Category Archives: Uncategorized

40th Annual Festival of Trees Gala Recap:

December 2, 2017Events, Seattle Children's Autism Center, UncategorizedRablab

A few weeks ago, the 40th Annual Festival of Trees Gala took place at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle! Seattle Children’s employees and supporters had a blast raising money for the Seattle Children’s Autism Center and Uncompensated Care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Check out the link for more news and pictures from the festivities here:

http://www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com/events.html

Don’t forget to view this video shown at the Gala, giving you an inside look at the kind of work the Seattle Children’s Autism Center does. Featuring a few families who kindly gave us a glimpse into their experiences with the team, the video captures the essence of the impact the Children’s community has :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NWOgycOMv1CnoCfWwCCo7IXcMIoelS32/view

Come Participate! Genetics Research and Pirates- What could be better?

November 14, 2017Events, Genetics, Rab Lab, Research, Seattle Children's Autism Center, SPARK, UncategorizedRablab

Our Research Team is hosting a PIRATE-THEMED Research Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 2^nd! Families interested in participating in autism genetics research will have the opportunity to complete 1-2 research studies in a single day!

The SPARK and PANGEA studies are exploring genetic differences related to autism. Families who attend the family fun day will be able to complete online registration and saliva collection for SPARK and/or a blood draw for PANGEA. There will be food, games, prizes, parking, and childcare available! To RSVP to this event, please contact the research team at 206-987-7917 or at SCACstudies@seattlechildrens.org.

WHAT: Fun, research participation event for families

WHEN: Saturday, December 2 from 9am to 5pm

WHERE: Seattle Children’s Autism Center, 4909 25^th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105

THEME: Pirates and Buried Treasure!

What Makes a Master Mentor? Find out from Dr. Bernier and Dr. Larimer!

October 31, 2017UncategorizedRablab

Last year, our very own Dr. Raphe Bernier was awarded the Wayne J. Katon Outstanding Mentor Award. Raphe’s colleagues, fellow faculty members, postdocs, grad students, and lab members submitted enthusiastic testimonials championing his dedication to mentees. This year, we congratulate Dr. Mary Larimer, Director, Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors (CSHRB), on receiving this award. The University of Washington recently posted an interview with Drs. Bernier and Larimer on what makes a Master Mentor. You can watch the interview here!

ASD-friendly Seattle-area museums and family destinations

October 9, 2017Family Resources, Play, UncategorizedRablab

Here in the Seattle area, many travel-associated businesses and organizations and tourist destinations are deliberately ASD-friendly, with special accommodations for light, noise, and volume of visitors. Here are a few programs that exist and destinations to put on your list:

Pacific Science Center: Exploration for All: Autism Early Open
Century Link Field, home of the Seattle Sounders and the Seattle Seahawks, offers a gameday Autism Toolkit for free (information at the top of this page)
Wings for Autism Travel Rehearsal Program
The TSA also has a number you can call to arrange special assistance through security through its TSA Cares program
Seattle Children’s Playgarden
Seattle Children’s Museum: Sensory Sensitive Early Open
Seattle Public Library: Sensory Story Times
Seattle Sensory Garden
AMC Theaters Sensory Friendly Films
Hands On Children’s Museum (Olympia) Sensory Friendly Events
Wiggle Works Kids Sensory Friendly Fun Night
Pump It Up Sensory Jump Night
Elevated Sportz: Uplift! night

***please note that inclusion/exclusion does not imply any endorsement or relationship between our lab and these organizations

October 2017 Autism Blogcast

October 6, 2017UncategorizedRablab

This month’s Autism Blogcast focuses on INCLUSION. It discusses events and activities that focus on inclusion this Fall. The timing is particularly relevant as Seattle prepares for the 2018 Special Olympics next summer. The blogcast also discusses research results that show a reduction in the symptoms of Autism severity when an individual has a fever. Check out Raphe and Jim for this months Autism Blogcast!

Journeying and Sightseeing for Travelers with Autism

October 2, 2017Family Resources, Play, UncategorizedRablab

The idea of travel can bring up feelings of excitement, apprehension, fear, curiosity, anxiety, and happiness for individuals with autism and their family members and caregivers.

This recent article describes how “travel can be […] onerous for people on the spectrum — but it can be especially enriching, too.” The author nicely highlights both challenges and rewards of traveling and also mentions many great programs and resources to help individuals with autism feel more comfortable while traveling and sightseeing, as well as companies that specifically work with travelers with ASD and other special needs and sensitivities.

How the world is changing for travelers with Autism

An overhead shot of a long-lens camera, a Field Notes Notebook, a pencil and a travel bag laid out on a map

Research in Autism and the Brain (RAB) Lab

University of Washington Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences