Developments is a newsletter for Autism CARES legislation grantees, published by AUCD's Interdisciplinary Technical Assistance Center on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (ITAC) in partnership with AMCHP's State Public Health Autism Resource Center (SPHARC). Its purpose is to share news, activities, events, research, and accomplishments across grantee areas - research, training, and state implementation

MCHB Minute

Update from the Division of MCH Workforce Development

This issue of the Developments newsletter provides an opportunity to highlight a host of exciting activities coming up this spring and summer supported through the Autism CARES Act. HRSA's Autism staff is looking forward to the ongoing exchange of ideas and information that these activities will stimulate, and to interacting with you in many of these venues. Read more...

CARES Network Announcements

The 2019 Autism CARES Meeting will be held on July 18-19 on the theme of “Ten Years of Autism CARES Act Programs: Improving the Lives of People with ASD/DD, their Families, and Communities.“ This meeting will be an opportunity for MCHB-funded CARES legislation grantees (representing research, training, and state demonstration stakeholders) to share information about activities within their respective networks, discuss emerging trends, and facilitate meaningful collaboration. A draft agenda is now available for download. Read more...

2019 Autism CARES Meeting: Hotel Information

The Mayflower Hotel is the official host hotel of the 2019 Autism CARES Meeting. The AUCD group rate is $229 per night for a double or king room, and the cut-off date is June 25th (or when the room block is full). Click here to book a room or view more information about the hotel, things to do while you're in the area, and transportation. You can also access the AUCD group rate by booking through the reservation line 877-212-5752. If you are booking an ADA accessible room, please contact Faith Snyder ([email protected]) to ensure that your booking is assigned to one of the reserved accessible rooms. Read more...

2019 Autism CARES Meeting: Registration is Now Open!"

This meeting is only open to individuals representing the network of current (and former) MCHB-funded Autism CARES training, research, and state systems change grant recipients, as well as representatives from relevant federal agencies. Registration closes July 10. There will be a $200 fee for each (non-federal) attendee to cover the production of materials and meals associated with the event. Note: grant dollars can be used for registration costs. You can register here. Read more...

2019 Autism CARES Meeting: Call for Proposals

Deadline: May 20, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. ET

We are accepting proposals from any current or former Autism CARES grantees interested in sharing the impact of their work in any one of the event strands: increasing equity, improving systems performance, or achieving population-level outcomes. Submissions should indicate whether they are proposing a poster presentation to be included in a poster symposia or a 60 minute concurrent session. Both poster symposia and concurrent sessions will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2019.  
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Research Roundup

AIR-P Network Activities

The Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), led by Karen Kuhlthau, PhD, conducts research on evidence-based interventions to improve the physical health and well-being of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, with an emphasis on reaching underserved communities.
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AIR-B Network Hosts Community Autism Conference in South Los Angeles

The Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health (AIR-B Network; PI: Connie Kasari), consisting of University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Davis, University of Pennsylvania, University of Rochester, Drexel University, and each site's community partners, provides a free conference at each region's community every year. Read more...

Report: Low-Income and Minority Youth with Autism Face Worse Outcomes than Peers

Youth with autism are growing up in a world where awareness of autism and expectations for full inclusion in society are increasing. Today, one in 59 children have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder and no two youth with ASD are alike, their service and support needs vary and continually change as they age. Read more...

When an Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Resolves, What Remains?

A chart review was performed of 38 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by 3 years of age at an inner-city developmental program who subsequently experienced resolution of ASD symptomatology and no longer met diagnostic criteria for ASD at follow-up an average of 4 years later. Demographic, developmental/cognitive data, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule data as available were reviewed from the initial diagnostic evaluation and at the time of follow-up. Read more...

Sleep Problems in Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Brief Report

Sleep problems in children with autism and the association with child behavioral problems was studied in an ethnically diverse population, in a cross-sectional study with structured interview. Sample included 50 families of children with autism and 50 families of children with other developmental disabilities, matched by age/gender. Interview included Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire and Aberrant Behavior Checklist. Read more...

Effects of Propranolol on Conversational Reciprocity in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A pilot, double-blind, single dose psychopharmacological challenge study

Pharmacological intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an important addition to treatment, yet currently available agents target co-morbid psychiatric concerns, such as aggression and irritability. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist with anxiolytic effects, has been shown to improve verbal fluency and working memory in adults and adolescents with ASD in single-dose challenges. Read more...

Caregiver Voices: Cross-Cultural Input on Improving Access to Autism Services

This study used qualitative methods to gather family and provider perspectives of perceived barriers and facilitators to obtaining an ASD diagnosis and accessing ASD-related services for underserved families. Themes from focus groups and interviews with families from three cultural groups (black, Hispanic/Latino, and Korean) and three primary languages (English, Korean, and Spanish) highlight specific barriers related to family, community, and systemic challenges as well as facilitators to accessing care for these populations. Read more...

Training Topics

Family & Professional Resources & Developments for Rural and Underrepresented Communities within Northern California

Northern California is uniquely positioned to serve a diverse community of historically underrepresented children and families, as well as professionals within rural communities. As members within a majority minority state, we strive to continue learning about the complex intersection of disability, diversity, and inclusion as we actively develop culturally sensitive services and programs. Read More...

Virginia Collaborative Developmental Disabilities Trainee Exchange

Va-LEND at Virginia Commonwealth University was awarded a grant to collaborate with the University of Virginia in a trainee exchange program. As part of this project, Va-LEND Trainees have had the opportunity to visit an array of clinics at the University of Virginia as part of their LEND clinical hours. To date a total of eight Va-LEND Trainees have visited twelve different clinics and the Va-LEND Training Co-Directors also observed a clinic at UVA. Read More...

Autism Issue Briefs from Waisman Center UCEDD/LEND

Two publications describing evidence-based approaches to improving services for autism spectrum disorders are available online from the Waisman Center UCEDD/LEND programs as part of a series of Issue Briefs and Study Briefs.  In 2018, the Issue Brief "Making the Case for Evidence-Based Group Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder" was published.  Recently released in 2019 is the brief titled "Improving Access to Autism Assessment and Intervention through Telehealth."   Faculty and trainees from two CARES-funded programs, the WI LEND Training program and the Wisconsin Care Integration Initiative, contributed to writing and disseminating these briefs which are designed to educate stakeholders, promote systems change and improve access to autism services. Read more...

From Research to Practice - Wisconsin LEND: Milwaukee Link trainees engage in data analysis to develop the Family-centered Autism Navigation (Family CAN) Interview

The Wisconsin LEND: Milwaukee Link program is a satellite program of the Madison-based LEND program that is offered at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As an extension of the Wisconsin LEND program, Milwaukee Link trainees have the opportunity to engage in leadership training focused on enhancement of service delivery for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities with ethnic and/or economic diversity. Read more...

State Stories

Updates from the State Public Health Autism Resource Center

This cohort continues to participate in monthly technical assistance calls which have supported the grantees as they explore solutions to addressing tele-health and -education needs. The rich and productive discussions around engaging diverse populations through expanding tele-health and -education have resulted in numerous technical assistance opportunities including Delaware, Washington, and Wisconsin attending and presenting the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center, Convergence Telehealth Summit in Williamsburg, Virginia on March 31st-April 2nd. Additionally, the Wisconsin team visited the University of Missouri, Thompson Center's to learn more about how to implement the ECHO Autism model. Read more...

Collaborators Corer

2019-2021 Learn the Signs. Act Early. Ambassador Cohort Selected

Early Identification of Developmental Concerns in Young Children

In recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, CDC's Act Early Ambassador to New Jersey, Deepa Srinivasavaradan's article entitled, "Early Identification of Developmental Concerns in Young Children," highlighting the importance of ongoing developmental monitoring and screening using "Learn the Signs. Act Early." materials, was published in the March edition of Exceptional Parents Magazine. It included tips for doctors/professionals and next steps for parents to follow if developmental concerns are noted in young children. Read more...

Improving Initial Age of Diagnosis for Children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: Asking Parents

Pang Chaxiong (MN LEND Fellow), Alefyah Shipchandler, (graduate research assistant), and Dr. Jennifer Hall-Lande (researcher and MN LEND faculty), all with the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, will be presenting a poster-- Improving Initial Age of Diagnosis for Children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Communities: Asking the Parents-- at this year's INSAR meeting in Montreal, Canada in May.  Read more...

New Pediatric Sleep Education Modules - Developed by the Pediatric Pulmonary Centers

We are pleased to share a new resource, the Pediatric Sleep Education Modules, developed by the HRSA-funded Pediatric Pulmonary Centers. The modules are free, online, self-directed, training modules related to the care of pediatric sleep patients. CMEs are provided for completing the modules, which can be done individually or as a group. Read more...

Strategies for Improving Developmental Sreening

Pediatricians know developmental delays and disabilities are common (1 in 6 children with developmental disability, 1 in 59 with autism)1,2 because they see them nearly every day. As pediatricians, we also know we have to be very diligent to identify and treat every child with a developmental concern. Although great progress has been made, gaps in surveillance and screening as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) remain. Read more...

ITAC Items

April 2019: Autism Acceptance Month

AUCD, our members, and partners have used this as an opportunity to share information relating to Autism Spectrum Disorders. The month has traditionally been framed as Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 as World or International Autism Awareness Day. In recent years you may have noticed that AUCD has shifted to include both "Awareness" and "Acceptance" in our April messaging. 2019 marks our full transition to April as Autism Acceptance Month. Read more...

Now Archived: Winter Webinar Series from AUCD's Autism Special Interest Group

AUCD's Autism Special Interest Group (SIG) presented its winter webinar series. The goal was to share new and innovative work from AUCD member programs from across the country in brief, accessible presentations tied together across a common topic, and to support conversation around each. Read More...

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