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Autism Speaks Funded Science in Pennsylvania

Since 2000, Autism Speaks has funded over $2,745,410 in research grants in the state of Pennsylvania. Funded studies include work done at:

  • University of Pittsburgh 
  • University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
  • The Open University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Carnegie Melon University & Center for Excellence in Autism Research
  • University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
  • The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Drexel University School of Public Helath
  • Temple University
  • The Fox Chase Cancer Center
  • Thomas Jefferson University
  • Bryn Mawr College

Autism Treatment Network Site:  University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Pittsburgh, PA)  (7 and younger) Intake Clinic - Phone:  412-692-5561 and (8 and older( Merck Child Outpatient Clinic - Phone:  412-235-5447

Kennedy Krieger Institute (Baltimore, MD) vossk@kennedykrieger.org (close proximity)

Clinical Trials Network: 

Clinical Trials has a new participating location in the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA) at the Clinical Research Center of New Jersey (CRCNJ) in Voorhees, New Jersey. (close proximity to Philadelphia)

The site is currently enrolling children and adolescents between the ages of 5 an 17 years diagnosed with autistic disorder.  Interested parents can contact sofiastudy@arkios.com or call 1-877-SOFIA-97 (1-877-763-429) for more information.

University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh,PA) - Participating site.

To learn more about the network or ongoing trials:  www.autismspeaks.org/ctn and www.clinicaltrials.gov

Spotlight on Researcher or local grant recipient:

Roseann Schaaf, Ph.D.
Thomas Jefferson Univeristy
$449,450 for 3 years

Effectiveness of sensory based strategies for improving adaptive behaviors in children with autism

Many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have unusual responses to sensory stimuli. They may be overly sensitive to sensation and thus respond to stimuli too easily or too intensely. These responses to stimuli and the associated difficulties in processing sensory information (together referred to as sensory dysfunction) are significant factors limiting the child and family's ability to participate in activities in the home and the community. Interventions such as occupational therapy have been used to specifically address these sensory dysfunctions, but their efficacy has not been evaluated in controlled studies.

The present study will evaluate whether a systematic intervention of occupational therapy is effective in decreasing sensory dysfunction in children with ASD. Subjects will work with occupational therapists with expertise in evaluating and treating sensory dysfunction, who will focus on enhancing independence and participation in activities. After occupational therapy, the subjects' ability to participate in home, school and community activities will be assessed, and improvements in their sensory behaviors will be measured.

This study will provide parents and therapists with much needed data about the usefulness of occupational therapy to address sensory dysfunction in ASD, and has the potential to provide effective strategies to enhance participation in everyday activities.

For a full list of treatment grants awarded nationally please click here.

 
Participate in research:

Did you Know....Autism Speaks sponsored the first of its kind Immunology Workshop which evaluated the current of knowledge about the potential role of immunological factors in the pathogenesis of autism, and to outlined critical areas of future research to clarify the relationship of such factors to autism and investigate their potential relevance for therapeutic interventions.

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