Spectrum Newsletter - Issue 13

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Issue 13 - October 2013

Spectrum informs ADDRP Newsletter subscribers about the latest ADDRP activities, reviews recent studies in the field of autism and developmental disorders, and lists any available educational opportunities through Lucille Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University.

EDITORIAL

Welcome! This, the thirteenth issue of our newsletter, Spectrum, is being sent to provide you with updated information on the activities of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research Program at Stanford University. The research program is under the direction of Dr. Antonio Hardan. We appreciated the feedback that we received about our previous issues and look forward to hearing your input on this and future issues. We hope that you will find this newsletter helpful and informative. Please feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends.

Special Educational Activity

Autism Spectrum Disorders Parent Education Program

This program is designed to provide parents and caregivers with information about the various community services including Early Intervention, Special Education (IEP process), 504 Plans, Regional Centers and Medical/Mental Health Services. The program will be divided into two groups depending on child's age. Please come and join other parents to learn about community services, ask questions and share experiences.

Date: November 9th, 2013

Location: Stanford Child Psychiatry, 401 Quarry Rd, Stanford, CA

Cost: $30 per person

How to Register: Online at the Stanford/LPCH Parent Education Program Page or by contacting Maura Chatwell at (650) 721-6327 or chatwell@stanford.edu

Future Program Dates: January 25th, 2014; March 15th, 2014

other events

Autism Parent Support Group

Parents of children with autism face a unique set of challenges. Connecting with other families can be a valuable form of support. Topics for discussion will include:
  • Advocating for your child
  • Dealing with impact on family
  • Navigating school and learning issues
  • Investigating treatment options and resources
    •
    Upcoming meetings:
  • November 14, 2013
  • December 12, 2013
    •

    Location: 401 Quarry Road, Room 2209, Stanford, CA

    Facilitated by Annie Darrow, Leslie Stafford and Corinne Callan

    RSVP: Maura Chatwell, (650) 721-6327 or chatwell@stanford.edu

    Walk-ins are welcome!

    For the latest information please go to http://childpsychiatry.stanford.edu/autism.html


    Web and facebook pages

    Visit our website and "like" us on facebook!

    autism.stanford.edu


    Announcements

    Issue 13, October 2013

    RECENT PUBLICATIONS

    Sensory Response Patterns in Nonverbal Children with ASD (Patten E. et al., 2013; University of North Carolina).

    Researchers from University of North Carolina examined the associations between sensory response patterns (i.e., hyperresponsiveness, hyporesponsiveness, and sensory seeking) and verbal status of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a potential factor influencing the development of verbal communication. Ninety three children with ASD (verbal, n = 35; nonverbal, n = 58) were compared using cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal analyses. Hyporesponsiveness and sensory seeking behaviors were associated with verbal status; children with higher hyporesponsive and sensory seeking patterns exhibited lower verbal ability. Hyperresponsiveness did not significantly differ between verbal and nonverbal groups. These findings suggest that hyporesponsiveness and sensory seeking behaviors may be important factors hindering the development of functional verbal communication in children with ASD. Unusual sensory responsiveness can often be observed before the onset of speech and may yield important prognostic capabilities as well as inform early interventions targeting verbal communication or alternative communication options in young children with ASD. This study adds to the growing body of research linking sensory hyporesponsiveness and sensory seeking patterns to poorer communication outcomes in children with ASD.


    Meta-analysis of studies incorporating the interests of young children with autism spectrum disorders into early intervention practices (Dunst C. et al., 2012; Orelena Hawks Puckett Institute).

    A variety of promising practices for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have incorporated their interests and preferences into interventions to promote prosocial behavior and decrease aberrant behavior. The efficacy of these interventions was examined in a meta-analysis of 24 studies including 78 children 2 to 6 years of age diagnosed with ASD. The results indicate that interest-based intervention practices are effective in terms of increasing prosocial behavior and decreasing aberrant child behavior. Additionally, interest-based early intervention practices that focused on poor communication and poor interpersonal relationships were found more effective in influencing child outcomes. These interventions were associated with increased or improved child prosocial behavior, child communication competence, and child performance, and associated with decreased negative and undesirable child behavior. The findings, taken together, indicate that interest-based early intervention is an effective practice for increasing a variety of prosocial, communication, and performance outcomes and decreasing undesirable behavior. This study adds to the knowledge base in terms of the characteristics of effective intervention practices designed to positively influence the learning, behavior, and development of children with ASD.

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    RECRUITING FOR RESEARCH STUDIES (STANFORD/LPCH)

    Below we have highlighted just a few of our studies that we are recruiting for. For a complete list of all currently recruiting research studies please visit our new website at autism.stanford.edu


    Vasopressin research treatment trial for social deficits in children with autism

    Stanford University researchers are currently recruiting children with autism spectrum disorders to participate in a research study which tests the effects of intranasal vasopressin on social functioning.
    In order to participate in this research study your child must:
    • Be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
      or
    • Be between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
    • Be willing to take an vasopressin nasal spray for at least 4 weeks and provide blood samples.
    • Be willing to participate in behavioral and cognitive testing.
    • Have no serious medical problems.

    You will also receive generalized results regarding your child's cognitive and behavioral assessments. Please contact us at (650) 736-1235 if you are interested.

    ICATS - Imaging California Autism Twins Study

    This study compares twins with Autism Spectrum Disorder to typically developing twins.
    Subjects must be a same-sex twin pair:
    • Where one or both have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
      or
    • Where both are typically developing and in good medical health.
    • Between ages 5-14 years old.
    • Willing to complete behavioral testing and a brain-imaging scan.

    Each twin will receive $100 for completion. Please contact us at (650) 723-7809 if you are interested.

    Oxytocin treatment trial for social deficits in children with autism

    Stanford University researchers are currently recruiting children with autism to participate in a research study which tests the effects of intranasal oxytocin on social functioning.
    In order to participate in this research study your child must:
    • Be diagnosed with autistic disorder.
      or
    • Be between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
    • Be willing to take an oxytocin nasal spray for at least 4 weeks and provide blood samples.
    • Be willing to participate in behavioral and cognitive testing.
    • Have no serious medical problems.

    You will also receive generalized results regarding your child's cognitive and behavioral assessments. Please contact us at (650) 736-1235 if you are interested.

    Children and Adolescents are Needed to Participate in Research Studies

    We are actively recruiting children who are typically developing or who have one of several neuropsychiatric diagnoses for many of our studies. We are looking for individuals who are or who have one of the following:

    • Typically Developing
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis
    • Developmental Disability diagnosis
    • ADHD diagnosis
    • Same-Sex Twins
    • Born Prematurely

    Please contact us at (650) 736-1235 if you are interested.

    Emotional Reactivity and Regulation in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

    This study looks at how youth with autism experience their emotions, and to what extent they use emotion regulation strategies to change specific emotions and thus alter the way they feel about a given situation. We hope that our research will lead to changes in increasing the effectiveness of current autism therapies.

    In order to participate in this research study your child must:

    • Between the ages of 8-21 years old in good medical health with or without an ASD diagnosis
    • Be willing to participate in psycholophysiological and neuroimaging experiments
    • Be willing to come to Stanford Hospital and Psychophysiology Lab up to four times

    Each participant will be paid $30 for each completed session. For more information please call (650) 353-5777

    Editorial Staff:
    Sean Berquist, MS
    Estefania Millan, PhD
    Antonio Hardan, MD

    Let us know what you think!
    Comments and suggestions are welcome. 

    Send feedback to autismdd@stanford.edu.


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    Autism & Developmental Disabilities
    Research Program
    Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
    401 Quarry Rd., Stanford, CA | 94305-5719
    Website: autism.stanford.edu Email: autismdd@stanford.edu
    Research: 650-736-1235 | Clinical Services: 650-723-5511