News
May Institute Endorses National Autism Center Report on Autism Treatments
Randolph, Mass. – May Institute is one of dozens of organizations, scientists, and practitioners throughout the country expressing support for the National Autism Center’s recently published National Standards Report, a comprehensive analysis of treatments for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
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National Autism Center Responds to NBC Today’s Show Segment “Travolta Admits Son Had Autism”
I am writing in response to a discussion Thursday on the Today Show about Jett Travolta’s co-morbid diagnosis.
First, let me say we appreciate the coverage about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which will help to raise public awareness about some of the related challenges individuals on the autism spectrum may face. You also touched on the unfortunate reality for families associated with acknowledging their child’s diagnosis in a society that is not always understanding or supportive.
In discussing Jett’s dual diagnosis of ASD and seizure disorder, Dr. Snyderman commented that children with autism are “not more likely” to have a seizure disorder than children without autism. The best estimates at this time are, in fact, that at least 25% of individuals on the autism spectrum have a co-morbid seizure disorder.
Families, caregivers, and service providers must work to ensure that children with ASD have the greatest chances of reaching their potential by learning and developing in their environments. In many cases, this requires an understanding of seizure disorders and how they might impact a child’s health and response to treatment. For example, many children and adolescents have absence seizures which are not readily apparent to their parents, teachers, and others around them. If they believe that seizures are not likely to be a challenge children with autism will experience, parents and educators alike may misinterpret a child’s vacant stare as a form of social disconnectedness. Some individuals with seizure disorders experience seizure-induced aggression. This behavior may be interpreted as being function-based instead of a physiological response to seizures. Developing appropriate treatments in these cases is clearly tied to proper diagnosis.
We felt it was important to clarify this point, particularly given the increased coverage resulting from the tragedy of Jett Travolta’s death.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Susan M. Wilczynski, PhD, BCBA Executive Director, National Autism Center
National Autism Center Releases Groundbreaking Report on Autism Treatments
Randolph, Mass. – The National Autism Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), today released its National Standards Report, the most comprehensive analysis of treatments for children and adolescents with ASD ever published.
“This report cuts through the confusing and often conflicting information about the myriad treatments available for ASD,” said Susan M. Wilczynski, Ph.D., BCBA, Executive Director of the National Autism Center. “It is designed to serve as a single, authoritative source of guidance for parents, caregivers, educators, and service providers as they make informed treatment decisions.”
May Institute, National Autism Center, and Automoblox Launch “Cars for Classrooms” Summer Charitable Campaign to Benefit Children with Autism
Randolph, MA – May Institute, the National Autism Center, and Automoblox are proud to announce the launch of “Cars for Classrooms,” a unique summer charitable campaign created to donate innovative toy cars to schools working with children and adolescents with autism. Automoblox, the retro-modern, mix-and-match car design system, has won major awards for crafting a toy that incorporates creative problem-solving, visual-spatial processing, and fine motor skill development into an ultra-cool play experience that appeals to kids of all ages and abilities.
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May Institute, National Autism Center, and Automoblox Launch “Cars for Classrooms” Summer Charitable Campaign to Benefit Children with Autism
Randolph, MA – May Institute, the National Autism Center, and Automoblox are proud to announce the launch of “Cars for Classrooms,” a unique summer charitable campaign created to donate innovative toy cars to schools working with children and adolescents with autism. Automoblox, the retro-modern, mix-and-match car design system, has won major awards for crafting a toy that incorporates creative problem-solving, visual-spatial processing, and fine motor skill development into an ultra-cool play experience that appeals to kids of all ages and abilities.
With its “Cars for Classrooms” summer charitable campaign, Automoblox will donate one car to a school providing specialized educational services to children with autism for every car purchased at www.automoblox.com throughout the months of July and August 2009. At the completion of the campaign, a list of schools that received Automoblox donations will be posted on each partner’s website. School selection will be managed by May Institute and the National Autism Center.
“Automoblox has always challenged the widespread trend of distraction and disposability in today’s toy market by fusing healthy, old-school play benefits into a unique design system, with a cool factor that speaks to the current generation of kids,” says Joe Barrett, CEO of Automoblox Company. “We were thrilled to discover the developmental benefits our toys offer to special needs populations, especially children with autism. But this discovery left us with the problem of how to get these toys into the schools, which is why we’ve partnered with May Institute and the National Autism Center.”
Mr. Barrett continues, “Especially in this economy, when school resources are being continually stretched, we’re really excited to collaborate with these two nationally recognized organizations and our customers to help our toys reach the populations that need them the most.” FedEx will be donating their shipping services to deliver the cars to the schools.
May Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The National Autism Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by providing reliable information, promoting best practices, and offering comprehensive resources for families, practitioners, and communities.
According to Alan Harchik, Ph.D., BCBA, Senior Vice President of Educational Services for May Institute, “Social interactions, communication, and applying simple concepts to more complex problems are particularly challenging for children with autism. These toys offer us another context and additional opportunities to work on these important skills.”
“It is a thrill to partner with Automoblox,” says Susan M. Wilczynski, Ph.D., BCBA, Executive Director of the National Autism Center. “The company’s ingenuity and generosity will be so greatly appreciated by schools serving those with autism across the country.” Dr. Wilczynski continues, “We have a shared vision of providing schools with toys that will enhance and build on the educational experience for children with autism.”
The “Cars for Classrooms” campaign will run until August 31, 2009. To participate in the campaign, visit www.automoblox.com to purchase a car or truck. Customers participating in the campaign will enter the code “donation” at online checkout.
About May Institute
May Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral healthcare needs. Headquartered in Randolph, Mass., the Institute also provides training and consultation services to professionals and organizations.
Since its founding over 50 years ago, May Institute has evolved into an award-winning national network that serves over 25,000 individuals and their families annually. The organization operates four schools for children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities, and provides school consultation to over 200 public school systems each year. For more information, visit www.mayinstitute.org.
