News

2023
- Creating Inclusive Movie Experiences: Philadelphia Film Society's Sensory-Friendly Showings
  
  Sep 21, 2023
  
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- Welcoming a New Leader for the Life Course Outcomes Research Program
  
  Sep 21, 2023
  
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- Summer Scholars ‘23 Wraps Up!
  
  Sep 21, 2023
  
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- Nearly 99% of Autistic Adults Not Receiving Public Employment Services in the U.S.
  
  August 09, 2023
  From 2008-16 an estimated 1.98 million autistic adults — or 99%, of those who likely needed employment services — did not receive support through Medicaid or Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, a new study from Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute finds.
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- National Autism Indicators Report Calls for Health Care Policy Improvements for Future Public Health Emergencies
  
  July 31, 2023
  In the latest edition of the National Autism Indicators Report series, researchers at Drexel University’s Policy and Analytics Center (PAC) at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute examined changes in access and disruptions to health care services for autistic children and adults during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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- Autism and Identity: Moving Beyond The Puzzle Piece Symbol
  
  Jun 30, 2023
  
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- Autistic Voices Needed: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Awarded Grant for Innovative Autistic Support Services Research
  
  April 18, 2023
  The Policy, Analytics and Community Research Program at Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion collaborated to enhance a unique intervention optimizing supports delivered by autistic adults to other autistic adults and expand the intervention in Philadelphia.
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- Latest National Autism Indicators Report Explores Autistic Individuals’ Use of Medicaid Across the Lifespan
  
  March 14, 2023
  In the latest edition of the National Autism Indicators Report series, researchers at Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute explore how autistic individuals use Medicaid and how their service use changes across the lifespan – from infants to older adults – using data from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) from 2008-2016.
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- Autistic Adolescents are More Likely to Leave Medicaid as They Enter Adulthood in States Without Medicaid Waivers
  
  March 13, 2023
  Recently published in JAMA Network Open, researchers from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University examined whether state-level waivers were associated with reduced risk of Medicaid disenrollment among autistic transition-age youth.
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- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Finds Strong Performance of Autism Screener When Used as Intended
  
  February 20, 2023
  Newly published in JAMA Pediatrics, a study by Andrea Wieckowski, PhD, Diana Robins, PhD and their co-authors systematically reviewed and analyzed factors that may lead to different performance estimates of the M-CHAT(-R/F) tests. the most commonly used autism-specific screening tool for young children.
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2022
- The Drexel Business Inclusion Center Hosts Aramark Hiring Event
  
  Dec 07, 2022
  
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- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Releases Recommendations for Autism and the Criminal Justice System
  
  October 12, 2022
  Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute explored ways to improve interactions between autistic individuals and the justice system, which led to the recently published policy brief, “Autism and the Criminal Justice System: Policy Opportunities and Challenges,” with wide reaching recommendations and considerations for the broader justice system.
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- How Police Departments and Community Partners Are Coordinating Care for Autistic Youth in Crisis
  
  September 13, 2022
  Autistic youth experiencing mental health crises face higher risks and are more likely to have negative interactions with police. To identify how police departments and other non-police community partners – like school districts and community crisis centers – are supporting autistic youth in suicidal crisis, researchers from Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute aimed to develop and test a new county-level social network measure of care coordination.
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- The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Awarded $10 Million for Advancing Equitable Strategies and Reducing Barriers for Autistic Individuals of All Ages
  
  September 09, 2022
  Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute was awarded a 5-year, $10 million Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) award from the National Institutes of Health to understand and reduce barriers to good health and health care access for people with autism. The project titled “Public Health and Autism Science advancing Equitable Strategies across the life course” (PHASES) will employ a public health research framework to examine health determinants, health services delivery and health inequity – especially in under-represented diverse populations – and the impact of these forces on autistic people’s health outcomes.
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- The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Awarded $10 Million for Advancing Equitable Strategies and Reducing Barriers for Autistic Individuals of All Ages
  
  Sep 09, 2022
  
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- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Awarded $2.5 Million Grant for Research to Support Healthy and Equitable Life Outcomes for Autistic Youth and Young Adults
  
  September 08, 2022
  Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute recently received a $2.5 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fund the Institute’s Autism Transitions Research Project for an additional five years to address a “services cliff” that many transition-age autistic youth face.
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- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Awarded $2.5 Million Grant for Research to Support Healthy and Equitable Life Outcomes for Autistic Youth and Young Adults
  
  Sep 08, 2022
  
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- What International Fulbrights Can Do at Drexel
  
  May 13, 2022
  A.I. drug development…SARS-CoV-2 research…comparative autism studies… Three international scholars from Brazil and Pakistan share how Drexel opened doors to research and professional opportunities not available in their home countries.
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- Autistic Adults Report High Rates of COVID-19 Vaccination
  
  May 03, 2022
  Researchers from Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute recently published a study identifying the differences between autistic adults who reported COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and those who were vaccination hesitant.
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- Report: Autistic Children at the Intersection of Race and Poverty Experience Compounding Health Risks
  
  April 18, 2022
  The Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), within UCLA Health’s Department of Medicine, and the Health Services Systems Node of AIR-P, based at the Policy and Analytics Center at Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, have released the latest National Autism Indicator’s Report using national data to highlight the intersection of autism, poverty, race/ethnicity and their compounding impact on health and health care.
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2021
- National Autism Indicators Report: High Rates of Mental Health Conditions and Persistent Disparities in Care
  
  August 31, 2021
  Researchers from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University released the latest National Autism Indicators Report highlighting the importance of mental health care in autistic children and adults. The report found high rates of mental health conditions in autistic children and adults and persistent disparities in mental health and health care by race and ethnicity.
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- Report: Autistic Individuals Have Increased Risk of COVID-19
  
  August 30, 2021
  Autistic adults, adults with intellectual disability, and adults with mental health diagnoses have multiple risk factors for infection with COVID-19 and for experiencing more severe disease if they contract COVID-19, according to research from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University.
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- Drexel Autism Support Program: A Unique Offering for Unique Learners
  
  August 10, 2021
  The University’s holistic approach helps neurodivergent Dragons adjust and prepare for college and employment.
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2020
- Broken bridges-new school transitions for students with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review on difficulties and strategies for success
  
  Feb 11, 2020
  A study co-authored by Dr. Elizabeth McGhee Hassrick, an Assistant Professor in the Life Course Outcomes Research Program Area was listed as one of Autism Speaks Top 10 Autism Studies of 2019.
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2019
- Diana L. Robins, PhD, Named Director of A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
  
  November 20, 2019
  The professor and research program leader at the Institute had been serving as interim director this year and joined the Drexel faculty in 2014.
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- For Youth with Autism, Where You Live Matters: Study of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Across States
  
  April 15, 2019
  Youth with autism often have difficulty finding and keeping employment, making Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, like job placement, essential. New research from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute found Vocational Rehabilitation services across states vary dramatically leaving some young adults without support.
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- Three A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Research Projects Funded by Eagles Autism Challenge
  
  April 04, 2019
  On World Autism Day (April 2) the Eagles Autism Challenge announced eight projects to be funded after being evaluated by an independent scientific advisory board comprised of top autism researchers. Of the eight total projects funded, three will be led by researchers from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute.
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- Tips and Advice for Taking on the Eagles Autism Challenge
  
  March 20, 2019
  In gearing up for the second year of the Eagles Autism Challenge and Drexel University’s involvement, participants from last year’s events shared their tips for fundraising and training for the event.
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- Report: Low-Income and Minority Youth with Autism Face Worse Outcomes than Peers
  
  March 13, 2019
  The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute releases The National Autism Indicators Reports every year since 2015. The recently released fourth edition, "The 2018 National Autism Indicators Report: High School Students on the Autism Spectrum," highlights the challenges facing minority youth and those from low-income households.
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2018
- Study: As Many As 1 in 40 U.S. Children Has Autism
  
  December 07, 2018
  As many as 1 in 40 children in the United States have been diagnosed with autism, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with researchers from Drexel University, Harvard Medical School and George Washington University. The report, based on data from the DHS’s 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, seems to confirm a decades-long trend of increasing autism diagnoses among children in the United States.
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- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Gears Up for Second Eagles Autism Challenge — With Free Registration for Faculty and Staff
  
  November 13, 2018
  With the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute partnering with the Eagles for the second Autism Challenge, Drexel University faculty and staff once again have the opportunity to participate in the race and get involved.
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- Diana L. Robins, PhD, Named Interim Director of A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
  
  October 22, 2018
  Diana L. Robins, PhD, professor and research program leader at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University, will take over as interim director, effective Jan. 1.
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- Project SEARCH Helps High Schoolers on the Spectrum Prep for the Future
  
  May 30, 2018
  Project SEARCH, a program through the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute which provides training and on-the-job experience to Philadelphia public high school students on the autism spectrum, provides benefits to both the participants and involved Drexel departments through internship experiences.
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- President Fry’s Contract Extended to Lead Drexel Into the Next Decade
  
  May 23, 2018
  At a recent meeting, the Board of Trustees extended President John Fry’s contract through 2023.
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- Drexel's 2017 President's Report Highlights A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Projects
  
  Jan 18, 2018
  
  Drexel University President's Report 2017 highlights the spirit of research and innovation that runs through Drexel projects and initiatives. This year's report mentions exciting projects at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute.
  
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2017
- Multivitamin Use During Pregnancy Linked to Lower Risk of Autism With Intellectual Disability
  
  October 05, 2017
  Taking a multivitamin during pregnancy was linked to a 30 percent decrease in risk of a child developing autism with an intellectual disorder, according to a new Drexel University study.
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- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute to Benefit from Landmark Eagles Autism Challenge
  
  September 15, 2017
  For the first time, the Philadelphia Eagles will hold a bike ride and 5k run/walk to raise money for autism research efforts, and the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute was named as one of the benefitting partners.
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- Autism Institute Celebrates First Class of Project SEARCH Graduates
  
  June 16, 2017
  Drexel University and its community partners recognized the accomplishments of the eight Philadelphia School District students who represented the first class of Project SEARCH, a new program aimed at getting youth with autism into the workplace and prepared for life after high school.
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- Three things to Watch for in the Sesame Street Debut of Julia, the First Muppet with Autism
  
  Apr 06, 2017
  “Sesame Street” is a show that has spent decades teaching children that although everyone is different, everyone is also normal. The latest character to show that is Julia, a Muppet 4-year-old with autism.
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- Drexel Unites to Promote One Book, One Philadelphia
  
  February 09, 2017
  Though Drexel has participated in the annual community book club for years, this marks the first year of interdisciplinary collaboration and panel discussions.
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- Let's Not Panic About the Vaccine Commission Just Yet
  
  Jan 30, 2017
  
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2016
- For autism research, Drexel team says step aside, Tooth Fairy
  
  Sep 25, 2016
  The Philly Voice covers newly funded autism research led by Dr. Craig Newschaffer that will use baby teeth to track environmental risk factors that may contribute to the risk of autism in the womb.
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- Toddler Screening Essential for Autism Detection Despite National Task Force’s Reservation
  
  February 22, 2016
  Given that earlier diagnoses have been found to be more beneficial for treating children on the autism spectrum, a Drexel professor and her colleagues believe universal screening in 18–24 month-old children remains essential, despite a federal task force deciding there is insufficient evidence to recommend it.
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- $3.5 Million Gift Supporting Autism Institute’s Programs for Transition to Adulthood
  
  February 17, 2016
  Through a generous, anonymous gift, the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute of Drexel University will support innovative programs designed to help young adults transition out of high school into a career or college.
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- Study: Anti-Asthma Drugs Taken During Pregnancy Associated With Autism Risk
  
  January 26, 2016
  Taking B2AR agonist asthma drugs during pregnancy appears to be associated with an increased risk that the child will develop autism, according to a recently published study at Drexel University.
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- Former Councilman O’Brien to be Honored at Drexel for Work in Autism Community
  
  January 20, 2016
  After decades of work advocating and supporting those with disabilities, the ASERT Collaborative and the Philadelphia Autism Project, both housed at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, are honoring lifelong Philadelphian Dennis O’Brien for his work to improve the lives of individuals with autism across Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
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2015
- African-American Families Share Autism Experiences in New Video Series
  
  May 27, 2015
  Drexel students have helped produce new films aiming to help families overcome potential barriers to seeking diagnosis and services for their children on the autism spectrum—particularly in populations that are underserved when it comes to autism awareness, diagnosis and services.
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- Autism Young Adult Transition Indicators Report
  
  April 21, 2015
  Autism doesn't end at adulthood — yet most public awareness, public policy and research on autism focus on children. A new national report from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute answers questions about the experiences and outcomes of young adults on the spectrum.
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2014
- Pennsylvania Autism Census Highlights Dramatic Increase in Numbers
  
  November 13, 2014
  Lead by a Drexel researcher, the study showed that the estimated number of individuals with autism receiving services almost tripled since the last look into the disorder five years ago.
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- Autism Institute to Launch Life Course Outcomes Research Initiatives
  
  September 10, 2014
  The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute has received a grant of $3.6 million to launch four major initiatives of its Life Course Outcomes research program, focused on understanding and improving quality of life issues for people on the autism spectrum at all ages.
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- Autism Awareness Web Search Trends
  
  June 26, 2014
  Autism Awareness Month each April brings blue lights and blue ribbons out to shine in many communities – but does it actually lead to increased autism awareness? According to a new analysis of web search trends by researchers at Drexel University, it does appear to drive an increase in Google searches for autism – by a third over searches in March in recent years.
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- Autistic Adult Driving Experiences Study
  
  June 26, 2014
  In the first pilot study asking adults on the autism spectrum about their experiences with driving, researchers at Drexel University found significant differences in self-reported driving behaviors and perceptions of driving ability in comparison to non-autistic adults.
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- Child's Autism Risk Accelerates with Mother's Age Over 30
  
  April 22, 2014
  A recent study from researchers from the Drexel University School of Public Health in Philadelphia and Karolinska Institute in Sweden provides more insight into how the higher risk of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among older parents varies between mothers’ and fathers’ ages, and found that the risk of having a child with both ASD and intellectual disability is larger for older parents.
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- Autism Institute Uses Custom-Outfitted Van for Outreach and Clinical Assessments
  
  April 21, 2014
  The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University can’t contain its efforts within the walls of a building — so it is now hitting the road with a custom-outfitted van, called Mobile REACH, to extend autism outreach and clinical research activities into the community.
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- Museum Stories at the Academy of Natural Sciences for Children on the Autism Spectrum
  
  February 20, 2014
  As part of an initiative aimed at making a visit to the science museum as stress-free, fun and educational as possible for children on the autism spectrum, families and teachers now can access “museum stories” on the Academy’s website. The museum stories are a pre-visit tool to prepare children for what they might experience in the museum, where loud noises, unfamiliar sights, bright and dark rooms, and unpredictable live animals may cause discomfort and stress.
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2013
- Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum Face Tough Prospects for Jobs and Independent Living
  
  September 04, 2013
  Two newly published studies show precisely how stark the challenge is for young adults on the autism spectrum to find their first jobs and take the first steps toward independent living. The researchers emphasize the need to strengthen services to help adolescents and young adults and their families with transition planning.
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- New Website and Toll-Free Number for Autism Resources
  
  May 31, 2013
  The Pennsylvania Autism Services, Education, Resources & Training Collaborative (ASERT), headquartered at Drexel for Pennsylvania's eastern region, has announced the launch of a statewide resource center to provide streamlined access to information for the estimated 30,000 Pennsylvanians living with autism.
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- Q and A: Jim Connell on Autism, Education and Adolescent-to-Adult Transitions
  
  April 17, 2013
  Dr. James Connell, who joined Drexel last year as the clinical director of the A.J Drexel Autism Institute, shared with DrexelNow some of the latest developments at the institute since its launch last year.
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- Drexel at Philadelphia Science Festival and Philly Tech Week
  
  April 16, 2013
  As part of city’s vibrant scientific and technological community, Drexel University will play a big role in the 2013 Philadelphia Science Festival and Philly Tech Week on April 18-28. From a 29-story video game, to cutting-edge robotics, to an interactive Jazz concert, Drexel’s students, faculty and professional staff will be part of the programming for both week-long celebrations of the inquisitive and innovative spirits that are part of the fabric of the city.
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- Autism Experts at Drexel Available to Comment for Autism Awareness Month
  
  March 29, 2013
  
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2012
- Students Design Mobile Clinics for Drexel Autism Institute
  
  July 19, 2012
  The newly established A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University is hitting the road with design assistance from students in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Students are developing designs for the interior and exterior of a vehicle that will be used as a mobile clinic for research and community outreach, the first mobile unit for autism in the Philadelphia region.
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- Nursing for Autism Across the Lifespan Highlighted in New Book
  
  April 17, 2012
  The growing number of children and adults on the autism spectrum represent a growing need for quality health care that is sensitive to the issues they face. This is the premise and challenge behind a new text, Nursing of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence-based Integrated Care across the Lifespan (Springer, April 2012), edited by Dr. Ellen Giarelli, an associate professor in Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, with Dr. Marcia Gardner.
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- Autism Experts Available to Comment on New CDC Autism Prevalence Report
  
  March 29, 2012
  
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- Autism Experts Available for Autism Awareness Month
  
  March 21, 2012
  Experts at Drexel University are available to comment for news stories about autism for Autism Awareness Month in April. Drexel recently established the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, the nation’s first autism center focused on public health science.
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- A.J. Drexel Autism Receives Gift from the Close Foundation
  
  March 20, 2012
  Drexel University has received a gift of $1.5 million from the Charles and Barbara Close Foundation, founded by Drexel alumnus Charles Close (’36), to help establish the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. The Institute is the nation’s first autism center focused on public health science.
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- Maternal Smoking Not Linked to Autism
  
  January 12, 2012
  A large population-based study in Sweden indicates that there is no link between smoking during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children. The study, led by Dr. Brian Lee, an assistant professor at Drexel University and a team of international collaborators, will appear in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and was published online in December.
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