In this edition of the Blogcast, our reporters discuss book reviews regarding the history of autism and the important collaboration with family and science, as well as the state of universal screening for autism via Pediatricians and birth to three centers.
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Autism 209: Multicultural Issues and ASD
September 15, 2016, the Autism 200 Series presents will host it’s next class, “Autism 209: Multicultural Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder.”
Autism 209: Multicultural Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder
September 15, 2016
Instructors: Robin Tatsuda, MSW, ARC of King County, and Sayaka Omori, MEd, Open Doors for Multi-Cultural Families
Research has indicated that autism impacts individuals equally across cultures. However, families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often face obstacles to accessing information, support and treatment across systems (e.g., educational, medical, state agencies). Tatsuda and Omori will identify and discuss the structural and cultural barriers for families of linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. This includes barriers for the family to access information and services and barriers for professionals to effectively support families. Real family stories and tips/strategies will be integrated throughout the presentation.
Classes are open to the general public. There is no need to register in advance to attend. Lectures are held the third Thursday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Seattle Children’s Hospital’s main campus in Wright Auditorium. Park free in Lot 1. Enter the hospital through the River entrance, located straight across from the parking garage. Get an entrance badge from the Greeter Desk (bring photo ID). Lectures are available through Seattle Children’s video and teleconferencing outreach program and can be viewed at various locations throughout Washington, Alaska and Oregon. View Seattle Children’s video teleconferencing site information (PDF). Lectures are also recorded. View past lectures.
Autism 200 Series Overview
Autism 200 is a series of free 90-minute classes for parents and caregivers of children with autism who wish to better understand this disorder. Faculty from Seattle Children’s and the University of Washington and community providers teach the classes. Each class includes time for questions.
Classes are open to the general public, and are available through Seattle Children’s video and teleconferencing outreach program and can be viewed at various locations throughout Washington, Alaska and Oregon. View Seattle Children’s video teleconferencing site information (PDF). Lectures are also recorded. View past lectures.
Please call Seattle Children’s Autism Center at 206-987-8080 with questions or go to the website: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/classes-community/classes-events/autism-200-series/
SPARK: UW attends the Tri-Cities 12th Annual Northwest Autism Conference
Last week, our SPARK study (www.SPARKforAutism.org/UW) coordinator, Emily, visited the Tri-Cities for three days to spread awareness about the SPARK project. Her first day was spent at the ARC of Tri-Cities, where she met with ARC staff members and the ARC’s Parent-to-Parent group, which is a support group for parents of children with special needs. Emily gave a presentation to the meeting attendees about the history of autism genetics research and about the SPARK study. She showed families how to register for the project online and she answered questions about how SPARK intends to help families impacted by autism.
Emily spent the last two days of her trip in the Tri-Cities at the 12th Annual Northwest Autism Conference. This conference is meant for families, providers, and educators and provides tools and information on autism. At the conference, Emily had a vendor table and displayed SPARK materials. Families and providers were able to approach Emily with questions about the SPARK study and about autism research in general. She even helped some families register for SPARK on the spot! The conference was a great success! See below for pictures of Emily’s SPARK vendor table and of the conference poster. If you are interested in joining UW/SCAC’s more than 600 SPARK families, go to www.SPARKforAutism.org/UW to register or call Emily at 206-987-7917.
Genes Underlying Autism
The Scientist published a great article this August 1, 2016 about Dr. Raphael Bernier’s and Dr. Evan Eichler’s work on identifying gene mutations associated with Autism, including CHD8. The article by Megan Scudellari, titled ‘The Genes Underlying Autism Are Coming into Focus,’ addresses the history of the research performed by Raphe and Evan’s labs from 2008 until the present day. The article also highlights the advances of other Autism researchers around the world whose contributions focus on non-genetic factors that contribute to autism.
Follow the link to read the full article! http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/46659/title/The-Genes-Underlying-Autism-Are-Coming-Into-Focus/
August Autism Blogcast
This month, Jim and Raphe discuss research in faulty maternal immune activation and updates on funding for special ed in WA state.