Latest News
READi Lab recently received a $4 million dollar grant from NIMH to implement and evaluate a model of service delivery designed to promote earlier detection and access to specialized intervention for toddlers with ASD. This grant builds on the work we have been doing through the ASAP! project. We will evaluate a new "Screen-Refer-Treat (SRT)" model in four communities across the state: Skagit, Lewis, Yakima, and Spokane counties. Within each county we will work with both medical providers and early intervention providers. We are excited to continue working with stakeholders, community providers, and families throughout Washington, as well as with colleagues at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital.
May, 2014
Members of the READi Lab attended the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) in Atlanta from May 14-17, 2014 to present findings from our high-risk siblings research and the ASAP! Program.
READi Lab researcher Lisa Ibañez presented preliminary results from the Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT) workshops provided to community providers through our ASAP! Program. Our RIT workshops have led to increased knowledge about ASD-specialized intervention, as well as increased comfort working with young children with ASD, setting treatment goals, discussing treatment goals with parents, and coaching parents. To view her poster, please click on the link below:
"Evaluating the Impact of Statewide Community-Based Training for Early Intervention Providers" (Ibanez, et al., 2014.)
READi Lab graduate student Colleen Harker presented her research
project on maternal behavior and infant social engagement. Results revealed that higher levels of maternal responsiveness during parent-child free play at 9 months were associated with increased growth in infant social smiling between 9 and 18 months. Conversely, higher levels of maternal directiveness were associated with slower growth in infant social smiling. The same pattern was found for Infants at high risk for ASD and those at low
risk for ASD, highlighting the relation between maternal parenting style and infant social engagement. To view her poster, please click on the link below:
"The Relation Between Infant Social Engagement and Maternal Behavior in Infants at High-Risk for
Autism Spectrum Disorder" (Harker et al., 2014)
READi Lab graduate student Sarah Edmunds presented her research at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) this past week in Atlanta. She enjoyed explaining her project to others and receiving helpful feedback from fellow critical thinkers. Her research found preliminary evidence that two early social communication skills- motor imitation and joint attention - work together to predict vocabulary development at 18 months. Similar processes appear to be involved
for infants with typically developing older siblings and infants with older siblings with ASD.
"Imitation and Joint Attention as Predictors of Language Outcome In Infants at High and Low Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder" (Edmunds et al., 2014)
April 22, 2014
20 Scientific Advances in ASD Research in 2013!!
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. Each year they release a list of scientific advances that represent significant progress in the field. The 20 studies selected for 2013 address critical areas such as early detection, potential risk factors, prevention, and promising treatments for ASD.
Click on the image below to read summaries of these research studies:
April 11, 2014
The Autism Speaks Baby Siblings Research Consortium (BSRC) has released a new version of their consensus statement about the early signs of autism. This information is designed for parents and other caregivers, and we hope it will be helpful for the families served by the READi Lab!
Come pick up a glossy version during your next visit to our lab!
Or, click on the image below:
FUN FACT: Dr. Stone has been a member of the BSRC since 2003, and served as Chair from 2005-2007.
Past Activities and Events
We would like to thank our wonderful families who participated in the READi Lab's 1st "Virtual Talent Show" in celebration of April's Autism Awareness Month.
Check out the amazing artistic talent of children with ASD below:
READi Lab Newsletter
From time to time, the READi Lab sends out a brief e-newsletter to parents, community providers, colleagues, and others interested in learning about current or upcoming activities, research findings, and other important developments. If you would like to be included on our e-newsletter email list, please contact us!
To read our newsletters, please click on the links below.
Past newsletters: