David Mandell (from University of Pennsylvania) on the topic of Autism Intervention in the Community. This lecture was part of the 2016 Allen L. Edwards Lecture Series, offered by the UW Department of Psychology and the UW Alumni Association. Kane Hall was packed as the two speakers described challenges and opportunities related to translating research findings to community practice. The presentations will be available for viewing on UW TV in the near future, so be sure to check them out!

Today is Amanda Barbeau’s last day as Lab Manager at the READi Lab.  We will miss the positive spirit and sunny disposition she has brought to the lab for the past 1 ½ years, and wish her the best as she moves on to pursue a different career path.  Hopefully her departure will be more of a “see you around” than a final “goodbye”!

The READi Lab welcomes a new team of undergraduate RAs this quarter! Each student brings her own unique skill set and experiences that add to the richness of the READi Lab. Clockwise from left to right: Jessica is a freshman pursuing a degree in Neurobiology, Jessie is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Psychology, Alaa is a freshman pursuing a degree in Human Centered Design and Engineering, and Michelle is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Public Health and Medical Anthropology. We are so glad to have them all on board!

To read their bios and learn more about the entire READi Lab team, visit our About Us section!

The HuskyMOSSAIC program (Mentoring, Organization and Social Support for Autism Inclusion on Campus) was launched by the UW Speech and Hearing Sciences Department to provide peer support and mentorship to undergraduate students with ASD at the Seattle campus. Peer mentors serve as guides, coaches, and navigators to help mentees to identify personal challenges and goals related to their college experience.  Examples of goals may include developing strategies for time management, navigating campus resources, and communicating with professors. Mentors and mentees meet weekly for approximately an hour, one on one, and social events are held monthly. Cost for participation is $25 per quarter. To apply to be a Mentee, download the application here.

 

Dr. Wendy Stone, director of the READi Lab, was recently interviewed by KCTS 9 for its IN Close segment, which highlights current affairs in the Pacific Northwest. In this segment, Dr. Stone discusses her role in advising Sesame Street on creating its first character with autism, a four-year-old named Julia. Dr. Stone has been a primary consultant to Sesame Street since 2008, when she was asked to co-write a comprehensive review about the state of the science in autism. To read more about the iterative process of creating Julia and learn more about the Sesame Street “See Amazing” initiative, watch the KCTS9 segment by clicking here.

And ICYMI…

Dr. Stone will be co-presenting a public lecture that is part of the Allen L. Edwards Lecture Series on Wednesday, May 4^th 7:30 – 9:30 PM.  She and Dr. David Mandell (University of Pennsylvania) will be discussing the topic of Autism Intervention in the Community at Kane Hall on the University of Washington campus. For more information about this event, or to register, click here.

One of our colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Klaus Libertus, is studying the relation between motor development and language, and is looking for families who have a child with ASD and an infant under 4 months old. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in participating, please refer to the contact information pictured below.

Trips to the dentist can be stressful for everyone, but may be particularly difficult for children with ASD, due to the many unfamiliar (and unusual) procedures, instruments, sounds, textures, and tastes. Dr. Travis Nelson, clinical assistant professor at the UW Center for Pediatric Dentistry, offers two half-day clinics per week that are specialized for children with ASD. The clinic also provides tips and visual stories that range from planning a field trip prior to the first appointment to identifying a specific reward for a successful dental visit. Preparation, practice, and celebrating successes are the keys to the best experience with dental care! To read about tips for children with ASD, click here. For more information about the Center for Pediatric Dentistry, click here.

Last night the READi Lab hosted its second annual sensory-friendly ‘Night Under the Stars’ event, in partnership with the UW Planetarium. Children and families with ASD gazed at the cosmos on the UW campus, posed for photos, and feasted on delicious treats donated by Seattle area companies.  We extend a heartfelt thanks to PCC Natural Foods Market, Ener-G Inc., The Essential Baking Company, Chaco Canyon, and Mighty-O Donuts for their generous donations.

The READi Lab and UW Planetarium will be holding our stargazing event again on April 25th, at 7 PM for families who have already registered. To learn about our upcoming events, “like” our Facebook page!

 

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) is a federal advisory committee charged with coordinating all activities related to ASD within the US Department of Health and Human Services.  They produce an annual “Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research,” which has just been released. The report focuses on 20 scientific publications that represent significant progress in seven topic areas:  biology and risk factors, screening and diagnosis, early intervention, health outcomes, education, transition to adulthood, and employment. This year READi Lab Director Wendy Stone was a co-author on 4 of the 20 articles listed! The report describes research results in plain language, and can be accessed from this link.

Over this past week, READi Lab Director Dr. Wendy Stone and her colleague from Vanderbilt University, Amy Swanson, have been in Taiwan conducting 4 STAT (Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers) training workshops for over 80 child psychologists and psychiatrists in Taipei and Chia-Yi. One of the special objectives of this trip was to train Dr. Chung-Hsin Chiang, a local child psychologist and an author of the Taiwanese version of the STAT, as a STAT trainer in order to provide local and sustainable training opportunities to future Taiwanese clinicians.

Dr. Stone will also be presenting at a teaching hospital in Chia-Yi and giving a keynote address at the Taiwanese Association for Clinical Psychologists. These presentations will focus on the importance of early identification of ASD and discuss the Screen-Refer-Treat model as an alternative model that may facilitate early detection and intervention within the healthcare system.

We can’t wait to see what you bring us back, Wendy!

The READi Lab kicked off its first event of Autism Awareness Month by participating in the resource fair at the Pacific Science Center’s monthly event, Exploration for All: Autism Early Open, this past Saturday, April 9^th. Families were able to stop by the READi Lab table for information about current research studies and ASD resources, before enjoying a sensory-friendly morning at the Pacific Science Center.

The Pacific Science Center hosts Exploration for All: Autism Early Open hours monthly, where guests can experience exhibits with decreased sound and softened lighting, without heavy crowds. The next early open hours will be hosted on May 14^th from 8 AM – 10 AM. To see additional future dates or learn more about this event, click here.

Seattle Shakespeare Company will be offering a special sensory-friendly showing of The Tempest for individuals with ASD and their families and friends. The performance will take place this Sunday, April 17^th at 2:00 PM in the Center Theatre.

Slight adjustments to the production’s effects will be made including keeping the house lights halfway on and toning down the sounds. The theater doors will also be maintained open to allow the theater goers to come and go as needed. For those who need to leave their seats to take a break, there will be quiet rooms and activity areas staffed with ASD specialists and volunteers. The play runs 90 minutes, and tickets are $11 each (all ages). To purchase tickets for this event, click here.

The latest findings from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network indicate that the prevalence of ASD held steady between 2010 and 2012, at 1 in 68. Does this mean that the percentage of children with ASD has stabilized? It’s too soon to know; we will need to wait for future reports. The median age of evaluation for ASD was 40 months. Racial and ethnic disparities continue to be present. To learn more about the study’s main findings and prevalence rates by different key factors (e.g., gender, ethnicity/race), read the CDC’s key findings article and “snapshot” report.

We’re so excited to share new materials from “Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children!” Sesame Street has created 12 new videos featuring children with autism sharing their stories – as well as a new animation featuring Julia! In response to feedback, they have added more videos of real children with autism, who convey their thoughts and feelings in their own individual ways. The videos are designed to build understanding around autism and to celebrate both the uniqueness of every child and the things all children share in common. There is also a video designed for providers that acknowledges the contributions of the READi Lab! To find out more, visit sesamestreet.org/autism.

A new PBS children’s program, “Mack & Moxy,” will be featuring a child with ASD in an upcoming episode designed to raise awareness and promote inclusion of children with ASD. Eleven-year-old Charlie Owens will appear in an episode entitled “A Spectrum of Possibilities,” and “Trooper Charlie” will join Mack and Moxy for an adventure in which they meet a bird who also has ASD.

This TV program, which prides itself in being a “kid’s show about causes,” has joined hands with some of America’s leading non-profit organizations, such as Easter Seals, to introduce children to important issues ranging from ASD to emergency preparedness. In doing so, the show hopes to teach children life-long lessons about learning, compassion, and the joy of helping others. To read more about Charlie’s debut and view the show’s official trailer, visit the article in The Mighty.  For more information and resources about Mack & Moxy, including past and upcoming episodes and the causes/charities they have partnered with, visit the show’s website, here.

Congratulations to one of our graduate students, Sarah Edmunds! She is the first author on a research article that was recently accepted for publication in the journal Development and Psychopathology. Her study found that the link between infants’ motor imitation and later expressive language development is influenced by the presence of responding to joint attention (e.g., following a point) in infants at high and low risk for ASD.  

The READi Lab is excited to announce that we will be hosting our second annual FREE sensory-sensitive UW planetarium experience next month, in celebration of Autism Awareness Month! This year we have arranged for two 7:00pm showings, one on Tuesday April 19^th and one on Monday April 25^th.  These events are designed for members of the community who have a loved one with ASD and an interest in the cosmos. The planetarium is located on the second floor of the Astronomy Building.

Families will experience the Seattle view of the night sky and all its constellations, before they take a trip “to infinity and beyond.” This event will have low sound and low lighting, and ASD-trained staff will be on site. Bring a cozy blanket to lie on the floor or snuggle into your seat as you gaze into the night sky for a visually stimulating experience. Glow bracelets and gluten-free, vegan, nut-free and traditional snacks will be available to all!

“Space” is limited, so please sign up for one of these two dates ASAP: April 19^th/April 25^th to ensure a spot. Detailed information about the event will be provided upon RSVP through the links above.