Autism Center - University of Washington

April is Autism Awareness Month
The UW Autism Center will host a series of events for the community in honor of Autism
Awareness Month! All events in both the Seattle and Tacoma locations are free of charge
to the public, but advance registration is required. Please note, we may take photographs of attendees for UW Autism Center marketing purposes.

Download a printable PDF of our calendar of events here!

Please register here.

All Seattle events will take place at the Center on Human Development and Disability
(CHDD), in the Experimental Education Unit (EEU) building in room CD150. Presentations will begin at 6pm and end at 7:30pm unless otherwise noted, with registration opening 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the talk. ***NOTE: We will NOT be able to provide childcare for any of these presentations. We apologize for any inconvenience.***

If you have any questions, please call our toll free line at 1.877.408.UWAC (4922) or email us at uwautism@uw.edu.

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail the department.

Join us as a panel of autism clinicians in psychology, medicine, speech-language
pathology, and behavior therapy answer questions you submit in advance.

What is the "Medical Home"? Enriching your Relationship with your Primary Health Care Provider

A “Medical Home” partnership between a child and her/his family and their primary health care provider serves as the standard of care for all children and youth. This relationship fosters mutual responsibility to help coordinate care for supports and services, and respect for the cultural values of families, while monitoring and nurturing optimal learning, development and behavior. This discussion will explore background and standards for the Medical Home and provide ideas and tools to help families enrich and empower their own Medical Home relationships.

Using Stories to Teach: How to Use Socially-Based Stories, Video Models, and Apps to Teach New Skills

Common challenges for children on the autism spectrum include difficulties in new situations, anxiety about social interactions and transitions, limited play skills as well as high rates of problem behaviors. These can cause a domino effect of difficulties for both children and those that support them. Thankfully, there is growing evidence that many of these challenges can be addressed by using individualized stories to rehearse and learn new skills and behaviors. A variety of tools and strategies can be used including written stories (“Social Stories™” or “Cartoon Strip Conversations™” by Carol Gray), and video stories (“Model Me Kids” or “Activity Trainer”). Both written and video modes use step-by-step stories to teach and are adaptable to a wide variety of ages and abilities.

In this presentation, we will go over the basics of using stories to help your child with autism, including tips for how and when to use them. We will provide practical tools for how to create your own stories and videos at home to help your child. We will offer different high tech and low tech ways to create individualized stories and videos for your use. You are welcome to bring your “high tech” device such as a tablet or smart phone to the presentation if you wish, but it certainly is not required. Parents, professionals, and members of the community who want to learn more about this method of teaching are encouraged to attend.

All I Really Need is an iPad, Right? Myths and Realities of iPads for Families of Individuals with ASD

Have you wondered whether it's worth buying an iPad for your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder? Do you already have an iPad and you're wondering if there are other ways it may be helpful for your child? Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kelly Johnson and Speech/Language Pathologist Jo Ristow will help you become an educated consumer when it comes to the iPad and your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This introductory presentation will also include brief demonstrations of some Apps as well as the new "Guided Access" function on newer iPads.

To Tell or Not to Tell: The If, When, How and Why of Telling Children about their ASD Diagnosis

Many parents and caregivers have wondered whether they should disclose the diagnosis to their child. This often arises due to concerns around hurting their child’s self-esteem, or due to concerns around creating an excuse for their child to not be accountable for his or her behavior. This presentation will include information around this topic, and will offer specific guidance based on research and the experiences of parents who have moved through this challenging situation.

Get Your Zzzzz’s! Strategies for Addressing Sleep Problems in Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum

Children and adolescents on the autism spectrum are known to have high rates of sleep difficulties, including problems with falling asleep, staying in bed, and/or sleeping through the night. Disrupted sleep patterns can impact the child or adolescent's daytime behavior and development as well as family functioning. This presentation will help parents understand what sleep behaviors to expect at different ages, common sleep problems among children and adolescents on the autism spectrum, and the importance of intervening to improve sleep. We will also cover tips for establishing healthy sleep habits and provide information on common types of evaluations and interventions.

All Tacoma events will take place in the Cherry Parkes Building in room 331 unless otherwise noted. Presentations will begin at 6pm and end at 7:30pm, with registration opening 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the talk. ***NOTE: We will NOT be able to provide childcare for any of these presentations. We apologize for any inconvenience.***

If you have any questions, please call our toll free line at 1.877.408.UWAC (4922) or email us at uwautism@uw.edu.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013
*(due to popular demand, this presentation will be in Cherry Parkes rm 106 and begin at 6:30pm)*

Many students with autism spectrum disorders face challenges interacting socially with their fellow students and peers. This presentation will focus on practical strategies for supporting social interactions in the school setting based on the presenter's own research, as well as other social skills resources used in school and community settings.

***Tuesday, April 23, 2013***Please note date change (originally scheduled on 4/16)***

College is frequently a time of great transition for all students. This transition can be an especially trying time for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This presentation will not only focus on academic supports, but review the social, emotional, and navigational needs as well.

All I Really Need is an iPad, Right? Myths and Realities of iPads for Families of Individuals with ASD