News

CDC reports that autism prevalence is unchanged at 1 in 68

April 1, 2016
The CDC reported that the rate of autism in the U.S. remains at 1 in 68. Dr. Craig Newschaffer, Director of the Autism Institute, appeared on local Fox news this morning to comment on the recent findings. He urged caution at the findings, "Even if that 1.5% prevalence rate holds, we have to recognize that still means 5 million individuals in the country are living with autism. The annual cost of autism is estimated to be $250 billion so this is still a significant public health challenge."

Dr. Newschaffer said that going forward, we need to do our best to do everything we can to recognize the signs and symptoms of autism as early as possible. "The data shows that of those children that we knew had autism at age 8, only 40% had their first comprehensive evaluation before age 3. We can do much better than that." He also urged parents who have concerns about their child's development to contact early intervention programs in their regions. These are free services available for initial developmental assessment. In Philadelphia, this organization is known as ChildLink.

Despite a federal task force decision, universal autism screening in 18–24 month-old children remains essential

February 23, 2016
Stating that “the evidence is insufficient,” the United States Preventive Services Task Force declined to recommend or discourage early screening for autism in all children, although experts believe it remains an essential technique for diagnosing and treating children during their developmental years.

“A lot of people are very concerned that this recommendation may lead to a decrease in screening,” said Diana Robins, PhD, associate professor in Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and lead author of a paper recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. “They pointed to gaps in the long-term follow-up of children in which autism was detected from primary care screening. There should be more rigorous follow-up studies, but screening should continue, as has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for almost a decade.”

Robins' stance on this issue has been featured on DrexelNow and PhillyVoice, among other publications. 

Drexel researchers present at Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee meeting

January 14, 2017
Autism Institute researchers Anne Roux and Diana Robins participated in the IACC's full committee meeting this week. Roux presented findings from the National Autism Indicators Report, which highlights the data we currently have on how young adults with autism transition to adulthood. Robins participated in a panel discussing the U.S. Preventive Services task force's decision not to recommend universal autism screening of young children. Watch a full recording of the talk here (Roux starting at 1h20min and Robins at 6h22min).

Drexel researcher ties autism risk to prenatal exposure to asthma drugs

January 7, 2016
Nicole Gidaya published a paper in Pediatrics on a connection between autism risk and prenatal exposure to certain asthma drugs. The findings do not prove cause and effect, however. Since uncontrolled asthma can be associated with poor birth outcomes, these findings should not encourage pregnant women to abandon asthma medication.

Autism Institute researchers contribute to some of the most read and shared autism research stories of 2015

December 21, 2015
The second and third most read articles on Autism Speaks' "Top 10 research stories of 2015" were contributed to by Autism Institute researchers. One study found increased epigenetic changes to the DNA of men with children with autism. The other found that there was no link between the MMR vaccine and autism in a cohort of 95,000 children. The MMR-autism research also came in at #2 on Science Magazine's list of the 100 "buzziest" studies of 2015.

Dr. Craig Newschaffer quoted in Spectrum

November 5, 2015
Autism Institute director Dr. Craig Newschaffer is quoted in this deep dive article by Spectrum Magazine on environmental risk factors that cause autism.

Anne Roux and Paul Shattuck comment in The Atlantic article

November 4, 2015
Life Course Outcomes researchers Anne Roux and Dr. Paul Shattuck comment on autism's status as a spectrum disorder.

Dr. Diana Robins' work featured in Drexel's Exel Magazine

August 24, 2015
Dr. Diana Robins' work on developing the M-CHAT, a tool to screen toddlers for autism, is highlighted in Exel, Drexel University's research magazine. Dr. Robins joined the Autism Institute last year as leader of the Early Detection and Intervention research program. 

Dr. Diana Robins comments in NY Times article on a proposal that witholds support for early autism screening

August 4, 2015
A panel of experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests there is not enough evidence to recommend universal autism screening of young children. Dr. Diana Robins, leader of the Early Detection and Intervention research group at the Drexel Autism Institute, says that research has shown that early treatment leads to the biggest improvements, and that waiting for overt signs of autism means “you miss an opportunity to nip it in the bud.”

Autism for Hispanic and Latino Families film debut

July 20, 2015
A new video highlights the experiences of Hispanic and Latino families as they struggle to understand and meet the challenges of their child's autism diagnosis. The video was put together by the Philadelphia Autism Project and Drexel University television students, and will be screened at libraries in Philadelphia. 

Dr. Bridget Sweeney's involvement in research on best practices in schools mentioned in Northeast Times article

June 25, 2015
Dr. Bridget Sweeney, a professor in Drexel University's master's program in Applied Behavioral Analysis, is part of a research project that will analyze best practices for schools in motivation, engagement, culture, climate and leadership. The article profiles Reverend Joseph Campellone, president of Father Judge High School, as he leaves his current role to participate in the research project which will incorporate visits to high-performing schools and reviews of prior academic studies. 

New Autism for African American Families video highlights challenges of dealing with autism diagnosis

June 23, 2015
A new video put together by the Philadelphia Autism Project and Drexel University television students highlights the experiences of African American families as they struggle to understand and meet the challenges of their child's autism diagnosis. The video was screened at libraries in Philadelphia, and has received press coverage in WHYY. The video will be available on phillyautismproject.org.

Study co-authored by Dr. Ellen Giarelli featured on Autism Speaks

June 22, 2015
A new study co-authored by A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Fellow Ellen Giarelli finds that children who do not meet all criteria for an autism diagnosis still struggle with the symptoms of autism. The findings are part of the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), and resulted from following the development of 2,000 children ages 2-5. 

Dr. Brian Lee comments on study linking parent age to autism risk

June 17, 2015
A new study confirms that children born to older parents, teenage mothers, and parents with large gaps between their ages have higher rates of autism. The study looked at data on more than 5.7 million children, more than 30,000 of whom had autism. Dr. Brian Lee, a research fellow at the Drexel Autism Institute, comments on the importance of the study, which is the largest of its kind. 

Drexel Exelon Foundation/PECO Community Education Collaborative Receives $500,000 Grant 

June 11, 2015 
The Drexel Exelon Foundation/PECO Community Education Collaborative will receive a $500,000 grant from Exelon and PECO in order to assess and improve academic and school climate at Morton McMichael School and Samuel Powel School in West Philadelphia. Dr. James Connell will coordinate two of the program’s components: Response to Intervention will use academic screening tools to develop individualized learning plans for students, and Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports will introduced a tiered approach to student behavioral support. The collaborative operates through Drexel’s University Assisted Schools (UAS) Initiative in the School of Education.

Study finds no link between MMR vaccine and autism

May 26, 2015
Dr. Craig Newschaffer’s recently published article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) offers more concrete evidence that there is no link between the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), even in children who are at higher risk. The study looked at a cohort of more than 95,000 children with older siblings with and without autism, and concluded that receiving the MMR vaccine was not associated with an increased risk of ASD, regardless of whether older siblings had ASD.  The article quickly became the most viewed paper on JAMA’s website and has an Altmetric score in the top 5% of all papers ever ranked by the service, which measures online attention and activity related to scholarly content. The article was also featured on NIH Director Francis Collins’ blog.
 
Researchers identified a sample of 95,727 children who all had older siblings between 6 months and 17 years older than them through a database associated with a large U.S. health plan. Researchers looked at the relative risk of developing autism in children who received one or two doses, compared to those who received no doses, of the vaccine from ages two to five.  There was no convincing evidence of any difference in ASD risk across the different MMR dose groups. 
 
According to the authors, parents cite vaccinations, especially MMR, as a cause of ASD and defer or refuse vaccinations for their children as a result. This is even more common when parents already have an older child with autism. Despite many publications showing there is no link between autism and vaccinations in the general population, this is still a topic of great controversy and public interest.  This paper was the first to specifically add reassuring information about MMR vaccination for younger siblings of children diagnosed with ASD. 
 

Anne Roux quoted in two stories by HealthDay News on job interviews, life skills training for people with autism

May 18, 2015
Anne Roux, research scientist with the Life Course Outcomes Research Program, talks about how adults with autism need communication training in order to succeed during job interviews in an article in HealthDay News. A second article include's Roux's comments on recent findings that the biggest predictor of gaining employment as an adult with autism is having good independent daily self-care skills. 

Dr. Craig Newschaffer’s study on MMR vaccine discussed in Forbes

May 7, 2015
Dr. Craig Newschaffer's recent study found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, supporting other research with similar findings. Despite growing evidence indicating that links between autism and vaccines are baseless, controversy still continues on this topic. 

Internationally recognized autism researchers convened at Drexel to discuss future directions in research on adults with autism spectrum disorder

April 30, 2015
More than 35 internationally recognized autism researchers convened at Drexel University on March 26-27, 2015 to discuss future directions in research on adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Drexel University is recognized as a leader in research on youth with autism transitioning to adulthood, with Dr. Paul Shattuck leading the Life Course Outcomes program at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. Autism Speaks supported the Autism Institute to host the meeting, called the Adult Autism Study Consultative Workshop. The broad goal of this meeting focused on the design of foundational research projects that would create a resource eventually available to a broad community of researchers in order to foster ongoing collaborative adult ASD research.
 
Dr. Diana Robin's work on early autism screenings highlighted in Drexel News blog

April 27, 2015

The blog post "Does Your Toddler Point at Airplanes? How Early Autism Screening Helps Families and Public Health" spells out what parents and health care providers need to know in order to be able to spot the signs of autism as early as possible. 

Dr. Paul Shattuck's comments to Congress members regarding transition to adulthood mentioned in NBC News article

April 24, 2015
The article follows Mary Clancy, whose son with autism was featured on the Dateline special "On the Brink," as she spoke to Congress members last week about her lifetime of learning on how to best address the needs of her son. Dr. Paul Shattuck, who also spoke at the briefing, is also mentioned in the article.

Dr. Paul Shattuck participates in a congressional autism caucus briefing on transitioning to adulthood

April 23, 2015
Congress members Chris Smith and Mike Doyle, co-chairs of the Coalition for Autism Research and Education, invited Dr. Paul Shattuck to speak during a briefing on the aging out crisis faced by youth with autism. The briefing featured autism advocates, parents, and special education faculty as well as the Autism Institute's own Dr. Shattuck. 

Dr. Shattuck and Team's National Autism Indicators Report Featured in U.S. News & World Report

April 22, 2015
Coverage of the National Autism Indicators Report: Transition into Young Adulthood continues with more insights into the lack of resources available to autistic youth facing the transition into adulthood.

Dr. Shattuck and Team's National Autism Indicators Report, Released April 21, Receives Press in USA Today

April 21, 2015
USA Today interviewed Paul Shattuck and Anne Roux regarding the National Autism Indicators Report: Transition into Young Adulthood, released April 21, 2015. The report examines employment, post-high school education rates and other measures of autistic youth transitioning to adulthood. 

Dr. Paul Shattuck's Work Mentioned in Adult Autism Services Article in the Baltimore Sun

April 20, 2015
There are few options when a child ages out of support services that are available to autistic youth. Dr. Paul Shattuck’s work is included in this article, which discusses resources and research being done in Maryland and Pennsylvania to help adults with autism. 

Paul Shattuck, PhD, is interviewed on NPR's OnPoint to discuss stark realities of autistic adulthood

April 17, 2015
Youth with autism have many support systems as long as they’re in school. Paul Shattuck, who directs the Life Course Outcomes program at Drexel University’s Autism Institute in Philadelphia, discusses what happens when these youth age out of a school support system and are faced with the sometimes overwhelming challenges of pursuing further education, looking for jobs, and living on their own. 

Paul Shattuck, PhD, is highlighted in a Washington Post article on adults on the autism spectrum, outcomes, and future directions in research and services

March 23, 2015
Paul Shattuck directs the Life Course Outcomes program at Drexel University’s Autism Institute in Philadelphia. He has spent much of the past five years dissecting data from a nationally representative survey of adults who received special education services during high school, including students with autism.

Diana Robins, PhD, is interviewed for an article in the Chicago Tribune about the importance of early autism diagnosis and intervention in young children

March 20, 2015
Diana Robins, who heads a research program area at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, has developed, with others, the M-CHAT-R (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised).  Robins reports in a recent study in the journal Pediatrics that use of the tool can reduce diagnosis age to about 25 months.  An earlier diagnosis means intervention can begin earlier, and that's the good news. 

Paul Shattuck, PhD, and Life Course Outcomes Research Program Area are highlighted in a ScienceNews article on adults with autism navigating life

February 10, 2015
Paul Shattuck directs the Life Course Outcomes program at Drexel University’s Autism Institute in Philadelphia. He has spent much of the last five years dissecting data from a nationally representative survey of adults who received special education services during high school, including students with autism.

Lindsay Shea, DrPH, talks to the Philadelphia Inquirer about improving services in Philadelphia for individuals with autism

February 3, 2015
At a hearing before a Council subcommittee, leaders in autism services spoke about a range of needs, including smoother transitions across the life span and improved access to care for underserved populations.

Connor Kerns, PhD, contributes to a Philadelphia Inquirer Piece on Anxiety in Autism

December 28, 2014
Some of the autistic children Connor Kerns works with have odd fears:  exposed pipes, bubbles on pizza, a microwave's beep.  These may seem innocuous to many people, but for someone with autism, they can trigger a wave of worry and anxiety. 

Diana Robins, PhD, is Interviewed for the Philly.com Healthy Kids Minute Segment

December 3, 2014
Dr. Robins speaks in this segment on diagnosing autism and when evaluation should be considered.

Connor Kerns, PhD, Receives an Autism Science Foundation 2014 Research Enhancement Grant

November 19, 2014
Dr. Kerns is one of five recipients of an Autism Science Foundation 2014 Research Enhancement Grant.  Her project will focus on designing and validating an instrument to improve the measurement of anxiety in individuals with autism. 

ASERT Census shows number of individuals with autism receiving services in PA has Tripled

Lindsay Shea, DrPH, an assistant professor in the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and director of the eastern region of the Pennsylvania Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training Collaborative (ASERT), was quoted in a WHYY-FM/Newsworks story on Nov. 13 about the new ASERT census she led showing that the number of individuals with autism receiving services has tripled in the state.

Pennsylvania Autism Census Highlights Dramatic Increase in Numbers

November 13, 2014
The Autism Services, Education, Resources & Training Collaborative (ASERT) has released the Pennsylvania Autism Census Update for 2014.  The census, lead by Dr. Lindsay Shea, found that the number of individuals with autism in all age groups receiving services has increased tremendously since the original census study was released in 2009.  Read more about the census on the ASERT website, here

The Other End of the Spectrum:  Autism Isn't Just a Childhood Disorder but are we Prepared to Serve Adults?

November 5, 2014
Dr. Lindsay Shea is interviewed by the Pittsburgh City Paper on the relative lack of knowledge and services for adults with autism.  The article also talks about the Pennsylvania autism-needs assessment and interviews other experts. 

Study Suggests Link Between Air Pollution Exposure and Autism

October 24, 2014
Dr. Craig Newschaffer commented in Forbes on a study finding that children with autism were 1.4 to two times more likely to have been exposed to higher levels of air pollution during pregnancy and the first two years of life than children without autism.

A Public Health Approach to Autism, in Philadelphia

September 22, 2014
Sure, the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute just receives $3.6 million from an anonymous donor, but this isn't your regular, everyday autism grant.  It's more about empowering folks with autism to live positive lives. 

A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Receives $3.6 Million Gift to Launch Life Course Outcomes Research Initiatives

August 10, 2014
The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University has received a grant of $3.6 million from an anonymous donor 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. This program is led by Autism Institute professor Paul Shattuck, PhD, a nationally recognized expert on these issues.

EXEL Magazine Special Report:  Autism Research Update

July 15, 2014
Exel, the Drexel University research magazine, published a special report on the state of autism research. 

Do People with Autism Struggle with Driving? First Study Asks Autistic Adults about Real-World Driving Experiences

June 26, 2014
Drexel University researchers piloted a survey to assess the difference in self-reported driving ability and driving behaviors in adults with autism versus adults without autism.  Paul Shattuck describes the importance of this type of study for the provision of supports for individuals with autism to increase ability for community contribution.  

Trends in U.S. National Autism Awareness from 2004 to 2014:  the Impact of Autism Awareness Month

June 11, 2014
Autism Institute Fellow Brian Lee coauthored a brief report on the trends of autism awareness in the U.S. over the past 10 years.  The research suggests that autism awareness month and televised reports on autism promote online search interest in autism.  

Mapping Collaboration Networks in the World of Autism Research

May 21, 2014
Autism Institute Fellow Brian Lee coauthored a paper in which they sought to provide an overview of the world of autism research.  The article was published in Autism Research: Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research.

Autism Speaks Guest Blog - Costs of Autism: A Call for a New Mindset of Investment and Innovation

June 10, 2014
Dr. Shattuck and Ms. Roux just published an editorial on a landmark Autism Speaks-funded study on the economic costs of autism to families and society. Our research on young adults with autism finds that poor outcomes remain common even though we, as a nation, spend billions of dollars a year on childhood interventions for autism. Of course, childhood services are essential. But we need to do a better job tracking what is being done with whom and with what impact.

The Need for Investment and Innovation to Improve Autism Outcomes: JAMA Pediatrics Editorial by Paul Shattuck and Anne Roux

June 9, 2014
Buescher and colleagues have broken new ground in their article “Costs of Autism Spectrum Disorders in the United Kingdom and the United States” by comparing costs for children vs adults, by estimating costs by sector, and by comparing estimates across countries. This accomplishment is especially remarkable given the challenge presented by a profound lack of infrastructure for routinely monitoring costs and outcomes in people with autism spectrum disorders. We wish to reflect further on the conceptual and measurement advances needed to reach a point where we can meaningfully link investments in services to life course outcomes.

The article by Beuscher et al. can be found here, in which they estimate that it costs $2.4 million to support an individual with autism throughout his or her lifetime.  

More coverage of the article and the editorial can be found at:

Paul Shattuck Weights in on Outcomes in Adults with Autism

June 9, 2014
In an anecdote about two young adults with ASD, Paul Shattuck discusses the lack of services and opportunities many adults with autism face.  Two years after graduation from high school, more than half of individuals with autism are not employed or seeking higher education.  

In Utero Exposure to Antidepressants May Influence Autism Risk

June 2, 2014
A new study from researchers at Drexel University adds evidence that using common antidepressant medications during pregnancy may contribute to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children, although this risk is still very small.

Mobile REACH Event Receives Community Support

May 29, 2014
The Autism Institute held an unveiling event for Mobile REACH today, receiving huge community support.  Faculty from the Autism Institute, Drexel President John Fry, School of Public Health Dean Ana Diez Rouz, and Christina Weiss Lurie spoke about the uses and opportunities of Mobile REACH.  

ABC 6 Action News story
KYW coverage
CBS Philly story

Many Health Woes Common in Autistic Adults:  Study

May 14, 2014
"This new study makes a vitally important contribution by helping to map this little-explored territory," said Paul Shattuck, a Drexel University autism researcher who was not involved.

Autism Risk Increases in Children Born to Older Women, Drexel Study Finds

April 24, 2014
Why autism strikes certain kids -- and not others -- has puzzled scientists for half a century. But one trend is clear: having older parents seems to increase the risk. Now, a study from Drexel University adds two more wrinkles to the story.

Drexel's Autism Institute Hits the Road

April 23, 2014
The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University is going mobile. The institute has outfitted a mobile clinic to extend its autism outreach and clinical research activities into the community. Drexel’s Mobile REACH (Resources and Education for Autism and Community Health) clinic will be used to conduct psycho-social, behavioral and neuro-psychological evaluations of people of any age at any location. It will also be used to help people learn about the resources, services and support available at Drexel for autism patients and their families.

Drexel Revs Up Autism Efforts with a 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. 

Autism Experts at Drexel Are Available to Comment for Autism Awareness Month

April 4, 2014
Experts at Drexel University are available to comment for news stories about autism for Autism Awareness Month in April and throughout the year. The University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, focused on a public health science approach to autism, continues to grow and add expertise in critical areas including life course outcomes and employment for adults on the autism spectrum.

"Museum Stories" at the Academy of Natural Sciences Offer Assistance to Visiting Children on the Autism Spectrum

February 20, 2014

For people on the autism spectrum, going to an unfamiliar place can be challenging. In a new initiative aimed at making a visit to the science museum as stress-free, fun and educational as possible, the Academy has begun implementing several programs designed specifically for children on the spectrum. 

Study Suggests Community Colleges Provide Advantages for Young Adults with Autism

November 1, 2013

New research finds community colleges may play a particularly important role in fostering transition into productive lives for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Nearly Two-Thirds of Kids with Autism on Meds

October 21, 2013

Despite limited evidence supporting the practice, researchers say that nearly two-thirds of children with autism are taking at least one psychotropic drug. In a review of medical and pharmacy claims data for 33,565 kids with autism between 2001 and 2009, researchers from Drexel found that 64 percent of children on the spectrum were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication.

Parents Create Custom Jobs for Adult Kids with Autism

September 28, 2013

Lori Ireland and a handful of other parents in Chapel Hill, N.C., had a simple dream: They wanted their teenage children to be able to have jobs someday. Sitting around with nothing productive to do would be unsatisfying and frustrating for their kids, not to mention expensive. But they also knew the dismal truth: It's tough for someone with autism to get a job.

Young Adults with Autism Less Likely to Have Jobs, Live Independently

September 18, 2013

Young adults with autism are less likely to find work or live on their own than their peers with other kinds of disabilities, two new studies show. The first study, with author Paul Shattuck, focused on employment. Researchers found that only about half of those with autism had ever held a job since high school, and only about a third were currently working.

A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Boosts Research on Adults with Autism

September 15, 2013

Autism research tends to focus on the causes of this developmental disorder, and on early interventions for children affected by it. Philadelphia's A.J. Drexel Autism Institute is now making an effort to better understand how to help adults with autism.

First Small Business Town Hall Held in Philadelphia

September 13, 2013

Autism Speaks held its first Small Business Town Hall meeting, hosted by the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. Over 130 people participated in the event, including adults with autism and their families, small business owners, employment service providers, and local politicians.

Training in Autism Friendly Protocols Help to Improve ER Care

September 5, 2013

A Pennsylvania emergency room doctor and three professors from Indiana University of Pennsylvania have created a training manual and DVD to help ER clinicians deal more effectively with patients on the autism spectrum. Funded through the Bureau of Autism Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training (ASERT), the training protocols are currently being promoted in hospitals across Pennsylvania, and the manual’s authors say the expanded goal is to incent health systems and medical professionals nationwide to better prepare practitioners to treat the rising prevalence of patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum Face Tough Prospects for Jobs and Independent Living

September 4, 2013

Two newly published studies show precisely how stark the situation is for finding success in employment and independent living among young adults on the autism spectrum, compared to their peers with other types of disabilities. The researchers emphasize the need to strengthen services to help adolescents and young adults and their families with transition planning.

Paul Shattuck, PhD joins the AJ Drexel Autism Institute

September 1, 2013

It is with great pleasure that the AJ Drexel Autism Insitute annouces that Paul Shattuck, PhD will be joining Drexel University as an Associate Professor and Leader of a Research Program Area in Life Course Outcomes based in the Autism Institute.

Study Aims to Capture Autism's Transition into Adulthood

August 26, 2013

Adjusting to adulthood can be difficult for any young person, but for adolescents with autism or other developmental disorders, the transition can be especially difficult.

Who Will Care for Children with Autism When They're Adults?

August 23, 2013

The vast majority of youngsters with autism will grow up to be adults with autism. An estimated one of every 88 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means that 45,000 to 50,000 kids with autism turn 18 each year, says autism researcher Paul Shattuck.

 

New (Questionable) Claims for a Cause of Autism

August 13, 2013

Every so often a science news story comes along proclaiming that we are on the cusp of a revolutionary new understanding of autism spectrum disorders. 

Autism Risk-Factors Database Could Aid in Epidemiological Studies of the Disorder

August 6, 2013

A new database pools health registry data from seven countries, dramatically boosting potential sample sizes for epidemiological studies of autism.

Newschaffer and Phoebe Jones, MPH'14, Travel to Israel for Autism Research

August 6, 2013

Current MPH student Phoebe Jones traveled to Israel in June with Dr. Michael Yudell, an associate professor, and Dr. Craig Newschaffer, a professor and director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute.

 

Movement and Learning in Autism:  Dr. James Connell Weighs in on Discrete Trial Trainings in Individuals with ASD

August 4, 2013

Elizabeth Torres, a computational neuroscientist at Rutgers University, thinks many experts are making a mistake when they focus only on what’s malfunctioning in the brains of people with autism.

Dr. James Connell on CNN’s “The Next List” Talking About Adults with Autism and Employment

July 9, 2013

Dan Selec has a revolutionary idea: teach adults on the autism spectrum how to code so they can create apps and video games and make a living in the tech industry.

A Drexel University Collaborative Team including Dr. James Connell Awarded $250,000 to Develop Behavioral Health Management Tools

June 20, 2013

Two teams of Drexel researchers, led by Drs. Evan Forman and Brian Daly of the psychology department, have been given seven monthly and $250,000 each from Shire Pharmaceuticals to develop a self-management tool that will aid patients with behavioral health disorders.

The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Contributes to New Autism Resources in Pennsylvania

May 31, 2013

The Pennsylvania Autism Services, Education, Resources & Training Collaborative (ASERT) has announced the launch of a statewide resource center to provide streamlined access to information for the estimated 30,000 Pennsylvanians living with autism.

 

Q & A with James Connell: Checking in with the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute

April 17, 2013

The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute formally launched at Drexel in 2012 as the first autism research center in the country focused on public health science.

 

 

Science and the Senses at the Museum: Academy of Natural Sciences Gets More Autism-Friendly

April 17, 2013

From the iconic T-Rex at the entrance to the active fossil prep lab tucked away in the back corner, Dinosaur Hall at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a delight for the senses of many fans of Earth’s mightiest extinct creatures.  Except when a sensory experience isn’t such a delight.

Guest blog: Inflated prevalence?

April 12, 2013

On 20 March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results of a parent survey suggesting that two percent of children in the country are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Building an Autism-Friendly Space: A Tour of the Drexel Autism Institute's Future Home 

February 20, 2013

“We’re going to need an autism-friendly building.”  Dr. Jennifer Plumb, a clinical social worker, made this comment mid-way through a tour of the future home of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute on Market Street in University City, Philadelphia.

Dr. Craig Newschaffer and Team Receive Autism Speaks Grant

January 23, 2013

Dr. Craig Newschaffer, a professor at the Drexel University School of Public Health (SPH), recently received a $300,000 grant from Autism Speaks to study the association between autism risk and prenatal exposure to flame-retardant chemicals.