WAISMAN CENTER
UW-MADISON
Dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. Public concern about autism has grown in recent years as research has shown it to be more prevalent than once thought—occurring in about one out of every 150-200 people. The Waisman Center is strongly committed to solving the autism puzzle and providing high quality services to people with autism and their families.

This page describes the Waisman Center’s current activities related to autism. The scope of these endeavors will continue to expand as the Center actively pursues the development of more research into the causes, consequences, and treatments of this complex disorder. The Waisman Center is uniquely positioned to make major advances in the understanding of autism because of its multi-disciplinary approach and ability to conduct research, training, services, and outreach under one roof.

• Research
• Training
• Services and Outreach
• Autism Studies Currently Recruiting
• In the News

 

RESEARCH

• Research on Twins with Autism
  A population-based twin study of autism.
• Wisconsin Surveillance of Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
  A multiple-source investigation to determine and monitor the number of eight year-old children in the population with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mental retardation, and/or cerebral palsy.
• Families of Adolescents and Adults
  Research expanding in our understanding of how autism affects the lives of adolescents and adults with autism and their families.
• Speech, Communication and Language
  • Phonology Project
    Research on the unique ways people with autism process speech and talk.
• Toddler Talk Project
  Focus on early communication and language skills in toddlers on the autism spectrum
  
• Imaging Studies of Brain Development
  • fMRI Studies of Brain Development
    Projects that focus on using advanced MRI methods to study longitudinal brain development in children with autism spectrum disorders.
  • Autism and Related Developmental Differences
    Focus on underlying brain structure and function associated with autism and related developmental differences/disabilities such as fragile X.
• Latino Families of Children on the Autism Spectrum
  This study will also be able to provide information about cultural beliefs about autism, the extent and impact of extended family support, and the health, well-being and coping strategies of the Latina mothers in the study.
• Fragile X syndrome
  A study designed to understand the association between autism and fragile X syndrome.
• Rett Syndrome
  Rett Syndrome is a severe childhood neurodevelopmental disorder that also shares some features with autism.

TRAINING

• Graduate and Post-doctoral Training Program
  The NICHD-funded Post-doctoral Training Program in Developmental Disabilities Research supports four postdoctoral fellows each year who receive research training related to various types of developmental disabilities, including autism.
• Parent Leadership Training (pdf)
  Parents learn about resources for children with special needs, how to communicate effectively on behalf of their child, and how to effect policy changes. Approximately 10% of the participants have children with autism.
• National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders
  One objective of the center is to increase the number of highly qualified personnel serving children with ASD.

SERVICES AND OUTREACH

• Inclusive Preschool
  The Waisman Early Childhood Program is a model preschool that demonstrates how to include children with disabilities, including children with autism, in regular classroom settings.
• Clinics
  • Child Development Clinic
    Provides developmental pediatric assessment of young children who have developmental delays and assists parents with questions they may have related to their children. Many of the children seen in this clinic are referred for concerns about possible autistic spectrum disorders.
  • Early Autism and Communication Research Clinic (EACRC)
    Provides developmental, communication, and diagnostic evaluation services to children between ages 2 and 3 years old who have been diagnosed or are suspected to be on the autism spectrum and who participate in the Toddler Talk Project.
• Community Outreach
  The Waisman Community TIES (Training, Intervention and Evaluations Services) program is an outreach program for children and adults with developmental disabilities who present various challenging behaviors, including withdrawal, aggression and self-injury.
• National Medical Home Autism Initiative
  a technical assistance, resource, and advocacy project designed to promote methods that will improve the capacity of the medical home and early intervention community to identify, appropriately serve, and integrate children with autism into their communities.
• Waisman Resource Center
  Centrally located within the clinical services area on the first floor of the Waisman Center, the Waisman Resource Center provides free and confidential information and assistance to families whose children have autism or other special needs.
• Family Village—Autism
  The Family Village is a web site for children and adults with disabilities, their families, and their friends and allies. It includes files on hundreds of specific disabilities, including autism and autism spectrum disorders.
• Autism-Related Activities at the Waisman Center (handout - pdf)
  

In the News

• Research by Maureen Durkin, PhD, links family environment and autism
  March 16, 2009
• Guide co-authored by Susan Heighway, MS, PNP-BC, APNP is featured book in Autism-Asperger's Digest Magazine
  February 10, 2009
• Impact of autism highlighted in Capital Times
  July 3, 2008
• Waisman Center partners in new model autism program
  June 12, 2008
• Marsha Mailick Seltzer, PhD, study: autism symptoms can improve into adulthood
  September 25, 2007
• New autism clinic directed by Susan Ellis Weismer, PhD, and Morton Gernsbacher, PhD
  2/15/2007
• Study by Maureen Durkin, PhD, profiles rate of autism in Wisconsin
  2/9/2007
• Richard Davidson, PhD, research findings: Brain’s 'fear center' may underlie autistic behaviors
  December 16, 2006
• Research by epidemiologist Maureen Durkin, PhD, aims to establish accurate count of children with autism spectrum disorders
  October 26, 2006
• Work by Sandy Magaña, PhD, underscores importance of family in caring for people with disabilitiesOctober 4, 2006
  
• Rise in autism rate misleading, says Waisman researcher, Paul Shattuck, PhD
  April 4, 2006
• Kim Dalton's research: eye contact and children with autism
  March 3, 2005
• Friends of Autism Supports Waisman Research
  Posted 9/10/2003
• New Autism Center At Waisman
  Posted 7/16/2003
• Autism Society of Wisconsin Honors Waisman Center
  Posted 2/25/2003