Autism Spectrum Disorders

As the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) continues to increase, the USC UCEDD continues to leverage resources throughout the CHLA and USC campuses, in collaboration with DD Network Partners, and our essential partnerships with community agencies to foster systemic change. Below is a listing of programs, projects, and activities describing our current efforts and those of the past 5 years.

Programs, Collaborations and Initiatives

Service Delivery

• Parent child interaction therapy program
• Floortime groups
• Feeding development clinic
• Medication management
• Social skills therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy
• Autism Center for Clinical Excellence, Children's Hospital LA
• Boone Fetter Clinic

Training/Workforce Development

• CA-Leadership Education in Neuro-developmental Disorders (CA-LEND)
  • Autism Module
  • Autism Fellows Team
  • Autism Leadership Projects
• Member of California Autism Professional Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN)

Community Education, Information Dissemination and Technical Assistance

• First Connections: Training and Technical Assistance to Community-Based Agencies in Underserved Communities Providing Early Identification of Autism and other Developmental Disabilities and Linkage to Services (First 5 LA)
• Autism Science Briefs
  

Research

• TACERN: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Autism Center of Excellence Research Network, multi-site study of early biomarkers for autism in infants with tuberous sclerosis
• Tummy Troubles

Completed – past 5 years

• Sensory Adapted Dental Environments to Enhance Oral Care for Children with ASD, NIH/NIDCR 2011-2013
• Autism in Urban Context: Linking Heterogeneity with Health and Service Disparities NIMH (2011-2013 (Yin, Poulsen, Williams, Co-Investigators)
• Disseminating Scientific Information on Autism to the Latino Community NIMH 2009-2012 (Wheeler, Co-PI)
• The Met Signaling System, Autism and Gastrointestinal Dysfunction NIMH 2009-2011 (Williams, Psychologist)
• Autism in Children with Vision Impairment Drown Foundation 2010-2011 (Williams, Co-PI)
• A Model for inclusion of Minorities in Genetic Research NHGRI 2008-2010 (Wheeler, Co-PI)

Policy

• California Learn the Signs Act Early Ambassadors: Fran Goldfarb, MA, MCHES, CPSP (USC UCEDD and CA-LEND) and Debbie Sarmento (Family Resource Network of California).
• Analysis of the Impact of CMS guidance to states regarding coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy is a Medicaid covered benefit for children under 21 years of age.
• CA Senate Bill 856 authorizing Regional Centers to reimburse consumer's deductible on any given service if it is in a child's Individualized Program Plan.

Autism-Related Publications